confidence is always an issue for a struggling player. For example, that crazy G play made last night, he then dished to Flip, Flip with confidence probably puts that in or at least makes a better shot. Lack of confidence usually comes with wanting to get the puck off your stick ASAP, that is Flip right now. I do agree his skills have declined since just last year but you can see his lack of confidence in his decision making with the puck, he does better when he is defending.
- wcorvette

The thing with Filppula is that despite his skills declining he is still solid in his own end and when his line does get the opportunities to create a scoring chance he is usually at the helm of it all. If you look at the rest of the 4th line centers in the division Flip might be the best of the bunch. He isn't what he used to be but he can still score here and there and is solid in his own end. He has a ton of playoff experience and that benefits the Flyers come April. Filppula in a 4th line center role speaks to the depth of the Flyers right now.

Does anyone have a GIF of the fake between the legs skate kick move Giroux pulled last night?
- pharcyde

That was vintage Giroux. The guy with the quickest hands in the league who could dangle with the best of them. Not necessarily the better player, but the more exciting one.

They didn't have many center options at the time, so you're right, it was not just to help Patrick but to provide the same bridge until they could get better options. Patrick fell into their laps. I don't see it have anything to do with confidence. I think it's simply about declining skills. Weise is a disappointment.
- MJL

I could have never imagined him being so weak on his skates in battles. Its crazy.

Does anyone have a GIF of the fake between the legs skate kick move Giroux pulled last night?
- pharcyde

The thing with Filppula is that despite his skills declining he is still solid in his own end and when his line does get the opportunities to create a scoring chance he is usually at the helm of it all. If you look at the rest of the 4th line centers in the division Flip might be the best of the bunch. He isn't what he used to be but he can still score here and there and is solid in his own end. He has a ton of playoff experience and that benefits the Flyers come April. Filppula in a 4th line center role speaks to the depth of the Flyers right now.
- FreshFlyer

yeah I am Flip fan. why I hope he gets some more confidence, that and it will make the Flyers better. At 5 mil he should be the best 4th line center. If they Flyers can upgrade, they should.

The thing with Filppula is that despite his skills declining he is still solid in his own end and when his line does get the opportunities to create a scoring chance he is usually at the helm of it all. If you look at the rest of the 4th line centers in the division Flip might be the best of the bunch. He isn't what he used to be but he can still score here and there and is solid in his own end. He has a ton of playoff experience and that benefits the Flyers come April. Filppula in a 4th line center role speaks to the depth of the Flyers right now.
- FreshFlyer

That is completely accurate regarding Filppula. Playing a good defensive center role is what the Flyers need. Any scoring is a bonus.

- five4fighting10

Are you freakin' kidding me?!

Our swedish prince was fantastic last night. I would love to see him with Jake, but maybe in due time. Anyone think he didn't look NHL ready?
- YuenglingJagr

He looks ready now, sure, but back in early January he was clearly not as ready as Tyrell Goulbourne for the NHL.

- five4fighting10

Can you use your skate in a shoot out?

Does anyone know of a legitimate reason why the Flyers treat injuries like nuclear launch codes?

I don’t buy that it is valuable intelligence that other teams use. Especially in regards to where the actual injury is on the player.
- StepfordSam

They treat them the same way as the 30 other teams.

yeah I am Flip fan. why I hope he gets some more confidence, that and it will make the Flyers better. At 5 mil he should be the best 4th line center. If they Flyers can upgrade, they should.
- wcorvette

I don't think the Flyers need an upgrade on Flip at this point, whoever you acquire may have more offensive capabilities, but will probably be pretty equal in terms of defensive play. If the Flyers did get someone else to be the 4C they likely don't have the same playoff experience that Filppula does. Flyers are a young team as it is, having a player like Filppula with his experience and his ability to be placed into multiple different positions in the lineup if there are injuries is pretty valuable.

It's not a logic fail, it's the fact that he is one of the best 6 defenseman on the roster. That's why Manning stays in the lineup. Until one of Sanheim or Morin, or another player earns a promotion and pushes him down in the lineup, Manning will remain in the lineup.
- MJL

Sanheim is already better than Manning, just as Lindblom is already better than any winger on the 4th line. But Hextall is overly cautious and usually waits for injuries to force him into making promotions.

You think this trade would work? I think this would close the gap between the Flyers and other teams in the east.

To Ottawa: Philly 2018 1st rounder, Filppula, Morin, Weise, Lebarage

To Philly: Brassard, Zack Smith, Oduya

Ottawa gets a 1st rounder, top prospect in Morin, Filppula is UFA so they get money off the books and Weise is cheaper and less term then Zack Smith

Philly gets a center and now can go Couturier, Patrick, Brassard, Laughton down the middle for the playoffs. Zack smith can also play center but also is a solid PK guy who plays a gritty game. What wiese was supposed to do but also kill penalties. Oduya can upgrade your 3rd pairing and brings playoff experience

I really think think this would help the Flyers but again not sure if it makes sense for ottawa.

I think Provy and Sanheim would be perfect for the 2nd unit
- YuenglingJagr

Logic fail. Clearly Manning and Lehtera are better options for PP2 than Sanheim because they both have more PP TOI this season than he does.

You think this trade would work? I think this would close the gap between the Flyers and other teams in the east.

