3 (frank)ing assists between the two of them. They should be completely embarrassed.
Fully agree they need to upgrade the bottom six. Need more speed, PKers and pests. This team plays with no emotions and isn't hard to play against.
- FlyerFan16

Yeah they definitely are playing like trash but I think there are other areas that need addressing before those 2.

As much as I actually dont hate a guy like Manning, I dont want him back.

I do not trust that he will be sat in favour of a better player. Its the VDV thing all over again.

I do look forward to the growth of a lot of the kids, it will be a fun ride. Would like to see a bit more intensity out of this club overall. I understand its a topic thats up for debate, but they play the game in a very vanilla way. That's not the Flyers team I grew up cheering for, and I am not talking about enforcers/fighting. They aren't very aggressive imo in how they approach this game.

You guys are killing my dreams of mrazek yielding a 2nd rounder

You guys are killing my dreams of mrazek yielding a 2nd rounder
- datswho

Quite honestly, he showed pretty quick why Detriot made him expendable. Flops too much and far too inconsistent.

People are going to lose their poop if he is made the 1B here for next season.

The goaltending is a thing. It has been for a long time. I know they think Hart is some all star, and I hope he is. However I would explore Crawford/Holtby this off-season maybe.

Out of all the teams in the playoffs - who would willingly switch their tandem for the Flyers? Its a weakness for sure. Has been ignored for too many years.
- flyer_nutter

Probably none of them would Crawford has a history of injuries and may have vertigo currently so not sure he'd be the best option but Holtby is something I would definitely explore. He hasn't been the best this season so I'm not sure if it would cost a ton to even get him. Probably a 1st at least though, but I'd be willing to part with it. I mean Holtby may not be the most consistent but he is a hell of a lot better than Neuvirth and Elliott. And honestly, I hope Hart turns out to be the next Price but its too hard to tell what is going to happen with goalies they are really unpredictable. Even if he is the answer he's at least 3 seasons away as goalies take time to develop and I cannot see Hextall rushing him.

Yeah they definitely are playing like trash but I think there are other areas that need addressing before those 2.
- FreshFlyer

I'm not suggesting they should be traded. I'm suggesting they need to play better. Next year, I hope they go with the D you (or someone) listed a few posts ago. So they can address bottom six and PK this off season.

Your best players have to be your best players. It wouldn't matter if the Flyers bottom six was on par with the Pens bottom six when their top players are outplaying and outscoring the Flyers top players by a wide margin. Up until this game, Voracek had Patrick as his center and has done virtually nothing, while Patrick has probably been the Flyers best forward. I would put this series just as much on Giroux and Voracek as I would on Elliott.
- FlyerFan16

Our best players aren't as good as their best players and our goaltenders are certainly not as good as Murray. Hart will be 20 this fall, Murray is 22 and has two cups, for those thinking it will be forever before he can upgrade the position. That's not necessarily the case. The Flyers clearly need more, especially up front, but it may not be that much more.

As much as I actually dont hate a guy like Manning, I dont want him back.

I do not trust that he will be sat in favour of a better player. Its the VDV thing all over again.

I do look forward to the growth of a lot of the kids, it will be a fun ride. Would like to see a bit more intensity out of this club overall. I understand its a topic thats up for debate, but they play the game in a very vanilla way. That's not the Flyers team I grew up cheering for, and I am not talking about enforcers/fighting. They aren't very aggressive imo in how they approach this game.
- flyer_nutter

Agree on all points.

As much as I actually dont hate a guy like Manning, I dont want him back.

I do not trust that he will be sat in favour of a better player. Its the VDV thing all over again.

I do look forward to the growth of a lot of the kids, it will be a fun ride. Would like to see a bit more intensity out of this club overall. I understand its a topic thats up for debate, but they play the game in a very vanilla way. That's not the Flyers team I grew up cheering for, and I am not talking about enforcers/fighting. They aren't very aggressive imo in how they approach this game.
- flyer_nutter

I can't see Manning back. Also Morin isn't on a 2 way deal starting next year so unless he gets traded you have to think he is on the team. If they go with a D like this to start the year I'd be completely fine with it:

Provorov-Ghost
Sanheim-Morin
Hagg-A-Mac

Quite honestly, he showed pretty quick why Detriot made him expendable. Flops too much and far too inconsistent.

People are going to lose their poop if he is made the 1B here for next season.
- flyer_nutter

I doubt very much Hextall gives up another pick to sign him for next year. A 3rd is all Detroit is getting.

