I think its been blown up. Its worrisome, but its not doomsday (yet). I know its a business at the end of the day, but for all Giroux has done for this team over the years, its bothersome with how quickly people want him out the door.
- arichardson22

It's Philly, everything that happened before the last game don't matter.

I'm expecting this also unless no one gives an offer for one of our goalies.
- dragonoffrost

I think some teams would at least see Neuvirth as an upgrade on their current backups and would be willing to part with their backup and a mid round pick, say maybe a 4th, for a little insurance heading into the playoffs.

I view goalies differently. the Flyers have a variety of dmen and 3/4th line guys coming along (which is what would be exposed) than goalies. Goalies take so much longer to develop. outside of Lyon all of the goalie prospects are not even to the AHL level yet.
- nastyflyergirl

I think if Vegas makes a smart pick, it's going to be annoying regardless of who it is. It's generally easier to find a goalie in the UFA or trade market then it is with impact forwards and defensemen.

He could certainly bounce back to some degree, especially if he is nursing an injury. That being said, I don't think he will ever be the player he was 4 or 5 years ago. Time and injuries take their toll, especially on a guy the size of Giroux and he's not blessed with the luxury of having blazing speed to help compensate for his lack of size.
- BiggE

He won't ever be the same player, but he's also not as bad as his counting stats suggest. I really do think the coaching is hurting the team. They are 29th in 5v5 scoring right now. I know they don't exactly have elite scoring talent, but do they have the 29th best scoring talent? I don't think so.

ETOOHOOSLAD, to me he clearly has more puck skills than pretty much any bottom 6 forward on the Flyers and certainly has an edge in skating compared to some guys on the Flyers. His defensive awareness seemed to be non-existent, but IMHO that is more correctable than not having skill
- YuenglingJagr

So, in another words, he's better than a steaming pile of monkey dung?

Well, QFIMHO, I think you're wrong. He's average sized, an average skater, has ok, but nowhere near elite skills, and, he seems to be a bit injury prone. Could he develop into a solid 3rd line player? Sure, I guess, but that would be his ceiling. However, I think it's much more likely that he ends up as a 4th line penalty killer at best.
- BiggE

In his only full season here (albeit he battled injuries) last year he had 21 points in 71 games while never ever getting settled in to a position. Id like to give the kid a legit shot next season before saying he's destined to being a 4th line center. He has good speed, he is feisty, he has a hell of a shot. So he has all of those going for him. He has shown glimpses, but like you said he is injury prone, and every time he seemed to turn a corner he suffered an injury.

I still think he is a 3c next year.

He won't ever be the same player, but he's also not as bad as his counting stats suggest. I really do think the coaching is hurting the team. They are 29th in 5v5 scoring right now. I know they don't exactly have elite scoring talent, but do they have the 29th best scoring talent? I don't think so.
- PhillySportsGuy

If you are blaming the coaching then be prepared for a long period of being disappointed. Hextall and Hakstol are tied it's going to take a while before they get the boot. And if they do get the boot it will take 2 years or so to retool with the next regime.

He won't ever be the same player, but he's also not as bad as his counting stats suggest. I really do think the coaching is hurting the team. They are 29th in 5v5 scoring right now. I know they don't exactly have elite scoring talent, but do they have the 29th best scoring talent? I don't think so.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yup, can't argue with that. I don't want to trade Giroux because I think he's awful or done, I want to trade Giroux because I think there is a good chance that he will be awful or done by the time this team is ready to make a Cup run in 3 or 4 years.

In his only full season here (albeit he battled injuries) last year he had 21 points in 71 games while never ever getting settled in to a position. Id like to give the kid a legit shot next season before saying he's destined to being a 4th line center. He has good speed, he is feisty, he has a hell of a shot. So he has all of those going for him. He has shown glimpses, but like you said he is injury prone, and every time he seemed to turn a corner he suffered an injury.

I still think he is a 3c next year.
- jak521

Could be, I hope you are right. I'd like to see the kid succeed.

I think its been blown up. Its worrisome, but its not doomsday (yet). I know its a business at the end of the day, but for all Giroux has done for this team over the years, its bothersome with how quickly people want him out the door.
- arichardson22

Agreed about people having no loyalty. Giroux is going to have his name in the rafters one day.

Also, I think cap space is overrated. People just want it, but then don't know what to do with it. It's like the dog chasing the car.

If you are blaming the coaching then be prepared for a long period of being disappointed. Hextall and Hakstol are tied it's going to take a while before they get the boot. And if they do get the boot it will take 2 years or so to retool with the next regime.
- dragonoffrost

I am prepared. Maybe Hak makes an adjustment to his systems/staff this offseason.

