Having no Snider is what is worrisome, because he can take as long a process as he wants, with zero pressure.
- puckhead17

I believe in building this via the draft. the old way didn't work so I'm good with trying a new approach. yes it is painful to watch and its hard to be patient but I'm on board.

4-5 rookies works if there's some great coaching at the NHL level.....look at Toronto as an example this year....they have gone with 6-7 rookies every night. After the big 3, these kids are just like Flyers prospects, similar ages, drafted in later rounds. But they all play with passion. The system works for the personnel... They are entertaining, and you get the sense that the team has a distinct direction.

- landros 2

Toronto seems like they have a direction this year, but how many times was that said in the last 10+ years? Hopefully it doesn't take the Flyers that long.

Toronto seems like they have a direction this year, but how many times was that said in the last 10+ years? Hopefully it doesn't take the Flyers that long.
- FlyerFan16

Different management.....when they fired off Phenuef and Kessel last year the cloud lifted. Drafting Mathews at #1 sped up the process but 1/2 the lineup is 1rst or second year guys.

First off, he always has a lot of scoring chances. The problem? He doesn't score. I get it, people here like him. But the blind love for him is scary.
- Flyers1218

I don't think there is any blind love for him. Couturier is part of the same group of players who simply are not producing enough offense.

To be fair Giroux was that guy until last year.....but he seems to have dropped a step and with his size that's a big 'step'.....last year I heard from all the pundits that he was hurt....is he still hurt or has he really slipped that much.
- landros 2

I don't know, it seems like Giroux's play, especially at ES, has been steadily declining since the start of the 14-15 season. It's why, even though it will probably set them back in the short run, I would look to see if there is a good deal to made and, if there is, move him this summer. I don't see this team as a contender before 19-20 at the earliest, and more realistically not until 20-21. With that in mind, I don't think a 32-33 year old Claude Giroux at a cap hit of 8.275 million will be an effective player that would even come close to justifying his salary at that point.

I believe in building this via the draft. the old way didn't work so I'm good with trying a new approach. yes it is painful to watch and its hard to be patient but I'm on board.
- nastyflyergirl

As am I.

Great fight at the dressing room last night in the wolves/ Wild AHL game. Berube coaches the wolves.

I don't know, it seems like Giroux's play, especially at ES, has been steadily declining since the start of the 14-15 season. It's why, even though it will probably set them back in the short run, I would look to see if there is a good deal to made and, if there is, move him this summer. I don't see this team as a contender before 19-20 at the earliest, and more realistically not until 20-21. With that in mind, I don't think a 32-33 year old Claude Giroux at a cap hit of 8.275 million will be an effective player that would even come close to justifying his salary at that point.
- BiggE

Claude Giroux's ineffectiveness is the biggest problem with this team right now. Not the only problem, but the biggest in my opinion.

I believe in building this via the draft. the old way didn't work so I'm good with trying a new approach. yes it is painful to watch and its hard to be patient but I'm on board.
- nastyflyergirl

I'd be totally on board if there was the Flyer 'identity' still present. There is no excuse for a boring product.

Claude Giroux's ineffectiveness is the biggest problem with this team right now. Not the only problem, but the biggest in my opinion.
- MJL

It really is. It just magnifies all the other issues when he's not helping carry this team offensively.

I don't know, it seems like Giroux's play, especially at ES, has been steadily declining since the start of the 14-15 season. It's why, even though it will probably set them back in the short run, I would look to see if there is a good deal to made and, if there is, move him this summer. I don't see this team as a contender before 19-20 at the earliest, and more realistically not until 20-21. With that in mind, I don't think a 32-33 year old Claude Giroux at a cap hit of 8.275 million will be an effective player that would even come close to justifying his salary at that point.
- BiggE

In my opinion Giroux's play has dropped off as the talent dropped off. Sure Voracek, Simmonds and Schenn can play but are we really getting different looks on the ice? Jagr, Hartnell, JvR. Losing them for nothing doesn't help either.

I'm sure if you ask someone who only hears stuff, Giroux has been declining since his concussion in 2012. Wouldn't that be the same season he had a career year even with a two week sit out? What about two seasons after that when he was nominated for the Hart? These are the same people who say the Flyers goaltending has always been bad but Steve Mason has held down a number one job for five years now.

Claude Giroux's ineffectiveness is the biggest problem with this team right now. Not the only problem, but the biggest in my opinion.
- MJL

Can't argue with that, though last night I pin the game on Neuvirth, he was horrible. But overall, Giroux's ineffectiveness has just killed this team.

Different management.....when they fired off Phenuef and Kessel last year the cloud lifted. Drafting Mathews at #1 sped up the process but 1/2 the lineup is 1rst or second year guys.
- landros 2

I don't know that it's all the much different. Hextall's been getting rid of dead weight the last few years, been stocking up on picks and seems to drafting well. Flyers are going to keep getting younger and younger the few years.

I'd be totally on board if there was the Flyer 'identity' still present. There is no excuse for a boring product.
- landros 2

as someone said before they are neither big/physical or fast/quick. they are a flawed lineup and I am sure Hextall knows this. I don't know what I think about Hakstol. I'm baffled by lineup decisions. as far as the X's and O's I just don't know how much is him and how much are the players.

