We are the flyers and we demand OEL. Phoenix should be content that their allowed to ice a team
- Just5

Good for you ... Phoenix says no. The deal makes no sense for Phoenix whatsoever. Did you know Read is a UFA in a year, or just forget that fact?

How can we face facts when you only want to look at facts that support your view? You were just given facts that contradict your earlier statement and all you do is gloss over it, trolling the fan base again.
- Flyskippy

I am part of the fanbase since 1968

He didn't overpay on Richards and Carter. He got four good players for the price of two.
- Feanor

Bill himself put this chucklehead in his place last week and yet he still spews one-sided uninformed garbage. If he would use all of the facts and make an argument from there it would be better for all of us instead of the same old same old.

Homer gets an A for effort this past offseason but not for execution. That can also be said of the coaches and some of the players. There are many issues to soft through but a constant droning of GM criticisms get stale when not everything is taken into account.

#1 Dmen don't grow on trees. Explain this to me...who is the #1 dman in Anaheim? How about Montreal? Vancouver? New Jersey? Point is you don't need a bonafide #1 dman to be successful...
- aantny88

fowler, markov, edler are the 1st 3 and ANA, MTL & VAN would be hurting w/o them. NJ drafted larsson to be that guy and he hasn't developed yet. most cup teams post-lockout have had a clear #1. just because it's difficult doesn't mean there's an excuse for this team's futility in drafting top flight dmen.

Good for you ... Phoenix says no. The deal makes no sense for Phoenix whatsoever. Did you know Read is a UFA in a year, or just forget that fact?
- Oneonta Penguin

Does hockey in Phoenix make sense?

I am part of the fanbase since 1968
- vejim

So what? Age and time served doesn't mean you've grown in knowledge of the game. If it did, Tim Panaccio would be a better writer than Bill but we all know that's not even remotely near being true.

Unless they get OEL or whatever, the Flyers absolutely have to hang on to that #1 draft pick. I was optimistic about 2 weeks ago that they had the talent/whatever to get hot and get into the playoffs, even if I would have put the odds a little under 50-50. Now, with the way these guys just sag when things get tough, I think it's more likely they simply sink into oblivion in the standings. That pick could get really high, or even 1st overall if they get really lucky in the lottery. You either draft a defenseman, or draft one of these high end forwards and make a trade using your already established forwards for the d-man. If one of these top forwards gets taken, all forwards (outside of Giroux, try to keep Jake) should be on the table for a trade.

Good for you ... Phoenix says no. The deal makes no sense for Phoenix whatsoever. Did you know Read is a UFA in a year, or just forget that fact?
- Oneonta Penguin

The Flyers fan base has overlooked many facts since 1968

fowler, markov, edler are the 1st 3 and ANA, MTL & VAN would be hurting w/o them. NJ drafted larsson to be that guy and he hasn't developed yet. most cup teams post-lockout have had a clear #1. just because it's difficult doesn't mean there's an excuse for this team's futility in drafting top flight dmen.
- isaiah520

You consider Fowler, Edler and Markov true #1 dmen? Just cause you're on the first pairing doesn't make it so. Not even close...Weber, Suter, Keith, Doughty, Karlsson, Chara, Letang, etc are bonafide #1 dmen. The guys you mentioned aren't!

fowler, markov, edler are the 1st 3 and ANA, MTL & VAN would be hurting w/o them. NJ drafted larsson to be that guy and he hasn't developed yet. most cup teams post-lockout have had a clear #1. just because it's difficult doesn't mean there's an excuse for this team's futility in drafting top flight dmen.
- isaiah520

It's not a total necessity as some teams have shown, but I think it's far less likely that you will consistently be a contender without a clear #1 d-man. The more consistently you're a contender, the more likely it is you get over the hump one of the years and get the job done. If I'm trying to build a team, it's one of the first orders of business. But obviously it's difficult to get your hands on one.

The Flyers fan base has overlooked many facts since 1968
- Flyskippy

lol...try to make me look like a bad fan? I had season tix for 27 years and went on numerous away trips with the team and I can express my opinion just like you

I know you all love Homer but lets face the facts, the team is not progressing
- vejim

Actually I've said repeatedly that Bryzgalov and Timmonen are both overpaid. But coaching is more of an issue at this point. Ottawa is doing more with less talent than the Flyers have on the ice.

You consider Fowler, Edler and Markov true #1 dmen? Just cause you're on the first pairing doesn't make it so. Not even close...Weber, Suter, Keith, Doughty, Karlsson, Chara, Letang, etc are bonafide #1 dmen. The guys you mentioned aren't!
- aantny88

Regardless of what you define the Fowlers, Edlers, and Markovs of the league, the Flyers don't have a guy in that class either. Whether you call it #2 or 1B or whatever

The simple fact is, nobody is doing their job well enough, except maybe Jake Voracek, on the entire team.

The coaching has been questionable, going back to the 2011 playoffs, when his handling of the goalies led to Snider issuing a dictum to get a goalie. The Flyers record vs New Jersey and the New York Rangers over this season and last is 5-17-1. That's not a bad matchup, that's a coach having zero answers. He has been dealt a less than stellar hand this season, but other coaches have gotten far worse cards and have managed to ice competitive teams. Hell, just look at Deboer's team. Their defense is similar to the Flyers and he designs a scheme that minimizes their weaknesses. Laviolette has been unwilling or unable.

The play on the ice has been bad, too. Veterans like Briere and Coburn, who could have helped a transitional year by simply providing competent play have been dreadful. There's been a real bad lack of discipline, which is partly on the coach, but the veteran leadership that looked so solid in the beginning of the year has been nonexistent. Worse, the two key younger players have had growing pans. Couturier has played goo defense, but his offensive game is non-existent. Conversely Brayden Schenn has provided solid offensive contributions, but hasn't been the good two way guy he was in juniors.

