I think at least two of their youngsters play and they make the playoffs this year. Islanders look promising.
- SuperSchennBros

It's possible. Not sure they will be a consistent playoff team, but they will be in the fight for this season.

Yeah, Pulock is a very good prospect as well. It's not an empty backfield, but man did they expend picks at an alarming rate. They gave up a lot to get Boychuk and while they paid less for Leddy, in a few years, the kid they traded could end up being better than Leddy is now. But with Reinhart, Puock and De Haan, they have a handful of good young defensemen.
- Jsaquella

Like you said, Garth is probably feeling the heat to make the playoffs or else.

I also think the changes the Isles made will put them in the playoffs. I'm certainly not rooting for them, but even a full year of Tavares will make them leaps and bounds better.
- Hextall271

The league is just so close now -- injuries, bad luck, soft goals/goaltending, all of those things are just magnified in the league now more than ever, IMO.

There are legitimate reasons for a lot of Metro teams to make the playoffs, and to miss. I wish I can say that I find that exciting, but I don't -- I just want the Flyers to make it! Screw everybody else, and eff the Pens, Rags and Devs twice on Sundays

Like you said, Garth is probably feeling the heat to make the playoffs or else.
- Hextall271

If it means he's GM for another decade, I hope he makes it

If it means he's GM for another decade, I hope he makes it
- Jsaquella

Me too.. lol

Giving up those picks for Boychuk short term.. yikes... I really hope Hexy sticks to this new plan of holding onto most picks and prospects like they're gold until the team is a true contender.

The league is just so close now -- injuries, bad luck, soft goals/goaltending, all of those things are just magnified in the league now more than ever, IMO.

There are legitimate reasons for a lot of Metro teams to make the playoffs, and to miss. I wish I can say that I find that exciting, but I don't -- I just want the Flyers to make it! Screw everybody else, and eff the Pens, Rags and Devs twice on Sundays
- AllInForFlyers

That's my biggest reason for "pessimism"

I think the Pens win the division. Carolina finishes last. You could roll the other teams in a Yahtzee cup and I'd probably say, "Yeah, that wouldn't surprise me." People could make valid arguments for any of the other teams finishing anywhere between the Pens and Canes.

Me too.. lol

Giving up those picks for Boychuk short term.. yikes... I really hope Hexy sticks to this new plan of holding onto most picks and prospects like they're gold until the team is a true contender.
- Hextall271

It also shows you the cost of adding a good, solid defenseman to your mix.

The league is just so close now -- injuries, bad luck, soft goals/goaltending, all of those things are just magnified in the league now more than ever, IMO.

There are legitimate reasons for a lot of Metro teams to make the playoffs, and to miss. I wish I can say that I find that exciting, but I don't -- I just want the Flyers to make it! Screw everybody else, and eff the Pens, Rags and Devs twice on Sundays
- AllInForFlyers

No doubt. Flyers made the playoffs with a 4 point margin last season. They started 1-7. If that losing streak continued, it wouldn't have taken much to not make it. Hell in 2010 they had to win a shootout on the last day of the season.

Me too.. lol

Giving up those picks for Boychuk short term.. yikes... I really hope Hexy sticks to this new plan of holding onto most picks and prospects like they're gold until the team is a true contender.
- Hextall271

The catch 22 is that some of those picks and prospects may have to be moved to become a contender.

The league is just so close now -- injuries, bad luck, soft goals/goaltending, all of those things are just magnified in the league now more than ever, IMO.

There are legitimate reasons for a lot of Metro teams to make the playoffs, and to miss. I wish I can say that I find that exciting, but I don't -- I just want the Flyers to make it! Screw everybody else, and eff the Pens, Rags and Devs twice on Sundays
- AllInForFlyers

I agree with the second part. Although it's kind of a building year, I really want things to break our way and guys to have big years..Schenn x2, Voracek takes the next step, mase plays even better, MDZ finds his game, Cooter finds some offense. ad we make the playoffs. It's important for development and advances the timetable to our window to contend. I'll tell you what's for sure.. none of the experts in Canada are talking about the Flyers as anything but a non playoff team/ 7/8 seed. Hope they prove them wrong.

The catch 22 is that some of those picks may and prospects may have to be moved to become a contender.
- MJL

If it's for a bona fide 1 or 2 Dman, I would do it. Otherwise, let the team's prospects develop and keep the picks until we have a much better d and then talk. I think Hexy really will try to use the LA model here, as well he should.

It also shows you the cost of adding a good, solid defenseman to your mix.
- Jsaquella

They're worth their weight in gold really in today's NHL. More than any other position.. and that's why I'm glad we've focused in that area the last few drafts.

It's possible. Not sure they will be a consistent playoff team, but they will be in the fight for this season.
- Jsaquella

We were talking about whether or not Voracek is elite amongs the better wingers in the league. Kyle Okposo had a really good season last year and Voracek may have to go through him.

That's my biggest reason for "pessimism"

I think the Pens win the division. Carolina finishes last. You could roll the other teams in a Yahtzee cup and I'd probably say, "Yeah, that wouldn't surprise me." People could make valid arguments for any of the other teams finishing anywhere between the Pens and Canes.
- Jsaquella

Familiarity has got to carry the water for the Flyers -- Seravalli touched on it yesterday, but 20 of the guys who were on the playoff roster are back this year. That has to matter -- they looked strong for the final two-thirds of the year.

They're not an old team. Berube had a full training camp. Timonen hurts, but Lord knows it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to actually have a couple of guys actually step up their game, not just stay the same, and the forwards recognize that the defense needs support.

I just believe that they will make it. They're good enough to make it. We joke about Panaccio's penchant for "now or never" proclamations, but for the Schenns, the opportunity is right there for either or both of them to really take a step forward and become core players, pivotal pieces of the solution.

