Lots of teams have had a strong #1 center, and not won Cups because the rest of the team around them wasn't good enough. I think the Flyers have two strong centers, and I agree on the need for a 3rd. I don't however think it has to be a top #1 center. If he is just a solid two way center who can play well at ES, then they can be a top team as long as they build up the other areas to match. They need to improve the defense, prospects are on the way and they need to improve the depth and become stronger in lower lines. Figure out the goaltending and what's going to happen there. I still believe in Mason.

If I were vegas, choosing from what we have I may go the prospect/young player route like Laughton/Leier/Cousins (whichever one ends up being unprotected). gotta figure they will need to choose some prospects and young players. Read being a UFA after next season could possible be a choice.
- nastyflyergirl

I could see them taking Read over any of the 3 young forwards you mentioned. They will need some vets and salary and Read is a proven commodity. And being in the final year of his deal, he becomes a trade chip they can use at the deadline to acquire another draft pick. None of the 3 kids look like they will ever be impact players, nor are any of them locks to even be NHL regulars.

I'm worried that Hexy is just going to play things out and keep drafting in hopes of finding that player. It's very difficult to do that in the 10-20 range in the draft. At some point, he may need to pull the trigger on a deal where he's actually trading a very good player for more of an unknown. I'm just not sure he's willing to do that.

There is risk in making a trade like that. There is also risk in not making a trade like that.
- PhillySportsGuy

Its not basketball where you need that one player to hit. you just need to draft well and build a good team.

Lots of teams have had a strong #1 center, and not won Cups because the rest of the team around them wasn't good enough. I think the Flyers have two strong centers, and I agree on the need for a 3rd. I don't however think it has to be a top #1 center. If he is just a solid two way center who can play well at ES, then they can be a top team as long as they build up the other areas to match. They need to improve the defense, prospects are on the way and they need to improve the depth and become stronger in lower lines. Figure out the goaltending and what's going to happen there. I still believe in Mason.
- MJL

Regarding the centers, what you said is true for now. However, when they are really ready to compete for a Cup in 2 or 3 years, I'm not confident that Giroux won't have regressed more. Perhaps Rubtsov or Vorobyov will be that guy, perhaps not. Odds are though, that a mid 1st round pick in 2017 or 18, likely won't be that guy either by 18-19 or 19-20, so a trade may need to be made. You are correct in stating that the 3rd center need not be a dominant #1, but, at the very least, they need him to be better than both Giroux and Couturier when it comes to ES offense and also to be at least solid when it comes to defensive play.

I guess benching, (picking on Ghost), wasn't the answer. Manning coughed it up a handful of times yesterday, as well as the dumb penalties.

What disturbs me as a fan is we could lose 10, 15 in a row, and the GM just keeps admiring his full cupboard.

I don't want "trade them all away" Homer either, but how can a team that's capable of winning 10 in a row stand pat? Rebuilding teams don't win 10 in a row.
It's not like they need an overhaul either. I know the turnovers are horrendous, but at the end of the day the goalie "du jour", is still standing again with an .85-.88% save %.
We blasted Bryzgalov for doing better than that.

- PhillySportsGuy

what an idiot

You make and excellent point, and one that was often lost on people in the Carter/Richards era...neither of them was the #1 center, it was Briere. He took the shifts that allowed the match ups that allowed Carter and Richards to flourish. The Flyers NEED another center, a real one, not a tweener like Schen, who can be slotted as the 1c at even strength. Someone who will take create the checking miss matches and let the other lines flourish.
- wbon22

I'm not sure how you figure that. In the 2010-11 season, the last season when they all played together, the reality is that the Flyers had 4 centers that could all be labeled as #1 centers. Briere, Carter, Richards, and Giroux all scored 60 or more points, and all played 18 minutes or more a game.

Regarding the centers, what you said is true for now. However, when they are really ready to compete for a Cup in 2 or 3 years, I'm not confident that Giroux won't have regressed more. Perhaps Rubtsov or Vorobyov will be that guy, perhaps not. Odds are though, that a mid 1st round pick in 2017 or 18, likely won't be that guy either by 18-19 or 19-20, so a trade may need to be made. You are correct in stating that the 3rd center need not be a dominant #1, but, at the very least, they need him to be better than both Giroux and Couturier when it comes to ES offense and also to be at least solid when it comes to defensive play.
- BiggE

I think it will come down to Hexy using some of our vast resources of young talented d-men prospects in a need for need trade for a young high potential center.

I think it will come down to Hexy using some of our vast resources of young talented d-men prospects in a need for need trade for a young high potential center.
- MBFlyerfan

Very possible. The next year or so should be very interesting to say the least.

