before yesterday's game i was thinking about the 04 run, and the first thing that came to mind was primeau's dominance and how the flyers could really use a performance like that from someone...anyone. it was glorious to watch.
- hammarby31

Problem with that is we dont have a big, fast, physical player like Primeau or Lindros on this team. We have Giroux's skill but when he has the puck there is nobody open other than the point and he doesnt have the size to drive the net. They need everyone involved to make a difference. Not just GIROUX. Not one player in this league does everything all by his damn self.

The only thing I'd really like to see the Flyers do with their forwards next year is try to move VL for a pick and replace Hall with a better 4th liner. I'd be very happy going into next year with a forward group of:
Hartnell-G-Voracek
Raffl-Schenn-Simmonds
Laughton-Couturier-Read
Akeson or McGinn or Rosehill-UFA TBD-Rinaldo

and on D, if you can get VL off the cap, sign Niskanen or Stralman and go with:

Coburn
Niskanen or Stralman
MacDonald
Schenn
Streit
Grossmann
Gus or Lauridsen as the 7th.

I'd much rather go with this lineup than move a bunch of youth and picks for a dman.

Malholtra.
- Tomahawk

Laughton

nice trade
- watsonnostaw

poop happens, every GM has bad trades and good trades. Lets not forget than Downie played very well before he first got hurt and his line with Couturier and Read helped turned this thing around.

No neck... whoever that is, maybe Trotz.
- mayorofangrytown

good lord, that's exactly who he means.

Berube is getting out coached pretty badly this series. I refuse to believe that the Rangers are more talented. They have a couple defenders and a goaltender that is better than what we have. Thats it. Also doesnt help when its Emery vs. Lundqvist...... Thats the difference between winning and losing. These games arent shootouts. Its tight checking and defensive. Good goaltending is a must.

Malholtra.
- Tomahawk

If they can land Malhotra for 700-800k, sure, that would work for me. He is basically a faster, slightly more skilled version of Hall, and just as good on faceoffs as well.

Oh boy, if YOU don't get what he means, what chance is there for the rest of us??

- BiggE

moat figured it out. i just wasn't thinking.

poop happens, every GM has bad trades and good trades. Lets not forget than Downie played very well before he first got hurt and his line with Couturier and Read helped turned this thing around.
- BiggE

Without that line getting hot, there's really no telling how long the slump would have lasted. That line was definitely a catalyst for the turnaround. Them and Raffl helping the top line.

poop happens, every GM has bad trades and good trades. Lets not forget than Downie played very well before he first got hurt and his line with Couturier and Read helped turned this thing around.
- BiggE

downie was concussed his first game as a flyer, when they got destroyed by the capitals 7-0

If they can land Malhotra for 700-800k, sure, that would work for me. He is basically a faster, slightly more skilled version of Hall, and just as good on faceoffs as well.
- BiggE

Plus, he does stuff like this:
http://gocheckers.com/art...-brendan-woods-again.html

Berube is getting out coached pretty badly this series. I refuse to believe that the Rangers are more talented. They have a couple defenders and a goaltender that is better than what we have. Thats it.
- GOA88

I don't think the Rags are more talented overall, though I do think they have a clear advantage on D. I do however think they are more committed to sticking to their game plan and that they, more than the Flyers, have every guy going hard every shift. They are a more experienced and mature team than the Flyers.

moat figured it out. i just wasn't thinking.
- hammarby31

The only thing I'd really like to see the Flyers do with their forwards next year is try to move VL for a pick and replace Hall with a better 4th liner. I'd be very happy going into next year with a forward group of:
Hartnell-G-Voracek
Raffl-Schenn-Simmonds
Laughton-Couturier-Read
Akeson or McGinn or Rosehill-UFA TBD-Rinaldo

and on D, if you can get VL off the cap, sign Niskanen or Stralman and go with:

Coburn
Niskanen or Stralman
MacDonald
Schenn
Streit
Grossmann
Gus or Lauridsen as the 7th.

I'd much rather go with this lineup than move a bunch of youth and picks for a dman.
- BiggE

I wouldn't be afraid to flip Laughton for a young, scoring left winger to play with Schenn, but other than that, I'd swallow hard and go with something like you just described

I mean, seriously. WTF. Yeah, on bad days, it's easy to flip guys, but they're a 94-point team now with Schenn and Couturier being inconsistent and hovering around the 40-point mark, at their ages.

Doesn't take orange-colored glasses to see what might be on the horizon with a little patience

Problem with that is we dont have a big, fast, physical player like Primeau or Lindros on this team. We have Giroux's skill but when he has the puck there is nobody open other than the point and he doesnt have the size to drive the net. They need everyone involved to make a difference. Not just GIROUX. Not one player in this league does everything all by his damn self.
- GOA88

they sure don't. and of course they need the rest to chip in. otherwise, they're finished.

downie was concussed his first game as a flyer, when they got destroyed by the capitals 7-0
- watsonnostaw

Ok, so I guess it was an imposter wearing his uniform that played so well with Couturier and Read for a month?

Plus, he does,stuff like this:
http://gocheckers.com/art...-brendan-woods-again.html
- Tomahawk

Yup, he has always been a class act.

I'm disappointed with B Schenn, but unsure about dealing him. If he gets dealt, he will immediately become the player we wanted. That alone makes me want to hold onto him for a bit longer.

Ok, so I guess it was an imposter wearing his uniform that played so well with Couturier and Read for a month?
- BiggE

It was me, I admit it

I don't think the Rags are more talented overall, though I do think they have a clear advantage on D. I do however think they are more committed to sticking to their game plan and that they, more than the Flyers, have every guy going hard every shift. They are a more experienced and mature team than the Flyers.
- BiggE

We will see what happens when Mason comes back. He has the ability to raise his game to a high level. That will open up this team a little more IMO. We will make adjustments and the desperation will no doubt be there. Its a 7 game series for a reason. If we dont see the desperation needed. They dont deserve to win anyway...

moat figured it out. i just wasn't thinking.
- hammarby31

you figure it out...

It was me, I admit it
- BulliesPhan87

Well then lace em up, the boys need ya!!

Ok, so I guess it was an imposter wearing his uniform that played so well with Couturier and Read for a month?
- BiggE

no, you are just mistaken about the injury history of your beloved Steve Downie

Thats it for me fellow miscreants, there is a very sad eyed dog here that is begging for food and a walk. Later!

We will see what happens when Mason comes back. He has the ability to raise his game to a high level. That will open up this team a little more IMO. We will make adjustments and the desperation will no doubt be there. Its a 7 game series for a reason. If we dont see the desperation needed. They dont deserve to win anyway...
- GOA88

first hurdle is for mason to win a playoff game in the NHL, which he has never accomplished