The rationale seems to be that the Flyers are going to get back into the playoff hunt by playing the next 8 games or so against non-contenders and general dreck. You know... the teams whose level the Flyers usually play down to...

What makes anyone think that all of a sudden the Flyers are going to miraculously crank it up several notches for an extended period of time is beyond me. They are who they are.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Does it make you feel good thinking that way?

With the infusion of Gostisbehere this has been a different team. They have a swagger. Cousins is now adding a swagger.

I know what they are but I also feel that they will do enough to sneak in. No one they are trying to catch are running away.

I just have this feeling they will do enough and then get Couturier and Del Zotto back.

Plus I think there will be a move or two that bring in not just picks but maybe a young winger that helps this team.

In the beginning I did feel like they had no chance. But for some reason I think they sneak in. This team seems to be gaining an identity and I think they get a spot and give Washington a run in the first round.

The rationale seems to be that the Flyers are going to get back into the playoff hunt by playing the next 8 games or so against non-contenders and general dreck. You know... the teams whose level the Flyers usually play down to...

What makes anyone think that all of a sudden the Flyers are going to miraculously crank it up several notches for an extended period of time is beyond me. They are who they are.
- Doc_Sarcasm

people said the same about ottawa last year especially when they lost their starting goalie, but they made an improbable run and made the playoffs. im not comparing last years sens to this years flyers, because they actually took care of business against bad teams, which we do not. however, what i am saying, is that there's always a team that seems like they have no business whatsoever being in the playoffs, and then they do make it in. just sayin, could be us.

Does it make you feel good thinking that way?

With the infusion of Gostisbehere this has been a different team. They have a swagger. Cousins is now adding a swagger.

I know what they are but I also feel that they will do enough to sneak in. No one they are trying to catch are running away.

I just have this feeling they will do enough and then get Couturier and Del Zotto back.

Plus I think there will be a move or two that bring in not just picks but maybe a young winger that helps this team.

In the beginning I did feel like they had no chance. But for some reason I think they sneak in. This team seems to be gaining an identity and I think they get a spot and give Washington a run in the first round.
- J35Bacher

Cousins is starting to look like a player huh? very surprised by how well he can handle the nhl game compared to the ahl game. he has handled himself pretty well.

Cousins is starting to look like a player huh? very surprised by how well he can handle the nhl game compared to the ahl game. he has handled himself pretty well.
- sjk540

I guess I just want something to root for.

Why do I want to be ok with the Flyers playing out the season and then waiting for next season.

I want playoffs. What the hell else am I going to watch? Phillies spring training?

Does it make you feel good thinking that way?

With the infusion of Gostisbehere this has been a different team. They have a swagger. Cousins is now adding a swagger.

I know what they are but I also feel that they will do enough to sneak in. No one they are trying to catch are running away.

I just have this feeling they will do enough and then get Couturier and Del Zotto back.

Plus I think there will be a move or two that bring in not just picks but maybe a young winger that helps this team.

In the beginning I did feel like they had no chance. But for some reason I think they sneak in. This team seems to be gaining an identity and I think they get a spot and give Washington a run in the first round.
- J35Bacher

No, i'm not one of the Downers who is always ragging on the team, I'm not the one who is consistently derisive of the coach, referring to him as Coach Varsity. No, this team is simply not good enough as it stands right now. Its funny how an incredibly strange 3rd period in last night's game is suddenly cause for the Flyers to be playoff contenders.

The future is bright, but not the near term next month and a half future. That's pretty bleak.

No, i'm not one of the Downers who is always ragging on the team, I'm not the one who is consistently derisive of the coach, referring to him as Coach Varsity. No, this team is simply not good enough as it stands right now. Its funny how an incredibly strange 3rd period in last night's game is suddenly cause for the Flyers to be playoff contenders.

The future is bright, but not the near term next month and a half future. That's pretty bleak.
- Doc_Sarcasm

This team is capable of playing with and beating anyone on any given night. However, their consistency from stretch to stretch (every 2-4 games) is lacking. They'd need a lot of "if"s to break their way, but it's possible. If they can go something like 5-1-2 over the next 8 and win 2 out of 3 against Pittsburgh, that would go a long way. Getting Coots back ASAP is a must, though, as they are a completely different team with/without him.

All that said, I'd still look to move guys like Schultz/Medvedev/Streit/Gagner at the TDL (Streit only for a 1st or 2 2nds).

