What happened? I was in the john...
- aightwebang17

1.) Bryz got bought out.
2.) Randy Miller set himself on fire on twitter with off the record anecdotes.
3.) No one knows what this team will do next, but we're excited and skerred at the same time.

I think that about covers it.

Agreed, they threw the bank at him, failed, and Nashville saved them from themselves.

Again...Awesome player but that's pretty irrelevant when you field 2.5 AHL lines in from of him....Can't play all 60 mins either
- Hype97

I actually think that, if healthy, the defense can be decent. They will need much better two way play from the forwards, and they will need to be a lot smarter in the transition game.

Their gapping(between forwards & Defense) was a killer. It led to a lot of turnovers and odd man rushes against, defensemen like Schenn having to lug the puck up ice, and dump ins when three guys were standing at the blue line with no real chance to get the puck after it was dumped.

Granted, the health of the defense is a massive concern.

And if they choose to let Martin go to keep Letang, they'll be able to trade Martin based on his play last year. He only has 2 years remaining and was solid last season even for 5 mil/season.
- five4fighting10

I believe Martin's play is off and on the last few seasons. Maybe I am wrong and I'm sure he was good last season but that isn't always the case for Martin.

What happened? I was in the john...
- aightwebang17

...in the john?

Still think the defense is a concern. Hopefully they can put it together next year.
- stveshdy

I think we have all the individuals, we just need the coaching. Only concern for me would be to make the blue line younger. Other than that, I'd say Homer has done his job. He has a good mix of effective shutdown and offensive guys. Now I'd say it's just up to Lavy to take advantage of it.

I actually think that, if healthy, the defense can be decent. They will need much better two way play from the forwards, and they will need to be a lot smarter in the transition game.

Their gapping(between forwards & Defense) was a killer. It led to a lot of turnovers and odd man rushes against, defensemen like Schenn having to lug the puck up ice, and dump ins when three guys were standing at the blue line with no real chance to get the puck after it was dumped.

Granted, the health of the defense is a massive concern.
- Jsaquella

That was mostly cherry-picking Briere's fault ...addition by subtraction bro

These are the players I think might get bought out...or at least should.

Marian Hossa (Maybe)
Vinny Lecavalier
Brad Richards
Roberto Luongo (Maybe)
Ryan Malone
Johan Franzon
Danny Briere
Ilya Bryzgalov
Brian Campbell
Brent Burns
Paul Martin
Kari Lehtonen
Scottie Upshall
Ville Leino
James Wisniewski
Thomas Kaberle
Dustin Byfuglien
Anton Volchenkov
John-Michael Liles
Josh Gorges
Mike Komisarek
Rick Dipietro
Chris Higgins
- dingo8urbaby

I don't know every teams cap situation but some may hold out a year if they can and squeeze another year of production out of some of these guys. Buckle up though should be fun.

What happened? I was in the john...
- aightwebang17

There's a sale at Penny's!!!

poor john
- Winning

lol

That was mostly cherry-picking Briere's fault ...addition by subtraction bro

- Lexington Flyer

It was team wide and chronic...but yes, it's Briere's fault

I actually think that, if healthy, the defense can be decent. They will need much better two way play from the forwards, and they will need to be a lot smarter in the transition game.

Their gapping(between forwards & Defense) was a killer. It led to a lot of turnovers and odd man rushes against, defensemen like Schenn having to lug the puck up ice, and dump ins when three guys were standing at the blue line with no real chance to get the puck after it was dumped.

Granted, the health of the defense is a massive concern.
- Jsaquella

I actually thought the same at the start of last year. Then as the season went on you seemed to see more and more of stationary forwards at the blue line waiting. I think Streit helps fix that (gaudy contract aside).

Mason's (assuming he is the starter) stick handling skills change things a lot too. Slower D-men don't need to start every breakout from behind their own net. emergence of Gus could change some things this year and it'd be nice to see Mez play more than 20 games.

Not without a replacement for Kimmo my friend...
- dingo8urbaby

You know what? I'll say it: I think Erik Gustafsson has shown enough that he will take that step.

