Players who should be on the block ASAP
Streit
MDZ
Bellemare
Neuvirth

Players who should be waived ASAP
Vandevelde
MacDonald

Players who should be promoted ASAP
Leir
Laughton

I'm sure to get plenty of arguments re: Laughton, but IMO he's already proven he can hang in the NHL and is no longer benefiting from playing down a level. We simply need to figure out what kind of player he is. Hakstol needs to let him play and make his mistakes and figure out what kind of player he is. Preferably, it should be at his natural center position. A few weeks ago I'd hear the argument that guys like Vandevelde, Bellemare, Weise, Red etc should be on the roster over him. Not anymore.

I absolutely believe that Laughton and Leir would inject a great deal of speed and skill that this team sorely needs. We have officially reached the point where the on ice product "cant get any worse". We're getting smoked by below average teams who are starting their backups. That's unacceptable.

Send AMac down. Immediately. Role with 7 defensemen and 14 forwards and give some of the Phantoms a legitimate opportunity to earn ice-time, including guys like Morin, Hagg, or even Brennan should an injury occur at D.
- mochoson

Leier was already called up when injuries occurred and was sent back down. This is an overreaction. In my opinion you don't call up players to give them a chance to earn icetime, you do what is best for the player, rather than place them in this environment.
Laughton needs to be left in the AHL to improve in the hopes that he can get his game back. Leier doesn't improve the team.

MacDonald is currently one of their better defenseman. Unless any of young Phantoms defenseman are ready for the NHL and are an improvement, then what is the point?
The regular season of the NHL is not for tryouts. The Flyers are currently 1 point out of a playoff spot. It is not time to give up on the season.

Maybe if the Flyers best players would start playing like their best players, things would be differently. Replacing the role players is not going to change much.

I'm not sure with what one has to do with the other though..

Why was Chelios able to play into his 40s? Why is Jagr still playing in his 40s? Each player inclines and declines at their own pace .
- opeth_pa

So Giroux is in decline at 29 years old with 5 years left on his contact that is paying him 8+ million per year. Must be more of that bright future I see everyone talking about.

Playing into your 40's in the NHL is an anomaly, elite players drastically falling off in production while in the prime of their career is not common.

So Giroux is in decline at 29 years old with 5 years left on his contact that is paying him 8+ million per year. Must be more of that bright future I see everyone talking about.

Playing into your 40's in the NHL is an anomaly, elite players drastically falling off in production while in the prime of their career is not common.
- PLindbergh31

You are one miserable SOB

I wonder why Giroux's best years are behind him, yet he's younger than Crosby. Crosby is playing the best hockey of his career while overcoming severe concussion issues.

Giroux under contract for 5 more years. He's got to be more than a PP specialist/faceoff guy. If he's going to be invisible at ES it's a major issue.
- PLindbergh31

I think Crosby plays with a better supporting cast 5 on 5. I don't think G is a one man force anymore. There was a time when G looked great playing on the third line with Arron Asham.

While Crosby was getting over his concussions, giroux was busy carrying around this team on his back. Crosby has less miles because of it.. Lots of factors.
- JFlyers00

Interesting point of view.

I think Crosby plays with a better supporting cast 5 on 5. I don't think G is a one man force anymore. There was a team when G looked great playing on the third line with Arron Asham.
- SuperSchennBros

That is def a fair point. One I agree with. I'm with you there 100%

But how is it possible to build a solid supporting cast with Crosby, Malkin, Letang eating up all that cap space?

You are one miserable SOB
- Mordecai

How will I ever sleep tonight with some anonymous poster from their Mom's basement calling me a miserable SOB?

Love how people have to make it about the person posting. Pathetic.

How will I ever sleep tonight with some anonymous poster from their Mom's basement calling me a miserable SOB?

Love how people have to make it about the person posting. Pathetic.
- PLindbergh31

Love how people have to make it about the person posting. Pathetic.
- PLindbergh31

Meanwhile, 37 minutes earlier.

"it's almost as stupid as arguing for a year that McDonald is a second pairing defenseman. But that is your MO company Yes man. "

-PLindbergh31

It's getting closer.

It's getting closer.
- flyer_nutter

Christmas?

