There is a difference between tanking and rebuilding. Tanking is putting in your AHL goalie, like Heeter, in to lose games. Rebuilding is selling off parts for assets because your core is mediocre and you need to start fresh. There is nothing wrong with rebuilding.

I would have no problem if the Flyers had a fire sale. There is nothing worst than being trapped in that mediocre middle group just in or out of the playoffs edge with no real chance to win in if you get in and no chance for a franchise changing player if you are out. Get busy living or get busy dying I say.
- psuhockey

This team is one Giroux injury away from contending for McDavid and Eichel

There is a difference between tanking and rebuilding. Tanking is putting in your AHL goalie, like Heeter, in to lose games. Rebuilding is selling off parts for assets because your core is mediocre and you need to start fresh. There is nothing wrong with rebuilding.

I would have no problem if the Flyers had a fire sale. There is nothing worst than being trapped in that mediocre middle group just in or out of the playoffs edge with no real chance to win in if you get in and no chance for a franchise changing player if you are out. Get busy living or get busy dying I say.
- psuhockey

Well, Winnipeg definitely isn't "rebuilding." So if they're not tanking, they just have the stupidest GM in the NHL.

This team is one Giroux injury away from contending for McDavid and Eichel
- PhillySportsGuy

I wouldnt go that far. Miss the playoffs? probably.

This team is one Giroux injury away from contending for McDavid and Eichel
- PhillySportsGuy

I think it's more an injury to Giroux and an injury to one of Coburn and Mason. Their defense and goaltending would be able to put them in a solid 6-10 pick.

Make that $100,000
- GOA88

I just want to pay off the mortgage.

But far, far worse, I think, because we have all new tools to bash with.
- johndewar

On the other hand, those same tools validate the value of guys like Couturier, Raffl, and Read. Not sure those guys would have the same standing w/ the general fan base without things like quality of competition and zone usage entering the popular consciousness.

I wouldnt go that far. Miss the playoffs? probably.
- GOA88

Without Giroux, they'd be in the top 10 of the draft next year.

I wish the NHL had a similar lottery to the NBA where the top 3 picks are all lottery selected. As it stands now, Buffalo will get McDavid or Eichel as long as they finish last.

On the other hand, those same tools validate the value of guys like Couturier, Raffl, and Read. Not sure those guys would have the same standing w/ the general fan base without things like quality of competition and zone usage entering the popular consciousness.
- Tomahawk

I can simply just watch the game like an old school hockey fan and see what Couturier, Read and Raffl bring to the team.

I feel bad for MacDonald, honestly. Seems he will be the scape goat that Carle was.
- GOA88

MacDonald will be fine. he is one of those players where the Corgi and Fenway don't paint an accurate picture.

Yeah, so he gives up the zone too much. He is solid in his own zone and my impression is that he is calm with the puck and can skate and make a good first pass.

The god damn AC airshow is practicing right outside my house. Just scared the poop outta me. Jfc

The god damn AC airshow is practicing right outside my house. Just scared the poop outta me. Jfc
- PhillySportsGuy

Throw your stones.

This team is one Giroux injury away from contending for McDavid and Eichel
- PhillySportsGuy

If you get there through injury, fine -- I understand that. That's out of anybody's control.

The god damn AC airshow is practicing right outside my house. Just scared the poop outta me. Jfc
- PhillySportsGuy

Yup thought the windows were gonna break at the office!

The god damn AC airshow is practicing right outside my house. Just scared the poop outta me. Jfc
- PhillySportsGuy

Time to dust off the anti aircraft turret?

The god damn AC airshow is practicing right outside my house. Just scared the poop outta me. Jfc
- PhillySportsGuy

we have an air show here- and every summer they buzz my building (i'm on the top floor) and scare the poop out of me. this year, i had to get off a conference call because i could not concentrate. felt like we were under attack.

Without Giroux, they'd be in the top 10 of the draft next year.

I wish the NHL had a similar lottery to the NBA where the top 3 picks are all lottery selected. As it stands now, Buffalo will get McDavid or Eichel as long as they finish last.
- PhillySportsGuy

Am I the only one who doesn't think Eichelis necessarily the 2nd coming? McDavid looks good, although this is his year to really shine. But Eichel hasn't shown me anything jaw-dropping, yet he's mentioned as being almost on pa with McDavid. It really reminds me of the Lecavalier/Legwand year.

We did manage to tie in analytics with Andrew MacDonald's dating life.

And doing things outside of the office with co-workers is always an adventure. Did anyone get too drunk and overshare?
- johndewar

OMG, too funny, I'm sorry I missed that. I'm sure that his dating life is JUST fine with his salary.

And nope no one got too extreme, although I had to get some food after 2 beers and nothing but a protein shake in my stomach... Otherwise it was trying to get a buddy of mine to not get out of control with the PDA's with his girlfriend he brought.

Eichel hasn't shown me anything jaw-dropping....
- jmatchett383

YouTube him...

MacDonald will be fine. he is one of those players where the Corgi and Fenway don't paint an accurate picture.

Yeah, so he gives up the zone too much. He is solid in his own zone and my impression is that he is calm with the puck and can skate and make a good first pass.
- MBFlyerfan

Flyers fans, for whatever reason, seem to always have that one dman they all don't like:
Tom Bladon
Rick Lapointe
Behn Wilson
Doug Crossman
Terry Carkner
Karl Dykhuis
Randy Jones
Matt Carle

Some were deservedly booed, some not so much.

- johndewar

MacDonald will be fine. he is one of those players where the Corgi and Fenway don't paint an accurate picture.

Yeah, so he gives up the zone too much. He is solid in his own zone and my impression is that he is calm with the puck and can skate and make a good first pass.
- MBFlyerfan

We need him to be fine, and I hope he is -- he has flaws, but he also has strengths.

It's not ideal if he has to play 22-plus minutes a night, because he clearly didn't excel in that role previously.

But at the same time, the Flyers aren't the damn Islanders -- one franchise has missed the playoffs twice since 1995. One franchise has made the playoffs three times since 1995.

MacDonald just has to do his job and be solid, move the puck, not get worked over. We're going to find out if he can do it, but I sure as hell hope he can.

Well, Winnipeg definitely isn't "rebuilding." So if they're not tanking, they just have the stupidest GM in the NHL.
- jmatchett383

They have the new breed of GM that sits on their hands afraid to take risks and ride out their contract. Add Piole, MacTavish, and Maloney to that list.

we have an air show here- and every summer they buzz my building (i'm on the top floor) and scare the poop out of me. this year, i had to get off a conference call because i could not concentrate. felt like we were under attack.
- wilsonecho91

It really does! I'm sitting in my house and I duck my head out of instinct.

YouTube him...
- Tomahawk

Well, I've only seen him at the WJC, and yeah he looked GOOD.

But I mean, when I watch Crosby play, there's usually once a game where I have to throw up my hands and just wonder at how he does things and makes them look so effortless. He's just insanely good and his skills are amazing. That's what I see from McDavid.

Eichel just seems like more of a Toews style of game (not comparing the skill of the two players, just their games). He's good, but he's a very straightforward, no frills type of player. A very John LeClair type player with a smaller build.

I'm not saying Eichel won't be good, but I don't get all the super hype.

Am I the only one who doesn't think Eichelis necessarily the 2nd coming? McDavid looks good, although this is his year to really shine. But Eichel hasn't shown me anything jaw-dropping, yet he's mentioned as being almost on pa with McDavid. It really reminds me of the Lecavalier/Legwand year.
- jmatchett383

I haven't watched him play much. I just based on what I've read. Apparently, he didn't look too bad for Team USA at the WJC scrimmages.