Just watched Ottawa-Dallas, because I was curious to see Valeri Nichushkin.

- AllInForFlyers

Too bad Nichushkin got drafted before the Flyers picked , would have loved to see him on that first line.

Man.

I have been looking at multiple newspaper sites, Twitter/blogs, and none of them have anything much about what the Flyers might be wanting to do except Bruce Garrioch's piece today in the Ottawa Sun, which says pretty much what you'd expect: The Flyers are desperate to make some kind of deal, but nothing of real substance. I don't even know how much of that I'd believe.

Deals come out of nowhere, like Talbot for Downie, so it's not that I'm saying that I expect anyone to really know what actual trades the Flyers might or might not be considering.

I'm more wondering about the when, and the why. Is this team still thinking it can make the playoffs, or no? Are they thinking they can make the playoffs with the roster we have, which is 4-6 over the past 10 games but has shown some overall improvement, despite Friday's rock-bottom moment?

Or are they just going to pack it in for the season, let everything ride until the trade deadline, because they already know they're not going to make the kinds of changes needed for the roster during the season?

Either way...I'm just a fan, a guy with a laptop. I don't get to choose. But it would really be nice to get an idea about what they're thinking, just for ease in framing how to think about this team for the rest of the year.

Buyers? Sellers? Neutral? Playoffs or bust? No playoffs possible?

Just wish I had some clue what they are thinking.
- AllInForFlyers

As bad as they have been, they remain just 6 points out of a playoff spot. It's not insurmountable.

I doubt very much that if they stay in the hunt that they blow things up. If the gap widens by Thanksgiving, we might see some radical surgery.

Wow, it's White Boy Day for the Eagles....hahaha

*True Romance referrance*

As bad as they have been, they remain just 6 points out of a playoff spot. It's not insurmountable.

I doubt very much that if they stay in the hunt that they blow things up. If the gap widens by Thanksgiving, we might see some radical surgery.
- Jsaquella

Yeah...see, this team is horrifying in this way: You can see them making a run to a playoff spot with just a little tweak...maybe.

So maybe you don't want to mess with it too much, you know? Because while it seems like this season has been going on forever, you've only played 13 games.

But at the same time...you can obviously see there are some serious holes in this thing. The Steve Downie deal was them clearly acknowledging that they didn't have enough NHL-ready players in the Top 9 -- which many of us had already questioned -- but now, he's out, and it sure doesn't sound like he's coming back anytime soon.

So...you had already acknowledged that you needed another forward. But now he's out.

So...do you go get another one, then? Because you clearly know you need one?

Do you do something like...Luke Schenn for Alex Goligoski and a pick, if Ek's Flyers sources about them and Dallas talking are good -- and I don't care what anyone says, he does have a feel for the team? To get the puckmover you have to know you need, while giving two guys who just might need fresh starts that opportunity?

Or, again, do you just ride it out because you already moved Maxime Talbot and you brought up Tye McGinn, who isn't a horrible player and you give him his chance, which he's earned?

Intrigue. I like this side of the game -- prefer it when we're good -- but, as I said, am truly curious about what they're thinking.

Too bad Nichushkin got drafted before the Flyers picked , would have loved to see him on that first line.
- opeth_pa

I'll tell you what: He CLEARLY has the tools to be that guy.

I dont advocate for it, but if it happens, it happens for a reason. Which I think is what we may see here.

Tanking also isnt some concrete method to establishing a solid team, as the Oilers have shown us. Has to be really hard to be an Edmonton fan right now. Quinn, Renney, Kruger, and now Eakins.

Another team where managment imo is the biggest concern.
- flyer_nutter

Trust me, I hear you -- tanking's no guarantee of anything. Florida's made the playoffs once in the last 13 years. The Islanders have made the playoffs...what, three times in the last 17 years?

Always amazed when people think losing is automatically going to make you a winner.

