Here is one thing about couturier. As much as some dont think he is a 2nd line center or doesnt contribute enough, he is on of the few on this team that plays all situations and on a very fair contract.

Yes i want more offense from him. But more games then not his line usually plays very well. Considering he makes half of what giroux makes, i find the way giroux is playing a lot more troublesome then really how anyone else is playing. When saying he is not a 1st line center anymore but a 2nd line center now that doesnt work for me. His cap hit pays him to be a 1st line center. Fair or not he needs to be pne of thes best players consistently or that cap hit will bog them down moving forward i feel.

What a good game

So does anybody remember jumping down my throat when i said this is what this team would be a few years back? Sorry for the "I told you so moment" no i really do enjoy watching the discussion in here from several of you. Yea you guys are collectively intelligent and articulate. That being said, i never was completely sold on Giroux being the Guy, mark streit not a lefit top pairing and couturier I've always felt was a third liner... Are they terrible players? No not at all but i think they're over valued and this team is showing that season after season. I did not think the goalie situation would be what it was, ffs I hope Stolarz is the real deal. But getting back to our big money players, too much perimeter play and they don't impose themselves on the competition. Take Giroux, jake and couts down a peg and they will look amazing.

On a positive note, the trade chips and prospects are piling up. So I've bought more into hextall but he has to make moves other than making the right draft picks. You gotta sprinkle in some free Agents or tweak the roster with a trade or two. Sitting on his hands won't make this team better. Sometimes the mix of players just isn't right and I think that's quite possibly the case here.
- JoeRussomanno

He will never make a move, unless its for value 3 years down the road.
I understand if a team has it, or not, but I have never been a fan of "throwing seasons away". Wasting prime years off guys careers.
Dumping on Giroux is an easy way out. How many 2 on 1's are you seeing against us?
Stretch passes for breaks, or partial breakaways?
Now how many stretch passes are we getting? Yeah, none. Every team plays us the same way, AND we keep coming out with the same style. Is this our guy getting out coached?
No one should be upset in here at all, this is what almost every poster wants.
To stink, & get another top 10 pick.
Stink again, and more picks, thank you.
The GM can now do a 10 year rebuild if he wants, now that the old man is gone.
Oh, and we have 6 stud D men in the system, who will all be top 2 guys.
So, lets keep losing, so we can add 3 more.

The GM job is to just continue to watch slop, and scout who your picking in the top 10, or top 5 in the summer.
Is that so tough?

Anybody check out the shot metrics from the game last night? The Flyers dominated!
- MJL

It's the Devils

He will never make a move, unless its for value 3 years down the road.
I understand if a team has it, or not, but I have never been a fan of "throwing seasons away". Wasting prime years off guys careers.
Dumping on Giroux is an easy way out. How many 2 on 1's are you seeing against us?
Stretch passes for breaks, or partial breakaways?
Now how many stretch passes are we getting? Yeah, none. Every team plays us the same way, AND we keep coming out with the same style. Is this our guy getting out coached?
No one should be upset in here at all, this is what almost every poster wants.
To stink, & get another top 10 pick.
Stink again, and more picks, thank you.
The GM can now do a 10 year rebuild if he wants, now that the old man is gone.
Oh, and we have 6 stud D men in the system, who will all be top 2 guys.
So, lets keep losing, so we can add 3 more.

The GM job is to just continue to watch slop, and scout who your picking in the top 10, or top 5 in the summer.
Is that so tough?
- puckhead17

Welcome to the era of the salary cap. Teams cant spend like they could before the cap or go out and make a trade for a high price player without concern of cost.

You need to accept that the cap has made throwing away seasons and prime year of players a reality.

The Flyers don't throw away seasons. If they were throwing away the season, the roster would probably look different.

I really can't wait until Trump signs The Purge into law

Its tough to watch now..
They have no visible identity.

It's tough being a fan of this team but I accept this year now. What I dont want to see nor do I think I will is making a trade just to try and shake it up.

Would like to see Streit, MDZ moved and see one of the prospects up.
Would like to see a heavy , assertive, you hit our guy you deal with me type player on this team that isnt named Simmonds. Maybe that is Morin.
Would love to see Giroux as your 2c, Coots as your 3c and someone else as 1c but that wont be easy and will cost a lot.

Welcome to the era of the salary cap. Teams cant spend like they could before the cap or go out and make a trade for a high price player without concern of cost.

