I think a team can build for the future, build through the draft, and compete all at the same time, trying to win as many games as possible. It seems to be polarized among the fan base as if it's one or the other. I think a top team needs to have a balance between winning now, and continuing to build and add talent. The Flyers are right now, in the middle, leaning more toward developing a talent base for the future, but make no mistake about it, Hextall wants to win, and wants his team to compete, and I don't think he'll accept any mindset of a "throw-away" season from anyone under his watch.

People just mistook Hitchbot for Vinny, that's all.
- hereticpride

Hitchbot has better mobility.

/shows self out

Depends how one defines throw away. Do they expect to contend for a Stanley Cup and will they make moves based mostly to better their immediate chances at the expense of the future? No. Do they expect to comfortably make the playoffs and maybe exchange a couple pieces of the future to solidify that? Probably not.

Do they expect to be in the dogfight for a playoff spot, while keeping an eye to the future more than worrying about success in the short term? Yes.

Not a throw away year, but not a season where they expect to contend or waltz into the playoffs as a one or two seed, either. We likely will not see them flip a 2nd & 3rd for 2nd or 3rd pair defensemen, or flip a top pick for a veteran scoring winger, unless they are young and signed to a manageable cap hit, and expected to be a part of solution in 3 or 4 years as well as during the 2015-16 season.

In the past, a Flyers team not making every effort within reason to win the Cup in a given year could have been said to be going through a throw away year. Now the mindset is be competitive in the present, while building to the future. It's a developmental year more than anything.
- Jsaquella

It's all about the definition.

Now that nationally it is being recognized that hexy is building team right way and not going crazy or expecting Philly to go crazy at trade deadline day or day one free agent can we PLEASE get them to recognize that we aren't the big bad bullies anymore or that we don't even want that. Recognize that we want a fast puck moving team. Thank you

Now that nationally it is being recognized that hexy is building team right way and not going crazy or expecting Philly to go crazy at trade deadline day or day one free agent can we PLEASE get them to recognize that we aren't the big bad bullies anymore or that we don't even want that. Recognize that we want a fast puck moving team. Thank you
- Sms401

That will come right after we have a legit starting goalie.

Now that nationally it is being recognized that hexy is building team right way and not going crazy or expecting Philly to go crazy at trade deadline day or day one free agent can we PLEASE get them to recognize that we aren't the big bad bullies anymore or that we don't even want that. Recognize that we want a fast puck moving team. Thank you
- Sms401

Now might be the perfect time to pile on with the bruisers and thugs. If we go against the grain and pummel the hell out of the rest of these teams we might be able to capture a couple more cups.

We need to strike while the iron's hot.

Now might be the perfect time to pile on with the bruisers and thugs. If we go against the grain and pummel the hell out of the rest of these teams we might be able to capture a couple more cups.

We need to strike while the iron's hot.


- mayorofangrytown

What a capital idea!!! Why oh why did we trade Rinaldo?

Time to dump these possession guys and bring back a lineup of Rinaldo, Carcillo, Shelley, Cote, Rosehill, Stortini, and call up Mathers.

That will come right after we have a legit starting goalie.
- jmatchett383

I hope that sarcasm

Now that nationally it is being recognized that hexy is building team right way and not going crazy or expecting Philly to go crazy at trade deadline day or day one free agent can we PLEASE get them to recognize that we aren't the big bad bullies anymore or that we don't even want that. Recognize that we want a fast puck moving team. Thank you
- Sms401

Yeah, and maybe we can finally get an aptitude test requirement for ticket holders so I can stop sitting next to hoagie stained buffoons that yell "Shoot" all PP and blame every goal against on the goalie.

Yeah, and maybe we can finally get an aptitude test requirement for ticket holders so I can stop sitting next to hoagie stained buffoons that yell "Shoot" all PP and blame every goal against on the goalie.
- hereticpride

Are they there every game and not gifted tickets????

Yeah, and maybe we can finally get an aptitude test requirement for ticket holders so I can stop sitting next to hoagie stained buffoons that yell "Shoot" all PP and blame every goal against on the goalie.
- hereticpride

"HIT SUMBUDDY!"

What a capital idea!!! Why oh why did we trade Rinaldo?

Time to dump these possession guys and bring back a lineup of Rinaldo, Carcillo, Shelley, Cote, Rosehill, Stortini, and call up Mathers.
- jmatchett383

Rinaldo - too small
Carcillo - too dumb
Shelley - too old
Cote - too broken
Rosehill - too Rosehill
Stortini - too skilled
Mathers - perfect!!!

Yeah, and maybe we can finally get an aptitude test requirement for ticket holders so I can stop sitting next to hoagie stained buffoons that yell "Shoot" all PP and blame every goal against on the goalie.
- hereticpride

Maybe a drunken buffoon but hardly hoagie stained !

Are they there every game and not gifted tickets????
- Steelmanpa

The guy next to me last year was one of these. At every game and yelling shoot shoot and I thought I was going to kill in a fit of madness. But then the last 8 games of the season he wasn't there. And he didn't renew.

