would you guys trade luke schenn to someone for a second rounder? definitely taking a hit on the exchange, but i dont know. how much patience will you guys be willing to have with him?
- stayinthefnnet

patience?

we've got all the time in the world Pittsburgh

patience?

we've got all the time in the world Pittsburgh
- puckhead17

i dont know. i know you guys are ridiculously inconsistent, and im not saying go all in for veterans and lose assets. (hello iginla and morrow). but i really dont think you guys are that far off. literally two or three more guys and the slashing of some dead weight, and i see no reason why you guys arent in the thick of it in a cruddy eastern conference. granted, those transactions wont occur in a day, but if done prudently i dont think this team has to look 3, 4 years down the line to be relevant.

patience?

we've got all the time in the world Pittsburgh
- puckhead17

and to me you guys can have patience in the grand scheme of the team that lasts longer than patience with an individual player, if that makes sense.

why were mesz and streit out killing penalties?
- -davies-

helping nathan horton regain his confidence

i dont know. i know you guys are ridiculously inconsistent, and im not saying go all in for veterans and lose assets. (hello iginla and morrow). but i really dont think you guys are that far off. literally two or three more guys and the slashing of some dead weight, and i see no reason why you guys arent in the thick of it in a cruddy eastern conference. granted, those transactions wont occur in a day, but if done prudently i dont think this team has to look 3, 4 years down the line to be relevant.
- stayinthefnnet

I'm not just a biased, blind Flyers fan, but I think they are only a guy or two away from being a contender as well. Giroux isn't Crosby. He needs line mates that can compliment him. If he had a guy like (and I'm just throwing this name out there) Bobby Ryan or Thomas Vanek on his left wing instead of Raffl, then G would be "that guy" again. Scott Laughton will be a solid 4th line center very soon. Other than that, I think our forwards are good enough to contend. That's the most frustrating thing about this team to me. I expect the forwards to carry them to wins, but our defenseman are just awful and hold us back from winning more games. They have four number 4 defenseman and two number 6s, if that makes sense. Fortunately help is on the way with some solid prospects. It's just a matter of time until some of them make an impact, but it won't be this year and probably not next year either. Us Flyers fans just have to suck it up for now and have faith in the guys in the system, because our defenseman are the only thing in the way of the Flyers being contenders again. That and getting Giroux a sidekick.

- flyer_nutter

I think this was taken right after one of Philly's finest brought up 'culture change'. You can almost get a sense of tightening sphincters on the dais.

That game was brutal. And the schedule only gets harder from here. They look like they forgot this was a full season and not a shortened one... got through 42 alright, but just look tired or something since, while everyone else seems to be getting better.

- flyer_nutter

twittily dee and twittily dum

I think this was taken right after one of Philly's finest brought up 'culture change'. You can almost get a sense of tightening sphincters on the dais.
- tangent_man

- flyer_nutter

Flyers brain-trust. An 80+ year old meddling owner, and 2 guys punched in the head 5000 times.

Flyers brain-trust. An 80+ year old meddling owner, and 2 guys punched in the head 5000 times.
- PLindbergh31

Haaaaaaaaaa

would you trade him for shea weber straight up?
- watsonnostaw

In a heartbeat. But Nashville wouldn't.

helping nathan horton regain his confidence
- Marc D

oh thank god


seriously why were they out there together in that situation

I wasn't able to watch the game last night, but judging from the posts, I am probably glad I didn't.

great now we are back to questioning the captaincy

This team is what it is.....a middle of the pack average team. to watch a bipolar fan base watch a bipolar team is just amusing

I admit, I'm torn with this team. The fan in me wants to see them win and make playoffs. the long time fan in me sees that they are an average team and wants to see them complete the rebuild they started when they traded Carter and Richards. Yes, in the Metro and East, this team can maybe make the playoffs but is that the goal? make playoffs? Not to me it isn't, the goal is to be able to compete with the likes of the Bruins, Pens, Sharks, Ducks, Hawks, Blues, etc. and this team isn't close. Its the cold hard reality. So the long time fan in me wants to see veterans be moved, deal with losing for a year or two for high picks and patiently let their kids develope.

