Once again, you made this statement from the beginning, and we shall see. Not going to be able to tell until he gets behind a much better center in the depth chart. I think it makes sense to give him the opportunity. We’ll see if they get a decent form of Coots back or somehow manage to get a 1C elsewhere or over time Gauthier becomes 1C. I’m not going to write off Cates abilities to develop, not into a 1C of course, but maybe a 3C.
- NC Flyers Fan

It might be your opinion that we're not going to be able to tell but I don't share that opinion. I don't think it ever makes sense to play a young player out of position because it fills a team need. That's a development issue. I'm not writing off his ability to develop. I'm writing off his ability to play center offensively.

he said it, except it. go back to Bill's game day blog against the 3rd caps game during the 14-15 season.

guess 2 people cant have a discussion about a former flyer. Frowned upon. amazing what can and cant be said.
- hello it's me 2050

You know for a fact you're not discussing a former flyer. You're discussing someone's opinion and trying to make them look bad. Don't play this game of claiming innocence after you're caught. You have a bad habit of this pleading innocence and naivety after crossing lines, breaking rules, etc. You know EXACTLY what you constantly do.

It might be your opinion that we're not going to be able to tell but I don't share that opinion. I don't think it ever makes sense to play a young player out of position because it fills a team need. That's a development issue. I'm not writing off his ability to develop. I'm writing off his ability to play center offensively.
- MJL

how did you feel about them moving Giroux to center? were you against that?

straight up for ivan....
- hello it's me 2050

Ivan would go over well in Vancouver after his recent publicity.

You know for a fact you're not discussing a former flyer. You're discussing someone's opinion and trying to make them look bad. Don't play this game of claiming innocence after you're caught. You have a bad habit of this pleading innocence and naivety after crossing lines, breaking rules, etc. You know EXACTLY what you constantly do.
- Aaron_85

I know you are the ref, but there are other posters that do this on a daily basis. All i ask is for consistency

I mean Lou at least picked a direction with his team. He decided he should push for the playoffs and did so. That's better than floundering in the middle with mixed messages. Hopefully when it fails he or someone else will pick a rebuild direction.
- Aaron_85

That's the issue though. Is he pushing for the playoffs due to being in the twilight of his GM career? Every time you bring in a high priced older player, you make that potential future rebuild more difficult. It's most likely going to fail.

That's the issue though. Is he pushing for the playoffs due to being in the twilight of his GM career? Every time you bring in a high priced older player, you make that potential future rebuild more difficult. It's most likely going to fail.
- MJL

31 teams fail every year. However, Lou's name is on the cup more than this team in their entire existence. time will tell. they have a 5 year window imo.

I know you are the ref, but there are other posters that do this on a daily basis. All i ask is for consistency
- Peter Richards

I cannot be here every moment of every day. However, I do my best to monitor what I can, when I can. If there's a post you see then report it to my directly via PM and I will investigate it.

Thanks

It might be your opinion that we're not going to be able to tell but I don't share that opinion. I don't think it ever makes sense to play a young player out of position because it fills a team need. That's a development issue. I'm not writing off his ability to develop. I'm writing off his ability to play center offensively.
- MJL

I will agree to disagree. I think we both covered the basics of our opinions. Time will tell. That is if the Flyers get a 1C in the near future.

That's the issue though. Is he pushing for the playoffs due to being in the twilight of his GM career? Every time you bring in a high priced older player, you make that potential future rebuild more difficult. It's most likely going to fail.
- MJL

Maybe he's pushing because of his age but again, he picked a direction. The reason behind it doesn't overall matter. I also assume he doesn't have that kind of power to dole out money and trades like that without someone okaying the decision to push for playoffs. It could be owners want to get whatever money they can in the next 1 to 3 years.

I will agree to disagree. I think we both covered the basics of our opinions. Time will tell. That is if the Flyers get a 1C in the near future.
- NC Flyers Fan

Hopefully a draft pick works out


Do you think the flyers try to take a center in the draft this year?

Look, I'll repeat this closer to the date but with the TDL coming up it's going to be a busy website. Let's all get along around that day and on it. I won't be giving out warnings if posts are offside, just 1 day bans and you can watch the chatter from the sidelines.

Hopefully a draft pick works out


Do you think the flyers try to take a center in the draft this year?
- Aaron_85

Yes, I think they try.

Personally, I’m hoping they can obtain some more draft picks in the first few rounds. Throw more darts at the needs.

but yet he has 22 point and is a plus 5 so far as a rookie in a new role. you champion frost a lot. he has 25 points and is minus 4.

not saying he has the same puck skills as frost, but he has been a pleasant surprise this year, especially with the adjustment to center on the fly. and is better defensively as well.
- Peter Richards

I believe Frost is a better natural center, but it would be nice to see him win more puck battles. I have seen him skating harder to the areas to fight for the puck, but he's like a fireman who rushes to a fire just to hold a bucket of water.

Cates isn't as fast nor does he possess the quick hands of Frost, but is more involved defensively. He seems to know where he has to be and what has to be done more than some of the others.

Hayes, well he was the all star who has scored some goals this year, but to my eye test he seems like a sloth with a 2x4 for a stick, but he does have some points. He must be really good then.

Has anyone seen Sanheim? I think that his picture has be placed on a milk carton.