Claude Giroux's ineffectiveness is the biggest problem with this team right now. Not the only problem, but the biggest in my opinion.
- MJL

Goalies are a close second.

In my opinion Giroux's play has dropped off as the talent dropped off. Sure Voracek, Simmonds and Schenn can play but are we really getting different looks on the ice? Jagr, Hartnell, JvR. Losing them for nothing doesn't help either.

I'm sure if you ask someone who only hears stuff, Giroux has been declining since his concussion in 2012. Wouldn't that be the same season he had a career year even with a two week sit out? What about two seasons after that when he was nominated for the Hart? These are the same people who say the Flyers goaltending has always been bad but Steve Mason has held down a number one job for five years now.
- SuperSchennBros

I had no problem with Giroux's play really until this season. Even though he was clearly less effective at ES post 2014 than he was prior, he was still one of the most lethal players in the NHL on the pp. He also, until this year, still had some games where he seemed to find that extra gear and determination and he would simply be dominant for a few shifts.

This season though, I've seen none of that. He's been flat out awful at ES and only good, not great, on the pp. If he was holding a cap hit of 5 million and being asked to be a 2nd line center and 1st unit pp guy, I'd only be mildly concerned. But, when his hit is over 8 million and he's expected to be the 1C, it's very concerning.

as someone said before they are neither big/physical or fast/quick. they are a flawed lineup and I am sure Hextall knows this. I don't know what I think about Hakstol. I'm baffled by lineup decisions. as far as the X's and O's I just don't know how much is him and how much are the players.
- nastyflyergirl

Agreed. I want to see what Hak can do with a talented, deep lineup before I make a final decision on him.

How unfortunate

no logic for starting 30 six games straight. he's not been good enough for that. he SUCKED tonight, and they lost because of it and Murray was good at the other end.

not a single shot on goal for G. oh i know, he tried. but he apparently likes the hitting the glass from the half circle. weise was the other one without a shot. not that it's a huge deal, but he a good chance on the 2 on 1 and wires it to the covered weak side guy which of course gets deflected and goes out of play.

they played well enough to win through 2 periods. i give them credit for making it close. but those two 3rd period goals against were pure garbage. i'll give him a pass on the 2nd goal, but i think it was stoppable. he got a piece of it.

what a (frank)ing dumpster fire this team is. i hope hextall can unload as many players as possible. not thrilled with hakstol either.


- hammarby31

I'm absolutely baffled by their use of neuvy as well. All I can think of is that the team has decided it's going to showcase neuvy for a trade or that it's decided that mase is the one they'll ship out and they don't want him to get hurt. I like neuvy but as you've said, he hasn't been so good as to own the net here.

Can't believe this team that won 10 straight at one point is out of the running before march. Trade everyone and get picks. If you can in the offseason get some damned skill for the forward corps. We have six decent NHL forwards then 6 4th liners. Dear god.

Toronto seems like they have a direction this year, but how many times was that said in the last 10+ years? Hopefully it doesn't take the Flyers that long.
- FlyerFan16

Difference is Toronto now has not one but two true future stars in Matthews and Marner. Nylander is pretty good too! They are an exciting team to watch and that is very painful to admit .

Agreed. I want to see what Hak can do with a talented, deep lineup before I make a final decision on him.
- BiggE

He'll make them take all of their shots from the blue line

Agreed. I want to see what Hak can do with a talented, deep lineup before I make a final decision on him.
- BiggE

At the current pace and with Giroux making 8+ a year that day may be 3-4 years away.

I had no problem with Giroux's play really until this season. Even though he was clearly less effective at ES post 2014 than he was prior, he was still one of the most lethal players in the NHL on the pp. He also, until this year, still had some games where he seemed to find that extra gear and determination and he would simply be dominant for a few shifts.

This season though, I've seen none of that. He's been flat out awful at ES and only good, not great, on the pp. If he was holding a cap hit of 5 million and being asked to be a 2nd line center and 1st unit pp guy, I'd only be mildly concerned. But, when his hit is over 8 million and he's expected to be the 1C, it's very concerning.
- BiggE

I think Giroux needs help. Somehow I believe if we traded him to St Louis for example and he played with Tarasenko, he would be back where he needs to be. JvR in my mind was the top line winger of the future but sure enough...

Agreed. I want to see what Hak can do with a talented, deep lineup before I make a final decision on him.
- BiggE

No guarantees that there is going to be a talented deep lineup here anytime soon.
Hextall has drafted well, but he's done nothing to improve the team in FA or the trade market. You aren't building a championship level team strictly drafting from the 10-15 range.

Agreed. I want to see what Hak can do with a talented, deep lineup before I make a final decision on him.
- BiggE

Any coach could look good with a talented deep line up. Over playing your hand with one goaltender leading to a big nationally televised game and a trade deadline, to me there is no excuse. Hakstol's hands aren't tied to a point where Streit and Ghost have to play together or Weal is our best chance for offense. In my opinion, the only difference between Berube and Hakstol, Hakstol doesn't answer questions like a former enforcer/meathead.