While Coots has played well, I don't think having him play defense only as a checking line is all that bright.

0 points and a -2 doesn't tell the entire story, obviously. But that doesn't look real nice right now.

Why anybody even puts them in the same sentence or expects similar impacts is crazy
- ob18

Wow guys...

Ob18, MJL and whoever else

Did I EVER suggest that they were in the same class? Someone said "Laughton is just a kid" and therefore could not come in an have any impact for this team, so I responded with (I'll spin it a different way so its more easily understood for some):

Age doesn't mean everything.

Mackinnon is one of the youngest players in the NHL and leading in playoff points. I said it is not IMPOSSIBLE for someone like Laughton to come in and have some kind of an impact to help this team out. Never said they were similar players in any way or even close.

It's beneficial to read and understand the context of someone's post before you say things like: "Why anyone (me) even puts them in the same sentence is crazy." Its indirectly calling me an idiot is it not?

It seems like I always need disclaimers with things here because people just like to jump all over you like seagulls on a French fry.

Rangers fans know there is still a long way to go. Winning a fourth game in any series is hard, especially on the road, and in this case against a team as proud and willing to fight as hard as Philly. None of us think it's remotely a done deal, lots of work left to do.
- airjan23

We just want to see the Flyers play the kind of hockey they are capable of.
Today's game and game one were pretty awful to watch from a Flyers fan perspective.

It's the playoffs against the NY Rangers. Give your best effort for cripes sale.

You let Miller walk. I don't understand the love fest for the guy. He's an average goalie to me. Doesn't hurt you, but he rarely plays amazing.

I've never been scared to play against Miller. Hasek, Broduer, Roy, and Thomas (When he was a Bruin only) were the only guys I can think of off the top of my head I hated playing.
- Flyersgod

Derek Roy and Miller didn't work out for them
Still a damn good club.
I'd let Miller go as well, not sure what they do. We'll see soon enough.

While Coots has played well, I don't think having him play defense only as a checking line is all that bright.

0 points and a -2 doesn't tell the entire story, obviously. But that doesn't look real nice right now.
- Flyersgod

Getting playoff experience against Nash and Co is invaluable for him.
I'm not concerned at all about Couts stats.
He is a piece that every Stanley cup winning team needs.

There isn't a team out there that is better at stopping the Flyers then the Rangers. They effectively shut down everything this collection of Flyers players tries to do. Even the games the Flyers win, it isn't typical of how they play to get that W. They can keep trying to ram the square peg in the round hole, but isn't going to work. And I'm not sure this group is capable of playing differently for more then a few stretches at a time. Just my opinion. This series is NOT over though. The offseason is in the offseason. Let's get two wins.

Wow guys...

Ob18, MJL and whoever else

Did I EVER suggest that they were in the same class? Someone said "Laughton is just a kid" and therefore could not come in an have any impact for this team, so I responded with (I'll spin it a different way so its more easily understood for some):

Age doesn't mean everything.

Mackinnon is one of the youngest players in the NHL and leading in playoff points. I said it is not IMPOSSIBLE for someone like Laughton to come in and have some kind of an impact to help this team out. Never said they were similar players in any way or even close.

It's beneficial to read and understand the context of someone's post before you say things like: "Why anyone (me) even puts them in the same sentence is crazy." Its indirectly calling me an idiot is it not?

It seems like I always need disclaimers with things here or I have to preempt my postings with "I know this guys not as good as that guy, but..." or "Its only MY opinion, and I don't KNOW for a fact, but...".
- mikel33

I understand what you're saying. I just don't think Laughton is going to provide that spark. He's more Couturier than offensive spark. He's a guy who just makes your team better overall.

He would be an upgrade over Rinaldo, but the 4th line isn't really a problem with Raffl on it. The underlying problems of this team are two-way depth and lack of impact defenseman.

Derek Roy and Miller didn't work out for them
Still a damn good club.
I'd let Miller go as well, not sure what they do. We'll see soon enough.
- Marc D

They have a Jake Allen waiting in the wings, but unsure they are ready to go that route. As I wrote in my post-season preview, that late collapse killed them. Cost them top seed in West and in division, meaning they had to play Chicago, who got a rested Toews and Kane back.

Wow guys...

Ob18, MJL and whoever else

Did I EVER suggest that they were in the same class? Someone said "Laughton is just a kid" and therefore could not come in an have any impact for this team, so I responded with (I'll spin it a different way so its more easily understood for some):

Age doesn't mean everything.

