we all agree things will get better.....But I don't see this current team as a playoff team. The D is more then a problem, it's a train wreck. Its not like we have a Doughty or a Keith where you say " oh they will turn it around". The over all team defense is as much an issue....this team gives up way to many odd man rushes. I wish I shared optimism and it's not like I would stop watching, but to think that teams around them didn't get markedly better while the Flyers simply improved is just not correct.
- landros 2

The defense is not a train wreck. That's a gross over exaggeration. If the Flyers play a solid team game, the Flyers defense is good enough to make the playoffs.

The defense is not a train wreck. That's a gross over exaggeration. If the Flyers play a solid team game, the Flyers defense is good enough to make the playoffs.
- MJL

Isn't that an oxymoron?

I know I'm feeding the troll here, but i'll ask anyways:

Given that every other team in the East has in one way or another strengthened their roster as the Flyers stood pat (save for the blockbuster move to bring in a retread past his prime), how did you come to this conclusion?

Schenn looks disinterested out there which is completely unacceptable, ya know...being that it's the beginning of the season and all. Maybe he's upset about being placed in a position that he didn't want to be in, but guess what, you're a professional....get over it. That should be even more of an incentive to play better you twit!
- Fast_Eddie_1

Brayden Schenn played 20 minutes in the Anaheim game. Forwards who are disinterested don't get that ice time. He had a slow start and wasn't playing well in the first 3 games. But he picked up his play considerably in the Anaheim game. If he keeps playing like that, he'll be fine.

I don't understand why he was taken off G's wing so fast if the plan is to keep him at LW. I also don't like Berubes comments on the shoutout. It has a significant impact on the game (ie Flyers making it into playoffs a few years ago & NJD not making it last year from it). I don't care if you think it is dumb, I care about the end product and it's not good enough. I'm not calling for Berubes head but give it 5 more games like this and I might be.
- coffee junkie

I think Berube saw immediate improvement in both lines (G's and VLC) after placing Raffl on the first line and Schenn on the second. I still believe time will dictate that neither are first line wingers. The only other candidate on the roster that has the skill set of a first line winger is Akeson. I hope he rounds out the rest of his game and is given an opportunity at that spot. Frankly, I think his game now would be just as effective as the other two.

The issue with the Devils imo is the age of their forwards. 10 of their 12 forwards are 30+. Can they really expect them to hold up health wise over the course of an 82 game schedule?
- PLindbergh31

True. Cammalleri has had injury issues throughout his career, Havlat and Ruutu as well. Ryder and Zubrus have remained relatively healthy. Jagr could disintegrate any second. I think Schneider will hold them in there though. It wouldn't surprise me if he was a Vezina finalist this year.

True. Cammalleri has had injury issues throughout his career, Havlat and Ruutu as well. Ryder and Zubrus have remained relatively healthy. Jagr could disintegrate any second. I think Schneider will hold them in there though. It wouldn't surprise me if he was a Vezina finalist this year.
- NickTheKid87

Agreed on Schneider. He's solid. Not having Brodeur looking over his shoulder this year is big for them.

we all agree things will get better.....But I don't see this current team as a playoff team. The D is more then a problem, it's a train wreck. Its not like we have a Doughty or a Keith where you say " oh they will turn it around". The over all team defense is as much an issue....this team gives up way to many odd man rushes. I wish I shared optimism and it's not like I would stop watching, but to think that teams around them didn't get markedly better while the Flyers simply improved is just not correct.
- landros 2

I think the defense has actually played pretty well all things considered. I can't imagine them sustaining a higher level of play for a long period of time. I just don't see it. They haven't really been a disaster, they just are what they are.

Isn't that an oxymoron?
- Fast_Eddie_1

Any post containing the word "if" means nothing. i.e."If" my aunt had a set of balls she would be my Uncle.

Agreed on Schneider. He's solid. Not having Brodeur looking over his shoulder this year is big for them.
- PLindbergh31

They may have even have made the playoffs last year had they not played Brodeur 39 games and Schneider only 45.

