They barely got in because that was the best case scenario for a through and through bubble team. And really they should've gotten in earlier but screwed themselves losing a few of their last games. Still though: bubble team doing bubble things.

I do forsee Jake rebounding; hope G is healthy which he should be; and think is still some continued development to be done. Read isn't cooked imo. Unlike Umby he has use. He isn't the scorer he once was, but he can be a real solid bottom 6'r still. I mean I'm all for signing Nielsen or if Eriksson could be had for a steal (he won't be), but I'm sure Hexy will heavily look for a reasonably priced middle 6/bottom 6 guy or two.

I'd like to see a 4th next year with Read and Cousins on it, maybe Leier, who I think is an addition. I hope Konecny makes it which could bump Raffl down to do yeoman's work on the 3rd. I don't want to see the 4th line again as it was. The third line? It is actually decent, but my worry is it can't score as it needs to. But I am still not greatly worried. I think minor tweaks are enough for now.
- Mononoke

We disagree on Read, but with his salary, I have no problems hoping that you are right and I am wrong, because they need him to be better if he is on the roster at that number

But yeah. A guy like Nielsen makes an entire line better for a few seasons. Somebody like that, with experience and still obvious skill and skating, might me able to bring a little more out of Laughton -- I am still not ready to think he can't be more than what he is. I think the game can still slow down for him and he could be maybe...I don't know...maybe a guy like a poor man's John Madden, if he can just slow the game down defensively

Like everyone, I want a sexy Top 6 forward. I really do

But they don't have to have one to score more. What they have to do is make sure they are doing what it takes to push guys like Read, VDV and Bellemare to either produce or sit, and you just have to find legit third-liners for that -- not necessarily easy, but not as hard as finding a big winger who can shoot, skate and score
- AllInForFlyers

With a salary cap in place, and guys signed to contracts, you just can't sit a bunch of players. I agree with the obvious point that obtaining 3rd line level players is easier than top line players.

With a salary cap in place, and guys signed to contracts, you just can't sit a bunch of players. I agree with the obvious point that obtaining 3rd line level players is easier than top line players.
- MJL

Sit/waive to the Phantoms, either/or

None of the bottom six, with the exception of Read, are good enough or make enough money to lose sleep over risking losing on waivers or paying them to be in Lehigh Valley

A guy I wonder about is Andrew Shaw -- can't tell how much he will cost, but I don't think Chicago can afford him if they try to find another legitimate defender

Sit/waive to the Phantoms, either/or

None of the bottom six, with the exception of Read, are good enough or make enough money to lose sleep over risking losing on waivers or paying them to be in Lehigh Valley
- AllInForFlyers

What player in the Flyers organization that was not a Flyer last season, will offer more than Matt Read will in the lineup, for the 900K or so that will be saved by waiving and demoting Matt Read if he's not claimed? I don't think it's realistic that the Flyers are going to do a lot of waiving and demoting veteran players that were on the roster last year. Trades between now and the season perhaps. Players like Vandevelde and Bellemare can be waived without cap penalty. I'd like to see the Flyers add a player to bolster scoring on the 3rd line. I'm fine with bringing back White and keeping the same 4th line. Shaw would be great, but I think he stays in Chicago.

What player in the Flyers organization that was not a Flyer last season, will offer more than Matt Read will in the lineup, for the 900K or so that will be saved by waiving and demoting Matt Read if he's not claimed? I don't think it's realistic that the Flyers are going to do a lot of waiving and demoting veteran players that were on the roster last year. Trades between now and the season perhaps.
- MJL

Hence the clause "with the exception of Read" -- I realize you are desperately looking for a nit to pick, but you won't find it there

That was (frank)ing awful coverage by Coburn

Hence the clause "with the exception of Read" -- I realize you are desperately looking for a nit to pick, but you won't find it there
- AllInForFlyers

I'm actually looking to have a conversation. Can I find that here? I think that's what this site is for.

damn iggy that was a nice lay up

yes his gimpy hip will be welcomed by whatever team would receive him.
- ob18

so giroux has no value?

We disagree on Read, but with his salary, I have no problems hoping that you are right and I am wrong, because they need him to be better if he is on the roster at that number

But yeah. A guy like Nielsen makes an entire line better for a few seasons. Somebody like that, with experience and still obvious skill and skating, might me able to bring a little more out of Laughton -- I am still not ready to think he can't be more than what he is. I think the game can still slow down for him and he could be maybe...I don't know...maybe a guy like a poor man's John Madden, if he can just slow the game down defensively
- AllInForFlyers

I see 3C as the most needed position. Frankly we don't have one in the organization at all...they could draft someone like Rubtsov but even then, what about the next 3 years? If Nielsen could be had for 3/$18 mil...it's a deal I agree to quickly. I would try to maximize AAV to get to 3. He still might not take it. But a lineup of this seems so much more solid, next season and beyond:

Schenn-G-Simmer
Raffl-Coots-Jake
Laughton-Nielsen-Read
PEB-Cousins-Leier
White

You can swap spots as you like, and if Konecny makes the team, move Raffl down a line or w/e. It doesn't matter. Point is that is 3 two way centers who can match up against anyone and can spread usage and makes their linemates better, then a turbo charged 4th capable of some scoring and not playing in their own end all the time like the Untouchables last year. That 3C position is very very important. More so than LW.

