Fixed.
- CaptEO

I thought I was having an issue with my phone's browser because I can view it on my desktop (now that I'm on lunch).

That's just it. There is more than one problem with the team. Dealing with one of them will help, but there are still other areas in need of improvement that go toward righting the ship.
- Flyskippy

I'm not expecting patience to address it, either.

By the time Weber is eligible to be traded, Nashville will have paid him around $26mm in a calendar year. There's no way they're trading him this July.
- Jsaquella

I could see him being traded when he's in his mid to late 30s or if Nashville is really bad in the next few seasons but I see him being a Pred for a minimum of 5 years.

I'm not expecting patience to address it, either.
- Jsaquella

That's just it. There is more than one problem with the team. Dealing with one of them will help, but there are still other areas in need of improvement that go toward righting the ship.
- Flyskippy

I just think that confidence would go a long way in righting many of the wrongs.

I just think that confidence would go a long way in righting many of the wrongs.
- bradleyc4

they also need to be more clutch.

So, if the Flyers lose tonight, watch for Holmgren to do his magic trick and go after a Dman. I believe Montreal is ready to part with Subban. It would cost Couturier. But a better choice is Yendle. He is also supposedly available, the cost would be a little higher.
- spatso

First - how is acquiring a Dman, while giving up offensive assets going to help, when the problem is the offense? The defense has done acceptably well so far, but the fact that they can't score is disturbing for this roster.

Second - Montreal isn't getting rid of Subban. He signed a bridge contract until next season, when if he performs, he will get a raise.

Third - The Flyers aren't getting Yandle for any decent price. They will have to give up a combination of valuable assets and picks to get him. I love the kid, but it isn't worth giving up Couturier, Schenn, +whomever else, and picks... especially when the issue is offense.. not defense.

Fourth - an offensive defenseman does not automatically mean a spark in the offense... especially when you're giving up forwards in exchange for that offensive defenseman.

I hate that label "Cup Contender". Any team that gets into the playoffs, regardless of what seed they are, is a "Cup Contender" in my mind. Look at LA last year. They just got in. Same goes for the Flyers in 2010. You could even make the argument that the Devils last year weren't "legit" contenders especially after Florida took them to 7 games in the first round. Bottom line is, everything needs to fall into place to win a Cup. Role players need to play better than usual, stars need to perform like stars and the goaltender needs to be hot.
- NickTheKid87

All good points. And of that list of backup Goalies, how many have backstopped a team in the playoffs to the Stanley Cup finals?

First - how is acquiring a Dman, while giving up offensive assets going to help, when the problem is the offense? The defense has done acceptably well so far, but the fact that they can't score is disturbing for this roster.

Second - Montreal isn't getting rid of Subban. He signed a bridge contract until next season, when if he performs, he will get a raise.

Third - The Flyers aren't getting Yandle for any decent price. They will have to give up a combination of valuable assets and picks to get him. I love the kid, but it isn't worth giving up Couturier, Schenn, +whomever else, and picks... especially when the issue is offense.. not defense.

Fourth - an offensive defenseman does not automatically mean a spark in the offense... especially when you're giving up forwards in exchange for that offensive defenseman.
- WarriorHockey21

This is where I think people are a little off base. The offense is struggling, yes. But it is not the personnel that needs to improve, it's the execution. Giroux is one of the best players in the world and has the ability to make the players around him better when he's on his game. He's not though, so the offensive struggles. The same can be said of Voracek to a much lesser extent. If these two guys played the way we're used to seeing, the entire offense would pick-up. It's not like Simmonds, Read, Briere, etc. have played poorly. If they had the playmakers that we are used to seeing in G and Jake, all these guys would produce more.

By the time Weber is eligible to be traded, Nashville will have paid him around $26mm in a calendar year. There's no way they're trading him this July.
- Jsaquella

Unless you agree to pay like 90% of another players contract in the trade... or something like that...

Is that feasible?

I'd rather not even think about Weber ever again... i don't think i can live through that again

This is where I think people are a little off base. The offense is struggling, yes. But it is not the personnel that needs to improve, it's the execution. Giroux is one of the best players in the world and has the ability to make the players around him better when he's on his game. He's not though, so the offensive struggles. The same can be said of Voracek to a much lesser extent. If these two guys played the way we're used to seeing, the entire offense will pick-up. It's not like Simmonds, Read, Briere, etc. have played poorly. If they had the playmakers that we are used to seeing in G and Jake, all these guys would produce more.
- NickTheKid87

Bingo.. I completely agree with that. You look at this roster on paper, and it should be a 4 or 5 goals/game team. But the lack of execution, as you said, is the main culprit. I have no doubt that when Giroux and Voracek decide to start playing like themselves, things will turn around.. it's just a matter of when it will happen.

... and hopefully it's soon!

All good points. And of that list of backup Goalies, how many have backstopped a team in the playoffs to the Stanley Cup finals?
- MJL

Just Leighton. Can't even argue that, he played out of his mind. It was a once in a lifetime run for Leighton.

The team was also playing pretty awesome too though.

The rest on the list never had a chance to do it.

Bingo.. I completely agree with that. You look at this roster on paper, and it should be a 4 or 5 goals/game team. But the lack of execution, as you said, is the main culprit. I have no doubt that when Giroux and Voracek decide to start playing like themselves, things will turn around.. it's just a matter of when it will happen.

... and hopefully it's soon!
- WarriorHockey21

I'm just afraid that the Flyers will panic and make a knee-jerk move before everything comes together.

Bingo.. I completely agree with that. You look at this roster on paper, and it should be a 4 or 5 goals/game team. But the lack of execution, as you said, is the main culprit. I have no doubt that when Giroux and Voracek decide to start playing like themselves, things will turn around.. it's just a matter of when it will happen.

