I know people are upset about the direction of this team but fact is, it is time to stop half arsing the rebuild. Anyone on D should be available for trade even Coburn. On forward we should be trying to get rid of guys like Lecavalier and Umberger. Emery should also be on the block because frankly it is pointless to keep him on the sinking ship.

I understand people want veteran Dmen to help the young guys but talent has no impact on a Dman's hockey sense. Honestly I don't want anyone on this team teaching anyone how to play D because frankly they all have a horrible hockey IQ. D doesn't play smart, they don't clear the crease, they constantly blow their coverage and they make other basic hockey fundamental errors like turning away from the attacking player on the rush.

Trade anyone on D of value to prepare for the future and look for a temporary replacement via Free agency until these guys are ready to come up from the minors. Coburn isn't going to help anyone. It is time we moved on.

I know people are upset about the direction of this team but fact is, it is time to stop half arsing the rebuild. Anyone on D should be available for trade even Coburn. On forward we should be trying to get rid of guys like Lecavalier and Umberger. Emery should also be on the block because frankly it is pointless to keep him on the sinking ship.

I understand people want veteran Dmen to help the young guys but talent has no impact on a Dman's hockey sense. Honestly I don't want anyone on this team teaching anyone how to play D because frankly they all have a horrible hockey IQ. D doesn't play smart, they don't clear the crease, they constantly blow their coverage and they make other basic hockey fundamental errors like turning away from the attacking player on the rush.

Trade anyone on D of value to prepare for the future and look for a temporary replacement via Free agency until these guys are ready to come up from the minors. Coburn isn't going to help anyone. It is time we moved on.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I'm pretty much with you ...assuming the skid continues that is. MDZ and Streit are the two D men I would not want to move though.

We aren't going to generate much value for our players having a fire sale now. If we still stink approaching the deadline I would make some guys available and let the contenders bid each other up for them.

I know people are upset about the direction of this team but fact is, it is time to stop half arsing the rebuild. Anyone on D should be available for trade even Coburn. On forward we should be trying to get rid of guys like Lecavalier and Umberger. Emery should also be on the block because frankly it is pointless to keep him on the sinking ship.

I understand people want veteran Dmen to help the young guys but talent has no impact on a Dman's hockey sense. Honestly I don't want anyone on this team teaching anyone how to play D because frankly they all have a horrible hockey IQ. D doesn't play smart, they don't clear the crease, they constantly blow their coverage and they make other basic hockey fundamental errors like turning away from the attacking player on the rush.

Trade anyone on D of value to prepare for the future and look for a temporary replacement via Free agency until these guys are ready to come up from the minors. Coburn isn't going to help anyone. It is time we moved on.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

In the salary cap age, I really don't think it would be possible to move Amac, Streit, Umberger, or Lacavalier. Unless it's a similar bad contract for bad contract deal like Hartnell for Umberger or how Yzerman dealt Purcell for Gagner in the summer. Yzerman was savvy enough to ship Gagner off to a Yotes team desperate for any and all young players with offensive potential though.

your boy Bell got it done again.
- stayinthefnnet

So did Antonio Brown and Julio Jones

In the salary cap age, I really don't think it would be possible to move Amac, Streit, Umberger, or Lacavalier. Unless it's a similar bad contract for bad contract deal like Hartnell for Umberger or how Yzerman dealt Purcell for Gagner in the summer. Yzerman was savvy enough to ship Gagner off to a Yotes team desperate for any and all young players with offensive potential though.
- rangerdanger94

Teams may take on a short term deal with a significant cap hit, but they're not likely to be eager to assume a high cap hit an numerous years. That's where the issue lies for the Flyers in terms of the cap.

Of the guys mentioned, Streit is probably the only one who has any value, and it's probably diminished a bit due to age and the contract being an over 35 deal. Only way somebody takes Umberger or Vinny is if you add an asset in. Even then, it's far fetched.

MacDonald's deal is bad, but who knows? We always see a team hand a dumb contract to free agent defensemen, maybe somebody is willing to accept his deal and play. Doubtful to me, but who knows? Somebody just gave Brooks Orpik more money per year and only one fewer season

I would waive him and bring up Leier. Then explore the possibility of a buyout in the offseason. Leier is 3rd on the Phantoms in points and 1st in goals. Maybe he could spark Coots and Read a little?

Schenn G Jake
Raffl Laughton Simmonds
Leier Coots Read
PEB Vinny Rinaldo

I'm still not crazy about that 4th line. When is White supposed to be healthy? White-PEB-Vinny might look decent.
- hereticpride

Maybe Leier could. But what would decide if Leier is called up for me is what's best for Leier. If he's NHL ready and can help the team, then call him up. If he's not, leave him with the Phantoms.

