They over pursue the puck on the PK and get out of position far too often. It's been obvious since the game in Dallas that something was very wrong. Have the coaches made any changes to improve it? No. That's why they're dead last in the league at killing penalties.
- Feanor

They could also be dead last because the players simply haven't done a good job on the PK.

Well, in fairness, at least they were able to flip Eminger and Downie for Carle. But yes, that was BY FAR the worst trade Holmgren made during his Flyers' tenure.
- jmatchett383

The article bases the quality of the trade on Carlson being selected by Washington EVEN THOUGH the author admits that the Flyers may not have even selected him. The next 10 picks after Carlson:

Viktor Tikhonov
Daultan Leveille
Thomas McCollum
Jacob Markstrom
Slava Voynov
Philip McRae
Jake Allen
Nicolas Deschamps
Corey Trivino
Cody Goloubef

If the Caps take anyone of these guys (except maybe Voynov although bad things now), no one cares about the Eminger trade. I agree that it was bad and he wasn't worth a 1st rounder but it only looks worse because the pick was used for Carlson. If you're going to bring Carlson into it, then you have to take into account the Eminger and Downie for Carle deal.

Read some of the comments if you really want to pop a blood vessel.
- MBFlyerfan

The Lindros trade...

So much to say, so little time...

Hindsight is 20/20....but the thought of Forsberg and Jagr in addition to the other pieces that we traded gives me the same feeling I had when I used to climb the rope in gym class...but who knows what would have happened.

Excuse me while I go slit my wrists.

Saw this on Yahoo, of all places, and found myself clenching my fists. Ahh...the life of a Flyers fan:

http://thehockeywriters.c...hat-youve-never-heard-of/
- Fast_Eddie_1

1) The writer has no idea if Carlson was the top available name on the Flyers' draft list at that point. Not that they absolutely would not have picked another D in the first round, but the Flyers had already picked Sbisa earlier in the first round. Actually, goalie Chet Pickard -- who turned out be a bust but was the consensus top goalie in the draft among virtually all NHL scouts -- was the guy they wanted but were unable to trade up to get).

2) Hindsight "Team X could have drafted Player Y" stuff is pointless. You can do that for every team in every draft. I wish I could post the full transcript of Jay Greenberg's recent interview with Simon Nolet for the upcoming Flyers 50th Anniversary book. Nolet has been a highly successful scout over a long career and would be the first to tell you -- and says it a half-dozen times in his interview -- that there is a lot of luck needed after the fact to produce a home run of a pick. Even the very best like Nolet have more misses that hits.

3) The Flyers quickly turned Eminger right around and packaged him with Downie for Matt Carle, who had productive years in Philly prior to his UFA departure.

1) The writer has no idea if Carlson was the top available name on the Flyers' draft list at that point. Not that they absolutely would not have picked another D in the first round, but the Flyers had already picked Sbisa earlier in the first round. Actually, goalie Chet Pickard -- who turned out be a bust but was the consensus top goalie in the draft among virtually all NHL scouts -- was the guy they wanted but were unable to trade up to get).

2) Hindsight "Team X could have drafted Player Y" stuff is pointless. You can do that for every team in every draft. I wish I could post the full transcript of Jay Greenberg's recent interview with Simon Nolet for the upcoming Flyers 50th Anniversary book. Nolet has been a highly successful scout over a long career and would be the first to tell you -- and says it a half-dozen times in his interview -- that there is a lot of luck needed after the fact to produce a home run of a pick. Even the very best like Nolet have more misses that hits.

3) The Flyers quickly turned Eminger right around and packaged him with Downie for Matt Carle, who had productive years in Philly prior to his UFA departure.
- bmeltzer

This. Thanks, Bill.

