If we slide in a playoff spot and he goes on fire like he always does.... maybe you change your mind. The 6.5 hit is ridiculous but I think buyouts issues/options are far behind the current problems the flyers have in Homer's mind.
- Chris48

Buyouts are not even an option right now. Nobody can be bought out until the off season.

im not upset with coots at all, anyone that expects him to carry the team is dreaming, he exceeded our expectations last year with a confident team and a strong locker room, i really think and have said it before that having jagr gave the guys a extra boost, he is a legend to this young group of guys, he was like a coach on the ice, cant be replaced..everyone looked up to him.

from what im reading this nathan mackinnon is supposed to be the next superstar, size, strength, hands, finese and speed, and oh yeah, hes a center.

I agree with all of that. But I'll just emphasize that if you're waiting for Laviolette to change his system, philosophy, or style of play. Then you'll be waiting a long time. I think there is conflict between the front office and the Head Coach. And if I was Laviolette, I wouldn't be too happy about it.
- MJL

What is the conflict specifically?

from what im reading this nathan mackinnon is supposed to be the next superstar, size, strength, hands, finese and speed, and oh yeah, hes a center.
- mydoglicks

meanwhile his teammate

2013 NHL Draft prospect Jonathan Drouin sets a new Mooseheads franchise record with a 20 game point streak. He has 18G, 41PT in that span.

Buyouts are not even an option right now. Nobody can be bought out until the off season.
- Jsaquella

I'm aware of that .... was replying to a post about premature talks about a possible buyout for Briere this off season. I was saying other problems/issues are more pressing for management right now to even consider this.

from what im reading this nathan mackinnon is supposed to be the next superstar, size, strength, hands, finese and speed, and oh yeah, hes a center.
- mydoglicks

There is a bumper crop of potential top six forwards and even potential top 3s in the 2013 draft. The defenseman crop is average, beyond Seth Jones (which doesn't mean there won't be some future standouts or even someone who could ultimately be better than Jones; just no one else with projected franchise defenseman tools at age 17).

As such, unless the Flyers draft first or second but are still within the top 10, there is a very good chance the best available player will be a forward.

I'm aware of that .... was replying to a post about premature talks about a possible buyout for Briere this off season. I was saying other problems/issues are more pressing for management right now to even consider this.
- Chris48

Everyone's on the bandwagon now!!!!! A year later

What is the conflict specifically?
- Just5

Holmgren wants the team to become more defensive minded and play better in it's own end, and not play so drastically aggressive. Make no mistake about it. Some of the moves made were for that very reason.

I'm aware of that .... was replying to a post about premature talks about a possible buyout for Briere this off season. I was saying other problems/issues are more pressing for management right now to even consider this.
- Chris48

I disagree. Even if Briere lights it up in the playoffs, it's smart to plan for the future.

The biggest issue is, specifically, that they have Giroux, Schenn, Couturier and Briere, all of whom play better at center. If all are back again next year, one has to move to wing, again.

Me if it comes down to that, I'd rather buy out Briere and go after a Perry with the savings. The cap drop is as much a factor as anything else, too.

Everyone's on the bandwagon now!!!!! A year later
- Just5

Now we know for certain there's a $6mm cap drop coming.

You're taking your chances on Hamilton for one reason. Simply because of what position he plays. Laughton isn't likely to be anywhere near the player that Couturier is.
- MJL

i'll take laughton and hamilton any day over having to trade one of our centers, hoping to get the dman we need.

There is a bumper crop of potential top six forwards and even potential top 3s in the 2013 draft. The defenseman crop is average, beyond Seth Jones (which doesn't mean there won't be some future standouts or even someone who could ultimately be better than Jones; just no one else with projected franchise defenseman tools at age 17).

As such, unless the Flyers draft first or second but are still within the top 10, there is a very good chance the best available player will be a forward.
- bmeltzer

I'm still in favor of best player available. If you have two guys that you rate the same, then break it down into position. Don't ignore a MacKinnon just because he's a center.

