The reality is that there have been holes on the roster all season, and criticizing the coach for line combos has been pointless to do all season. There has never been a magic fix for that even with Konecny on the roster.
Many fans have suggested line combos. If the coach had used those combos with the same results, they would've just criticized him for not using a different set of line combos.
- MJL

But we've probably hit a point where anyone who looks at the roster says, "How the (frank) can you arrange this crap?" I mean who do you slot with Schenn and Weise? Matt Read?

Or do you bump Cousins to that line and put Read with Coots and Simmonds?

Yeah he would.

He is a solid 4th line guy who can kill penalties and has good speed. Can play physical if needed. I think you underrate his game a little.
- J35Bacher

Well he's a UFA, lets see what the return is for him.

I'm cautiously visiting in here today.

What's the mood/topics?

Did anyone ask what the rationale was signing Wiese when the team is lacking speed and skill? Plugs 1 & 2 VDV and Bellemare already are empty slots in the lineup. Adding Wiese made no sense from jump street. Meanwhile Grabner scored goal # 25 last night. More goals than anyone on the Flyers with a 1.6 million dollar cap hit. Sad.
- PLindbergh31

You could almost guarantee that if we had Grabner, he would be nowhere near 25 goals with this team.

I'm cautiously visiting in here today.

What's the mood/topics?
- jmatchett383

M F K

Grabner, Weise, Bellemare

I agree with most of what you said here but I'm curious why now all of a sudden 54 games in, arguing about line combos is pointless when you've criticized the coach repeatedly for his line combos?
- MJL

I finally realized that while I don't particularly like the way he handles personnel, it just doesn't matter much at this point. However I'm still not happy seeing Ghost in the press box. Let him play through it, the kids should be in the lineup.

At this point, worrying about who plays with whom, is just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Defintly the softest team in flyers history and maybe most boring,and with the worst 1 line C EV they ever had
- Landsbergfan

I'll take it you don't like to acknowledge the late 80s/early 90's ever existed?

You could almost guarantee that if we had Grabner, he would be nowhere near 25 goals with this team.
- Buzzo

I agree. But he would have more than 2. And he would bring speed and skill to a lineup that desperately needs it.

I agree. But he would have more than 2. And he would bring speed and skill to a lineup that desperately needs it.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, but he wouldn't be a key contributor to our 85th-ranked PK unit.

Also, his "speed" and "skill" are not things that Dave Hakstol likes in a hockey player.

Yeah, but he wouldn't be a key contributor to our 85th-ranked PK unit.
- jmatchett383

LOL!

But we've probably hit a point where anyone who looks at the roster says, "How the (frank) can you arrange this crap?" I mean who do you slot with Schenn and Weise? Matt Read?

Or do you bump Cousins to that line and put Read with Coots and Simmonds?
- dragonoffrost

It's been that way all season. I understand losing Konecny hurts but arguing line combos all season has been a waste of time. Too many players, playing at a 4th line level. Not enough skill and speed. Even with Konecny there we're holes.

Yeah, but he wouldn't be a key contributor to our 85th-ranked PK unit.

Also, his "speed" and "skill" are not things that Dave Hakstol likes in a hockey player.
- jmatchett383

It would be fun to watch him skate by defenders and then turn and get the puck back to the point for a shot attempt

I finally realized that while I don't particularly like the way he handles personnel, it just doesn't matter much at this point. However I'm still not happy seeing Ghost in the press box. Let him play through it, the kids should be in the lineup.

At this point, worrying about who plays with whom, is just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
- BiggE

I don't know anyone who is happy about it. I'd prefer that Gostisbehere was flourishing like he did last season.

Guys, there's just no magic fix here, they were already short on talent WITH Konecny, so it's not about to get any better without him.

Arguing about the line combos and who to call up right now is just pointless, they are going nowhere this season. I'm much more interested in what they do in the offseason.

