I'm starting to think maybe it's time to toy with the idea of splitting up Couturier and Read. For whatever reason they can't get their offense going.
- Pelle31Forever

It was good offensive puck movement by the Couturier-Read line that set up the 4th goal last night.

Oilers are like that annoying guy in your fantasy league who offers two players to you for two better players. Then, he tries to explain to you why this trade will benefit you.
- PhillySportsGuy

they certainly are.

oh, and (frank) fantasy. yet again.

http://www.tsn.ca/report-oilers-looking-to-trade-winger-perron-1.142401

This is why Edmonton can't make trades.
- aflyerpower8

Not to mention Perron is coming off hip surgery.

Its not?
- MBFlyerfan

It was tongue in cheek. It's important, but you wouldn't be trading a top line winger for a 7th defenseman

I guess that's like the guy in my league who offered me Terrance Williams for Marshawn Lynch
- 3flyerkids

I had a guy offer me Forsett and Travis Kelce for Forte. I already have a better TE than Kelce.

I know. I'm going to have dinner in a minute. But sometimes, because we're here every day, we lose sight of the context of just what we're seeing. Sometimes, he defends these players for pages and you think, "Well, hey. Maybe there's hope for for that guy."

Umberger's been nothing short of disastrous. There's no other way to slice that. He's been a (frank)ing disaster.

Saying he has value because he kills penalties? That's laughable when you're 30th in the league on the PK! What, are they going to be relegated to the Swedish Elite League if he's no longer out there?

There is NOTHING that R.J. Umberger is bringing to this team. NOTHING.
- AllInForFlyers

Not defending the player. You have that wrong. I'm saying that the Flyers season and making the playoffs isn't dependent on the play of Umberger. I understand the frustration, but it appears that some want to drag Umberger through the streets, tar and feather him. And then stone him at the stake.
It's hyperbole to say that he brings nothing to the team, because when the Flyers get healthy, Umberger can move to the 4th line, and I think he's a better player then the wingers we currently have there. Although I agree that it's not ideal to have a player making 4.6M on the 4th line. I'd prefer that Umberger because of his salary, and what he's giving to the team, be removed. But that's not the reality. So instead of dealing in hyperbole, look at see at what is best with the current personnel. And that's moving Umberger to the 4th line when Raffl is ready to play. But that doesn't make sense to some, because there is sheer panic over Umberger, and that he's going to be the cause of the team missing the playoffs. And you might have a point about the PK being at the bottom of the league, if that was solely because of Umberger. But it's not. When Raffl comes back, he can also take some of those minutes.

Guess what? They do still need that goal-scorer at ES. The PP covers up all their woes in that regard, and you can point out that I was wrong about them turning it around, but they really didn't.

The PP covers up their woes, and has for the last four seasons, since Jagr was around and after Pronger got hurt.

Falling back to last year means you've got nothing, absolutely nothing, to offer THIS year.
- AllInForFlyers

the Flyers were a top 10 offensive team in the league last year. They scored goals without making the big trade for a goal scorer that you said they needed. That's the bottom line. They were 15th in the League in 5 on 5 goals last year. They are 15th again this year in the same category. Where exactly have they fallen back? This team's issue in 5 on 5 play is defensively, and in puck possession. Just as it was last year. Not in scoring goals. They're 6th in the league in goals per game this season.

I had a guy offer me Forsett and Travis Kelce for Forte. I already have a better TE than Kelce.
- PhillySportsGuy

yeah. the value isnt there even if it would upgrade your tight end. forte is a stud of studs this year, especially in ppr.

i dont get how people think spare parts can be used to acquire valuable assets in the face of not filling a need for the other team.

perron has value. obviously i admit as much for wanting him. but i dont understand how his value would in any way, shape, or form be comparable to that of a top line center.

