They were only forechecking with one forward and sitting back in a 1-2-2. The checking is still agressive in the neutral zone. Nothing passive in the NHL works. They dominated them because the Flyers were incredibly sloppy with the puck, and constantly turned it over.
- MJL

never a good sign when your opposition goes into a 1-2-2 in order to try to erase a 2-goal deficit

I agree with the top line not giving enough, and with the struggles of Timonen. Don't agree with the 4th line. I think the 4th line is a non issue.
- MJL

A 4th line isnt going to make or break any team, but having a defensive 4th line that can play all minutes is important and something they dont have at the moment. I'm really thinking about the Betts, Lappy, Metropolit, Powe, Ranheim, etc days.

Wow. Someone needs a hug. Giving should be spontaneous. That forced attitude taints Christmas but it shouldn't destroy it!
As I've aged I'd come to realize that I value those people who can make the world around them a better place. Not those who go out of their way to fix broken things but those who influence the lives of others in a positive way all the time and all year long. Christmas is when people try and do that. I try and surround myself with people who do it all year long.
- FlyersGrace

You wouldn't like me very much.

I'm not sure I agree with this. I think that Homer wasn't making any deals because he legit thought this group of young players was good enough to take the team to the next level. But with the struggles over last season and this season it is begining to become obvious this group isnt growing together.

We need a pure goal scorer. Gaborik, Yakupov... I dont know... Does anyone know of someone else that is a pure goal scorer that is on a team that may be willing to trade them in a rebuild situation?
- youarewrong

Zherdev

I so want to say "That's what she said" but I'm going to pass this time.
- mayorofangrytown

That's what she said.

Zherdev

- FlyersGrace

at this point i wouldnt mind bringing him back...he can put the puck in the net.

it's tough to preach patience, or at least expect the fan base to be patient, when it's been almost 40 years since the last cup. i agree with you, btw.
- hammarby31

Hit the nail on the head. Passionate fan base + 80 yr old owner + nearly 40 year Cup draught, and instead of going into full rebuild mode when it's necessary, you have the band-aid over gaping wound route that we constantly see.

never a good sign when your opposition goes into a 1-2-2 in order to try to erase a 2-goal deficit
- Crimsoninja

That's the adjustment that Boudreau made because they got whipped in the first period. The Flyers typically have issues dealing with that checking in the neutral zone. It worked.

Wow. Someone needs a hug. Giving should be spontaneous. That forced attitude taints Christmas but it shouldn't destroy it!
As I've aged I'd come to realize that I value those people who can make the world around them a better place. Not those who go out of their way to fix broken things but those who influence the lives of others in a positive way all the time and all year long. Christmas is when people try and do that. I try and surround myself with people who do it all year long.
- FlyersGrace

Kum bay ya, my Lord, kum bay ya;
Kum bay ya, my Lord, kum bay ya;
Kum bay ya, my Lord, kum bay ya,
O Lord, kum bay ya

A 4th line isnt going to make or break any team, but having a defensive 4th line that can play all minutes is important and something they dont have at the moment. I'm really thinking about the Betts, Lappy, Metropolit, Powe, Ranheim, etc days.
- youarewrong

I think the Flyers have the ability to put that kind of 4th line together is they chose to.

Lets have some fun with flyernomics. Can you name these players?

Player A
196 games 69 goals 58 assists since 2010
31 YOA player on the Flyers resigned to a 6 year extension at 4.75 million per last summer

Player B
207 games 69 goals 69 assists since 2010
33 YOA player on the Devils signed as a UFA this past summer for 2 years at 3.5 million per. A Stanley Cup winner.

Happy hump day

at this point i wouldnt mind bringing him back...he can put the puck in the net.
- PhillaBully

Took the words right out of my mouth. Was he a pissy brat? Yes. Would you be a pissy brat if you were producing more then the top players on the team, yet getting 4th line minutes.... Yes.

You wouldn't like me very much.
- flyguy12

I wouldn't respect you. I can like a-holes.

As it is my best friend and my fiancee are two of the most amazing people I've ever met. They make me a better person. And it's no cliche...

Kum bay ya, my Lord, kum bay ya;
Kum bay ya, my Lord, kum bay ya;
Kum bay ya, my Lord, kum bay ya,
O Lord, kum bay ya
- youarewrong

Um hardly...

