I was a guy who actually was OK with the defensemen heading into the season, because I assumed there'd be tweaks to the system from the start. One of my big concerns with Laviolette remaining coach is that he tries to do the square peg into the round hole routine again, if they can't land a more mobile solution on the back end.
- Jsaquella

As was I, Of course there were question about the #6, and some concerns about Mezzy and Grossmann injury wise, but overall I expected to see the style changes somewhat to compensate for the lessened mobility. That did not happen and we got bitten.

What I meant by mindset was I wish these forwards paid a little more attention to the backside of the red line from day one, not just after they were so depleted they had to or else.

I'd like to see the Flyers experiment with a Grossmann-Gustafsson pairing next year in camp. He's done really well with Timonen but over the long haul, I'm concerned about how undersized they both are. That said, Timonen can play with just about anyone and find a way to make it work.
- bmeltzer

That works for me. I would be fine with signing a guy like Streit as long as the cost and contract length aren't too ridiculous and go with the following:
Timonen-Schenn
Streit-Coburn
Gus-Grossmann

I just don't see Mezaros being ready to go by October, nor would I count on him at all at this point.

I'd like to see the Flyers experiment with a Grossmann-Gustafsson pairing next year in camp. He's done really well with Timonen but over the long haul, I'm concerned about how undersized they both are. That said, Timonen can play with just about anyone and find a way to make it work.
- bmeltzer

That's a good idea, pairing him with Nick Grossmann.

I'm just kind of over people talking about Gus like he's a career AHL'er. He's not. He's not Kris Letang or anything, but he's an NHL player, for sure.

And if it doesn't work for him here for whatever reason, he's going to go somewhere else and make their top 6 and we can all cry in our cheerios again about how the Flyers can't develop defensemen.

That works for me. I would be fine with signing a guy like Streit as long as the cost and contract length aren't too ridiculous and go with the following:
Timonen-Schenn
Streit-Coburn
Gus-Grossmann

I just don't see Mezaros being ready to go by October, nor would I count on him at all at this point.
- BiggE

If I were the Flyers, I'd plan next year as if Mez weren't even on the team. If he's able to come back, I'd consider it a bonus.

As was I, Of course there were question about the #6, and some concerns about Mezzy and Grossmann injury wise, but overall I expected to see the style changes somewhat to compensate for the lessened mobility. That did not happen and we got bitten.

What I meant by mindset was I wish these forwards paid a little more attention to the backside of the red line from day one, not just after they were so depleted they had to or else.
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed on the last part. Not sure now how much was coaching & how much was on the players, but when you have that many guys guilty....well.

Agreed on the last part. Not sure now how much was coaching & how much was on the players, but when you have that many guys guilty....well.
- Jsaquella

Exactly

That works for me. I would be fine with signing a guy like Streit as long as the cost and contract length aren't too ridiculous and go with the following:
Timonen-Schenn
Streit-Coburn
Gus-Grossmann

I just don't see Mezaros being ready to go by October, nor would I count on him at all at this point.
- BiggE

Re Mez - why not ready to go?

If I were the Flyers, I'd plan next year as if Mez weren't even on the team. If he's able to come back, I'd consider it a bonus.
- johndewar

I share the hesitation due to his injuries, but as long as he's still under contract and with the Flyers, you have to play him when he's healthy.

Re Mez - why not ready to go?
- strongsupporter

1.) His shoulder issues have gone from nagging to career threatening.

2.) He still hasn't proven he can still play after last season's achilles surgery.

I share the hesitation due to his injuries, but as long as he's still under contract and with the Flyers, you have to play him when he's healthy.
- BulliesPhan87

Healthy Mez is great.

Tentative, "I think I still may be hurt" Mez is not good.

Bryz head coach now. You call me boss.

Bryz one step closer to taking over the world.
All your base are belong to me!

More then one of you mentioned it last night, it was apparent that Mason's puck handling ability really helps the younger defenseman (really it helps everyone) clear the puck.

