Good to see that the CBJ lit a fire under Umberger. He was awesome last night!

I was hoping Read would do something last night. I am willing to be patient with him, but I can't see how or why somebody would want Umberger in this lineup.
He is done! Hextall got burned. I believe they could have got a much better return for Hartnell
- 3flyerkids

I'm starting to think he did in a way. However, I think hexys plan isn't to have the team contend this year but in like 3. He may have known it was a bad deal but needed the cap space for long term. That's the only thing I can see because he had lots of chemistry with g and jake and they were dominant. Why else would you mess with that.

I would ride it out and hope he bounces back. He's been a very good player for them in the past. I think he just needs some confidence.
- PhillySportsGuy

No way I'd get rid of him but I'd like to see him find his game. If the g and jake line ever dries up for offense, were toast.

Late bloomer who shot his wad? Or maybe just a victim of the way the whole team is playing...
- tangent_man

He just doesn't seem to be skating as well as he did in the past and since he's only 28, I have to think/hope he's nursing some kind of injury.

He just doesn't seem to be skating as well as he did in the past and since he's only 28, I have to think/hope he's nursing some kind of injury.
- BiggE

His skating looks normal to me. He's not handling the puck well, and he's been making mistakes with the puck. And I think it's led to frustration that has crept into other areas of his game.

I'm starting to think he did in a way. However, I think hexys plan isn't to have the team contend this year but in like 3. He may have known it was a bad deal but needed the cap space for long term. That's the only thing I can see because he had lots of chemistry with g and jake and they were dominant. Why else would you mess with that.
- Hextall271

It's frustrating to get no " on ice value" back in a trade. I get the contract thing, but I have a hard time believing Hextall couldn't recieved a better return for Hartnell.

Bellemare continues to get less minutes than Umberger. That is so frustrating. You have to believe the coaching staff and management realizes that this guy deserves more ice. Bellemare has also out played Read IMO

Columbus:
9 game losing streak
10 players injured
backup goaltender

And the Flyers lost at home to them. Think about that. Absolutely (frank)ing pathetic.

It's frustrating to get no " on ice value" back in a trade. I get the contract thing, but I have a hard time believing Hextall couldn't recieved a better return for Hartnell.

Bellemare continues to get less minutes than Umberger. That is so frustrating. You have to believe the coaching staff and management realizes that this guy deserves more ice. Bellemare has also out played Read IMO
- 3flyerkids

Yeah, I think Hextall thought with a change of scenery and a return to full health, Umberger could at least be a solid 3rd liner. Obviously, he was wrong. And yes, Bellemare needs to be getting more ice time. After Giroux and Voracek, you can make a case that he has been our 3rd best all around forward this year.

Columbus:
9 game losing streak
10 players injured
backup goaltender

And the Flyers lost at home to them. Think about that. Absolutely (frank)ing pathetic.
- PLindbergh31

I don't even want to think about that, I'm trying to stay calm and just look forward to our lottery pick.

I don't even want to think about that, I'm trying to stay calm and just look forward to our lottery pick.
- BiggE

Picking in the 10-15 range does nothing for me.

Yeah, I think Hextall thought with a change of scenery and a return to full health, Umberger could at least be a solid 3rd liner. Obviously, he was wrong. And yes, Bellemare needs to be getting more ice time. After Giroux and Voracek, you can make a case that he has been our 3rd best all around forward this year.
- BiggE

I would agree 100% that Bellemare would have to be considered in the top 3 forwards this year. But why doesn't he get more ice? What is wrong with this coaching staff. He clearly works hard every shift, but yet Zombieburger continually rolls out there.

Columbus:
9 game losing streak
10 players injured
backup goaltender

And the Flyers lost at home to them. Think about that. Absolutely (frank)ing pathetic.
- PLindbergh31

They looked atrocious in losing is the worst part

For everyone that poo poos the hartnell deal. This was how it was going to be the whole time. You knew we would lose on the front end portion of this deal. In 2-3 years is when we start winning this deal, when the jackets are dressing a 35+ hartnell with that contract and we are free and clear

Have to suck it up, it was never a hockey trade

Yeah, I think Hextall thought with a change of scenery and a return to full health, Umberger could at least be a solid 3rd liner. Obviously, he was wrong. And yes, Bellemare needs to be getting more ice time. After Giroux and Voracek, you can make a case that he has been our 3rd best all around forward this year.
- BiggE

I want Bellemare on the Lecavalier line and playing more. I think it would be a better use of his skills then on the 4th line. As far as Umberger is concerned, it doesn't look good. He's either is a real deep funk, or he's just a 4th line player at this point. But 82 games is a long season. And things can change. One can only hope.

I would agree 100% that Bellemare would have to be considered in the top 3 forwards this year. But why doesn't he get more ice? What is wrong with this coaching staff. He clearly works hard every shift, but yet Zombieburger continually rolls out there.
- 3flyerkids

Not top 3. Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn, Raffl, and Couturier, are all better. Not saying that Bellemare hasn't been good, because he has, wherever he plays.