Wait! Maybe I did kill him and don't remember?

"HIT SUMBUDDY!"
- jmatchett383

While we're killing a 5 on 3.

Rinaldo - too small
Carcillo - too dumb
Shelley - too old
Cote - too broken
Rosehill - too Rosehill
Stortini - too skilled
Mathers - perfect!!!
- mayorofangrytown

Too Rosehill
Post of the day right here

It's all about the definition.
- mayorofangrytown

Or just to argue over a simple (frank)ing phrase...seems like some need more work dropped on their desks

Or just to argue over a simple (frank)ing phrase...seems like some need more work dropped on their desks
- Jsaquella

Take a phrase that gets used regularly in sports and deny it's existence. Yes. Bait.

Let's put it to bed.

Ghost and morin in the A all year.

Sanheim and provorov sent back to junior.

This year with a new coach and a bunch of unwanted player contracts Is the throwaway year of all throwaway years.

Especially with coots and Jake signed. The only thing to do this year is see if b Schenn and laughton are in the future plans of this team.
- Just5

Leight, and I don't love the "why," but I can see Ghost, Morin, Sanheim and Provorov doing exactly that

I always want them to win, and I think that they are better overall than at this time last year, but I'm honest enough to admit the improvements could be incremental, not monumental

It could be easily be argued that with a new coach, further evaluating the progression of Couturier and Schenn, as well as seeing if MDZ can replicate last season's play, are easily the most important subplots of the season's first few months

I'm no mathematician, but it's hard to see how Umberger and Luke Schenn play their way into staying beyond this season, with their cap hits. Also wonder if the trade deadline sees Streit go to a contender

So while I do think "throwaway" might be a little too strong, I'm honest enough to admit that a few things have to break just right for them to show massive improvement, and there are guys on the roster right now who flat-out aren't gong to be there when they are good

What I am honestly hoping to see is improved consistency and offensive play at 5v5 -- this team goes nowhere until these boys start scoring more at ES

Rinaldo - too small
Carcillo - too dumb
Shelley - too old
Cote - too broken
Rosehill - too Rosehill
Stortini - too skilled
Mathers - perfect!!!
- mayorofangrytown

This is too good!!

Leight, and I don't love the "why," but I can see Ghost, Morin, Sanheim and Provorov doing exactly that

I always want them to win, and I think that they are better overall than at this time last year, but I'm honest enough to admit the improvements could be incremental, not monumental

It could be easily be argued that with a new coach, further evaluating the progression of Couturier and Schenn, as well as seeing if MDZ can replicate last season's play, are easily the most important subplots of the season's first few months

I'm no mathematician, but it's hard to see how Umberger and Luke Schenn play their way into staying beyond this season, with their cap hits. Also wonder if the trade deadline sees Streit go to a contender

So while I do think "throwaway" might be a little too strong, I'm honest enough to admit that a few things have to break just right for them to show massive improvement, and there are guys on the roster right now who flat-out aren't gong to be there when they are good

What I am honestly hoping to see is improved consistency and offensive play at 5v5 -- this team goes nowhere until these boys start scoring more at ES
- AllInForFlyers

Did you think last season was going to be a season in which they (management) would do very little to help the competitiveness of the team?

The guy next to me last year was one of these. At every game and yelling shoot shoot and I thought I was going to kill in a fit of madness. But then the last 8 games of the season he wasn't there. And he didn't renew.

Wait! Maybe I did kill him and don't remember?
- bodiva88

Its called selective memory, most often used by wives and girlfriends to torture their loved ones

Take a phrase that gets used regularly in sports and deny it's existence. Yes. Bait.
- mayorofangrytown

A distinction needs to be made here. The phrase certainly exists, that doesn't mean that there actually is such a thing as a "throw-away" season in pro sports. In my opinion there is not, but a "throw-away" season can mean different things to different people. Apologize in advance to those who don't approve of this conversation, so maybe we can discuss whether Tyrell Goulbourne was a good draft pick or not, again.

Did you think last season was going to be a season in which they (management) would do very little to help the competitiveness of the team?
- mayorofangrytown

No -- we've talked about it before, and I was very disappointed in that I did think they could've helped this team around the margins a bit more. I still think they could've done something, and that they owed Chief a trade. That sticks in my craw a little bit

But at the same time, seeing what they extended Couturier at and their refusal to entertain any buyouts (at least this offseason), I understand that they are working with the present salaries and future salaries in mind. I can't argue that isn't wise

I am glad to see that guys who play well enough, like MDZ and Schultz and VDV, can earn extensions. That is something that I think they have done well -- you should reward people based on how they play. You don't owe the Zac Rinaldos of the world a roster spot just because you drafted them or even extended them, and I think that is healthy. I like that they aren't extending Brayden Schenn right now -- he hasn't earned an extension, IMO

It's all coming together for Umberger...
- wolfhounds

Are you sure?