I wouldn't complain if the Flyers won the lottery but that can hardly be factored into anything called a strategy. Also if the Flyers had lost their last 4 games (in regulation) they would be tied for 4th overall with Nashville, so they would've been in your Top 5 or 6 sweet spot.

I'm not sure how much "finishing strongly" factors into anything. Plenty of teams have finished strongly once they are out of playoff contention only to do the same thing the following year, finishing strongly after being eliminated. It makes fans and players feel better but does it translate into actual production? That I don't know.
- Flyers_01

Finishing strongly for a veteran laden team probably means little. But a young team, like the Flyers benefits from it. It helps the confidence of the younger guys and hopefully gives them something to build off of.

I also would have serious concerns moving forward had they tanked.

I dont how how many moves Holmgren is ideally planning to make in the summer. I lean toward patience regarding the kids, but also not to stand pat with some of the veterans.

I dont want the to see the same crew return next year, and basically just hope everything is better. That would be stupid imo, and may cost Holmgren his job.

Would prefer to cut ties with Bryzgalov now. What exactly are the Flyers going to lose? If it seems that there is a time splitting option out there (Emery/Backstrom), then I would be in for a buy-out now.
- flyer_nutter

If Homer can get someone to replace Kimmo's role as the top guy he will have had a great summer.

Baring that, I would hope he gets someone on defense who can play top four minutes and have a credible shot from the point/PP type guy.

After that if he decides to get another vet goalie and cut ties with Bryz, that would be OK.

If they want to give Bryz one more season I am OK with that too. But I think they need to make him off limits to the media if they keep him.

While I like Gagne and would be OK with him back, I would like to see if there is a better free agent option. If not and Gagne will come back for $2M that is OK too.

Re sign Hall, I think that is OK too.

The coach decision is huge too.

2013 1st Rounder
Coots
for
Jordan Eberle

I have a feeling they're all just tired of the constant circus and tired of having to answer questions about him over and over.
- Tomahawk

I like a light-hearted approach on here for the most part, but if Bobrovsky pulls away with the Vezina somehow that would be sickening.

If Homer can get someone to replace Kimmo's role as the top guy he will have had a great summer.

Baring that, I would hope he gets someone on defense who can play top four minutes and have a credible shot from the point/PP type guy.

After that if he decides to get another vet goalie and cut ties with Bryz, that would be OK.

If they want to give Bryz one more season I am OK with that too. But I think they need to make him off limits to the media if they keep him.

While I like Gagne and would be OK with him back, I would like to see if there is a better free agent option. If not and Gagne will come back for $2M that is OK too.

Re sign Hall, I think that is OK too.

The coach decision is huge too.
- Marc D

they missed hall on faceoffs last night imo

My guess is yandle would be the most attainable this summer. I've watched pieces of totes games recently and wow his play in his own zone really sucks. Like worse than Gus suck. Seems like he just shadows the guy all the time until a forward comes in to do the dirty work
- Just5

Thats why I would rather make a play for JayBo, I know he was just acquired, but St. Louis is going to have to break the bank for Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk won't come cheap either, and both of those guys are going to be a higher priority to them than JayBo who will cost them nearly 7 million next year.

I would offer this years 2nd, next years 1st, and Cousins and hope they would take Mez just to offset the cap $$ a little. If not, I would trade Mez for the best available offer. A D of:
JayBo-Schenn
Kimmo-Coburn
Grossmann-Gus
would work for me.

I like a light-hearted approach on here for the most part, but
- flyer_nutter

they didn't win playoffs wont happen

"Enough of Buff: Get rid of him

Lacks commitment, discipline of true pro"

http://www.winnipegfreepr...992331.html?device=mobile
- Marc D

I have visceral hatred towards him. He is everything we don't need or want

"Enough of Buff: Get rid of him

Lacks commitment, discipline of true pro"

http://www.winnipegfreepr...992331.html?device=mobile
- Marc D

I know all too well the bashing he endures in the city.

Buff is a good player, a great one when on his game. I would like Holmgren to stay away from more inconsistent trash though.

The Jets would most definately ask for Coots or Brayden Schenn. For Buff's cap hit, hell no.

Bill,

What if anything do you know on

Markus Söberg (LW) of Frolunda
Peter Cehlarik (LW) of Lulea
Marcus Högberg (G) of Linkopings
Robin Press (D) of Sodertalje
Niklas Hansson (D) of Rogle
- ob18

Söberg: Think former Flyers prospect Mario Kempe. Blazing speed, undersized. Good on breakaways but can't seem to finish regularly. Two-way upside but more on the PK side of things.

Cehlarik: Slovak with good size and hands. Iffy skating, D needs work,

Högberg: Athletic but very raw junior goalie. Did get into a few Elitserien games this year but needs more time.

Press: Converted forward with good athleticism. Still learning position.

Hansson: Sleeper with potential as a puck-mover. Has been a very good 2-way in J20.

Finishing strongly for a veteran laden team probably means little. But a young team, like the Flyers benefits from it. It helps the confidence of the younger guys and hopefully gives them something to build off of.

I also would have serious concerns moving forward had they tanked.
- Jsaquella

Nicely worded... a strong finish gives Homer/Snider less of a reason to go into off-season desperation/rage mode.