Mackinnon is one of the youngest players in the NHL and leading in playoff points. I said it is not IMPOSSIBLE for someone like Laughton to come in and have some kind of an impact to help this team out. Never said they were similar players in any way or even close.

It's beneficial to read and understand the context of someone's post before you say things like: "Why anyone (me) even puts them in the same sentence is crazy." Its indirectly calling me an idiot is it not?

It seems like I always need disclaimers with things here or I have to preempt my postings with "I know this guys not as good as that guy, but..." or "Its only MY opinion, and I don't KNOW for a fact, but...".
- mikel33

It was me that said he's only a kid.....my point is that his insertion probably wouldn't have much of an impact, although I can't disagree that him over Rinaldo wouldn't hurt. A non hitting Rinaldo is useless.
McKinnon although younger played the entire year in the NHL ....might be a bit of a stretch to think Laughton would have impact....I watched a bit of his series against Northbay....and honestly didn't think he played all that well....

If Rinaldo is going to play and in my opinion he should, Berube should let him play his game. One of the best open ice hitters in the game. Take the handcuffs off.

They have a Jake Allen waiting in the wings, but unsure they are ready to go that route. As I wrote in my post-season preview, that late collapse killed them. Cost them top seed in West and in division, meaning they had to play Chicago, who got a rested Toews and Kane back.
- airjan23

Spot on about that late slump. They have some kids at forward who are going to be very good scorers. Tarasenko and Schwartz both look like top line talent.

I never liked the Miller move. I thought it was an overpayment for a small upgrade. Miller isn't 2010 Miller.

They have a Jake Allen waiting in the wings, but unsure they are ready to go that route. As I wrote in my post-season preview, that late collapse killed them. Cost them top seed in West and in division, meaning they had to play Chicago, who got a rested Toews and Kane back.
- airjan23

agree

Getting playoff experience against Nash and Co is invaluable for him.
I'm not concerned at all about Couts stats.
He is a piece that every Stanley cup winning team needs.
- Marc D

Yeah of course. I just think when all is said and done, we'll look back at how bad our guys played offensively and wonder why.

Rangers stepped their game up. Flyers have not. It's really as simple as that to me. Those last 5 or so regular season games stuck with them. They're playing just like that, instead of playing like the team for weeks before that.

If Rinaldo is going to play and in my opinion he should, Berube should let him play his game. One of the best open ice hitters in the game. Take the handcuffs off.
- Marc D

He needs to take the handcuffs off all the guys. No more being pushed around on the ice. No more being bullied after every whistle. Screw the refs. We all know the rangers are going to get away with murder. No reason not to punch zuccerello in his face and send him 3 weeks into Monday. They should be trying to kill that little wiener. Instead, they're just skating away from everything.

He needs to take the handcuffs off all the guys. No more being pushed around on the ice. No more being bullied after every whistle. Screw the refs. We all know the rangers are going to get away with murder. No reason not to punch zuccerello in his face and send him 3 weeks into Monday. They should be trying to kill that little wiener. Instead, they're just skating away from everything.
- Flyersgod

Flyers aren't being pushed around. They aren't backing down. They just aren't that good of a team. Lets deal with it. They put up 94 pts this year. 2010 happens once in a blue blue moon. There are major holes in this roster that will take more than one summer to fix. You have to skate in todays NHL period.

Flyers aren't being pushed around. They aren't backing down. They just aren't that good of a team. Lets deal with it. They put up 94 pts this year. 2010 happens once in a blue blue moon. There are major holes in this roster that will take more than one summer to fix. You have to skate in todays NHL period.
- Just5

I haven't seen the flyers push back all that much. Voracek was the only player not taking crap. The rest were just meh...

I don't know what to think of this team anymore. They're terrible in front of their own net. They're terrible in the offensive zone when they go into a slump. They NEVER have a guy in front of the net. They just get in the ozone and try to cycle the puck into the net. It makes no sense. They work their asses off to get the puck to a point man... who gets a shot off but Hank sees it the whole way.

Why have players like Hartnell and Simmonds if you aren't going to use them to the best of their abilities?

