Serious question: On that day, did anyone think they'd stay in first or second place come the end of the regular season?
- jmatchett383

If anyone did, just wow

Serious question: On that day, did anyone think they'd stay in first or second place come the end of the regular season?
- jmatchett383

I thought we could stay in the top 3.

I was thinking the same thing about Coots...I wonder if they should split up him and G for the rest of the season, move G back to center. That would take some of the weight off Coots and make the team a little more defensively responsible. They certainly can't afford to have 17-51-12 out there near the end of games! Lines could look something like:

17-28-12
93-14-11
54-19-24
51-21-15
- aantny88

I’d hate to move G back to center, but it might be what’s needed. However I want him back on wing in 18-19.

What could we get for simmer and the 12th and 15th picks in the draft?
- Tfaehner

In the vicinity of Bobby Ryan

Serious question: On that day, did anyone think they'd stay in first or second place come the end of the regular season?
- jmatchett383

Nope, but I thought they’d finish 3rd.

Yeah was being fairly doom and gloom sarcastic. I only trade those 3 in a package if I'm getting top 3 for zadina svech or dahlin.
- Tfaehner

I think you could possibly get to 2 or 3 with that depending on who wins the lotto. No one is going to trade Dahlin tho. Generational D prospect. Just not happening.

Simmonds makes it tricky because are any of those teams likely to go top three really going to think that they're in dire need of a power forward who will be 30 this summer? Maybe if Chicago ends up 2 or 3. Not sure I see it with the other teams.

In the vicinity of Bobby Ryan
- Just5

Cherry hill factor makes it an immediate yes

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers to Fall 5-3 to Columbus, Lead Down to a Tiebreaker
- bmeltzer

It seems like we've seen this movie before

I think you could possibly get to 2 or 3 with that depending on who wins the lotto. No one is going to trade Dahlin tho. Generational D prospect. Just not happening.

Simmonds makes it tricky because are any if those teams likely to go top three really going to think that they're in dire need of a power forward who will be 30 this summer? Maybe if Chicago ends up 2 or 3. Not sure I see it with the other teams.
- hereticpride

I could see Edmonton especially with chiarelli at the helm. But yeah I don't see it either

I agree the bottom six is a mess but you can't let those lines dictate your top lines.

I love what the Schenn trade is shaping into but they're kind of missing that guy right now to give them more options and better depth down the lineup.
- hereticpride

Unfortunately, those bottom six guys are dragging the whole team down. I could live with the lack of production if they were really tight defensively, but they aren't even doing that. Sh*t rolls downhill!

Too bad Schenn never really played center when he was here, so I'm not sure it would even matter. Simmonds seems to be a shell of his former self, basically limited to being effective on the PP. Raffl appears to have been a flash in the pan and the rest are mostly overpaid vets who probably don't belong in the NHL anymore.

I could see Edmonton especially with chiarelli at the helm. But yeah I don't see it either
- Tfaehner

Chia is an idiot, I can absolutely see him swapping his 1st round pick (if not top 3) plus a pick in 19 for something like Simmonds and Gudas. That would give us a pick in the 6-8 range, plus 2 probably between 12-16. Now you might have the ammo to move up and get a Zadina or Svetch.

What could we get for simmer and the 12th and 15th picks in the draft?
- Tfaehner

Agreed w/ above. I don't think you can trade them all together, because I'm only moving that for a top 3 pick, and no one in the top 3 would likely make that trade.

It depends on the way the draft falls, but say the oilers have the 7th pick in the draft and Dobson is on the board. I would explore moving one of the picks plus another asset to make that move. I don't know if I would do the 12th + Simmonds for it, tho.

But I think Simmonds straight up can land you a decent prospect and late first/early second.

I will say, however, that I am not a great trade evaluator.

EDIT - And you said the same thing as I was posting.

Chia is an idiot, I can absolutely see him swapping his 1st round pick (if not top 3) plus a pick in 19 for something like Simmonds and Gudas. That would give us a pick in the 6-8 range, plus 2 probably between 12-16. Now you might have the ammo to move up and get a Zadina or Svetch.
- BiggE

If we get 3 picks in the mid first I go the Boston route and draft all 3. Unless we are getting 2nd overall

I just hope Hexy learned his lesson and doesn't go sign a veteran 3/4C for longer than 1 year. There's no one in FA that I think fills that role, but if it's only for a year okay.