To Ottawa: Philly 2018 1st rounder, Filppula, Morin, Weise, Lebarage

To Philly: Brassard, Zack Smith, Oduya

Ottawa gets a 1st rounder, top prospect in Morin, Filppula is UFA so they get money off the books and Weise is cheaper and less term then Zack Smith

Philly gets a center and now can go Couturier, Patrick, Brassard, Laughton down the middle for the playoffs. Zack smith can also play center but also is a solid PK guy who plays a gritty game. What wiese was supposed to do but also kill penalties. Oduya can upgrade your 3rd pairing and brings playoff experience

I really think think this would help the Flyers but again not sure if it makes sense for ottawa.
- J35Bacher

Hextall would never do that. I wouldn't either. That 1st rounder only gets moved for stud players. If I was dealing with Ottawa I would look to take on term or actual dollars. That is the language they want to speak.

You think this trade would work? I think this would close the gap between the Flyers and other teams in the east.

To Ottawa: Philly 2018 1st rounder, Filppula, Morin, Weise, Lebarage

To Philly: Brassard, Zack Smith, Oduya

Ottawa gets a 1st rounder, top prospect in Morin, Filppula is UFA so they get money off the books and Weise is cheaper and less term then Zack Smith

Philly gets a center and now can go Couturier, Patrick, Brassard, Laughton down the middle for the playoffs. Zack smith can also play center but also is a solid PK guy who plays a gritty game. What wiese was supposed to do but also kill penalties. Oduya can upgrade your 3rd pairing and brings playoff experience

I really think think this would help the Flyers but again not sure if it makes sense for ottawa.
- J35Bacher

I'm really not interested in trading Morin.

I'm really not interested in trading Morin.
- jmatchett383

You would probably have to move Morin or Sanheim.

I know it seems like a lot but i think it makes sense. Brassard has another year left so then next year I can roll those centers and with laughton on the 4th line we can upgrade there.

I'm really not interested in trading Morin.
- jmatchett383

At this point me too. So much time invested in the kid. Need to see what you got. Unless the offer is just too good to say no.

You would probably have to move Morin or Sanheim.

I know it seems like a lot but i think it makes sense. Brassard has another year left so then next year I can roll those centers and with laughton on the 4th line we can upgrade there.
- J35Bacher

I actually think Filppula for Brassard gets you close to a deal if they are truly looking to move Brassard. I don't think they are.

The Sens save money this year and next year. You would need to add a pick which I don't think Hexy would do.

You think this trade would work? I think this would close the gap between the Flyers and other teams in the east.

To Ottawa: Philly 2018 1st rounder, Filppula, Morin, Weise, Lebarage

To Philly: Brassard, Zack Smith, Oduya

Ottawa gets a 1st rounder, top prospect in Morin, Filppula is UFA so they get money off the books and Weise is cheaper and less term then Zack Smith

Philly gets a center and now can go Couturier, Patrick, Brassard, Laughton down the middle for the playoffs. Zack smith can also play center but also is a solid PK guy who plays a gritty game. What wiese was supposed to do but also kill penalties. Oduya can upgrade your 3rd pairing and brings playoff experience

I really think think this would help the Flyers but again not sure if it makes sense for ottawa.
- J35Bacher

If I’m trading a 1st to OTT, it’s for Hoffman.

At this point me too. So much time invested in the kid. Need to see what you got. Unless the offer is just too good to say no.
- hereticpride

I guess.

But can you guarantee me that giroux, voracek, couturier are going to have the years they are having this year next?

I think you have to capitalize on the season your having. Also you have built a prospect pipeline for deals like this. You have another 1st rounder. You also could trade a future UFA like Simmonds at the draft to restock picks.

I am not sure I want to waste this season because i want to "see" what Morin can do.

I don't think a deal like this is mortgaging your future.

If I’m trading a 1st to OTT, it’s for Hoffman.
- arichardson22

I thought that but i think hoffman will cost more then Brassard.

I guess.

But can you guarantee me that giroux, voracek, couturier are going to have the years they are having this year next?

I think you have to capitalize on the season your having. Also you have built a prospect pipeline for deals like this. You have another 1st rounder. You also could trade a future UFA like Simmonds at the draft to restock picks.

I am not sure I want to waste this season because i want to "see" what Morin can do.

I don't think a deal like this is mortgaging your future.
- J35Bacher

A first and Sanheim or Morin is the beginning of the Karlsson conversation to me. That's a lot to give up regardless of the type of season the Flyers are having.

You would probably have to move Morin or Sanheim.

I know it seems like a lot but i think it makes sense. Brassard has another year left so then next year I can roll those centers and with laughton on the 4th line we can upgrade there.
- J35Bacher

Then I'm not interested. Those two, Myers, Hart, and Frost are non-starters unless we're talking young star coming back (and even then, Hart is a non-starter). Brassard is a very good player, but not a star.

I guess.

But can you guarantee me that giroux, voracek, couturier are going to have the years they are having this year next?

I think you have to capitalize on the season your having. Also you have built a prospect pipeline for deals like this. You have another 1st rounder. You also could trade a future UFA like Simmonds at the draft to restock picks.

I am not sure I want to waste this season because i want to "see" what Morin can do.

I don't think a deal like this is mortgaging your future.
- J35Bacher

If that's the line of thinking, may as well trade them all right now at their peaks since no 1-2 players are going to magically make this team a legit contender. If we don't expect them to all play close to this level in 2-3 years, let's move them while their value is highest.