And this team has (theretically) Giroux, Schenn, Simmonds, Hartnell, and Voracek to carry the bulk of the scoring. All I'm saying is a guy doesn't have to be an 80-point player to be a core as long as he plays his role well. Look at Boston; their 3rd and 4th line players are all core players, and they're not exactly stacked with 30-goal scorers.
- jmatchett383

Theoretically is right

Theoretically is right
- nonpoint22

Well, they are the team's leading scorers, I think.

If Homer stays consistent he will make minor moves at the deadline and make his "big splash" around the draft
- nonpoint22

As should be the case.

And this team has (theretically) Giroux, Schenn, Simmonds, Hartnell, and Voracek to carry the bulk of the scoring. All I'm saying is a guy doesn't have to be an 80-point player to be a core as long as he plays his role well. Look at Boston; their 3rd and 4th line players are all core players, and they're not exactly stacked with 30-goal scorers.
- jmatchett383

Every team needs a versatile player like Read. He can step in and play on every line, on the PK, on the PP and can play center in a pinch.

If they have injuries, it allows the team to just bring up the best forward instead of the best forward at that position of need.

As should be the case.
- SchennBros

I thought you DIDN'T want to make minor moves...or, what do you consider minor moves? Sharp for Ellison v. 2?

Is there any hope? Are we doomed forever?

It's happened, but it's not exactly routine.

Out of the 16 teams to qualify for the Finals since the 04 lockout, only 4 were 6-8's. LA was the only team to win... so 1/16 seems like pretty steep odds to me:

2012 NJ (6)
2012 LA (8)
2010 PHI (7)
2006 EDM (8)
- Tomahawk

There are 16 teams that goes to the playoffs, so 1/16 is exactly what the odds should be right?

Is there any hope?
- BulliesPhan87

Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.

Theoretically is right
- nonpoint22

I don't really have a problem with the scoring punch from our forwards. Since the 15th game of the season, they are scoring at a decent rate. This is without much help from the defense.

Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.
- jmatchett383

Our punishment must be more severe

There are 16 teams that goes to the playoffs, so 1/16 is exactly what the odds should be right?
- SchennBros

All things being equal, it should technically be 6/16 (6, 7, and 8 in 2 conferences). But things are not equal.

Well, they are the team's leading scorers, I think.
- jmatchett383

And most of those guys are signed for like 1.5 mil and year to play those roles..not 3.65 mil....Chris Kelly is 3 mil per, but I think you and me have differing opinions on what Matt Read is...cause they can find 3rd 4th line guys who can kill penalties cheaper

I thought you DIDN'T want to make minor moves...or, what do you consider minor moves? Sharp for Ellison v. 2?
- jmatchett383

No, I dont think they should be trading their depth players for draft picks. I dont mind if they make a move for a 3rd-4th liner, or if there is a real "hockey trade" that could be made... Like Laughton for Gromley or something like that...

And most of those guys are signed for like 1.5 mil and year to play those roles..not 3.65 mil....Chris Kelly is 3 mil per, but I think you and me have differing opinions on what Matt Read is...cause they can find 3rd 4th line guys who can kill penalties cheaper
- nonpoint22

Yes they can. But most of the league's top 3rd line PKers won't pot you 20+ goals a year.
Guess Couturier's not a core piece either. Guy's nothing but a 3rd line center.

And most of those guys are signed for like 1.5 mil and year to play those roles..not 3.65 mil....Chris Kelly is 3 mil per, but I think you and me have differing opinions on what Matt Read is...cause they can find 3rd 4th line guys who can kill penalties cheaper
- nonpoint22

He does more than kill penalties and play on a checking line. He has offensive ability. A guy who can kill penalties, play against top lines, play the point on PP and score 40-50 points every season is a valuable player.

No, I dont think they should be trading their depth players for draft picks. I dont mind if they make a move for a 3rd-4th liner, or if there is a real "hockey trade" that could be made... Like Laughton for Gromley or something like that...
- SchennBros

Downie is a 3rd-4th liner.
I really don't get why you're so opposed to moving him when you likely have a few guys in the AHL who can do just as well (or better) than he has been.

He does more than kill penalties and play on a checking line. He has offensive ability. A guy who can kill penalties, play against top lines, play the point on PP and score 40-50 points every season is a valuable player.
- PhillySportsGuy

Crazy. Matt Read and Blair Betts are the same player. And so were Andreas Nodl and Ian Laperriere.

And most of those guys are signed for like 1.5 mil and year to play those roles..not 3.65 mil....Chris Kelly is 3 mil per, but I think you and me have differing opinions on what Matt Read is...cause they can find 3rd 4th line guys who can kill penalties cheaper
- nonpoint22

And most of those guys are signed for like 1.5 mil and year to play those roles..not 3.65 mil....Chris Kelly is 3 mil per, but I think you and me have differing opinions on what Matt Read is...cause they can find 3rd 4th line guys who can kill penalties cheaper
- nonpoint22

Matt Read has consistently scored at a 24 goal per season pace for the Flyers. To label him as little more than a PKer is inaccurate.

Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.
- jmatchett383

Jeez, till I saw this and tried to come up with another good Shawshank quote it never occurred to me how much being a Flyers fan is like being Andy Dufresne.

And most of those guys are signed for like 1.5 mil and year to play those roles..not 3.65 mil....Chris Kelly is 3 mil per, but I think you and me have differing opinions on what Matt Read is...cause they can find 3rd 4th line guys who can kill penalties cheaper
- nonpoint22

Matt Read is one of the more versatile players in the ENTIRE NHL. He has the ability to play on any of the top three lines for extended periods of time, he is a top PK and second pairing PP guy, and he has great two way instincts. His speed is also a very very valuable attribute to this team.

Do I think he is untouchable? Nope. But to flat out say he isnt part of the core is ridiculous. To me, he is a poor mans Patrick Sharp.

Those types are extremely important.

Downie is a 3rd-4th liner.
I really don't get why you're so opposed to moving him when you likely have a few guys in the AHL who can do just as well (or better) than he has been.
- jmatchett383

Because going into the playoffs its just better to have MORE options, not less.

I don't really have a problem with the scoring punch from our forwards. Since the 15th game of the season, they are scoring at a decent rate. This is without much help from the defense.
- PhillySportsGuy

i know our transition game is awful...but I wish we had a pure sniper type its seems our teams first instinct is to pass...maybe it was an Olympic hangover or something but that was the worst I have seen outta Jake in a while...it was like it was high on goofballs or something...he had no idea where anything was..chalking it up to a bad night but WOW he was off last night

Because going into the playoffs its just better to have MORE options, not less.
- SchennBros

And I think we have enough options within the Black Aces to more than account for his 2 goals and lacksidaisacal(sp?) play come playoff time.

Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.
- jmatchett383

Yes. It can.