Is MacT on drugs?
- MBFlyerfan

Well he did play without a helmet

just sayin

the Flyers were a top 10 offensive team in the league last year. They scored goals without making the big trade for a goal scorer that you said they needed. That's the bottom line.
- MJL

i think people make the mistake thinking that it needs to be someone like bobby ryan or evander kane that is brought in.

but i do think it is a slightly obtuse mode of thinking that just because a team is ranked in the top ten in scoring that they shouldnt try to address adding another decent scorer if possible.

the pens are high up there in scoring ranks, and they certainly need to add another guy. (they probably wont, and in my opinion it will cost them)

yeah. the value isnt there even if it would upgrade your tight end. forte is a stud of studs this year, especially in ppr.

i dont get how people think spare parts can be used to acquire valuable assets in the face of not filling a need for the other team.

perron has value. obviously i admit as much for wanting him. but i dont understand how his value would in any way, shape, or form be comparable to that of a top line center.
- stayinthefnnet

LOL
MacT is still frustrated that Eberle won't land him Crosby and a 1st

i think people make the mistake thinking that it needs to be someone like bobby ryan or evander kane that is brought in.

but i do think it is a slightly obtuse mode of thinking that just because a team is ranked in the top ten in scoring that they shouldnt try to address adding another decent scorer if possible.

the pens are high up there in scoring ranks, and they certainly need to add another guy. (they probably wont, and in my opinion it will cost them)
- stayinthefnnet

The Flyers do also. They need a playmaker that can get the puck to a player like Simmonds, so he can be more effective offensively. And the Flyers can get a consistent 2nd line offensively. But the biggest issues with this team is the inconsistency of intensity, blown defensive coverages by individual players. And the PK. I'm not happy with Umberger and he's been a bust to this point. So instead of spouting out hyperbole and saying that Umberger can't do anything. Look at see at how they can best deploy the current personnel. And that's moving Umberger to the 4th line when Raffl is ready to play.
And I disagree entirely that the Flyers playoff fate rides on how well the 4th line plays, and Umberger in particular. There's a host of issues I would place ahead of Umberger and the 4th line, when assessing the Flyers chances of making the playoffs.

LOL
MacT is still frustrated that Eberle won't land him Crosby and a 1st
- BiggE

seriously. dont me wrong. i dont expect them to just roll over and move eberle for sutter and a 5th or anything like that either. but they are delusional.

yeah. the value isnt there even if it would upgrade your tight end. forte is a stud of studs this year, especially in ppr.

i dont get how people think spare parts can be used to acquire valuable assets in the face of not filling a need for the other team.

perron has value. obviously i admit as much for wanting him. but i dont understand how his value would in any way, shape, or form be comparable to that of a top line center.
- stayinthefnnet

I know. It's ridiculous. I know it's just posturing, but even having that information leaked on purpose is just embarrassing. It makes them look incompetent. If I were a GM, I wouldn't even bother calling him.

The Flyers do also. They need a playmaker that can get the puck to a player like Simmonds, so he can be more effective offensively. And the Flyers can get a consistent 2nd line offensively. But the biggest issues with this team is the inconsistency of intensity, blown defensive coverages by individual players. And the PK. I'm not happy with Umberger and he's been a bust to this point. So instead of spouting out hyperbole and saying that Umberger can't do anything. Look at see at how they can best deploy the current personnel. And that's moving Umberger to the 4th line when Raffl is ready to play.
And I disagree entirely that the Flyers playoff fate rides on how well the 4th line plays, and Umberger in particular. There's a host of issues I would place ahead of Umberger and the 4th line, when assessing the Flyers chances of making the playoffs.
- MJL

yeah. i agree with this. he got a pretty big deal in free agency, but i think jussi jokinen would have been a player that could have greatly benefited both the pens and flyers.

the intensity/inconsistency thing is annoying and perplexing. that really isnt going to be able to be addressed by another other than the people already in the jerseys and the organization.

and i do agree to an extent. for as much as i love to pick on rinaldo, the fourth line really shouldnt be scapegoat number one. but at the same time, no one should be above review and potentially being improved upon. but i get it. as a fan, its frustrating. part of being a fan is having the right to female dog haha and if i was a flyers fan, umberger would certainly be a source of much complaining. but realistically, you are stuck with him.

I know. It's ridiculous. I know it's just posturing, but even having that information leaked on purpose is just embarrassing. It makes them look incompetent. If I were a GM, I wouldn't even bother calling him.
- PhillySportsGuy

exactly. even for posturing, it just wreaks of being such a joke.

it stinks because perron is someone i liked when he was with the blues. had some bad breaks with concussions, but i still like him as a player. it would be cool if he was legitimately available within reason.

yeah. i agree with this. he got a pretty big deal in free agency, but i think jussi jokinen would have been a player that could have greatly benefited both the pens and flyers.

the intensity/inconsistency thing is annoying and perplexing. that really isnt going to be able to be addressed by another other than the people already in the jerseys and the organization.

and i do agree to an extent. for as much as i love to pick on rinaldo, the fourth line really shouldnt be scapegoat number one. but at the same time, no one should be above review and potentially being improved upon. but i get it. as a fan, its frustrating. part of being a fan is having the right to female dog haha and if i was a flyers fan, umberger would certainly be a source of much complaining. but realistically, you are stuck with him.
- stayinthefnnet

This intensity thing is interesting to me. To me the Flyers play at their best when they play on the edge, and engage in some of the after the whistle play. Similar to many Penguin games.

