I think its a combination. I think they lack the talent too. Its hard to win when you have 1 scoring line.
- PhillySportsGuy

Our secondary scoring was at times non existent this yr. but saying we have one scoring line isn't accurate and lack talent is offbase. Nielsen has had his best season to date. Lee is emerging as a very effective power forward. Nelson as well. Strome unfortunately bcs of a log jam has been stuck on our fourth line but has played incredibly well. Grabner and Bailey were unfortunately a huge reason of our lack of secondary scoring for most of the season. In Grabner's case that is a direct result of our coaching. Talent is not an issue. Up front I'm not concerned.

ok, what does Bryzgalov say when he greets people?
- jimbro83

Why you heff to be mad?

Why would you? He's making 650,00 a yr presently. He was seeking north of five million last i heard. Snow offered him 4 million per for 4 yrs. I for one am happy he didn't accept.
- Cptmjl

I'm pretty sure you were the guy who told me, after the Flyers acquired Mark Streit, that a) the Islanders were about to start some kind of playoff streak, b) the Flyers weren't going to see the playoffs again anytime soon, and c) FLAT-OUT GUARANTEED that the Isles would finish in front of the Flyers this year.

Now, "B" isn't assured....but I'm gonna go out on a limb, just throw it out there for all to see, that maybe, just maybe...it might be fair to question the prognostication skills for someone who was dead-solid-serious about "A" and "C."

Surprising nobody, Steve Mason gets the start tonight
- Jsaquella

Man, when's the last time the Flyers got consistently above-average goaltending for an entire year before Mason? Biron?

Our secondary scoring was at times non existent this yr. but saying we have one scoring line isn't accurate. Nielsen has had his best season to date. Lee is emerging as a very effective power forward. Nelson as well. Strome unfortunately bcs of a log jam has been stuck on our fourth line but has played incredibly well. Grabner and Bailey were unfortunately a huge reason of our lack of secondary scoring for most of the season. In Grabner's case that is a direct result of our coaching.
- Cptmjl

Just curious, but are you trying to suggest that coaching is the only reason that the Islanders are in last in the Metro?

God bless Terry Murray down there, but it also wouldn't hurt if he found a way to get a bit more offense out of the guys who are there WHILE teaching them defensive hockey.

The Phantoms he has, for the most part, are young and just figuring out pro hockey.

But at some point, with a guy like Nick Cousins...yeah, his complete game might not translate to the pros, but a guy who has 70 assists in a season doesn't have to be turned into Greg Campbell immediately
- AllInForFlyers

The cupboard is pretty bare in Adirondack. Murray hasn't done a good job wins/losses wise, but he doesn't have much to work with.

Man, when's the last time the Flyers got consistently above-average goaltending for an entire year before Mason? Biron?
- Tomahawk

Hextall, 88-89

The cupboard is pretty bare in Adirondack. Murray hasn't done a good job wins/losses wise, but he doesn't have much to work with.
- PLindbergh31

True, they have very little top line talent up front, even for the AHL.

The only thing is though is that Raffl is 2-3 inches taller and 30lbs heavier than this kid. He's going to have to get stronger to succeed at the NHL level.
- BiggE

He's a lottery ticket, if he never plays an NHL game, no loss really.

He's a lottery ticket, if he never plays an NHL game, no loss really.
- PLindbergh31

Oh no doubt, there certainly is no harm in signing him and giving him a chance.

Our secondary scoring was at times non existent this yr. but saying we have one scoring line isn't accurate and lack talent is offbase. Nielsen has had his best season to date. Lee is emerging as a very effective power forward. Nelson as well. Strome unfortunately bcs of a log jam has been stuck on our fourth line but has played incredibly well. Grabner and Bailey were unfortunately a huge reason of our lack of secondary scoring for most of the season. In Grabner's case that is a direct result of our coaching. Talent is not an issue. Up front I'm not concerned.
- Cptmjl

I just don't see them making a turnaround like the Avs. Its more than just coaching. I think the forwards struggle with two-way play and the goaltending is sub-par.

They need a new GM and coach, but they need more talent too and there is no Nathan McKinnon in this draft.

True, they have very little top line talent up front, even for the AHL.
- BiggE

Most of the Flyers legit prospects aren't playing in the AHL. Interested in seeing how Hagg does.

I'm pretty sure you were the guy who told me, after the Flyers acquired Mark Streit, that a) the Islanders were about to start some kind of playoff streak, b) the Flyers weren't going to see the playoffs again anytime soon, and c) FLAT-OUT GUARANTEED that the Isles would finish in front of the Flyers this year.