For reference, Tyler Myers put up 48 points in 82 games (0.58 PPG) when he won the Calder. The top rookie scorer than year was Matt Duchesne (67 points in 80 games, 0.84 PPG). Jimmy Howard was the other finalist that year.
- jmatchett383

Which makes Ghost a real contender this year, imho. Defense is a much more difficult position for a rookie and one can argue that he's handled that bit with distinction, too.

Which makes Ghost a real contender this year, imho. Defense is a much more difficult position for a rookie and one can argue that he's handled that bit with distinction, too.
- Scoob

Absolutely. I was pointing out that, while his PPG is much higher than Myers, there are multiple guys with a higher PPG than Duchesne. Also, Myers put up those points while also playing on the top-4 in all situations and "shut down" duties. Ghost will never be that kind of player, but his minutes have been increasing (I think he's led them in TOI several times) and his defensive deficiencies were overblown.

I still think one of Panarin or Larkin takes it because I don't think he'll keep up a 0.8+ PPG pace (maybe 0.7 or so) but if he does, he's got a shot.

Mark my words. The Flyers will make the playoffs this year.
- Streit2ThePoint

Marked

Don't see it myself, but hopefully I'm wrong.

No, i'm not one of the Downers who is always ragging on the team, I'm not the one who is consistently derisive of the coach, referring to him as Coach Varsity. No, this team is simply not good enough as it stands right now. Its funny how an incredibly strange 3rd period in last night's game is suddenly cause for the Flyers to be playoff contenders.

The future is bright, but not the near term next month and a half future. That's pretty bleak.
- Doc_Sarcasm

I agree. The next 8 games, or so, are against bottom feeders, but after that it gets tough. From here on out, it looks like a .500 schedule.

This team is capable of playing with and beating anyone on any given night. However, their consistency from stretch to stretch (every 2-4 games) is lacking. They'd need a lot of "if"s to break their way, but it's possible. If they can go something like 5-1-2 over the next 8 and win 2 out of 3 against Pittsburgh, that would go a long way. Getting Coots back ASAP is a must, though, as they are a completely different team with/without him.

All that said, I'd still look to move guys like Schultz/Medvedev/Streit/Gagner at the TDL (Streit only for a 1st or 2 2nds).
- jmatchett383

Agree.

I guess I would just rather have something to root for then feeling like they have no chance and then it's on to a bad Phillies team.

I think this team sneaks in.

Agree.

I guess I would just rather have something to root for then feeling like they have no chance and then it's on to a bad Phillies team.

I think this team sneaks in.
- J35Bacher

The only way to care about the Phillies is to bet on the wins over/under. I think 65 was the line Vegas set.

Agree.

I guess I would just rather have something to root for then feeling like they have no chance and then it's on to a bad Phillies team.

I think this team sneaks in.
- J35Bacher

Hey! They'll at least be more interesting this year!

Does it make you feel good thinking that way?

With the infusion of Gostisbehere this has been a different team. They have a swagger. Cousins is now adding a swagger.

I know what they are but I also feel that they will do enough to sneak in. No one they are trying to catch are running away.

I just have this feeling they will do enough and then get Couturier and Del Zotto back.

Plus I think there will be a move or two that bring in not just picks but maybe a young winger that helps this team.

In the beginning I did feel like they had no chance. But for some reason I think they sneak in. This team seems to be gaining an identity and I think they get a spot and give Washington a run in the first round.
- J35Bacher

What makes it so hard is the damn 3 point games. 4 or 5 points doesn't sound like a lot to overcome with 20+ games to go, but it is. It will take at least 95 points to probably get in, so they will need to go something like 16-7-3 to do so.
Impossible? No, but pretty improbable.

I also think Crosby comes back down to Earth a bit and Pittsburgh potentially misses.
- Tomfan365

call me evil but I want them to make it at the 8th spot (if the Flyers don't) and get trounced by Washington so they lose their first rounder and also don't win the cup. if they miss the playoffs their first rounder is protected

Stop being such a dry blanket.
- jmatchett383

call me evil but I want them to make it at the 8th spot (if the Flyers don't) and get trounced by Washington so they lose their first rounder and also don't win the cup. if they miss the playoffs their first rounder is protected
- nastyflyergirl

I'd be cool with that. I also want to see the Rags bounced in one as well.

