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

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

where are you hearing that about Hall?

http://mobile.philly.com/...=204961591&viewAll=y#more. Love the indictment of Homer here. Anyone who thought this team was "fine as is" is blind. Gervais to replace Carle. Really? No Jagr. No JVR. Ok...Schenn was a great add, but we weren't deep and we have been sorely missing Pronger for 2 years. How many strikes does he get? Lets see, Parise, Suter, Weber... That's 3 right there. Too much of a step back to have any hope for success. I'm just thankful it was a short season. Watching this all year would have been painful.

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

The lockout, and this season kind of put me in a "meh" mood with the team that I am not used to. I dont think it will last, but its strange.

I'm similar when it comes to a lot of things, could live with the decisions either way. Hall was balls on fire when he first arrived, and seemed to lose a bit of that in time. I'd look to see of Boyd Gordon is available before rushing out to re-sign Hall.

I'd be alright with Gagne, but again I dont want Homer to do what he usually does and rush things. Take a peek into a guy like Morrow, who I understand has injury questions but wouldnt be expected to carry the team. I do think they re-sign Gagne, he has stated he will take a paycut and would love to stay. I just think a guy like Morrow would give you a bit more, especially in terms of leadership for the kids.

Shaping up to be an interesting summer if Holmgren decides that is what he wants. He has the option to create cap room with buy-outs on Briere and Bryzgalov, along with some trades chips in Hartnell and Coburn. We will see.

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

The one thing I wanted was for them to just roll with this season and evaluate everything in the summer.

I am glad they did that.

Now just dont be stupid and roll the dice again expecting much better results. Some changes do need to happen.

would amnestying bryz be considered a panic move?
- Marc D

Not IMO. At this point, it has to be strongly considered.

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.
- BiggE

I'm serious, Akeson is our only up and coming LW... I think they should let Schenn play wing with coots, it seems logical.

http://mobile.philly.com/sports/flyers/?wss=/philly/sports/flyers&id=204961591&viewAll=y#more. Love the indictment of Homer here. Anyone who thought this team was "fine as is" is blind. Gervais to re
- section32

As no one here believed the team was "fine as is"....well...

where are you hearing that about Hall?
- Marc D

http://www.pottsmerc.com/...ostseason-miss#full_story

"Holmgren said he expects Mike Knuble to retire, and he didn’t seem hot on re-signing short-term fill-ins Adam Hall and Kent Huskins. Ruslan Fedotenko is also a longshot to re-sign, while Simon Gagne should find a way to stay. "

http://mobile.philly.com/sports/flyers/?wss=/philly/sports/flyers&id=204961591&viewAll=y#more. Love the indictment of Homer here. Anyone who thought this team was "fine as is" is blind. Gervais to replace Carle. Really? No Jagr. No JVR. Ok...Schenn was a great add, but we weren't deep and we have been sorely missing Pronger for 2 years. How many strikes does he get? Lets see, Parise, Suter, Weber... That's 3 right there. Too much of a step back to have any hope for success. I'm just thankful it was a short season. Watching this all year would have been painful.
- section32

It's a new offseason, and Homer was doing the right thing at the time. Not going for at least Suter and Parise, and right now we'd be saying how incompetent he was for not taking a shot in that direction. Hindsight is 20/20. He's learned important lessons from this whole ordeal, and now he knows to not go after a deal so intensely with no backup plan that if the deal doesn't go he's dug himself into a deep hole.

The lockout, and this season kind of put me in a "meh" mood with the team that I am not used to. I dont think it will last, but its strange.

I'm similar when it comes to a lot of things, could live with the decisions either way. Hall was balls on fire when he first arrived, and seemed to lose a bit of that in time. I'd look to see of Boyd Gordon is available before rushing out to re-sign Hall.

I'd be alright with Gagne, but again I dont want Homer to do what he usually does and rush things. Take a peek into a guy like Morrow, who I understand has injury questions but wouldnt be expected to carry the team.

Shaping up to be an interesting summer of Holmgren decides that is what he wants. He has the option to create cap room with buy-outs on Briere and Bryzgalov, along with some trades chips in Hartnell and Coburn. We will see.
- flyer_nutter

I don't think he will rush to re sign Gagne.
He has showed patience so far.

With Mez being questionable because of injuries, the idea of trading Coburn is a little scary. I know he had a bad year, used in a role he is unsuited for.

But Coburn can reliably play a lot of minutes and they need that.

If he is used in the right spot (2nd pair minutes with Kimmo) he will have a bounce back season. If they know Mez and Grossmann will be OK, then trading Coburn seems more of an option. Still makes me nervous.

http://mobile.philly.com/sports/flyers/?wss=/philly/sports/flyers&id=204961591&viewAll=y#more. Love the indictment of Homer here. Anyone who thought this team was "fine as is" is blind. Gervais to replace Carle. Really? No Jagr. No JVR. Ok...Schenn was a great add, but we weren't deep and we have been sorely missing Pronger for 2 years. How many strikes does he get? Lets see, Parise, Suter, Weber... That's 3 right there. Too much of a step back to have any hope for success. I'm just thankful it was a short season. Watching this all year would have been painful.
- section32

The bottom line, despite Carchidi's sophomoric attempt at analysis, is that the Flyers had enough talent to be a playoff team. They had a multitude of people deserving blame, but Laviolette is at the top of the list for me. I feel he did a dreadful job.

http://www.pottsmerc.com/...ostseason-miss#full_story

"Holmgren said he expects Mike Knuble to retire, and he didn’t seem hot on re-signing short-term fill-ins Adam Hall and Kent Huskins. Ruslan Fedotenko is also a longshot to re-sign, while Simon Gagne should find a way to stay. "
- Tomahawk

I'd like someone that would provide more leadership, but Laughton could be a nice fill for that 4th line center spot next season. Give him some PK time as well, and I could be cool with it. He will jump up with injuries at points.

