The Flyers problem is less a lack of heart than it is a lack of size and strength up front and talent throughout the lineup.

Raffl is a solid player, but he is NOT a 1st or 2nd line LW
Umberger, VLC, VDV, and Rinaldo are borderline NHL players at best.
Bellemare is a solid 4th liner
Couturier is an excellent 3rd line center, but lacks the speed to be effective in a scoring role and Read is another strong 3rd line player who is borderline as a 2nd liner. And Laughton, while he has played well, is no more than a 3rd liner at this point.

That leaves the Flyers with basically 4 guys; Giroux, Voracek, Schenn and Simmonds who have any business playing in their top 6.

On D it's worse. Streit and the scratched MDZ are the only 2 Flyers dmen with above average skill and both are suspect defensively. Also MDZ and Coburn are the only 2 with above average speed and Coburn, as expected, is badly struggling in the role of #1 dman, a role he simply lacks the ability to play.

Now when you couple all of that with average coaching, you get what we've had here all season, which is the way Hextall most likely planned it. LOTTERY TEAM.
- BiggE

Yup. And as much as I like Simmonds, he just isn't much of a a play creator.

Brobby Ryam is the captain we need
- BulliesPhan87

Nice use of the M there!

Brodeur.....


- PLindbergh31

Good for him... he had plenty of chances to go out on top with his head held high. Instead, he chose to stay and gloat around like he's still something special, and make a fool out of himself and he'll end up going out on a sour note at some point.

He'll give him a pass for this year; beyond that, who knows?
- BiggE

pass for this year? the guy just took over a mess with bad contracts. He is safe for a while as he should be.

I thought the fourth line was our best line for most of the game and that Vinny started strong then any other player on the roster. In his first shift he set up both of his line mates from behind the net and neither could get a shot off. To say Lecavalier is playing at an AHL level is unfair. He was much improved and won't know what he can do until he plays with legitimate talent. There was rust no doubt but the effect was there. The puck was bouncing on him often and he had trouble controlling it. He'll get his timing back. Wait until he at least gets back into a groove.
- SuperSchennBros

We can't shelter every player though. It's just not doable. I wouldn't mind them putting Vinny with Voracek to see what happens but if he brings Voracek down then they have to pull the plug on it.

Its the same lazy tired crap as the flyers need a goalie.
- twotoekenn

Just as lazy as blaming the coach.

I love how the Flyer's apologist who just a few weeks ago INSISTED that this is a playoff team is now on the bubble. This poop is just priceless.

And, just for poops and giggles, last time I checked, lacking a top D pair would certainly be a lack of talent.

Priceless

Nice use of the M there!
- MJL

the m stands for "my future captain"

this is why the word retirement is part of the english language
- JoeRussomanno

No goalie is stopping that bounce. That would have eaten up most short-stops.

so if he has been a 1st line scoring center, his entire life, why does anyone expect different from him?
If you look at vinny's career, his is a scorer that is a minus player, every year. He has never been a quality defensive player. ever.
Benching him wastes cap space.
you can't trade him if he is benched.
buying him out wastes less cap fr a longer period of time.
The only good long term solution is to play him and play him in a position that HE can be successful at.
that means scoring roll with players that help him do that.

I think that idea fits Lava's plan, not Chief's. This is where some of the real problem stems.
- nails

I really don't think trading Lecavalier is an option. Unless he really turns his game around, no one will want to touch that contract. I think it's more likely that he'll retire than be traded. His tank is near empty, he's running on fumes at this point.

I love how the Flyer's apologist who just a few weeks ago INSISTED that this is a playoff team is now on the bubble. This poop is just priceless.

And, just for poops and giggles, last time I checked, lacking a top D pair would certainly be a lack of talent.

Priceless
- BiggE

When this team sinks further into oblivion, it's going to be a lonely, cold Winter having no one to argue with!

Just as lazy as blaming the coach.
- MJL

Not 100% correct. To me the coach's job is to put players in a position to succeed, and in that Berube has failed.

Other than hanifin, are there any other stud d-men projected to go high in the draft?
- twotoekenn

Kylington

pass for this year? the guy just took over a mess with bad contracts. He is safe for a while as he should be.
- nastyflyergirl

Agreed, cept we are talking about Ed Snider. He's not exactly known for his patience.

I really don't think trading Lecavalier is an option. Unless he really turns his game around, no one will want to touch that contract. I think it's more likely that he'll retire than be traded. His tank is near empty, he's running on fumes at this point.
- NickTheKid87

I don't think he does. some of his interviews sound like he is too proud for that.
Him retiring doesn't actually help us does it?

I thought the fourth line was our best line for most of the game and that Vinny started strong then any other player on the roster. In his first shift he set up both of his line mates from behind the net and neither could get a shot off. To say Lecavalier is playing at an AHL level is unfair. He was much improved and won't know what he can do until he plays with legitimate talent. There was rust no doubt but the effect was there. The puck was bouncing on him often and he had trouble controlling it. He'll get his timing back. Wait until he at least gets back into a groove.
- SuperSchennBros

They were good. Rinaldo, who apparently isn't an NHL player according to some, made a number of good defensive plays, was effective on the forecheck, and played a solid game.
As far as Lecavalier is concerned, no doubt he struggled with the puck. What I also saw was a player who was again, stationary far too often. He was standing still, when he sees a play to be made on the puck, and only then after a hesitiation, did he start to move his feet to make a play. He's not quick enough to do that. He's an experienced enough player to where he should be able to use his hockey sense to anticipate the play, but he was a step behind all night, due to not moving his feet. He's simply not going to be effective if that doesn't change.

Not 100% correct. To me the coach's job is to put players in a position to succeed, and in that Berube has failed.
- twotoekenn

I disagree completely with that.

Kylington
- aflyerpower8

Buzz Kylington?

Kylington
- aflyerpower8

Yeah I looked at hockeys future and saw him and werenski where rated high.

I disagree completely with that.
- MJL

Thats okay, we don't have to agree.
I will say I don't think its all berubes fault but he does deserve criticism for his division of ice time and benching.

I disagree completely with that.
- MJL

well hes certainly trying his hardest with umberger

I would love to know if Hexy has had a convo with Chief like

Craig, this is the team we have been dealt. It's not our fault, but until I can make some moves, this is your team. What I really need you to do is play them in a way that showcases what they are good at. The better they look, the faster I can move them out of here and rebuild this thing. If you can do this for me, I will make sure you don't take the fall for it. If you can't, then I will find someone that can.

well hes certainly trying his hardest with umberger
- JoeRussomanno

I would love to know if Hexy has had a convo with Chief like

Craig, this is the team we have been dealt. It's not our fault, but until I can make some moves, this is your team. What I really need you to do is play them in a way that showcases what they are good at. The better they look, the faster I can move them out of here and rebuild this thing. If you can do this for me, I will make sure you don't take the fall for it. If you can't, then I will find someone that can.
- nails

yea well ol roob is failing miserably

Yeah I looked at hockeys future and saw him and werenski where rated high.
- twotoekenn

The smooth skating Kylington was a regular in the Swedish Hockey league as a 16 year old player. Skating ability is excellent with an ease that allows him to beat the fore-check, transition from defense to offense and to jump into the offensive forays. Very good passer and his vision and smarts makes him a multiple threat because he can beat you multiple ways. Reminds one of former NHLer & fellow Swede, Calle Johansson.

Analysis: Craig Button - TSNs Direct of Scouting - updated Sept. 25th