i agree. but things like that take time. but that is the beauty about having such a young core. they HAVE that time
- stayinthefnnet

...until they get impatient and trade them away for the next big NEED du jour.

We were waxing optimistic about our young core of Richards, Carter, JvR, Giroux, Coburn and Bob just a couple of seasons ago... oh how things change but always stay the same.

The only reason there was a dearth of assets in the first place was because they traded all their picks and prospects away trying to win now. And they couldn't hold on to guys like Bob, Lupul, Upshall, Umberger, JvR, Carle and Leino because they dedicated all their cap space to adding (or trying to add) "top" guys like Briere and Bryz and Suter/Parise and Weber.

I'd contend that in the absence of chasing after the biggest name available, if Snider had allowed Homer to go through a proper rebuild from the start, the Flyers would have already won a Cup by now with the amount of affordable and home-grown talent that has passed through this team.
- Tomahawk

Ah I totally disagree. JvR was traded for Schenn, had nothing to do with Briere/Bryz. Lupul brought in Pronger, id give up Sbisa Lupul and 2 firsts everyday for Pronger, and his health is an issue that no one can blame on anyone. Umberger got us a 1st rounder. And theres no shot I would have signed Carle or Leino to the contracts they got. There is an organizational M.O. that tends to do what it takes to win. When is this start? Before the 2011-2012 season after the Richards and Carter trades? So if Homer didn't sign Bryz (the big name) you would contend we would have won the Cup?

And for the record, the trading of Bob had as much to do with Lavi as it did with Homer and Bryz.

...until they get impatient and trade them away for the next big NEED du jour.

We were waxing optimistic about our young core of Richards, Carter, JvR, Giroux, Coburn and Bob just a couple of seasons ago... oh how things change but always stay the same.
- Tomahawk

Now the core is Giroux, Voracek, Couturier, Schenn, Simmonds, B Schenn. And possibly adding Laughton and whoever they draft with the 11th pick. If they don't do something else with it.

Honestly, just look at the Carter trade. Is Voracek really that far behind Carter as a player? I don't think so. Now add Couturier. How can anyone look at that deal, and not gosh over it? Should we still be waxing optimistic over Carter as a Flyer?

Ah I totally disagree. JvR was traded for Schenn, had nothing to do with Briere/Bryz. Lupul brought in Pronger, id give up Sbisa Lupul and 2 firsts everyday for Pronger, and his health is an issue that no one can blame on anyone. Umberger got us a 1st rounder. And theres no shot I would have signed Carle or Leino to the contracts they got. There is an organizational M.O. that tends to do what it takes to win. When is this start? Before the 2011-2012 season after the Richards and Carter trades? So if Homer didn't sign Bryz (the big name) you would contend we would have won the Cup?

And for the record, the trading of Bob had as much to do with Lavi as it did with Homer and Bryz.
- GirouxForTheShow

Well said!

What happened to Portland? I thought they'd come out buzzing in the 3rd and they couldn't keep the puck out of their net.

Were the goalies flailing or was that just me? The commentators were going on as if every goal was the tournament highlight.
- mayorofangrytown

I think for the most part again they struggled with the speed of Halifax even with a decent veteran core on defense.

OB, I do have to say I enjoy thinking that everyday you jump in your car at 5:00 rush home and log into HB to comment on something from page 1.
- youarewrong

Hmmm okay.

Now the core is Giroux, Voracek, Couturier, Schenn, Simmonds, B Schenn. And possibly adding Laughton and whoever they draft with the 11th pick. If they don't do something else with it.

Honestly, just look at the Carter trade. Is Voracek really that far behind Carter as a player? I don't think so. Now add Couturier. How can anyone look at that deal, and not gosh over it? Should we still be waxing optimistic over Carter as a Flyer?

- MJL

The only people that have the right to complain about the Carter trade are C Bus fans. Jake has reached his potential. If Coots only reaches half of his its still a huge fleecing. Wasnt Cousins taken with a pick from that trade too?

The only people that have the right to complain about the Carter trade are C Bus fans. Jake has reached his potential. If Coots only reaches half of his its still a huge fleecing. Wasnt Cousins taken with a pick from that trade too?
- hereticpride

Yes sir. In total it was a 6 for 2 swap. Schenn Simmonds and Grossman for Richards and Voracek, Couts and Cousins for Carter.

