They can be a playoff team. We don't have to miss the playoffs to rebuild.
Just get in and anything can happen. The Rags made it to the finals..and we were one game away from beating them
- 3flyerkids

No we don't have to miss the playoffs to rebuild. But if a hard player decision has to be made for the future of this team at the possible expense of missing this years playoffs, I'm hoping that gets done.


I'm not buying getting in and anything can happen. Not with this squad. Taking the Rangers to 7 games last year was a crazy anomaly. There was probably like a 5% chance of that happening, 1% we win the series.

Wasn't the entire team off yesterday?

Seems like MacDonald is rushing to come back. Probably another Coburn situation where they will announce he's out an additional 3 weeks.
- PLindbergh31

I'm kind of hoping.

Most of that back end wont be around in a few years anyway. I could care less if MacDonald is playing or not. He will be sent walking once that contract is up anyway.

Can join Wheels, and #18 in my wet dream of guys sitting in the press box for the rest of their deals.

Wasn't the entire team off yesterday?

Seems like MacDonald is rushing to come back. Probably another Coburn situation where they will announce he's out an additional 3 weeks.
- PLindbergh31

No idea if they skated or not. Maintenance day might mean they're sore and we don't wanna push them

I have heard that but I don't understand......I guess its like arguing brutal vs. just bad.
- landros 2

Schenn plays a good gap, has improved his poise on the breakouts, is a pretty good penalty killer, and one of the two physical presences on our blue line. Sure he has his flaws, but he helps the mix of our defensive core

With the way Umberger is going, i have no doubts that contract is getting bought out
- AllInForFlyers

I dunno... not sure I see Hexy chipping away at the cap-space he manufactured 2017 and beyond to allow for more spending in the near term. It would seem to negate his entire reasoning behind trading Hartsy in the first place.

Twitter machine sez just maintenance days.
- johndewar

That's what you tell the player in the morning when you're trading him in the afternoon

From the perspective of a season ticket holder?

It sucks spending money to go to games when the team isn't competitive.
- johndewar

Come to Toronto,there are focus groups here for STH on how to get on with life and fight their abuse of throwing away 10K continually year after year

I dunno... not sure I see Hexy chipping away at the cap-space he manufactured 2017 and beyond to allow for more spending in the near term. It would seem to negate his entire reasoning behind trading Hartsy in the first place.
- Tomahawk

Unless the reason was because Chief wanted to make an example of someone.

These last two games have showed us how much we miss Luke Schenn
- aflyerpower8

Disagree. The breakdowns on the PK have occurred with Grossmann and/or Coburn on, it's not like Schultz or Del Zotto was the guilty party, filling in for Schenn. It was guys who routinely are called the team's best defensive defensemen.

Yes, some blame goes to the forwards too, and in most cases over the last two games, it's the two best PK forwards Couturier and Read

No we don't have to miss the playoffs to rebuild. But if a hard player decision has to be made for the future of this team at the possible expense of missing this years playoffs, I'm hoping that gets done.


I'm not buying getting in and anything can happen. Not with this squad. Taking the Rangers to 7 games last year was a crazy anomaly. There was probably like a 5% chance of that happening, 1% we win the series.
- Just5

Seconded!

From the perspective of a season ticket holder?

It sucks spending money to go to games when the team isn't competitive.
- johndewar

They are going to be competitive. I'm not saying tear the whole thing down trading Jake and G. With those two they are going to be competitive. But me personally, I am spending my money to watch an 80 pt team with young improving core players than a 95 pt team with a cobbled veteran group limping to a playoff appearance.

But that's just me.

No idea if they skated or not. Maintenance day might mean they're sore and we don't wanna push them
- Jsaquella

After back to back games I can't imagine they would even have an optional skate yesterday. Who knows really. Semantics. We could argue about it for 5 or 6 pages if you want.

Correction. Isaac got gray jerseys mixed up...MacDonald still on ice, Ryan White left after brief skate

After back to back games I can't imagine they would even have an optional skate yesterday. Who knows really. Semantics. We could argue about it for 5 or 6 pages if you want.
- PLindbergh31

Nope. I'm good.

I'm kind of hoping.

Most of that back end wont be around in a few years anyway. I could care less if MacDonald is playing or not. He will be sent walking once that contract is up anyway.

Can join Wheels, and #18 in my wet dream of guys sitting in the press box for the rest of their deals.
- flyer_nutter

Playing the Rags 3 times in the next 10 days. You are all pumped up aren't you?