After 2

Victoriaville - 1
Rimouski - 6

Morin with an assist

Too bad Nichushkin got drafted before the Flyers picked , would have loved to see him on that first line.
- opeth_pa

Ek says Dallas wants Luke Schenn...


That's a trade I would make. I'd throw in as much as a third rounder as well.

I'll tell you what: He CLEARLY has the tools to be that guy.
- AllInForFlyers

Yup, just saw the video of the play he made where Anderson got hurt.. Man that move down low was so smooth.

Ek says Dallas wants Luke Schenn...


That's a trade I would make. I'd throw in as much as a third rounder as well.
- hereticpride

Schenn for Dallas 1st

Wow, it's White Boy Day for the Eagles....hahaha

*True Romance referrance*
- KINGKENZO

Awesome movie. Now tell me, am I lyin'?

So how about the comments lately? The 2 blogs before this one combined for 3000 comments in 2 days. That's gotta be a record.
- JAKEw1234

I bet The Rapture doubled that just in one blob

Ek says Dallas wants Luke Schenn...


That's a trade I would make. I'd throw in as much as a third rounder as well.
- hereticpride

How bout Goligoski? Haven't watched him in awhile. Both players are struggling but he can move the puck. Might make for a good trade although he has a bad contract

Schenn for Dallas 1st
- vejim

At the draft, maybe. I'd hate trading him now and it end up being something like the 24th overall pick.

Yeah...see, this team is horrifying in this way: You can see them making a run to a playoff spot with just a little tweak...maybe.

So maybe you don't want to mess with it too much, you know? Because while it seems like this season has been going on forever, you've only played 13 games.

But at the same time...you can obviously see there are some serious holes in this thing. The Steve Downie deal was them clearly acknowledging that they didn't have enough NHL-ready players in the Top 9 -- which many of us had already questioned -- but now, he's out, and it sure doesn't sound like he's coming back anytime soon.

So...you had already acknowledged that you needed another forward. But now he's out.

So...do you go get another one, then? Because you clearly know you need one?

Do you do something like...Luke Schenn for Alex Goligoski and a pick, if Ek's Flyers sources about them and Dallas talking are good -- and I don't care what anyone says, he does have a feel for the team? To get the puckmover you have to know you need, while giving two guys who just might need fresh starts that opportunity?

Or, again, do you just ride it out because you already moved Maxime Talbot and you brought up Tye McGinn, who isn't a horrible player and you give him his chance, which he's earned?

Intrigue. I like this side of the game -- prefer it when we're good -- but, as I said, am truly curious about what they're thinking.
- AllInForFlyers

I'd kick tires all along. If I could move an onerous contract-say Hartnell's-I would.

But they have to avoid bad trades. I'm not a huge fan of Goligoski, because he's a big liability in his own end, but his skillset is more needed than Luke Schenn's.

I don't think one magic move changes their fortunes. But I would definitely be trying to move a couple guys with bigger deals on longer terms.

Hartnell. Grossmann would be the two guys I'd be trying like Hell to get rid of. Hartnell's done jack poop since he signed his extension. And Grossmann just has a bad deal for a 3rd pair stay at home guy with mediocre puck skills

Kind of interesting how Riley Cooper looks like a player when he plays with Foles.....yet becomes invisible playing with Vick.

Awesome movie. Now tell me, am I lyin'?
- wolfhounds

Condescend me, man. I'll kill ya, man

Kind of interesting how Riley Cooper looks like a player when he plays with Foles.....yet becomes invisible playing with Vick.
- MBFlyerfan

Chip Kelly better watch his ass. Up 49-13 and still running up tempo, snapping the ball with 20 seconds on the play clock, won't get you much respect around the league.

I'd kick tires all along. If I could move an onerous contract-say Hartnell's-I would.

But they have to avoid bad trades. I'm not a huge fan of Goligoski, because he's a big liability in his own end, but his skillset is more needed than Luke Schenn's.

