Only problem is waiting out the PF development curve... it took a good 3-4 NHL seasons before guys like Ladd and Doan started showing their scoring potential.

Skill guys could be more turnkey.
- Tomahawk

We need some heavy bodies up front though that can skate with some skill. Abu kubel and leier are smallish.

We deserve to after that Patrick Kane crap. That ultimately cost the Flyers a cup. IMO
- GOA88

We did end up with Voracek and Simmonds from that draft so it wasn't all bad.

Good thing they just won 40 years ago, and have an 82 year old owner! Two things that lead to lots of patience!
- PLindbergh31

The core of the problem is no top defenseman and they really need 2 top 4 D players imo. Near Impossible to get both via UFA or trades.

Of their 4 prospects on D I see none really close to being ready and am not sure they even have a true franchise guy in the bunch.

Morin will likely be an NHL player but I have serious doubts about him being a franchise Dman. Ghost will likely provide a great shot, but he is really small.
Hagg, who knows. He could be a steady 2nd or third pair guy but he might be better or might bomb out. Sanheim could be the legit guy but in 1-2 years? No way.

I think Hexy can make some smaller tweaks with the forwards but what concerns me the most is in 3-4 years they will have a very young D core and aging forwards. I think that is not a good recipe to win. Look at the Devils now, very young D and aging forwards, and just awful. Maybe they can avoid this fate. I think you can win with solid older D and young forwards but the other is harder.

There are many issues with the way the roster is constructed.

The only four guys that have done exactly what the Flyers hoped for areClaude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Nick Schultz and Steve Mason.

Brayden Schenn & Simmonds have been hot and cold. Couturier's play has rebounded, but he's battled consistency at both ends of the ice. Read's been playing far below his past levels.

Guys like Raffl and Bellmare have also provided solid play. VandeVelde has been pretty solid lately.

The defense has been a mess. Guys who are supposed to be providing solid play are making the same basic fundamental errors that you'd expect in kids.

There's some talent here, but the way it's utilized and the way it fits together is questionable. There's definitely a degree of softness, but they also are so bad sometimes at executing a simple outlet pass or fundamental thing like a zone coverage, it kills them.

They are poorly coached and the GM seems to be unwilling to add to this mix this season, and is focused on the future.

The core of the problem is no top defenseman and they really need 2 top 4 D players imo. Near Impossible to get both via UFA or trades.

Of their 4 prospects on D I see none really close to being ready and am not sure they even have a true franchise guy in the bunch.

Morin will likely be an NHL player but I have serious doubts about him being a franchise Dman. Ghost will likely provide a great shot, but he is really small.
Hagg, who knows. He could be a steady 2nd or third pair guy but he might be better or might bomb out. Sanheim could be the legit guy but in 1-2 years? No way.

I think Hexy can make some smaller tweaks with the forwards but what concerns me the most is in 3-4 years they will have a very young D core and aging forwards. I think that is not a good recipe to win. Look at the Devils now, very young D and aging forwards, and just awful. Maybe they can avoid this fate. I think you can win with solid older D and young forwards but the other is harder.
- Marc D

Solid points, but regarding Morin, he's 19 and nobody has any clue, and likely won't for years to come, what his ceiling is. Both the Islanders and Ottawa traded away a certain 6'9" d-man years ago that even now they'd probably love to have back on their blue line...

There are many issues with the way the roster is constructed.

The only four guys that have done exactly what the Flyers hoped for areClaude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Nick Schultz and Steve Mason.

Brayden Schenn & Simmonds have been hot and cold. Couturier's play has rebounded, but he's battled consistency at both ends of the ice. Read's been playing far below his past levels.

Guys like Raffl and Bellmare have also provided solid play. VandeVelde has been pretty solid lately.

The defense has been a mess. Guys who are supposed to be providing solid play are making the same basic fundamental errors that you'd expect in kids.

There's some talent here, but the way it's utilized and the way it fits together is questionable. There's definitely a degree of softness, but they also are so bad sometimes at executing a simple outlet pass or fundamental thing like a zone coverage, it kills them.