This team is what it is.....a middle of the pack average team. to watch a bipolar fan base watch a bipolar team is just amusing

- nastyflyergirl

Talent-wise, this is exactly what this team is. Middle of the pack. They are exactly what their records says they are.

Now, if you look at how this team is constructed, there are reasons to be optimistic. Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are both progressing, as players, which is what you want to see.

The entire blue line of this team needs to be reconstructed, reconstituted....re-something or other. Teams with hard forechecks are just overwhelming this team right now and there is little that can be done about it, really.

They are average, as a team, and frankly, I don't care if they make the playoffs, because they aren't going anywhere. They simply don't possess the talent you need to win 16 games in the playoffs.

great now we are back to questioning the captaincy

This team is what it is.....a middle of the pack average team. to watch a bipolar fan base watch a bipolar team is just amusing

I admit, I'm torn with this team. The fan in me wants to see them win and make playoffs. the long time fan in me sees that they are an average team and wants to see them complete the rebuild they started when they traded Carter and Richards. Yes, in the Metro and East, this team can maybe make the playoffs but is that the goal? make playoffs? Not to me it isn't, the goal is to be able to compete with the likes of the Bruins, Pens, Sharks, Ducks, Hawks, Blues, etc. and this team isn't close. Its the cold hard reality. So the long time fan in me wants to see veterans be moved, deal with losing for a year or two for high picks and patiently let their kids develope.
- nastyflyergirl

+1

Talent-wise, this is exactly what this team is. Middle of the pack. They are exactly what their records says they are.

Now, if you look at how this team is constructed, there are reasons to be optimistic. Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are both progressing, as players, which is what you want to see.

The entire blue line of this team needs to be reconstructed, reconstituted....re-something or other. Teams with hard forechecks are just overwhelming this team right now and there is little that can be done about it, really.

They are average, as a team, and frankly, I don't care if they make the playoffs, because they aren't going anywhere. They simply don't possess the talent you need to win 16 games in the playoffs.
- johndewar

does everybody finally agree we need a new GM? wonder what JVR, Carle and Bob would bring back in a trade now?

great now we are back to questioning the captaincy

This team is what it is.....a middle of the pack average team. to watch a bipolar fan base watch a bipolar team is just amusing

I admit, I'm torn with this team. The fan in me wants to see them win and make playoffs. the long time fan in me sees that they are an average team and wants to see them complete the rebuild they started when they traded Carter and Richards. Yes, in the Metro and East, this team can maybe make the playoffs but is that the goal? make playoffs? Not to me it isn't, the goal is to be able to compete with the likes of the Bruins, Pens, Sharks, Ducks, Hawks, Blues, etc. and this team isn't close. Its the cold hard reality. So the long time fan in me wants to see veterans be moved, deal with losing for a year or two for high picks and patiently let their kids develope.
- nastyflyergirl

I think what confuses some (including me) is they haven't arrived at their record by being consistently mediocre, but by having some really low lows and really high highs. I know there's ups and downs, but the Flyers this year seem to take it to extremes. And while it's certainly unrealistic to expect them to play at the "high" level all year, why are the lows so low? That's the million dollar question I guess. Defense not good? Kids need more experience? Forwards don't backcheck enough? Of course it's a combo of many things... but can still be somewhat maddening.

great now we are back to questioning the captaincy

This team is what it is.....a middle of the pack average team. to watch a bipolar fan base watch a bipolar team is just amusing

I admit, I'm torn with this team. The fan in me wants to see them win and make playoffs. the long time fan in me sees that they are an average team and wants to see them complete the rebuild they started when they traded Carter and Richards. Yes, in the Metro and East, this team can maybe make the playoffs but is that the goal? make playoffs? Not to me it isn't, the goal is to be able to compete with the likes of the Bruins, Pens, Sharks, Ducks, Hawks, Blues, etc. and this team isn't close. Its the cold hard reality. So the long time fan in me wants to see veterans be moved, deal with losing for a year or two for high picks and patiently let their kids develope.
- nastyflyergirl

I think what confuses some (including me) is they haven't arrived at their record by being consistently mediocre, but by having some really low lows and really high highs. I know there's ups and downs, but the Flyers this year seem to take it to extremes. And while it's certainly unrealistic to expect them to play at the "high" level all year, why are the lows so low? That's the million dollar question I guess. Defense not good? Kids need more experience? Forwards don't backcheck enough? Of course it's a combo of many things... but can still be somewhat maddening.
- eayost

The midpoint between the variance in highs and lows firmly lands them in mediocre territory... but at least it's mediocre on a somewhat upward trajectory with the kids up front.