The only people that have the right to complain about the Carter trade are C Bus fans. Jake has reached his potential. If Coots only reaches half of his its still a huge fleecing. Wasnt Cousins taken with a pick from that trade too?
- hereticpride

yessir

Yes sir. In total it was a 6 for 2 swap. Schenn Simmonds and Grossman for Richards and Voracek, Couts and Cousins for Carter.
- GirouxForTheShow

Grossmann came from Dallas late 2011-2012 don't you remember?

Grossmann came from Dallas late 2011-2012 don't you remember?
- JAKEw1234

Acquired with the pick that we acquired from LA I believe. I could be wrong though.

Now the core is Giroux, Voracek, Couturier, Schenn, Simmonds, B Schenn. And possibly adding Laughton and whoever they draft with the 11th pick. If they don't do something else with it.

Honestly, just look at the Carter trade. Is Voracek really that far behind Carter as a player? I don't think so. Now add Couturier. How can anyone look at that deal, and not gosh over it? Should we still be waxing optimistic over Carter as a Flyer?

- MJL

yeah. that return literally was drool-worthy. the richards return was pretty damn good as well. like i said, this team is going to be stacked heading forward. all this team needs is patience and a well thought out acquisition or two. then, it will just be having the guys play up to their potential.

The only people that have the right to complain about the Carter trade are C Bus fans. Jake has reached his potential. If Coots only reaches half of his its still a huge fleecing. Wasnt Cousins taken with a pick from that trade too?
- hereticpride

Anyone who has been on this site for any length of time, know how big of a fan of Carter I was , and still am. Other then the initial shock and disappointment. Once seeing what they got in Couturier. I haven't spent a a single second, second guessing that deal. That Carter is even mentioned in an attempt to criticize the team management, is mind boggling to me. I think it's going to go down as an epic trade for the Flyers.

yeah. that return literally was drool-worthy. the richards return was pretty damn good as well. like i said, this team is going to be stacked heading forward. all this team needs is patience and a well thought out acquisition or two. then, it will just be having the guys play up to their potential.
- stayinthefnnet

Absolutely. Im praying that Jeff Reese (goalie coach) can turn Mason into a gem he originally was thought to be.

Anyone who has been on this site for any length of time, know how big of a fan of Carter I was , and still am. Other then the initial shock and disappointment. Once seeing what they got in Couturier. I haven't spent a a single second, second guessing that deal. That Carter is even mentioned in an attempt to criticize the team management, is mind boggling to me. I think it's going to go down as an epic trade for the Flyers.
- MJL

couldnt agree more. extremely jealous of how that turned out

Acquired with the pick that we acquired from LA I believe. I could be wrong though.
- GirouxForTheShow

You are correct. Along with a 3rd rounder they got from Minnesota for Darrell Powe I believe.

Absolutely. Im praying that Jeff Reese (goalie coach) can turn Mason into a gem he originally was thought to be.
- GirouxForTheShow

obviously i hope thats not the case, but that would be huge for the team. maybe a change of scenery is all that he needed. and he is still young enough to grow and develop with the main core. the team definitely needs a stronger commitment to team defense though regardless of who is in net. its certainly not pretty watching a promising and talented goalie become mentally shell shocked....

Absolutely. Im praying that Jeff Reese (goalie coach) can turn Mason into a gem he originally was thought to be.
- GirouxForTheShow

I really wish the future could be seen with that. How Mason is going to turn out here.

Now the core is Giroux, Voracek, Couturier, Schenn, Simmonds, B Schenn. And possibly adding Laughton and whoever they draft with the 11th pick. If they don't do something else with it.
- MJL

You do realize that 50% or more of those players/assets you just named probably won't be with the team in 2-3 years, for whatever reason, guaranteed. Whether it's Homer or Clarke, the impatience is pervasive.

Honestly, just look at the Carter trade. Is Voracek really that far behind Carter as a player? I don't think so. Now add Couturier. How can anyone look at that deal, and not gosh over it? Should we still be waxing optimistic over Carter as a Flyer?
- MJL

Like I mentioned before, it's a great trade on paper, but it just pushed the window farther into the future. The young cores are never given enough time together for all the experiences, hard lessons, failures and mistakes to amount to anything. The constant turnover always guarantees that lessons will have to be relearned, failures and mistakes will have to be repeated, playoff experiences from the past are lost... instead of a progression, it's a hamster wheel.

Now, I'm not saying I'd want to undo the Richards/Carter trades. I just want them to stop chasing purported top players all the time and just give one of these core groups the time and space to come together and develop some championship swagger. It's never going to happen otherwise.

Absolutely. Im praying that Jeff Reese (goalie coach) can turn Mason into a gem he originally was thought to be.
- GirouxForTheShow

I think the bigger dedication to team defense and actually helping the goalie out is what will be the major difference. Much of Mason's failure in Columbus can be attributed to them being, well, Columbus.