The thing this week that really bothered me the most was hearing our beloved and trusted blogger say Bryz was not liked by team mates for throwing other players under the bus. Also the reports that Lavi and Bryz don't see eye to eye.

I hate this kind of stuff.

It reminds me of the rumors of the divided locker room when Pronger came here, not getting along with Richards and Carter.

I don't remember Bryz's comments or what he said about his teammates. I do know he always seems to be brutally honest about his own performance when he is bad. He also is maybe too candid about how if they lost a certain game they were "done". I think it referred to the back to back games with the Devils in mid March. But I can't remember him backstabbing his teammates. Maybe it is how he reacts to goals with his exaggerated body language.

I think if there is truth to these things it makes it tough for Bryz's future here.
I know winning solves everything, but with the youth and holes on D they have, consistent winning may be 2-3 years away.
- Marc D

I think the holes on D can be resolved by the trade deadline next season if homer remains clever with his moves but tries to stay smart and not screw the team with one-sided trades going the other way and not having a backup plan in case things don't go correctly. The inconsistent youth can still be resolved more quickly if the coaching staff puts more of an emphasis on player development, and Lavy finds a way to get into his players heads better. If all of our youth performed like the AHL call ups who were relied on to perform (excluding Manning, he's garbage), then we'll be fine.

If Homer can get someone to replace Kimmo's role as the top guy he will have had a great summer.

Baring that, I would hope he gets someone on defense who can play top four minutes and have a credible shot from the point/PP type guy.

After that if he decides to get another vet goalie and cut ties with Bryz, that would be OK.

If they want to give Bryz one more season I am OK with that too. But I think they need to make him off limits to the media if they keep him.

While I like Gagne and would be OK with him back, I would like to see if there is a better free agent option. If not and Gagne will come back for $2M that is OK too.

Re sign Hall, I think that is OK too.

The coach decision is huge too.
- Marc D

I would let Laughton be the 4th line center. With pk time he'll see 12-14 minutes a game. He may not be quite as polished as hall but laughton seems the type that will relish the role

I would let Laughton be the 4th line center. With pk time he'll see 12-14 minutes a game. He may not be quite as polished as hall but laughton seems the type that will relish the role
- Just5

With you there. A 4th line with Laughton and Rinaldo will be leaving a lot of opponents black and blue!

Nicely worded... a strong finish gives Homer/Snider less of a reason to go into off-season desperation/rage mode.
- Tomahawk

The centers should be roo, schenn, cooter, Laughton next year.

they missed hall on faceoffs last night imo
- Don'tForgetTocchet

yes but I did like that Knuble was in, and that they let Akeson play on Giroux's line.
Also thought it was good they had Rosehill in last night, Neal and Kassian were running around gooning it up.

Nicely worded... a strong finish gives Homer/Snider less of a reason to go into off-season desperation/rage mode.
- Tomahawk

That's another factor...hoping we don't see panic moves.

If they really want to move up to #1, my guess is it will cost this years and next years 1st, Couturier and Ghost at the very least.

I would let Laughton be the 4th line center. With pk time he'll see 12-14 minutes a game. He may not be quite as polished as hall but laughton seems the type that will relish the role
- Just5

that would be OK with me but Couts and Schenn need to work on their faceoffs this summer

that would be OK with me but Couts and Schenn need to work on their faceoffs this summer
- Marc D

This

The centers should be roo, schenn, cooter, Laughton next year.
- Just5

The centers should be G Coots Max and Laughton. The left wingers should be hartsy, brayden, maybe gags/maybe UFA, akeson.

Söberg: Think former Flyers prospect Mario Kempe. Blazing speed, undersized. Good on breakaways but can't seem to finish regularly. Two-way upside but more on the PK side of things.

Cehlarik: Slovak with good size and hands. Iffy skating, D needs work,

Högberg: Athletic but very raw junior goalie. Did get into a few Elitserien games this year but needs more time.

Press: Converted forward with good athleticism. Still learning position.

Hansson: Sleeper with potential as a puck-mover. Has been a very good 2-way in J20.
- bmeltzer

what happened to him?
playing in Sweden?

That's another factor...hoping we don't see panic moves.
- Jsaquella

would amnestying bryz be considered a panic move?

I would let Laughton be the 4th line center. With pk time he'll see 12-14 minutes a game. He may not be quite as polished as hall but laughton seems the type that will relish the role
- Just5

I'd like to see Holmstrom or Laughton get the call.

Supposedly Hall doesn't look like he'll be re-signed.

With the acquisition of Mason, this team now has good young talent 25 or under at every position.
G: Mason
D: Schenn, Gus
C: Giroux, Schenn, Couturier
W: Voracek, Simmonds

and some nice prospects
G: Stolarz
D: Lauridsen, Ghost
C: Laughton, Cousins
W: McGinn, Straka

I agree with Jsaq, I really hope they don't make any panic moves. Upgrade the D as best that you can without sacrificing the core and just let this team grow.

The only change I really want to see, although listening to Holmgren, I don't think it's going to happen, is a new coach. Lavy refusal to adapt his system until it was too late is just inexcusable in my book.