Regarding the centers, what you said is true for now. However, when they are really ready to compete for a Cup in 2 or 3 years, I'm not confident that Giroux won't have regressed more. Perhaps Rubtsov or Vorobyov will be that guy, perhaps not. Odds are though, that a mid 1st round pick in 2017 or 18, likely won't be that guy either by 18-19 or 19-20, so a trade may need to be made. You are correct in stating that the 3rd center need not be a dominant #1, but, at the very least, they need him to be better than both Giroux and Couturier when it comes to ES offense and also to be at least solid when it comes to defensive play.
- BiggE

Giroux is 29, not 35, so I don't see why he can't remain a strong player moving into the future. I've always believed its the sum of the parts that make up a good team.

I hope morin gets the call before the end of the season, but I have a feeling he's still working on his game to the extent a long term call up might hurt him. As I understand it and from what I saw in junior, he has to address his foot work. Maybe they'll look at next year for a full time role, but yes, the d is weak and small
- Hextall271

From what I've seen of Morin a couple games. Positioning is still an issue, and not just on the rush but during cycles and pk. Too often he is scrambling to get to where he needs to be. For a player that large with his responsibilities he is still learning to be more efficient in how he plays. I'm not sure if he'll be ready this year I can see him struggling mightily

Its not basketball where you need that one player to hit. you just need to draft well and build a good team.
- nastyflyergirl

All I'm saying is that if Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds are your 3 best forwards in 2-3 years, this team probably won't be cup contenders.

I guess benching, (picking on Ghost), wasn't the answer. Manning coughed it up a handful of times yesterday, as well as the dumb penalties.

What disturbs me as a fan is we could lose 10, 15 in a row, and the GM just keeps admiring his full cupboard.

I don't want "trade them all away" Homer either, but how can a team that's capable of winning 10 in a row stand pat? Rebuilding teams don't win 10 in a row.
It's not like they need an overhaul either. I know the turnovers are horrendous, but at the end of the day the goalie "du jour", is still standing again with an .85-.88% save %.
We blasted Bryzgalov for doing better than that.
- puckhead17

The GM might stand pat because he knows that the 10 game win streak is not really an accurate indicator of the strength of his team. I think he is going to stick to his plan, and continue to use the draft as the main tool to build the team. I think if a deal becomes available that he thinks makes the team better, he'll make it regardless of what kind of streak the team is on.

Regarding the centers, what you said is true for now. However, when they are really ready to compete for a Cup in 2 or 3 years, I'm not confident that Giroux won't have regressed more. Perhaps Rubtsov or Vorobyov will be that guy, perhaps not. Odds are though, that a mid 1st round pick in 2017 or 18, likely won't be that guy either by 18-19 or 19-20, so a trade may need to be made. You are correct in stating that the 3rd center need not be a dominant #1, but, at the very least, they need him to be better than both Giroux and Couturier when it comes to ES offense and also to be at least solid when it comes to defensive play.
- BiggE

The message that, "I'm doing nothing", while guys like him are getting the $hit beat out of him night in, and out. As well as every other guy in his prime who can see they don't need huge changes.
Not saying it's easy with the cap, but the system is stocked enough to give some of these guys help now.

I guess benching, (picking on Ghost), wasn't the answer. Manning coughed it up a handful of times yesterday, as well as the dumb penalties.

What disturbs me as a fan is we could lose 10, 15 in a row, and the GM just keeps admiring his full cupboard.

I don't want "trade them all away" Homer either, but how can a team that's capable of winning 10 in a row stand pat? Rebuilding teams don't win 10 in a row.
It's not like they need an overhaul either. I know the turnovers are horrendous, but at the end of the day the goalie "du jour", is still standing again with an .85-.88% save %.
We blasted Bryzgalov for doing better than that.
- puckhead17

Hextall isn't going to make a move until the deadline because of two things:

1) This team is wildly inconsistent. You're right, how can a team go on a ten game winning streak, and look completely fine and dandy, and then fall apart the next month? Inconsistency has killed the Flyers this season. (Honestly, it's been a theme since the first lockout.)

2) Let's face it: If the Flyers want to make a move, they're going to have to reach into their high-level prospect pool. They absolutely have no pieces at the NHL level that they are willing to move (unless people are willing to part with Simmonds, Schenn, Voracek, and Provorov.) Because of this fact, I really think Hextall is forging down the right path. He's not going to make a panic move, and he's certainly not going to tap into the prospect pool unless he knows for sure it's a can't miss deal.

Giroux is 29, not 35, so I don't see why he can't remain a strong player moving into the future. I've always believed its the sum of the parts that make up a good team.
- MJL

He's already struggling to generate offense at ES at age 29. Do you think he will do better at age 31-32? I'm not saying that he's a bad player, far from it. He's one of the best powerplay players in the NHL and can play in all situations. But looking at this team going forward objectively, it's pretty hard not to be concerned with their ability to generate ES offense from the center position.

