I don't see it having anything to do with systems. LA is simply a bigger, stronger, and better team then the Flyers are. The Flyers and the rest of the NHL should be thankful that LA isn't a better finishing team.
- MJL

2 cups in the last 3 years. I would say that is a better finishing team.

If you look at the Flyers roster, outside of a # 1 dman, the biggest weakness is at LW. Can you imagine JVR on the LW playing with Giroux and Voracek? I don't think it would be a stretch to say that line could be the top line in the NHL.

Of course Holmgren had to set the franchise back by trading JVR for an empty uniform. (frank)ing sickening. As I've said before, a lot of the problems this franchise has is simply not being able to get out of their own way.
- PLindbergh31

I said it the day of the trade and still feel the same......I was good with acquiring Schenn but HATED that they moved JVR to get him. Esp straight up. I hated that they were giving up on JVR. a guy with good size and speed/skill.

He hurt Cliff Lee, as well
- Jsaquella

What!

I guess it's his fault the Sixers blow big wads and there hasn't been a Triple Crown winner in like forever.

F U G!

He's got a ton of skill, for sure and decent size. He's only an average skater, which could limit him and he's been knocked for his compete level and defensive shortcomings.

Not sure what he'd cost to acquire. He's been a very good AHL scorer, but hasn't been able to replicate it in the NHL. Might just need a break with Chicago having so much depth.
- Jsaquella

sounds like a better akeson. i'd be on board because he's a younger plyr and our pace my be better match.

2 cups in the last 3 years. I would say that is a better finishing team.
- Daveflyers36

They're able to raise their offensive game in the playoffs. My point wasn't that LA isn't a top team, it's that they're not a great finishing team offensively. They are dominant in terms of possession, checking, defense, and in puck battles. Yet they are an average scoring team at 5 on 5.

What!

I guess it's his fault the Sixers blow big wads and there hasn't been a Triple Crown winner in like forever.

F U G!
- wolfhounds

He's such a jerk

The Triple Crown Winner thing is Vinny's fault.

The Giroux hatred baffles me. The guy does what ever he is asked, kills penalties, scores at more than a point per game rate and provides leadership.

I'd say Grossmann also provides good physical play, outside of the three you mention
- Jsaquella

This team has many issues, but Giroux is part of the solution. Enough said.

I was reading that Chicago may have to jettison some money in the offseason and Seabrook's name came up. I expect he wouldn't be available, but if ever he was, I'd def try to get him.

Mason was tremendous. Great to see him playing well again this year. I don't think there is any question about it, you can win with Steve Mason. Flyers played a solid first period, then were eaten alive in periods 2 & 3.
- PLindbergh31

there were long stretches where the kings looked like they were on the pp, with possession and attack time in the flyers end - which we've seen repeatedly all season long from their opponents. it's a huge problem. more often than not, they'll lose with that kind of play. mason bailed them out (long with some good d play in front of him for the most part) and was lucky on a few plays like carter missing a wide open net or pucks just not redirecting to open players on broken plays or scrambles. it's not sustainable. this is not a team like the old devils where they were disciplined machine playing a team wide defensive system, waiting patiently for their neutral zone turnovers to strike and go on for a 2-1 win.

i'm glad they collected some points on the road, and maybe can start to build from this a little. simmonds has woken up some, and read and coots are starting to pick it up a bit. i really like what i see from laughton, but he struggled some yesterday. he's not going back down. i wonder what's going to happen with vinny. it's not like umberger is really improving, despite his goal against the ducks. he almost cost them a potential point with his puck over the glass yesterday, which was unnecessary. he was unchecked and he panicked/was overzealous in trying to clear.

it's a joy to watch mason, even when they lose. he's just a really good goalie. i wish he had a little bit of attitude on the ice though.

This team has many issues, but Giroux is part of the solution. Enough said.

I was reading that Chicago may have to jettison some money in the offseason and Seabrook's name came up. I expect he wouldn't be available, but if ever he was, I'd def try to get him.
- Hextall271

He'd be massively expensive. Maybe to the extent that the cost will be more than he is worth.

I said it the day of the trade and still feel the same......I was good with acquiring Schenn but HATED that they moved JVR to get him. Esp straight up. I hated that they were giving up on JVR. a guy with good size and speed/skill.
- nastyflyergirl

yep. we've had many conversations about jvr getting moved before he got moved. our #2 draft pick has turned into a #6 scratched dman. great.

there were long stretches where the kings looked like they were on the pp, with possession and attack time in the flyers end - which we've seen repeatedly all season long from their opponents. it's a huge problem. more often than not, they'll lose with that kind of play. mason bailed them out (long with some good d play in front of him for the most part) and was lucky on a few plays like carter missing a wide open net or pucks just not redirecting to open players on broken plays or scrambles. it's not sustainable. this is not a team like the old devils where they were disciplined machine playing a team wide defensive system, waiting patiently for their neutral zone turnovers to strike and go on for a 2-1 win.