Probably none of them would Crawford has a history of injuries and may have vertigo currently so not sure he'd be the best option but Holtby is something I would definitely explore. He hasn't been the best this season so I'm not sure if it would cost a ton to even get him. Probably a 1st at least though, but I'd be willing to part with it. I mean Holtby may not be the most consistent but he is a hell of a lot better than Neuvirth and Elliott. And honestly, I hope Hart turns out to be the next Price but its too hard to tell what is going to happen with goalies they are really unpredictable. Even if he is the answer he's at least 3 seasons away as goalies take time to develop and I cannot see Hextall rushing him.
- FreshFlyer

I'm not sure what the right answer is, I didnt know the vertigo stuff so thanks for the info there.

I do think its quite dangerous for Hextall to purely hang his hat on Carter Hart coming in and setting the world on fire. Nobody wants to see the club abandon its focus on drafting and developing - but you cannot let the league operate around you and simply do only that. Other clubs imho would enjoy the notion of the same coaching staff returning.

I doubt very much Hextall gives up another pick to sign him for next year. A 3rd is all Detroit is getting.
- FlyerFan16

Yup. I have no issues with that deal. Had to be done. Mrazek has a chance to try to solidify his NHL career. Failed big time.

Our best players aren't as good as their best players and our goaltenders are certainly not as good as Murray. Hart will be 20 this fall, Murray is 22 and has two cups, for those thinking it will be forever before he can upgrade the position. That's not necessarily the case. The Flyers clearly need more, especially up front, but it may not be that much more.
- fls13

My thinking is this with the forwards, they probably need a legitimate 3 C and maybe another decent winger but they are pretty much set in my mind. I mean Patrick and Konecny are only going to get better so you assume they are going to take over as the main producers/best players on the team from Giroux and Voracek. As that occurs you figure more teams will start keying in on them leaving easier matchups for Voracek and Giroux which should be a real problem for other team. Also, Lindblom was the player of the year in the Swedish league last season I expect he is going to be very good as well.

My thinking is this with the forwards, they probably need a legitimate 3 C and maybe another decent winger but they are pretty much set in my mind. I mean Patrick and Konecny are only going to get better so you assume they are going to take over as the main producers/best players on the team from Giroux and Voracek. As that occurs you figure more teams will start keying in on them leaving easier matchups for Voracek and Giroux which should be a real problem for other team. Also, Lindblom was the player of the year in the Swedish year last season I expect he is going to be very good as well.
- FreshFlyer

Just do one thing. Stay the (frank) away from Hanzal. Anyone this club brings in, in the future needs to be able to skate. Thats the league right now, evolve with it.

Probably none of them would Crawford has a history of injuries and may have vertigo currently so not sure he'd be the best option but Holtby is something I would definitely explore. He hasn't been the best this season so I'm not sure if it would cost a ton to even get him. Probably a 1st at least though, but I'd be willing to part with it. I mean Holtby may not be the most consistent but he is a hell of a lot better than Neuvirth and Elliott. And honestly, I hope Hart turns out to be the next Price but its too hard to tell what is going to happen with goalies they are really unpredictable. Even if he is the answer he's at least 3 seasons away as goalies take time to develop and I cannot see Hextall rushing him.
- FreshFlyer

If Holtby isn't consistent, all goalies are inconsistent.

I'm not sure what the right answer is, I didnt know the vertigo stuff so thanks for the info there.

I do think its quite dangerous for Hextall to purely hang his hat on Carter Hart coming in and setting the world on fire. Nobody wants to see the club abandon its focus on drafting and developing - but you cannot let the league operate around you and simply do only that. Other clubs imho would enjoy the notion of the same coaching staff returning.
- flyer_nutter

If it was up to me Hakstol wouldn't be returning as the coach next season. Just the way he has utilized the lineups this season should show Hextall that he is out of his element. Any idiot could have told you the right move was to put Giroux back to center for this game so the Flyers could at least have a chance to match-up decently against Crosby and Malkin and he doesn't do it. He never made the logical move in this scenario and I feel like more often than not he doesn't make the logical move, but one that has you scratching your head. The fact that the team consistently has come out flat and showed zero resilience in these games also has to be something put on him as well, its his job to make sure these guys are ready and whatever he is doing isn't working.

If Holtby isn't consistent, all goalies are inconsistent.
- DutchSenators

Holtby is solid haha I just meant it as in he hasn't had his best year for Washington this season.

Just do one thing. Stay the (frank) away from Hanzal. Anyone this club brings in, in the future needs to be able to skate. Thats the league right now, evolve with it.
- flyer_nutter

I agree with that completely. They need to get speedier as a whole, meaning no more Lehtera types that is for certain.

