McGinndestructible

But for real, no more crushing hits on McGinn plz
- BulliesPhan87

A true brightspot in this ... season no doubt.

JVR is a scorer, who right now is on a hot streak....L Schenn is a shutdown defenseman.... Shutdown defenseman take a lot longer to reach their potential power forwards...With that said JVR has been playing well, but nothing to me that he has done so far indicates that he will continue to play at that level. I think in the end Schenn brings way more to the table than JVR will ever.
- Philly1980

I think you are as stoned as Dave the cat.

Agree with those who believe the Flyers lack size up front. Jagr and JVR are big guys that are missed and now with Hartnell out it's noticible. As for desire making up for lack of size, sure, Bobby Clarke is a perfect example. But when it comes playoff time when everyone's desire is hightened, I'll take the 210 pounder over the 190 pounder. Not saying that I want a big lumbering team up front but some size mixed in would be helpful.

McGinndestructible

But for real, no more crushing hits on McGinn plz
- BulliesPhan87

I am a fan of Homers, but he dropped the ball big time. He totally misread his market IMO. He had all of his eggs in one basket, and when they fell through he had nothing to work with. He lost Jagr. He lost Carle. Our offensive depth (something that had been a strong point for years) is pretty non-existent. Our defense is slower and not nearly as effective at moving the puck.

I have said it numerous times. I knew this was going to be a tough season. Homer didnt do ANYTHING this offseason that would clearly elevate this team. In my opinion, he did the opposite.

I pray that we dont make a move for the sake of making a move.
- jak521

\

regardless of what homer did, this team plays without desire or refuses to backcheck on a regular basis and it's frustrating. Every team has weak links in the chain, but this team just takes nights off, its baffling. I mentioned a coaching change or a trade earlier for the simple fact I don't know what else would wake them up. People bring up youth but guess what? when you're younger you have more energy, require less time to recover, that should reflect into the play, it doesn't.

Maybe since they took last night off they can play a full game tonight I don't know we'll see.

Agree with those who believe the Flyers lack size up front. Jagr and JVR are big guys that are missed and now with Hartnell out it's noticible. As for desire making up for lack of size, sure, Bobby Clarke is a perfect example. But when it comes playoff time when everyone's desire is hightened, I'll take the 210 pounder over the 190 pounder. Not saying that I want a big lumbering team up front but some size mixed in would be helpful.
- 2731color

Won't help defensive breakdowns though. The team's gotta play smarter. I would like to get another big winger though. I still love Bill's suggestion of Magnus Paajarvi. Maybe we could get him for a 5th?

They're head scratchers if you ignore the efforts put forth to land Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.
- Jsaquella

the problem is those players were probably pipe dreams. I didn't think for one moment Suter or Parise were coming here and Nashville wasn't letting Weber go. I honestly would have prefered Homer just re-sign Carle and Jagr.

at this point I just hope Holmgren remains patient. Let the kids like Schenn and Couturier grow. let Simmonds, Jake, Luke, etc continue to get better. keep their picks. PATIENCE

Agree with those who believe the Flyers lack size up front. Jagr and JVR are big guys that are missed and now with Hartnell out it's noticible. As for desire making up for lack of size, sure, Bobby Clarke is a perfect example. But when it comes playoff time when everyone's desire is hightened, I'll take the 210 pounder over the 190 pounder. Not saying that I want a big lumbering team up front but some size mixed in would be helpful.
- 2731color

yea uh see 1997 finals.

I agree with the opinion that JvR should/could have brought more of a return, but I doubt he gets much more than a 3rd rounder tossed in along with Schenn. It's not like they could have landed a 1st and Schenn.
- Jsaquella

my sentiments exactly. having subtracted forwards from this lineup, i would have wanted homer to expand the deal to bring back another forward w/ some kind of scoring potential - like kadri- to give us another asset. maybe JVR and a 2nd or 3rd for schenn and kadri. not that i'm in love w/ kadri, but from a value standpoint.

I think Knuble took a couple of lazy, or at least unnecessary, penalties.
- Jsaquella

I don't know if it's as much lazy as him just being stuck in the mud. Foster and knuble need to be scratched ASAP

It seems many are pointing out holes in the roster as a reason for the bad start to season, of which there are a few. However, if you look at New Jersey's roster and compare it to the Flyers, I don't see much difference if any in talent. Yet New Jersey is leading the conference and the Flyers are currently out of the top 8. Hard to blame the roster in that comparison.

I think you are as stoned as Dave the cat.
- jak521

what did JVR do here that warranted more then schenn? A lot of guys have potential, very few live up to it...That was the risk of that trade. Overall i think the flyers got what they needed from that trade.

Will say good luck in Winnipeg. Those fans are pretty loud for sure.

Also just wanted to point out a small error. The MacArthur goal was assisted by Kadri, not by Frattin.

Will say good luck in Winnipeg. Those fans are pretty loud for sure.

Also just wanted to point out a small error. The MacArthur goal was assisted by Kadri, not by Frattin.
- FlareKnight

Thanks we would not have been able to get through the day without this essential information.

yea uh see 1997 finals.
- JoeRussomanno

i remember detroit running circles around our guys....

