They definitely could be lottery bound. But there are no guarantees to land the top pick as a few years ago proved.

Looking forward to seeing what type of guts this group has Thursday night.
- PLindbergh31

Are the reports of a deep draft true? How many elite types?

Maybe we are relying on to many young kids to step up and are missing some veteran leadership upfront...to young??
- Buzzo

there's some truth to that.

yeah, other than Simmons and Harts I don't see much of a swagger at all.

Not even from G, which is disappointing.
- FlyerGuy

All we need is to name G the captain and have him have to deal with this mess.. Thank God Timo can help him take the heat you know is coming.

I deleted some posts, I understand some of you are frustrated, but please stop it with the name calling, please and thank you.

Are the reports of a deep draft true? How many elite types?
- jstross

I know the top couple of guys are considered can't miss, as far as being a deep draft I'm not sure.

It's quite clear that after watching Luke Schenn play 3 games. His footspeed is not an issue. Recognizing what was actually the issues in the past, may be a problem for some.
- MJL

Well, if you've watched him for three games, you are clearly an expert.

I deleted some posts, I understand some of you are frustrated, but please stop it with the name calling, please and thank you.
- canadianpenfan

hmm, I didn't see any name calling.

Though I might have been reading only my own posts.

bump bump ...
thud
- mayorofangrytown

Move 'em to Quebec!

Crazy question I think was asked and answered, but foggy on it. Can the FLyers trade Briere to a team with an unofficial handshake that the team will buy him out so the Flyers can resign him at a lower AAV?
- jstross

If you think that through, you come to the conclusion how unlikely that scenario is.

It's time for frustration, for sure, but not time to panic. I also don't want to put a "drop dead" date on the season as the point at which the "rebuilding" starts.

Right now we're seeing the ups and downs of relying heavily on young players. Guys like Couturier and Brayden Schenn aren't playing to the level expected, and compounding that, neither are most of the veterans. Claude Giroux has scored 2 goals, but he hasn't played very well. Hartnell hasn't driven the net and has taken a few dumb penalties. Max Talbot's brain fart led to the Vanek breakaway goal on Sunday.

More important, the top four defensemen the Flyers have to count on so heavily have not played well. Timonen and Coburn have struggled, especially in transition. Nik Grossmann has been awful. The guy that's looked the best is Andrej Meszaros, the guy coming off an achillies tear.

I really hope that the Flyers wait a bit longer before swinging any apparently knee jerk trades. No Alexei Zhitnik or Mike York moves. I mean, if tomorrow you can land Subban, fine, but don't go dealing Cousins and a pick for Vishnovsky or something stupid and short sighted.

Even if the Flyers miss the playoffs, I'm not sure I would tear things apart. This is not a perfect team, nor am I saying it is. But, there's a ton of young talent and that needs to be nurtured.

Well, if you've watched him for three games, you are clearly an expert.
- Atomic Wedgie

3 games watching him >>>>>> 3 years watching him.

hmm, I didn't see any name calling.

Though I might have been reading only my own posts.

- FlyerGuy

It was directed at one person and it wasn't you.

Well, if you've watched him for three games, you are clearly an expert.
- Atomic Wedgie

3 games is enough to know if his footspeed is an issue. Many mistake other issues and simply blame his skating. I never thought it was a problem before, and I certainly don't think it is now. He skates well enough to be effective in the NHL.

It's time for frustration, for sure, but not time to panic. I also don't want to put a "drop dead" date on the season as the point at which the "rebuilding" starts.

Right now we're seeing the ups and downs of relying heavily on young players. Guys like Couturier and Brayden Schenn aren't playing to the level expected, and compounding that, neither are most of the veterans. Claude Giroux has scored 2 goals, but he hasn't played very well. Hartnell hasn't driven the net and has taken a few dumb penalties. Max Talbot's brain fart led to the Vanek breakaway goal on Sunday.

More important, the top four defensemen the Flyers have to count on so heavily have not played well. Timonen and Coburn have struggled, especially in transition. Nik Grossmann has been awful. The guy that's looked the best is Andrej Meszaros, the guy coming off an achillies tear.

I really hope that the Flyers wait a bit longer before swinging any apparently knee jerk trades. No Alexei Zhitnik or Mike York moves. I mean, if tomorrow you can land Subban, fine, but don't go dealing Cousins and a pick for Vishnovsky or something stupid and short sighted.