I really wish the future could be seen with that. How Mason is going to turn out here.
- MJL

That's the #1 thing I am most excited for coming into the season. I want Mason to get 30 games this next year, but unless Bryz goes down in an injury I don't think that will happen.

You do realize that 50% or more of those players/assets you just named probably won't be with the team in 2-3 years, for whatever reason, guaranteed. Whether it's Homer or Clarke, the impatience is pervasive.




Like I mentioned before, it's a great trade on paper, but it just pushed the window farther into the future. The young cores are never given enough time together for all the experiences, hard lessons, failures and mistakes to amount to anything. The constant turnover always guarantees that lessons will have to be relearned, failures and mistakes will have to be repeated, playoff experience from the past are lost... instead of a progression, it's a hamster wheel.

Now, I'm not saying I'd want to undo the Richards/Carter trades. I just want them to stop chasing purported top players all the time and just give one of these core groups the time and space to come together and develop some championship swagger. It's never going to happen otherwise.
- Tomahawk

that is definitely a valid criticism. if the flyers dismantle this group before they see what they can do, then they are doing themselves a disservice. i do think they could and should move a piece or two, but they now have the organizational depth to do such. and that is a direct result of those two great trades. however, there is a definite difference between dealing from a position of strength to improve the team, than becoming impatient and scrapping all forms of development.

You do realize that 50% or more of those players/assets you just named probably won't be with the team in 2-3 years, for whatever reason, guaranteed. Whether it's Homer or Clarke, the impatience is pervasive.


- Tomahawk

You do realize that you're totally guessing and pulling you know what out of hat? But you're attempting to state it as a fact. I don't care who is here, as long as they win.

Like I mentioned before, it's a great trade on paper, but it just pushed the window farther into the future. The young cores are never given enough time together for all the experiences, hard lessons, failures and mistakes to amount to anything. The constant turnover always guarantees that lessons will have to be relearned, failures and mistakes will have to be repeated... instead of a progression, it's a hamster wheel.


- Tomahawk

Yes, it did push the window further into the future. That was the intent. What's better? Pushing the window into the future, or having the window close. Because that's what the Organization felt. That with the lack of picks, and prospects. Along with the Cap issues faced in the future. That they weren't going to be able to sustain the team, and do what they felt needed to be done to win.
But let's wait and see what they do with this window first, before criticizing them for it. Or you can make some pre-emptive complaints. I think they have identified a core, they have a plan, and are sticking to it.
Look at their reluctance to trade players such as Couturier and B Schenn for Weber or Yandle.

Now, I'm not saying I'd want to undo the Richards/Carter trades. I just want them to stop chasing purported top players all the time and just give one of these core groups the time and space to come together and develop some championship swagger. It's never going to happen otherwise.
- Tomahawk

I disagree. You make the right moves. Not just moves. LA doesn't win the Cup if they didn't chase Richards and Carter. Every team needs to be tweaked, and make key moves to put it where it needs to be. This team is going to need to do that at some point. Most likely with the defense.

You do realize that 50% or more of those players/assets you just named probably won't be with the team in 2-3 years, for whatever reason, guaranteed. Whether it's Homer or Clarke, the impatience is pervasive.




Like I mentioned before, it's a great trade on paper, but it just pushed the window farther into the future. The young cores are never given enough time together for all the experiences, hard lessons, failures and mistakes to amount to anything. The constant turnover always guarantees that lessons will have to be relearned, failures and mistakes will have to be repeated, playoff experiences from the past are lost... instead of a progression, it's a hamster wheel.

Now, I'm not saying I'd want to undo the Richards/Carter trades. I just want them to stop chasing purported top players all the time and just give one of these core groups the time and space to come together and develop some championship swagger. It's never going to happen otherwise.
- Tomahawk

The flyers have been built in fits and starts w/ no real plan or underlying philosophy. The carter/Richards moves were trades that the flyers won, but the discordant nature of the reboot, bringing in bryz and not restocking w/ significant D has the team spinning their wheels a little right now. Exercising some patience w/ the young players can make all the diff going forward.

That's the #1 thing I am most excited for coming into the season. I want Mason to get 30 games this next year, but unless Bryz goes down in an injury I don't think that will happen.
- GirouxForTheShow

I'd like to see it happen. Mason has to be evaluated. Then again, if Bryzgalov is playing so well, that Mason doesn't get a lot of time. That's not a bad thing.