Tampa apparently hates that type of defenseman too
- Just5

Not sure what that means.

They have, depending on health, 4 or 5 guys that can play 4th or 5th defenseman roles. Coburn, Grossmann, Gustafsson, Meszaros are all very capable 4-6 defensemen.

The issue is, in the absence of Pronger, that they asked them to be more than they could be. Both systemically and in the roles they were asked to fill.

I think that the current group(Timonen, Schenn, Streit, Coburn, Gustafsson and Grossmann) if healthy can be more than adequate for the team to be a playoff team and even second tier contender...so long as the coaching staff utilizes it properly.
- Jsaquella

That's a lot of money tied up in defense. I'm not sold on this core at all. They are very inconsistent for the price the Flyers are paying.

I'm going to try and be optimistic but every year they seem to keep making the same mistakes over and over.

I do agree they have to utilize the guys properly. May have to scale back on the high octane offensive play.

That's a lot of money tied up in defense. I'm not sold on this core at all. They are very inconsistent for the price the Flyers are paying.

I'm going to try and be optimistic but every year they seem to keep making the same mistakes over and over.

I do agree they have to utilize the guys properly. May have to scale back on the high octane offensive play.
- stveshdy

Lots of one trick ponies on the back end

That's a lot of money tied up in defense. I'm not sold on this core at all. They are very inconsistent for the price the Flyers are paying.

I'm going to try and be optimistic but every year they seem to keep making the same mistakes over and over.

I do agree they have to utilize the guys properly. May have to scale back on the high octane offensive play.
- stveshdy

That's my issue. If they're not used properly, then how can one be upset with their inconsistency?

The biggest mistake was not seeing into the future to see that Pronger's career would be over within 2 and a half years of acquiring him

I don't think they need a top scoring Winger. I think they have enough offensive talent. What I think they need to add is more grit and speed in the form of support players. Players that are physical, can skate, defend, and are hard to play against. Not another goal scorer like JVR.
- MJL

they could use a good hands scorer w/ G. a guy who can convert a variety of chances. the flyers used to come at teams in waves w/ lots of scoring depth. that's clearly eroded and now they're losing briere as well. they def need scoring...

Lots of one trick ponies on the back end
- Just5

The problem is, the coach asked them all to do other ponies' tricks last season. Get into any team's second and third pairs, you'll see similar guys to what the Flyers have.

I want what's best for the Flyers. If Bryzgalov stays, I want him to play well. And I want him to succeed.
- MJL

he's had his chance. time to move on. let him recapture his form elsewhere...

they could use a good hands scorer w/ G. a guy who can convert a variety of chances. the flyers used to come at teams in waves w/ lots of scoring depth. that's clearly eroded and now they're losing briere as well. they def need scoring...
- isaiah520

They have those players already in Voracek and Hartnell to play with Giroux. Look at the teams that went deep in the playoffs. They come at you in waves of tough physical, in your face pressure. That's what the Flyers are lacking the most in my opinion. Not goal scorers.

he's had his chance. time to move on. let him recapture his form elsewhere...
- isaiah520

You're opinion is noted. We'll see what the Flyers decide. I personally have no problem if he comes back.

they could use a good hands scorer w/ G. a guy who can convert a variety of chances. the flyers used to come at teams in waves w/ lots of scoring depth. that's clearly eroded and now they're losing briere as well. they def need scoring...
- isaiah520

I have to disagree with this. When Matt Read is stuck on the 3rd line you've got enough offensive talent.

Would I like an upgrade from Hartnell on the top line? Sure. But its hardly a concern for me right now.

That's my issue. If they're not used properly, then how can one be upset with their inconsistency?

The biggest mistake was not seeing into the future to see that Pronger's career would be over within 2 and a half years of acquiring him
- Jsaquella

Coburn and Mez both have been inconsistent for years (including other teams).

Pronger getting injured definitely hurts but at some point they have to move on from that. It's not like Pronger would be around forever. They didn't have the proper time/plan to prepare for it, but now they know he is not coming back. It's time for them to move forward and forget about him as a player. They probably wouldn't of been able to replace him even if he was still around the entire time. Pronger was a great player but he looked very sluggish the following year before he suffered the eye injury. Eventually father time catches up.

I have to disagree with this. When Matt Read is stuck on the 3rd line you've got enough offensive talent.

Would I like an upgrade from Hartnell on the top line? Sure. But its hardly a concern for me right now.
- hereticpride

It's a need, but it's a secondary need. And if Hartnell bounces back, it won't even be that.

Coburn and Mez both have been inconsistent for years (including other teams).

