Yeah Heart for Bumberger was a terrible trade. While Hearts didn't put up huge points, he was a motivational guy and versatile.
- A_Tree

He was a popular guy in the room, as well. Guys like him. I get the rationale, but Umberger has looked cooked for most of the season.

They had awesome special teams. Both PP & PK in top 5 or so.

They were very mediocre at 5 on 5, though and this year the PK has been awful.

They really miss Kimmo Timonen. he played heavy minutes on both units. There's also been a serious dip in the level of play from several players-Matt Read, Braydon Coburn most notably. Nick Grossmann was very solid in the 2nd half of last season and he's been bad. Andrew MacDonald has been most bad. Steve Mason has played well overall, but not as well as he did last year in the early going.
- Jsaquella

I don't think you can blame Mason for the subpar effort as of yet. Still it's hard to believe that these guys can't turn it around.

can Berube teach his team to play the trap? cant be any more boring than this team is already
- vejim

Check out the article I referred to earlier...

http://thehockeywriters.c...erately-need-guy-boucher/

I like the idea of getting a coach in here before next season, getting a taste, providing feedback to the gm and maybe having some input to some TDL moves...

I don't think you can blame Mason for the subpar effort as of yet. Still it's hard to believe that these guys can't turn it around.
- A_Tree

Not if you watch them every night

I'm not blaming Mason at all. He's been solid. Can't complain about the goalie at all

Check out the article I referred to earlier...

http://thehockeywriters.c...erately-need-guy-boucher/

I like the idea of getting a coach in here before next season, getting a taste, providing feedback to the gm and maybe having some input to some TDL moves...
- dmorin

I'd rather wait until the summer, look at a bunch of candidates and hire the best one possible. Who knows who will be out there and interested?

Yeah Heart for Bumberger was a terrible trade. While Hearts didn't put up huge points, he was a motivational guy and versatile.
- A_Tree

It was clearly a cap trade. This would be the same bumbling group with hartnell. I'm glad we are rid of his contract.

http://thehockeywriters.c...ndbloms-coming-out-party/

not sure if this was posted

Oilers East.

They had awesome special teams. Both PP & PK in top 5 or so.

- Jsaquella

From a defensive standpoint Read, Couturier , Coburn and Grossmann have had horrible years and since they are typically the first 4 on the PK that explains a lot of the failures.

It's been brutal watching those 4 out there on the PK.

Oilers East.
- Pixote Andolini

without the #1 picks

http://thehockeywriters.com/wjc-is-oskar-lindbloms-coming-out-party/

not sure if this was posted
- KINGKENZO

This is why we want to get picks. The flyers scouting staff is doing tremendous work in the middle rounds of late Foodbourne Illness aside.

No need to bring up Lauridesen(who is not even playing especially well in the AHL). Slide Colaiacovo, Del Zotto & Luke Schenn into regular roles. They really can hurt the team much worse.
- Jsaquella

I'm just saying these guys are available if we want to ship out a decent amount of guys. The fact that they are barly AHL calibur is irrelevant as we are no longer trying to ice the best team possible. We are trying to get this team ready for the next 2 years.

If we have to rebuild we should do it the right way. We all pretty much agree we are 3 years away from being any sort of serious play off contender. Now would be the perfect year to come in last place and have a shot at one of the big 2 in this year's draft. We are a complete mess defensively and no real way to fix it unless we fire sale every one of our defenseman. You take the best offers. Some of them can bring in a pretty decent return. Coburn, striet, even Schultz and Grossman should fetch something for our three year build. Offense needs some depth and a legit 1st line lw but really not that far off from being really scary. Morin and ghost will be at least ready for 3rd pairing minutes next season. If hagg turns it on from here on out maybe him too. I'd even resign shcultz because he has been our best d man by far.
It's time to use the next 3 drafts and really building a team. Giroux Simmonds b schenn Laughton couturier voracek are all just entering their prime and are young enough to wait out the build. I hate wasting Giroux and voracek offensive talents but it has to be done.
3 years and we could very well be a cup contender for the next 10 years. 3 years of top 5 picks would go a very long way for this teams future.
Schenn bros, read, maybe even couturier should be available for the right return. But it can't be for a band aid. Everything we do from here on out should be all about 3 years from now.
I'm tired of being a playoff team and getting bounced because of the same horrid defense or before that goaltending.

