Giroux current rank is 242nd in the league in 5 on 5 scoring.
- MJL

where does VDV rank?

The crazy thing is Hextall has come right out and said he doesn't think this team can win a cup for the past couple of season. He has said a couple of times that the Flyers aren't in the top 5-6 teams in the league but he expects them to make the playoffs. So the team isn't good enough to win the cup but we want the playoff gate. I wonder what kind of effect that statement has on the veteran players. Try hard guys but in a couple years I will give you what you need to compete.
- psuhockey

It's called being a professional and going to work. Any player can see that any tweak done to this roster in their current situation isn't enough to take them into the top 5-6 teams. You can't bring in what they need the way the current roster is built. Hextall probably has had many meetings with the players discussing his plan. Seeing who's willing to buy in or not. Then he's taking their verbal commitments and watching the product on the ice to make his final decision on if they are being real with him. Right now the product on the ice is saying they aren't buying into the process.

The longer you wait, the less value he has. He could get injured or begin to show the same regression Giroux has shown. Part of Simmonds' value is his contract. If you wait until 2018, all you'll get is a mid first rounder maybe. Move him now and you could get a Richards/Carter type deal.
- PhillySportsGuy

There is also the possibility that Simmonds continues to produce in the 30 goal 60 point range until 2018. That can happen you know. In that case they could get far more than a mid first rounder, maybe. That's a statement that is speculative.

where does VDV rank?
- YuenglingJagr

I don't have that kind of time to search that long.

this isn't the NBA where you need to tank to get better. there are examples of teams who tank and win and examples of teams who tank and never win. on the flip side there are teams who have won who did not tank. bottom line is you have to know talent and draft well and find FAs.
- nastyflyergirl

It can sure help, though. It's not the only way, but it is A way.

The longer you wait, the less value he has. He could get injured or begin to show the same regression Giroux has shown. Part of Simmonds' value is his contract. If you wait until 2018, all you'll get is a mid first rounder maybe. Move him now and you could get a Richards/Carter type deal.
- PhillySportsGuy

He could also set new career highs in goals and points while becoming a more versatile player. If someone offers the moon for him I'm sure Hextall will be listening but now is not the time to be actively shopping him.

It equals 6 anywhere.
- MBFlyerfan

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally

That doesn't really jive with your previous statement that the problem was that they kept of all of them. You have to look back on what the situation was when they signed them to their current deals. Which one can you make a reasonable argument that they shouldn't have resigned when they did?

Giroux is coming off of 93 and 86 point seasons at 26 years old and they shouldn't have resigned him?

Voracek struggles last season but had a 81 point season recently. They shouldn't have resigned him when they did?


Simmonds and Schenn were 25 and putting up solid numbers. The Simmonds deal was fantastic.

So I'm not sure where you have a case for saying they shouldn't have resigned them when they did, unless you want to be a Monday morning QB.
- MJL

My argument is that the team should have traded 1 or 2 of these guys when their value was obviously at its apex.

The re-signing of Voracek argument is that the team shouldn't have re-signed him after that season. They should have either traded him or waited to re-sign him because his value was never likely to get better.

Regarding Giroux, the Flyers should have given him the big contract after 2012-13 instead of the bridge deal. That way it would have kept his salary lower and the contract wouldn't have carried on so far past his prime. Knowing the Flyers, they were likely in cap hell and decided to kick the can down the road.

It can sure help, though. It's not the only way, but it is A way.
- BINGO!

they already have a pretty clear plan in place...Flyers lost last night though, so...

The longer you wait, the less value he has. He could get injured or begin to show the same regression Giroux has shown. Part of Simmonds' value is his contract. If you wait until 2018, all you'll get is a mid first rounder maybe. Move him now and you could get a Richards/Carter type deal.
- PhillySportsGuy

If there was a Simmonds deal I would have to get back a young center who has possible number 1 center game.

they already have a pretty clear plan in place...Flyers lost last night though, so...
- YuenglingJagr

BLOW IT UP!

Grab the pitchforks and torches!

Effort can ebb a flow to a certain degree due to schedule, length of season, etc. But the best team are structured and professional in their play on a consistent basis. You don't have to be a top talented team to play structured hockey. Many teams have elevated their play to a level higher than their talent suggests, simply because they play team structured hockey, and make other teams beat them. They don't lose very often, rather teams beat them because they're just better. This Flyers team loses far to often. That was an easy win last night for Carolina. They just came off of the AS break. Were the Flyers tired?
- MJL

I think it is good we looked tired and lethargic.
16 shots is plenty for a game. I'm hoping for only 10 in the next game.
I don't want us to be too tired for the next game after that.

