Captain Kangaroo was fired the day after the Sabres beat the Flyers, I believe it was 8-0?
Could that same that happen again tonight!
- Irish 14

I really don't want Murray behind the bench.

Battle of the losers.

ADK
- section32

Weird why demote one backup and promote another right now? Does leighton get the start today?

"Can they stop the bleeding?"

Strong imagery around the idea that the Flyers are in a full hemorrhage. Will the patient bleed to death?

My thinking is that a very young Flyer team is experiencing a deep and nasty sophomore slump. Worst option is to make wholesale changes just for the sake of trying to shake things up.

Elite teams are built around 6 key positions. A #1 center who can control the offensive zone and play defense. A power forward who can work the boards and take a position in front of the net. A speed forward (burner) who can beat you wide and take a pass at full speed. A #1 Dman who can control the pace and play from the back end. A shut down Dman who can clear the front of the net. A world class goalie.

The Flyers already have most of the key pieces. They need to pay the price to get what is missing.
- spatso

So do you think the Flyers need a # 1 defenseman? Any suggestions?

I really don't want Murray behind the bench.
- section32

If Laviolette get's canned. I would love to see Murray behind the bench on an interim basis.

Lindy Ruff really is a great coach who has squeezed some strong performances out of an average line up. He is an old school guy, a lot like Hitchcock. He really believes in his players when they work for him. Claude Julien is a master at motivating his guys by believing in them.

Does Laviolette believe enough in his guys?

Lindy Ruff really is a great coach who has squeezed some strong performances out of an average line up. He is an old school guy, a lot like Hitchcock. He really believes in his players when they work for him. Claude Julien is a master at motivating his guys by believing in them.

Does Laviolette believe enough in his guys?
- spatso

I think the question that needs to be asked is the opposite. Do the guys believe in Laviolette.

Lavy. He loved him in Carolina too.
- section32

I'm convinced that Lavi is the only reason Leighton is drawing an NHL paycheck as well. The guy has played 2 games in the last 2 seasons. Also, as much as flyers fans romanticize the season he had when emery got hurt, he was barely over .900 that year and that was his best sv% since his rookie year.

I'm convinced that Lavi doesn't know a damn thing about goalies. That playoff carousel the other year was the most hideous misuse of goalies i have ever seen. Bobrovsky should be grateful he got traded because there is no situation where Lavi felt more comfortable playing Bob than Leighton. I also think that the trade was partly to make Bryz feel comfortable. A competent backup was a threat to his playing time.

I think the question that needs to be asked is the opposite. Do the guys believe in Laviolette.
- MJL

No.

So do you think the Flyers need a # 1 defenseman? Any suggestions?
- MJL

Taking the age of the team into consideration and the fact you want it to be a long term arrangement. I would rank the ideal players as follows,

1. OEL
2. Tyler Myers
3. Dustin Byfulien
4. Gudbranson

So do you think the Flyers need a # 1 defenseman? Any suggestions?
- MJL

The Flyers need to not make any trades to bolster the roster this season. There's not a player on the flyers whose stock isn't down. The Flyers will overpay for a bandaid which will put them back in the same spot next year but with even less assets to deal. They already have ZERO depth in the AHL and are widely regarded as having the worst farm system in the entire league.

Stop digging yourselves into a hole because every year needs to be the year to "go for it".

Weird why demote one backup and promote another right now? Does leighton get the start today?
- Hextall271

Probably. I heard a rumor that Bryz is overworked and that Leighton is Lavi's go to guy.

I think the question that needs to be asked is the opposite. Do the guys believe in Laviolette.
- MJL

It is actually the same question. Trust and respect are mutual. It has to exist both ways for it to be meaningful. But, I believe it first starts with the parent. If the parent does not believe in the worth (value) of the child, the child will not likely value the self.

It is actually the same question. Trust and respect are mutual. It has to exist both ways for it to be meaningful. But, I believe it first starts with the parent. If the parent does not believe in the worth (value) of the child, the child will not likely value the self.
- spatso

Either way he's not getting the most out of this group.

Taking the age of the team into consideration and the fact you want it to be a long term arrangement. I would rank the ideal players as follows,

1. OEL
2. Tyler Myers
3. Dustin Byfulien
4. Gudbranson
- spatso

Wow, some new names added to your list today. I wonder who will be added to the list on Monday. You're up to about a dozen players on the list now.