I see 3C as the most needed position. Frankly we don't have one in the organization at all...they could draft someone like Rubtsov but even then, what about the next 3 years? If Nielsen could be had for 3/$18 mil...it's a deal I agree to quickly. I would try to maximize AAV to get to 3. He still might not take it. But a lineup of this seems so much more solid, next season and beyond:

Schenn-G-Simmer
Raffl-Coots-Jake
Laughton-Nielsen-Read
PEB-Cousins-Leier
White

You can swap spots as you like, and if Konecny makes the team, move Raffl down a line or w/e. It doesn't matter. Point is that is 3 two way centers who can match up against anyone and can spread usage and makes their linemates better, then a turbo charged 4th capable of some scoring and not playing in their own end all the time like the Untouchables last year. That 3C position is very very important. More so than LW.
- Mononoke

I can agree with that -- the third line has to get settled down for next season, and a legit 3C is the most obvious way to start that process

- ob18

Once again, you've taken things too far

Man. That was a baaaaaaad penalty by Coburn. Yikes

Nice job Coburn you idiot

See, the problem is, they barely got in. Yes, they made it but Detroit and Boston basically collapsed and the last two games of the season were handed to them. Hell, the Isles pulled their goalie when they were leading.

If you aren't the kind of fan who thinks their team does no wrong then you have to worry about Voracek bouncing back, Giroux's continuous injury issues (he plays but he plays hurt far too much), Read played significant minutes but he's cooked (Umberger cooked). Laughton, Cousins, Schenn and Couturier have room to grow. The rest are who they are. Who knows if they even resign Gagne.

Unless Konecny is making the team I don't see or hear anyone banging down the door.

They have to add to the roster up front. Not some big free agent but someone who can play well on the 2nd or 3rd line. We're still holding tryouts in the top six wing position. (We could use a goal scorer)

They need to add up front if they want to return to the playoffs. They're still a bubble team.
- mayorofangrytown

They're definitely a bubble team, but it's mainly due to their lack of depth IMO. If they have a healthy year, I'd be shocked if they miss the playoffs. An injury to Giroux, Voracek, Couts, MDZ and/or Ghost and things could get dicey.

I'm not really in the "They need a goal scorer camp." They just need more skill overall.

ca ca ca CURRY!

Nice job Coburn you idiot
- Giroux_Is_God

he always sucked

I'm surprised at how slow that was

Man. That was a baaaaaaad penalty by Coburn. Yikes
- AllInForFlyers

my favorite ex flyer coming up huge tonight.

my favorite ex flyer coming up huge tonight.
- stayinthefnnet

You never want to put it on one player, but holy hell, has he had a period to forget

They're definitely a bubble team, but it's mainly due to their lack of depth IMO. If they have a healthy year, I'd be shocked if they miss the playoffs. An injury to Giroux, Voracek, Couts, MDZ and/or Ghost and things could get dicey.

I'm not really in the "They need a goal scorer camp." They just need more skill overall.
- PhillySportsGuy

Think they can overcome most everything except Giroux and Ghost, maybe Simmonds because he does win games for them on the PP

You never want to put it on one player, but holy hell, has he had a period to forget
- AllInForFlyers

i'm not one to pump their tires too much but the pens have played great tonight. this goalie has prevented it from being 5 or 6 on the board easily.

coburn has just had a few costly mistakes. he was egregious on the first goal. and a few important penalties. the lightning are so good top to bottom. like you said, you dont want to pin it on one player, but they have guys playing well up and down the lineup but he has just been a timebomb of errors in big spots.

i'm not one to pump their tires too much but the pens have played great tonight. this goalie has prevented it from being 5 or 6 on the board easily.

coburn has just had a few costly mistakes. he was egregious on the first goal. and a few important penalties. the lightning are so good top to bottom. like you said, you dont want to pin it on one player, but they have guys playing well up and down the lineup but he has just been a timebomb of errors in big spots.
- stayinthefnnet

Pens are playing well, with grit, structure and pace. I can acknowledge that. Looking good right now, with Kessel as the, what, fourth-best player on the team, which is about right

Think they can overcome most everything except Giroux and Ghost, maybe Simmonds because he does win games for them on the PP
- AllInForFlyers

Losing Couturier is rough too. It's such a huge drop-off and he does so much for the team.