The part that really bugs me is how we signed Bryz. The Flyers traded for his rights, then paid him the huge value he was going to get on the market. Why bother trading for him, then? They chose to bid against themselves.
- BulliesPhan87

I think Homer actually learned that lesson from this deal tho. Contrast this with comments he made prior to last June about trading for players rights.

The part that really bugs me is how we signed Bryz. The Flyers traded for his rights, then paid him the huge value he was going to get on the market. Why bother trading for him, then? They chose to bid against themselves.
- BulliesPhan87

Outbidding yourself is Holmgren's MO.

As many have said, coaching may be a problem on this team but it is not the only problem.

They need to do a lot more, and I really hope they shift away from the chronically stupid and inconsistent players. Especially veterans who play that way.

I agree Lava needs to go, but this will not be a quick fix imo. They simply to me, in a lot of areas, are not good enough consistently. At the same time, its a lot of the older players who fail this team time and time again.

Shift the culture, ignite the change, stay the course with a new found identity, and eliminate those who do not fit. The time has come, for this team to frankly stop being a laughing stock. Which they are.

If you fire the coach, you bettter do other things as well. From the top of the organization down. Personally, I would love to see Coburn, Briere, Hartnell and Bryzgalov have played their last season here. Start fresh, and do it right for one (frank)ing time.
- flyer_nutter

I really miss watching Rinaldo since he has been out.
Best energy on the team this year.

Almost certain Giroux was not playing a Top 6 role when he was 21.
- johndewar

Funny thing.. that team was deeper offensively than this team.

You left out the whole, the player they gave up on is on the verge of winning a Vezina, but yea... that will suffice.
- jak521

This hideous season is bad enough but the Bob thing makes a grown man wanna cry.

Outbidding yourself is Holmgren's MO.
- phillydentist

Elaborate

I really miss watching Rinaldo since he has been out.
Best energy on the team this year.
- Marc D

Easily the most improved player.

With Brayden Schenn to me it isn't the points. Its the defensive play.

Why the hell does this organization have such a dream to continously employ players who to BEGIN WITH have questionable defensive games?

Many kids who are drafted, do not come into the league with questionable defensive games on their resume.
- flyer_nutter

I think he should be moved to the wing. He doesn't seem to have the defensive awareness to play center. I think Laviolette gave up too quickly on him playing wing. His physical game I think translates better there anyway.

I don't understand your last statement, but Schenn has plenty of time to become a decent defensive player.
- bradleyc4

He does definately. However why is it that the Flyers have such a habit of going after players who have sub-par defensive games that need to be "worked on".

This isnt the first time, its a trend.

The last statement was regarding the Flyers being one of the highest scoring teams in recent history. It hasnt been the lack of goals for this team for a while, its been inconsistent talent, and players who are sub par defensively. Not mainly the kids either.

Ok. It's subjective. But I disagree.

Timonen is a very good defenseman, but have you ever seen him drop the gloves? Rock the big hit? Play angry and with some serious 'snarl'?

Timonen, imo, lacks the presence those other guys possess. In fact, most players lack presence and authority, which is why there are so few true leaders in hockey and life.
- wolfhounds

Him no fight, him no score. Him useless.
Trade him and bring back D. Hatch.

But seriously, he doesn't "rock the big hit" because he's, what, 5'9? I don't want him running around trying to crush people, I'd rather he play smart positional hockey, breaking up passes and moving the puck offensively. He has just as much passion as anyone, and when he gets pissed, he lets people know it. Sorry he's not a fighter.

Thank God we got Jay Rosehill. Dude should have the "C" on his chest.

With Brayden Schenn to me it isn't the points. Its the defensive play.

Why the hell does this organization have such a dream to continously employ players who to BEGIN WITH have questionable defensive games?

Many kids who are drafted, do not come into the league with questionable defensive games on their resume.
- flyer_nutter

B Schenn has just over one season's worth of NHL games under his belt. He's a sophomore playing on a very bad defensive team, apparently in a very bad defensive system. And being sound defensively apparently takes longer to learn. He'll be fine.

Look at the +/- stats for the forwards and tell me which of our young prospects is playing a good defensive game.

Almost certain Giroux was not playing a Top 6 role when he was 21.
- johndewar

Claude Giroux's icetime in 08-09: 15:10
Brayden Schenn's icetime in 12-13: 15:34

Sorry if it's been mentioned, but has anyone read the TSN article of Bryzgalov "sounding off" on the Flyer's goaltending future?
All he did was say, "I don't care, I can't control it," and make fun of LI's beach. But I'm sure Toronto fans are loving it.
- jmatchett383

the reporter that wrote that is brain dead
R milller I think?