Sorry, I alresdy havd Malkin going to Nashville for Weber
- KINGKENZO

wouldnt necessarily be opposed to that either

Flyers aren't being pushed around. They aren't backing down. They just aren't that good of a team. Lets deal with it. They put up 94 pts this year. 2010 happens once in a blue blue moon. There are major holes in this roster that will take more than one summer to fix. You have to skate in todays NHL period.
- Just5

they have some very good players but rely on a lot of youth up front and have big problems the way the D is put together.

I am finding myself in agreement with a lot of what you have posted lately

Flyers aren't being pushed around. They aren't backing down. They just aren't that good of a team. Lets deal with it. They put up 94 pts this year. 2010 happens once in a blue blue moon. There are major holes in this roster that will take more than one summer to fix. You have to skate in todays NHL period.
- Just5

The good thing, though, is that some of the holes should be able to get fixed -- you can always improve a fourth line, and even a third line, if that is your focus in the offseason. Those kinds of players are avilable, depending on what you want.

Messing with the defense will be trickier, yes, because you do have to figure out what to do with a few of the players, and no matter what, if you decide to trade, you still need a partner. But if you really wanted to do something with Grossmann or Luke Schenn to improve mobility, you could probably find a way, as well.

I'm a little concerned with the Top 6 LWs, as I've said before. Those guys don't just grown on trees, and while i still think Scott Hartnell can contribute, i think getting his successor into the system, and then maybe an extra guy on top of that...i think that is more important than maybe all of us, as a while, might think

I haven't seen the flyers push back all that much. Voracek was the only player not taking crap. The rest were just meh...

I don't know what to think of this team anymore. They're terrible in front of their own net. They're terrible in the offensive zone when they go into a slump. They NEVER have a guy in front of the net. They just get in the ozone and try to cycle the puck into the net. It makes no sense. They work their asses off to get the puck to a point man... who gets a shot off but Hank sees it the whole way.

Why have players like Hartnell and Simmonds if you aren't going to use them to the best of their abilities?
- Flyersgod

a little more speed on the wing, and a little more puck skill on the back end would go a long way on this Flyers team

at the start of the year anyone saying they would make the playoffs (other then Claude Giroux) would have been laughed at.

they accomplished something with their comeback wins and making the dance

still have another game to go

a little more speed on the wing, and a little more puck skill on the back end would go a long way on this Flyers team

at the start of the year anyone saying they would make the playoffs (other then Claude Giroux) would have been laughed at.

they accomplished something with their comeback wins and making the dance

still have another game to go
- Marc D

i keep saying it. if you guys add that one defender with some puck skills, it will have positive effects up and down the lineup. the offensive players will be in better positions to do what they need to do. the other defenders will be able to focus more on being positionally sound.

Wow guys...

Ob18, MJL and whoever else

Did I EVER suggest that they were in the same class? Someone said "Laughton is just a kid" and therefore could not come in an have any impact for this team, so I responded with (I'll spin it a different way so its more easily understood for some):

Age doesn't mean everything.

Mackinnon is one of the youngest players in the NHL and leading in playoff points. I said it is not IMPOSSIBLE for someone like Laughton to come in and have some kind of an impact to help this team out. Never said they were similar players in any way or even close.

It's beneficial to read and understand the context of someone's post before you say things like: "Why anyone (me) even puts them in the same sentence is crazy." Its indirectly calling me an idiot is it not?

It seems like I always need disclaimers with things here because people just like to jump all over you like seagulls on a French fry.
- mikel33

I never said you did or referred to you at all in my comment.

man for as good as they looked at times this year they really look lost at times too....that missing passes by three feet is just inexplicable to me

i keep saying it. if you guys add that one defender with some puck skills, it will have positive effects up and down the lineup. the offensive players will be in better positions to do what they need to do. the other defenders will be able to focus more on being positionally sound.
- stayinthefnnet

i was just thinking what this series looks like if we have the rags top pair and all our current guys shift down

they have some very good players but rely on a lot of youth up front and have big problems the way the D is put together.

I am finding myself in agreement with a lot of what you have posted lately
- Marc D

And I like the young players up front. B/W Schenn, Coots, and Laughton maybe theres a shoe to drop there. But for next year I dont see Laughton as the 4C while eating into a significant amount of Girouxs PK time a bad option. It wont set him back.

They need to hit on Gostisbehre. Plain and simple.

Grossman I believe is an easy choice for the mix change. Perhaps Colorado would entertain A Nate Guenin swap.