I just don't know how anyone could think Hak has gotten the most out of this roster.

Eklund has been lurking here

Yup, can't argue with that. I don't want to trade Giroux because I think he's awful or done, I want to trade Giroux because I think there is a good chance that he will be awful or done by the time this team is ready to make a Cup run in 3 or 4 years.
- BiggE

He's still very good on the PP. The team just needs to figure out ways to offset his decline in ES scoring. It's why I've been advocating a selloff of a 1 and/or 2 of the top 6 guys.

Agreed about people having no loyalty. Giroux is going to have his name in the rafters one day.

Also, I think cap space is overrated. People just want it, but then don't know what to do with it. It's like the dog chasing the car.
- PhillySportsGuy

Not fair, especially those saying he should be moved for a bag of pucks pretty much.

If/when he does go, he will be missed. I'm also with you that I don't think its all him declining. Crosby was broken last year due to poor coaching, and I'm not willing to rule that out yet.

I know people get tired of these tables, but the size of the gap between PEB/Lyubimov and VdV is freaking incredible considering they play together most of the time.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...p=1&sort=PCT&sortdir=DESC

If only Hextall would realize the problem and act accordingly.


- Feanor

A fair and complete analysis would have to include who they're playing with when they're not with Vandevelde, and in what situations.

Idiot A: "I think the Flyers are looking to trade Giroux"

Every person with half a brain: "Yeah, no I don't think so. He's just having a down year. There hasn't been one person from the organization to substantiate that claim"

Idiot A^n: "I think the Flyers are actually going to leave Giroux unprotected in the expansion draft, just to get rid of his cap hit."

Not fair, especially those saying he should be moved for a bag of pucks pretty much.

If/when he does go, he will be missed. I'm also with you that I don't think its all him declining. Crosby was broken last year due to poor coaching, and I'm not willing to rule that out yet.
- JFlyers00

If other guys were having regular scoring seasons at even strength, then I'd be more worried, but it's the entire team except for Voracek.

Giroux nostalgia is a funny thing.

Agreed about people having no loyalty. Giroux is going to have his name in the rafters one day.

Also, I think cap space is overrated. People just want it, but then don't know what to do with it. It's like the dog chasing the car.
- PhillySportsGuy

They are used to the Flyers being up against the cap and can't look 4 years into the future. His deal, while it wont be a bargain in any sense of the word, just isnt that bad all things considered

Not fair, especially those saying he should be moved for a bag of pucks pretty much.

If/when he does go, he will be missed. I'm also with you that I don't think its all him declining. Crosby was broken last year due to poor coaching, and I'm not willing to rule that out yet.
- JFlyers00

Was that the same bad coach who won a cup?

Agreed about people having no loyalty. Giroux is going to have his name in the rafters one day.

Also, I think cap space is overrated. People just want it, but then don't know what to do with it. It's like the dog chasing the car.
- PhillySportsGuy

Dead on with the cap space. As much as I think Giroux is in decline and it may be time to move on, what the hell are they going to do with that cap space anyway.

Have a good time is Russia, Billy. Tell Putin thanks for the e-mails!

Can you comment on the Giroux trade rumors when you get back stateside?

Was that the same bad coach who won a cup?
- J35Bacher

no...the bad coach was fired and replaced

If choosing between Laughton, Cousins, Raffl, Read, Weise and Leier for the last 2 protection spots, I'd rank them:

1. Cousins
He'd be protected because I like the fact that he has a bit of skill, plays with some heart and, at the least, consistently draws penalties. If he can continue to work on his skating and overall defensive play, he could perhaps be a nice 3rd/4th line agitator/energy guy with the ability to chip in some offense.

2. Raffl
He's an ok possession guy and can be, with the right linemates, a solid 3rd line player. Plus his contract is relatively reasonable.

3. Laughton
Don't think he will ever be more than a 4th liner at the NHL level. Wouldn't lose any sleep if they lost him

4. Leier
He's undersized, and while a good skater, he's nothing special in the speed dept at the NHL level. He's likely a 4th line PKer and those guys can be easily replaced.

5. Read
Take him, please.

6. Weise
Take him, pretty please
- BiggE

For all the complaints about the 4th line and how it needs to be improved, why the lazze faire attitude over players who might be able to improve the 4th line in the future? If Laughton can come up and be a solid 4th liner, who can skate, check well, and provide more offense, then why wouldn't he be a player we'd value?

no...the bad coach was fired and replaced
- YuenglingJagr

That's right. They had Sullivan in between Bylsma and Johnston