A Mac was picked in the 6 round and is dominating the flyers D corps
- Bonerfide69

I'd like a list compiled of NHL veteran dmen who were demoted to the minors for half a season, only to return the following year and added to the top pairing.

I'd like a list compiled of NHL veteran dmen who were demoted to the minors for half a season, only to return the following year and added to the top pairing.
- PLindbergh31

Chris Chelios?

I find the Leafs to be prime example of where the Flyers are. They could continue to be a terrible bubble team for a decade and continue to trade assets for picks/prospects. Although the Leafs are recently having success because there draft picks are finally paying off, where as the Leafs prior picks during their "rebuild" never succeeded.
- Glak18

I disagree, the Leafs were trading future assets while they were that terrible bubble team.

Andrew Raycroft, Vessa Toskala, Lee Stempniak, Phil Kessel...These are trades Hextall would never make with his draft and prospect pool. Holmgren sure, but Hextall has given no indication that's his way of doing things. That's why I don't see how you can compare them to the Leafs from 2006-2016 without a pessimistic view that Hextall's plans for the future won't improve the team.

Devils looked like the best team in the League or looks like it when they play the flyers
- Bonerfide69

Yea, the Flyers have a way of making any team they play look like the best team in the league. Oh, and every Goalie looks like a vezina winner too.

Beyond frustrating.....

I disagree, the Leafs were trading future assets while they were that terrible bubble team.

Andrew Raycroft, Vessa Toskala, Lee Stempniak, Phil Kessel...These are trades Hextall would never make with his draft and prospect pool. Holmgren sure, but Hextall has given no indication that's his way of doing things.
- Baxter27

Leafs were stuck in limbo until new management came in and decided to do a complete rebuild. All in about 3 years

I find the Leafs to be prime example of where the Flyers are. They could continue to be a terrible bubble team for a decade and continue to trade assets for picks/prospects. Although the Leafs are recently having success because there draft picks are finally paying off, where as the Leafs prior picks during their "rebuild" never succeeded.
- Glak18

Keep in mind also that the past two draft years seemed to have above average talent at the top of lottery compared with other years. To me it was about playing the averages of being bad for extended period. Eventually it's going to pay off, but do you have patience for it?

I disagree, the Leafs were trading future assets while they were that terrible bubble team.

Andrew Raycroft, Vessa Toskala, Lee Stempniak, Phil Kessel...These are trades Hextall would never make with his draft and prospect pool. Holmgren sure, but Hextall has given no indication that's his way of doing things.
- Baxter27

I am not saying they are exactly the same, I probably worded it incorrectly.

They were a crappy bubble team because they couldn't decide what direction to go. They traded away young prospects for rentals/veterans for a playoff push, but at the same time drafting players that never panned out.

The next couples years are crucial whether the Flyers get stuck in that blackhole or become a consistent playoff team.

Leafs were stuck in limbo until new management came in and decided to do a complete rebuild. All in about 3 years
- YuenglingJagr

Limbo...the word I was searching for.

Keep in mind also that the past two draft years seemed to have above average talent at the top of lottery compared with other years. To me it was about playing the averages of being bad for extended period. Eventually it's going to pay off, but do you have patience for it?
- Sublime55

I do, I doubt others have it.

This year has been frustrating for many, not me because it is what I have been expecting for 3 years.

Leafs were stuck in limbo until new management came in and decided to do a complete rebuild. All in about 3 years
- YuenglingJagr

Somewhat agree but I wouldn't even say the Leafs did a complete rebuild, more of a tank. They started taking on terrible contracts, burying them and signing players for the purpose of trading them at the deadline.

They didn't trade Gardiner, Kadri, JVR, Bozak. They haven't traded them this year either when you could argue their value will never be higher just like I've heard with Simmonds. Not directed at you, just in general.

I am not saying they are exactly the same, I probably worded it incorrectly.

They were a crappy bubble team because they couldn't decide what direction to go. They traded away young prospects for rentals/veterans for a playoff push, but at the same time drafting players that never panned out.

The next couples years are crucial whether the Flyers get stuck in that blackhole or become a consistent playoff team.
- Glak18

It is again comparing a pretty incompetent management group though. The picks and decisions they made were not very good. Hextall, even though he isn't trading core players to tank, is still drafting extremely well so far

Somewhat agree but I wouldn't even say the Leafs did a complete rebuild, more of a tank. They started taking on terrible contracts, burying them and signing players for the purpose of trading them at the deadline.

They didn't trade Gardiner, Kadri, JVR, Bozak. They haven't traded them this year either when you could argue their value will never be higher just like I've heard with Simmonds. Not directed at you, just in general.
- Baxter27

Tank/Rebuild...whatever....I mean they traded Kessell and Phaneuf. That was a big deal. Taking on the bad contracts and that was a savvy way of maximizing the use of their cap and budget. It improved returns of trades they made and helped move certain guys out

It is again comparing a pretty incompetent management group though. The picks and decisions they made were not very good. Hextall, even though he isn't trading core players to tank, is still drafting extremely well so far
- YuenglingJagr

Oh I am not agreeing that point one bit. On one hand I am glad the Leafs are heading in the right direction and on the other...screw their whiney fans in the "Hockey Mecca".