I disagree. Even if Briere lights it up in the playoffs, it's smart to plan for the future.

The biggest issue is, specifically, that they have Giroux, Schenn, Couturier and Briere, all of whom play better at center. If all are back again next year, one has to move to wing, again.

Me if it comes down to that, I'd rather buy out Briere and go after a Perry with the savings. The cap drop is as much a factor as anything else, too.
- Jsaquella

Thing is, I don't think you need Perry, Hartnell and Simmonds all on the same team. So if perchance the Flyers could hit a UFA home run and land Perry, I might be in favor of dealing Simmonds for the right price (and I very much like Simmonds).

Nobody knew Couturier was going to slide which is why the Flyers jumped at taking him. Who knows maybe had he been gone Hamilton would be here but nobody can look at it that way.

It's over it's happened it's long been time to move on.
- ob18

just part of another discussion re org building philosophy, more than specific lamentations.

Holmgren wants the team to become more defensive minded and play better in it's own end, and not play so drastically aggressive. Make no mistake about it. Some of the moves made were for that very reason.
- MJL

Ok. Just wanted clarification. I understand that when you say that holmer wants them to not play so drastically aggressive that is correct. When I say yesterday that Holmgren wants them to "dial it back". That would be wrong.

Thing is, I don't think you need Perry, Hartnell and Simmonds all on the same team. So if perchance the Flyers could hit a UFA home run and land Perry, I might be in favor of dealing Simmonds for the right price (and I very much like Simmonds).
- bmeltzer

That's valid as well. I still see a glut of centers, or at least guys whose best position is at center.

I'm more in favor of seeing if some kind of package headed by a winger could bring a defenseman in than just moving Schenn or Couturier for one.

I used Perry because he's the first winger I thought of who is a UFA

i'll take laughton and hamilton any day over having to trade one of our centers, hoping to get the dman we need.
- isaiah520

The result is the same. Two draft picks have netted two players. And drafting a defenseman isn't a guarantee that he will turn out to be the player you think he'll be. You're doing the same hoping. In trading a quality asset for a defenseman already in the NHL, and seeing what he is, can be more of a sure way of getting what you need. There are many ways to build a team. I believe on Boston's Cup team, 5 of the regulars in the lineup were drafted by Boston.

I'm still in favor of best player available. If you have two guys that you rate the same, then break it down into position. Don't ignore a MacKinnon just because he's a center.
- Jsaquella

I agree, always draft the best player available.

If we slide in a playoff spot and he goes on fire like he always does.... maybe you change your mind. The 6.5 hit is ridiculous but I think buyouts issues/options are far behind the current problems the flyers have in Homer's mind.
- Chris48

soon as i heard about the amnesties, i thought of briere and bryz. great that we have this season and next to decide, but one is coming almost certainly.

I only want Lavy fired this year if Tocchet can coach.

I think you misunderstood the question.

Read, Bryz, McGinn, uhh....
- tangent_man

Voracek's been one of the more dominate skaters for the Flyers. Some of his moves are just barely getting broken up at the last second. I think he's close to getting his timing down a split second faster and actually finishing more plays.

Voracek's been one of the more dominate skaters for the Flyers. Some of his moves are just barely getting broken up at the last second. I think he's close to getting his timing down a split second faster and actually finishing more plays.
- Pixote Andolini

Tied with schenn for team lead in points.

I agree, always draft the best player available.
- MJL

but, if it's close, build a team. don't run away from a need because a guy is 1 or 2 slots better than another on your board. and if you think that just selecting forwards and then having to trade them for premier dmen is the same as being able to draft and develop your own blueliners, you're out to lunch.

Tied with schenn for team lead in points.
- JoeRussomanno

Yeah and Voracek ATOI is a tick over 16 minutes. Brayden Schenn with even less - 15:22.