The problem isn't a lack of balls, it's a lack of a consistent plan. 4 years ago we were excited of the young nucleus of Ricahrds, Carter, Umberger, Upshall, Lupul, etc.

Now we're excited over the young core of Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier & Schenn(s). Hopefully, they don't trade this one away over press reports and nonsense.
- Jsaquella

This year they're getting "bigger", haven't ya heard?

THE KING IN THE NORTH!!!
Oh.....poop...
- jmatchett383

Awful

That was a big conversation point of the commentators in his rookie year plus, you can additionally tell from his interviews, as well as his maturity in-game. Sometimes when I hear him talk in interviews I think I'm listening to J Toews
- JAKEw1234

I like toews very much. Cooter has a long, long way to go

The problem isn't a lack of balls, it's a lack of a consistent plan. 4 years ago we were excited of the young nucleus of Ricahrds, Carter, Umberger, Upshall, Lupul, etc.

Now we're excited over the young core of Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier & Schenn(s). Hopefully, they don't trade this one away over press reports and nonsense.
- Jsaquella

The question is (just like the question was 4 years ago) is the core constructed good enough now to win a Stanley Cup? I honestly don't know, certainly from their actions in trading the core from 4 years ago, the answer was a resounding "no".

Maybe breaking up a part of the core to draft a Nuchushkin may be a detriment or strengthen the core. I don't have a problem breaking up a young core, if that core can be strengthened with someone better. I like our core, but outside of G and probably Voracek I only see those two as elite talent right now. The others could certainly grow, but it is an uncertainty. Of course, replacing part of the core with an unproven draft pick is even more of an uncertainty.

This year they're getting "bigger", haven't ya heard?
- isaiah520

The worst thing about missing the playoffs is having no plan to carbon copy the team that beat you!

The problem isn't a lack of balls, it's a lack of a consistent plan. 4 years ago we were excited of the young nucleus of Ricahrds, Carter, Umberger, Upshall, Lupul, etc.

Now we're excited over the young core of Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier & Schenn(s). Hopefully, they don't trade this one away over press reports and nonsense.
- Jsaquella

Don't you think if there was any fire behind the smoke, that the Flyers management would know moreso than the press would? Now that's a big if, but if that was the case I highly doubt Homer picked up the Daily News and was suddenly enlightened.

The worst thing about missing the playoffs is having no plan to carbon copy the team that beat you!
- Just5

Or best? Stay the course...

The worst thing about missing the playoffs is having no plan to carbon copy the team that beat you!
- Just5

But "we like our team"....

Instead of trading away one for the core young guys to move up, why not look to trade a player like Hartnell for assets to put in a package to trade up? It would be a shame to trade Hartnell after a down year though.

Instead of trading away one for the core young guys to move up, why not look to trade a player like Hartnell for assets to put in a package to trade up? It would be a shame to trade Hartnell after a down year though.
- jstross

Because we're trading Hartnell for Edler...

Because we're trading Hartnell for Edler...
- JAKEw1234

LOL. Ok then.

The question is (just like the question was 4 years ago) is the core constructed good enough now to win a Stanley Cup? I honestly don't know, certainly from their actions in trading the core from 4 years ago, the answer was a resounding "no".

Maybe breaking up a part of the core to draft a Nuchushkin may be a detriment or strengthen the core. I don't have a problem breaking up a young core, if that core can be strengthened with someone better. I like our core, but outside of G and probably Voracek I only see those two as elite talent right now. The others could certainly grow, but it is an uncertainty. Of course, replacing part of the core with an unproven draft pick is even more of an uncertainty.
- ravishingone

If the core from 4 years ago had a better goalie in 2010, maybe they do have a Cup

Jesus, these refs suck.