They are poorly coached and the GM seems to be unwilling to add to this mix this season, and is focused on the future.
- Jsaquella

Thank God for Hexy, really. Schultz and MDZ were good value signings along with Bellemare. Our 5th rounder is playing top line hockey on swedens junior team and just looked good beating Russia. I like the long term outlook.

There are many issues with the way the roster is constructed.

The only four guys that have done exactly what the Flyers hoped for areClaude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Nick Schultz and Steve Mason.

Brayden Schenn & Simmonds have been hot and cold. Couturier's play has rebounded, but he's battled consistency at both ends of the ice. Read's been playing far below his past levels.

Guys like Raffl and Bellmare have also provided solid play. VandeVelde has been pretty solid lately.

The defense has been a mess. Guys who are supposed to be providing solid play are making the same basic fundamental errors that you'd expect in kids.

There's some talent here, but the way it's utilized and the way it fits together is questionable. There's definitely a degree of softness, but they also are so bad sometimes at executing a simple outlet pass or fundamental thing like a zone coverage, it kills them.

They are poorly coached and the GM seems to be unwilling to add to this mix this season, and is focused on the future.
- Jsaquella

I'm with Hextall: the future is all I care about. I don't think anyone expected Berube or a good chunk of this team to be around for long.

Unless it's Bobby Orr

- BiggE

I've heard he is available

We almost won last night!

Thank God for Hexy, really. Schultz and MDZ were good value signings along with Bellemare. Our 5th rounder is playing top line hockey on swedens junior team and just looked good beating Russia. I like the long term outlook.
- Just5

Yeah, and MDZ can't find the ice because Berube's got his head up his ass.

Solid points, but regarding Morin, he's 19 and nobody has any clue, and likely won't for years to come, what his ceiling is. Both the Islanders and Ottawa traded away a certain 6'9" d-man years ago that even now they'd probably love to have back on their blue line...
- wolfhounds

You are absolutely right, a big guy, he could easily be 26 -27 yrs old before he hits his potential, but yet I doubt they are going to wait till then.

He could be up here next season and I'm not sure what is best for his future. I don't think he should be in the NHL next season but he maybe better then some of the guys they are forced to use now.

I'm with Hextall: the future is all I care about. I don't think anyone expected Berube or a good chunk of this team to be around for long.
- NickTheKid87

No, I just hate seeing Berube continue as coach. They have to know he's not the long term solution, and I get that the best replacement choice is to disrupt the AHL team, but man is he infuriating.

He's taking O-zone starts away from Couturier to feed them to the 4th line. Admittedly it's helped that 4th line look good, but I'd rather see Couturier building confidence and getting offensive chances.

I'd rather see MDZ & Colaiacovo in the line up. The defense isn't playing well as a group or as individuals. There is zero reason to bury anybody.

You are absolutely right, a big guy, he could easily be 26 -27 yrs old before he hits his potential, but yet I doubt they are going to wait till then.

He could be up here next season and I'm not sure what is best for his future. I don't think he should be in the NHL next season but he maybe better then some of the guys they are forced to use now.
- Marc D

I think, unless he dominates in camp, Morin will be in the AHL to start next season.

Yeah, and MDZ can't find the ice because Berube's got his head up his ass.
- Jsaquella

Soon.

Berube eventually makes the right moves, typically about 2 weeks after they should be done.

No, I just hate seeing Berube continue as coach. They have to know he's not the long term solution, and I get that the best replacement choice is to disrupt the AHL team, but man is he infuriating.

He's taking O-zone starts away from Couturier to feed them to the 4th line. Admittedly it's helped that 4th line look good, but I'd rather see Couturier building confidence and getting offensive chances.

I'd rather see MDZ & Colaiacovo in the line up. The defense isn't playing well as a group or as individuals. There is zero reason to bury anybody.
- Jsaquella

Hell, at this point I'd be happy if they even just brought in a guy like John Paddock to finish the season so Murray can stay with the kids. Either way, the chief needs to hit the road.

Soon.