i'm glad they collected some points on the road, and maybe can start to build from this a little. simmonds has woken up some, and read and coots are starting to pick it up a bit. i really like what i see from laughton, but he struggled some yesterday. he's not going back down. i wonder what's going to happen with vinny. it's not like umberger is really improving, despite his goal against the ducks. he almost cost them a potential point with his puck over the glass yesterday, which was unnecessary. he was unchecked and he panicked/was overzealous in trying to clear.

it's a joy to watch mason, even when they lose. he's just a really good goalie. i wish he had a little bit of attitude on the ice though.
- hammarby31

Umberger didn't panic, the puck was up on edge and rolling. That happens

anybody interested in Morin, 23 yrs old, from CHI? might be the type of situation where a guy stuck on a great team's scratch list just needs a prolonged opp. LW who shoots R. already a proven scorer @ AHL level. prob cost pick or a prospect...
- isaiah520

they owe us for patrick sharp. so, maybe?

Umberger didn't panic, the puck was up on edge and rolling. That happens
- MJL

there was zero reason for that to happen. he was unchecked, he had time and space. all he needed to do was carefully keep the puck low and get it out, and if that means settle the puck first before clearing, then do just that. he's an nhl veteran who should have been able to do at least that. he, and the flyers are lucky that mistake didn't cost them. that's all i'm going to say about it.

there was zero reason for that to happen. he was unchecked, he had time and space. all he needed to do was carefully keep the puck low and get it out, and if that means settle the puck first before clearing, then do just that. he's an nhl veteran who should have been able to do at least that. he, and the flyers are lucky that mistake didn't cost them. that's all i'm going to say about it.
- hammarby31

I think Umberger's actually played noticeably better over the past few games, but yeah, that delay of game penalty in the third was horrendous. He had time to settle the puck and blindly ripped it into the stands.

He's not a kid, he's supposed to be a veteran who provides stability and smarts, and that was dumb.

He's got a ton of skill, for sure and decent size. He's only an average skater, which could limit him and he's been knocked for his compete level and defensive shortcomings.

Not sure what he'd cost to acquire. He's been a very good AHL scorer, but hasn't been able to replicate it in the NHL. Might just need a break with Chicago having so much depth.
- Jsaquella

sounds really familiar. except for the size part.

there was zero reason for that to happen. he was unchecked, he had time and space. all he needed to do was carefully keep the puck low and get it out, and if that means settle the puck first before clearing, then do just that. he's an nhl veteran who should have been able to do at least that. he, and the flyers are lucky that mistake didn't cost them. that's all i'm going to say about it.
- hammarby31

The puck went up on edge as he was attempting to clear the puck. That happens on occasion. I disagree with blaming Umberger there. It was simply bad luck.

I think Umberger's actually played noticeably better over the past few games, but yeah, that delay of game penalty in the third was horrendous. He had time to settle the puck and blindly ripped it into the stands.

He's not a kid, he's supposed to be a veteran who provides stability and smarts, and that was dumb.
- Jsaquella

i want to see him be harder to play against along with the walls, and win some puck battles. i just don't see it yet. he skates fine, and i see him around the net a bit, which is great, but it doesn't really accomplish much. i had much higher hopes for him than most, but it's not happening. at least yet. maybe he's been better the last few, and i just haven't noticed.

they owe us for patrick sharp. so, maybe?
- hammarby31

ouch baby, ouch

The Giroux hatred baffles me. The guy does what ever he is asked, kills penalties, scores at more than a point per game rate and provides leadership.

I'd say Grossmann also provides good physical play, outside of the three you mention
- Jsaquella

who hates giroux? you don't really see that in here. an odd complaint or two, but there's no lynch mob.

I don't see it having anything to do with systems. LA is simply a bigger, stronger, and better team then the Flyers are. The Flyers and the rest of the NHL should be thankful that LA isn't a better finishing team.
- MJL

Not correct as usual......people always complain that the Flyers are a slow team and have guys that are slow....a good system that is understood and played to its strengths makes a team faster...simply because when you don't have to think about where to skate you arrive there quicker....LA plays a great system with everyone on the same page....that's why they win. Yes they are bigger and have more depth then the Flyers...but hockey is a team sport and when everyone is rowing in unison and playing to a team system that is a tough team to beat.

I know the mere shots count is not the divining factor but isnt it truly and indication (to an extent) of poor coverage-either the system (whatever the devil it is) and talent?
Yeah x number were from off to the side etc, but from the conversation it seems they were playing a 5 man box on ES
Stole 2 points yesterday, plain and simple. Cant do that every night.

i want to see him be harder to play against along with the walls, and win some puck battles. i just don't see it yet. he skates fine, and i see him around the net a bit, which is great, but it doesn't really accomplish much. i had much higher hopes for him than most, but it's not happening. at least yet. maybe he's been better the last few, and i just haven't noticed.
- hammarby31

I think that he has improved somewhat in his overall game. Which really isn't a big accomplishment with where his game was. Nowhere to go but up.

ouch baby, ouch
- isaiah520

And for the 2007 draft lottery

2 cups in the last 3 years. I would say that is a better finishing team.
- Daveflyers36

They sure know how to win....

And for the 2007 draft lottery
- Steelmanpa

oh yeah. right. gddamnit.