I think this post says a lot -- damn near everything -- we need to know about this team right now.

Jagr=Vinny
Briere of 2011 > Kris Newbury
JVR of 2011 > Tye McGinn
Matt Carle > Streit
Eric Wellwood vs. Michael Raffl: Push
Harry Z > Rosehill
Bourdon vs. Schenn 2013/14: Advantage, Bourdon
Bryz/Bob < Mason/Emery
Lilja/Shelley vs. Hall/Gill : Slight advantage, Hall/Gill

Toss in the fact that 2011 Kimmo Timonen is a totally different player than 2013 Timonen, and it's no wonder we are where we are.

We've lost depth players who could really skate. The downgrade from 2011 Briere to Kris Newbury is laughable to put that in the same sentence. JVR of 2011 was injured a lot, but he still managed to post a 23-goal, 50-point pace.

Wow. You look at it side-by-side, and holy hell. It's no wonder we are where we are. I had broken it down by just points, but we CLEARLY are worse than we were in 2011; the only thing keeping this from being a nightmare of epic proportions is Steve Mason.
- AllInForFlyers

The other issue is that young players haven;t developed as quickly as expected, guys like Schenn & Couturier are not producing anywhere near as much as the Flyers expected them to be at this point.

They still should be, at worst, a middle of the road offensive team. It's not as if they're bereft of skill...it boggles the mind that they are THIS bad.

As a Leafs fan, I have to ask:

When was the last time Gagne played centre?

Yeah, we are grasping at straws here...
- Atomic Wedgie

How's about couturier for gardiner and a 2nd?

The other issue is that young players haven;t developed as quickly as expected, guys like Schenn & Couturier are not producing anywhere near as much as the Flyers expected them to be at this point.

They still should be, at worst, a middle of the road offensive team. It's not as if they're bereft of skill...it boggles the mind that they are THIS bad.
- Jsaquella

I agree, they're not completely bereft of skill...but with the loss of JVR and Briere, they're missing two guys who, when on their games, either made plays that resulted in scoring chances, or didn't miss those scoring chances.

Briere was in decline in 2011; it was starting to show. But one thing that little son of a gun could do is pop a goal when you really needed one. JVR didn't do it nearly as consistently here as he does in Toronto, obviously, but when that guy started rolling toward the net, he made plays, forced defenders to back off or turn and go with him.

We should be scoring more goals. It's ridiculous how this season has gone.

But I keep harping on last year for this reason: No JVR, and Briere in severe decline...this is how we looked last year. We could barely score last year, 5v5. I've posted it before -- I think we were 25th in the league.

The power play last year covered up the rot on this roster...and since it's not doing it this year, all of our flaws are exposed to the world.

I've got to think Ehrhoff is available and honestly, he would be a nice pick up. Signed long term at a very respectable price. I'm wondering what Buff would want from us. I'd try to see if they would do Simmonds, Prospect and a middle round pick...
- hereticpride

I'd take him in a second, especially if they could send Hartnell's deal back in the trade.
Erhoff can really drive the puck possession.

I agree, they're not completely bereft of skill...but with the loss of JVR and Briere, they're missing two guys who, when on their games, either made plays that resulted in scoring chances, or didn't miss those scoring chances.

Briere was in decline in 2011; it was starting to show. But one thing that little son of a gun could do is pop a goal when you really needed one. JVR didn't do it nearly as consistently here as he does in Toronto, obviously, but when that guy started rolling toward the net, he made plays, forced defenders to back off or turn and go with him.

We should be scoring more goals. It's ridiculous how this season has gone.

But I keep harping on last year for this reason: No JVR, and Briere in severe decline...this is how we looked last year. We could barely score last year, 5v5. I've posted it before -- I think we were 25th in the league.

The power play last year covered up the rot on this roster...and since it's not doing it this year, all of our flaws are exposed to the world.
- AllInForFlyers

That is true, but when you're getting next to no production from Giroux, Hartnell, Simmonds, Voracek and Read, not to mention Schenn or Couturier, then you have guys who have put up numbers before really not doing so now.

Still I see the biggest issue is the complete lack of mobility and puck skills on defense. They still get hemmed in far too much, and the decline of Timonen and inability of Gustafsson to look half as good as he did for stretches the last two seasons hurts badly.

How's about couturier for gardiner and a 2nd?
- Just5

How's about couturier for gardiner and a 2nd?
- Just5

no

That is true, but when you're getting next to no production from Giroux, Hartnell, Simmonds, Voracek and Read, not to mention Schenn or Couturier, then you have guys who have put up numbers before really not doing so now.

Still I see the biggest issue is the complete lack of mobility and puck skills on defense. They still get hemmed in far too much, and the decline of Timonen and inability of Gustafsson to look half as good as he did for stretches the last two seasons hurts badly.
- Jsaquella

Total agreement on the defense -- I don't think an evaluation of the forwards is fair when the defense can't help you do anything at an overall NHL average level.

The skating, the puck skills, the passing, the puck retrieval...how in the world can we evaluate the forwards when the defense can barely move the puck or trigger a rush?

It's just frustrating. I've never been this frustrated watching this team, because I don't even know what you can do about this except wait.

And there's 68 games left in what could be a very long season.