You need to accept that the cap has made throwing away seasons and prime year of players a reality.
- ggunky

That does have something to do with it, a major issue.
But look around the league, there are several struggling teams, who need pieces just like us. And not necessarily the same pieces.
Michael Grabner didn't become a scorer again by dumb luck, its because he's on a team that plays to his assets, transitional stretch passes that utilize his speed. Are we playing to any players assets?
Just an example.
We're a dump and chase team, no, wait we're a carry it over the line 1 against 4 team. Everyone thinks trading youth is bad, no trading most, or all your youth is bad.
Sacrifice a piece for something that will help you now, AND in the next 2/3 years.
There's an expansion draft coming, some teams have dilemmas, so do we, but we would rather continue to stock up, while watching the pride, confidence, fanbase, and self esteem of everyone involved suffer.
I don't want Holmgrens way, but I don't want Hextalls way either.
There's an in between.
I think his plan is hurting the pride of the logo itself.

I posted this late in last blog but I was leight but I really wanted some thoughts and opinions.

It's pretty clear Claude Giroux's best years are behind him. It's been awhile since we've seen a couple of flashy assists on a nightly basis. Right now his production comes from simply being in the top six, getting the required ice time and being a player who simply touches the puck regularly. I'm not so sure this is a terrible thing. He's still solid at the dot. Sound positionally. If he turns over the puck, it's noticeable because he rarely does so. I still believe he could be apart of a Cup victory regardless if he's a C1 or a C2 for this team. Jake Voracek in my mind hasn't been sharp in recent games either.

Line combinations. Change them before tomorrow's game. You won't get much fan support from me when it comes to Dale Weise but he's a physical presence. I thought the best balanced line up Hakstol put forth in recent weeks were against the Ducks. It really showed as we doubled up a good Ducks team 50 to 30. After the Sunday Ducks game, we were stunned against a hot Rangers team on a Wednesday. The Rangers are a good team. Since that point G is playing with Raffl and Read. Two very responsible defensive forwards but you might as well cut G's arms off.

Nick Cousins is a spark plug. I like the energy. Sadly though, he reminds me of a not as skilled and not as good looking Scottie Upshall. His PP time seems forced. He doesn't kill penalties. He's young but unless the Flyers have a definitive role for him moving forward, who is he to this team?

That does have something to do with it, a major issue.
But look around the league, there are several struggling teams, who need pieces just like us. And not necessarily the same pieces.
Michael Grabner didn't become a scorer again by dumb luck, its because he's on a team that plays to his assets, transitional stretch passes that utilize his speed. Are we playing to any players assets?
Just an example.
We're a dump and chase team, no, wait we're a carry it over the line 1 against 4 team. Everyone thinks trading youth is bad, no trading most, or all your youth is bad.
Sacrifice a piece for something that will help you now, AND in the next 2/3 years.
There's an expansion draft coming, some teams have dilemmas, so do we, but we would rather continue to stock up, while watching the pride, confidence, fanbase, and self esteem of everyone involved suffer.
I don't want Holmgrens way, but I don't want Hextalls way either.
There's an in between.
I think his plan is hurting the pride of the logo itself.
- puckhead17

What would the in between involve? Should he go out and make a big trade and offer up a kings ransom for Duchene? No thanks. How many big trades have been made this season? In order to sacrifice a piece for something that will help now and in the next 3 years, there has to be the right deal available, or why make it? The in between is a waste of time.
I understand that fans are frustrated and emotions are high. I knew that the fan base would eventually get to this point of losing patience with Hextall's plan. The current state of the team has accelerated that. The same thing happened in LA. Their fans were calling for Lombardi's head at one point. Just because it worked in LA doesn't mean it's going to work here, but I'll take those chances over the in between plan. If there is a deal that makes sense now, make it. Otherwise stick to the plan.

What would the in between involve? Should he go out and make a big trade and offer up a kings ransom for Duchene? No thanks. How many big trades have been made this season? In order to sacrifice a piece for something that will help now and in the next 3 years, there has to be the right deal available, or why make it? The in between is a waste of time.
I understand that fans are frustrated and emotions are high. I knew that the fan base would eventually get to this point of losing patience with Hextall's plan. The current state of the team has accelerated that. The same thing happened in LA. Their fans were calling for Lombardi's head at one point. Just because it worked in LA doesn't mean it's going to work here, but I'll take those chances over the in between plan. If there is a deal that makes sense now, make it. Otherwise stick to the plan.
- MJL

You enjoy the losing, get out your (frank)ing draft list flow charts and start salivating 12 more picks.
When someone says an in between GM u want trade examples, if I could give em to you I would be working in that capacity, not pretending to do so like you do.

