Young players no question about it. I don't see much improvement from last season though.

I would go to say Couturier has regressed.

Young kids with plenty of time to grow but I would like to see steps in the right direction.
- stveshdy

The coach needs to buy in right now and let the future (Coots and Schenn) play a ton of minutes even if they screw up to acclerate their learning curve. They have to be above 17 minutes/game the rest of the season, anything less is an absolute failure by the organization and more specifically the head coach.

Link, please.
- Flyskippy

www6.hockeystreams.com/

I think that either player would help the Flyers. But I'm not really interested in Bouwmeester simply due to his Cap hit. Yandle is a dynamic offensive defenseman that would certainly add a missing element to the Flyers blueline. In terms of scoring from the back end, and on the PP. But he's average at best defensively. I'd much rather have a better two way defenseman then Yandle. Just don't know who that is that would be available.
- MJL

Coburn hasnt been a stud defensively either. He's taken the most minor penalties this season. We would agree he is most likely better defensively than Yandle but for what the Flyers need a puck moving offensive threat its not even close.

I think they're in year two of the re-tool and are closer than you do. They need pieces, but they can get those pieces if they're smart.

This team isn't as bad as their record-by that I mean they have more talent than a team with their record would indicate. They have a bad mix of talent in some regards, and I think they have a coach that's more interested in running a system than in running a team, if that makes sense, but I don't think that this is the first year of three years without playoffs. I think they're right back in the thick next season and contenders in 2 or 3 year, tops.
- Jsaquella

that's possible, and i truly hope you and mjl are right and i'm wrong. i'm not quite as optimistic. maybe the team shouldn't be this bad as currently constructed, but i don't think anything indicates they are a year or two away from being contenders again (unless pronger is on the mend)

i don't think they're doomed or anything, but i think homer should start putting an emphasis on restocking the farm-system-cupboard. can't keep running on empty, in that regard.

No not without the playoffs for sure. I think you see them start to taste what it will take next season.

Teams like the Jets for example I would say aren't drastically better in terms of talent. A full training camp, and a good off-season could have them back in the swing of things pretty soon.

Where I bring up that it will take them a bit longer is regarding that D core. Im thinking they will have to wait for young talent to develop (either via trade or draft), and Kimmo probably wont be here after next season. This summer is huge in terms of the direction the team wants to take.
- flyer_nutter

They're not going to wait, that's the thing. They will go out and pay the price to get at least one more mobile defenseman. The hope is that it's somebody young enough to either be here for 5 or 6 years or younger so they can grow with the Schenns, Couturier, Giroux, Simmonds, Voracek(or those left after the trade to land a defenseman)

Even if they land a Nurse or Ristolainen in the draft, that's a couple years away. They will have to replace Timonen before that player is ready in all likelihood.

The coach needs to buy in right now and let the future (Coots and Schenn) play a ton of minutes even if they screw up to acclerate their learning curve. They have to be above 17 minutes/game the rest of the season, anything less is an absolute failure by the organization and more specifically the head coach.
- ravishingone

I agree

What if Coburn was dealt for Bouwmeester or Yandle? Obviously not straight up, but replace his spot with a more offensive d-man, leaving Grossmann and Schenn as your shutdown pair.
- Rocktane

not a slam dunk, but i'd shoot down a coburn for bouwmeester straight up trade

Cousins to the box for tripping.

The coach needs to buy in right now and let the future (Coots and Schenn) play a ton of minutes even if they screw up to acclerate their learning curve. They have to be above 17 minutes/game the rest of the season, anything less is an absolute failure by the organization and more specifically the head coach.
- ravishingone

That's my biggest reason for wanting Laviolette gone now. He's coaching to keep Peter Laviolette employed, not what the team needs for it's future.

Hard to blame him for that, but you've got Briere dragging Schenn and Simmonds into the poopter and Couturier's playing scared of making a mistake and getting nailed to the pine.

www6.hockeystreams.com/
- ob18

Is this legal, or is there a risk it'll get a cease and desist? I would strongly consider a subscription for next season if it's legit.

Coburn hasnt been a stud defensively either. He's taken the most minor penalties this season. We would agree he is most likely better defensively than Yandle but for what the Flyers need a puck moving offensive threat its not even close.
- stveshdy

The biggest issue with the Flyers right now is team defense. Yandle might help increase puck possession time, and add scoring. But he's not likely to make a difference in their own end. Coburn has shown, although inconsistently, the ability to be very good defensively.

For me its about a more balanced back end. In terms of balance amongst offensive/defensive d-men and especially more depth in that 3rd pairing.

Where Coburn comes into play for me would be the guy I would look at trading first and foremost from the D core, looking to make those improvements as stated above.

Timonen is still an important piece on this team, and while they team needs to find a guy to bring some of the talent that was lost with the loss of Pronger, imo they also need to start looking at replacing some of the talent they will lose when Timonen departs.
- flyer_nutter

I agree. They have 2 solid defensive guys on decent contracts in schenn and grossman. Coburn is the odd man out. Him and grossman together are just brutal trying to come out of their own end. It's too much money for someone so limited offensively. I think the flyers had higher hopes from him when they broke him from kimmo

Is this legal, or is there a risk it'll get a cease and desist? I would strongly consider a subscription for next season if it's legit.
- BulliesPhan87

Yes. Been around going on 6 years.

not a slam dunk, but i'd shoot down a coburn for bouwmeester straight up trade
- FlyerMike18

Oh no no no no no

that's possible, and i truly hope you and mjl are right and i'm wrong. i'm not quite as optimistic. maybe the team shouldn't be this bad as currently constructed, but i don't think anything indicates they are a year or two away from being contenders again (unless pronger is on the mend)

i don't think they're doomed or anything, but i think homer should start putting an emphasis on restocking the farm system cupboard. can't keep running on empty, in that regard.
- FlyerMike18

That depth from the farm will really be needed if they want to make a true cup run. With their luck in injuries, and the groin reaper always lurking having young kids with cheap contracts who can really step up is key.

