Not going to lie, its shocking to see the Flyers just fold... I was waiting the whole time for someone to take a cheap shot at Malkin or Crosby.

In all actuality, this is probably a good thing for Hextall. They need a blow it up rebuild and the way Giroux, Vorachek and Simmonds have all played he will have the full support of the fan base to do so. I would not be surprised at all to see Giroux playing for the Montreal Canadiens next year.

On the flip side, Patrick looks like he is going to be a great player if he can stay healthy long term. He and Couturier will make an nice 1-2 down the middle for the Flyers.
- MacPatty

I dont know that they need to blow it up. They have a lot of really good young pieces, both forward and D, and their top guys arnt that old yet. I think they really need a bonified #1 goalie, some better bottom 6 forward depth and another top 4 D.

Letang is looking awful in this series (no surprise from me). His goal - that was tipped in by the Flyers anyway - was nice and typical of him from that spot on the ice, but had no real bearing on the game outcome one way or another. The job he's doing as a defenseman is horrible...period. His constant turnovers, lack of attention and casual play is a bigger negative for the team than any positive his offense brings. Just because he can bring some offense and can occasionally score, doesn't allow a defenseman to be such a glaring liability defensively. Simply put; the Penguins are not offensively challenged enough to justify his value or his penchant for bad defensive play.

His behind the net blunder in the 1st period was what directly led to the sustained attack, momentum, and scoring opportunities the Flyers had for about 3 straight minutes before the Pens scored with the Kessel goal. Anyone who saw Sullivan's reaction to this knows I'm not the only one PO'd about him. His lazy turnovers when 5 on 5 and on the PP are inexcusable for a player making the kind of coin his is and logging the minutes he does.

Like I said before the trade deadline, they would be a better team if the traded him and kept Cole. If the Pens don't repeat this season, it will be more about what Letang does wrong than what he does right. IMO. Being a defenseman and limiting the other teams scoring chances and ability to create, is more important than creating your own, especially on a team as offensively stacked as the Pens are.
- NJPensfan

You mean the guy who has a point per game, 51 CF%, 54 FF%, +5 goal differential at 5v5? Yeah, he's been awful. Like 2015-16 Letang awful. So like.. really, really good. This is some retarded logic.

I dont know that they need to blow it up. They have a lot of really good young pieces, both forward and D, and their top guys arnt that old yet. I think they really need a bonified #1 goalie, some better bottom 6 forward depth and another top 4 D.
- MattStrat

Yeah rebuilding now would be stupid. With Giroux, Voracek, Konecny, Patrick, Ghost, Provorov, Couterier... they have a great core locked up. They've got close to 15 million in cap space this off season and can really start surrounding those guys with more talent. If they can find a way to split Ghost/Provorov ala Dumoulin time, they can balance their d corp a little better.

Not going to lie, its shocking to see the Flyers just fold... I was waiting the whole time for someone to take a cheap shot at Malkin or Crosby.

In all actuality, this is probably a good thing for Hextall. They need a blow it up rebuild and the way Giroux, Vorachek and Simmonds have all played he will have the full support of the fan base to do so. I would not be surprised at all to see Giroux playing for the Montreal Canadiens next year.

On the flip side, Patrick looks like he is going to be a great player if he can stay healthy long term. He and Couturier will make an nice 1-2 down the middle for the Flyers.
- MacPatty

Not sure I'd trade Giroux after he just had a 102 point season. Sell high? Not sure about that. Id Be keeping him & seeing what happens as these younger guys develop taking pressure off Giroux. Unless a Gm Blew Hex away with an offer it would be crazy trading him imo.

I dont know that they need to blow it up. They have a lot of really good young pieces, both forward and D, and their top guys arnt that old yet. I think they really need a bonified #1 goalie, some better bottom 6 forward depth and another top 4 D.
- MattStrat

If they get E Kane & a good goalie not named Elliott, look out.

If they get E Kane & a good goalie not named Elliott, look out.
- Aussiepenguin

When have the flyers had a goalie? Seems to be their demise every year. Has to be frustrating

When have the flyers had a goalie? Seems to be their demise every year. Has to be frustrating
- jchst22

I was just going to write this. I’ve been following hockey for a little over 25 years and this has always been their issue.

They’d build good team and let goaltending fall by the wayside. If they did get good goaltending, they’d let them go.

It was nice to see Kessel feeling good last night.

Not going to lie, its shocking to see the Flyers just fold... I was waiting the whole time for someone to take a cheap shot at Malkin or Crosby.

In all actuality, this is probably a good thing for Hextall. They need a blow it up rebuild and the way Giroux, Vorachek and Simmonds have all played he will have the full support of the fan base to do so. I would not be surprised at all to see Giroux playing for the Montreal Canadiens next year.

On the flip side, Patrick looks like he is going to be a great player if he can stay healthy long term. He and Couturier will make an nice 1-2 down the middle for the Flyers.
- MacPatty

They don’t at all need a blow it up rebuild. They have all the hard pieces to get. They have two really good top 6 centers (although they’re using Giroux as a wing right now), a rookie who could evolve into a top 6 center as soon as next season, a top winger in Vorachek, a budding #1 defenseman in Provarov, and two other young defensemen that are without a doubt top 4 caliber.