I've said it before: If he was a first-round draft pick, no one would be questioning his development. He's played in college. He's played in the minors and been an AHL All-Star, shown continuous improvement.

He's played some games with the Flyers, including in the playoffs, and not looked at all out of place, including a stretch of playing heavy minutes. And he's just 24 years old.

If this was a Detroit player, people would be raving about what they have coming.

That's why I'm really not worried. I think the Flyers have more in house than people ever give them credit for, including themselves -- Marc-Andre Bourdon was fine when he came up. So was Tye McGinn. Oliver Lauridsen.

We do it differently, but I watch those guys from time to time in the minors. They're not as awful as the publications rank them. The Flyers make them sink or swim, which means a few more losses along the way.

...in the john?
- BulliesPhan87

you got beat by winning.. feel shame.

It was team wides and chronic...but yes, it's Briere's fault
- Jsaquella

you talking about the carter and richards years?

I actually thought the same at the start of last year. Then as the season went on you seemed to see more and more of stationary forwards at the blue line waiting. I think Streit helps fix that (gaudy contract aside).

Mason's (assuming he is the starter) stick handling skills change things a lot too. Slower D-men don't need to start every breakout from behind their own net. emergence of Gus could change some things this year and it'd be nice to see Mez play more than 20 games.
- Hype97

When Laviolette "simplified" things after all the injuries, the team defense was vastly improved and the transition game was much more effective.

I just feel Laviolette mishandled his roster, and when the injuries piled up, he had to change and it worked well.

You know what? I'll say it: I think Erik Gustafsson has shown enough that he will take that step.I've said it before: If he was a first-round draft pick, no one would be questioning his development. He's played in college. He's played in the minors and been an AHL All-Star, shown continuous improvement.

He's played some games with the Flyers, including in the playoffs, and not looked at all out of place, including a stretch of playing heavy minutes. And he's just 24 years old.

If this was a Detroit player, people would be raving about what they have coming.

That's why I'm really not worried. I think the Flyers have more in house than people ever give them credit for, including themselves -- Marc-Andre Bourdon was fine when he came up. So was Tye McGinn. Oliver Lauridsen.

We do it differently, but I watch those guys from time to time in the minors. They're not as awful as the publications rank them. The Flyers make them sink or swim, which means a few more losses along the way.
- AllInForFlyers

NUPE

you talking about the carter and richards years?
- Marc D

No, my stupid phone is not made for my fat fingers

NUPE
- youarewrong

Ha! You do realize that Kimmo Timonen was a 9th-round pick, 200-something overall, and didn't even come to the U.S. until he was 26?

When you're drafted in the ninth round, you might as well be a street free agent.

you talking about the carter and richards years?
- Marc D

Richards = chronic

When Laviolette "simplified" things after all the injuries, the team defense was vastly improved and the transition game was much more effective.

I just feel Laviolette mishandled his roster, and when the injuries piled up, he had to change and it worked well.
- Jsaquella

I think you are right and hope he keeps things simple this season.

Ha! You do realize that Kimmo Timonen was a 9th-round pick, 200-something overall, and didn't even come to the U.S. until he was 26?

When you're drafted in the ninth round, you might as well be a street free agent.
- AllInForFlyers

Gustafsson is in my top six next year, definitely going to give him a bigger role. Played well down the stretch and in the Worlds.

Ha! You do realize that Kimmo Timonen was a 9th-round pick, 200-something overall, and didn't even come to the U.S. until he was 26?

When you're drafted in the ninth round, you might as well be a street free agent.
- AllInForFlyers

I don't even think they have 9 rounds in the NHL Draft anymore, do they?

Ha! You do realize that Kimmo Timonen was a 9th-round pick, 200-something overall, and didn't even come to the U.S. until he was 26?

When you're drafted in the ninth round, you might as well be a street free agent.
- AllInForFlyers

And Alexander Daigle was drafted 1st overall. What is your point?

There's a sale at Penny's!!!
- hockeylover

I think you are right and hope he keeps things simple this season.
- moylander

Won't matter when we trade for Bobby Ryan at the draft.

Jesus, I hope that doesn't turn out to be a Miss Cleo moment