I think Homer actually learned that lesson from this deal tho. Contrast this with comments he made prior to last June about trading for players rights.
- TheGreat28

Hopefully Snider learned his lesson, too. I appreciate his desire for a cup, but at least in the case of the goaltending ultimatum we've seen his passion can backfire.

Delightful.

More tea, Vicar?
- wolfhounds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gymF67Gp6ak

Embedding disabled by request

Claude Giroux's icetime in 08-09: 15:10
Brayden Schenn's icetime in 12-13: 15:34
- bradleyc4

Realistically.. there was more offensive talent on that team as well..

Lupul, Hartnell, Richards, Carter, Gagne, Briere, Knuble

Claude Giroux's icetime in 08-09: 15:10
Brayden Schenn's icetime in 12-13: 15:34
- bradleyc4

What's your point?

The role Schenn plays on this team is different than the role Giroux played on that team.

You can't even debate that.

Easily the most improved player.
- jak521

not Czechie?

(I think I agree with you but it could be a worthy debate)

JV is the team MVP of this lousy season, at least to me

I think he should be moved to the wing. He doesn't seem to have the defensive awareness to play center. I think Laviolette gave up too quickly on him playing wing. His physical game I think translates better there anyway.
- psuhockey

Thank you.

How many players do the Flyers continously continue to bring in fully knowing that their defensive game needs to be worked on. With youth its one thing, but even still not all kids that come out of the draft have their defensive games questioned, or continue to be questioned.

Same goes with forwards. Why constantly bring in guys who you know have the ability to be a real liability. Look at the elite teams in the league, do they employ such a large number of players?

Him no fight, him no score. Him useless.
Trade him and bring back D. Hatch.

But seriously, he doesn't "rock the big hit" because he's, what, 5'9? I don't want him running around trying to crush people, I'd rather he play smart positional hockey, breaking up passes and moving the puck offensively. He has just as much passion as anyone, and when he gets pissed, he lets people know it. Sorry he's not a fighter.

Thank God we got Jay Rosehill. Dude should have the "C" on his chest.
- jmatchett383

Way to focus on one aspect of my point and construct a faulty argument attacking it. Well done.

He does definately. However why is it that the Flyers have such a habit of going after players who have sub-par defensive games that need to be "worked on".

This isnt the first time, its a trend.

The last statement was regarding the Flyers being one of the highest scoring teams in recent history. It hasnt been the lack of goals for this team for a while, its been inconsistent talent, and players who are sub par defensively. Not mainly the kids either.
- flyer_nutter

I'm not sure I agree with your assessment that there's a trend of them bringing in guys who have subpar defensive track records.

Briere, okay. But he was a top-notch even-strength point producer.
Simmonds, okay. But he added some grit and a PP presence.

Who else?

I've seen them add guys who are good defensively -- Gagne, Couturier, Talbot, Fedotenko, Read, Hall, etc.

B Schenn has just over one season's worth of NHL games under his belt. He's a sophomore playing on a very bad defensive team, apparently in a very bad defensive system. And being sound defensively apparently takes longer to learn. He'll be fine.

Look at the +/- stats for the forwards and tell me which of our young prospects is playing a good defensive game.
- wolfhounds

This very bad defensive system isn't all to blame. Players are making fundamental mistakes, and its not just youth. Thats one thing.

Nobody is saying Brayden Schenn is trash, but the trend of bringing in players who already have questions about their defensive game is a reality. That really needs to end.

B Schenn has just over one season's worth of NHL games under his belt. He's a sophomore playing on a very bad defensive team, apparently in a very bad defensive system. And being sound defensively apparently takes longer to learn. He'll be fine.

Look at the +/- stats for the forwards and tell me which of our young prospects is playing a good defensive game.
- wolfhounds

I agree completely.

He is a very solid player, and no where near his peak.

He has been put in a big role this year, and it is all part of his his development.

- wolfhounds

Hatch...what a beast during those playoffs. Best playoff performer on the team that year...leading by example.

Look: If you want to say Brayden Schenn is a young, developing player, I can get on board with that. It's true.

If you are saying he is a forward deserving of Top 6 minutes RIGHT NOW (not 5 years from now....RIGHT NOW), then I think there is enough of a sample size from this abbreviated season to tell you otherwise.

I'm not hoping they trade him. I hope to watch him develop year after year, buy "
Schenn 10" shirsheys, the whole bit.

But let's not kid ourselves. He's not there yet.