You just love to defend Vinny and Umberger don't you? They have SUCKED all year, not just one game!
- aantny88

But to their defense... they have been consistent. They have consistently sucked all year long.

I'm not defending Lecavalier and Umberger. I'm saying why single any player out when the entire team (which includes Umberger and Lecavalier) except for the goalie sucked last night! It makes zero sense.
- MJL

Then why single out the players that "worked hard"?

He has had no problem singling out guys like Gus or Akeson. OHHHH thats right.. Hamburglar and vinny testaverde

But to their defense... they have been consistent. They have consistently sucked all year long.
- jak521

I'd second that. I mean looking at their massive 7 wins, I'd say only 2 of them were good solid wins, and they were against the Oilers and Panthers.

I'm not defending Lecavalier and Umberger. I'm saying why single any player out when the entire team (which includes Umberger and Lecavalier) except for the goalie sucked last night! It makes zero sense.
- MJL

I didn't say that Hextall or Berube should have singled any particular player out after last night's debacle, BUT they should limiting their ice time based on performance. In the case of Vinny and Umberger, their arses should be stapled to the press box or the bench!

I'd second that. I mean looking at their massive 7 wins, I'd say only 2 of them were good solid wins, and they were against the Oilers and Panthers.
- Streit2ThePoint

I was really just talking about Vinny and Umberger. Those two literally suck the life out of me... which isnt all that suprising considering one is a Zombie and the other is that character for tales of the crypt

But to their defense... they have been consistent. They have consistently sucked all year long.
- jak521

I didn't say that Hextall or Berube should have singled any particular player out after last night's debacle, BUT they should limiting their ice time based on performance. In the case of Vinny and Umberger, their arses should be stapled to the press box or the bench!
- aantny88

"Vinny and RJ know that they need to do better jobs. They needs to just ease back in and keep their feet moving. If they do that, and reallllly want to win, good things WILL happen."

Also, I am glad that Hextall went in and yelled at them. They God damn well deserve it.. there's no magic cure, the team simply needs to work harder. Mason is playing really well and that may be the only positive at this point.

I was really just talking about Vinny and Umberger. Those two literally suck the life out of me... which isnt all that suprising considering one is a Zombie and the other is that character for tales of the crypt
- jak521

Umberger + Lecavalier for Hartnell

Way too many players on this team seem to be just going through the motions: gliding instead of moving their feet, losing puck battles along the wall, losing focus in regards to positional play and showing little, if any, sense of urgency. If Berube really has a pair, both Umberger (who should waived) and Vinnie should be in the press box tonight.
- BiggE

Its not even having a pair, it's simply holding guys accountable. Instead of playing guys like Laughton or Bellemare more, he chose to give more minutes to Umberger & Lecavalier. He'll, he could have increased Rinaldo's ice time, as well, because Zac was giving a good effort when he's out there.

Nobody's absolving the players. They share-and in fact carry the lion's share-of the blame. Berube is 100% correct when he says only 4 or 5 guys played worth a damn last night.

The trouble is, when there's players playing badly, over an extended period and there's no consequences, it's hard for me to not blame the coach to an extent. You can talk about accountability all you want, but when you don't practice it, the message loses it's meaning.

It's tough for the players to hold a guy who is supposed to be a veteran leader to task for lazy & stupid play.

But to their defense... they have been consistent. They have consistently sucked all year long.
- jak521

I don't think the "defense" has played that poorly. They are middle of the pack in even strength goals against, giving up 35 goals. Where they really suck is on the PK, allowing 15 PP goals against

Also, I am glad that Hextall went in and yelled at them. They God damn well deserve it.. there's no magic cure, the team simply needs to work harder. Mason is playing really well and that may be the only positive at this point.
- Hextall271

To be fair Voracek has been one of the top players in the NHL so far. And Giroux has been very good too. Other than that.... Not much. MDZ has been a pleasant surprise.

"Vinny and RJ know that they need to do better jobs. They needs to just ease back in and keep their feet moving. If they do that, and reallllly want to win, good things WILL happen."
- jak521

Right and pigs will eventually fly, along with people in hell receiving ice water

You cant tell me that these players as a team are as bad as they were last night. Even a team like Fla is more respectable right now. They absolutly have less talent.
- GOA88

Can't tell whether you're joking or not?