I've said more than I wanted, go read up on the next 2 years draft picks.

You enjoy the losing, get out your (frank)ing draft list flow charts and start salivating 12 more picks.
When someone says an in between GM u want trade examples, if I could give em to you I would be working in that capacity, not pretending to do so like you do.

I've said more than I wanted, go read up on the next 2 years draft picks.
- puckhead17

You're incorrect on a number of fronts. One that I enjoy the losing. You're wrong. Secondly, the question of how many big trades were made was rhetorical, and designed to illustrate the current NHL trade market. Top teams are built by drafting, and supplemented by trades and free agency. If you think differently, then you're misinformed. I understand that you're frustrated, so am I. Vent away! Hextall cannot let emotion factor into his decision making.

In order to make a trade, the right move has to be available. Trades involve more than one team.

I posted this late in last blog but I was leight but I really wanted some thoughts and opinions.

It's pretty clear Claude Giroux's best years are behind him. It's been awhile since we've seen a couple of flashy assists on a nightly basis. Right now his production comes from simply being in the top six, getting the required ice time and being a player who simply touches the puck regularly. I'm not so sure this is a terrible thing. He's still solid at the dot. Sound positionally. If he turns over the puck, it's noticeable because he rarely does so. I still believe he could be apart of a Cup victory regardless if he's a C1 or a C2 for this team. Jake Voracek in my mind hasn't been sharp in recent games either.

Line combinations. Change them before tomorrow's game. You won't get much fan support from me when it comes to Dale Weise but he's a physical presence. I thought the best balanced line up Hakstol put forth in recent weeks were against the Ducks. It really showed as we doubled up a good Ducks team 50 to 30. After the Sunday Ducks game, we were stunned against a hot Rangers team on a Wednesday. The Rangers are a good team. Since that point G is playing with Raffl and Read. Two very responsible defensive forwards but you might as well cut G's arms off.

Nick Cousins is a spark plug. I like the energy. Sadly though, he reminds me of a not as skilled and not as good looking Scottie Upshall. His PP time seems forced. He doesn't kill penalties. He's young but unless the Flyers have a definitive role for him moving forward, who is he to this team?
- SuperSchennBros

I wonder why Giroux's best years are behind him, yet he's younger than Crosby. Crosby is playing the best hockey of his career while overcoming severe concussion issues.

Giroux under contract for 5 more years. He's got to be more than a PP specialist/faceoff guy. If he's going to be invisible at ES it's a major issue.

I wonder why Giroux's best years are behind him, yet he's younger than Crosby. Crosby is playing the best hockey of his career while overcoming severe concussion issues.

Giroux under contract for 5 more years. He's got to be more than a PP specialist/faceoff guy. If he's going to be invisible at ES it's a major issue.
- PLindbergh31

look at his fiancee', she literally is the reason all his energy is gone

I wonder why Giroux's best years are behind him, yet he's younger than Crosby. Crosby is playing the best hockey of his career while overcoming severe concussion issues.

Giroux under contract for 5 more years. He's got to be more than a PP specialist/faceoff guy. If he's going to be invisible at ES it's a major issue.
- PLindbergh31

That is sort of a silly comparison Plind...and really making that argument seems a bit disingenuous on your part.

Crosby isnt overcoming severe concussion issues, if that was the case he wouldnt be playing, he overcame them in the past..

If we ignore those semantics and just focus on the fact that Crosby is a generational, one of the best players ever vs Giroux who was a top one or two player for a year or two.I get being unhappy, rightly so , with Giroux play but I literally see 0 point in the comparison you tried to make.

That is sort of a silly comparison Plind...and really making that argument seems a bit disingenuous on your part.

Crosby isnt overcoming severe concussion issues, if that was the case he wouldnt be playing, he overcame them in the past..

If we ignore those semantics and just focus on the fact that Crosby is a generational, one of the best players ever vs Giroux who was a top one or two player for a year or two.I get being unhappy, rightly so , with Giroux play but I literally see 0 point in the comparison you tried to make.
- opeth_pa

It really is a stupid comparison. Some players are able to remain very good players well into their 30's and closer to their 40's. Some are pretty much done earlier. Others still remain good players, but aren't the player they were in their prime. In other words, it's different for every player. No kidding, right?

