Who's talking about a fire sale? I'm talking about a 4th line winger who has 2 goals for us and a 7th defenseman who's offensive output hardly offsets his defensive liabilities.

For the record, I've had this stance since about 3 weeks before the Olympic break.
- jmatchett383

I would rather keep that depth for a playoffs push then 2 3rd rounders. Downie is having his worst output of his career... but if someone on a top line goes down he is better to sep in there then anyone in the minors. Same with Meszaors, If Schenn or Grossmann goes down, better to have him playing in the playoffs then Hall Gill.

Downie and Mez arent hurting this team, and the 3 rds you would get for them most likey wont help the team, but even if they do it wont be anytime soon. BUT if they do end up making a playoff run and injuries occure then trading these guys for picks Could hurt this team.

Wasnt compairing the teams. Just pointing out that you can't say who is and who isnt a Legit contendor. All you need is a "chip and a Chair".
- SchennBros

Sorry this team isnt a contender...Honestly, lets just say we get the 2 or 3 seed in metro...were probably playing the Rags who are a terrible matchup for us and its one and done....Not trying to be overally pessimistic, but we gotta start looking at the reality of the situation ahead of us

Sorry this team isnt a contender...Honestly, lets just say we get the 2 or 3 seed in metro...were probably playing the Rags who are a terrible matchup for us and its one and done....Not trying to be overally pessimistic, but we gotta start looking at the reality of the situation ahead of us
- nonpoint22

I think more exclamation points would be a nice complement to the ellipses. It's a popular strategy these days.

I don't buy the "don't care enough" or "compete" argument at all... these are the most competitive/driven athletes in the sport, and 99% of them got to where they are now because they cared more and worked harder than everybody else around them -- there are a lot of super-skilled hockey players not in the show who had everything but the work ethic. I look at the Flyers roster and only see a couple of guys whom I might question their seriousness and commitment, and even those are debatable.

You can have a pack of guys ready to run through a wall to win... but if you don't give them a single rope to pull on, or they're all running around doing their own thing, most of that energy is just wasted.
- Tomahawk

So then what is the solution when you see the same problems spanning across completely different rosters and coaches? It is baffling to me.

Hmmm...

Young Core of Forwards - led by G, Jake, B Schenn, Couturier, Simmer, + guys like Raffl...prospects McGinn, Laughton, Leier, Cousins, Akeson...

Goaltending, solid youngish goalie in Mason, prospects Stolarz & Heeter

Defense - The D corps on the big club is an area in need of change...with Kimmo and Mez likely leaving, it's a transition year....they should have an opportunity to upgrade...and they have been building up prospects in Morin, Hagg, Ghost, Alt, Lauridsen...some of these guys should start making an impact in the next season or two.

The plan seems to be to build via a core of young, talented NHL players and add more via the draft and other means and complement with a few veterans. A plan like this depends on the young players and prospects getting experience, learning and developing, which requires patience. So far Homer has resisted trading off youthful assets for quick fixes and is letting the "plan" proceed. A plan like this has to account for the possibility (probability) of being an inconsistent team and one that isn't likely to be in contention until that younger element comes of age, which may be some 2-3 seasons out.

Fans need to be patient as well, which is tough at times, because they will show their talent at times, beating some top teams, but then you get games like like last night..., so yeah, the good news is that there is talent here and more coming...the bad news is, currently, the Flyers aren't really a contender they won't become one overnight. They'll win some games and maybe even make the playoffs, where anything can happen, but in my view, the Flyers window for true Cup contention opens wider over the next few seasons as these young players develop and learn what it takes to win. Expecting more than that is likely to leave one disappointed.
- exlund

I like this analysis, I can get onboard with this

Sorry this team isnt a contender...Honestly, lets just say we get the 2 or 3 seed in metro...were probably playing the Rags who are a terrible matchup for us and its one and done....Not trying to be overally pessimistic, but we gotta start looking at the reality of the situation ahead of us
- nonpoint22

And the 2010 NJD were supposed to be a bad matchup for us too. Lets not forget these aren't Torts Rags anymore.

This! I mean, I don't like losing either, but nobody should be surprised when a young team with an incomplete roster plays inconsistently, let alone gets blown out by a top team in the league.
- BulliesPhan87

The same top team they beat three weeks ago.

