Their record is better because they embraced better team D (novel concept, eh?).

The Flyers absolutely missed the Coburn of the second half of last year b/c he had a bad year this season when asked to become more of a puck-mover and lead all the D-men in TOI. I will add, though, it was only the equivalent of a half-season of time to adjust his game. While there's no way in hell I'd want to see the Flyers give him those same tasks again next year (assuming he returns), players can't just snap their fingers and remake their games.

In Meszaros' case, he's had back surgery, achilles tendon surgery, a separated shoulder (treated non-surgically but which has been operated on in the past) and then a torn rotator cuff in an 11-month period. That makes it mighty tough to fairly assess anything he did this season. It also makes it tough for the Flyers to figure they can count on him going into next season, because those are all pretty serious injuries and the shoulder in particular is a concern.
- bmeltzer

I love it when the haters come in here spouting off half cocked about how the team won with all these AHL defensemen and come to the conclusion it makes Coburn and Mezsaros expendable. Yet they ignore the fact the Flyers completely changed their style of play to compensate.

Imagine where they would have been had they been playing this style when they were closer to healthy.

I really think Zache Furcale is a solid pick if we are picking 11th or 12th. He will be atleast 3 years before coming into the league and about 5-6 before playing majority of a teams games.
- MrPerfect316

Not a fan of taking a goalie that high, real risky. Would rather grab one in the 2nd or 3rd round and use the 1st on a skater.

Im pissed our odds dropped for the 1st overrall. We all have a right to female dog about it when the team actually comes together for 2 weeks of meaningless hockey when apparently it could have been there along
- Just5

Agreed

I love it when the haters come in here spouting off half cocked about how the team won with all these AHL defensemen and come to the conclusion it makes Coburn and Mezsaros expendable. Yet they ignore the fact the Flyers completely changed their style of play to compensate.

Imagine where they would have been had they been playing this style when they were closer to healthy.
- MBFlyerfan

It means mediocre coaching... Time to change the coach

Their record is better because they embraced better team D (novel concept, eh?).

The Flyers absolutely missed the Coburn of the second half of last year b/c he had a bad year this season when asked to become more of a puck-mover and lead all the D-men in TOI. I will add, though, it was only the equivalent of a half-season of time to adjust his game. While there's no way in hell I'd want to see the Flyers give him those same tasks again next year (assuming he returns), players can't just snap their fingers and remake their games.

In Meszaros' case, he's had back surgery, achilles tendon surgery, a separated shoulder (treated non-surgically but which has been operated on in the past) and then a torn rotator cuff in an 11-month period. That makes it mighty tough to fairly assess anything he did this season. It also makes it tough for the Flyers to figure they can count on him going into next season, because those are all pretty serious injuries and the shoulder in particular is a concern.
- bmeltzer

Excellent points all. If the Flyers can acquire a guy to pair with Schenn on the top pair (Bouwmeester, Yandle etc...), I would be very happy with Coburn/Timonen as the 2nd pairing and Gus/Grossmann as the 3rd. Hard to count on Mez at all until he can come back and stay healthy for more than a few weeks.

It means mediocre coaching... Time to change the coach
- Philly1980

I would agree actually. However, I think Lavy may get a reprieve because of the way they played after he changed things up system wise.

If he can convince Homer he can adjust his system to a more defensively responsible style he stays.

It is what it is.

I would agree actually. However, I think Lavy may get a reprieve because of the way they played after he changed things up system wise.

If he can convince Homer he can adjust his system to a more defensively responsible style he stays.

It is what it is.
- MBFlyerfan

If it were uP to holmer. Lava will be back from the way it sounds

I would agree actually. However, I think Lavy may get a reprieve because of the way they played after he changed things up system wise.

If he can convince Homer he can adjust his system to a more defensively responsible style he stays.

It is what it is.
- MBFlyerfan

I can't wait until one of PIT, CHI, or WSH wins the Cup so we can all start lusting after attack systems again.

If it were uP to holmer. Lava will be back from the way it sounds
- Just5

I believe you are right.

I can't wait until one of PIT, CHI, or WSH wins the Cup so we can all start lusting after attack systems again.


- Tomahawk

As JSaq so eloquently put it numerous times. The Flyers are always trying to win last years Stanley Cup.

I would agree actually. However, I think Lavy may get a reprieve because of the way they played after he changed things up system wise.

If he can convince Homer he can adjust his system to a more defensively responsible style he stays.

It is what it is.
- MBFlyerfan

I'm afraid once all the regulars are back he's going to switch to to the same poop next year

I'm afraid once all the regulars are back he's going to switch to to the same poop next year
- Philly1980

That would be unfortunate. And in my opinion result in a mid season coaching change and another wasted season. So lets hope they get it right whatever they do.

I'm afraid once all the regulars are back he's going to switch to to the same poop next year
- Philly1980

If it yields the same results as most of this year, I'd expect he'll be gone by Thanksgiving.

As JSaq so eloquently put it numerous times. The Flyers are always trying to win last years Stanley Cup.
- MBFlyerfan

Yeah, they need to establish an identity and stick with it, and stop throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Some draft rankings:
The Hockey News

1. Seth Jones-D
2. Nathan MacKinnon-C
3. Jonathon Drouin-C/W
4. Valery Nichushkin-C
5. Sasha Barkov-C
6. Sean Monahan-C
7. Elias Lindholm-C
8. Darnell Nurse-D
9. Hunter Shinkaruk-W
10. Robert Hagg-D
Zadorov was 12th, Ristolainen 14th and Pulock 18th


ISS

1 Seth Jones D
2 Valeri Nichushkin C
3 Nathan MacKinnon C
4 Jonathan Drouin LW
5 Sasha Barkov C
6 Darnell Nurse D
7 Nikita Zadorov D
8 Elias Lindholm C
9 Sean Monahan C
10 Bo Horvat C
11 Rasmus Ristolainen D
12 Curtis Lazar C
13 Hunter Shinkaruk C
14 Ryan Pulock D
15 Alexander Wennberg C
16 Valentin Zykov RW
17 Kerby Rychel LW
18 Andre Burakowsky LW
19 Josh Morrissey D
20 Frederik Gauthier C

Pretty sure the Flyers will get a damn good prospect at 12!