Need speed in the back end in a big way. I wish they would leave Gus in and encourage him to bring the puck all the way up the ice. Maybe a quick give and go to a forward on the wall to break him loose. Coburn has taken the puck up himself which is good but he's not good enough to do anything with it. Look at the best teams and they have a dman that can do this. Sami vatanen in Anaheim, karlsson, letang, Boyle, even del zotto to an extent. Timonen used to do this. Not anymore

Our dmen are forechecked incredibly hard Bc they are not a threat to skate away or make a good pass.

Need speed in the back end in a big way. I wish they would leave Gus in and encourage him to bring the puck all the way up the ice. Maybe a quick give and go to a forward on the wall to break him loose. Coburn has taken the puck up himself which is good but he's not good enough to do anything with it. Look at the best teams and they have a dman that can do this. Sami vatanen in Anaheim, karlsson, letang, Boyle, even del zotto to an extent. Timonen used to do this. Not anymore

Our dmen are forechecked incredibly hard Bc they are not a threat to skate away or make a good pass.
- Just5

Hell, you don't even have to forecheck them sometimes!

After 2

Chicoutimi - 1
Rimouski - 2

No points for Morin

That is true, but when you're getting next to no production from Giroux, Hartnell, Simmonds, Voracek and Read, not to mention Schenn or Couturier, then you have guys who have put up numbers before really not doing so now.

Still I see the biggest issue is the complete lack of mobility and puck skills on defense. They still get hemmed in far too much, and the decline of Timonen and inability of Gustafsson to look half as good as he did for stretches the last two seasons hurts badly.
- Jsaquella

would be interesting to see the time spent in each zone for each player. obviously when you are pinned in your zone for long stretches, you are probably not getting any attack time in the O zone because by the time you get it out, you have to change.

wow Rinne has E.Coli in his hip? crazy. Nashville will probably over pay big time for a goalie

I want a trade.. (boredom)

wow Rinne has E.Coli in his hip? crazy. Nashville will probably over pay big time for a goalie
- nastyflyergirl

Homer should float Emery's name. At this point, why not?

Homer should float Emery's name. At this point, why not?
- Raven728

I would keep Razor at all costs. Excellent backup.

That is true, but when you're getting next to no production from Giroux, Hartnell, Simmonds, Voracek and Read, not to mention Schenn or Couturier, then you have guys who have put up numbers before really not doing so now.

Still I see the biggest issue is the complete lack of mobility and puck skills on defense. They still get hemmed in far too much, and the decline of Timonen and inability of Gustafsson to look half as good as he did for stretches the last two seasons hurts badly.
- Jsaquella

Do you think the issue this year with Gus is that there is more pressure on him and he is feeling that. This whole team really need their heads worked on. I thought after Hartnell scored last year it might loosen the top line up, but no Fraud Giroux looks like a ghost of himself.

Seriously Chief needs to lock him in a room so he can watch old clips of himself and not let him out until the old G is back.

Geeze the Pens Rangers game vs the Flyers Canes game is like night and day

Do you think the issue this year with Gus is that there is more pressure on him and he is feeling that. This whole team really need their heads worked on. I thought after Hartnell scored last year it might loosen the top line up, but no Fraud Giroux looks like a ghost of himself.

Seriously Chief needs to lock him in a room so he can watch old clips of himself and not let him out until the old G is back.
- LJF

Could be an issue, sure. Started slow last year, when he had a shot to win a job out of "camp" then got hurt.

uncontrolled vomiting brings a lot of people to the ER
- Marc D

#1 diagnosis given was a recently watched flyers game

Geeze the Pens Rangers game vs the Flyers Canes game is like night and day
- nastyflyergirl

you said it. i'm watching it now and as much as i dislike the rangers and that stupid song they sing after a goal, i love seeing those d-wad pens get smashed

kunitz is such a stain

why the (frank) is kris blueberry on the roster?

why the (frank) is kris blueberry on the roster?
- KGBflyers10

Cause Jody Shelly's retired.

Final

Chicoutimi - 1
Rimouski - 3

No points for Morin

That is true, but when you're getting next to no production from Giroux, Hartnell, Simmonds, Voracek and Read, not to mention Schenn or Couturier, then you have guys who have put up numbers before really not doing so now.

Still I see the biggest issue is the complete lack of mobility and puck skills on defense. They still get hemmed in far too much, and the decline of Timonen and inability of Gustafsson to look half as good as he did for stretches the last two seasons hurts badly.
- Jsaquella

I still see most of the D as being mobile for their size and also being capable of making basic plays to move the puck up to the forwards...certainly Streit and Timonen can do it and Coby has been taking more initiative, successfully so, to carry the puck...despite some high profile gaffes, Grossmann makes many solid plays a game, including moving the puck up the ice and offensive zone keep ins etc. Aside from the Washington debacle, the team hasn't been horrible defensively, though Mason is a big reason for that.

Offensively, the forwards still look inept when they enter the zone...they aren't winning a lot of dump and chase battles and they don't seem to have much chemistry, cohesion and/or good shooting or passing within the offensive zone. They've had posession and chances, but how many times do they blow chances on the break or miss shots or passes or fumble the puck...a lot of that isn't the D's fault.