I think most people think this is a playoff team, but I don't think they're a cup contender. They don't have the defense, two-way play or goaltending of a stanley cup caliber team.

Hopefully they improve in those areas, but it would have to be a huge improvement to be a cup contender.
- PhillySportsGuy

I totally feel.this team can contend for the Cup without a shadow of a doubt.

Its an SRT-4 bra. 0-60 in 5.3 seconds and runs a 1/4 mile in 14 seconds.
- youarewrong

is that bigger or smaller then D cup?

I think most people think this is a playoff team, but I don't think they're a cup contender. They don't have the defense, two-way play or goaltending of a stanley cup caliber team.

Hopefully they improve in those areas, but it would have to be a huge improvement to be a cup contender.
- PhillySportsGuy

They have the players to do it, on paper they are the most talented and deep team by a long shot, what needs to happen is they need to PLAY LIKE A TEAM!

Thats what Chicago did, Outside of Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Hossa. They arent all that special. Pitt has the same thing, Loaded up front and no depth but they play like a team thanks to quality coaching in my opinion.

They have the players to do it, on paper they are the most talented and deep team by a long shot, what needs to happen is they need to PLAY LIKE A TEAM!
- GOA88

I agree completely

They have the players to do it, on paper they are the most talented and deep team by a long shot, what needs to happen is they need to PLAY LIKE A TEAM!
- GOA88

As long as you make the dance, who knows what can happen? I think this team can make the playoffs without too much trouble.

As long as you make the dance, who knows what can happen? I think this team can make the playoffs without too much trouble.
- BulliesPhan87

No doubt, last season was a fluke. Injuries, slow start, Bryzgalov.......

Honestly, if they move either Mez or Grossmann for cap space, and then sign Gagne, Laughton will have next to no shot to make the team as they are not going to keep him to be a spare forward

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Vinnie-Read
Gagne-Couturier-Simmonds
Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo
Rosehill

Unless he significantly outplays Hall, he is going back to the OHL if they sign Gagne.
- BiggE

That forward is group is not too shabby at all.

Am I the only one (outside of davies) hoping that Mez makes a comeback as a Flyer?

I know the cap situation and that he is overpaid as a number 5+ defenseman, but I love his quick one time shot from the blue line and his ability to skate the puck up the ice.

That forward is group is not too shabby at all.

Am I the only one (outside of DFT) hoping that Mez makes a comeback?

I know the cap situation and that he is overpaid as a number 5+ defenseman, but I love his quick one time shot from the blue line and his ability to skate the puck up the ice.
- Marc D

I like Mez, hes had some bad luck is all

As long as you make the dance, who knows what can happen? I think this team can make the playoffs without too much trouble.
- BulliesPhan87

I still worry about the coaching. Laviolette has to force these guys to play better two way hockey, from the forwards on back. They have to keep the offensive aggression up, but temper it a bit, so they can avoid the overpursuit issues that plagued them the last couple seasons and saw all 3 forwards getting caught deep on dump ins and leading to odd man rushes.

That forward is group is not too shabby at all.

Am I the only one (outside of davies) hoping that Mez makes a comeback as a Flyer?

I know the cap situation and that he is overpaid as a number 5+ defenseman, but I love his quick one time shot from the blue line and his ability to skate the puck up the ice.
- Marc D

I cant see how we are gonna have a beast like Simmonds playing the 3rd line though. Hes one of our best. Read-Vinny-Simmonds seems more logical. Schenn is still a big question to me. Is he finally going to break out? I hope so

So accoring to arcticicehockey.com, if an expansion draft were to happen this year, this is who the Flyers would protect, and who they would leave up for grabs:

Protected: G Ray Emery, D Kimmo Timonen, D Andrej Meszaros, D Luke Schenn, D Braydon Coburn, D Erik Gustafsson, F Scott Hartnell, F Vincent Lecavalier, F Jakub Voracek, F Wayne Simmonds, F Claude Giroux, F Brayden Schenn, F Sean Couturier, F Matt Read, F Maxime Talbot

Unprotected: G Steve Mason, D Mark Streit, D Chris Pronger, D Nicklas Grossmann, D Bruno Gervais, D Marc-Andre Bourdon, F Adam Hall, F Zac Rinaldo, F Jay Rosehill

I still worry about the coaching. Laviolette has to force these guys to play better two way hockey, from the forwards on back. They have to keep the offensive aggression up, but temper it a bit, so they can avoid the overpursuit issues that plagued them the last couple seasons and saw all 3 forwards getting caught deep on dump ins and leading to odd man rushes.
- Jsaquella

They're DOA

I cant see how we are gonna have a beast like Simmonds playing the 3rd line though. Hes one of our best. Read-Vinny-Simmonds seems more logical. Schenn is still a big question to me. Is he finally going to break out? I hope so
- GOA88

He won't if he's playing on the 3rd line, that's for sure.