They looked atrocious in losing is the worst part

For everyone that poo poos the hartnell deal. This was how it was going to be the whole time. You knew we would lose on the front end portion of this deal. In 2-3 years is when we start winning this deal, when the jackets are dressing a 35+ hartnell with that contract and we are free and clear

Have to suck it up, it was never a hockey trade
- Just5

That part may wind up true. But I think the Flyers thought that Umberger would be better then he has been to this point. I don't think they would've made the trade if they thought this was the Umberger they'd be getting.

They looked atrocious in losing is the worst part

For everyone that poo poos the hartnell deal. This was how it was going to be the whole time. You knew we would lose on the front end portion of this deal. In 2-3 years is when we start winning this deal, when the jackets are dressing a 35+ hartnell with that contract and we are free and clear

Have to suck it up, it was never a hockey trade
- Just5

It's got to be a total shock that a guy who looked shot last year, looks shot now.

It's amazing that the same (frank)ing stiffs keep getting put out there game after game. Rinaldo, VDV, Lecavalier, Umberger wouldn't sniff the lineup on any contending team in the League, yet they are regulars here. (frank)ing sickening.

It's got to be a total shock that a guy who looked shot last year, looks shot now.

It's amazing that the same (frank)ing stiffs keep getting put out there game after game. Rinaldo, VDV, Lecavalier, Umberger wouldn't sniff the lineup on any contending team in the League, yet they are regulars here. (frank)ing sickening.
- PLindbergh31

Meh. It sucks but that's why their a bubble team at best. The thing that sickens me is the ghost injury. If I'm a decent flyer d prospect if be on my phone with my agent begging to get me traded. "listen, I'm a flyers d prospect! I'm (frank)ed get me out!!"

Meh. It sucks but that's why their a bubble team at best. The thing that sickens me is the ghost injury. If I'm a decent flyer d prospect if be on my phone with my agent begging to get me traded. "listen, I'm a flyers d prospect! I'm (frank)ed get me out!!"
- Just5

The Ghost injury is the cherry on top of the poop sundae.

Thank god for Giroux and Voracek. Two elite players that make the games worth watching.

Picking in the 10-15 range does nothing for me.
- PLindbergh31

I hear ya, though in this draft, they should get a very good player at 10-12 which is where they will likely be. However, if G or Jake should go down for any length of time, they could quickly find themselves picking 4-7. IMO this is not a bubble team, this is a bad team. The only way they are making the playoffs is if Giroux, Voracek and Mason carry them there and I just don't think that will happen.

Not top 3. Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn, Raffl, and Couturier, are all better. Not saying that Bellemare hasn't been good, because he has, wherever he plays.
- MJL

Yeah I guess your right. Simmonds and Couturier for sure have been better. However if Bellemare received more ice I would think his offensive output would be better than Raffl

He just needs more ice and the coaches must allow that

The Ghost injury is the cherry on top of the poop sundae.

Thank god for Giroux and Voracek. Two elite players that make the games worth watching.
- PLindbergh31

Pretty much


However, if I'm a Flyers prospect, I'm feeling pretty good right now. Any kid looking at this roster has to think that they will have a really good shot at playing in the NHL soon!

I hear ya, though in this draft, they should get a very good player at 10-12 which is where they will likely be. However, if G or Jake should go down for any length of time, they could quickly find themselves picking 4-7. IMO this is not a bubble team, this is a bad team. The only way they are making the playoffs is if Giroux, Voracek and Mason carry them there and I just don't think that will happen.
- BiggE

True. They could get a very solid player picking 10-15. I would love to see them one of these years draft a player who is NHL ready that could help immediately. Usually only a handful of those kids in each draft.

Yeah I guess your right. Simmonds and Couturier for sure have been better. However if Bellemare received more ice I would think his offensive output would be better than Raffl

He just needs more ice and the coaches must allow that
- 3flyerkids

Not sure that Simmonds has really been better. He's great on the pp, but at even strength, I think Bellemare has been the better all around player.

True. They could get a very solid player picking 10-15. I would love to see them one of these years draft a player who is NHL ready that could help immediately. Usually only a handful of those kids in each draft.
- PLindbergh31

Those guys are tough to get out of the top 10, especially when you are drafting dmen.

Meh. It sucks but that's why their a bubble team at best. The thing that sickens me is the ghost injury. If I'm a decent flyer d prospect if be on my phone with my agent begging to get me traded. "listen, I'm a flyers d prospect! I'm (frank)ed get me out!!"
- Just5

That's ridiculous! Any Flyers top D prospect worth a dam is thinking when I get there, I'm going to make them better.
The doom and gloomers love a game like this. It makes them happy, and they get to bask in the loss. And that's not meant towards honest fans with honest criticisms. It's the hyperbole that comes out like D prospects should ask for a trade because the Flyers are where they are.
What I see is a team with room for improvement. A team that has lost 3 or 4 games that they probably should've won, has played inconsistent hockey, and yet is still right there in the playoff picture.