If Giroux plays in worlds I'm gonna be pissed. He better be hurting from something
- Just5

(frank)ing weekend at claude's

I know this will be unpopular but do you think we have seen the best of Simmonds? One thing I took away from this series is I thought Simmonds was very one dimensional. I know he can score but other then that I didn't think he brought much else. ANd Yes I know the top line as a whole was bad.

I like Simmonds. But I also wonder what more he has to bring. He is a streaky scorer.
- J35Bacher

Literally has played like that all along...there was nothing different this series. If anything I dont think he forechecked as well as he usually does and without possession of the puck in the zone it was hard for him to set up in front of Holtby.

Wouldn't be opposed to a Lucic type if that could work without breaking the bank.
If I had to choose between Lucic and Stamkos it's a no brainer.
Im not saying go after goons I just dont like the idea of Simmonds being the one that drops the gloves more then anyone on this team. I dont like the idea of Schenn being the big hitter. Both of those players need to be producing for this team to succeed.
- opeth_pa

I want no part of Lucic. He's like a bigger, better Carcillo. Yeah, he adds a physical presence and can score some goals, but he's also prone to doing the most idiotic, selfish stuff in the world. As much as I don't like him, I'd prefer Brian Boyle, or a guy like Nick Bjugstad if the organization feels the need to get a bugger player from somewhere. I just feel that targeting players solely because they are big is a bad decision, I'd target skill and identify size as a bonus.

Literally has played like that all along...there was nothing different this series. If anything I dont think he forechecked as well as he usually does and without possession of the puck in the zone it was hard for him to set up in front of Holtby.
- YuenglingJagr

I guess I just want more from him.

If everyone tells me he is great I expect a little more. People rag on Couturier needing to score more but at least he plays a two way game, matches against top lines, kills penalties, plays PP, plays big minutes when leading.

I like Simmonds but I also want him to bring a little more when not scoring.

I know this will be unpopular but do you think we have seen the best of Simmonds? One thing I took away from this series is I thought Simmonds was very one dimensional. I know he can score but other then that I didn't think he brought much else. ANd Yes I know the top line as a whole was bad.

I like Simmonds. But I also wonder what more he has to bring. He is a streaky scorer.
- J35Bacher

Offensively, he is a very one-dimensional player: scores dirty goals and is a PP guy. When you're not getting shots through and your PP can't get set up, it takes away from him. He's not going to carry the puck up the ice and dangle. He and Mason were the 2 players most responsible for us making the playoffs. And he has always been streaky.

Is our draft position finalized yet?

I want no part of Lucic. He's like a bigger, better Carcillo. Yeah, he adds a physical presence and can score some goals, but he's also prone to doing the most idiotic, selfish stuff in the world. As much as I don't like him, I'd prefer Brian Boyle, or a guy like Nick Bjugstad.
- jmatchett383

Other then Stamkos, Lucic, Eriksson, Okposo and Boedker might be the top guys and I am not sure I would want to spend on any of them.

Yes. I would go after Stamkos if it's 10mil or under. But the others I feel will get big money and not be close to anything worth it.

Is our draft position finalized yet?
- hereticpride

No, Nashville would be below us if they lose. We're either drafting 17th or 18th. Most likely 18th, as I don't see Nashville making the WCF.

I'm back!

Offensively, he is a very one-dimensional player: scores dirty goals and is a PP guy. When you're not getting shots through and your PP can't get set up, it takes away from him. He's not going to carry the puck up the ice and dangle. He and Mason were the 2 players most responsible for us making the playoffs. And he has always been streaky.
- jmatchett383

And I agree.

I guess I just wish he had a little more of something else. Like being able to kill penalties or be a little better defensively.

Anyone can talk about Giroux's point total or how badly the top line got shut down. How bad the team was at scoring. Whatever they want to say. To me it boils down to one thing.

Last offseason: We had 1 line and the rest were all question marks. We had absolutely nothing to look forward to on defense, except some irrational hope an 18 year old would make the team and a rookie would become a Russian Braydon Coburn. Flyers upgraded the backup goalie to not rely on Mason so heavily. The salary cap situation was dire. We knew that people had to go in order to fit under the cap this offseason and our most obvious options were a buyout of Vinny and/or Umberger that would leave the Flyers with dead money on the cap for 2-4 seasons beyond this one. Voracek had broken out, but we had yet to see any kind of secondary scoring and the young forwards Coots and Schenn needed to take a step forward to make those trades worth it.