Pronger getting injured definitely hurts but at some point they have to move on from that. It's not like Pronger would be around forever. They didn't have the proper time/plan to prepare for it, but now they know he is not coming back. It's time for them to move forward and forget about him as a player. They probably wouldn't of been able to replace him even if he was still around the entire time. Pronger was a great player but he looked very sluggish the following year before he suffered the eye injury. Eventually father time catches up.
- stveshdy

Pronger was still playing at a high level before the eye injury. I think it's pretty clear that they have moved on.

Pronger was still playing at a high level before the eye injury. I think it's pretty clear that they have moved on.
- MJL

Sorry just don't want to use his name as an excuse anymore. Pronger was playing at a high level but not at an elite level like he had been playing for years.

They have those players already in Voracek and Hartnell to play with Giroux. Look at the teams that went deep in the playoffs. They come at you in waves of tough physical, in your face pressure. That's what the Flyers are lacking the most in my opinion. Not goal scorers.
- MJL

they need another scoring winger. not their top need, but otherwise a no brainer. i expect homer will make a move to address before xmas.

I would have to disagree that no one could have seen this coming with Sergei Bobrovsky. How could no one see the raw talent and potential this kid possessed?

He played out of his mind for what was a terrible Metallurg team in dead last. Flyers take notice and sign him. He comes in as a rookie and wins 28 games showing flashes of brilliance of unparalleled lateral movement and the ability to steal games. He also showed that his game was far from polished.. needing improvement in areas such as going down to early and rebound control. He showed that he most definitely belonged in the NHL making the jump from the KHL as a 21 year old.. and when given the starting job and proper time to develop his game he could blossom into something special.. and that's exactly what happened. Knowing all of this how could one even begin to justify giving up on this kid and shipping him off for nothing?

With the utmost respect to Ed Snider I think he stuck his nose where it didn't belong in this case. His eagerness to win a cup before he's gone and pride blinded him in thinking he needed to make a statement by putting an end to the Philadelphia goalie debacle by getting what was thought to be the best goalie on the FA market that year.. when in reality the answer was right in front of him the whole time.

So was it really that farfetched to think he was capable of capturing a Vezina trophy this year or down the line given his skill set and ability to play some of his best hockey when leaned upon to win?

Coburn and Mez both have been inconsistent for years (including other teams).

Pronger getting injured definitely hurts but at some point they have to move on from that. It's not like Pronger would be around forever. They didn't have the proper time/plan to prepare for it, but now they know he is not coming back. It's time for them to move forward and forget about him as a player. They probably wouldn't of been able to replace him even if he was still around the entire time. Pronger was a great player but he looked very sluggish the following year before he suffered the eye injury. Eventually father time catches up.
- stveshdy

Yes, they have to move on from it. But that is easier said than done. The assets traded for him are gone, which means they have less to replace him with. It's impossible to utilize assets you don't have.

As for Pronger looking sluggish, the season before he got the concussion, he had 25 points in 50 games, despite playing with various injuries and suffering a broken wrist which he attempted to play through in the playoffs. The season he got hurt for good, he had 12 points in 13 games. Hardly sluggish.

My point is, they had planned on Pronger being here and playing at a high level. The assets are not there to adequately replace him, and they then compounded the problem by asking the remaining guys to play roles that they could not handle.

they need another scoring winger. not their top need, but otherwise a no brainer. i expect homer will make a move to address before xmas.
- isaiah520

If they sign Streit and don't trade anyone from the top 6 I don't see how adding a scoring winger is high priority.

It's a need, but it's a secondary need. And if Hartnell bounces back, it won't even be that.
- Jsaquella

w/ jagr, JVR and now briere out of the lineup, they could use a dynamic element.

I would have to disagree that no one could have seen this coming with Sergei Bobrovsky. How could no one see the raw talent and potential this kid possessed?
- pharcyde

I could see it. I had a fantastic view from his high glove side.

If they sign Streit and don't trade anyone from the top 6 I don't see how adding a scoring winger is high priority.
- hereticpride

they lost a lot of dynamic plyrs over the last 2 yrs. a lot of north/south guys left and i still prefer read on the third line

w/ jagr, JVR and now briere out of the lineup, they could use a dynamic element.
- isaiah520

They could use it, but it's possible that they have it already. Schenn and Couturier are heading into their third seasons, and could easily have breakout years, depending on how they are used.

Also, we could also see Jagr re-signed.

They could use it, but it's possible that they have it already. Schenn and Couturier are heading into their third seasons, and could easily have breakout years, depending on how they are used.

Also, we could also see Jagr re-signed.
- Jsaquella

i'd rather they bring in ryder at this point, if we are bringing in a vet

i'd rather they bring in ryder at this point, if we are bringing in a vet
- isaiah520

I thought you wanted dynamic. Ryder's a north-south guy himself

well, another early one for me, good nite