Or at least they used to, but the team isn't exactly full of physical players who play the game in such a way. Even still, I think it would benefit this group to play on that edge. Not be so fearful of cutting down on penalties, and just playing like a 'machine'. I've long ranted that the season with all the suspensions (Boulerice year), and some of the others where the team was an actual female dog to play against was some of the best hockey I've seen in a long time.

This group is a little too vanilla for my liking. Laughton stood out yesterday because he was the opposite of vanilla. I do understand the limitations, as there isn't really anyone outside of Simmonds, Rinaldo and now maybe Laughton up front that has that in their game. Club needs a bigger infusion of that though down the line.

exactly. even for posturing, it just wreaks of being such a joke.

it stinks because perron is someone i liked when he was with the blues. had some bad breaks with concussions, but i still like him as a player. it would be cool if he was legitimately available within reason.
- stayinthefnnet

I doubt they move him. They will hang on to him like they did with Hemsky and Gagner then get very little

This group is a little too vanilla for my liking. Laughton stood out yesterday because he was the opposite of vanilla. I do understand the limitations, as there isn't really anyone outside of Simmonds, Rinaldo and now maybe Laughton up front that has that in their game. Club needs a bigger infusion of that though down the line.
- flyer_nutter

Agreed, it seems like they could use a bit more grit or sandpaper in their game for sure but hey lets sit Rinaldo for Akegretzky!

This intensity thing is interesting to me. To me the Flyers play at their best when they play on the edge, and engage in some of the after the whistle play. Similar to many Penguin games.

Or at least they used to, but the team isn't exactly full of physical players who play the game in such a way. Even still, I think it would benefit this group to play on that edge. Not be so fearful of cutting down on penalties, and just playing like a 'machine'. I've long ranted that the season with all the suspensions (Boulerice year), and some of the others where the team was an actual female dog to play against was some of the best hockey I've seen in a long time.

This group is a little too vanilla for my liking. Laughton stood out yesterday because he was the opposite of vanilla. I do understand the limitations, as there isn't really anyone outside of Simmonds, Rinaldo and now maybe Laughton up front that has that in their game. Club needs a bigger infusion of that though down the line.
- flyer_nutter

Last two games, the Flyers were all over the opposition. Brayden Schenn has been an absolute monster on the puck, and on the forecheck. Bellemare and Raffl are also strong puck pursuit players. As is Giroux and Voracek. So they have more then just the players you named that can be strong on the puck and on the forecheck. When this team plays the way they're capable of. They're a solid team.

Agreed, it seems like they could use a bit more grit or sandpaper in their game for sure but hey lets sit Rinaldo for Akegretzky!
- opeth_pa

Akeson should play, but in place of Umberger or LeCavalier. That's another story.

Rinaldo, while I really don't like him all too much. Does bring in element the team sorely lacks. For now, I can live with him.

Agreed, it seems like they could use a bit more grit or sandpaper in their game for sure but hey lets sit Rinaldo for Akegretzky!
- opeth_pa

Last two games, the Flyers were all over the opposition. Brayden Schenn has been an absolute monster on the puck, and on the forecheck. Bellemare and Raffl are also strong puck pursuit players. As is Giroux and Voracek. So they have more then just the players you named that can be strong on the puck and on the forecheck. When this team plays the way they're capable of. They're a solid team.
- MJL

You are going to have a long and frustrating year beating this drum if they continue to play this way the next couple seasons my friend. Have at 'er.

Agreed, it seems like they could use a bit more grit or sandpaper in their game for sure but hey lets sit Rinaldo for Akegretzky!
- opeth_pa

Art Ross is a permanent resident of the Cote suite until someone gets hurt or he makes it through waivers to the Phantoms.

You are going to have a long and frustrating year beating this drum if they continue to play this way the next couple seasons my friend. Have at 'er.
- flyer_nutter

Not the case. I know what this team is capable of. I have some optimism towards this team. Rather than constant negativity.