The GM might stand pat because he knows that the 10 game win streak is not really an accurate indicator of the strength of his team. I think he is going to stick to his plan, and continue to use the draft as the main tool to build the team. I think if a deal becomes available that he thinks makes the team better, he'll make it regardless of what kind of streak the team is on.
- MJL

Did they win 10 in a row as a fluke?
I know his plan, (everyone is aware).
Does it not send a message to the veterans in their collective primes that they need to just keep losing, while the system keeps growing?

All I'm saying is that if Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds are your 3 best forwards in 2-3 years, this team probably won't be cup contenders.
- PhillySportsGuy

The worst 1-2 center combo that's won the cup over the last 11 years is krejci/Bergeron in their mid 20's

Work to do

Did they win 10 in a row as a fluke?
I know his plan, (everyone is aware).
Does it not send a message to the veterans in their collective primes that they need to just keep losing, while the system keeps growing?
- puckhead17

In my opinion, yes, it was a fluke that they won 10 games. They weren't exactly a dominant team during the streak. There were a lot of bad habits that they got away with, that they aren't now. I understand your point about the veterans wanting to win now, but that's just the way it is. Perhaps if Giroux wants to win now, he'll give more of an effort on the backcheck than he has in recent games.

The need for a 2C that has the potential to be a 1C down the line is huge.

Dead on assessment.

They will flirt with mediocrity until that is addressed.

Hextall isn't going to make a move until the deadline because of two things:

1) This team is wildly inconsistent. You're right, how can a team go on a ten game winning streak, and look completely fine and dandy, and then fall apart the next month? Inconsistency has killed the Flyers this season. (Honestly, it's been a theme since the first lockout.)

2) Let's face it: If the Flyers want to make a move, they're going to have to reach into their high-level prospect pool. They absolutely have no pieces at the NHL level that they are willing to move (unless people are willing to part with Simmonds, Schenn, Voracek, and Provorov.) Because of this fact, I really think Hextall is forging down the right path. He's not going to make a panic move, and he's certainly not going to tap into the prospect pool unless he knows for sure it's a can't miss deal.
- KGBflyers10

everyone mistakes "a move", with a panic move.
Not saying deplete the system, there is an "in between" logic.
imagine your busting your ass through the losses knowing two more better players can make a huge difference. You try, that's all.
Saying you will never, ever, ever move a kid for some help, ever sends a message to just keep getting your bell rung for the good of the team, while we stick to having 15 prospects, and no help will ever come because "He's the opposite of Holmgren"

He's already struggling to generate offense at ES at age 29. Do you think he will do better at age 31-32? I'm not saying that he's a bad player, far from it. He's one of the best powerplay players in the NHL and can play in all situations. But looking at this team going forward objectively, it's pretty hard not to be concerned with their ability to generate ES offense from the center position.
- BiggE

In my opinion, yes, I think Giroux can play better at ES then he is now. I agree, there is concern over the team's offensive output at ES. Looking at the stats, if the Flyers would've scored 8 more goals at ES over the previous games, they'd be a top 10 scoring team at ES. They're mediocre overall at ES, and lately, they've been terrible at ES.

In my opinion, yes, it was a fluke that they won 10 games. They weren't exactly a dominant team during the streak. There were a lot of bad habits that they got away with, that they aren't now. I understand your point about the veterans wanting to win now, but that's just the way it is. Perhaps if Giroux wants to win now, he'll give more of an effort on the backcheck than he has in recent games.
- MJL

So a team that wins 10 in a row in todays parity filled NHL, employing shutdown systems is just a fluke. Like it really never happened.

That may be the dumbest thing you ever said.

everyone mistakes "a move", with a panic move.
Not saying deplete the system, there is an "in between" logic.
imagine your busting your ass through the losses knowing two more better players can make a huge difference. You try, that's all.
Saying you will never, ever, ever move a kid for some help, ever sends a message to just keep getting your bell rung for the good of the team, while we stick to having 15 prospects, and no help will ever come because "He's the opposite of Holmgren"
- puckhead17

What determines if it is a panic move is if the move is being made because the team is in a losing streak. If a move presents itself that Hextall would make even during the 10 game win streak, that improves the team for the future then go ahead and make it. The Flyers should not be making any deals now for the express reason of winning now, that involve giving up any part of the future. If they can make a deal that helps both now and in the future, that's fine.

So a team that wins 10 in a row in todays parity filled NHL, employing shutdown systems is just a fluke. Like it really never happened.

That may be the dumbest thing you ever said.
- puckhead17

At what point this season have the Flyers played shutdown hockey? They were extremely fortunate during the 10 game win streak. What happened to that powerhouse that won 10 games lately?