I think the defense has actually played pretty well all things considered. I can't imagine them sustaining a higher level of play for a long period of time. I just don't see it. They haven't really been a disaster, they just are what they are.
- Just5

I'm pretty sure that Umberger is going to be a sunk cost. He looks beyond useless.

This team's defense is a train wreck. I agree with that opinion.

The defense is not a train wreck. That's a gross over exaggeration. If the Flyers play a solid team game, the Flyers defense is good enough to make the playoffs.
- MJL

Getting Coburn back in favor for Schultz will help.

With this defense they are just going to have to play grind it out games. They will be in the playoff hunt, they are not bad enough to go 07 on us unless Giroux goes down

I'm pretty sure that Umberger is going to be a sunk cost. He looks beyond useless.
- PLindbergh31

Yep, but he's also much easier to shed than Hartnell would have been (with his NMC).

Any post containing the word "if" means nothing. i.e."If" my aunt had a set of balls she would be my Uncle.
- PLindbergh31

You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar.

This team's defense is a train wreck. I agree with that opinion.
- bradleyc4

There are no opinions on this board, only facts, lies and the occasional .jpeg

With everyone saying Berube is not a good coach I ask how they come up with this opinion? I can honestly say i don't know yet. He has a mix match roster and probably players he doesn't want and possibly Hextall doesn't even want. You can't make chicken salad from chicken poop. This is like Brett Brown in the sixers. He is coaching a team knowing that it is meant to fail. So do you blame him if they aren't winning? The Flyers have shift focus to being patient with prospects and trying to build a team in the model of LA and Chicago and the top teams. But to say Berube is a bad coach I don't think we can make that assumption yet. Let them start purging players. One thing I noticed in the preseason was it seemed the younger guys seemed more able to execute this system better then some of the older players. I think Berubes system and coaching are more suited for the younger players coming up and will be glad to see him get a chance with them. Hopefully Hextall can make some shrewd moves to get this team moving in the right direction

I'm pretty sure that Umberger is going to be a sunk cost. He looks beyond useless.
- PLindbergh31

That was the common opinion on Streit this time a year ago.

The Flyers blueline is a trouble spot. Every player in the top four is slotted bigger-than-ideal responsibilities for a player of his strengths and weaknesses. This issue has been discussed repeatedly, so the particulars need not be repeated. What I will add is this: the Flyers still need to get better at breakouts, clearing attempts, gap control and the consistency of their weak-side coverages. Some of that is on the defense, some is on the forwards.
- bmeltzer

How can this be? We've been told repeatedly that all 6 of the Flyers defenders are top-4 players. Therefore, the top 2 players should be in over their heads, the middle 2 should be playing their preferred spot, and the bottom 2 should be excelling.

That was the common opinion on Streit this time a year ago.
- Feanor

Apples and oranges.

You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar.
- Fast_Eddie_1

Here's to you Fast Eddie!

That was the common opinion on Streit this time a year ago.
- Feanor

So should I pencil RJ in for about 45 points or so?

There are no opinions on this board, only facts, lies and the occasional .jpeg
- NickTheKid87

Also, lies are facts, they're simply untrue.

Yep, but he's also much easier to shed than Hartnell would have been (with his NMC).
- bradleyc4

That is true. Basically Hextall took back a slightly shorter awful contract back along with a lesser player to get rid of Hartnell.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Signs of Hope & Concern, Phantoms and Prospect Updates
- bmeltzer

I don't have a hatred towards Del Zotto but he would be my odd man out to attempt a different look. I'm not gonna say the third pair's issues hold heavily on the shoulders of MDZ but Luke Schenn I feel has been the better of the two and most importantly, valuable to the PK. Even Nick Shultz is trusted in killing penalties. You let Del Zotto sit and you have at least five options.

I'm also a little surprised not to see Laughton get called up to replace Vinny and to see how the team holds.

That is true. Basically Hextall took back a slightly shorter awful contract back along with a lesser player to get rid of Hartnell.
- PLindbergh31

Yep, the trade actually makes sense if you believe the Blue Jackets have a legitimate shot at the playoffs, and that the Flyers do not.