My thinking is this with the forwards, they probably need a legitimate 3 C and maybe another decent winger but they are pretty much set in my mind. I mean Patrick and Konecny are only going to get better so you assume they are going to take over as the main producers/best players on the team from Giroux and Voracek. As that occurs you figure more teams will start keying in on them leaving easier matchups for Voracek and Giroux which should be a real problem for other team. Also, Lindblom was the player of the year in the Swedish year last season I expect he is going to be very good as well.
- FreshFlyer

Frost, Ratcliffe, Bunnaman, maybe Vecchione and probably two 1st rounders this year. As many as five young Dmen who will be better next year plus the best goalie in juniors plus tho really good young forwards, Patrick and Konecny, and maybe Lindblom. That's 15 very realistic reasons to be optimistic about the near future, meaning next year. Plus, PGH is a really good team. I would like to have seen the Flyers give them a tougher series but it's not happening. If they get past BOS, they're going to the finals for the 3rd straight year and might win it all again.

If it was up to me Hakstol wouldn't be returning as the coach next season. Just the way he has utilized the lineups this season should show Hextall that he is out of his element. Any idiot could have told you the right move was to put Giroux back to center for this game so the Flyers could at least have a chance to match-up decently against Crosby and Malkin and he doesn't do it. He never made the logical move in this scenario and I feel like more often than not he doesn't make the logical move, but one that has you scratching your head. The fact that the team consistently has come out flat and showed zero resilience in these games also has to be something put on him as well, its his job to make sure these guys are ready and whatever he is doing isn't working.
- FreshFlyer

I dont want to get into it because its something so easy to get sucked into but I do believe a coach does have a part to play in motivating a team. I do truly believe that. These guys aren't robots.

Its quite up for debate whether the best lineup has been put out there for this series.

I dont want to get into it because its something so easy to get sucked into but I do believe a coach does have a part to play in motivating a team. I do truly believe that. These guys aren't robots.

Its quite up for debate whether the best lineup has been put out there for this series.
- flyer_nutter

A coach definitely plays a part in preparing the team and motivating them , there is no doubts about that in my mind, even if it is the playoffs getting routed like the Flyers have been can't be great for the players confidence and they all know the Pens are back to back champs. Hakstol needs to do a better job getting them ready, having them confident and preparing them for games its as simple as that. Also, I don't think the best line-up has been out there considering Weal was scratched for the first 3 games and Hagg has yet to see the ice. The puzzling thing with the whole Hagg situation is the fact that you'd think they'd want to get him in there to get a taste of the playoffs as a younger player so some experience will be gained but for some reason Manning gets the nod over him. Makes no sense to me considering they are losing so badly in this series and Manning is a ufa

Missed it due to a EKG course tonight.

Kids are getting experience, if they lose whatever.

Will say it is concerning to see G, V and Simmonds do very little as veteran leaders of this "core".

Wont go into the coaching thing, I bang that drum enough.

The goaltending is the biggest ? imo for next year.
- flyer_nutter

Guess its Go Jets Go time now?!

Guess its Go Jets Go time now?!
- Buzzo

Hah cant help it a bit but isn't Perrault (sp?) injured again? Myers?

Rinne to me is a weak link but I am not sure they beat Pittsburgh/Boston. Jets are fun as hell but kind of sloppy.

Frost, Ratcliffe, Bunnaman, maybe Vecchione and probably two 1st rounders this year. As many as five young Dmen who will be better next year plus the best goalie in juniors plus tho really good young forwards, Patrick and Konecny, and maybe Lindblom. That's 15 very realistic reasons to be optimistic about the near future, meaning next year. Plus, PGH is a really good team. I would like to have seen the Flyers give them a tougher series but it's not happening. If they get past BOS, they're going to the finals for the 3rd straight year and might win it all again.
- fls13

Pittsburgh is one of the best in the league for sure. I just feel like the Flyers could have possibly given them more difficulties than they have so far which is why seeing them lose like this is so frustrating. Yeah they have a lot of young guys on the way that are going to make them a really deep team should be fun to see them filter in over the next few years.

G, Jake and Simmonds just aren't playoff performers, and that's a damn shame.

But with this trio as the Flyers’ nucleus, we now know what they’re going to deliver, and it isn’t much. Giroux has two goals in his last 16 postseason games. Voracek has three points in his last nine. Simmonds hasn’t scored a goal in his last 10...

I'm guessing they spent a lot just getting into the playoffs, but is that really an excuse anybody would use or accept?