Lets have some fun with flyernomics. Can you name these players?

Player A
196 games 69 goals 58 assists since 2010
31 YOA player on the Flyers resigned to a 6 year extension at 4.75 million per last summer

Player B
207 games 69 goals 69 assists since 2010
33 YOA player on the Devils signed as a UFA this past summer for 2 years at 3.5 million per. A Stanley Cup winner.

Happy hump day
- Just5

you gonna take the bet with MOAT?

I think the Flyers have the ability to put that kind of 4th line together is they chose to.
- MJL

I think they are missing that really gritty defefensive player at this moment, but Talbot and Rinaldo are good starts.

My point is that as an org. and a fan base we have to be patient.

We can female dog and moan all we like. I remember how much poop a lot of people talked on Richards and Carter. How everyone wanted them moved because they were underperforming. Now ppl are whining that they were moved.

People complained about JvR. Welp.. now those same people are whining because he is doing well in Toronto.

PATIENCE... These KIDS will get better as they mature as hockey players.
- jak521

I can't speak for others, but I didn't have a problem with Homer moving Ricards, Carter, or JVR. I don't have a problem with moving anybody on the roster, provided we get value in return.

To date, we seem to be on the short end of the value stick from those trades. Maybe tomorrow will be different. We'll see.

But tomorrow is fast approaching and the return from those deals need to step up quickly or it's two consecutive years out of the PO's. And next year won't seem all that promising either.

you gonna take the bet with MOAT?
- Crimsoninja

Yeah I would bet it. What do I get a house? Hope he doesnt live in jersey I cant afford the taxes

I wouldn't respect you. I can like a-holes.

As it is my best friend and my fiancee are two of the most amazing people I've ever met. They make me a better person. And it's no cliche...
- FlyersGrace

Hmmm. I used to be a really nice person. Then I got married.

That's the adjustment that Boudreau made because they got whipped in the first period. The Flyers typically have issues dealing with that checking in the neutral zone. It worked.
- MJL

Boudreau that master tactician ate Berube's lunch.

lost in that very fact is this team was two wins away from the cup.... Now Carter and Richards have already done what Homer thought they couldn't do here...yes there were some holes ....but to basically trade away your young nucleus because of an early playoff exit after the cup run was ballsy and has proven out to be stupid.
- landros 2

Carter and Richards won in a supported role not a main role. I don't think they could carry a team to the finals like what was expected in Philly.

If anyone cares, Schenn's getting ripped on TSN.ca for his carelessness stick swinging that took Teemu out. Guess Schenn should have used The Force stop stop Etem from shoving it right into Teemu's face.

Carter and Richards won in a supported role not a main role. I don't think they could carry a team to the finals like what was expected in Philly.
- tk71

I'm still a fan of the Carter trade, not so much the Richards trade.
Also, I'd love to have a few "supporting" players score Stanley Cup-winning goals for the Flyers.

If anyone cares, Schenn's getting ripped on TSN.ca for his carelessness stick swinging that took Teemu out. Guess Schenn should have used The Force stop stop Etem from shoving it right into Teemu's face.
- jmatchett383

We traded JVR for him, and now we're paying him $3.6 mil a year, and he can't even use the force? Trade him.

Hit the nail on the head. Passionate fan base + 80 yr old owner + nearly 40 year Cup draught, and instead of going into full rebuild mode when it's necessary, you have the band-aid over gaping wound route that we constantly see.
- PLindbergh31

they've been close a number of times. unfortunately, they've faced budding dynasties and had a laundry list of injuries often at the same time. witness: 76 habs, 80 islanders, 85-87 oilers, 97 red wings, and 10 blackhawks. it's not like the hurricanes facing edmonton in 2006. it's nothing short of insanely bad timing, and despite all of that, they were competitive and could have won all of those series with the exception of detroit. other years they've gotten to the semis and not advanced it's been a similar situation. if they had won a cup in the 80s and another somewhere in the 90s or 00s when they were extremely competitive, everyone would be happy.

right now they seem to have gone backwards, when they could have exercised a little more patience with some players. losing pronger and not replacing him has also been a hindrance. hopefully, they'll just keep developing the core and the prospects and see where it goes. if mason truly rebounds they've got the net sewn up for several years and that would be a massive building block. patience. patience. patience.