Yes. I'm afraid they'll use assets to move up. I was hoping we could gain assets by moving down. That last win was a kick to the crotch. It's all water under the bridge and we're sitting at 11.

I don't mind female doging about it. What else do I have to do?

- mayorofangrytown

Go Islanders.

Go Blues!!

Pietrangelo

Go Islanders.

- FlyerGuy

Also...

Go CAPS!!!!

Bill addressed Akeson and Cousins in his blog today. He'll address the defenseman tomorrow. Watching Manning play this year, not likely.
- MJL

Guy was a total reck. I hope he takes that into the off season and conditions like heck. Although his issues were mostly positional.

Bill doesn't have trouble with the curve

Guy was a total reck. I hope he takes that into the off season and conditions like heck. Although his issues were mostly positional.
- coffee junkie

Manning looked like that the year before when he came up. He shouldn't be in the conversation. Changes are a coming. I don't think the flyers are going to exercise patience on one of Mez or coburn or possibly both. Not sure how they get it done but I could see one or maybe both moving on

Go Islanders.

- FlyerGuy

W:
Isle
OTT
WSH
BOS
STL
SJ
ANH
MIN

A lot if upsets there but that would be my ideal winners in the 1st round, very entertaining.

Manning looked like that the year before when he came up. He shouldn't be in the conversation. Changes are a coming. I don't think the flyers are going to exercise patience on one of Mez or coburn or possibly both. Not sure how they get it done but I could see one or maybe both moving on
- Just5

our defense was better without them

Also...

Go CAPS!!!!
- mayorofangrytown

There is no good outcome from a Caps v. Rangers series except possibly a large sinkhole opening up under one of the arenas and swallowing up both teams at the same time.

our defense was better without them
- 2Real

i dont think they were better players...i just think lavys system was changed...

i'm with you on the draft, and it's nice to have a high pick in a deep draft. we're just so conditioned to be in the playoffs and feel like we've got a reasonable chance to go deep, that's it difficult to be on the sidelines...that feeling of knowing it's possible to finally end the drought. and i live for the adrenaline roller-coaster experience - you know that better than anyone. on the flip side, it's nice to be able to watch the whole thing from start to finish without having the emotion and distraction...just enjoy it for what it is from a fan of the game's perspective.

knowing it will be an entire YEAR before we get back to this point of possibility and excitement again is also something i'm grappling with. that makes me tired just thinking about it.
- hammarby31

yes it does suck it will take that long. I'm also not looking forward to the Olympic break.

How exciting was that draft lottery last night? Wow, the electricity was so high the hair was standing up on my arms.

There is no good outcome from a Caps v. Rangers series except possibly a large sinkhole opening up under one of the arenas and swallowing up both teams at the same time.
- BringBack25

My son's a huge Ovie fan and I like that Holtby kid. I could never root for the Rangers under any circumstances. If they were playing the Pens I'd hope for Hell to open up and swallow them all.

Bill,
With several holes to fill, do you see any one of the following flyers prospects making the team full-time for next season?
Jason Akeson, Nick Cousins, Kyle Flanagan, Shayne Gostisbehere, Brandon Manning, someone else?
- MrBigglesworth

Flanagan is listed at 5-foot-9 and that looks a bit generous. Energetic player with a head for responsible two-way play. Coming out of a small college program, he will be lucky to find a regular spot in the AHL next year.

Manning had a rough season between injuries and seemingly taking a step back in his development. Ignore the All-star selection; not only did he take Gussy's place because of injury, he wore #36 which was Gus's jersey.

The defensemen to keep an eye on are Alt and Eddy. Alt played a little after his college season ended and showed good footwork and anticipation. Nice size as well. I expect him to see some time in Philly at some point next year. No one on the Phantoms has worked harder over the past two seasons that Cullen Eddy. He is very steady and does not flinch under pressure. Good decisions mostly and also willing to play rough. He was rewarded with a two-year deal after spending part of 11-12 in the ECHL. He has progressed as much as Ollie has, but does not have the 10-foot wingspan.

How exciting was that draft lottery last night? Wow, the electricity was so high the hair was standing up on my arms.
- flyguy12

They should just open it up and decide all the positions not just the first. That would be more interesting.

i can make a hat, a broche, a pterodactyl.
- hammarby31

One of the few lines in that movie that made me literally lol.

What would you guys do if Danny Briere is a Flyer at the start of next season?
I'd love to see some answers

My son's a huge Ovie fan and I like that Holtby kid. I could never root for the Rangers under any circumstances. If they were playing the Pens I'd hope for Hell to open up and swallow them all.
- mayorofangrytown

(frank) the Caps and all their stupid bandwagon fans (not including your son in this category - just most of the VA residents I live near). They're worse than Pitt fans, or at least just as bad. Trust me, you would feel the same if you lived down here.

EDIT: But yes, I also cannot root for the Rangers either. Hence the wish for the giant sinkhole...

Zac Rinaldo: Rinaldo backed up his brashness with hard work this year. He cut down on his bad penalties, created a lot of power plays for Philly and referees gave him fewer "reputation penalties" on marginal infractions. He is one of the NHL's most aggressive hitters and most active trash talkers. I thought his all-around game improved a lot from his rookie year. For the last two years, Rinaldo has told anyone that will listen how he could be an excellent penalty killer if given the chance (he did see some PK time in Adirondack during the lockout) and could even score more goals if he's placed on a scoring line. While I don't think he'll ever get top-six ice time except perhaps in a blowout game with lots of line combination juggling, I do think he can continue to grow his game to where he could be used on an NHL penalty kill. He skates quite well and is willing to fight (literally and figuratively) for turf.
- bmeltzer

I hope Rinaldo can develop his defensive game to the point where he's as useful as a guy like Derek Dorsett -- a supreme agitator that is able to kill penalties w/ aplomb.

How exciting was that draft lottery last night? Wow, the electricity was so high the hair was standing up on my arms.
- flyguy12

NHL nailed it with this system. One fan base is excited while 13 others wonder why theyve wasted 30 minutes they'll never get back to see a fat bald man open cards

Who is this Forsberg player you speak of?
- Pyzik

He's no Eric Lindros.

Forsberg was always injured with a ruptured spleen and constant foot injuries, unlike Lindros.

Last night prior to the lottery, one of the pundits on TSN Radio proclaimed this to be a draft with five potential superstar-caliber talents (Jones, MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin, Aleksander Barkov and Valeri Nichuskin) and an average draft crop after that.
- bmeltzer

It's definitely not as deep as originally projected -- the comparisons to 2003 were a bit hasty.

With that said, I'd expect there to be a good number of steady NHL'ers from the first-round... maybe not a parade of All-Stars, but guys that go on to have pretty solid careers.

our defense was better without them
- 2Real

...oh man...

NHL nailed it with this system. One fan base is excited while 13 others wonder why theyve wasted 30 minutes they'll never get back to see a fat bald man open cards
- Just5

If it wasn't televised, I'd probably female dog that it wasn't...