No doubt, last season was a fluke. Injuries, slow start, Bryzgalov.......
- GOA88

I blame Laviolette's inability to adjust and switch things up, as well as injuries more then I blame Bryzgalov for last season. Slow starts and lack of camp didn't help either.

So accoring to arcticicehockey.com, if an expansion draft were to happen this year, this is who the Flyers would protect, and who they would leave up for grabs:

Protected: G Ray Emery, D Kimmo Timonen, D Andrej Meszaros, D Luke Schenn, D Braydon Coburn, D Erik Gustafsson, F Scott Hartnell, F Vincent Lecavalier, F Jakub Voracek, F Wayne Simmonds, F Claude Giroux, F Brayden Schenn, F Sean Couturier, F Matt Read, F Maxime Talbot

Unprotected: G Steve Mason, D Mark Streit, D Chris Pronger, D Nicklas Grossmann, D Bruno Gervais, D Marc-Andre Bourdon, F Adam Hall, F Zac Rinaldo, F Jay Rosehill
- JAKEw1234

Im fine with that except switch Mason with Emery, Mason could turn out to be really good. I have a feeling about him.

I blame Laviolette's inability to adjust and switch things up, as well as injuries more then I blame Bryzgalov for last season. Slow starts and lack of camp didn't help either.
- dingo8urbaby

Shhhh! We're scapegoating Bryzgalov for all of our problems, remember?

He won't if he's playing on the 3rd line, that's for sure.
- JAKEw1234

I want Schenn-Vinny-Simmonds. I think that line will be good. Schenn needs to step up for sure though

Im fine with that except switch Mason with Emery, Mason could turn out to be really good. I have a feeling about him.
- GOA88

Right, and also since Ray Emery definitely wants to be here, and only has 1 year on his contract, chances are strong we would just be able to resign him after the 1 year.

So accoring to arcticicehockey.com, if an expansion draft were to happen this year, this is who the Flyers would protect, and who they would leave up for grabs:

Protected: G Ray Emery, D Kimmo Timonen, D Andrej Meszaros, D Luke Schenn, D Braydon Coburn, D Erik Gustafsson, F Scott Hartnell, F Vincent Lecavalier, F Jakub Voracek, F Wayne Simmonds, F Claude Giroux, F Brayden Schenn, F Sean Couturier, F Matt Read, F Maxime Talbot

Unprotected: G Steve Mason, D Mark Streit, D Chris Pronger, D Nicklas Grossmann, D Bruno Gervais, D Marc-Andre Bourdon, F Adam Hall, F Zac Rinaldo, F Jay Rosehill
- JAKEw1234

Why would they protect Emery, Timonen and Meszaros over Streit and Grossmann, and Mason?

I blame Laviolette's inability to adjust and switch things up, as well as injuries more then I blame Bryzgalov for last season. Slow starts and lack of camp didn't help either.
- dingo8urbaby

He wasnt all of our problems but people seem to forget that with an even worse defense than what Bryzgalov played behind, Mason played much better. That proved to me that Bryz sucks, defense or no defense. A good goalie can steal games. Bryz just gave them away if anything.

Who were these people who thought Couturier was gonna get a nine game tryout and then be sent back? Couturier was l different case. He was a key penality killer his entire rookie season. Bryaden Schenn was expected to be a guarantee to make the roster but Schenn was often hurt the first half of the season and had contract bonuses that the club wanted to cut down on so he was sent to the minors, which left the door wide open for Couturier to stay and rightfully so.
- dingo8urbaby

You want me to go back and find video evidence from the draft itself, from guys like Dreger/McKenzie, from local media, and others? Well I won't. Here's Meltzer giving 6 reasons why he shouldn't be rushed (only one of them was Schenn's status):
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ost_id=36948#.Ugkgv20xBlY

You seriously don't remember tons of pundits saying he wasn't physically ready for the NHL prior to his rookie year? I find that hard to believe, as no one really gave him a chance.

Why would they protect Emery, Timonen and Meszaros over Streit and Grossmann, and Mason?
- youarewrong

The article described Streit's signing as "stupid", Grossmann's contract as "not worth it", and Steve Mason, I have no idea on.

Why would they protect Emery, Timonen and Meszaros over Streit and Grossmann, and Mason?
- youarewrong

Contract length/term, injury concerns, Columbus. But Meszaros over Grossmann is odd.

Is anyone else absolutely amazed that Mount Rushmore (the monument) exists? That's got to be one of the craziest pieces of art ever.

Is anyone else absolutely amazed that Mount Rushmore (the monument) exists? That's got to be one of the craziest pieces of art ever.
- jmatchett383

Its legit for sure