Bill,
The point regarding the personnel is somewhat valid for sure. I think my main issue though is there is zero adjustment. It's not like the Flyers don't have mobile forwards who can perform a high pressure PK system (Raffl, Laughton, Read, Bellamare, even VV).

It's not really a concern of mine thinking Lappy has forgotten how to coach. He was successful during the year you pointed out. But players come and go and as a coach its his job to get the best out of the group he currently has. If he doesn't have the benefit of having smart/positionally sounds players (Kimmo, Coburn, Grossmann, etc) at his disposal, then he needs to adjust. Tinkering with the PK system during the all-star break would be as good as any time wouldn't it.
- SeaIslelandLush

Raffl and Laughton have been criminally under used on the PK. It is broke, so at least try and fix it.

A guy i'd have interest in this summer is gunnarson. He shouldn't break the bank
- Just5

Carl Gunnarsson the defenseman?

I guess he'd be an upgrade over some of their D.

Another fricken lefty though!

Carl Gunnarsson the defenseman?

I guess he'd be an upgrade over some of their D.

Another fricken lefty though!
- Marc D

Well, could always go after Luke Schenn if you want a righty...

Well, could always go after Luke Schenn if you want a righty...
- jmatchett383

would do at 1.5M X 2yrs

would do at 1.5M X 2yrs
- Marc D

I think more people had an issue with the trade and his salary more than anything. He'll never be more than a physical bottom-pair defender, but if he came cheap without a NTC/NMC, I'd take him.

While everyone else are a bunch of grumpy cats, I am just excited that Phanoof and Big Boof were traded/resigned and not going to be Flyers anytime soon.

Now if the Flyers get into the top 3 for the draft than I will be jumping around like a Leafs fan after making the playoffs. Picks 4-9 than I am fist pumping feverishly.

Yeah, the schlub who took a 56-point team and overhauled it into a conference finalist (the very next year) and a Stanley Cup finalist (two seasons after that). The same one who built 106-point and 103-point teams the next two seasons after that.

The one who took two players who, despite being on-ice stars, had to go and turned the deals into Voracek, Couturier, Simmonds and Brayden Schenn?

Were some of the moves and cap decisions detrimental in retrospect? Yes. But Holmgren was FAR from a "schlub."
- bmeltzer

I was going to respond but you beat me to it. Yes, I think the state of the current team lays on the shoulders of Holmgren, however, its very unfair to say his overall body of work is Milburyesk. Holmgren did a great job at the beginning. I still think the haul he got for Carter and Richards was worth it. where he went wrong IMHO was getting desperate after coming so close in 2010 and trading and signing AMAC for that deal, being all or nothing on Weber/Suter, signing Vinny, etc. but that shouldn't mean overlooking what he did taking the worse team in club history and rebuilding them like he did.

Which player is that?
- jmatchett383

Typo. I meant Meszaros was a 30 point dman, before the injuries ruined him.

I think more people had an issue with the trade and his salary more than anything. He'll never be more than a physical bottom-pair defender, but if he came cheap without a NTC/NMC, I'd take him.
- jmatchett383

That is exactly how I feel. I think Luke will have a long if unspectacular NHL career as a steady #5-6 guy.

I think he as a right hander with size would be useful on the 3rd pair.

While everyone else are a bunch of grumpy cats, I am just excited that Phanoof and Big Boof were traded/resigned and not going to be Flyers anytime soon.

Now if the Flyers get into the top 3 for the draft than I will be jumping around like a Leafs fan after making the playoffs. Picks 4-9 than I am fist pumping feverishly.
- Glak18

I see them easily picking in the 6-11 range.
#4-5 if Couts remains out or Jake/G go down for any expected period.

For me, there is a lot wrong with the usage of personnel. Not having a top pair or a lack of depth is one thing but you can do better than Brandon Manning nightly. He should never be on the PP over Del Zotto. The lack of uses of Matt Read is a bad Coaching strategy. Read is having a decent season, just bad linemates. Read has to be more included, even over Gagner. Putting Nick Cousins in a top 6 role and putting Cousins on the ice when we desperately need a goal is a bad Coaching error.

Until now, this team's management problem has always been lack of patience. Whether it was Holmgren or Bobby Clarke or whoever, the Flyers have a long, frustrating history of trying to buy success instead of earning it.

It sucks right now, and it makes sense that we fans want to vent about all the issues currently wrong with this team, but Hexy is doing the right thing IMO.
- ChoclitLeClair

I guess not winning since 1976 will do that but I agree the lack of patience has resulted in bad decisions not to mention just the overall inability to draft and develop dmen and goaltenders. I find Hextall's approach refreshing and I truly hope he resists the urge to follow suit with previous GMs. yes it sucks not winning for what will be 40 years but I am willing to be patient for a few years to see them attempt to build within like Chicago and LA has done.

Typo. I meant Meszaros was a 30 point dman, before the injuries ruined him.
- Feanor

He had a 30+ point season 3 years before they signed him. He was coming off of 2 years in TB where he put up less than 20 points and had regressed (offensively) for 4 straight years. I like how it worked out, but he could have been another Randy Jones.

I guess not winning since 1976 will do that but I agree the lack of patience has resulted in bad decisions not to mention just the overall inability to draft and develop dmen and goaltenders. I find Hextall's approach refreshing and I truly hope he resists the urge to follow suit with previous GMs. yes it sucks not winning for what will be 40 years but I am willing to be patient for a few years to see them attempt to build within like Chicago and LA has done.
- nastyflyergirl

They are walking a tight line.

