Agreed. 2 games isn't nearly a large enough sample size to make any long term prognosis. Especially since these guys had 6 days of camp and no exhibition games to build any cohesion.

Being that it's only a 48 game schedule and all games are conference games, teams that get off to slow starts are going to be fighting an uphill battle all year.
- PLindbergh31

It depends how long the slow start lasts. If the Flyers end up at 2-2-1 after 5 games, and are playing better, they'll have themselves in decent position. As Bill pointed out, in the last short season, the Flyers started out 3-7-1 and ended up winning the division by 8 points.

My biggest concern is really with the guys who played during the lockout-right up until the end of it-who are struggling. Guys like Couturier, Read & Fedotenko. They don't shouldn't have the "rust" excuse.

i'd sooner trade the schenn bros...to MTL of course, for you-know-who and a replacement forward to even out the deal
- isaiah520

HA that would make your team...interesting.

i'd sooner trade the schenn bros...to MTL of course, for you-know-who and a replacement forward to even out the deal
- isaiah520

I would not give Montreal both Schenn's for Subban.

Depends on who you're dealing with.
A team desperate for immediate help may want to pay quite a bit for Voracek.
He can come on a team and play on the top 6 from day 1.

Pretty good value imho.
- Pecafan Fan

No doubt about it. I just know the knee jerk reactions the front office is capable of.

It depends how long the slow start lasts. If the Flyers end up at 2-2-1 after 5 games, and are playing better, they'll have themselves in decent position. As Bill pointed out, in the last short season, the Flyers started out 3-7-1 and ended up winning the division by 8 points.

My biggest concern is really with the guys who played during the lockout-right up until the end of it-who are struggling. Guys like Couturier, Read & Fedotenko. They don't shouldn't have the "rust" excuse.
- Jsaquella

I'm with you. Maybe getting that first win under their belts will settle things down. 3 points in the next two games would be a good result.

Before anybody gets their hopes up about acquiring a #1 defenseman, can you name any that have been traded in season since the salary cap? Dion Phaneuf. Maybe Brian Campbell if you want to go awhile back. So a struggling rumored locker rom problem salary dump and a ufa at years end who walked. So that's 2 since 2004. Feel free to name others.

I would not give Montreal both Schenn's for Subban.
- MJL

I'd rather give up Brayden than Luke too. I think both have potential tho.

No doubt about it. I just know the knee jerk reactions the front office is capable of.
- JoeRussomanno

I wanna see Jake moved to the top line before thinking about trading him.

I'd rather give up Brayden than Luke too. I think both have potential tho.
- JoeRussomanno

Only two games obviously not nearly enough time to evaluate a player, but L. Schenn's lack of mobility is a concern for me. Lack of speed puts him in position to have to take penalties. I'm a little worried about him right now. But I will have an open mind.

Before anybody gets their hopes up about acquiring a #1 defenseman, can you name any that have been traded in season since the salary cap? Dion Phaneuf. Maybe Brian Campbell if you want to go awhile back. So a struggling rumored locker rom problem salary dump and a ufa at years end who walked. So that's 2 since 2004. Feel free to name others.
- psuhockey

#1 defenseman don't get traded that often during a Season. Especially not in the first month of a Season, like a poster suggests.

There is no question that the Flyers haven't been sharp. It seems as though other teams have been sharper. All teams are in the same situation, so I don't know why that is different. Just look at the defense. Neither Timonen or Coburn is playing at the level they can play at. Meszaros understandably kept his game simple and didn't push his play. But he looked very encouraging out there. As he get's more and more comfortable, he will exert himself more on the offensive side of the puck, and look to join the rush more.
Some of the young players aren't paying as well as they can.
- MJL

I mentioned the young guys briefly in my other reply, but I'll go further here.

Sean Couturier has been on ice for all but one goal allowed by the Flyers over two games. The only goal he wasn't on the ice for was Hodgson's goal yesterday. Not all his fault, but a guy with his defensive prowess needs to be better.

Brayden Schenn has looked like a poor fit for the Hartnell-Giroux combo. Matt Read has been battling, but hasn't played well overall. These are guys they are counting on heavily.