I'm just saying these guys are available if we want to ship out a decent amount of guys. The fact that they are barly AHL calibur is irrelevant as we are no longer trying to ice the best team possible. We are trying to get this team ready for the next 2 years.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I'd rather see what MDZ, Schenn & Colaiacovo can do, or even see Hagg or Alt over Lauridsen.

From a defensive standpoint Read, Couturier , Coburn and Grossmann have had horrible years and since they are typically the first 4 on the PK that explains a lot of the failures.

It's been brutal watching those 4 out there on the PK.
- opeth_pa

Couturier's been fine defensively, the other have been awful. But toss Timonen into that mix. Coburn's not trying to do too much, Grossmann has a smaller role...

I'd rather see what MDZ, Schenn & Colaiacovo can do, or even see Hagg or Alt over Lauridsen.
- Jsaquella

I think we've seen what Luke can do, over and over again... and it's basically the same thing Lauridsen would do with the big boys except at least he'd be doing it at a least expensive rate

If we have to rebuild we should do it the right way. We all pretty much agree we are 3 years away from being any sort of serious play off contender. Now would be the perfect year to come in last place and have a shot at one of the big 2 in this year's draft. We are a complete mess defensively and no real way to fix it unless we fire sale every one of our defenseman. You take the best offers. Some of them can bring in a pretty decent return. Coburn, striet, even Schultz and Grossman should fetch something for our three year build. Offense needs some depth and a legit 1st line lw but really not that far off from being really scary. Morin and ghost will be at least ready for 3rd pairing minutes next season. If hagg turns it on from here on out maybe him too. I'd even resign shcultz because he has been our best d man by far.
It's time to use the next 3 drafts and really building a team. Giroux Simmonds b schenn Laughton couturier voracek are all just entering their prime and are young enough to wait out the build. I hate wasting Giroux and voracek offensive talents but it has to be done.
3 years and we could very well be a cup contender for the next 10 years. 3 years of top 5 picks would go a very long way for this teams future.
Schenn bros, read, maybe even couturier should be available for the right return. But it can't be for a band aid. Everything we do from here on out should be all about 3 years from now.
I'm tired of being a playoff team and getting bounced because of the same horrid defense or before that goaltending.
- 28Girouxsalem28

What he said....I don't see harm in letting one or two of or younger guys (Schenn, Couts, Laughton, Read, etc...) go if it brings back couple of mid-to-late 20 year olds who play the game like they actually want to win. I'm afraid that its only a matter of time before G and Jake stop caring, cuz it seems (inspite of his wayne gretzky comment) Simmonds has lost his fire.

I would not mind seeing Keith Yandle come over for any of those guys

It seems mike smith could use a change of scenery (package deal perhaps) and I'm afraid our number two won't be around much longer. I'd rather see Rob Zepp as I feel he is a more dynamic tendy than emery. Certainly can't have a kid one year out of the ahl be our back up.

I'd rather see what MDZ, Schenn & Colaiacovo can do, or even see Hagg or Alt over Lauridsen.
- Jsaquella

Alt maybe but my reasoning for this is to keep those guys down in the AHL. Laurisdon and Manning are basically done. There is no hope left that they will be NHL guys. I just don't want Hagg and them rushed.

I think we've seen what Luke can do, over and over again... and it's basically the same thing Lauridsen would do with the big boys except at least he'd be doing it at a least expensive rate
- Yosimar89

Lauridsen is getting beat worse than Schenn vs AHLers. Unless they go total trap, Lauridsen will be called Toast

This is why we want to get picks. The flyers scouting staff is doing tremendous work in the middle rounds of late Foodbourne Illness aside.
- hereticpride

Leier, ghost, fazleev, lindblom. Recent mid to late round picks that have real potential. Flyers scouting had done a nice job. Just avoid the z2 type picks and get more picks

coburn is puzzling

he's always been steady eddie until now

coburn is puzzling

he's always been steady eddie until now
- -davies-

Kimmo was always his preferred shade of make up

coburn is puzzling

he's always been steady eddie until now
- -davies-

He's usually had Kimmo to help him. He's a great side kick, but when he's got to be the main man, he tries to do too much and struggles

Kimmo was always his preferred shade of make up
- Just5

Giodorno would be a superb partner for Coburn

#Calgarysfirst

He's usually had Kimmo to help him. He's a great side kick, but when he's got to be the main man, he tries to do too much and struggles
- Jsaquella

i've seen him play with plenty of people, not really buying the timo angle with him