... and hopefully it's soon!
- WarriorHockey21

I really hope that is all it is. I dunno why i don't believe that its not.

I hate that label "Cup Contender". Any team that gets into the playoffs, regardless of what seed they are, is a "Cup Contender" in my mind. Look at LA last year. They just got in. Same goes for the Flyers in 2010. You could even make the argument that the Devils last year weren't "legit" contenders especially after Florida took them to 7 games in the first round. Bottom line is, everything needs to fall into place to win a Cup. Role players need to play better than usual, stars need to perform like stars and the goaltender needs to be hot.
- NickTheKid87

While I agree, only two teams since 1994 have won the Cup with a 5-8 seed. You still have to be a really good regular season team, for the most part.

I'm more concerned with assessing what is needed on this team rather than analyzing what they have. Right now the team is out of balance and lacking a personality. To me, none of that will be fixed until missing pieces are added. I wouldn't know where to start but there should be no untouchables. I agree that a team can come out of nowhere to contend for a Cup but generally those teams have the goods to begin with and it's just a question of getting hot at the right time. Sadly, I don't think the Flyers team as constitued has the capability to sustain a playoff run.

Bryzgalov is playing very well and Briere is money in the playoffs. I wouldn't even consider buying either guy out if both keep up their end. Walker I didn't even notice was a ufa but Meszaros would walk away from in a heartbeat. I don't think there is a GM in the league who would touch Meszaros right now. Cap space is a powerful thing but only if you can turn it into something. What are the chances of Getzlef, Perry, Datsyuk, or Iglina coming here? I would rather hang on to Briere and playoff numbers. I feel we take a huge step back by buying out Bryz or Danny B.

I'm more concerned with assessing what is needed on this team rather than analyzing what they have. Right now the team is out of balance and lacking a personality. To me, none of that will be fixed until missing pieces are added. I wouldn't know where to start but there should be no untouchables. I agree that a team can come out of nowhere to contend for a Cup but generally those teams have the goods to begin with and it's just a question of getting hot at the right time. Sadly, I don't think the Flyers team as constitued has the capability to sustain a playoff run.
- 2731color

So for whom are you proposing we trade Giroux, then? He's the only player who's truly been deemed untouchable.

While I agree, only two teams since 1994 have won the Cup with a 5-8 seed. You still have to be a really good regular season team, for the most part.
- bradleyc4

and the kings were a great possession team last year with a run of historically crappy puck luck for the first 60 games.

I'm more concerned with assessing what is needed on this team rather than analyzing what they have. Right now the team is out of balance and lacking a personality. To me, none of that will be fixed until missing pieces are added. I wouldn't know where to start but there should be no untouchables. I agree that a team can come out of nowhere to contend for a Cup but generally those teams have the goods to begin with and it's just a question of getting hot at the right time. Sadly, I don't think the Flyers team as constitued has the capability to sustain a playoff run.
- 2731color

No team has the goods to begin with. They all have had to build the team through the draft, and develop those players. And supplement through key trades and free agency. That's what this team is in the process of doing. And this team lost that key player and personality that you speak of, when Pronger got hurt. You don't recover from that easily. This is a work in progress, and I think patience is the key.

Bryzgalov is playing very well and Briere is money in the playoffs. I wouldn't even consider buying either guy out if both keep up their end. Walker I didn't even notice was a ufa but Meszaros would walk away from in a heartbeat. I don't think there is a GM in the league who would touch Meszaros right now. Cap space is a powerful thing but only if you can turn it into something. What are the chances of Getzlef, Perry, Datsyuk, or Iglina coming here? I would rather hang on to Briere and playoff numbers. I feel we take a huge step back by buying out Bryz or Danny B.
- SuperSchennBros

Did I miss something here? How is Meszy untouchable? Guy is a stud. Injuries are a concern, as they are with many players, but uneducated to say that no GM would touch him. All 30 would take him for the right price, which is a slightly above average d-man.

While I agree, only two teams since 1994 have won the Cup with a 5-8 seed. You still have to be a really good regular season team, for the most part.
- bradleyc4

Winning the Cup and "contending" are different though. Either way, I still hate the label.

Bryzgalov is playing very well and Briere is money in the playoffs. I wouldn't even consider buying either guy out if both keep up their end. Walker I didn't even notice was a ufa but Meszaros would walk away from in a heartbeat. I don't think there is a GM in the league who would touch Meszaros right now. Cap space is a powerful thing but only if you can turn it into something. What are the chances of Getzlef, Perry, Datsyuk, or Iglina coming here? I would rather hang on to Briere and playoff numbers. I feel we take a huge step back by buying out Bryz or Danny B.
- SuperSchennBros

Meszaros has had some health issues. But he should come back and play, hopefully well. And if the Flyers choose to, with only one year left on his contract. He absolutely would have trade value around the League. And whether you take a step back in buying out a player or not, depends on what you do with the money saved. As an example, buying out Briere, and adding Corey Perry, wouldn't be a step back.

So for whom are you proposing we trade Giroux, then? He's the only player who's truly been deemed untouchable.
- BulliesPhan87

I said I didn't know where to start and I'm not advocating a Giroux trade but I'd listen to offerors. The problem with anything involving Giroux means that they're blowing up the team again. If Claude is the guy they want to build around they better start adding players that will complement him.

Did I miss something here? How is Meszy untouchable? Guy is a stud. Injuries are a concern, as they are with many players, but uneducated to say that no GM would touch him. All 30 would take him for the right price, which is a slightly above average d-man.
- steelydan

Wow, did you just call Meszaros a stud while calling me uneducated? I never said Meszaros was untouchable, unless my phone corrected something I didn't mean it to. Meszaros is coming off a very serious injury and was just put back on the shelf again. His play could go either way at this point.