Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Critical Road Trip

First

You snooze, you lose

Bill/anyone:

Do the Flyers have an extra forward right now, for the trip? Do they need to recall someone today, or do you have a feel if they'd go 7 D first?

Thanks!

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Critical Road Trip
- bmeltzer

Unlike last year, I just don't see this current team bouncing back. I think its a pretty safe bet that they will be picking in the top 10 this June.

And I'm ok with that. I'd rather have a chance to land a superstar than either just miss the playoffs or barely squeak in and go out in the 1st round.

Bill/anyone:

Do the Flyers have an extra forward right now, for the trip? Do they need to recall someone today, or do you have a feel if they'd go 7 D first?

Thanks!
- AllInForFlyers

They scratched Bellemare last game so unless someone was injured or sent down they have 13

They scratched Bellemare last game so unless someone was injured or sent down they have 13
- BiggE

Give Vinny 20 minutes ofice time next game

They scratched Bellemare last game so unless someone was injured or sent down they have 13
- BiggE

Ah -- forgot already. Thanks!

Give Vinny 20 minutes ofice time next game
- ob18

The world is not ready to see an NHL team that gives No. 40 20 minutes of ice

Give Vinny 20 minutes ofice time next game
- ob18

Do the same with RJ every game from here on in and a top 3 pick is guaranteed!

The Flyers are a team with no identity. What kind of style do they play? What are their strengths because we see a lot of weaknesses...

The Flyers are a team with no identity. What kind of style do they play? What are their strengths because we see a lot of weaknesses...
- flyers2001

Strengths: Top line, 1st pp unit, starting goalie

Weaknesses: EVERYTHING ELSE!

This team had a nice run this year against the league's better competition. They were even hurt during this period. Either the returning players are not at 100% OR there is a lack of effort. Unfortunately, it looks a whole heck of a lot more like lack of effort from some key pieces. Big trade is all I'm gonna say. The only thing Berube has done wrong of late is bench Bellmare instead of Vinny or RJ.

This team had a nice run this year against the league's better competition. They were even hurt during this period. Either the returning players are not at 100% OR there is a lack of effort. Unfortunately, it looks a whole heck of a lot more like lack of effort from some key pieces. Big trade is all I'm gonna say. The only thing Berube has done wrong of late is bench Bellmare instead of Vinny or RJ.
- section32

The Flyers were winning some games early because their 1st pp unit was unstoppable and Voracek was on pace for 125+ points. Once both cooled off a bit, the rest of this teams flaws became that much more apparent. While they should be better than they've shown the last few games, they are not a good team. They simply lack too many pieces to succeed long term.

The Flyers were winning some games early because their 1st pp unit was unstoppable and Voracek was on pace for 125+ points. Once both cooled off a bit, the rest of this teams flaws became that much more apparent. While they should be better than they've shown the last few games, they are not a good team. They simply lack too many pieces to succeed long term.
- BiggE

Not only is Vinny and Umberger a huge problem. Where the hell is Couturier? Also the defense was much better with Coburn and AMac on the injured list.

Its really painful to watch right now. Its not the loosing that's bothering me...its the lack of effort that really makes me not want to turn the tv on right now.

At least the umby trade will bring us cap relief in a few years...

My worry is this team could come out and play three very good games this week and then people assume the Flyers can do something. I don't want some fools gold. I feel this team would do better with some moves at the deadline to begin to prepare it for next year and the year after that. We have pieces that could be attractive to playoff teams and might net some pieces that could help tis team next year. I know some on here feel guys like Coburn, Read, Macdonald and others are just too valuable to move but i see their value as bringing in valuable assets and freeing up some money to contruct this roster better. Maybe the right deal gets this team ready to compete sooner then later.

