- Tomahawk

Even when they try to hide him, they can't hide him.

yep
- moylander

Maybe if he moves his legs

The Sixers may not, at least in 2014
- BiggE

I'm worried they're going to go 0-82

Enjoying the ferocity lately, I must say.

I'd be fine with that. They have tried the last few games to be a little more female dogy to play against. I do think the message has been hammered home to take less penalties.

A lot of the guys aren't exactly pests or physical, but that message could be sent as well. As poopty as it is to say, I'd be aight with Rosehill for a few.
- flyer_nutter

They need something for sure. Same old, same old is NOT working.

Have to admit, while I do like skill, the defense does have the aroma of softness right now -- Schenn might not be the answer, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few questions to be raised

If you're gonna play Vinny and Umberger, you're going to lose puck battles, board battles. They haven't won them all year and they aren't going to start winning them now

They have to be careful how they go about tweaking this thing -- the guy who should be replacing Umberger in the lineup doesn't have to fight, but he does need to not be soft
- AllInForFlyers

I'd be down to see Cousins, but this was my issue with Laughton being called up. Kid is playing damn well, but I am very hesitant of exposing young players to this mess this season. Especially if they have to play with an anchor, or will be getting essentially zero ice time.

Just for (frank) sake, trade or do something with Akeson. The kid worked hard to at least get a crack, and is sitting on the bench rotting his career away. Let him play in the AHL if nowhere else.

Goalie change to wake them up....Wasn't on Mason....I actually think they skated well for most of tonight....just no secondary scoring ....has the 2nd pp unit scored this year?
- landros 2

I get that, just don't think they needed a wake up call. They weren't getting dominated, they had a couple of screened goals go in. In terms of territorial play, it was about even.

Even when they try to hide him, they can't hide him.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm worried they're going to go 0-82
- PhillySportsGuy

They'll win a few during the dog days...might not be more than 5, though

For the record: I'm with Larry Brown on that. Tanking isn't the way to go about these kinds of things, but they've already started so now they gotta ride it out

They need something for sure. Same old, same old is NOT working.
- BiggE

I do get to a point, that it cant be made much better.

However you need to if not bench them, put the two anchors on the fourth line. As good as Schultz has been, you have Luke Schenn signed past this year. Are we wanting a 3+ million bench warmer?

Someone imo, needs to be traded from that back end, and I am looking at MacDonald.

This year and possibly next will be a mess, we know that. Just weather the storm and if you play the kids, give them a lot of minutes.

I get that, just don't think they needed a wake up call. They weren't getting dominated, they had a couple of screened goals go in. In terms of territorial play, it was about even.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, L1 and Laughts' line playing well.

Defense overall is dropping the ball in net-front coverage, though.

In 5 minutes of ES ice time, VL is -2
- PhillySportsGuy

Just Vinny because I'm seeing a collective slug fest.

I don't understand the pulling of Mason....

- Tomahawk

Not sure if it's because of the special teams causing line shuffling, but the 3rd line has gotten very little ice time through 2 periods.

Just Vinny because I'm seeing a collective slug fest.

I don't understand the pulling of Mason....
- SuperSchennBros

It's really just a shame he's so unlucky

In 5 minutes of ES ice time, VL is -2
- PhillySportsGuy

Just remarkable

I get that, just don't think they needed a wake up call. They weren't getting dominated, they had a couple of screened goals go in. In terms of territorial play, it was about even.
- Jsaquella

It's not something that can always be statistically measured but its often true: bad teams find a way to lose. This is a bad team. They have no identity and just don't play hard consistently, Some of it, a lot of it is talent, but some of it is lack of fortitude and that needs to change immediately. This team must become harder to play against or they will not win consistently.

Yeah, L1 and Laughts' line playing well.

Defense overall is dropping the ball in net-front coverage, though.
- Tomahawk

A few missed passes and blown opportunities.

It's not something that can always be statistically measured but its often true: bad teams find a way to lose. This is a bad team. They have no identity and just don't play hard consistently, Some of it, a lot of it is talent, but some of it is lack of fortitude and that needs to change immediately. This team must become harder to play against or they will not win consistently.
- BiggE

I'll give you some unicorns and rainbows.

In 2-3 years most of this back end wont be here. A good guess would be that the same can be said for the forwards.

They'll win a few during the dog days...might not be more than 5, though

For the record: I'm with Larry Brown on that. Tanking isn't the way to go about these kinds of things, but they've already started so now they gotta ride it out
- AllInForFlyers

I'm fine with the tank. I just don't think they needed to go this route. It's embarrassing and not good for players development. I'm not sure what guys like Noel, MCW and KJ McDaniels can learn in a year like this. I would have added a couple vets to help the team reach 15-20 wins. These guys must dread coming to work each day. Thats just creating a bad atmosphere.

It's not something that can always be statistically measured but its often true: bad teams find a way to lose. This is a bad team. They have no identity and just don't play hard consistently, Some of it, a lot of it is talent, but some of it is lack of fortitude and that needs to change immediately. This team must become harder to play against or they will not win consistently.
- BiggE

Right now things are going bad.

They are in transition, and have work to do. The roster needs work, young players need to start playing better, the veterans who are no longer effective need to be weeded out. I agree that they need t find and nurture an identity.

Neither team is ever going to win again
- PhillySportsGuy

Sixers actually kept it close tonight. Not sure which franchise I'd rather be the GM of right now. Flyers have some high quality talent, but also have some really bad contracts. Sixers have much less talent, but still have Embiid, Saric, Micic, Aldemire and a boat load of future picks to go along with $50 million in cap space.

Hmm.

Yeah, L1 and Laughts' line playing well.

Defense overall is dropping the ball in net-front coverage, though.
- Tomahawk

This team relies so heavily on their top line. It's going to be difficult to win on the road all season because they won't be able to dictate the match ups.

I'll give you some unicorns and rainbows.

In 2-3 years most of this back end wont be here. A good guess would be that the same can be said for the forwards.
- flyer_nutter

Absolutely, In 3 years, none of these dmen might be here and thats ok

(frank) those old pens jerseys are awesome.

Bring up rosehill!! Time to goon it up pretty soon

Sixers actually kept it close tonight. Not sure which franchise I'd rather be the GM of right now. Flyers have some high quality talent, but also have some really bad contracts. Sixers have much less talent, but still have Embiid, Saric, Micic, Aldemire and a boat load of future picks to go along with $50 million in cap space.

Hmm.
- jstross

The next draft is going to be a very good one too. They aren't in a horrible position. They just shouldn't be subjecting their players to this type of embarrassment.

I'd be down to see Cousins, but this was my issue with Laughton being called up. Kid is playing damn well, but I am very hesitant of exposing young players to this mess this season. Especially if they have to play with an anchor, or will be getting essentially zero ice time.

Just for (frank) sake, trade or do something with Akeson. The kid worked hard to at least get a crack, and is sitting on the bench rotting his career away. Let him play in the AHL if nowhere else.
- flyer_nutter

I don't know how the Flyers do it, keeping guys in the lineup who aren't helping them at all and are in obvious decline

In the last few days, teams like Calgary and San Jose and Winnipeg have waived guys like Setoguchi and Burish and Galiardi

Why? Because sometimes, guys just aren't helping teams. It makes zero sense, none, to keep running guys out there who aren't doing anything to help you