Yup. Stay the course and all. I dont expect big things. The goaltending will be the question.

Regarding Simmonds, I do think they bring him back but if he really was healthy at the end here - I want him out.
- flyer_nutter

Neither outcome for Simmonds would surprise me. Both are defensible, with the option of trading being more defensible than keeping him.

Neither outcome for Simmonds would surprise me. Both are defensible, with the option of trading being more defensible than keeping him.
- johndewar

We should trade Provorov.

Which was better: No Fear Gear or Big Johnson?

Yes I alluded to this last night at some point. I love me some motivated Ivan
- YuenglingJagr

Couts and Provorov made me proud to be a Flyers fan.

I was disappointed with Gost and Jake and to a slightly lesser extent G during the series vs Pitt, but it doesn’t take away the great year they had.

Simmonds was a mystery but I guess we’ll know soon enough what was wrong.

Actually happy with the season Amac had. Dude gets killed for that contract, but he had a pretty good season and play off.

Neither outcome for Simmonds would surprise me. Both are defensible, with the option of trading being more defensible than keeping him.
- johndewar

As poopty as he was, when he is on his game he is a hell of a player. He doesnt have much puck skill in transition but guys like that dont just come by everyday. He just reminded me a lot of Hartnell in his later years. Not doing what actually makes him an above average NHL player. Hopefully it was the injury.

If I am Hextall, he's probably the one I am thinking a lot about this summer. They need to get it right with him. Find out his salary demands for the next contract, how healthy he was, etc.

Losing him for nothing would be dumb. Either plan it that you are going to re-sign him or trade the man.

Couts and Provorov made me proud to be a Flyers fan.

I was disappointed with Gost and Jake and to a slightly lesser extent G during the series vs Pitt, but it doesn’t take away the great year they had.

Simmonds was a mystery but I guess we’ll know soon enough what was wrong.

Actually happy with the season Amac had. Dude gets killed for that contract, but he had a pretty good season and play off.
- Marc D

+1 on Mac. He gets a lot of heat, but as an actual player he's okay when in the right role. I kind of question him being the chosen "mentor" for these kids but so be it. He would get a nice B grade from me on the year.

Is there an end of season press conference happening today? If so, when?

Jeff Carter was hit in the face with a beer in DC bottle following the Flyers beating the Caps in Game 7 in 2008.

No only did that fan drive from Philly to DC, he threw a bottle at a player on the team he roots for.
- jmatchett383

To be fair, Carter missed a lot of open nets in the playoffs.

Couts and Provorov made me proud to be a Flyers fan.

I was disappointed with Gost and Jake and to a slightly lesser extent G during the series vs Pitt, but it doesn’t take away the great year they had.

Simmonds was a mystery but I guess we’ll know soon enough what was wrong.

Actually happy with the season Amac had. Dude gets killed for that contract, but he had a pretty good season and play off.
- Marc D

G, Ghost, Jake - I think some of the lack of scoring came down to luck, but there were several times I wished they each made better decisions (especially Ghost and Jake)

AMac - He had a good season and an even better playoff

+1 on Mac. He gets a lot of heat, but as an actual player he's okay when in the right role. I kind of question him being the chosen "mentor" for these kids but so be it. He would get a nice B grade from me on the year.
- flyer_nutter

As a third pair guy or even 2nd pair with a strong partner he’s fine. Keep his minutes under 16-17 a game and if possible avoid using him on a PK against the other teams top unit. I think he’s got 2 more years left and he’s not their worst option.

When he’s forced into a top pair D role and top PK guy and has to play 20+ minutes a game it’s not so great.

He was way better then Gostisbehere this series, though.

As a third pair guy or even 2nd pair with a strong partner he’s fine. Keep his minutes under 16-17 a game and if possible avoid using him on a PK against the other teams top unit. I think he’s got 2 more years left and he’s not their worst option.

When he’s forced into a top pair D role and top PK guy and has to play 20+ minutes a game it’s not so great.

He was way better then Gostisbehere this series, though.
- Marc D

Ghost looked very rattled to me.

As poopty as he was, when he is on his game he is a hell of a player. He doesnt have much puck skill in transition but guys like that dont just come by everyday. He just reminded me a lot of Hartnell in his later years. Not doing what actually makes him an above average NHL player. Hopefully it was the injury.

If I am Hextall, he's probably the one I am thinking a lot about this summer. They need to get it right with him. Find out his salary demands for the next contract, how healthy he was, etc.

Losing him for nothing would be dumb. Either plan it that you are going to re-sign him or trade the man.
- flyer_nutter

I think the easiest thing is to do nothing, let him play out his contract next year.

The next contract is really tough. If nothing gets worked out, he could get traded at the deadline in February, but if they are in the playoff race then that makes it harder to do.

I think the scenario of him finishing next year with the team and then leaving as a UFA is very possible. Maybe the most likely one.

