I think there is a lot of reasons why this team is inconsistent. Being carefree is not one of them in my opinion.
- MJL

Fair enough.

So let me get this straight....

The flyers are currently in a playoff spot, yes?

They just went 6-4-2 during the "murderers row" portion of their schedule, a record most people said they would be happy with if the flyers did that well.

And yet no one is happy?

Gotta love this place
- fecondo

You got it. The GM needs to be fired. They make bad trades and bad signings. They mismanage the Cap. And they are too slow. And it is all Luke Schenn and Vinny Lecavalier's fault.

How can a team be carefree and then care? Either a team is free of cares, or it is not.
- feelingkettle

Fair question. Would a team that isn't carefree just go through the motions for large portions of the schedule?

How can a team be carefree and then care? Either a team is free of cares, or it is not.
- feelingkettle

Schitzophrenia!

Fair question. Would a team that isn't carefree just go through the motions for large portions of the schedule?
- Flyersgod

Maybe they are so carefree, they don't even care if they care or not. Then it could be possible to care and be carefree at the same time. They don't care that they can't care and be carefree.

Well, we see two different teams apparently.
- MJL

We have since the first game. When hot they're an awesome team, when not they're a bottom of the league team.

I never expected to make the playoffs. Then they gave me hope. Then they stopped playing. Now I hate them again.

We have since the first game. When hot they're an awesome team, when not they're a bottom of the league team.

I never expected to make the playoffs. Then they gave me hope. Then they stopped playing. Now I hate them again.
- Flyersgod

So you don't think they're going to make the playoffs?

Maybe they are so carefree, they don't even care if they care or not. Then it could be possible to care and be carefree at the same time. They don't care that they can't care and be carefree.
- feelingkettle

So they aren't carefree at all in your opinion?

Not even a little?

So you don't think they're going to make the playoffs?
- MJL

They're going to make it.

They're going to make it.
- Flyersgod

So what's the problem?

So they aren't carefree at all in your opinion?

Not even a little?
- Flyersgod

Well, it's impossible to be carefree and care at the same time, unless they are so carefree, that they don't care that they can't care and be carefree. They are SO carefree, that they don't care that they can't be both. They both care and are carefree. That's only if they are really carefree, to the point of not caring about being carefree.

Well, it's impossible to be carefree and care at the same time, unless they are so carefree, that they don't care that they can't care and be carefree. They are SO carefree, that they don't care that they can't be both. They both care and are carefree. That's only if they are really carefree, to the point of not caring about being carefree.
- feelingkettle

I see!

Mood?

Wait for it...wait for it...wait for it...


Carefree

So let me get this straight....

The flyers are currently in a playoff spot, yes?

They just went 6-4-2 during the "murderers row" portion of their schedule, a record most people said they would be happy with if the flyers did that well.

And yet no one is happy?

Gotta love this place
- fecondo

Its all relative to expectations. They were seen as a mediocre/fringe playoff team before the stretch. Then they were seen as genuine contenders. Now they seem like a team that could probably get a game or two in the first round against any team but will very likely not go too far. Interestingly, this slump increases the probability of playing Pens, which is probably their best match-up. But I treat Flyers-Pens games as an anomaly - they are in no way indicative of the state of the team, irrespective of result.

Mood?

Wait for it...wait for it...wait for it...


Carefree


- AllInForFlyers

I'm all in, baby

So let me get this straight....

The flyers are currently in a playoff spot, yes?

They just went 6-4-2 during the "murderers row" portion of their schedule, a record most people said they would be happy with if the flyers did that well.

And yet no one is happy?

Gotta love this place
- fecondo

I think everyone is a bit jangled from having to listen to Jack Edwards and their other turkey today... I know I am.

I'm all in, baby
- feelingkettle

There's reasons to be -- it's trickier than it was a week ago, but it's still pretty damn likely that they'll make the playoffs

There's a few reasons to be concerned, too -- but at the same time, it's still better to be them than New Jersey and Toronto

Its all relative to expectations. They were seen as a mediocre/fringe playoff team before the stretch. Then they were seen as genuine contenders. Now they seem like a team that could probably get a game or two in the first round against any team but will very likely not go too far. Interestingly, this slump increases the probability of playing Pens, which is probably their best match-up. But I treat Flyers-Pens games as an anomaly - they are in no way indicative of the state of the team, irrespective of result.
- PT21

Honestly, not sure anyone has seen them as a genuine contender. At best I saw them when playing at the top of their game, that could compete with some of the top teams in the League. But I never saw them as being in the same class as Boston.

get this, I just looked up Downie's game log and compared it to the game results for the flyers and I got 33-13-6 with him IN the lineup versus 6-13-6 without him

Honestly, not sure anyone has seen them as a genuine contender. At best I saw them when playing at the top of their game, that could compete with some of the top teams in the League. But I never saw them as being in the same class as Boston.
- MJL

Well, the way they played Chicago, St. Louis and Boston, I saw them as being competitive. And then in the playoffs, if you are competitive, who knows. Lets say Bergeron gets knocked out by Rinaldo and Giroux gets free reign. That's a whole new ball game.

But looking back over the last month, it does seem they are an average team + Giroux. If he plays like he can at his best, they are competitive with anyone. If he is shackled or has bad games, they are poseurs.

I was hoping for one other reliable offensive threat or one line to emerge this season from all the promise that would make other teams wary, and its very disappointing to me that no one/line has.

Well, the way they played Chicago, St. Louis and Boston, I saw them as being competitive. And then in the playoffs, if you are competitive, who knows. Lets say Bergeron gets knocked out by Rinaldo and Giroux gets free reign. That's a whole new ball game.

But looking back over the last month, it does seem they are an average team + Giroux. If he plays like he can at his best, they are competitive with anyone. If he is shackled or has bad games, they are poseurs.

I was hoping for one other reliable offensive threat or one line to emerge this season from all the promise that would make other teams wary, and its very disappointing to me that no one/line has.
- PT21

Reality is they are an average team, that is at times capable of elevating their game and playing at a high level. It is their inconsistency that makes them average.

And although the Flyers are in an offensive slump currently, they are not a team that lacks offense. Especially among the forward corps. Not sure why I keep reading that they are weak offensively. They are not.

And yes, Giroux is the catalyst for this team. Same way that it is for most top teams.

So what's the problem?

- MJL

There's more to this than just making the playoffs. I want a cup.

There's more to this than just making the playoffs. I want a cup.
- Flyersgod

Well it's a process. And this team has a lot of young players. It is headed in the right direction.

Reality is they are an average team, that is at times capable of elevating their game and playing at a high level. It is their inconsistency that makes them average.

And although the Flyers are in an offensive slump currently, they are not a team that lacks offense. Especially among the forward corps. Not sure why I keep reading that they are weak offensively. They are not.

And yes, Giroux is the catalyst for this team. Same way that it is for most top teams.
- MJL

12th in total goals in the league. They've also given up the 11th most goals.

12th in total goals in the league. They've also given up the 11th most goals.
- Flyersgod

I'm aware of those numbers.