Thanks Bill. Congrats to Zepp. I think Razor will be ok, once he gets into a routine; sitting out may have made him a little stale. And, #5. Without him, we win...go figure. Does this mean that we will finally see Carlo? He might turn out to be the next Shultz, if he can stay healthy.
The only two knocks on the game last night: the PK, and not being able to put together a complete game effort. The first outing of the PK last night, looked good. They were aggressive, and covered all the lanes. But, the PK was unable to perform like this for all the PK's. Baby steps, I guess, and no place to go, but up. Also, the forwards took some time off last night, hence the other chances for the Bolts. I just don't see why the forwards can't consistently take care of business in the D zone. Nobody wants to pick up the guy coming in from the point, clear the crease, or help the D out. If you see a D man that needs help, go help him, and quit hanging out at the blue line waiting for the pass. The faster that you get out of your own end, the faster you can get to the other end. But, they would rather hang out, and sit, and then go for a line change. Simmer, and V-check did help out in the D zone on a regular basis, so kudos to them. Also, great job in cutting down on the number of shots the last few games. When Mason averages 35-40 shots per night, every game night, I am not surprised that he is having injury problems.
Anyway, a win is a win.

JVR/Schenn is very close.
- 3flyerkids

It was a bad trade, but at the time, at least there was the justfication that we needed defense. We were coming off of a season where our offense was one of the best in the league, played largely without JVR due to multiple injuries. The Eminger trade was terrible in all ways and shapes.

right out of the JVR playbook smh
- BulliesPhan87

yesss

The article bases the quality of the trade on Carlson being selected by Washington EVEN THOUGH the author admits that the Flyers may not have even selected him. The next 10 picks after Carlson:

Viktor Tikhonov
Daultan Leveille
Thomas McCollum
Jacob Markstrom
Slava Voynov
Philip McRae
Jake Allen
Nicolas Deschamps
Corey Trivino
Cody Goloubef

If the Caps take anyone of these guys (except maybe Voynov although bad things now), no one cares about the Eminger trade. I agree that it was bad and he wasn't worth a 1st rounder but it only looks worse because the pick was used for Carlson. If you're going to bring Carlson into it, then you have to take into account the Eminger and Downie for Carle deal.
- NickTheKid87

I'm basing it solely on trading a first rounder for Eminger, most likely because he played a few good playoff games against us that year. Whatever the reason, it was a terrible use of assets no matter who Washington picked.

It was a bad trade, but at the time, at least there was the justfication that we needed defense. We were coming off of a season where our offense was one of the best in the league, played largely without JVR due to multiple injuries. The Eminger trade was terrible in all ways and shapes.
- jmatchett383

When have the Flyers not needed defense?

They should draft defenseman in the first 3 rounds for the next 12 years

I'm basing it solely on trading a first rounder for Eminger, most likely because he played a few good playoff games against us that year. Whatever the reason, it was a terrible use of assets no matter who Washington picked.
- jmatchett383

That's really what the article should've been based on, what the Flyers saw in Eminger to think he was worthy of trading a first round pick for. Instead it mostly focused on Carlson. Bad article from that perspective. Holmgren is pretty solid in acquiring defenseman, but he got that one wrong. Luckily, he was able to correct it by getting Carle.

I'm basing it solely on trading a first rounder for Eminger, most likely because he played a few good playoff games against us that year. Whatever the reason, it was a terrible use of assets no matter who Washington picked.
- jmatchett383

Wait, wasn't Eminger God?!


I agree by the way, it was the first round pick I had a problem with, not who ended up being chosen with it.

I'm basing it solely on trading a first rounder for Eminger, most likely because he played a few good playoff games against us that year. Whatever the reason, it was a terrible use of assets no matter who Washington picked.
- jmatchett383

Yup I agree there. Maybe if they kept that pick and packaged it with the 19th overall, we could have gotten Luke Schenn

The article based the whole thing on Carlson though which is absolutely asinine.

Lol. My sister went to OSU. I would probably root (cheer) for them if she took any interest in the games.

That being said, OSU is a fun school and Columbus isn't a bad city. Gamedays are (frank)ing insane though. You won't find a sober person on campus for the 24 hours starting at about 10am on Saturday morning to 10am Sunday morning.

