Is it time to take the C off Giroux and perhaps sit him for a game or 2? He looks awful out there.
- BiggE

When's the last time you saw a C from any team stripped of the C for slumping?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: One More Point Slips Away
- bmeltzer

The good news, the Flyers have a first class ticket. The bad news, the Flyers have a first class ticket to nowhere.


They are painful to watch. I used to like watching the games now, I find time to get other stuff done. I hate to have to say that.

This.

No one trade will fix this.

I'm not even sure Holmgren's eventual "departure" will fix this.
- johndewar

There is no "magic bullet" trade. But the do need to look long and hard at the players assembled.

Will Brayden Schenn & Couturier ever find offensive consistency? The defense is slow, bad with the puck and lacks hockey sense. Hell, the whole team seems to lack hockey sense.

Giroux's played badly, but he seems to be working, just not going into traffic as much as he has in the past.

Outside of the type of guys they need-a good puck moving defenseman with mobility, guys with hockey sense, maybe a sniper-whatever isn't traded away still has to step it up and play much, much better

I think the system (built around our morbid D) is really hurting them from scoring goals...the team is so scared to give up the odd man break, they don't put anyone in front of the net, I no long see Simmonds or Hartnell in the area where they score thier type of goals, in front of the net...what i normally see is guys working thier way back to our D zone to prevent the break out after a weak shot...I can't tell you how many times we get a turnover, but everyone is already out of the zone skating back...we no no long capitalize and take advantage of turnovers like we did when Carts and Richie were here...teams feared turning the puck over against us...they don't anymore becasue they know this team is going backwards to protect the D, even when we have the puck in the offensive zone...
- JW98FlyerFan

Who on this defense has any recovery speed? Who on defense is going to win a race to the puck? Nearly 27 million cap space on our 6 highest paid defensemen (not incl. pronger).

No matter who the GM is, the Flyers right now would be trading from a position of weakness. There are no home run deals anyone will make with them, unless the other team is scoring the home run. Unless there's a guy who's such a cancer they have to unload him at any cost (and there are no murmurings of such a thing at all), the Flyers really shouldn't be reactionary in their response to this. It is being reactionary in the past that got them into this mess.

The fragility of this team is very concerning. Where's the veteran leadership we hear about and get shoved down our throats all the time? Timonen former captain, Streit, Lecavlier?

Homer is going to roll a granade in the dressing room soon. I pray they don't move Couturier. I'm fine w/moving B. Schenn.

I am a huge Giroux fan going back to his junior days. I know enough about his character to be certain that this is not about his trying. Rather, it is about his trying too hard. It would not be punishment to try and relieve some of the pressure he puts on himself.

Step 1: make a team decision to give the C to LaCavalier. Allow Giroux to center the second or third line (whatever it takes) so he can work on finding his game.

Step 2: if he does not sort out the situation by the Olympic break think about a trade that gives everyone a fresh start. (A deal with Ottawa for Bobby Ryan would be spectacular allowing both guys to play for their home town teams).

I am pulling for him to work this out. He is such a huge talent with a great heart. Really frustrating for everyone.

Whatever happens do not boo this kid. It will destroy whatever trace of confidence he is hanging unto.

No matter who the GM is, the Flyers right now would be trading from a position of weakness. There are no home run deals anyone will make with them, unless the other team is scoring the home run. Unless there's a guy who's such a cancer they have to unload him at any cost (and there are no murmurings of such a thing at all), the Flyers really shouldn't be reactionary in their response to this. It is being reactionary in the past that got them into this mess.
- bodiva88

We got one of those for Talbot.

No matter who the GM is, the Flyers right now would be trading from a position of weakness. There are no home run deals anyone will make with them, unless the other team is scoring the home run. Unless there's a guy who's such a cancer they have to unload him at any cost (and there are no murmurings of such a thing at all), the Flyers really shouldn't be reactionary in their response to this. It is being reactionary in the past that got them into this mess.
- bodiva88

There is no "magic bullet" trade. But the do need to look long and hard at the players assembled.

Will Brayden Schenn & Couturier ever find offensive consistency? The defense is slow, bad with the puck and lacks hockey sense. Hell, the whole team seems to lack hockey sense.

Giroux's played badly, but he seems to be working, just not going into traffic as much as he has in the past.

Outside of the type of guys they need-a good puck moving defenseman with mobility, guys with hockey sense, maybe a sniper-whatever isn't traded away still has to step it up and play much, much better
- Jsaquella

If last night's game put people to sleep, this Thursday's game against the Devils will be like taking a valium with a shot of nyquil.

When's the last time you saw a C from any team stripped of the C for slumping?
- bodiva88

Would hurt more than help. I don't think its the C that's holding him down.

