I definitely question the heart and desire from about 3/4 of this team. There might be issues behind the scenes we dont know about.
- GOA88

There's something going on for sure. Last season this team showed resolve, and was able to always battle back from adversity. This year, they meekly fold at the first sign of adversity. It was 2-2 in the Rangers game even though they were outplayed. One period is all it took.

I wouldn't make any trades now unless it is a no brainer to help now and future. I also wait untill the deadline when playoff teams need depth and defenseman to unload any players. Guys like Read, Coburn, Grossmann and even Del Zotto, MacDonald and Simmonds if someone offered me a ransom.

I try to shed some money while bringing in some picks and prospects and then hope to end up in the top 2 of the draft. This is all contingent on being out of the playoff race at the TDL.

I think Morin will be ready for the big club next year and possibly Alt and maybe Gostisbere. Snaheim could be ready sooner then later if he can add some bulk like Morin did. If you can end up in top two of draft and get McDavid and Eichel they could slide to wing in the begining. Then you could still keep groiux with voracek and then maybe they rookie could play wing for Couturier to provide him a better offensive winger.
- J35Bacher

I think the Flyers resign MDZ, he is still a RFA next year, so they can give him a pay raise and keep him in the core D...He has been above average this year, so I think that signing was a good move for the Flyers.

There's something going on for sure. Last season this team showed resolve, and was able to always battle back from adversity. This year, they meekly fold at the first sign of adversity. It was 2-2 in the Rangers game even though they were outplayed. One period is all it took.
- MJL

Well, we got rid of penalty machines and a slow, broken-down defenseman in Timonen. This team should be leaps and bounds better. Not to mention a healthy VLC.

I wish I had access to the locker room. I would tear them a new one for a good twenty minutes straight.

There's something going on for sure. Last season this team showed resolve, and was able to always battle back from adversity. This year, they meekly fold at the first sign of adversity. It was 2-2 in the Rangers game even though they were outplayed. One period is all it took.
- MJL

It could be possible that losing guys like Briere, Timonen and Hartnell has really just taken the identity from them. Those guys were all a part of the comebacks. These new faces are all followers, yet they dont follow Giroux and Voraceks consistant effort.

I agree with your first two paragraphs, but wasn't what you discussed in your third paragraph supposed to be addressed during camp/preseason? The focus on the outlet pass, shortening the gap between the forwards and defense , and conditioning were all "supposed" to be Berube's main concerns, yes we haven't seen anything different....in fact, they got worse.

I was excited to give Berube a chance to lead this Flyers team as we turned the lavy page, but I don't think he knows how to handle certain personnel situations and maybe, just maybe he doesn't possess the technical knowledge we would have liked him to have.
- Fast_Eddie_1

Dude is still learning on the job at this point... maybe he will be a good coach down the road, after he's accumulated a wealth of experience and know-how. Right now, it's like watching a junior player bypass the AHL and go straight to the show... there are growing pains aplenty.

The amazing thing is, going into that 5 day break they had, this team had won 6 of 8 games, and 3 in a row before that break. They come out of the break, and have been completely inept losing 7 of 8. How does that happen? It's mind boggling.
- MJL

Before the injury to Raffl B Schenn was playing on 2nd line. Did that provide more offensive balance?
It is quite evident now that this is a one line team. Raffl Simmonds Laughton have worked well together but....maybe Berube should put Raffl back on first line and move B Schenn. Just a thought

I definitely question the heart and desire from about 3/4 of this team. There might be issues behind the scenes we dont know about.

If this team gave it all they had every game, Im sure they would get a lot more respect. Win or lose.
- GOA88

That's what irks me the most. I can handle a loss if they leave it all on the ice, but most of these guys aren't bringing it all out of the dressing room.

I wish I had access to the locker room. I would tear them a new one for a good twenty minutes straight.
- KGBflyers10

One glance at Nik Grossmann glowering in full gear and a stick in his hands and I'd probably do a quick heel spin and leave without uttering a single epithet.

I think the Flyers resign MDZ, he is still a RFA next year, so they can give him a pay raise and keep him in the core D...He has been above average this year, so I think that signing was a good move for the Flyers.
- JW98FlyerFan

He's definitely been a part of the solution more so than about 60% of the team. I don't think I'd hand out a long-term, big-dollar deal (I'd prefer 2 years at $2.5M-$3M max), but keeping him would be okay with me.

One glance at Nik Grossmann glowering in full gear and a stick in his hands and I'd probably do a quick heel spin and leave without uttering a single epithet.


- Tomahawk

I'm not sure what you mean by this. It's either a dig at Grossmann that I missed, or you're saying that a fully suited-up Grossmann strikes fear into your heart.

Yeah....that's working really well for them. They've got a reigning ROY who can't make a shot and refuses to hustle. A coach who thinks they're playing kickball. One of their major young players averaging like 3 points a game and gets muscled off the ball. And a rookie who is crippled.

2016 NBA Champions. If 30 or so teams fold.
- jmatchett383

MCW just had a triple double against a good team, Noel has looked good defensively and KJ McDaniels looks like a 2nd round steal. The next draft is a strong one too. The young guys would look much better if they had vets around them. I wouldn't have gone this far but it doesn't mean it won't work long term.

I don't question Berube's technical knowledge of the game. That's sound. Right now, the only questions I have are why can't this team start playing like a team? why can't they do the simple things like execute a 20 foot pass, or trap a 20 foot pass. Why can't they cover a point? And a whole host of other issues.