If they decide to bring back Filp, I would like to see a reduction is role and ice time next season, preferably on the wing.
- VladDrag

What lesson are you referring to that Hextall should learn. If you're referring to Filppula, which was a trade, that was a solid move and they'd have been in trouble this year without Filppula.

The games against the Canes, Red Wings, Isles and Rags are gonna make or break em. 6 of the last 11 are against those teams. Win those games and get a loser point in 2 of the other 5 and they finish with 95 and are probably in. Any less than that and they are pretty much (frank)ed.

Couturier looks like a guy playing 22 minutes a night and facing 1st line checking for the first time in his career. I think he’s just out of gas and that really hurts them right now as this team badly needs it’s top 6 players to carry them.
- BiggE

And yet somehow he was still a plus player last night.

might be time to slide Weal back in just for the fact as he gives you more offensive skill.

Giroux - Couturier - Konecny
Lindblom - Patrick - Voracek
Weal - Laughton - Simmonds
Lehtara - Filppula - Raffl

The bottom 6 just can't seem to get anything going. I think you need to slide laughton up. Also Simmonds needs to bring more at 5 on 5.

If we get 3 picks in the mid first I go the Boston route and draft all 3. Unless we are getting 2nd overall
- Tfaehner

I agree. I know it's not as exciting as landing a top pick but let's be honest, they have multiple holes to fill and multiple 1st's is the best way to keep roster spots filled with good players.

What lesson are you referring to that Hextall should learn. If you're referring to Filppula, which was a trade, that was a solid move and they'd have been in trouble this year without Filppula.
- MJL

Filppula allowed Patrick to come along at a slower pace and not be rushed into a bigger role until ready. Especially with coming back from the injuries.

The best thing about Mrazek is that he's only going to cost the Flyers a 4th thanks to this disastrous choke job which will see them miss out on a playoff spot to a Florida team they were 14 points ahead of at the start of March.
- Feanor

Are you going to be upset when the Flyers make the playoffs?

What lesson are you referring to that Hextall should learn. If you're referring to Filppula, which was a trade, that was a solid move and they'd have been in trouble this year without Filppula.
- MJL

They are also IN trouble because of Filppula this season as well though

Serious question: On that day, did anyone think they'd stay in first or second place come the end of the regular season?
- jmatchett383

Not first. I was hoping for at least 2nd though. Yet, looking at their upcoming schedule I knew it was going to be tough.

I think the most frustrating thing for me is, they will play very well for stretches of the game and the first chance it goes the other way, it is in our net.

After TK missed that chance to go up 1-0 when Bob make that great glove save, I knew it would wind up in our net soon. And bang, it did. Just frustrating.

Mind you, that post (about being in first) was a good deal of sarcasm.

The truth is the team has struggled because of its many bad players and the sub-standard coaching of Berube and Hakstol, not because of its few really good ones.
- Feanor

So you think this roster is better than a bubble playoff team? Hakstol has done a strong job this season as a coach and has this team headed for a playoff berth.

They are also IN trouble because of Filppula this season as well though
- corduroy

But it's not just Filppula. Simmonds hasn't done much at 5 on 5. That whole line has been meh. Mainly that line has too many failed clears and can't get out of the zone cleanly.

Man we suck! Fine with starting Lyon next game as we can't do worse. Really hoping we can turn this around and make the playoffs. To collapse like this and just miss is not good on any front.

I think the team we have today better fits lavy style than 2012 did. I think lavy today would have a field day with this roster and the plays we have upcoming. Lavy is one the league's best coaches for a reason. We have seen organizations keep the same coach through good and bad he is one I think we should of kept.
- Tfaehner

This team does not have the overall talent or depth to play Laviolette's style of hockey. In my opinion that would be the worst type of coach based on systems and style of play for this team currently. Nothing to do with Laviolette not being a good coach.

They are also IN trouble because of Filppula this season as well though
- corduroy

The Flyers are what they are. A bubble team that got hot for a long stretch.