What makes it so hard is the damn 3 point games. 4 or 5 points doesn't sound like a lot to overcome with 20+ games to go, but it is. It will take at least 95 points to probably get in, so they will need to go something like 16-7-3 to do so.
Impossible? No, but pretty improbable.
- BiggE

How this season ends:
2 days before the TDL, Sidney Crosby has a Patrick Roy-esque falling out with his coach and says he will never play another game for the Penguins. To spite them, he vows to waive his NTC only to go to the Flyers. Desperate to recoup anything, Pittsburgh trades him to Philly for Hagg, Laughton, and Read.

Upon his arrival, Crosby goes on to lead the Flyers to the #8 seed (loses on the scoring title on a goal tie-break, because no Flyer will ever win the Art Ross). They upset Washington is 5 games, eek out a 7-game Rangers win, and take down Florida in 6 games despite Jagr's 8 goals in the series.

In the Stanley Cup Finals, they take LA to game 7. In a tied game 7, after Jeff Carter flips the puck out to the neutral zone, Crosby retrieves it. An errant Crosby pass back to Ghost in the D zone catches Mason off-guard and goes in with 4 seconds left to play.

Does it make you feel good thinking that way?

With the infusion of Gostisbehere this has been a different team. They have a swagger. Cousins is now adding a swagger.

I know what they are but I also feel that they will do enough to sneak in. No one they are trying to catch are running away.

I just have this feeling they will do enough and then get Couturier and Del Zotto back.

Plus I think there will be a move or two that bring in not just picks but maybe a young winger that helps this team.

In the beginning I did feel like they had no chance. But for some reason I think they sneak in. This team seems to be gaining an identity and I think they get a spot and give Washington a run in the first round.
- J35Bacher

how many swaggers do they need to get into the playoffs?

How this season ends:
2 days before the TDL, Sidney Crosby has a Patrick Roy-esque falling out with his coach and says he will never play another game for the Penguins. To spite them, he vows to waive his NTC only to go to the Flyers. Desperate to recoup anything, Pittsburgh trades him to Philly for Hagg, Laughton, and Read.

Upon his arrival, Crosby goes on to lead the Flyers to the #8 seed (loses on the scoring title on a goal tie-break, because no Flyer will ever win the Art Ross). They upset Washington is 5 games, eek out a 7-game Rangers win, and take down Florida in 6 games despite Jagr's 8 goals in the series.

In the Stanley Cup Finals, they take LA to game 7. In a tied game 7, after Jeff Carter flips the puck out to the neutral zone, Crosby retrieves it. An errant Crosby pass back to Ghost in the D zone catches Mason off-guard and goes in with 4 seconds left to play.
- jmatchett383

Say no to drugs

I guess I just want something to root for.

Why do I want to be ok with the Flyers playing out the season and then waiting for next season.

I want playoffs. What the hell else am I going to watch? Phillies spring training?
- J35Bacher

yeah i agree with you 100%, the draft is months away, the sixers are still even a year away from beginning to start putting a team together. phillies.....self explanatory there. id love to have some playoffs too believe me. im agreeing with you on cousins tho, he's not looking bad. interested in how guys like leier and straka would take a promotion, but thats obviously for another discussion at another time. but i like the positives in cousins game for sure.

How this season ends:
2 days before the TDL, Sidney Crosby has a Patrick Roy-esque falling out with his coach and says he will never play another game for the Penguins. To spite them, he vows to waive his NTC only to go to the Flyers. Desperate to recoup anything, Pittsburgh trades him to Philly for Hagg, Laughton, and Read.

Upon his arrival, Crosby goes on to lead the Flyers to the #8 seed (loses on the scoring title on a goal tie-break, because no Flyer will ever win the Art Ross). They upset Washington is 5 games, eek out a 7-game Rangers win, and take down Florida in 6 games despite Jagr's 8 goals in the series.

In the Stanley Cup Finals, they take LA to game 7. In a tied game 7, after Jeff Carter flips the puck out to the neutral zone, Crosby retrieves it. An errant Crosby pass back to Ghost in the D zone catches Mason off-guard and goes in with 4 seconds left to play.
- jmatchett383

All completely believable except the bold. That's where you went off the rails.

how many swaggers do they need to get into the playoffs?
- YuenglingJagr

seven swaggers

how many swaggers do they need to get into the playoffs?
- YuenglingJagr

The kid was able to get bobby Farnham off his game. We're riding him to the playoffs

how many swaggers do they need to get into the playoffs?
- YuenglingJagr

Swagger, attitude, confidence.

Call it what you want but the two rookies seem to bring an energy.