So pretty much Philly has a good top 6 and potentially elite top 4 in place. What they need is a) a new coach first and foremost b) actual goaltending c) better depth. You don’t do a blow up rebuild when you’re being sunk by bad coaching, bad goaltending, and bad depth. That’s like the easiest thing to fix. They’re basically pretty much where we were at the end of the Bylsma/Johnston era minus the goaltending bit.

They don’t at all need a blow it up rebuild. They have all the hard pieces to get. They have two really good top 6 centers (although they’re using Giroux as a wing right now), a rookie who could evolve into a top 6 center as soon as next season, a top winger in Vorachek, a budding #1 defenseman in Provarov, and two other young defensemen that are without a doubt top 4 caliber.

So pretty much Philly has a good top 6 and potentially elite top 4 in place. What they need is a) a new coach first and foremost b) actual goaltending c) better depth. You don’t do a blow up rebuild when you’re being sunk by bad coaching, bad goaltending, and bad depth. That’s like the easiest thing to fix. They’re basically pretty much where we were at the end of the Bylsma/Johnston era minus the goaltending bit.
- Victoro311

exactly. They were also in cap hell when Hextall got there. He's done a solid job digging them out. they have money to play with this offseason.

exactly. They were also in cap hell when Hextall got there. He's done a solid job digging them out. they have money to play with this offseason.
- j.boyd919

Did someone say Tavares?!?! Hmmmm??? E25????

Did someone say Tavares?!?! Hmmmm??? E25????
- Rinosaur

Oh god, no.

I think he's going to be a Leaf.

exactly. They were also in cap hell when Hextall got there. He's done a solid job digging them out. they have money to play with this offseason.
- j.boyd919

And they have two other blue chip d prospects that have value. With Proverov, Ghost, and Sanheim all panning out, they could be good trade bait for some missing pieces.

I’m kind of sad Lavi isn’t their coach anymore. I HATED him while he was there, but I’ve come to realize that I actually love and how great of a coach he is since he’s been in Nashville. I’d probably go back to hating him (or at least convincing myself I hated him) if he came back to the Flyers, but imagine what he’d do with this revamped Flyers team. The fire would be back in the rivalry for sure.

Oh god, no.

I think he's going to be a Leaf.
- MattStrat

I was kidding, sir.

Did someone say Tavares?!?! Hmmmm??? E25????
- Rinosaur

If I was them I'd throw money at Carlson first. Having Couts and Patrick as 1-2C, throw money at Carlson, sign Riley Nash or Derek Ryan as 3C, sign Ian Cole, and a goalie. Top 4 of Ghost, Carlson, Provorov, Cole/Gudas/Sanheim/Hagg/whoever would be sick.

Did someone say Tavares?!?! Hmmmm??? E25????
- Rinosaur

If Tavers comes to the Flyers we are (frank)ed.

If I was them I'd throw money at Carlson first. Having Couts and Patrick as 1-2C, throw money at Carlson, sign Riley Nash or Derek Ryan as 3C, sign Ian Cole, and a goalie. Top 4 of Ghost, Carlson, Provorov, Cole/Gudas/Sanheim/Hagg/whoever would be sick.
- j.boyd919

Is there any shot Washington can retain him?

The fire would be back in the rivalry for sure.
- Victoro311

This rivalry has definitely softened. I'm sure part of it is that the Flyers have been getting away from their goon culture.

Right now I think the Pens/Jackets rivalry is the biggest one they have.

And they have two other blue chip d prospects that have value. With Proverov, Ghost, and Sanheim all panning out, they could be good trade bait for some missing pieces.

I’m kind of sad Lavi isn’t their coach anymore. I HATED him while he was there, but I’ve come to realize that I actually love and how great of a coach he is since he’s been in Nashville. I’d probably go back to hating him (or at least convincing myself I hated him) if he came back to the Flyers, but imagine what he’d do with this revamped Flyers team. The fire would be back in the rivalry for sure.
- Victoro311

Guys on the flyers blog have boners for Hagg, Myers, and Morin. I dunno anything about them though.

Is there any shot Washington can retain him?
- Victoro311

Carlson? They have no choice as I see it unless he simply doesn't want to play there anymore.

I personally think Ovie is a goner(by his own choice) if they're ousted in the first round or lose to the Penguins again.

Is there any shot Washington can retain him?
- Victoro311

Depends on where the cap goes, but I think so? Just haven't heard anything about it yet. They might need to move pieces.

Flyers should blow it up, anyone else hear the crowd chanting paul holmgrens name last night lol

Flyers should blow it up, anyone else hear the crowd chanting paul holmgrens name last night lol
- Jordy8

Flyers have no need to blow it up. Others have made good reasons why so I won't repeat, but they have the pieces in place to do a quick little retool and be a real threat soon.

I did not hear those chants though.

I was kidding, sir.
- Rinosaur

I know you were especially with E25 following it haha...but I'd really, really hate it if he ended up on the black and orange...

I know you were especially with E25 following it haha...but I'd really, really hate it if he ended up on the black and orange...
- MattStrat

I would hate any good player going to the Flyers.

I personally think he remains an Islander, but if any other team gets him it's the Leafs in some sort of blockbuster trade.

If the Leafs gets him? We'll be talking about another team looking for a three-peat in the near future.