Nope. I'm good.
- Jsaquella

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...p?thread_id=118065&page=6

You are all liars!

I'm kind of hoping.

Most of that back end wont be around in a few years anyway. I could care less if MacDonald is playing or not. He will be sent walking once that contract is up anyway.

Can join Wheels, and #18 in my wet dream of guys sitting in the press box for the rest of their deals.
- flyer_nutter

Disagree. The breakdowns on the PK have occurred with Grossmann and/or Coburn on, it's not like Schultz or Del Zotto was the guilty party, filling in for Schenn. It was guys who routinely are called the team's best defensive defensemen.

Yes, some blame goes to the forwards too, and in most cases over the last two games, it's the two best PK forwards Couturier and Read
- Jsaquella

I'm not just talking about the PK (though he is good at crease clearing and blocking shots). His ability to separate people from pucks and provide a physical presence is not shared by most of our other defensemen.

They are going to buy him out, no GM in his right mind will take him unless the Flyers are willing to give up something valuable in the deal.

The choice is:

1. Buy him out after this season, the cap hit would be:
15-16 1.6 million
16-17 1.6 million
17-18 1.5 million
18-19 1.5 million

or suffer with him on the 4th line/spare forward for one more season and buy him out after 15-16, the cap hit would be:
15-16 4.6 million
16-17 1.6 million
17-18 1.5 million
- BiggE

Can I just say on the bright side, it could be alot worse! On top of already having to carry Umberger's and Vinnys salaries.

We could also be paying Dan Cleary 2.75 million this year and next year to not play, or drag down the 4th line. Thank god he changed his mind on that contract, saving us more pain!



http://www.usatoday.com/s...ontract-detroit/12494391/

I'm not just talking about the PK (though he is good at crease clearing and blocking shots). His ability to separate people from pucks and provide a physical presence is not shared by most of our other defensemen.
- aflyerpower8

The PK is what has been killing them the last few games. Montreal was 3-3 and Columbus 3-4. Get better PK work and they likely beat the Jackets and maybe stem the tide of the Habs.

First of all, the 20/55 would be a top-end for a career season for Couts, in my opinion. I don't think he consistently hits those numbers. And that's the minimum I want from a 2nd line center. I really want more of a Briere's / 2010 season from a 2nd-line guy. 30-35 goals, 70+ points.

Cout's right now projects out to 40 points, which is right around last year. That is not nearly cutting for me for a 2nd line center. You seem to think his role is really holding him back. I think you are overemphasizing things like the effect of not enough offensive-zone starts. Does it hurt his offense? Sure. But would 10-15% more offensive-zone starts turn him into a 30 goal scorer? Doubt it.
- TheGreat28

I asked you to take a look at past NHL seasons. Last year, 55 points would've put you in the top 30 in points among NHL centers. There are 30 teams in the League. But you want him to put up those point totals as a 3rd line center. Your point expectations for a certain level of player are way out of whack. If Couturier could score 20 goals and 50-55 points, along with the defensive play he gives, that would be outstanding numbers for an NHL second line center. 30 goals is also a first line center number. There were only 6 centers in the entire league last year who scored 30 or more goals. I think there is some research that needs to be done.

Last year, Couturier's ES point total placed him in the top 60 among NHL centers. That is 2nd line center numbers. When you consider how he is used, that is pretty dam strong. Now play him with better offensive players, in better offensive situations, and what happens to his point production? Think it goes up?
I'm just looking at the facts, if you want to ignore how he is used as a factor, so be it.

Dan Cleary 2.75 million this year and next year to not play, or drag down the 4th line.
- Jack-Meoff

Homer... even his near-miss mistakes are depressing as hell.

(subtle screen name btw)

Playing the Rags 3 times in the next 10 days. You are all pumped up aren't you?
- PLindbergh31

I work evening next week, 3-11.

They could be playing the Nunavut Ice Cats and I'd sleep easy.

Can I just say on the bright side, it could be alot worse! On top of already having to carry Umberger's and Vinnys salaries.

We could also be paying Dan Cleary 2.75 million this year and next year to not play, or drag down the 4th line. Thank god he changed his mind on that contract, saving us more pain!



http://www.usatoday.com/s...ontract-detroit/12494391/
- Jack-Meoff

Cleary playing Homey like a fiddle, turned out to be a blessing in disguise.