So did Antonio Brown and Julio Jones
- PhillySportsGuy

antonio helped me out big time in garbage time.

sucked he got stopped at the one on a drive, but i guess that irrelevant td at the end makes up for it a bit.

im in a dog fight for my playoff life.

I know people are upset about the direction of this team but fact is, it is time to stop half arsing the rebuild. Anyone on D should be available for trade even Coburn. On forward we should be trying to get rid of guys like Lecavalier and Umberger. Emery should also be on the block because frankly it is pointless to keep him on the sinking ship.

I understand people want veteran Dmen to help the young guys but talent has no impact on a Dman's hockey sense. Honestly I don't want anyone on this team teaching anyone how to play D because frankly they all have a horrible hockey IQ. D doesn't play smart, they don't clear the crease, they constantly blow their coverage and they make other basic hockey fundamental errors like turning away from the attacking player on the rush.

Trade anyone on D of value to prepare for the future and look for a temporary replacement via Free agency until these guys are ready to come up from the minors. Coburn isn't going to help anyone. It is time we moved on.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

The coaches are the ones responsible for teaching them how to play. What you don't want is young defenseman playing all the hard tough minutes while trying to break in to the NHL. It's hard enough to do for young players. Overwhelming them is not a good recipe.

Teams may take on a short term deal with a significant cap hit, but they're not likely to be eager to assume a high cap hit an numerous years. That's where the issue lies for the Flyers in terms of the cap.

Of the guys mentioned, Streit is probably the only one who has any value, and it's probably diminished a bit due to age and the contract being an over 35 deal. Only way somebody takes Umberger or Vinny is if you add an asset in. Even then, it's far fetched.

MacDonald's deal is bad, but who knows? We always see a team hand a dumb contract to free agent defensemen, maybe somebody is willing to accept his deal and play. Doubtful to me, but who knows? Somebody just gave Brooks Orpik more money per year and only one fewer season
- Jsaquella

Tampa just moved Brewer, who is a pretty serviceable defenseman, for a pick. But Brewer carried a cap hit of less than $4M per year and Tampa retained over 25% of that cap hit. That's how difficult it is to move contracts nowadays.

Especially with rumors that there's a strong chance the salary cap stays the same.

The coaches are the ones responsible for teaching them how to play. What you don't want is young defenseman playing all the hard tough minutes while trying to break in to the NHL. It's hard enough to do for young players. Overwhelming them is not a good recipe.
- MJL

That's not entirely true. Veteran players play a huge role in mentoring and teaching young players how to play in the NHL.

That's not entirely true. Veteran players play a huge role in mentoring and teaching young players how to play in the NHL.
- rangerdanger94

They do, but they are still players, not coaches. I wouldn't trade a defenseman because I'm worried about one of them teaching a young defenseman. That's what coaches are for.

It's clear they're a one line team. Does anyone think it's time to split up Giroux and Voracek?

If they're on the same line it's a lot easier to coach against us. If two of the top 10 point leaders in the league are on different lines, it makes things a little harder for other teams.

They do, but they are still players, not coaches. I wouldn't trade a defenseman because I'm worried about one of them teaching a young defenseman. That's what coaches are for.
- MJL

That's what coaches in the AHL and juniors/NCAA are for. Coaches in the NHL take pros that already know the game and coach the team to win in the best league in the world. Their job isn't to teach every kid that comes up...those kids were supposed to learn a lot from their experience developing over the course of their life.

Basically, NHL coaches are less teachers and more tacticians.

Now obviously, NHL coaches don't leave young players out to dry. They also teach them. But there's a reason you see NHL coaches often staples a rookie to the bench or limit their ice time to 10 minutes or less. It's because they're in the business of winning more than teaching.

As far as players go, I can't even begin to tell you how often I see MSL or Nash pull Duclair to the side or talk to him on the bench to teach him where he should position himself, when to begin backchecking, etc. Or how many times I saw Drury do the same with Stepan in addition to teaching him some sly tricks like how to delay time before a faceoff if your team needs a breather after an icing or how to cheat a bit on the faceoff, etc.

You have summed it up perfectly Mr. Meltzer, it is so painful to watch. Voracek has been outstanding but that is about it, even Giroux has irked me at times.

That's what coaches in the AHL and juniors/NCAA are for. Coaches in the NHL take pros that already know the game and coach the team to win in the best league in the world. Their job isn't to teach every kid that comes up...those kids were supposed to learn a lot from their experience developing over the course of their life.

Basically, NHL coaches are less teachers and more tacticians.

Now obviously, NHL coaches don't leave young players out to dry. They also teach them. But there's a reason you see NHL coaches often staples a rookie to the bench or limit their ice time to 10 minutes or less. It's because they're in the business of winning more than teaching.