This offseason: We saw Coots and Schenn break out in fantastic fashion, showing that they can be towards the top of the Flyers scoring totals while still contributing in other areas. We cleared out MASSIVE amounts of cap space for both this offseason and the future. Not just cap savings, but actual cap flexibility and no longer screwing this team into a hole where decisions were made for them. We basicallly have 2 #1 goaltenders that will battle for a chance at being the goalie in the future. Our defensive prospects had fantastic years in junior and hopefully progressed at the pro level, either way becoming closer to helping this team. And the defenders we had at the pro level played better than expected and provided actual value to the team.

Not forgotten is the way the team played together. There was a clear focus and direction to the way this team played and once it clicked they became great to watch and very competitive. We also still get several high picks in the draft to come away with more talented prospects that have been infused into the system. There hasn't been a time this great for the Flyers in at least 4 years. Very few teams in the Metro are set up to compete like them both in the present and the future.

So haters can keep hating...that wont change regardless of what the situation is. But they will fall on deaf ears, because when you stand back and look at the entire situation, the picture is very clear.

I guess I just want more from him.

If everyone tells me he is great I expect a little more. People rag on Couturier needing to score more but at least he plays a two way game, matches against top lines, kills penalties, plays PP, plays big minutes when leading.

I like Simmonds but I also want him to bring a little more when not scoring.
- J35Bacher

It is the #1 reason I dont really want to see him on the top line, but it is what it is. I hope the Raff - G - Jake line comes back next year to be honest

And I agree.

I guess I just wish he had a little more of something else. Like being able to kill penalties or be a little better defensively.
- J35Bacher

Well, how about Jake Voracek? What does he bring when he's not producing? Or Braydon Schenn?

Guys..SERIOUSLY...you need top REALLY address the top end talent of this team...

Eichel is ALREADY better than ANYONE on your team....

Reinhart is better than any prospect you have

And Risto is better than any defenseman you have...

Id be careful throwing rocks for a team that just got SMOKED.

but hey...Gothesbiere is the next Paul Coffey...its not like hes a flash in the pan like Mike Green or anything. Build around him..an Offensive defenseman. It works well, just ask Ottawa and Phoenix
- Ripped Fuel

If all these players are better and playing why does buffalo suck so bad for sooo long ?

I'm back!
- youarewrong

oh (frank)

No, Nashville would be below us if they lose. We're either drafting 17th or 18th. Most likely 18th, as I don't see Nashville making the WCF.
- jmatchett383

It is the #1 reason I dont really want to see him on the top line, but it is what it is. I hope the Raff - G - Jake line comes back next year to be honest
- YuenglingJagr

I don't want Raffl there.

I think he is a great 3rd line type player who can move around but not someone I want to rely on for scoring.

Well, how about Jake Voracek? What does he bring when he's not producing? Or Braydon Schenn?
- jmatchett383

Voracek can be a setup guy and provides more then Simmonds.

Schenn I thought was our best forward this series. He plays a solid physical game and also is underrated passer. He made some nice passes on the PP.

I am not saying I don't like Simmonds but I wonder what happens when he just becomes a 10-15 goal guy? I know he was consistent the past few years but I worry once he is a 10-15 guy that theres not a spot for him

I lucked out.

My wife is a Flyers fan and we both are cowboys fans.
- J35Bacher

GTFO....cockroaches, reproducing cockroach kids

GTFO....cockroaches, reproducing cockroach kids
- KINGKENZO

That's kind of uncalled for.

no one wants to fill the shoes of a fraud
- funmaster18

especially if you've seen his shoes

oh (frank)
- Streit2ThePoint

Bye

Bye
- PhillySportsGuy

yikes

I don't want Raffl there.

I think he is a great 3rd line type player who can move around but not someone I want to rely on for scoring.
- J35Bacher

It will change throughout the season. I think with enough depth in the top 9 Raffl can fit on Girouxs left wing

yikes
- -davies-

oh dear