Loss of a trading asset yes, but I can easily see this scenario.

i was drinking HEAVILY at the game and forget, wasn't G's big hit on Haglin payback for a wussy poop cross check or something?

the one when Kessel tried to engage him after and he just skated away?

Ghost looked very rattled to me.
- flyer_nutter

Game three shook him to his core.

I saw him being interviewed before the game. He was fired up and talking about how they were going to bring the storm on the Pens.

Then all the air goes out of the team and the crowd when they didn’t score but dominated and the Pens get the first goals.

It effected all of them, but really showed up in Gost’s game.

Great learning experience. I am not worried about him bouncing back. Hopefully they will soon have the depth on D to have him play in his proper role. PP and 2nd or 3rd pair at even strength.

IT'S A BOY!!!


Britain's Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to a baby boy weighing 8 lbs, 7 oz. The baby is fifth in line to the throne
- Streit2ThePoint

My life is complete

I’m with you, the biggest question is who fills the 3C role? Honestly, I’d reach out to Buffalo, assuming they don’t land the first pick overall which they wouldn’t move, and see if Jake and the 14th pick can land them ROR and Buffalo’s 1st which would be 2nd, 3rd or 4th overall.

They fill their hole at 3C and hopefully add another key spot at forward with the pick.
- BiggE

So, I know Giroux did well at wing this season, but how much of that was from him being fully healed? Moving G back to the middle might be a decent way to solve the 3C issue. G, Coots, Patrick is a pretty decent looking 1,2,3 at center. They have decent wingers at the NHL level and in the system and it mightbe easier to find a higher end winger in free agency than a center. Thoughts?

i was drinking HEAVILY at the game and forget, wasn't G's big hit on Haglin payback for a wussy poop cross check or something?

the one when Kessel tried to engage him after and he just skated away?
- eshake

Correct. Giroux was blatantly cross-checked at his back right in front of Murray and the ref.

So, I know Giroux did well at wing this season, but how much of that was from him being fully healed? Moving G back to the middle might be a decent way to solve the 3C issue. G, Coots, Patrick is a pretty decent looking 1,2,3 at center. They have decent wingers at the NHL level and in the system and it mightbe easier to find a higher end winger in free agency than a center. Thoughts?
- Lexington Flyer

If they didn’t move him to C vs the Pens, especially when Couts got hurt, then I don’t see him moving back. That was the perfect time to do it.

Free agents alone aren’t going to fix this lineup. Simmonds IMO is the most expendable. The guy is a warrior and most likely he had some kind of UBI that affected his play.
Simmonds isn’t really a good 5 on 5 guy, and is not a dynamic skater. I think NOPA on 1st PP unit can be effective. Maybe not Simmonds goal doorstep effective but good enough to not miss Wayne that much.

I would test the trade market at draft time. If Hextall doesn’t like the return you walk.
If Hextall can get a upgrade at 3rd center and a good young winger I pull the trigger.

I would hate to see him go but he flyers aren’t good enough and you have to give to get.

Couts and Provorov made me proud to be a Flyers fan.

I was disappointed with Gost and Jake and to a slightly lesser extent G during the series vs Pitt, but it doesn’t take away the great year they had.

Simmonds was a mystery but I guess we’ll know soon enough what was wrong.

Actually happy with the season Amac had. Dude gets killed for that contract, but he had a pretty good season and play off.
- Marc D

This. He fit nicely in the veteran mentor role and he regained his form as far as being a shot blocking machine. Potted the occasional timely goal as well.

If they didn’t move him to C vs the Pens, especially when Couts got hurt, then I don’t see him moving back. That was the perfect time to do it.
- Marc D

Fair point. I like him at wing. He takes less of a beating there.

I guess we'll see in fall. Hakstoll is full of surprises.

I just hope they figure out the top 6 this summer. They have #1 dman, a second pairing dman, 4 3rd pairing guys, and I believe a top 4 dman sitting in the press box yesterday. I know Bill mentioned de Haan on Twitter. Get AMac to 3rd pairing where he belongs.

This. He fit nicely in the veteran mentor role and he regained his form as far as being a shot blocking machine. Potted the occasional timely goal as well.
- Lexington Flyer

When you think about it, he’s a solid veteran mentor absolutely. He certainly has had his low moments in Philadelphia (sent to Phantoms) but has come a long way since then. That’s a valuable lesson for any of our young guys.

If they didn’t move him to C vs the Pens, especially when Couts got hurt, then I don’t see him moving back. That was the perfect time to do it.
- Marc D

I think with a full offseason again they could move him back. I don't get the feeling they will, but I still think it would be a good idea. I didn't expect him to move Giroux back to center in Game 4 after playing wing all season.

When you think about it, he’s a solid veteran mentor absolutely. He certainly has had his low moments in Philadelphia (sent to Phantoms) but has come a long way since then. That’s a valuable lesson for any of our young guys.
- arichardson22

Especially when they keep getting sent to the Phantoms