Off topic, but I guess Bob has come back to Earth a bit:

http://bluejacketsxtra.di...require-small-fixes.html?
- johndewar

Expectations are higher this year....Bob crumples

No matter who the GM is, the Flyers right now would be trading from a position of weakness. There are no home run deals anyone will make with them, unless the other team is scoring the home run. Unless there's a guy who's such a cancer they have to unload him at any cost (and there are no murmurings of such a thing at all), the Flyers really shouldn't be reactionary in their response to this. It is being reactionary in the past that got them into this mess.
- bodiva88

You could be right, but in order to be in a position of strength they would have to play better. If theyplay better we wwouldn't have to trade them.

That's how I see it at least.

The fragility of this team is very concerning. Where's the veteran leadership we hear about and get shoved down our throats all the time? Timonen former captain, Streit, Lecavlier?

Homer is going to roll a granade in the dressing room soon. I pray they don't move Couturier. I'm fine w/moving B. Schenn.
- flyguy12

I actually think Homer is getting ready to pull the pin as well.

No matter who the GM is, the Flyers right now would be trading from a position of weakness. There are no home run deals anyone will make with them, unless the other team is scoring the home run. Unless there's a guy who's such a cancer they have to unload him at any cost (and there are no murmurings of such a thing at all), the Flyers really shouldn't be reactionary in their response to this. It is being reactionary in the past that got them into this mess.
- bodiva88

They should focus on trying to deal with other desperate teams, who are looking to right their own ships, rather than a good team, looking to scavenge a carcass.

I am a huge Giroux fan going back to his junior days. I know enough about his character to be certain that this is not about his trying. Rather, it is about his trying too hard. It would not be punishment to try and relieve some of the pressure he puts on himself.

Step 1: make a team decision to give the C to LaCavalier. Allow Giroux to center the second or third line (whatever it takes) so he can work on finding his game.

Step 2: if he does not sort out the situation by the Olympic break think about a trade that gives everyone a fresh start. (A deal with Ottawa for Bobby Ryan would be spectacular allowing both guys to play for their home town teams).

I am pulling for him to work this out. He is such a huge talent with a great heart. Really frustrating for everyone.

Whatever happens do not boo this kid. It will destroy whatever trace of confidence he is hanging unto.
- spatso

seriously giroux for boby (frank)ing ryan? You smoking some of robert fords crack again?

They should focus on trying to deal with other desperate teams, who are looking to right their own ships, rather than a good team, looking to scavenge a carcass.
- Jsaquella

amen blow the (frank)er up fire sale style. start the rebuild already!

If last night's game put people to sleep, this Thursday's game against the Devils will be like taking a valium with a shot of nyquil.
- johndewar

So like a friday night from college? That sounds like fun!

No matter who the GM is, the Flyers right now would be trading from a position of weakness. There are no home run deals anyone will make with them, unless the other team is scoring the home run. Unless there's a guy who's such a cancer they have to unload him at any cost (and there are no murmurings of such a thing at all), the Flyers really shouldn't be reactionary in their response to this. It is being reactionary in the past that got them into this mess.
- bodiva88

They are not in a great position to deal with certain teams, but there are other teams that are struggling around the league who might move assets and aren't necessarily in a position to dictate terms.

I'm not necessarily advocating a move (as painful as it will be, I'd rather see them try to work this out); I'm just saying it's possible for a move to be made with certain teams where the negotiating playing field is more level.

No matter who the GM is, the Flyers right now would be trading from a position of weakness. There are no home run deals anyone will make with them, unless the other team is scoring the home run. Unless there's a guy who's such a cancer they have to unload him at any cost (and there are no murmurings of such a thing at all), the Flyers really shouldn't be reactionary in their response to this. It is being reactionary in the past that got them into this mess.
- bodiva88

I agree. I wish there was a way to make a move that would jump start this team, but no such move exists unless another franchise decided they felt bad for us and threw us a bone. Not going to happen.

For now they just have to suffer through it and wait until the deadline when teams would be willing to overpay.

Last thing, this "crisis of confidence" I keep hearing is ridiculous. When I played sports even if I had a bad game I wouldn't let it get to me because I knew what I was capable of. If these "pros" really have a confidence issue that someone just needs to slap some sense into them.

seriously giroux for boby (frank)ing ryan? You smoking some of robert fords crack again?
- PhillaBully

I love bobby ryan. But that trade makes no sense for the flyers.

Ryan, karlson, and a 1st.

i was waiting for the egg on the face image from you. you're slipping a bit.
- hammarby31

I'm becoming apathetic Hammar. It's to the point where I almost don't care.

This.

No one trade will fix this.

I'm not even sure Holmgren's eventual "departure" will fix this.
- johndewar

It might have to be torn down, and rebuilt from the bottom up.

did we fire Carter and trade Stevens yet?

If you read Brad Marsh's blog today -- the section about the Flyers in comparison to the others, although all tried to focus mainly on the positive -- I can't help but feel that if someday a current Flyer writes a similar retrospective of his own career, the Flyers section might not be the one with happiest memories.