As far as players go, I can't even begin to tell you how often I see MSL or Nash pull Duclair to the side or talk to him on the bench to teach him where he should position himself, when to begin backchecking, etc. Or how many times I saw Drury do the same with Stepan in addition to teaching him some sly tricks like how to delay time before a faceoff if your team needs a breather after an icing or how to cheat a bit on the faceoff, etc.
- rangerdanger94

It's a shame we aren't perfect like the rangers

It's a shame we aren't perfect like the rangers
- PhillySportsGuy

We are a good team to aspire to be. I wouldn't be surprised if Hextall uses our team as a blueprint considering the utter dominance we exert over you.

Tampa just moved Brewer, who is a pretty serviceable defenseman, for a pick. But Brewer carried a cap hit of less than $4M per year and Tampa retained over 25% of that cap hit. That's how difficult it is to move contracts nowadays.

Especially with rumors that there's a strong chance the salary cap stays the same.
- rangerdanger94

Brewer was actually a fairly regular healthy scratch in Tampa. His game has declined a bit.

That said, if the Flyers could get a third for one of their guys, id be dancing in the streets

It's a shame we aren't perfect like the rangers
- PhillySportsGuy

or aaron rodgers.

We are a good team to aspire to be. I wouldn't be surprised if Hextall uses our team as a blueprint considering the utter dominance we exert over you.
- rangerdanger94

jesus.

That's what coaches in the AHL and juniors/NCAA are for. Coaches in the NHL take pros that already know the game and coach the team to win in the best league in the world. Their job isn't to teach every kid that comes up...those kids were supposed to learn a lot from their experience developing over the course of their life.

Basically, NHL coaches are less teachers and more tacticians.

Now obviously, NHL coaches don't leave young players out to dry. They also teach them. But there's a reason you see NHL coaches often staples a rookie to the bench or limit their ice time to 10 minutes or less. It's because they're in the business of winning more than teaching.

As far as players go, I can't even begin to tell you how often I see MSL or Nash pull Duclair to the side or talk to him on the bench to teach him where he should position himself, when to begin backchecking, etc. Or how many times I saw Drury do the same with Stepan in addition to teaching him some sly tricks like how to delay time before a faceoff if your team needs a breather after an icing or how to cheat a bit on the faceoff, etc.
- rangerdanger94

Watch a game, see how many times a coach leans over to instruct a player and correct an error they made. That's teaching. That never stops, not even at the NHL level. Young NHL players are not finished products that no longer need to be taught how to play the game. They are more then just tacticians. They aren't just coaches during games. They are also coaches at practice. And there is lots of teaching at practice. Even for veteran players.

I don't disagree that veteran players act as mentors and help teach young players the game. But ultimately the responsibility of players is to play, and coaches is to coach.

But that's not really the point I was making. The point I was making is that you still need some veteran defenseman around to take some of the hard minutes, to ease the responsibilities on young defenseman until they are ready to take on more. It's different for each player.

We are a good team to aspire to be. I wouldn't be surprised if Hextall uses our team as a blueprint considering the utter dominance we exert over you.
- rangerdanger94

If only we can trade our "Gomez" and get a McDonagh in return.

You have summed it up perfectly Mr. Meltzer, it is so painful to watch. Voracek has been outstanding but that is about it, even Giroux has irked me at times.
- flyerdude17

I don't have stats to back it up but my biggest issue with the first line right now is they know they are the only ones producing. This leads to them extending their shifts looking for one more chance. Then they have nothing left in the tank to backcheck. Especially yesterday.

We are a good team to aspire to be. I wouldn't be surprised if Hextall uses our team as a blueprint considering the utter dominance we exert over you.
- rangerdanger94

Oh yeah. Really riding last year's post season success to the 8 seed in the east.

I don't have stats to back it up but my biggest issue with the first line right now is they know they are the only ones producing. This leads to them extending their shifts looking for one more chance. Then they have nothing left in the tank to backcheck. Especially yesterday.
- wilsonecho91

The only thing I can think of to look at statistically is to look in the event summary, and look at average time per shift. Giroux and Voracek's average shift time is not out of whack with the rest of the team. Could also look at the TOI reports to see if any shifts were extended. But that wouldn't tell you if they were extended in the O zone or D zone.

The only thing I can think of to look at statistically is to look in the event summary, and look at average time per shift. Giroux and Voracek's average shift time is not out of whack with the rest of the team. Could also look at the TOI reports to see if any shifts were extended. But that wouldn't tell you if they were extended in the O zone or D zone.
- MJL

Happened at least twice yesterday that I can recall. Both times G dogged it back on an odd man Rush. Last time it ended up in the back of the net.