I'm fine with being bad for a few years, so long as there is a plan. Under Hextall, I am fairly confident that there is a plan in place, rather than Holmgren's year to year plugging of holes to try and stay a contender every season.

The Umberger anger comes from a few areas. First, he was acquired at the cost of a popular-and still highly effective-player. Second, Umberger's been bad at best, if not horrible. Third, Umberger's carrying a significant cap hit that has contributed to the cap situation being hamstrung and limited the GM's ability to address areas of need.

There are several younger/cheaper players available who can fill Umberger's role and who have played at a similar or higher level. Does that lead to hyperbole? Sure. On both sides of the discussion.
- Jsaquella

Yup, quite right. Being bad without a plan is a recipe for getting worse, not better. I was thinking about that after I made the post, how the Flyers have been much closer to average than elite in recent seasons, and how most of us have already endured quite a bit of suckage without a cup to show for it.

But I also think Hexy has a plan. He's a smart, fiery guy, and he had to have learned quite a bit about what works and what doesn't in LA. I hope.

I don't know about you guys but I was very pleasantly surprised with Berube handled the defense and the fourth line against Columbus. I felt the players who deserved to play, did play.

Selfishly it was nice to see a line up without Vandevelde and Akeson. Also I don't see how Berube can keep Laughton out of the line up.

Heading to Joe Louis arena Wednesday. Sadly I'm almost expecting a couple players to get hurt in practice or in tomorrow night's game. Worst yet, Laughton gets sent down.
- SuperSchennBros

cannot believe after this stretch of a super light schedule that there are 4 more games this week.. your injury fears may come true

Yup, quite right. Being bad without a plan is a recipe for getting worse, not better. I was thinking about that after I made the post, how the Flyers have been much closer to average than elite in recent seasons, and how most of us have already endured quite a bit of suckage without a cup to show for it.

But I also think Hexy has a plan. He's a smart, fiery guy, and he had to have learned quite a bit about what works and what doesn't in LA. I hope.
- wolfhounds

I just hope that Snider stays patient. That's the key. The old idea of just make the playoffs and hope that the chips fall right needs to be jettisoned. The Flyers need to build that strong foundation, have the pieces grow together, establish an identity that doesn't resemble a group of mercenaries.

You know when the Flyers have had their best success? Snider should know. They did it by building through the draft, making smart deals, and building a team that was as much a family as a team. In the mid 1980's, they repeated that plan and had another highly successful run. They've had solid runs using the free agent and trade route, but they never enjoyed the sustained successes of the Keith Allen years or the transitional years from Allen to McCammon to Clarke.

cannot believe after this stretch of a super light schedule that there are 4 more games this week.. your injury fears may come true
- -davies-

The most head scrtaching accidents I've seen is when I was heading to the Joe early last season. We had a healthy roster the night before against Phoenix but some Lecavalier and Hartnell were injured in two cases that didn't look like anything. Somehow I had to settle with seeing Kris Newbery and Tye McGinn. It also happened to be Michael Raffl's first NHL game.

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

morin.

i realize its my fault for allowing it to be on my tv for more than 30 seconds, but oh my god. the AMAs make me so (frank)ing sick.
- stayinthefnnet

why anyone would watch ANY awards show is beyond me.

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

Agreed, which is why I'm not rushing Nicolas Grossmann or Luke Schenn out the door. To a lower extent, Brayden Schenn is good for a momentum changing hit/fight.

Hockey on a Monday? Yes please. Mondays suck

Hockey on a Monday? Yes please. Mondays suck
- wilsonecho91

Flyers hockey though?

Hockey on a Monday? Yes please. Mondays suck
- wilsonecho91

Flyers hockey though?
- Nucker101

Meh. You're the asshat still living in the afterglow of Sunday's win. Move on already. It's getting creepy

- hammarby31

Well? I worked all weekend. What more do you want?

Meh. You're the asshat still living in the afterglow of Sunday's win. Move on already. It's getting creepy
- wilsonecho91

Crims sent me here.

Crims sent me here.
- Nucker101

He's a Flyers fan

He's a Flyers fan
- wilsonecho91

Nope

Well? I worked all weekend. What more do you want?
- wilsonecho91

- hammarby31

- wilsonecho91

nice name, knife.