Look, I'll repeat this closer to the date but with the TDL coming up it's going to be a busy website. Let's all get along around that day and on it. I won't be giving out warnings if posts are offside, just 1 day bans and you can watch the chatter from the sidelines.
- Aaron_85

Let the sin begin!! Wish I knew how to post gifs . Someone throw the little Nicky guys in here

Maybe he's pushing because of his age but again, he picked a direction. The reason behind it doesn't overall matter. I also assume he doesn't have that kind of power to dole out money and trades like that without someone okaying the decision to push for playoffs. It could be owners want to get whatever money they can in the next 1 to 3 years.
- Aaron_85

That opens up a whole other topic in pro sports. The business side. Reality is that a team like Pittsburgh should've cut bait and started over and moved Crosby, Malkin and LeTang. Start over. You take a financial hit though and the fallout publicly. Teams that trade first round picks and other future assets that don't really have a realistic shot under the umbrella of get in and anything can happen. Teams in all sports routinely hang on too long for a variety of reasons.

That opens up a whole other topic in pro sports. The business side. Reality is that a team like Pittsburgh should've cut bait and started over and moved Crosby, Malkin and LeTang. Start over. You take a financial hit though and the fallout publicly. Teams that trade first round picks and other future assets that don't really have a realistic shot under the umbrella of get in and anything can happen. Teams in all sports routinely hang on too long for a variety of reasons.
- MJL

Interesting thoughts. I wonder how much of wanting to make the money or feel like fan service played a part in keeping the band together in Pitts? Maybe it has to do with keeping Crosby's final years competitive?

We know Washington has said they will always be competitive while Ovie plays.

Yes, I think they try.

Personally, I’m hoping they can obtain some more draft picks in the first few rounds. Throw more darts at the needs.
- NC Flyers Fan

Yeah I think it's possible. JVR, Braun, Maybe TDA at the deadline could sprinkle a few picks in.

I'd love to see a bigger trade but I don't know if flyer management has it in them to do so mid season.

About this letter yesterday from Torts to STHs, something really bothers me about it. Not the content of the letter itself which I completely agree with, but that its coming from Torts, not Dave Scott. At the end of this year's Patriots season, Robert Kraft the very next day sent a letter to STHs telling them that the year just completed was completely unacceptable and changes would be made immediately. That was appropriate IMO because it came from the invested and engaged owner of the team. But here, you have a mid-season letter, basically cementing what Torts said in a prior presser that the team is building from the footers at this point, and its not coming from the CEO of the team, not even from the President/GM of the team, but the head coach? Apparently when it comes to bad news (which for most knowledgeable fans was actually good news) Scott and Fletcher can't be bothered to speak to the minions, so send the coach to do it? Shameful IMO!
- jd250

I doubt it came from Torts. Seemed way too long winded by his standards.

Interesting thoughts. I wonder how much of wanting to make the money or feel like fan service played a part in keeping the band together in Pitts? Maybe it has to do with keeping Crosby's final years competitive?

We know Washington has said they will always be competitive while Ovie plays.
- Aaron_85

I just used Pittsburgh as an example. This happens across all 4 sports. Imagine Washington moving on from Ovechkin?

Yeah I think it's possible. JVR, Braun, Maybe TDA at the deadline could sprinkle a few picks in.

I'd love to see a bigger trade but I don't know if flyer management has it in them to do so mid season.
- Aaron_85

I would think of a bigger trade as trading one or more of TK, Hart, Provorov or Sanheim. Maybe not a deadline deal, but could be a draft-floor-trade. They already have hard to fill holes so gutting the whole team doesn’t make sense…not sure the market and the Flyers being creative is on the same card though.

I just used Pittsburgh as an example. This happens across all 4 sports. Imagine Washington moving on from Ovechkin?
- MJL

A cup win is solid. They have been competitive the whole time. Have they missed the playoffs since he's been there?

I would think of a bigger trade as trading one or more of TK, Hart, Provorov or Sanheim. Maybe not a deadline deal, but could be a draft-floor-trade. They already have hard to fill holes so gutting the whole team doesn’t make sense…not sure the market and the Flyers being creative is on the same card though.
- NC Flyers Fan

That is my thinking too. A guy like that is moreso a draft day move. My dark horse is if Vancouver gets a good haul for Demko maybe Philly dangles Hart out there thinking they can get the same.

That is my thinking too. A guy like that is moreso a draft day move. My dark horse is if Vancouver gets a good haul for Demko maybe Philly dangles Hart out there thinking they can get the same.
- Aaron_85

I’m not giving up on a favorable lottery ball lineup. After the lottery draft, it will be easier to form an opinion on big trades. The Flyers desperately need needle-moving offensive talent, less holes overall, and better health than the last few seasons. Not sure if the current management has a plan or is able to execute it. Maybe most other teams fans feel similarly when things are bad.

I’m not giving up on a favorable lottery ball lineup. After the lottery draft, it will be easier to form an opinion on big trades. The Flyers desperately need needle-moving offensive talent, less holes overall, and better health than the last few seasons. Not sure if the current management has a plan or is able to execute it. Maybe most other teams fans feel similarly when things are bad.
- NC Flyers Fan

also hard to plan if some factors are still unknown. I.E. coots and cam. Ellis can be ruled out at this point i would imagine.

As for the Hart talk. I don't think we would get wht people would actually want. and who is in net. If fedotov was here and doing well maybe. Goalies just don't usually get good returns. Maybe hart could with his name or expectations. But just don't see it. You do not need an elite goalie to win, but a competent one.