It's a new offseason, and Homer was doing the right thing at the time. Not going for at least Suter and Parise, and right now we'd be saying how incompetent he was for not taking a shot in that direction. Hindsight is 20/20. He's learned important lessons from this whole ordeal, and now he knows to not go after a deal so intensely with no backup plan that if the deal doesn't go he's dug himself into a deep hole.
- JAKEw1234

No worries, hindsight is actually stored in section32 of the Coulda Shoulda Woulda factory in Upper Darby.

http://www.pottsmerc.com/...ostseason-miss#full_story

"Holmgren said he expects Mike Knuble to retire, and he didn’t seem hot on re-signing short-term fill-ins Adam Hall and Kent Huskins. Ruslan Fedotenko is also a longshot to re-sign, while Simon Gagne should find a way to stay. "
- Tomahawk

thanks, that was interesting.

hope he stands by his words and stays patient with the young guys

The bottom line, despite Carchidi's sophomoric attempt at analysis, is that the Flyers had enough talent to be a playoff team. They had a multitude of people deserving blame, but Laviolette is at the top of the list for me. I feel he did a dreadful job.
- Jsaquella

Looks like the beats didn't like getting ripped yesterday for their Lavi questions...

The bottom line, despite Carchidi's sophomoric attempt at analysis, is that the Flyers had enough talent to be a playoff team. They had a multitude of people deserving blame, but Laviolette is at the top of the list for me. I feel he did a dreadful job.
- Jsaquella

How do you all think Ruff would fit in as coach? Just a theoretical, apparently he'll want a GM job too (according to Ek), so it couldn't happen, but would he be a good fit for the team?

Not IMO. At this point, it has to be strongly considered.
- Jsaquella

any decsion regarding bryz has to take into account what the goalie mktplace is...certainly more consideration than was given when the trade to acquire him was made.

I don't think he will rush to re sign Gagne.
He has showed patience so far.

With Mez being questionable because of injuries, the idea of trading Coburn is a little scary. I know he had a bad year, used in a role he is unsuited for.

But Coburn can reliably play a lot of minutes and they need that.

If he is used in the right spot (2nd pair minutes with Kimmo) he will have a bounce back season. If they know Mez and Grossmann will be OK, then trading Coburn seems more of an option. Still makes me nervous.
- Marc D

Im going to give you a hypothetical scenerio of roughly the D-core I have been wanting for next season. Not exact, but something similar.

Timonen-Schenn
Giordano-Grossman
Oliver/Guss-Meszaros

I'd explore Murray and Leopold for depth d-men. A lot of this depends on what the Flyers have doctors telling them regarding Grossman, and Meszaros.

I'll admit, even though its for a lot of reasons, I am kind of locked into a mind frame of wanting Coburn eliminated from the squad.

The bottom line, despite Carchidi's sophomoric attempt at analysis, is that the Flyers had enough talent to be a playoff team. They had a multitude of people deserving blame, but Laviolette is at the top of the list for me. I feel he did a dreadful job.
- Jsaquella

homer right there w/ him for me.

How do you all think Ruff would fit in as coach? Just a theoretical, apparently he'll want a GM job too (according to Ek), so it couldn't happen, but would he be a good fit for the team?
- JAKEw1234

I like that season after season with the Sabres, Ruff was able to adjust his system to fit whatever roster he was saddled with.

But Im not all that enamored with him to coach the Flyers. I would like like to see someone new get a chance if Lavi gets let go, which at this point I don't think happens.

Off topic, but take a look at the NJ Devils.
They have only 6 out of the 18 forwards currently listed on capgeek signed for next year. 6 RFAs and 6 UFAs.

I wonder if Clarkson and Elias will be back.

2013 1st Rounder
Coots
for
Jordan Eberle
- Winning

Im going to give you a hypothetical scenerio of roughly the D-core I have been wanting for next season. Not exact, but something similar.

Timonen-Schenn
Giordano-Grossman
Oliver/Guss-Meszaros

I'd explore Murray and Leopold for depth d-men. A lot of this depends on what the Flyers have doctors telling them regarding Grossman, and Meszaros.

I'll admit, even though its for a lot of reasons, I am kind of locked into a mind frame of wanting Coburn eliminated from the squad.
- flyer_nutter

but how will they get Gio?
He seems like part of the core for the Flames.

http://www.pottsmerc.com/...ostseason-miss#full_story

"Holmgren said he expects Mike Knuble to retire, and he didn’t seem hot on re-signing short-term fill-ins Adam Hall and Kent Huskins. Ruslan Fedotenko is also a longshot to re-sign, while Simon Gagne should find a way to stay. "
- Tomahawk

while you made a reasonable point about holmstrom, i just don't get how bringing back a 650k pk, faceoff guy w/ a physical edge, is any great risk. you could lose him during training camp w/ no prob. 55% at the dot is hard to find...just don't get it...must be something we can't see.

I like that season after season with the Sabres, Ruff was able to adjust his system to fit whatever roster he was saddled with.

But Im not all that enamored with him to coach the Flyers. I would like like to see someone new get a chance if Lavi gets let go, which at this point I don't think happens.
- MBFlyerfan

In terms of player management Lava failed big time. In many, many ways.

That would be my reason for any sort of firing. Regarding systems, there is nothing wrong with an attacking system. He waited too long to calm it down though. Having 3 guys in deep with the other team able to make a quick chip play, lead to many goals against.