Even if the Flyers miss the playoffs, I'm not sure I would tear things apart. This is not a perfect team, nor am I saying it is. But, there's a ton of young talent and that needs to be nurtured.
- Jsaquella

Are the reports of a deep draft true? How many elite types?
- jstross

The next two drafts are considered fairly deep, but the clear cut top of the class guys are MacKinnon & Jones and they will be the first two picked unless there's a major injury or something unexpected.

That said, the team picking third will get a great prospect

Move 'em to Quebec!
- KINGKENZO

if they lose big thurs. i bet they threaten mtl with an offer sheet. they'll wanna shake up the team.

It seems to be a Flyer hallmark. They were a slow starting team under Stevens also. I don't think they really started slow this game. They had an early breakdown, but the first period was by far their best period of the game. The effort level dropped off substantially in the 2nd after the Kovalchuk PS goal.

How does a Coach changing a game plan, change the effort level he gets from his players at the start of a game?
- MJL

They don't appear to be sharp at the start of games. Is that an effort problem or a lack of mental preparation? I guess I look at the rosters of the Flyers compared to the Rangers and Devils and don't see the big gap in talent that would explain the recent results against those teams. If it isn't talent that leaves coaching.

It's time for frustration, for sure, but not time to panic. I also don't want to put a "drop dead" date on the season as the point at which the "rebuilding" starts.

Right now we're seeing the ups and downs of relying heavily on young players. Guys like Couturier and Brayden Schenn aren't playing to the level expected, and compounding that, neither are most of the veterans. Claude Giroux has scored 2 goals, but he hasn't played very well. Hartnell hasn't driven the net and has taken a few dumb penalties. Max Talbot's brain fart led to the Vanek breakaway goal on Sunday.

More important, the top four defensemen the Flyers have to count on so heavily have not played well. Timonen and Coburn have struggled, especially in transition. Nik Grossmann has been awful. The guy that's looked the best is Andrej Meszaros, the guy coming off an achillies tear.

I really hope that the Flyers wait a bit longer before swinging any apparently knee jerk trades. No Alexei Zhitnik or Mike York moves. I mean, if tomorrow you can land Subban, fine, but don't go dealing Cousins and a pick for Vishnovsky or something stupid and short sighted.

Even if the Flyers miss the playoffs, I'm not sure I would tear things apart. This is not a perfect team, nor am I saying it is. But, there's a ton of young talent and that needs to be nurtured.
- Jsaquella

I don't think Subban is going anywhere. Montreal would rather have him sit than trade him.

There's no urgency - they know they aren't making the playoffs this year.

They don't appear to be sharp at the start of games. Is that an effort problem or a lack of mental preparation? I guess I look at the rosters of the Flyers compared to the Rangers and Devils and don't see the big gap in talent that would explain the recent results against those teams. If it isn't talent that leaves coaching.
- psuhockey

Talent does not automatically mean effort. The most talented team and players can play with a lack of fire and effort. A Coach can only do so much. I don't feel that it is a Coaching problem. I feel it is a player problem. Each player simply has to play better.

3 games is enough to know if his footspeed is an issue. Many mistake other issues and simply blame his skating. I never thought it was a problem before, and I certainly don't think it is now. He skates well enough to be effective in the NHL.
- MJL

Yes.

Including two NHL coaches.

I don't think Subban is going anywhere. Montreal would rather have him sit than trade him.

There's no urgency - they know they aren't making the playoffs this year.
- Atomic Wedgie

It would take some kind of personal falling out between Bergevin and Subban for them to move him, unless somebody moves in with such a great offer they have to say yes.

We talked about last year being a "retooling" year but were surprised by how well and how much of a load the young/new guys contributed. Many of these guys have produced yet and their level of play has dipped. If this had been last year and Coots played like this, many would be clambering for him to be sent back to jrs. We may very well experience growing pains that we didn't expect. I want Homer to be patient and let things unfold. If its a down year, so be it but I think it will make the young guys better and stronger in the long run, IMO

It would take some kind of personal falling out between Bergevin and Subban for them to move him, unless somebody moves in with such a great offer they have to say yes.
- Jsaquella

offer sheet man. offer sheet. just doing it will get the teams attention. let mtl deal.

If you think that through, you come to the conclusion how unlikely that scenario is.
- MJL

Not necessarily.

Let's say the following is given:

Team A has no contracts they want/need to buyout.
Team A is on a surprising run and might make the playoffs.
Team A decides a late pick is worth Briere for a few months to get into the playoffs.
....

It would take some kind of personal falling out between Bergevin and Subban for them to move him, unless somebody moves in with such a great offer they have to say yes.
- Jsaquella

You have to be just a little bit worried this person might be Paul if a few more losses pile up early.