The GM will obviously get blamed for assembling the team, but I find it hard to lay much blame there when the trade pickings are slim and when he handed out $200mm in contract offers to the top two defensemen on the market in the summer.

This team didn't look like a threat for the top of the conference or division at the start of the year, but it should have been a solid 5-8 playoff seed. It's very close to the time where they have to decide if they're going to make an effort to save this season or simply chalk it up to a bad year and make changes to solidify for the future and the young core. Of course they could also try to rebuild. Again.

You consider Fowler, Edler and Markov true #1 dmen? Just cause you're on the first pairing doesn't make it so. Not even close...Weber, Suter, Keith, Doughty, Karlsson, Chara, Letang, etc are bonafide #1 dmen. The guys you mentioned aren't!
- aantny88

markov is clearly a game changer. edler and esp fowler are still improving. they are also better than what we have. the guys you mentioned are all stars and that would be nice,but not necessary in the short term. go to the MTL forum and ask about the value of markov...he's clearly a #1.

#1 Dmen don't grow on trees. Explain this to me...who is the #1 dman in Anaheim? How about Montreal? Vancouver? New Jersey? Point is you don't need a bonafide #1 dman to be successful...
- aantny88

Montreal actually have two guys who have #1 skills. Beauchemin is doing okay in Anahiem. Edler and Huimhuis are fine in Vancouver. NJ does seem to be struggling.

You can play a shut down style like NJ and be successful without having a bonefide #1.

The Flyers have the pieces to play a great offensive game. But, they miss that back end support.

I believe, Holmgren will get the missing piece this summer. More important he will pay the price. For example, if he goes after a top player like OEL or Doughty it would cost him something like Couturier or Schenn and Vorachek or Simmonds plus a first. (Remember, this is just an example of the relative cost.)

Anyway people will scream and say it is way too much to pay. But a team will step up and pay that kind of price. That is the value of a true #1. Go back and look at the price the Flyers paid for Pronger when he was already well into his 30's. Holmgren knows what he needs to do and he will pay the relative price, fans will scream but history will prove him right.

lol...try to make me look like a bad fan? I had season tix for 27 years and went on numerous away trips with the team and I can express my opinion just like you
- vejim

He's not trying to make you look like a bad fan, you make yourself seem like an uniformed and unknowledgable one all by your lonesome. When you post it's literally like listening to WIP. Short sighted, knee jerk reactions....and it seems you're around more after losses than wins.

Did anyone know that this is the first time since 93 that the flyers gave up a 3goal lead in reg.

I've retracted my statement of firing Lavy from last night.

This team is whatever. This season is whatever.

I don't want to blow this team up.

MOVE FORTH!

He's not trying to make you look like a bad fan, you make yourself seem like an uniformed and unknowledgable one all by your lonesome. When you post it's literally like listening to WIP. Short sighted, knee jerk reactions....and it seems you're around more after losses than wins.
- Jsaquella

well everyone was b_tchen last night...you guys are so sensitive to Homer

Whoa! Everybody needs to calm down. This is a very talented young team dealing with an entirely predictable sophomore slump. It would be crazy to over react by making too many changes.

Bryzgalov is overworked and needs a good back up. Nothing needs to be done on his contract for another year. Ottawa has great depth in goaltending and Holmgren should talk with Murray.

Long term the Flyers need a #1 Dman and that has to be their priority over the summer. Phoenix probably has the best depth.
- spatso

There is far more going on with this team then just being young. And what is going on now really has little to do with missing some peices on the roster.

This team is done like dinner and there isn't one thing to fix this team.

They are young in key spots and pretty old in others, so you expect mistakes. I'm not of the opinion that it's all coaching, but the fact is, I don't know how much Laviolette is doing to adjust with what he has.

I don't think it's fair or right, but I think there is a different coach of this team on Monday morning.

Regardless of what you define the Fowlers, Edlers, and Markovs of the league, the Flyers don't have a guy in that class either. Whether you call it #2 or 1B or whatever
- eayost

Fowler has been terrible for the past two seasons.. Bad comparison.

I personally think the Flyers have a much bigger problem than their defense.

That problem is the extreme lack of two way play from just about every forward. Guys need to play a responsible two way game. IF they could do that.. I think our record would be much improved. We had a 4-1 lead after the first period.. we lost 5-4. Why? Simply because the team DID play responsible hockey. Turn overs, lazy line changes, lack of effort in all three zones, not winning puck battles, dumb hockey.

On and individual basis..
I thought Coburn had a better game than he has had of late.
Grossmann is just a freakin beast. Great pick up by Homer.
Claude needs piss and vinegar.. its a must.
Hartnell has been a mess the past few game IMO.
Voracek has been our best player.. in all zones.. all season long.
I wish Couts would just take the puck and drive wide with the puck and fire it on net.
Danny NEEDS to go. I love the guy, but he just aint cuttin it.
Rinaldo had a fantastic game again last night... what a turn around.

Lava... hmm..
I dont know what to think.. the team comes out flat to start the second period.. yet he still has the defense pinching and overly aggressive.. that has to stop. You have to be able to change your game plan on the Fly. Not saying it would have changed anything.. but why didnt he get Rinaldo back out there in the second period till about the 11:00 mark? Goal, assist, hitting and forechecking.. sounds like he would have been the perfect candidate to get the team fired up...

I dont think Lava survives the weekend.

well everyone was b_tchen last night...you guys are so sensitive to Homer
- vejim

Starting to think you lack reading comprehension since Jsaq & I did not exonerate Homer in our posts.

There is far more going on with this team then just being young. And what is going on now really has little to do with missing some peices on the roster.
- MJL