I don't think an all out tank like Buffalo last season or Leafs right now would be tolerated in Philly.

For Hexy to pull it off with Ed Snider aging and I'm sure desiring another Cup is pretty amazing.

Raffl and Laughton have been criminally under used on the PK. It is broke, so at least try and fix it.
- Feanor

Yup. The only thing I can think of is they are positive Raffl is going to break his feet if they put him on it with the way he blocks shots. There's no other way to explain it. Laughton should be getting lots of pk at the end of the year here. He needs to start carving out a niche and find something he can hang his hat on to bring to the team night in and night out. I think he should see time on the 2nd pp unit instead of one of the dmen. You have coots out there, you don't need two dmen and coots

For me, there is a lot wrong with the personnel.
- SuperSchennBros

fixed that for you

(just joking, I do agree with your points, but don't think minor tweaks like playing Read more or having MDZ on the 2nd PP would make a huge difference with this current team)

I see them easily picking in the 6-11 range.
#4-5 if Couts remains out or Jake/G go down for any expected period.
- Marc D

The way I look at it, #1-3 they get an NHL ready prospect that can start to contribute. #4-9 a prospect that is 1-2 years away from cracking the lineup (perfect time after deadweight contracts expire and nothing foolish is done). Outside the top 9 and they get a decent prospect that follows the path of Laughton. Add the current prospects the next 2-3 years gradually and the team is on a great path. Next years draft looks weak as poop, so knowing the Flyers they will make the playoffs this year and end up finishing last next year.

They are walking a tight line.

I don't think an all out tank like Buffalo last season or Leafs right now would be tolerated in Philly.

For Hexy to pull it off with Ed Snider aging and I'm sure desiring another Cup is pretty amazing.
- Marc D

I personally LOVE the new draft format, tanking a year could end up with the 4th pick while a team just missing the playoffs could grab a top 3 pick.

Smooth job not erasing this then deleting the post
- ob18

Idk what you're talking about. It's not page broken on my screen. Page breaks are relative, maaaaaan.

They are walking a tight line.

I don't think an all out tank like Buffalo last season or Leafs right now would be tolerated in Philly.

For Hexy to pull it off with Ed Snider aging and I'm sure desiring another Cup is pretty amazing.
- Marc D

Working with the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation I do know Snider is all about the legacy left after he is gone. I truly hope he is looking at that with the Flyers as well at this point. Be patient and let Hextall build what we pray will be a dynasty (pretty please) even if it happens after he is gone (which I hope he is around for many more years).

Working with the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation I do know Snider is all about the legacy left after he is gone. I truly hope he is looking at that with the Flyers as well at this point. Be patient and let Hextall build what we pray will be a dynasty (pretty please) even if it happens after he is gone (which I hope he is around for many more years).
- nastyflyergirl

I think his legacy is assured. What he did for hockey in Philadelphia will never be forgotten. I was pretty good friends with one of his daughters through high school and college. I have great respect for him and his family.

Working with the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation I do know Snider is all about the legacy left after he is gone. I truly hope he is looking at that with the Flyers as well at this point. Be patient and let Hextall build what we pray will be a dynasty (pretty please) even if it happens after he is gone (which I hope he is around for many more years).
- nastyflyergirl

I think asking for a dynasty from anyone is a little much to ask for. I believe it takes more luck than it does skill to build one. Now a consistent franchise built on development is what I crave to see in Philly.

The way I look at it, #1-3 they get an NHL ready prospect that can start to contribute. #4-9 a prospect that is 1-2 years away from cracking the lineup (perfect time after deadweight contracts expire and nothing foolish is done). Outside the top 9 and they get a decent prospect that follows the path of Laughton. Add the current prospects the next 2-3 years gradually and the team is on a great path. Next years draft looks weak as poop, so knowing the Flyers they will make the playoffs this year and end up finishing last next year.
- Glak18

They have always done well with their first round picks, and lately even with the later rounds.

I am very much looking forward to the near future.

Does Medvedev need a lot of rest or something?

Otherwise I really don't understand the insertion of a dman like Manning who lacks NHL-quality offensive skills, and then he got 100% OZ starts to boot. On a team that struggles to score it seems crazy to me.
- Feanor

Medvedev has struggled the last few weeks, but he was actually solid recently. Gudas has been absolutely poopting the bed, and was solely responsible for most of those goals the pairing allowed. Im not saying scratch Gudas either...it just seems REALLY strange they'd shift the blame over to Medvedev and then scratch him, when he was the more solid one on the pairing. If that isn't scape goating....

And you know because Manning got ballsy and fought Maroon that he's staying in. It doesn't weigh on my mind like it used to. It's more, what else is new?

Medvedev has struggled the last few weeks, but he was actually solid recently. Gudas has been absolutely poopting the bed, and was solely responsible for most of those goals the pairing allowed. Im not saying scratch Gudas either...it just seems REALLY strange they'd shift the blame over to Medvedev and then scratch him, when he was the more solid one on the pairing. If that isn't scape goating....

And you know because Manning got ballsy and fought Maroon that he's staying in. It doesn't weigh on my mind like it used to. It's more, what else is new?
- Mononoke

I wonder how Medvedev feels about this. Curious to see if he decides to return to the NHL. Can't imagine he likes watching games in America compared to playing nightly in Russia