If Hextall really doesn't see this team contending for 3 or 4 more seasons, it's time to explore trades involving Giroux and Simmonds. It would simply be foolish not to. G, while he's been struggling, is still highly regarded around the league and any good team with a struggling pp will be very interested. Simmonds value has never been higher, time to cash in.

These are 2 of my favorite players on this team, and their loss will probably set the team back in 17-18, but, if they really are 3-4 years away, it's the smart move to make.
- BiggE

I am at the same place. I think Giroux would have to be an offseason move but I think Simmonds would bring a haul. Especially with term on a very team friendly deal. I know people suggest waiting but the selling point is having those years on the deal it allows you to get a power forward and still add to your roster before he needs to be resigned.

Me. Seeing the holes in the roster and that we are probably 2-3 years yet away from being a threat. not just a playoff team but someone to actually make a push to a cup, I would look to cash in Simmonds for the biggest bounty I can find. Also with Simmonds I think almost many team would want him so you would have a big bidding war. Not just playoff teams would want him. Would a young team like Toronto make Nylander available if you think he could be a number 1 center in the future. Bennett from Calgary. I think you could find a deal to really set you up for the future especially with you drafting well on the defense.

It would be fun to watch him skate by defenders and then turn and get the puck back to the point for a shot attempt
- YuenglingJagr

"Grabner, in all alone on a breakaway...flips the puck into the corner and pins it against the boards"

I am at the same place. I think Giroux would have to be an offseason move but I think Simmonds would bring a haul. Especially with term on a very team friendly deal. I know people suggest waiting but the selling point is having those years on the deal it allows you to get a power forward and still add to your roster before he needs to be resigned.

Me. Seeing the holes in the roster and that we are probably 2-3 years yet away from being a threat. not just a playoff team but someone to actually make a push to a cup, I would look to cash in Simmonds for the biggest bounty I can find. Also with Simmonds I think almost many team would want him so you would have a big bidding war. Not just playoff teams would want him. Would a young team like Toronto make Nylander available if you think he could be a number 1 center in the future. Bennett from Calgary. I think you could find a deal to really set you up for the future especially with you drafting well on the defense.
- J35Bacher

Here is a fundamental point that can be applied to many situations. No matter how good Simmonds is, a team that is rebuilding is not going to give up a top young player for a 28 year old player. It's not going to happen.

Here is a fundamental point that can be applied to many situations. No matter how good Simmonds is, a team that is rebuilding is not going to give up a top young player for a 28 year old player. It's not going to happen.
- MJL

So what you are saying is...


WE'RE DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!

So what you are saying is...


WE'RE DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
- dragonoffrost

What I'm reading is that trading Simmonds alone will not bring in the young top-line center every thinks he will.

So what you are saying is...


WE'RE DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
- dragonoffrost

Well, they have some hurdles to climb. Right now things don't look pretty but things tend to change quickly in this sport.

Here is a fundamental point that can be applied to many situations. No matter how good Simmonds is, a team that is rebuilding is not going to give up a top young player for a 28 year old player. It's not going to happen.
- MJL

Depends.

I think a team like Toronto could because they still have depth in Matthews, Marner, Bozak, Kadri.

I know some can play wings but I think with depth it does allow for it to happen.

Depends.

I think a team like Toronto could because they still have depth in Matthews, Marner, Bozak, Kadri.

I know some can play wings but I think with depth it does allow for it to happen.
- J35Bacher

(frank) the Leafs...

That is all.

(frank) the Leafs...

That is all.
- dragonoffrost

I'm cautiously visiting in here today.

What's the mood/topics?
- jmatchett383

Last night, Hakstol said Schultz is good stating that he's played more than 1,000 games as evidence.

So what you are saying is...


WE'RE DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
- dragonoffrost

Join the revolution

Last night, Hakstol said Schultz is good stating that he's played more than 1,000 games as evidence.
- JFlyers00

really just confirms that Hakstol posts here