Restructuring the blueline and continuing to add to the prospect cupboard are going to take time... but if it's done with some modicum of competency, the strength at forward should really be able to carry this team in the future.

What's plain to see now is that throwing post-apex players like Vinny and Streit into the mix isn't going to accelerate the process... it's just going to cause problems down the line.

great now we are back to questioning the captaincy

This team is what it is.....a middle of the pack average team. to watch a bipolar fan base watch a bipolar team is just amusing

I admit, I'm torn with this team. The fan in me wants to see them win and make playoffs. the long time fan in me sees that they are an average team and wants to see them complete the rebuild they started when they traded Carter and Richards. Yes, in the Metro and East, this team can maybe make the playoffs but is that the goal? make playoffs? Not to me it isn't, the goal is to be able to compete with the likes of the Bruins, Pens, Sharks, Ducks, Hawks, Blues, etc. and this team isn't close. Its the cold hard reality. So the long time fan in me wants to see veterans be moved, deal with losing for a year or two for high picks and patiently let their kids develope.
- nastyflyergirl

Solid post. I have no issues with them not making the playoffs, or going into a slump for a few years so to speak. I think in the league, as constructed and affected by the salary cap, teams will go through peaks and valleys. Its an organic process, that unless you have generation talent, you will fall into. Honestly, lets get real, the Flyers currently have one star, and his name is Claude Giroux.

The same thing is happening with Vancouver right now, and many other teams will face that reality. You have a window, and when that window closes you need to accept that.

The problem comes when you try and fight it, throwing out anchor contracts that no other team will touch, and making foolish trades to desperately try and hang on t a notion of winning every season. That lands you in mediocrity, and that is something the Maple Leafs have perfected.

If they suck for a few years, and end up wasting some of Giroux's best years, so be it I suppose. Just build it right, so you can be a consistently elite team for a few years, not one that is so defined by hot/cold streaks as this one has been for far too many years.

This is a middle of the pack team at best. With a team like this you're going to have really bad stretches, some shorter good stretches (where they get your hopes up that maybe, just maybe, they're not a lower-middle team), and then, bam! another bad stretch bringing you back to reality (or worse, depression, for those without proper perspective).

Bottom line: they're not horrible, but they're not good either. What we've seen through these first 52 games is what we're going to see for the final 30 games. Best to resign yourself to that, lest your health suffer.

Until they make some changes on defense, and maybe even behind the bench, it's going to continue this way.

This is a middle of the pack team at best
- Scoob[/]. With a team like this you're going to have really bad stretches, some shorter good stretches (where they get your hopes up that maybe, just maybe, they're not a lower-middle team), and then, bam! another bad stretch bringing you back to reality (or worse, depression, for those without proper perspective).

Bottom line: they're not horrible, but they're not good either. What we've seen through these first 52 games is what we're going to see for the final 30 games. Best to resign yourself to that, lest your health suffer.

Definitely, I really cant get too frustrated with the individual players because they are what they are. You are going to make a lot of the players skate faster, its just who they are as NHL players, or where they are according to their age.

You aren't going to make a group of defensive d-men be able to lead a transition game effectively, or not be exposed by playing too many minutes or move the puck all too well because that is not what they are.

Its why you see so many penalties, because the team lacks speed in general and has to take them to keep up with the play. Its why the D backs off so much as well.

Its the same thing with Berube. You have a guy who has been really stupid with his decision to continuously play an enforcer. You know what? John Stevens did it with Cote, Lava with Shelley and Berube with Rosehill. Are we maybe starting to think that its an organizational belief that these kind of players should be employed?

The same thing comes down to benching stars. Could the team probably do it to build a more consistent culture based on work ethic? Sure, and they probably should have at times over the last few years, but how long do we really expect a Flyer head coach to last if he starts benching the "stars". In a win at all cost, and win now mentality, it wouldn't be long.