I am also very encouraged by the late season progress shown by Couts. In a normal year he would be only halfway through his 2nd season.
I think he is poised to continue to build on this and break out in a big way next year.

Re Mez - why not ready to go?
- strongsupporter

Personally, I worry that his shoulder problems are chronic. Kind of like Riggs in Lethal Weapon. "It can just pop out whenever It wants"

Manning looked strong in the early part of the game, although he disappeared a bit later on (not in a bad way). Its nice to see a lot of the young kids get to play towards the end of the season rather than the bad aging go to's.

1.) His shoulder issues have gone from nagging to career threatening.

2.) He still hasn't proven he can still play after last season's achilles surgery.
- johndewar

1) I understand the rotator cuff injury is not related to his previous problem and many recover well from that.
2) I did not see any problem with his skating as a result of thr Achille's surgery. He just didn't look like he had time to get in shape.

I think Grossman and Mezaros are both big question marks for next season. Since the Flyers look like finishing somewhere around the 10th pick, I hope they can get Ristolainen.

More then one of you mentioned it last night, it was apparent that Mason's puck handling ability really helps the younger defenseman (really it helps everyone) clear the puck.

I am also very encouraged by the late season progress shown by Couts. In a normal year he would be only halfway through his 2nd season.
I think he is poised to continue to build on this and break out in a big way next year.
- Marc D

Couts gets traded goes on to win the selke.

I think Grossman and Mezaros are both big question marks for next season. Since the Flyers look like finishing somewhere around the 10th pick, I hope they can get Ristolainen.
- Feanor

The Grossmann thing scares me a bit. Vision problems are never a good sign. He may recover completely, but then again, I seem to recall something similar happening not too long ago.....

There's a lot of facets to this. First, the kids are just going out and playing and trying to prove themselves. Also, it took a slew of injuries for the coaching staff to make much needed adjustments that would have been a boon to the "regulars" as well.

The other aspect is that the forwards are doing a better job in their own end, and are buying into the team defense concept.
- Jsaquella

Just as an example, on one shift in last night's game, I saw Hartnell in the LW lock forward slot from the Rangers blueline, all the way back to deep in the Flyers zone, ahead of the puck to defend against a rush. It was perfect. And it's how they should've been playing all Season. Instead of that ridiculous 3 man press forecheck.

I think Grossman and Mezaros are both big question marks for next season. Since the Flyers look like finishing somewhere around the 10th pick, I hope they can get Ristolainen.
- Feanor

Yes please.

can we sign adam hall for his usual 650k for 2 yrs? i know he's not a FA who's over 35 and he's actually had a positive impact in more than one game, but...
- isaiah520

I hope so.

Healthy Mez is great.

Tentative, "I think I still may be hurt" Mez is not good.
- johndewar

His contract don't care, though. Gotta get the most out of that $4m cap hit.

If this year's class was like the Kane-JvR-Turris class, the wins would be a bigger issue. As it is, the Flyers are almost certain to get a very solid prospect, regardless of where they pick.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, like 2003, they could conceivably end up with just as good of a player at pick 8-14 as they would have if they were sitting at the top.

Plus, I don't know about you, but I have a lot more confidence in the team's ability to fish a diamond in the rough mid-round than to pick/handle/develop a can't-miss type of prospect. JvR and Pitkanen are still too fresh in my mind.

The Grossmann thing scares me a bit. Vision problems are never a good sign. He may recover completely, but then again, I seem to recall something similar happening not too long ago.....

- MBFlyerfan

Gagne had a similar concussion to Grossmann's in 2010. He recovered fully but it took a long time. Like Grossmann, Gagne made the mistake of trying to come back to practice a little too soon and then started having vestibular issues. Of course, every situation is different.

If I were the Flyers, I'd plan next year as if Mez weren't even on the team. If he's able to come back, I'd consider it a bonus.
- johndewar

Very hard to do with a reduced Salary cap next Season. Need to make a decision and a good one.