¶1: 100% agree
¶2: Probably true.

Keep building toward the future... it'll take the next couple of seasons to transition there... I wouldn't put too much emphasis on winning for now. Try to make the PO's, but don't take any wild/desperate stabs.
- Tomahawk

I agree. I was/am willing to be patient with this team. I was just hoping they'd be able to move some salary or acquire some future assets (getting the mid round picks was good). It just feels like we're going to have to ride these bad contracts out for another year.

I agree about matchups. I just believe this team is seriously flawed and I don't think it's of the right mindset to believe this team was close to being a Cup contender because they almost beat the Rangers.

You can make a case the Flyers got worse this season. The Pens, Jackets, Rangers and Isles all improved. Washington probably improved too, but not significantly.
- PhillySportsGuy

How can you make a case that the Flyers got worse this season? Just by trading Hartnell.

¶1: 100% agree
¶2: Probably true.

Keep building toward the future... it'll take the next couple of seasons to transition there... I wouldn't put too much emphasis on winning for now. Try to make the PO's, but don't take any wild/desperate stabs.
- Tomahawk

Hexy is feeling your vibe Hawk

How can you make a case that the Flyers got worse this season? Just by trading Hartnell.
- MJL

Yes

While I don't disagree, Voracek has seen the majority of his time with Giroux and is entering his 7th season in the NHL. While I do not believe it's impossible for Voracek to have an eye popping season, most players would have had a true break out season by now. At the moment I have more faith in Brayden Schenn's development. Voracek is more of a playmaking winger. He has to find it from within to shoot more, rather then the coaching staff remind him to do so.

I think I do underrate this current team. Sure Schenn, Couturier and Raffl could take big steps but we have no choice but to bank on this now. I believe the Flyers are only as good as their offseason.I don't believe the Flyers D is as bad as some might suggest especially with MacDonald added to the fold but I feel the Umburger deal was a piss pour idea. I don't believe Umburger alone makes us tougher to play against.
- SuperSchennBros

Having Hartnell over Umberger isn't going to make the Flyers significantly harder to play against. What the Flyers need to do is improve the consistency with their team game, and play stronger and more consistent Hockey at 5 on 5. They can do that without adding a single player.
It wouldn't suprise me to see Voracek pot 30 goals and near 50 assists. I think the has that ability. He was the best player in the playoffs and was showing leadership qualities. I think there is still room for him to grow as a player.

Yes
- PhillySportsGuy

It's not a real strong case. I think the Flyers lost some things with trading Hartnell. But they also gained some things in Umberger. It remains to be seen what the net effect is there. And also with the internal growth of the younger players.

Having Hartnell over Umberger isn't going to make the Flyers significantly harder to play against. What the Flyers need to do is improve the consistency with their team game, and play stronger and more consistent Hockey at 5 on 5. They can do that without adding a single player.
It wouldn't suprise me to see Voracek pot 30 goals and near 50 assists. I think the has that ability. He was the best player in the playoffs and was showing leadership qualities. I think there is still room for him to grow as a player.
- MJL

I don't think it's been a lot to ask for Voracek to reach the late 20's in goals by now. Especially because he's a top line player, playing with one of the best in the league.

How can you make a case that the Flyers got worse this season? Just by trading Hartnell.
- MJL

The Flyers were playing Hartnell on their top line, granted he's not a top line player, but they traded him for a player coming off a season where he had multiple injuries. Umberger could be toast for all anyone knows.

If Umberger is healthy, it's probably close to a lateral move, he won't provide the goal scoring Hartnell would, but he's better defensively, and is more disciplined.

It's not a real strong case. I think the Flyers lost some things with trading Hartnell. But they also gained some things in Umberger. It remains to be seen what the net effect is there. And also with the internal growth of the younger players.
- MJL

I said you can make a case meaning you can make an argument. I didn't say it's definite.

I don't think it's been a lot to ask for Voracek to reach the late 20's in goals by now. Especially because he's a top line player, playing with one of the best in the league.
- SuperSchennBros

Voracek had 22 goals in the strike shortened 48 game season. He's shown he has the ability to score goals.

I said you can make a case meaning you can make an argument. I didn't say it's definite.
- PhillySportsGuy

I didn't say that you did say it's definite. I think a case can be made both ways. What Hartnell is going to show up? The 30-30 Hartnell, or the 20-20 Hartnell. Umberger can match the latter, while playing a more disciplined and stronger overall game.

If we want to win, we should bring Gagne back. 2010, Gagne returns from injury and we go to the cup finals. 2013, Gagne returns in a trade with LA and our first round pick moves out of the top five all the way to 11th.