Somewhat agree but I wouldn't even say the Leafs did a complete rebuild, more of a tank. They started taking on terrible contracts, burying them and signing players for the purpose of trading them at the deadline.

They didn't trade Gardiner, Kadri, JVR, Bozak. They haven't traded them this year either when you could argue their value will never be higher just like I've heard with Simmonds. Not directed at you, just in general.
- Baxter27

Missed opportunity for Lamoriello and Shanahan. They should have traded JVR to Arizona for Luke Schenn.

Tank/Rebuild...whatever....I mean they traded Kessell and Phaneuf. That was a big deal. Taking on the bad contracts and that was a savvy way of maximizing the use of their cap and budget. It improved returns of trades they made and helped move certain guys out
- YuenglingJagr

They also tried to do the same years prior with Sundin and Kaberle, but neither would waive the NTC. Eventually Kaberle did, which I find to be the "starting" point of their rebuild.

Fire the team, trade the coach. Sign the GM, promote the owner.

You continue to show just how educated you are as a fan. Make excuses for any opponent. Crucify the Flyers for anything.
- Baxter27

You can understand why when this season is exactly the same as the last 10 seasons where the Flyers also missed the playoffs.

I am not saying they are exactly the same, I probably worded it incorrectly.

They were a crappy bubble team because they couldn't decide what direction to go. They traded away young prospects for rentals/veterans for a playoff push, but at the same time drafting players that never panned out.

The next couples years are crucial whether the Flyers get stuck in that blackhole or become a consistent playoff team.
- Glak18

I don't even think they share the same philosophies. I'm in disagreement that Hextall is stuck trying to decide whether to compete or build for the future. He made that decision long ago and he hasn't strayed from the path. He's putting a priority on the future. That doesn't mean he has to bury his team in the process. Sure, I want a top 10 top 5 pick like everyone does. I also take pride in knowing the Flyers won't roll over to get it.

Leafs were stuck in limbo until new management came in and decided to do a complete rebuild. All in about 3 years
- YuenglingJagr

And if they got the 3rd or 4th pick in 2016 they would be below us in the standings. Matthews has 30 NHL goals, PLD doesn't have 30 QMJHL goals. Lottery luck played a huge role and can't be relied on.

Tank/Rebuild...whatever....I mean they traded Kessell and Phaneuf. That was a big deal. Taking on the bad contracts and that was a savvy way of maximizing the use of their cap and budget. It improved returns of trades they made and helped move certain guys out
- YuenglingJagr

Kessel and Phanuef would be like trading Giroux and Voracek. Living In the Toronto area I can tell you things were absolutely portrayed in the media as toxic with them and the long term roles they were set to play on the team. I don't think Giroux and Voracek are at that point. Another stagnant year like this one, it could go in that direction.

I agree they did some savy cap management but I'm not sure it paid off vs the damage it may have done to their reputation around the league. Filppula is the first public example but I'm willing to be there will be others.

Devils looked like the best team in the League or looks like it when they play the flyers
- Bonerfide69

False. They simply looked less awful than the Flyers last night.

Kessel and Phanuef would be like trading Giroux and Voracek. Living In the Toronto area I can tell you things were absolutely portrayed in the media as toxic with them and the long term roles they were set to play on the team. I don't think Giroux and Voracek are at that point. Another stagnant year like this one, it could go in that direction.

I agree they did some savy cap management but I'm not sure it paid off vs the damage it may have done to their reputation around the league. Filppula is the first public example but I'm willing to be there will be others.
- Baxter27

The Flyers already traded two big contracts to get younger and deeper. Schenn and Simmonds are going to combine for 100+ points again, while Richards is out of the league. Carter is still really good at 32, but the Flyers turned him into Voracek, Couturier and Cousins.

Filppula just didn't want to move to Canada. He turned down Montreal, too.

Missed opportunity for Lamoriello and Shanahan. They should have traded JVR to Arizona for Luke Schenn.
- PLindbergh31

IS THAT FRANCHISE SERIOUS!?

Yea, the Flyers have a way of making any team they play look like the best team in the league. Oh, and every Goalie looks like a vezina winner too.

Beyond frustrating.....
- Corporate_hater

lol, Kinkaid did not look anything like a Vezina winner last night.

And if they got the 3rd or 4th pick in 2016 they would be below us in the standings. Matthews has 30 NHL goals, PLD doesn't have 30 QMJHL goals. Lottery luck played a huge role and can't be relied on.
- Feanor

Matthews makes a huge difference, but again, I am not sure it needs to be said because I don't think it is the argument that is being made by some (electing PSG as the leader). Flyers fans are well aware of lottery odds.