The Flyers are a team with no identity. What kind of style do they play? What are their strengths because we see a lot of weaknesses...
- flyers2001

slow

My worry is this team could come out and play three very good games this week and then people assume the Flyers can do something. I don't want some fools gold. I feel this team would do better with some moves at the deadline to begin to prepare it for next year and the year after that. We have pieces that could be attractive to playoff teams and might net some pieces that could help tis team next year. I know some on here feel guys like Coburn, Read, Macdonald and others are just too valuable to move but i see their value as bringing in valuable assets and freeing up some money to contruct this roster better. Maybe the right deal gets this team ready to compete sooner then later.
- J35Bacher

Agree with all of this. If we hang on to those players (contracts) we are just hanging on to mediocrity. Cut the cap and bring in fresh faces. Faces that actually want to try. This is 3 seasons in a row that the team has come out flat and do nothing but talk. It takes extreme motivation to get this team going. Where is the heart?

The Flyers are a team with no identity. What kind of style do they play? What are their strengths because we see a lot of weaknesses...
- flyers2001

This is my #1 problem. Aside from just playing poorly, they have no identity of what kind of team they want to be.

On a related note, this team is just boring. Nobody has any real connection to them, and no one in the building has any true energy for them (in a positive manner at least). I think back to 07/08, 09/10, even 11/12 and remember the energy and buzz, and it's just 100% lacking right now.

Agree with all of this. If we hang on to those players (contracts) we are just hanging on to mediocrity. Cut the cap and bring in fresh faces. Faces that actually want to try. This is 3 seasons in a row that the team has come out flat and do nothing but talk. It takes extreme motivation to get this team going. Where is the heart?
- GOA88

It's not even heart for me. I watched the Anaheim/SJ game and the speed, skill and tenaciousness is what i want. Get me a Zack Kassian and Marcus Foligno. A mix of skill and pure physicality. Devante-Smith Pelly, Tommy Wingles. Brent Burns. All these guys have skill and skating yet they also provide a degree of nastiness in their game.

My worry is this team could come out and play three very good games this week and then people assume the Flyers can do something. I don't want some fools gold. I feel this team would do better with some moves at the deadline to begin to prepare it for next year and the year after that. We have pieces that could be attractive to playoff teams and might net some pieces that could help tis team next year. I know some on here feel guys like Coburn, Read, Macdonald and others are just too valuable to move but i see their value as bringing in valuable assets and freeing up some money to contruct this roster better. Maybe the right deal gets this team ready to compete sooner then later.
- J35Bacher

Briere has been a healthy scratch at times this year, maybe we could get him. He'd at least has some locker room leadership. Not sure what we'd have to give up to get him, but his contract is up at the end of the year. I know it's not filling a glaring hole, but it could be a relatively inexpensive (asset-wise) move.

Briere has been a healthy scratch at times this year, maybe we could get him. He'd at least has some locker room leadership. Not sure what we'd have to give up to get him, but his contract is up at the end of the year. I know it's not filling a glaring hole, but it could be a relatively inexpensive (asset-wise) move.
- jmatchett383

I would be ok with that.

Be great if it could be a swap of Vinny for Briere.

It's not even heart for me. I watched the Anaheim/SJ game and the speed, skill and tenaciousness is what i want. Get me a Zack Kassian and Marcus Foligno. A mix of skill and pure physicality. Devante-Smith Pelly, Tommy Wingles. Brent Burns. All these guys have skill and skating yet they also provide a degree of nastiness in their game.
- J35Bacher

I think its heart for sure. They have shown this season, even if only for a few games or periods, when they skate hard and play tough on the boards they can play with anyone and even dominate a team like LA. That effort is not there consistantly.

I would be ok with that.

Be great if it could be a swap of Vinny for Briere.
- J35Bacher

It actually may be possible to do a move like that, but we'd have to give either B-grade prospects or 2nd/3rd round picks in addition. Then again, Colorado is in serious need of scoring, and it may be possible to pass Vinny off as a sniper who isn't getting chances to due to linemates.

My guess is we get our butts handed to us out sent then win the CBJ CAR NJ stand or whateve it is coming up. You know, do nothing to shorten the gap above us in the standings but lengthen the gap between us and a decent lotto pick.