Will say good luck in Winnipeg. Those fans are pretty loud for sure.

Also just wanted to point out a small error. The MacArthur goal was assisted by Kadri, not by Frattin.
- FlareKnight

Looks like the both got assists. Kadri primary and Frattin secondary.

the problem is those players were probably pipe dreams. I didn't think for one moment Suter or Parise were coming here and Nashville wasn't letting Weber go. I honestly would have prefered Homer just re-sign Carle and Jagr.

at this point I just hope Holmgren remains patient. Let the kids like Schenn and Couturier grow. let Simmonds, Jake, Luke, etc continue to get better. keep their picks. PATIENCE
- nastyflyergirl

I thought it was mentioned neither Suter or Parise wanted to come here so Homer was just trying to drive up the price on them. Weber on the other hand he may have thought he was getting.

\

regardless of what homer did, this team plays without desire or refuses to backcheck on a regular basis and it's frustrating. Every team has weak links in the chain, but this team just takes nights off, its baffling. I mentioned a coaching change or a trade earlier for the simple fact I don't know what else would wake them up. People bring up youth but guess what? when you're younger you have more energy, require less time to recover, that should reflect into the play, it doesn't.

Maybe since they took last night off they can play a full game tonight I don't know we'll see.
- JoeRussomanno

Here is a problem i see.

You have a rookie and 4 second year players getting top offensive minutes.
We were thin on defense coming into the season and lost, possibly our most well rounded d-man. We lost Hartnell (our leading goal scorer from last season).
There were bound to be bumps with those guys in the lineup, losing Harts and Meszy made it even worse... but, obviously Homer anticipated some of this. He went out and attempted to get Suter and Parise. A top pairing d-man and top line winger. He struck out big. He swung and missed. Its better than not swinging at all, but he still missed.

You mention that they are taking nights off, they are hit or miss, etc etc.... Isnt that how young players tend to play individually? Now imagine have those young players make up the core of your team... you see where Im getting at?

i remember detroit running circles around our guys....
- Philly1980

the whole size is better thing went right out the window didn't it.

It seems many are pointing out holes in the roster as a reason for the bad start to season, of which there are a few. However, if you look at New Jersey's roster and compare it to the Flyers, I don't see much difference if any in talent. Yet New Jersey is leading the conference and the Flyers are currently out of the top 8. Hard to blame the roster in that comparison.
- psuhockey

I think New Jersey is an interesting case. Everyone has bought into their system and the personnel, while not overly talented, is the perfect mix to execute said system nearly flawlessly. A classic example of a great team but only decent players.

I think Knuble took a couple of lazy, or at least unnecessary, penalties.
- Jsaquella

Compared to the rest of the team, Knuble was practically dynamic and he's roughly 80 years old.

The team takes way too many periods off, for whatever reason. They just do and if they sink any lower in the standing, it's likely Laviolette that's going to pay for it.

Here is a problem i see.

You have a rookie and 4 second year players getting top offensive minutes.
We were thin on defense coming into the season and lost, possibly our most well rounded d-man. We lost Hartnell (our leading goal scorer from last season).
There were bound to be bumps with those guys in the lineup, losing Harts and Meszy made it even worse... but, obviously Homer anticipated some of this. He went out and attempted to get Suter and Parise. A top pairing d-man and top line winger. He struck out big. He swung and missed. Its better than not swinging at all, but he still missed.

You mention that they are taking nights off, they are hit or miss, etc etc.... Isnt that how young players tend to play individually? Now imagine have those young players make up the core of your team... you see where Im getting at?
- jak521

I see where you are getting at but when I think of a young team struggling, I just think of them losing battles on the boards, faceoffs and unable to finish scoring chances. I don't think of gliding on their skates not getting back in the d-zone or not driving the net. I can tolerate losing like Homer did on the Weber sweepstakes but I can't for lack of trying, which is not why they didn't get Weber, imo anyway, who knows maybe they never offered couturier or schenn or a significant enough player before offersheeting.

Explain what more dynamic means. And how he has a higher ceiling. I wouldn't call it negative, as much as I'd call it incorrect.

And what should JVR have brought back in a trade?
- MJL

dynamic- game changing...having a wider range of ablility to make individual plays that make a diff
higher ceiling- greater asset value potential
incorrect- not applicable because 1) at this point the results of the trade can not be evaluated because there is not enuf perspective and 2) it's just a diff of opinion at this point, not a misinterpretation of the CBA or some other black and white fact.

I think New Jersey is an interesting case. Everyone has bought into their system and the personnel, while not overly talented, is the perfect mix to execute said system nearly flawlessly. A classic example of a great team but only decent players.
- NickTheKid87

Too bad they aren't fun to watch (imo). I find their games boring. Sure they win but I have to wake up to figure that out.

Compared to the rest of the team, Knuble was practically dynamic and he's roughly 80 years old.

The team takes way too many periods off, for whatever reason. They just do and if they sink any lower in the standing, it's likely Laviolette that's going to pay for it.
- johndewar

I like Lavy. Some of his decisions this year have seemed questionable but they'll all be questioned when the team struggles. If they are still below .500 by the half way point or at least game 30, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get fired.