Voracek had 22 goals in the strike shortened 48 game season. He's shown he has the ability to score goals.
- MJL

10 and 14 have to have better seasons. Show us the " potential" they do have. If not, I don't see this team doing much better. I was really hoping for Hextall to make an addition on the blueline which he didn't. I would prefer a more mobile back end.

I didn't say that you did say it's definite. I think a case can be made both ways. What Hartnell is going to show up? The 30-30 Hartnell, or the 20-20 Hartnell. Umberger can match the latter, while playing a more disciplined and stronger overall game.
- MJL

- PhillySportsGuy

You can't make a case that the Flyers got worse with the trade, but a case can be made either way.... Durrrr... Get with the program.

I agree about matchups. I just believe this team is seriously flawed and I don't think it's of the right mindset to believe this team was close to being a Cup contender because they almost beat the Rangers.

You can make a case the Flyers got worse this season. The Pens, Jackets, Rangers and Isles all improved. Washington probably improved too, but not significantly.
- PhillySportsGuy

How did the Rangers improve? Dab Boyle is not as good as Stralman, and they lost their other Boyle. They still haven't signed Kreider, Brassard or Zuccarello.

Washington got one good dman, one overpaid and over the hill dman, and lost their 2C.

What type of $$ is Winnik looking for?

How did the Rangers improve? Dab Boyle is not as good as Stralman, and they lost their other Boyle. They still haven't signed Kreider, Brassard or Zuccarello.

Washington got one good dman, one overpaid and over the hill dman, and lost their 2C.
- Feanor

Historically, Dan Boyle>Stralman. In fact, last year was the only year it was debatable. That being said, I agree the Rangers seem slightly worse. Washington, while overpaying, did add some quality players to their line-up, so I would say they improved.

- PhillySportsGuy

Why this response?

10 and 14 have to have better seasons. Show us the " potential" they do have. If not, I don't see this team doing much better. I was really hoping for Hextall to make an addition on the blueline which he didn't. I would prefer a more mobile back end.
- 3flyerkids

The addition to the blueline to add mobility was already made in adding MacDonald.

Best and Worst UFA signings for every year since 2005:
http://grantland.com/the-...cy-a-decade-of-decisions/

How did the Rangers improve? Dab Boyle is not as good as Stralman, and they lost their other Boyle. They still haven't signed Kreider, Brassard or Zuccarello.

Washington got one good dman, one overpaid and over the hill dman, and lost their 2C.
- Feanor

Boyle still has some left in the tank. He will be playing with a top pairing level player in Staal on the 2nd pair in a much weaker division.

Stralman was a solid player, but offered very little on the offensive end. Boyle may give the Rangers 40+ points if he gets top PP time and he should be fine defensively with a player like Staal as his partner. McD and Girardi will continue to do the heavy lifting.

Losing Pouliot and Boyle hurts, but those other guys are all rfas. Sather is a tough negotiator. It may drag on, but he'll get the contracts done eventually. Brassard may be the only guy he looks to move.

Washington overpaid for Orpik and he's not an upgrade over anyone, but Niskanen will definitely help them. Losing Grabo hurts, but he missed 1/3 of the season anyway. Guys like Kuznetsov and Johansson are both natural centers. Johansson was already getting over 17 minutes per game last year. Thats more than Grabo. I said I thought Washington slightly improved.

The addition to the blueline to add mobility was already made in adding MacDonald.
- MJL

I like MacDonald, but the same 6 didn't get it done last year. Need more offensive output especially if Kimmo's numbers are down.

It would be nice to have that shot from the point that can hit the net on the PP. Maybe Streit can do it if he gets the chance ( which he should have last tear)
I am just saying if this team is going to improve 10 and 14 MUST produce more offense and the team also must have better numbers from the Defense.

I like MacDonald, but the same 6 didn't get it done last year. Need more offensive output especially if Kimmo's numbers are down.

It would be nice to have that shot from the point that can hit the net on the PP. Maybe Streit can do it if he gets the chance ( which he should have last tear)
I am just saying if this team is going to improve 10 and 14 MUST produce more offense and the team also must have better numbers from the Defense.
- 3flyerkids

I think they need the entire team to improve, including 10 and 14. And I think where they really need to improve is as a team defensively. Play better as a 5 man unit all over the ice, and I think that is what will make them a better team

I think they need the entire team to improve, including 10 and 14. And I think where they really need to improve is as a team defensively. Play better as a 5 man unit all over the ice, and I think that is what will make them a better team
- MJL

Nah, there is no way playing better will make them a better team.