They're not dense -- they have to recognize that. It doesn't get any better than this for Brayden Schenn, and Luke Schenn has to know that he can solidify his position on the roster with a good, strong year as well.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

Bump

I agree with the second part. Although it's kind of a building year, I really want things to break our way and guys to have big years..Schenn x2, Voracek takes the next step, mase plays even better, MDZ finds his game, Cooter finds some offense. ad we make the playoffs. It's important for development and advances the timetable to our window to contend. I'll tell you what's for sure.. none of the experts in Canada are talking about the Flyers as anything but a non playoff team/ 7/8 seed. Hope they prove them wrong.
- Hextall271

I figured -- they didn't have the sexiest offseason, definitely not one that would thrill prognosticators.

Crazy day so I wanted to get my crazy prediction in and I have only one.

Luke Schenn becomes the Flyers 1a Dman opposite Coburn.

Source: Two years ago, Schenn's first year here, Kimmo was out and I believe Coburn was too, Schenn was our top guy for a little while and I think he played great if I remember correctly. He just needs a chance to shine and he'll show some snarl.

- KGBflyers10

For the record: Tina Fey: Sneaky hot, but still hot

Back to hockey talk

For the record: Tina Fey: Sneaky hot, but still hot

Back to hockey talk
- AllInForFlyers

Philadelphia sports fan from Upper Darby

Crazy day so I wanted to get my crazy prediction in and I have only one.

Luke Schenn becomes the Flyers 1a Dman opposite Coburn.

Source: Two years ago, Schenn's first year here, Kimmo was out and I believe Coburn was too, Schenn was our top guy for a little while and I think he played great if I remember correctly. He just needs a chance to shine and he'll show some snarl.
- shekkie

Schenn seems to play better the more minutes he gets.

Familiarity has got to carry the water for the Flyers -- Seravalli touched on it yesterday, but 20 of the guys who were on the playoff roster are back this year. That has to matter -- they looked strong for the final two-thirds of the year.

They're not an old team. Berube had a full training camp. Timonen hurts, but Lord knows it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to actually have a couple of guys actually step up their game, not just stay the same, and the forwards recognize that the defense needs support.

I just believe that they will make it. They're good enough to make it. We joke about Panaccio's penchant for "now or never" proclamations, but for the Schenns, the opportunity is right there for either or both of them to really take a step forward and become core players, pivotal pieces of the solution.

They're not dense -- they have to recognize that. It doesn't get any better than this for Brayden Schenn, and Luke Schenn has to know that he can solidify his position on the roster with a good, strong year as well.
- AllInForFlyers

One of the things that make me optimistic is the way the team played in the last 2/3rds of the year as you say.. they really looked solid. I do worry a lot about losing Timonen.. I think it's a huge loss.. had he returned healthy, I'd be a lot more comfortable with them making the dance.

Familiarity has got to carry the water for the Flyers -- Seravalli touched on it yesterday, but 20 of the guys who were on the playoff roster are back this year. That has to matter -- they looked strong for the final two-thirds of the year.

They're not an old team. Berube had a full training camp. Timonen hurts, but Lord knows it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to actually have a couple of guys actually step up their game, not just stay the same, and the forwards recognize that the defense needs support.

I just believe that they will make it. They're good enough to make it. We joke about Panaccio's penchant for "now or never" proclamations, but for the Schenns, the opportunity is right there for either or both of them to really take a step forward and become core players, pivotal pieces of the solution.

They're not dense -- they have to recognize that. It doesn't get any better than this for Brayden Schenn, and Luke Schenn has to know that he can solidify his position on the roster with a good, strong year as well.
- AllInForFlyers

Good points. In terms of Timonen missing, looking at his impact on the team. I believe that Mark Streit can step right in and make up for the loss of Timonen on the point of the PP. I think he can be even better, and I felt he should've been there last year. Let's look at ES play. Other then Hal Gill, who only played 6 games, Timonen averaged the least amount of ES icetime among Flyers defenseman at 13:30 a game. Compared to Coburn who averaged 18:13 per game at ES. But a lot of those minutes for Timonen at ES, were in key moments of the game. So some other players are going to have to step up and take on some of those ES minutes. Where I think a big impact can be made is on the PK. Timonen played 3:24 a game on the PK. If the Flyers PK goes south, and they don't get better at ES, then that could be a real problem.
Easiest solution is to take less penalties to start with.

One of the things that make me optimistic is the way the team played in the last 2/3rds of the year as you say.. they really looked solid. I do worry a lot about losing Timonen.. I think it's a huge loss.. had he returned healthy, I'd be a lot more comfortable with them making the dance.
- Hextall271

41-23-10 after the 1-7 start.

Good points. In terms of Timonen missing, looking at his impact on the team. I believe that Mark Streit can step right in and make up for the loss of Timonen on the point of the PP. I think he can be even better, and I felt he should've been there last year. Let's look at ES play. Other then Hal Gill, who only played 6 games, Timonen averaged the least amount of ES icetime among Flyers defenseman at 13:30 a game. Compared to Coburn who averaged 18:13 per game at ES. But a lot of those minutes for Timonen at ES, were in key moments of the game. So some other players are going to have to step up and take on some of those ES minutes. Where I think a big impact can be made is on the PK. Timonen played 3:24 a game on the PK. If the Flyers PK goes south, and they don't get better at ES, then that could be a real problem.
Easiest solution is to take less penalties to start with.
- MJL

Exactly -- they have to play the right way. Smart, disciplined hockey can win you a lot of games.

They have the personnel to play the right way. Timonen does hurt on the PK, that's for damn sure.