The FA thing looks to be more and more risky lately but in 2014 here are some of the following FA: Bouwmeester, Boyle, Phaneuf, Markov, Pitkanen, Gilbert, Quincey, Orpik, Hjalmarsson, Letang, Schultz, Mitchell, Talinder, Girardi, Seidenberg, Ericsson, Phillips, Klesla, Greene, Morris, Niskanen and Mark Stuart are all available. Its a long way away, but looks a lot more promising than the saggy tits that are up for grabs this summer.

That's my biggest reason for wanting Laviolette gone now. He's coaching to keep Peter Laviolette employed, not what the team needs for it's future.

Hard to blame him for that, but you've got Briere dragging Schenn and Simmonds into the poopter and Couturier's playing scared of making a mistake and getting nailed to the pine.
- Jsaquella

Agreed, and as you have pointed out if you can't beat teams (Ranger and Debs) in your own division, what is the point about keeping him around. I doubt they remove him before the end of the year, which is a good thing for us wanting a higher draft pick, but I'm a little concerned about him stunting the growth of the young guys.

I am scared of L schenn out there whenever kimmo goes away haha

The biggest issue with the Flyers right now is team defense. Yandle might help increase puck possession time, and add scoring. But he's not likely to make a difference in their own end. Coburn has shown, although inconsistently, the ability to be very good defensively.
- MJL

I just think this team has enough stay at home defensive defenseman. They need a Yandle. He takes so much pressure off with his ability to skate the puck and create himself.

that's possible, and i truly hope you and mjl are right and i'm wrong. i'm not quite as optimistic. maybe the team shouldn't be this bad as currently constructed, but i don't think anything indicates they are a year or two away from being contenders again (unless pronger is on the mend)

i don't think they're doomed or anything, but i think homer should start putting an emphasis on restocking the farm-system-cupboard. can't keep running on empty, in that regard.
- FlyerMike18

Honestly, being ready to contend in a year or two is best case scenario. It's more realistic for it take a little longer. But some key moves made and accelerate the process. The lack of solid team play this year, has clouded the picture. And placed doubts about players. Success breeds success. And solid team structure can help players get out of funks. Such as Coburn. As the team struggles and frustration builds, players try to do more and more as an individual. That rarely works. And normally leads to worse results.

That's my biggest reason for wanting Laviolette gone now. He's coaching to keep Peter Laviolette employed, not what the team needs for it's future.

Hard to blame him for that, but you've got Briere dragging Schenn and Simmonds into the poopter and Couturier's playing scared of making a mistake and getting nailed to the pine.
- Jsaquella

Schenn and Couturier haven't improved all that much this year if at all. I dont know if that falls on the coach but you have to start giving these two even more ice time at this point. This team is dead in the water as far as playoffs.

That's my biggest reason for wanting Laviolette gone now. He's coaching to keep Peter Laviolette employed, not what the team needs for it's future.

Hard to blame him for that, but you've got Briere dragging Schenn and Simmonds into the poopter and Couturier's playing scared of making a mistake and getting nailed to the pine.
- Jsaquella

With Snider popping Viagra from a Pez and hallucinating about a broad street parade can you really blame him though? Its really evident that Coots and Schenn need to play more though. If nothing else just to see how valuable they really are. I am up in the air regarding Brayden Schenn.

Im for replacing Lava but this organization doesnt really give coaches time for a rebuild. Its suprising to me they havent fired him during this break.

I just think this team has enough stay at home defensive defenseman. They need a Yandle. He takes so much pressure off with his ability to skate the puck and create himself.
- stveshdy

There is no doubt that he would help them in some areas and add an element to the team. But they have to get much better as a team defensively. Or a player like Yandle, unless he's light's out offensively. Will be added to the scapegoat list.

I am scared of L schenn out there whenever kimmo goes away haha
- Just5

Kimmo has had more bad turnovers and penalties than Schenn this year, including two or three that led directly to penalty shots.

The biggest issue with the Flyers right now is team defense. Yandle might help increase puck possession time, and add scoring. But he's not likely to make a difference in their own end. Coburn has shown, although inconsistently, the ability to be very good defensively.
- MJL

The problems in their own end are two fold. First, players on the ice missing assignments. Second, the system implemented by the current coach. Which issue to blame more is the question and the debate. I do lean more towards the system because I see other teams in the league with perceived less talent then Flyers, not getting destroyed in their own end like the Flyers.

Schenn and Couturier haven't improved all that much this year if at all. I dont know if that falls on the coach but you have to start giving these two even more ice time at this point. This team is dead in the water as far as playoffs.
- stveshdy

I wold disagree that B Schenn hasn't improved. He's shown some real signs this year. It is not uncommon for young players their age, to regress and take some steps back. And to also go through scoring droughts, such as Schenn is. For most players, development is rarely linear.