Their record is better because they embraced better team D (novel concept, eh?).

The Flyers absolutely missed the Coburn of the second half of last year b/c he had a bad year this season when asked to become more of a puck-mover and lead all the D-men in TOI. I will add, though, it was only the equivalent of a half-season of time to adjust his game. While there's no way in hell I'd want to see the Flyers give him those same tasks again next year (assuming he returns), players can't just snap their fingers and remake their games.

In Meszaros' case, he's had back surgery, achilles tendon surgery, a separated shoulder (treated non-surgically but which has been operated on in the past) and then a torn rotator cuff in an 11-month period. That makes it mighty tough to fairly assess anything he did this season. It also makes it tough for the Flyers to figure they can count on him going into next season, because those are all pretty serious injuries and the shoulder in particular is a concern.
- bmeltzer

Bill,

Whats the over/under on Mez coming back and being solid as a D-man in the foreseeable future? Or is there the chance he is just a train wreck of injuries from now on....If the latter is the case, should the Flyers realistically consider letting him walk next season when his contract is up. On one side, if he is healthy he will command a big salary, most D-men do now, and if he is just a catastrophie of injuries he won't be worth much.

Now that this disaster of a season is over let's look at some of the positives that came out of it:

1. Luke Schenn- if you think the d was bad imagine if he was traded for
2. Mason- good trade I like what I've seen so far
3. Jake- rough start to year but once he got his mom's home cooking out of his system he was awesome
4. Got a good look at the younger players in the system and they played well
5. Maybe just maybe Lava and the team can change their style of play

Please, get rid of Coburn in any way. Buy him out, trade him, shoot him..
- Ondrej F

He had a rough season. I think asking him to be the top dog is a little too much. Otherwise he's very good as your 2 nd 3rd or 4th defenseman. Don't get me wrong i was frustrated with him too but he is what he is and not what he isn't .

I can't wait until one of PIT, CHI, or WSH wins the Cup so we can all start lusting after attack systems again.


- Tomahawk

Need to have horses to run it. I think Gus has taken some big steps this year

Mr. Career Consistency.



Could care less if he was on the team next season or flipping burgers.

I have to say the biggest surprise this disappointing season has to be Mason. Two months ago I fought tooth and nail against buying out bryzgalov. No offense to bryzgalov and yes mason's sampling has been very small but mason has given me reason to believe he can give us just as good goaltending if not better. Only problem is; what does he want in terms of an extension? I think you hold onto bryzgalov until an agreement on an extension with mason can be reached. Despite all the criticism bryzgalov is a solid goaltender, overpaid by about a mill and a half a season but its not so cataclysmic and the idea of him retiring before that deal is up is totally fictitious.

He had a rough season. I think asking him to be the top dog is a little too much. Otherwise he's very good as your 2 nd 3rd or 4th defenseman. Don't get me wrong i was frustrated with him too but he is what he is and not what he isn't .
- JoeRussomanno

That's a lot of cap hit for a solid #4 Who struggles in a different role

I have to say the biggest surprise this disappointing season has to be Mason. Two months ago I fought tooth and nail against buying out bryzgalov. No offense to bryzgalov and yes mason's sampling has been very small but mason has given me reason to believe he can give us just as good goaltending if not better. Only problem is; what does he want in terms of an extension? I think you hold onto bryzgalov until an agreement on an extension with mason can be reached. Despite all the criticism bryzgalov is a solid goaltender, overpaid by about a mill and a half a season but its not so cataclysmic and the idea of him retiring before that deal is up is totally fictitious.
- JoeRussomanno

Hang onto bryz. Address buyout next year. If he pouts we have mason. Win win

I have to say the biggest surprise this disappointing season has to be Mason. Two months ago I fought tooth and nail against buying out bryzgalov. No offense to bryzgalov and yes mason's sampling has been very small but mason has given me reason to believe he can give us just as good goaltending if not better. Only problem is; what does he want in terms of an extension? I think you hold onto bryzgalov until an agreement on an extension with mason can be reached. Despite all the criticism bryzgalov is a solid goaltender, overpaid by about a mill and a half a season but its not so cataclysmic and the idea of him retiring before that deal is up is totally fictitious.
- JoeRussomanno

I'm of the frame of mind that you buy him out, sign a veteran to backup/share time with Mason, and use the Briere/Bryz money to shore up other areas.

I have to say the biggest surprise this disappointing season has to be Mason. Two months ago I fought tooth and nail against buying out bryzgalov. No offense to bryzgalov and yes mason's sampling has been very small but mason has given me reason to believe he can give us just as good goaltending if not better. Only problem is; what does he want in terms of an extension? I think you hold onto bryzgalov until an agreement on an extension with mason can be reached. Despite all the criticism bryzgalov is a solid goaltender, overpaid by about a mill and a half a season but its not so cataclysmic and the idea of him retiring before that deal is up is totally fictitious.
- JoeRussomanno

Signing Mason to a 1-year audition that perfectly coincides with the closing of the amnesty window on Bryz is one of the most prudent contractual moves that Homer has made since re-upping Giroux to a reasonable 2nd-contract.