Now, "B" isn't assured....but I'm gonna go out on a limb, just throw it out there for all to see, that maybe, just maybe...it might be fair to question the prognostication skills for someone who was dead-solid-serious about "A" and "C."
- AllInForFlyers

Wasn't me. I see the talent we have and the potential but in no way did i ever say we were going to go on a "playoff streak". I for one was concerned we wouldn't make the playoffs this yr. Goaltending and defense were our areas of need they were not addressed but if you want to put words in my mouth b y all means go ahead.

Man, when's the last time the Flyers got consistently above-average goaltending for an entire year before Mason? Biron?
- Tomahawk

Yeah, probably. Emery played well in first go around, but got hurt. Leighton was mostly OK for balance of that year. Bob & Boucher were good in 2010-11, then came the Bryz years

Oh no doubt, there certainly is no harm in signing him and giving him a chance.
- BiggE

Read was a homerun. I really like the idea of signing guys out of college. With good scouting you can find some gems.

The cupboard is pretty bare in Adirondack. Murray hasn't done a good job wins/losses wise, but he doesn't have much to work with.
- PLindbergh31

It is, but one thing Murray does, above all else, is have teams play the way he wants.

But sometimes, just like Laviolette at the end, the players you have aren't totally suited to doing what you want, so you have to find ways to incorporate what they can do

The fact that Akeson continues to score like he does down there...somebody should give that kid a look, just to see...he's the only guy down there who has put up numbers under Murray except for Baby Schenn and Couturier, during the lockout

Our secondary scoring was at times non existent this yr. but saying we have one scoring line isn't accurate and lack talent is offbase. Nielsen has had his best season to date. Lee is emerging as a very effective power forward. Nelson as well. Strome unfortunately bcs of a log jam has been stuck on our fourth line but has played incredibly well. Grabner and Bailey were unfortunately a huge reason of our lack of secondary scoring for most of the season. In Grabner's case that is a direct result of our coaching. Talent is not an issue. Up front I'm not concerned.
- Cptmjl

Let me ask you this.... Since your dodging the other question... Which draft pick would you rather the Islanders forfeit to the Sabres..?

This years will likely be a top 5 pick, but in a weak draft... But 2015 is going to be a really deep draft, and knowing the islanders they will finish last or in the lottery if they forefit this pick and lose out on McDavid...

So which would you rather them give up?

It is, but one thing Murray does, above all else, is have teams play the way he wants.

But sometimes, just like Laviolette at the end, the players you have aren't totally suited to doing what you want, so you have to find ways to incorporate what they can do

The fact that Akeson continues to score like he does down there...somebody should give that kid a look, just to see...he's the only guy down there who has put up numbers under Murray except for Baby Schenn and Couturier, during the lockout
- AllInForFlyers

Think Akeson gets a look as one of the black aces?

Most of the Flyers legit prospects aren't playing in the AHL. Interested in seeing how Hagg does.
- PLindbergh31

I would like to see what he learns from Terry Murray.

It is, but one thing Murray does, above all else, is have teams play the way he wants.

But sometimes, just like Laviolette at the end, the players you have aren't totally suited to doing what you want, so you have to find ways to incorporate what they can do

The fact that Akeson continues to score like he does down there...somebody should give that kid a look, just to see...he's the only guy down there who has put up numbers under Murray except for Baby Schenn and Couturier, during the lockout
- AllInForFlyers

They really don't have the talent to score much. Most of the guys on the Phantoms under Murray are no better than 3rd/4th line prospects at the NHL level, and they're not exactly locks to even be that.

Common fallacy about Murray is that he's a defense only guy...He coached 15 years in NHL and in 11 of them, his teams were in the top ten in goals scored.

Think Akeson gets a look as one of the black aces?
- BulliesPhan87

I think he's a FA after this season. Should be interesting to see what the Flyers do with him.

Hextall, 88-89
- BiggE

Esche 03-04

It is, but one thing Murray does, above all else, is have teams play the way he wants.

But sometimes, just like Laviolette at the end, the players you have aren't totally suited to doing what you want, so you have to find ways to incorporate what they can do
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, Bourne just wrote a piece to that very point:

http://blogs.thescore.com...est-utilize-their-roster/

They really don't have the talent to score much. Most of the guys on the Phantoms under Murray are no better than 3rd/4th line prospects at the NHL level, and they're not exactly locks to even be that.

Common fallacy about Murray is that he's a defense only guy...He coached 15 years in NHL and in 11 of them, his teams were in the top ten in goals scored.
- Jsaquella

Its funny how defensive responsibility leads to higher scoring...

Think Akeson gets a look as one of the black aces?
- BulliesPhan87

He probably should -- you know, the thing about it is that some folks like to make the "Art Ross Akeson" jokes, but when they do, they really minimize what that kid has done down there.

Seriously: NOBODY has scored down there with any regularity under Murray, EXCEPT him, in a strict defensive system.

It doesn't mean he's an NHL player. It means that he's done what he could in the AHL to be productive and might deserve a look somewhere...he even plays the PK down there, from what I read