Anyone can watch the last Rangers game and see the technical issues. How the Rangers ran a simple quick up breakout shift after shift leading to a free skate, and easy zone entry. A pee wee coach can recognize that and formulate a neutral zone chcking scheme to combat it. The players have to get it done. It's a catch 22, because if the players aren't getting it done, then that ultimately falls on the coach.
- MJL

Ok, just for the sake of argument, let's say that he does possess the technical knowledge. Part of your job is convincing your players to adhere to the system and if you don't have all the pieces you need, then you make recognize the strengths or your players and utilize them while trying to limit your players weaknesses. That being said, and here comes the million dollar question, why has he distributed ice time in an unpopular manner? Surely, you can't agree with the way he's handled that. Then again, it's you, so i'm sure you will debate this.

It could be possible that losing guys like Briere, Timonen and Hartnell has really just taken the identity from them. Those guys were all a part of the comebacks. These new faces are all followers, yet they dont follow Giroux and Voraceks consistant effort.
- GOA88

Oh come on! Those guys were useless

Hartnell - falls down, is slow, is overpaid, is a careless penalty magnet

Briere - is overpaid, is a high-sticking magnet, can't play defense, and disappears in the regular season

Timonen - slow, takes too many hooking penalties, shouldn't be on the top PP unit, and his salary bonus structure will hurt this team in the future.

We should be glad to have gotten rid of these plagues.

He's definitely been a part of the solution more so than about 60% of the team. I don't think I'd hand out a long-term, big-dollar deal (I'd prefer 2 years at $2.5M-$3M max), but keeping him would be okay with me.
- jmatchett383

Right now. I just want my Flyers back. I dont care who the players are. I just want a team that is a SOB to play against. Players I keep and everyone else can go for all I care.

Giroux, Voracek, Mason, Simmonds, Laughton, MDZ, B.Schenn, Raffl, Couts, Prospects.

Im kinda on the fence with Couts though. He is just too damn slow. He is a career 3rd line center IMO. Which is fine, but we need a 2nd line center.

MCW just had a triple double against a good team, Noel has looked good defensively and KJ McDaniels looks like a 2nd round steal. The next draft is a strong one too. The young guys would look much better if they had vets around them. I wouldn't have gone this far but it doesn't mean it won't work long term.
- PhillySportsGuy

0-16, soon to be 0-19. They may not win a game until January 2015.

But hey, they've got a few guys who may one day be good players, assuming they can ever stay healthy.

I don't think they have what they're hoping for. Noel (from what I hear/read, can't watch them play) is a string bean who gets pushed around down low. MCW puts up numbers because he is the best player on a bad team, so he's the de facto shooter, so he'll put up the occasional game with nice numbers.

I don't know who KJ McDaniels is. I just know that their rookie superstar is crippled yet can dance, and that Noel gets sick whenever the wind blows too strongly.

Oh come on! Those guys were useless

Hartnell - falls down, is slow, is overpaid, is a careless penalty magnet

Briere - is overpaid, is a high-sticking magnet, can't play defense, and disappears in the regular season

Timonen - slow, takes too many hooking penalties, shouldn't be on the top PP unit, and his salary bonus structure will hurt this team in the future.

We should be glad to have gotten rid of these plagues.
- jmatchett383

I know this is a joke...

Well, we got rid of penalty machines and a slow, broken-down defenseman in Timonen. This team should be leaps and bounds better. Not to mention a healthy VLC.
- jmatchett383

Is today sarcasm day?

Is today sarcasm day?
- MJL

I dont blame him. Gotta find humor in this joke of a team.

I know this is a joke...
- GOA88

Not at all. I was told how badly we needed to get rid of these guys constantly. Well, that's what we've gotten. In their place, we have VLC, Umberger, and a young MDZ. How have those 3 worked out compared to the other 3 as a whole?

Ok, just for the sake of argument, let's say that he does possess the technical knowledge. Part of your job is convincing your players to adhere to the system and if you don't have all the pieces you need, then you make recognize the strengths or your players and utilize them while trying to limit your players weaknesses. That being said, and here comes the million dollar question, why has he distributed ice time in an unpopular manner? Surely, you can't agree with the way he's handled that. Then again, it's you, so i'm sure you will debate this.
- Fast_Eddie_1

You're absolutely 100% correct, and every single point you make is completely undebateable! Happy now?

Is today sarcasm day?
- MJL

Every day is sarcasm day.

When is Vinny going to become the 20-25 goal scoring lock?

Right now. I just want my Flyers back. I dont care who the players are. I just want a team that is a SOB to play against. Players I keep and everyone else can go for all I care.

Giroux, Voracek, Mason, Simmonds, Laughton, MDZ, Schenn, Raffl, Couts, Prospects.

Im kinda on the fence with Couts though. He is just too damn slow. He is a career 3rd line center IMO. Which is fine, but we need a 2nd line center.
- GOA88

I am also believing that Couturier is nothing more than a 3rd line Centre.

Not at all. I was told how badly we needed to get rid of these guys constantly. Well, that's what we've gotten. In their place, we have LVC, Umberger, and a young MDZ. How have those 3 worked out compared to the other 3 as a whole?
- jmatchett383

Well.... Umberger doesnt fall as much, MDZ is faster, Vinny..... I have nothing. Thats all I got... Sorry

I am also believing that Couturier is nothing more than a 3rd line Centre.
- 3flyerkids

Honestly, I think you trade him while his value is still high. Laughton can take his place on the 3rd line. He looks good.