Only two games obviously not nearly enough time to evaluate a player, but L. Schenn's lack of mobility is a concern for me. Lack of speed puts him in position to have to take penalties. I'm a little worried about him right now. But I will have an open mind.
- PLindbergh31

I thought his mobility is fine. If you're referring to the tripping penalty he took last game. That wasn't due to a lack of mobility.

I wanna see Jake moved to the top line before thinking about trading him.
- Stinkfitz

He likes to eat, prolly won't happen. keeps it up and he'll be dancing in the stands.

I'm with you. Maybe getting that first win under their belts will settle things down. 3 points in the next two games would be a good result.
- PLindbergh31

I think the Tuesday NJ game is really big. We need the two points.. If we get blown out and then lose vs the Rags, we are really pushing it.

I mentioned the young guys briefly in my other reply, but I'll go further here.

Sean Couturier has been on ice for all but one goal allowed by the Flyers over two games. The only goal he wasn't on the ice for was Hodgson's goal yesterday. Not all his fault, but a guy with his defensive prowess needs to be better.

Brayden Schenn has looked like a poor fit for the Hartnell-Giroux combo. Matt Read has been battling, but hasn't played well overall. These are guys they are counting on heavily.
- Jsaquella

I'll also add Voracek to that list. All of them can play much better.

Only two games obviously not nearly enough time to evaluate a player, but L. Schenn's lack of mobility is a concern for me. Lack of speed puts him in position to have to take penalties. I'm a little worried about him right now. But I will have an open mind.
- PLindbergh31

He's still young enough to gain some foot speed. Look at foster, besides like someone else mentioned, he's gotta learn to anticipate where the play is going, which will make him look faster.

I'll also add Voracek to that list. All of them can play much better.
- MJL

Yeah, Voracek's looked lost out there. I think I'd move lines a bit before anything else. I'd rather see Voracek on the Giroux line, see B. Schenn centering Read and Simmonds and Couturier playing between Talbot & Fedotenko in the next game.

I think the Tuesday NJ game is really big. We need the two points.. If we get blown out and then lose vs the Rags, we are really pushing it.
- Hextall271

Yes. Tomorrow night is indeed a big game.

He's still young enough to gain some foot speed. Look at foster, besides like someone else mentioned, he's gotta learn to anticipate where the play is going, which will make him look faster.
- JoeRussomanno

He can position himself better, too. I think he'll be fine. In the mean time, though, it's ugly watching this immediately-post-lockout hockey. Not unentertaining, but ugly.

I mentioned the young guys briefly in my other reply, but I'll go further here.

Sean Couturier has been on ice for all but one goal allowed by the Flyers over two games. The only goal he wasn't on the ice for was Hodgson's goal yesterday. Not all his fault, but a guy with his defensive prowess needs to be better.

Brayden Schenn has looked like a poor fit for the Hartnell-Giroux combo. Matt Read has been battling, but hasn't played well overall. These are guys they are counting on heavily.
- Jsaquella

Sophomore slump in full bloom.

He's still young enough to gain some foot speed. Look at foster, besides like someone else mentioned, he's gotta learn to anticipate where the play is going, which will make him look faster.
- JoeRussomanno

Anticipation and positioning is a key for a player like Luke Schenn. Both are teachable and correctable.

He can position himself better, too. I think he'll be fine. In the mean time, though, it's ugly watching this immediately-post-lockout hockey. Not unentertaining, but ugly.
- BulliesPhan87

Watching certain other teams get atomic leg dropped over the weekend eased my pain.

Yes. Tomorrow night is indeed a big game.
- PLindbergh31

I think we'll be saying this about every game this season. And the funny thing is, it's true.

Watching certain other teams get atomic leg dropped over the weekend eased my pain.
- JoeRussomanno

I didn't see the Rags get piledriven, but I did watch the Coyotes Blackhawks game last night. That was a wild affair.

I think we'll be saying this about every game this season. And the funny thing is, it's true.
- BulliesPhan87

Yes sir. No doubt about it. Being that every game is a Conf game, teams are getting points every day.