Why is everyone so negative?
Because we lost?
Losses aren't bad they are only upside down wins so they are a good thing!

Schenn and Del Zotto not on ice. More to come.

My argument is that the team should have traded 1 or 2 of these guys when their value was obviously at its apex.

The re-signing of Voracek argument is that the team shouldn't have re-signed him after that season. They should have either traded him or waited to re-sign him because his value was never likely to get better.

Regarding Giroux, the Flyers should have given him the big contract after 2012-13 instead of the bridge deal. That way it would have kept his salary lower and the contract wouldn't have carried on so far past his prime. Knowing the Flyers, they were likely in cap hell and decided to kick the can down the road.
- PhillySportsGuy

You're Monday morning Qb'ing. Everyone of the signing made sense.

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally
- aightwebang17

exactly

they already have a pretty clear plan in place...Flyers lost last night though, so...
- YuenglingJagr

"This is the plan. We stick to it until some of the fans get angsty about how long it's taking."

A team living and dying by the power play is a recipe for disaster. You need to score at even strength which this team is horrid at doing this season. It's not just G but man he definitely seems to be lost out there at even strength.
- dragonoffrost

I'm talking about trading 3-4 minutes of even strength time for 3-4 minutes of PP time. I understand that people don't think it's ideal to do right now with this lineup (I'd argue it is), but with a fuller lineup, it would work.

My argument is that the team should have traded 1 or 2 of these guys when their value was obviously at its apex.

The re-signing of Voracek argument is that the team shouldn't have re-signed him after that season. They should have either traded him or waited to re-sign him because his value was never likely to get better.

Regarding Giroux, the Flyers should have given him the big contract after 2012-13 instead of the bridge deal. That way it would have kept his salary lower and the contract wouldn't have carried on so far past his prime. Knowing the Flyers, they were likely in cap hell and decided to kick the can down the road.
- PhillySportsGuy

It is pretty clear you are stating, which you have in the past, that they should've optimized tanking. While it is clearly the best way to acquire high end talent, I do not think it is the only way, and quite honestly, with the way things are going I am pretty happy they didnt. It will be pretty sweet to see how they are once all the defensemen are up.

There's a quote on CSNphilly.com where Streit said the team has to be "more mature" to make the playoffs. That quote makes me think of the 'behind the scenes' reasons they got rid of Richards and Carter- the partying and not entirely buying into the coaching.

Does anyone know, are we starting to hear rumblings of stuff like that? Is Streit trying to say something without really coming out and saying something? Does anyone know?
- Neomike77

Going to Rutgers and partying with coeds is a good thing!
Don't be so negative!

So not to be banned from the site again, I will only post positive remarks from here on out.
I like the way we played.
I think this is the perfect formula for us moving forward.
Having only six shots through two periods is great that way the guys don't get too tired.
Less shots and laziness is the new Flyers way and should lead to lots of games just like this that are so much fun to watch.
VDV is a great player and Laughton is also great too.
- Konalover

Aww, a nice bath should get all the sand out

I think it is good we looked tired and lethargic.
16 shots is plenty for a game. I'm hoping for only 10 in the next game.
I don't want us to be too tired for the next game after that.

Why is everyone so negative?
Because we lost?
Losses aren't bad they are only upside down wins so they are a good thing!
- Konalover

Could you at least make it funny?

"This is the plan. We stick to it until some of the fans get angsty about how long it's taking."
- BINGO!

Hextall not giving a single (frank) if a fan gets angsty might be his best quality

Could you at least make it funny?
- MJL

Aww, a nice bath should get all the sand out
- Scoob

The crazy thing is Hextall has come right out and said he doesn't think this team can win a cup for the past couple of season. He has said a couple of times that the Flyers aren't in the top 5-6 teams in the league but he expects them to make the playoffs. So the team isn't good enough to win the cup but we want the playoff gate. I wonder what kind of effect that statement has on the veteran players. Try hard guys but in a couple years I will give you what you need to compete.
- psuhockey

I've just never liked the idea of a team trying to both win and later. The Flyers are clearly trying to win later, but kinda win now too. At least with Homer we knew he wanted to win now and yesterday.