They also have this weird thing where homeless people will cleanup the campus Saturday night and early sunday morning. People just throw their bottles and cans on the ground and it's like a feeding frenzy for the homeless to turn them in for $0.15 each.
- PhillySportsGuy

My GF's BIL works at OSU and her niece goes there. It's a perfectly fine school.

And they wouldn't have been in that game if my alma mater could have taken care of business in OT.

When have the Flyers not needed defense?

They should draft defenseman in the first 3 rounds for the next 12 years
- PhillySportsGuy

The Flyers seem to be OK at drafting forwards.

Now, if they could just bulk draft defensemen and, to a lesser extent, goaltenders until a couple of them hit.

My GF's BIL works at OSU and her niece goes there. It's a perfectly fine school.

And they wouldn't have been in that game if my alma mater could have taken care of business in OT.
- johndewar

My MIL works at HBSI and lives in BB SNJ.

My MIL works at HBSI and lives in BB SNJ.
- jmatchett383

My GF's BIL works at OSU and her niece goes there. It's a perfectly fine school.

And they wouldn't have been in that game if my alma mater could have taken care of business in OT.
- johndewar

I thought TCU should have gotten in ahead of OSU. Hard to make that case now.

At least it gave the Big 10 some bragging rights even if the rest of the teams aren't very good.

The Flyers seem to be OK at drafting forwards.

Now, if they could just bulk draft defensemen and, to a lesser extent, goaltenders until a couple of them hit.
- johndewar

They just need to stockpile picks and prospects. Like Bill said, there is a lot of luck in drafting. You want as many tickets for the raffle as possible.

I thought TCU should have gotten in ahead of OSU. Hard to make that case now.

At least it gave the Big 10 some bragging rights even if the rest of the teams aren't very good.
- PhillySportsGuy

Michigan St is a solid team. They beat Baylor in the Cotton Bowl, the only team that beat TCU. Also, Wisconsin beat Auburn in their bowl game.

I'm not an Ohio St. fan, but what Urban Meyer did with that team is amazing. Beating Alabama, and Oregon with their third QB is remarkable. He's a great coach. I'd like to see what he can do at the NFL level.

Michigan/Ohio St is going to be like it was when Schembechler and Hayes were coaching. Harbaugh/Meyer is going to be great.

I agree by the way, it was the first round pick I had a problem with, not who ended up being chosen with it.
- MBFlyerfan

Pretty much this.

Draft picks are pure gold in the hands of the Flyers' am scouts. That was a deep (frank)ing draft, too.

Michigan St is a solid team. They beat Baylor in the Cotton Bowl, the only team that beat TCU. Also, Wisconsin beat Auburn in their bowl game.

I'm not an Ohio St. fan, but what Urban Meyer did with that team is amazing. Beating Alabama, and Oregon with their third QB is remarkable. He's a great coach. I'd like to see what he can do at the NFL level.

Michigan/Ohio St is going to be like it was when Schembechler and Hayes were coaching. Harbaugh/Meyer is going to be great.
- PLindbergh31

STATE

Michigan St is a solid team. They beat Baylor in the Cotton Bowl, the only team that beat TCU. Also, Wisconsin beat Auburn in their bowl game.

I'm not an Ohio St. fan, but what Urban Meyer did with that team is amazing. Beating Alabama, and Oregon with their third QB is remarkable. He's a great coach. I'd like to see what he can do at the NFL level.

Michigan/Ohio St is going to be like it was when Schembechler and Hayes were coaching. Harbaugh/Meyer is going to be great.
- PLindbergh31

I can't wait for Harbaugh vs. Meyer. Harbaugh will beat him in their final game then smack him on the ass really hard and the war will begin.

I can't wait for Harbaugh vs. Meyer. Harbaugh will beat him in their final game then smack him on the ass really hard and the war will begin.
- PhillySportsGuy

It will be intense. I have a feeling they aren't going to like each other very much.

I thought TCU should have gotten in ahead of OSU. Hard to make that case now.

At least it gave the Big 10 some bragging rights even if the rest of the teams aren't very good.
- PhillySportsGuy

I thought TCU also should have been in, but boy did Ohio St really prove they were well deserving. Their run game was unstoppable.