No idea how LA got a PP out of that....Clifford two handed Rozsival across the shoulders. Asinine

If the core from 4 years ago had a better goalie in 2010, maybe they do have a Cup
- Jsaquella

Possible, but they did trade away part of that core to strengthen the roster to acquire Pronger. It could be argued that if Emery didn't get injured that year, their chances in the Cup Finals could have been better. I don't regret the Pronger trade then and I don't now even with his injury. It was the right move. Also, that core before the Pronger trade couldn't beat the Pens in the playoffs (I know the Flyers didn't play the Pens with Pronger in the line-up in the playoffs). The Pens will always be a strong team in the conference as long as Malkin and Crosby are playing.

Again, I'm just looking to acquire elite talent, if it means trading good talent, so be it.

If the core from 4 years ago had a better goalie in 2010, maybe they do have a Cup
- Jsaquella

Or a midget league five hole save from the half wall

Possible, but they did trade away part of that core to strengthen the roster to acquire Pronger. It could be argued that if Emery didn't get injured that year, their chances in the Cup Finals could have been better. I don't regret the Pronger trade then and I don't now even with his injury. It was the right move. Also, that core before the Pronger trade couldn't beat the Pens in the playoffs (I know the Flyers didn't play the Pens with Pronger in the line-up in the playoffs). The Pens will always be a strong team in the conference as long as Malkin and Crosby are playing.

Again, I'm just looking to acquire elite talent, if it means trading good talent, so be it.
- ravishingone

I'm not against trading core pieces to address a weakness, such as the Pronger trade. What my issue is, if this group hits a road block, or takes a step back, do they get impatient and start shuffling the deck, yet again?


I also like the Richards and Carter trades, but at the same time, better foresight could have prevented them from having to make that kind of move.

Or a midget league five hole save from the half wall
- GirouxForTheShow

Well, all that would have guaranteed was a game 7

I'm not against trading core pieces to address a weakness, such as the Pronger trade. What my issue is, if this group hits a road block, or takes a step back, do they get impatient and start shuffling the deck, yet again?
- Jsaquella

I guess TBD. Heck, I thought this year was a step back with how the coach handled things, and the organization is standing behind him, so what the hell do I know.

If the core from 4 years ago had a better goalie in 2010, maybe they do have a Cup
- Jsaquella

either a goalie or a better third pair. either one not even both.
so sad to look back on... we were so close

Jesus, these refs suck.

No idea how LA got a PP out of that....Clifford two handed Rozsival across the shoulders. Asinine
- Jsaquella

Great word.

Like galavant. Two elite words

I guess TBD. Heck, I thought this year was a step back with how the coach handled things, and the organization is standing behind him, so what the hell do I know.
- ravishingone

I blame the coach more than anyone for how this season worked out. I know he didn't get the defensemen he wanted or didn't get the pieces he needed to run his system...but he didn't adapt to fit his system to his team.

We saw the mini-run late in the year, after the injuries, when the system was simplified and the forwards were given more responsibility in their own end. In addition to winning more games, and playing better defense, the offense was improved, too.

I blame the coach more than anyone for how this season worked out. I know he didn't get the defensemen he wanted or didn't get the pieces he needed to run his system...but he didn't adapt to fit his system to his team.

We saw the mini-run late in the year, after the injuries, when the system was simplified and the forwards were given more responsibility in their own end. In addition to winning more games, and playing better defense, the offense was improved, too.
- Jsaquella

Lava screwed the pooch, no doubt. When all the young d-men were playing, they were playing pretty much every night against teams who made the playoffs. His stubbornness to adapt cost them a playoff berth this year no doubt. Hopefully, from the rubble of a lost season a very, very good prospect can be attained.

I'm surprised Lava was attained, but if he gets off to a Hitch-like start, I think he will be gone quickly.

Lava screwed the pooch, no doubt. When all the young d-men were playing, they were playing pretty much every night against teams who made the playoffs. His stubbornness to adapt cost them a playoff berth this year no doubt. Hopefully, from the rubble of a lost season a very, very good prospect can be attained.

I'm surprised Lava was attained, but if he gets off to a Hitch-like start, I think he will be gone quickly.
- ravishingone

Agreed. If they stumble out of the gate, he's toast

I think Mr Bickell is going to be paid big money.

Number one star of the game

Patrick Sharp

Woof