Berube eventually makes the right moves, typically about 2 weeks after they should be done.
- Marc D

True. He's the guy that figures out how the Halon system works the day after the restaurant burned to the ground

No, I just hate seeing Berube continue as coach. They have to know he's not the long term solution, and I get that the best replacement choice is to disrupt the AHL team, but man is he infuriating.

He's taking O-zone starts away from Couturier to feed them to the 4th line. Admittedly it's helped that 4th line look good, but I'd rather see Couturier building confidence and getting offensive chances.

I'd rather see MDZ & Colaiacovo in the line up. The defense isn't playing well as a group or as individuals. There is zero reason to bury anybody.
- Jsaquella

Yeah I'm not sure why MDZ at the least hasn't gotten a shot. He struggles for a bit and is buried but we have seen other players sit out a game (or none) and get thrown right back out there. MDZ has had some off the ice issues though. He was liking girls Instagram selfies in the pressbox on Saturday which I'm sure Berube won't like.

As for Couturier, him and read are at 45% for O-zone starts this year which is 10% more than they were getting a month or so ago so at least that number is trending in the right direction.

I think, unless he dominates in camp, Morin will be in the AHL to start next season.
- BiggE

Dominating with this current group of D may not be that hard.

No, I just hate seeing Berube continue as coach. They have to know he's not the long term solution, and I get that the best replacement choice is to disrupt the AHL team, but man is he infuriating.

He's taking O-zone starts away from Couturier to feed them to the 4th line. Admittedly it's helped that 4th line look good, but I'd rather see Couturier building confidence and getting offensive chances.

I'd rather see MDZ & Colaiacovo in the line up. The defense isn't playing well as a group or as individuals. There is zero reason to bury anybody.
- Jsaquella

You know, I was fine until I glanced at twitter last night and caught your conversation with Trible.

Bastards.

I think, unless he dominates in camp, Morin will be in the AHL to start next season.
- BiggE

Agreed. Start him in the A regardless.

True. He's the guy that figures out how the Halon system works the day after the restaurant burned to the ground
- Jsaquella

Hell, at this point I'd be happy if they even just brought in a guy like John Paddock to finish the season so Murray can stay with the kids. Either way, the chief needs to hit the road.
- BiggE

No way man. We're in tank mode and berube is a big part of what were trying to accomplish!

No, I just hate seeing Berube continue as coach. They have to know he's not the long term solution, and I get that the best replacement choice is to disrupt the AHL team, but man is he infuriating.

He's taking O-zone starts away from Couturier to feed them to the 4th line. Admittedly it's helped that 4th line look good, but I'd rather see Couturier building confidence and getting offensive chances.

I'd rather see MDZ & Colaiacovo in the line up. The defense isn't playing well as a group or as individuals. There is zero reason to bury anybody.
- Jsaquella

why do you hate berube? THe longer he sits behind the bench the higher the lottery balls...Berube will be taken to the woodshed after hextall gets his ping pong balls...do you really want a new guy to come in and have them draft 10-14?

Yeah I'm not sure why MDZ at the least hasn't gotten a shot. He struggles for a bit and is buried but we have seen other players sit out a game (or none) and get thrown right back out there. MDZ has had some off the ice issues though. He was liking girls Instagram selfies in the pressbox on Saturday which I'm sure Berube won't like.

As for Couturier, him and read are at 45% for O-zone starts this year which is 10% more than they were getting a month or so ago so at least that number is trending in the right direction.
- NickTheKid87

Behind the net has Couts at 38.4% and Read at 40.0% at 5v5

Hell, at this point I'd be happy if they even just brought in a guy like John Paddock to finish the season so Murray can stay with the kids. Either way, the chief needs to hit the road.
- BiggE

My view was to give Berube the job until the playoffs were basically unreachable.

The Flyers are 8 points out, and the 2nd wildcard team (NYR) has 2 games in hand. They have three other teams to jump to get to the Rangers and the games in hand picture is bleak there, too (Have 1 game in hand on BOS, 0 on OTT and FLA has 3 games in hand on them)

Not to mention, Columbus is getting healthy and now sits one point behind them, with two games in hand. They really needed to get points last night.

I think that there's no way they are a playoff team now.