That is def a fair point. One I agree with. I'm with you there 100%

But how is it possible to build a solid supporting cast with Crosby, Malkin, Letang eating up all that cap space?
- PLindbergh31

I don't know, brother but Kessel, Schultz and Kunitz are solid additions.

It's getting closer.
- flyer_nutter

The ASG gonna be great as usual

Christmas?
- BiggE

I was going to go with Spring.

Christmas?
- BiggE

That's what it will feel like!

The age of Hak, shall come to an end.

Flyers need a couple of trades if they r to make make a run this season they have at least 6 players I don't see back next year every single Ufa should be gone. Which includes 3 defence and 3 forwards. As for trades right now if these ufas can all be traded great and this would have to include unfortunately Raffle, Read and Vandevelde. Also if Schenn can be dealt part of the deal to get a top forward so be it. This must be done to open up doors for young talent next season as well as open up some fresh lines with talent and speed. Goalies can stay this season as for next, look to move Mason and move up Stolarz see where it goes from there, if a move for a goalie needs to be addressed then, then that's what will be done.

They are what they are.

The issues I personally have is the step back in team wide play. Almost systemic.

It is what it is, G isn't the same dominant dude he once was and the goaltending has for the most part been a joke. You aren't winning anything that way.

I will not be satisfied if everything is left status quo going into next season. Some moves can be made imo.

Don't regret not watching last night at all. Have thought that a lot of times since that SCF run.

I think Crosby plays with a better supporting cast 5 on 5. I don't think G is a one man force anymore. There was a time when G looked great playing on the third line with Arron Asham.
- SuperSchennBros

Rust and Sheary aren't that great.

Flyers need a couple of trades if they r to make make a run this season they have at least 6 players I don't see back next year every single Ufa should be gone. Which includes 3 defence and 3 forwards. As for trades right now if these ufas can all be traded great and this would have to include unfortunately Raffle, Read and Vandevelde. Also if Schenn can be dealt part of the deal to get a top forward so be it. This must be done to open up doors for young talent next season as well as open up some fresh lines with talent and speed. Goalies can stay this season as for next, look to move Mason and move up Stolarz see where it goes from there, if a move for a goalie needs to be addressed then, then that's what will be done.
- Halo75

The Flyers should not be moving future assets to make a run this season and that's what it would take to accomplish that. If it's even possible. No reason why Raffl can't be a top 9 forward with this team moving forward. Stolarz is not a guaranteed NHL goalie. If and when the young players are ready to move up, room will be made.

The main issues remain. The team needs to address the defense which is being exposed without red hot goaltending this season.

The goaltending itself has been trash but I do think Mason returns. I don't want Stolarz getting 10 games, and I worry about that with Hak.

Team desperately needs a 2C that ideally has top line potential. Need to give to get, and the longer the team takes to address that need, the more they will see similar results.

But hey, the money keeps coming in.

The main issues remain. The team needs to address the defense which is being exposed without red hot goaltending this season.

The goaltending itself has been trash but I do think Mason returns. I don't want Stolarz getting 10 games, and I worry about that with Hak.

Team desperately needs a 2C that ideally has top line potential. Need to give to get, and the longer the team takes to address that need, the more they will see similar results.

But hey, the money keeps coming in.
- flyer_nutter

couturier and ghost for duchene

I am going to throw something a little crazy out here though.

If G shows no improvement over the remainder of the season. I try to trade him. If he truly has become a PP guy only with that contract he just becomes more dead weight that this organization should be very used to.

I love G, but they can't carry him for years if he plays like this. This slump is extreme but his play has been dropping off for more than this season.

Curious to see what happens.

How will I ever sleep tonight with some anonymous poster from their Mom's basement calling me a miserable SOB?

Love how people have to make it about the person posting. Pathetic.
- PLindbergh31

Ahah..
This is awesome

couturier and ghost for duchene
- 2Real

Interesting. I'd try to package Morin or Hagg but not sure that comes close. Couturier I could care less about.

If they trade for Duchene, I want it to be Giroux going the other way. In the off season. Not sure the avs do that even with a sweetener.

couturier and ghost for duchene
- 2Real

I wouldn't make any deals like that this season..

Would rather see the young kids up