And I would have zero interest in Byfuglien

Hahaha, visit the OILERS blog, you`ll feel better
- cdjaakkola

How the heck are the oilers doing so bad? They've stockpiled almost as much high end young talent as the Penguins did during their tanking years. They are on pace for another top pick this year and would have to put any forward they pick this year on the 4th line because there just isn't enough room.

Potential wise they have to be the #1 team in the league.

The Flyers need to not make any trades to bolster the roster this season. There's not a player on the flyers whose stock isn't down. The Flyers will overpay for a bandaid which will put them back in the same spot next year but with even less assets to deal. They already have ZERO depth in the AHL and are widely regarded as having the worst farm system in the entire league.

Stop digging yourselves into a hole because every year needs to be the year to "go for it".
- Flyers_01

I don't care if they make a minor deal. But they shouldn't be making any deals to try and make a run this year. Stay the course.

It is actually the same question. Trust and respect are mutual. It has to exist both ways for it to be meaningful. But, I believe it first starts with the parent. If the parent does not believe in the worth (value) of the child, the child will not likely value the self.
- spatso

No, it's not the same question. And it doesn't have to be both ways. This isn't raising children, it's a hockey team. I don't feel that this team as a whole believes in the way the Coach wants them to play.

And the biggest problem on this team currently, has zero to do with not having a #1 defenseman.

Either way he's not getting the most out of this group.
- JoeRussomanno

Everybody is down on themselves, including the fans. But, this is a very good, very young team. Not a lot of changes are required. But, if there is a change, it should be highly surgical with very large potential for impact.

So, for example, if OEL is available, you make your best bid along with 4 or 5 other teams knowing that he could be the key piece in this team trying to win a Cup. The same could be said for Weber last year (remember the Flyers were giving up 4 1st round picks).

Everybody is down on themselves, including the fans. But, this is a very good, very young team. Not a lot of changes are required. But, if there is a change, it should be highly surgical with very large potential for impact.

So, for example, if OEL is available, you make your best bid along with 4 or 5 other teams knowing that he could be the key piece in this team trying to win a Cup. The same could be said for Weber last year (remember the Flyers were giving up 4 1st round picks).
- spatso

I;m cool with that.

How the heck are the oilers doing so bad? They've stockpiled almost as much high end young talent as the Penguins did during their tanking years. They are on pace for another top pick this year and would have to put any forward they pick this year on the 4th line because there just isn't enough room.

Potential wise they have to be the #1 team in the league.
- Flyers_01

Would you believe they are missing a #1 D and their goaltending is suspect?

Would you believe they are missing a #1 D and their goaltending is suspect?
- spatso

The team has no responsibility in their own end. They just coast around and leave players wide open.

Our expectations are always high. And quite frankly, we are a bit spoiled. I'm glad we are that way...always a contender with ownership that wants to win, puts forth a good team, and isn't afraid to put their money where their mouth is. We tried to do that with the FA market last year and came up short. This year was going to be like this regardless after that. We aren't rebuilding, we are letting our youngsters get seasoned and we are all learning the lesson of humility.
- section32

There is some sort of hubris I have as a Flyer fan, although it does make for quite some shock when we don't make the playoffs, I like having my standards high and love Ed Snider for making me that way.

Having said that, I really wanted this team to succeed as it is; and while it still could, I think something big is going to happen, for better or worse.

Still would hang on to Giroux and Couts at all costs. Anyone else is fair game including the coach and GM.

No, it's not the same question. And it doesn't have to be both ways. This isn't raising children, it's a hockey team. I don't feel that this team as a whole believes in the way the Coach wants them to play.

And the biggest problem on this team currently, has zero to do with not having a #1 defenseman.
- MJL

And, so what do you believe is the biggest problem?

Honestly, I would hate to see anyone leave this team just to get a band-aid player to help the playoff push. The cap seems like it will be tricky enough for the Flyers to get compliant for next year's season. Maybe a little patience really would be best here. There is no question that Defense will have to be addressed before next season though.
- dmleip

If they try to do this, when everyone can see there are so many holes/problems with this team the quick fix is impossible, than the GM needs to be questioned just as much as the players and coach. No way he thinks this team is capable enough to be successful in the playoffs. The past week showed everyone how far off they really are.