Giroux and Morin to toronto for JvR, Kadri and a 1st

It really is a stupid comparison. Some players are able to remain very good players well into their 30's and closer to their 40's. Some are pretty much done earlier. Others still remain good players, but aren't the player they were in their prime. In other words, it's different for every player. No kidding, right?
- MJL

Except their paid about the same

That is sort of a silly comparison Plind...and really making that argument seems a bit disingenuous on your part.

Crosby isnt overcoming severe concussion issues, if that was the case he wouldnt be playing, he overcame them in the past..

If we ignore those semantics and just focus on the fact that Crosby is a generational, one of the best players ever vs Giroux who was a top one or two player for a year or two.I get being unhappy, rightly so , with Giroux play but I literally see 0 point in the comparison you tried to make.
- opeth_pa

It's not a silly comparison. I'm not saying Giroux is a better player than Crosby. That would be foolish. I'm comparing two players of the same age. One player is playing the best hockey of his career, while the other is falling off the face of the earth at ES. That was my point. What is the cause of Giroux's level of play slipping so severely at 28-29 years of age? I'm not buying injuries.

You enjoy the losing, get out your (frank)ing draft list flow charts and start salivating 12 more picks.
When someone says an in between GM u want trade examples, if I could give em to you I would be working in that capacity, not pretending to do so like you do.

I've said more than I wanted, go read up on the next 2 years draft picks.
- puckhead17

Holy moly.

I guess people don't understand that the Flyers are currently in the situation they are in because there was not an organizational emphasis on keeping draft picks, drafting well past the first round, developing draft picks, and trying to fill holes in prospects by signing big flashy players to big stupid contracts that everyone will hate in a few years. This did not change until recently.

Some people think Hextall's plan is to suck and then get a ton of prospects and be good in 5 years. I don't think that's the plan at all. I think the plan is to continue to draft well even when the team is doing well, and make necessary deals from a position of strength and need, not panic.

I mean, holy (frank) are some people on here impatient and fickle. That is the kind of thinking that got us Bryz and AMac. What good is firing a coach or trading someone going to do if most of the team still has the same issues after?

The team is not tanking. The team is not trying to suck on purpose. I can allow Hextall patience and trust because he is looking at the team's needs and long term goals realistically, and he has done it before in LA.

But I mean, the team is currently where they are today precisely because they did not take care of this poop before. If they had developed good d prospects, would we had to have signed Schultz, AMac, or Streit?

It really is a stupid comparison. Some players are able to remain very good players well into their 30's and closer to their 40's. Some are pretty much done earlier. Others still remain good players, but aren't the player they were in their prime. In other words, it's different for every player. No kidding, right?
- MJL

it's almost as stupid as arguing for a year that McDonald is a second pairing defenseman. But that is your MO company Yes man.

Players who should be on the block ASAP
Streit
MDZ
Bellemare
Neuvirth

Players who should be waived ASAP
Vandevelde
MacDonald

Players who should be promoted ASAP
Leir
Laughton

I'm sure to get plenty of arguments re: Laughton, but IMO he's already proven he can hang in the NHL and is no longer benefiting from playing down a level. We simply need to figure out what kind of player he is. Hakstol needs to let him play and make his mistakes and figure out what kind of player he is. Preferably, it should be at his natural center position. A few weeks ago I'd hear the argument that guys like Vandevelde, Bellemare, Weise, Red etc should be on the roster over him. Not anymore.

I absolutely believe that Laughton and Leir would inject a great deal of speed and skill that this team sorely needs. We have officially reached the point where the on ice product "cant get any worse". We're getting smoked by below average teams who are starting their backups. That's unacceptable.

Send AMac down. Immediately. Role with 7 defensemen and 14 forwards and give some of the Phantoms a legitimate opportunity to earn ice-time, including guys like Morin, Hagg, or even Brennan should an injury occur at D.

It's not a silly comparison. I'm not saying Giroux is a better player than Crosby. That would be foolish. I'm comparing two players of the same age. One player is playing the best hockey of his career, while the other is falling off the face of the earth at ES. That was my point. What is the cause of Giroux's level of play slipping so severely at 28-29 years of age? I'm not buying injuries.
- PLindbergh31

I'm not sure with what one has to do with the other though..

Why was Chelios able to play into his 40s? Why is Jagr still playing in his 40s? Each player inclines and declines at their own pace .

it's almost as stupid as arguing for a year that McDonald is a second pairing defenseman. But that is your MO company Yes man.
- PLindbergh31

While Crosby was getting over his concussions, giroux was busy carrying around this team on his back. Crosby has less miles because of it.. Lots of factors.