To be fair Voracek has been one of the top players in the NHL so far. And Giroux has been very good too. Other than that.... Not much. MDZ has been a pleasant surprise.
- PLindbergh31

Agreed on all counts but I should have been more clear that I meant from last nights game.

Can't tell whether you're joking or not?
- Cptmjl

You just look stupid for even asking that question.

Its not even having a pair, it's simply holding guys accountable. Instead of playing guys like Laughton or Bellemare more, he chose to give more minutes to Umberger & Lecavalier. He'll, he could have increased Rinaldo's ice time, as well, because Zac was giving a good effort when he's out there.

Nobody's absolving the players. They share-and in fact carry the lion's share-of the blame. Berube is 100% correct when he says only 4 or 5 guys played worth a damn last night.

The trouble is, when there's players playing badly, over an extended period and there's no consequences, it's hard for me to not blame the coach to an extent. You can talk about accountability all you want, but when you don't practice it, the message loses it's meaning.

It's tough for the players to hold a guy who is supposed to be a veteran leader to task for lazy & stupid play.
- Jsaquella

I agree with everything you said. One thing we don't know is what choices Berube has. Berube may very well be telling Hextall that Umberger and Vinny are worthless but he also might not have any other options at his disposal. With them wanting to be patient with the kids it kind of puts Berube in a tough spot. Berube may very well want guys like Leirer, Alderson, Laughton with the big club but because of the patience mantra he might not have those choices.

One thing i would do is sit Umberger a game. I know they have been trying to hope he breaks this slump but maybe he just needs to sit up and watch.

You just look stupid for even asking that question.
- GOA88

Two pylons on skates would be better than those two...
- aantny88

Exactly
Who gives a damn if no one claims Umberger? At least he'd be off our roster and 900k of cap space be up. Bring Jones back up, sit VLC and drop Read to the 4th line until he gets his head out of his ass. My lines for tomorrow would be:

Schenn-G-Jake
Bellemare-Couturier-Simmonds
Rinaldo-Laughton-Akeson
Jones-VDV-Read

If I never see Umberger or VLC in a Flyers uniform again, it will be too soon!

- Cptmjl

Go talk Islanders hockey on your page dude. By seasons end you'll have plenty to laugh about... or cry about. Idk how you deal with years of insignificance.

The Flyers haven't been very resilient lately...

That game could've been really ugly if not for Mason. It's a shame the Flyers couldn't cash in and get a win. Another reason why using wins as an individual stat for a goalie is silly.

Umberger + Lecavalier for Hartnell



- Streit2ThePoint

Columbus wouldn't be dumb enough to trade Hartnell for umberger.

Agreed on all counts but I should have been more clear that I meant from last nights game.
- Hextall271

Definitely. Outside of Mason, last night was an unmitigated disaster. It really speaks volumes how consistently this team doesn't show up. The lack of effort is really pathetic.

The Flyers haven't been very resilient lately...

That game could've been really ugly if not for Mason. It's a shame the Flyers couldn't cash in and get a win. Another reason why using wins as an individual stat for a goalie is silly.
- NickTheKid87

Could you imagine what the score would've been last night if Bryz was still in net??

I agree with everything you said. One thing we don't know is what choices Berube has. Berube may very well be telling Hextall that Umberger and Vinny are worthless but he also might not have any other options at his disposal. With them wanting to be patient with the kids it kind of puts Berube in a tough spot. Berube may very well want guys like Leirer, Alderson, Laughton with the big club but because of the patience mantra he might not have those choices.

One thing i would do is sit Umberger a game. I know they have been trying to hope he breaks this slump but maybe he just needs to sit up and watch.
- J35Bacher

He does have options. That's the trouble. They're not great options, but they exist.

First is Bellemare. The guy has played very well this season. He's brought energy and a spark. He played less than Umberger & Lecavalier. The coach praised Laughton, specifically. He played less than any other forward.

I'd rather see Bellemare and Laughton play 15 minutes each, than hand that ice time to Lecavalier & Umberger.