I think more exclamation points would be a nice complement to the ellipses. It's a popular strategy these days.
- BulliesPhan87

Dually noted

And the 2010 NJD were supposed to be a bad matchup for us too. Lets not forget these aren't Torts Rags anymore.
- SchennBros

Actually the NJD were a great matchup for us.....we owned them that year...look it up

The same top team they beat three weeks ago.
- twotoekenn

Yes

So then what is the solution when you see the same problems spanning across completely different rosters and coaches? It is baffling to me.
- MBFlyerfan

1) Stop changing philosophies/identities every year,

2) Stop trying to solve every bump in the road with more/new/better players,

3) Make a 5-year plan and stick to it, hell or high water.


edit: 4) stop throwing the baby out with the bath water

Actually the NJD were a great matchup for us.....we owned them that year...look it up
- nonpoint22

Yup. The Flyers won five of six games against the Devils during the regular season.

You dont know who is and who isnt a legit condendor. In 2010 a team made the playoffs on the last day of the season in a shoot-out. They only had a goalie they picked up on the waiver-wire and a career back-up that was often injured that season. Thier top line LW was out for the first round and halfway through the second round...

That team wasn't a "legit" contendor, but they made hockey History and made it to the SCFs.
- SchennBros

So if I said the Blackhawks were a legit contender, and the Sabres aren't I would be incorrect right?

I would rather keep that depth for a playoffs push then 2 3rd rounders. Downie is having his worst output of his career... but if someone on a top line goes down he is better to sep in there then anyone in the minors. Same with Meszaors, If Schenn or Grossmann goes down, better to have him playing in the playoffs then Hall Gill.

Downie and Mez arent hurting this team, and the 3 rds you would get for them most likey wont help the team, but even if they do it wont be anytime soon. BUT if they do end up making a playoff run and injuries occure then trading these guys for picks Could hurt this team.
- SchennBros

So by your reasoning, no team contedning for a playoff spot should EVER trade a player, no matter how poorly he's played, for future assets outside of a 1st or 2nd rounder? Just to clarify.

1) Stop changing philosophies/identities every year,

2) Stop trying to solve every bump in the road with more/new/better players,

3) Make a 5-year plan and stick to it, hell or high water.


edit: 4) stop throwing the baby out with the bath water
- Tomahawk

but....but....what about the STH?

I would rather keep that depth for a playoffs push then 2 3rd rounders. Downie is having his worst output of his career... but if someone on a top line goes down he is better to sep in there then anyone in the minors. Same with Meszaors, If Schenn or Grossmann goes down, better to have him playing in the playoffs then Hall Gill.

Downie and Mez arent hurting this team, and the 3 rds you would get for them most likey wont help the team, but even if they do it wont be anytime soon. BUT if they do end up making a playoff run and injuries occure then trading these guys for picks Could hurt this team.
- SchennBros

You clearly haven't been following Art Ross Akeson

So if I said the Blackhawks were a legit contender, and the Sabres aren't I would be incorrect right?
- PLindbergh31

You clearly haven't been following Art Ross Akeson
- PhillySportsGuy

Honestly, if a 1st/2nd line winger (or Vinny L), I don't have a problem with Akeson.

but....but....what about the STH?
- Just5

As a STH, I am okay with a few bad years as long as they're fairly forward about it and stick with it. It's when they keep selling you a retooled roster year after year where I have a problem.

1) Stop changing philosophies/identities every year,

2) Stop trying to solve every bump in the road with more/new/better players,

3) Make a 5-year plan and stick to it, hell or high water.


edit: 4) stop throwing the baby out with the bath water
- Tomahawk

I honestly look at the Sharks and say "what a well run franchise"...I know they havent won the cup, but they are always a contender and rarely make the big moves..Alot of there team is from in house and the coach has been there since '08. Everything about that team is sturdy with a good foundation....

Honestly, if a 1st/2nd line winger (or Vinny L), I don't have a problem with Akeson.
- jmatchett383

I bet Akeson would be more effective than Vinny at this point.

I honestly look at the Sharks and say "what a well run franchise"...I know they havent won the cup, but they are always a contender and rarely make the big moves..Alot of there team is from in house and the coach has been there since '08. Everything about that team is sturdy with a good foundation....
- nonpoint22

Until April comes around.

I honestly look at the Sharks and say "what a well run franchise"...I know they havent won the cup, but they are always a contender and rarely make the big moves..Alot of there team is from in house and the coach has been there since '08. Everything about that team is sturdy with a good foundation....
- nonpoint22

and yet people berate them for being choke artists every single year. teams cant win

I bet Akeson would be more effective than Vinny at this point.
- PhillySportsGuy

/cue smartass jokes.

/cue smartass jokes.
- Tomahawk

I don't think it's joke-worthy. He actually may have a point.