I don't think one magic move changes their fortunes. But I would definitely be trying to move a couple guys with bigger deals on longer terms.

Hartnell. Grossmann would be the two guys I'd be trying like Hell to get rid of. Hartnell's done jack poop since he signed his extension. And Grossmann just has a bad deal for a 3rd pair stay at home guy with mediocre puck skills
- Jsaquella

Grossman I don't think would be a tough move. Guy blocks a ton of shots. Always a need for that around the league. To the right team I think you can get a 2nd rounder. Maybe a little more if they're in that dire of need.

Hartnell needs to go. Blame him or blame Homer for the contract. I don't care. His play and his contract are both a hamper on the team at this point. No point production and costly penalties. He's probably the last vet on this team worthy of wearing an A. And other teams arent blind. It will be hard to find a taker. Might be one of those moves where you get a decent return but still have to package him with something to get it done. Hartnell and Cousins for a mid to late round 1st(and all the freed up cap room)? I'd take it.

Ideally I'd like to see them move Coburn+ for a winger with some skill and Hartnell or Simmonds for a D man with some wheels. Doesn't have to be Subban or OEL but someone who can increase the speed on the back end a bit.

After 1

Peterborough - 0
Oshawa - 2

Laughton with a goal & assist

Final

Victoriaville - 4
Rimouski - 7

Morin with an assist

Grossman I don't think would be a tough move. Guy blocks a ton of shots. Always a need for that around the league. To the right team I think you can get a 2nd rounder. Maybe a little more if they're in that dire of need.

Hartnell needs to go. Blame him or blame Homer for the contract. I don't care. His play and his contract are both a hamper on the team at this point. No point production and costly penalties. He's probably the last vet on this team worthy of wearing an A. And other teams arent blind. It will be hard to find a taker. Might be one of those moves where you get a decent return but still have to package him with something to get it done. Hartnell and Cousins for a mid to late round 1st(and all the freed up cap room)? I'd take it.

Ideally I'd like to see them move Coburn+ for a winger with some skill and Hartnell or Simmonds for a D man with some wheels. Doesn't have to be Subban or OEL but someone who can increase the speed on the back end a bit.
- hereticpride

If Grossmann had a year less and a cap hit around $2mm, he'd be attractive trade bait. As it is, he's bad with the puck and injury prone.

I defended Hartnell, early in his 37 goal season, but since then, he's done little to resemble that guy. He doesn't venture into the dirty areas enough, doesn't play with as much snarl, and obviously doesn't score anywhere near as much.

If Grossmann had a year less and a cap hit around $2mm, he'd be attractive trade bait. As it is, he's bad with the puck and injury prone.

I defended Hartnell, early in his 37 goal season, but since then, he's done little to resemble that guy. He doesn't venture into the dirty areas enough, doesn't play with as much snarl, and obviously doesn't score anywhere near as much.
- Jsaquella

Just took another look at Grossmann's deal. Yeah, I could see teams hesitating. But at the deadline I think a team could definitely be interested.

I'm not sure how anyone can defend Hartnell much longer. He is completely useless in the offensive zone. Creates nothing. Skates to the slot and waits for passes. This team badly needs wingers that can drive to the net and create their own plays and he's so far from that at this point. You see it in flashes from Jake but thats it. Vinny if hes on the wing too. But I really don't know what happened to Hartnell but he looks like he's suffering from some sort of chronic injury or he doesn't posses the drive he once did.

Kind of interesting how Riley Cooper looks like a player when he plays with Foles.....yet becomes invisible playing with Vick.
- MBFlyerfan

The best thing the Eagles can do is keep showcasing this kid and trade him this offseason. If he keeps it up maybe he gets you a couple high picks.

I dont care about a couple of these big games he's having hes still not the right fit for Chip.

How bout Goligoski? Haven't watched him in awhile. Both players are struggling but he can move the puck. Might make for a good trade although he has a bad contract
- Just5

I would prefer Trevor Daley to Goligoski.