Don't know if laught but the Buffalo feed last night pointed out that G's ankle may have been bleeding:

- JAKEw1234

They showed it during the philly feed a few times and actually talked about it.

Says who?

There's almost no doubt in my mind one of Morin or Ghost will play a significant amount of games next year. I hope it's Ghost; I want Morin to be brought a long as slow as possible.

That being said, this team has way too many pieces now to continue to be this bad. Chalk it up as a lost season to a combination of injuries, poor roster construction, and questionable coaching decisions. So we had a bad year transitioning from one organizational philosophy (Stevens/Lavy and Homer) to the next (Berube? and Hextall).

But this team should 100% bounce back next season. Missing the playoffs again would be absolutely unacceptable. Two scorers in the leagues top 5, Simmonds, Coots, Laughton, legit starting goalie with a .920SV%.....it's not like we need to re-invent the wheel.
- mochoson

Yep yep yep

am i the only one who skips through all the flyer/game stuff and goes to prospect and phantom updates? bill is the best at covering this team but i just cant stomach them for now (?)... at least not till the mix is stirred at least.
- JoeRussomanno

Nope. Bill really does great work, but really what's the sense in previewing/recapping this game to game garbage?

I seriously thought I was by myself for a second.

I don't understand how a team with two scorers in the leagues top 5, a near PPG dman in Streit, a legit starting goalie with a .920SV%, and a forward group that still includes players like Laughton, Couturier, Simmonds and Raffl is in need of a multi-year rebuild.

I know this season's been rough fellas, but we DO NOT need to re-invent the wheel here.....

Get faster and more skilled, its not super complicated.
- mochoson

Not by yourself; it's going to require a deft touch, but it absolutely can be done

Vancouver was a full-fledged dumpster fire last year under the tyrant and the clueless GM. They were unafraid to move Kesler in-conference, tweaked their roster and got their poop back on track

Couturier is and always will be a third line center, a good one albeit. It would be like giving up a 3rd line center, a B+ prospect, and a 2nd rounder for a lock of a high producing player. It doesn't matter anyway because it is a fantasy that we would get him for that little.
- redcoat75

Why will Couturier always be a 3rd line center? What is that based on?

I think you would have to be crazy to move Streit right now. No one is going to effectively take over his role on the PP for some time.

Next year, if MDZ steps up maybe. But not now. I would have to be blown away with an offer.
- hereticpride

Del Zotto had a strong game last night, and I really like the way he has been playing since he got his feet back under after coming off the scratch list. I hope he keeps it up.

Why will Couturier always be a 3rd line center? What is that based on?
- MJL

I would like to see Couturier with a skilled LW to play on his line with Simmonds.
Give him a solid line to grow with for at least a year

Making the playoffs 17 out of the last 19 years is a heck of an accomplishment but I would trade all the first and second round exits for a few (2, 3 years tops) of struggles if it meant in 2018 or so we are looked at around the league as a legit threat to win the Cup

Says who?

There's almost no doubt in my mind one of Morin or Ghost will play a significant amount of games next year. I hope it's Ghost; I want Morin to be brought a long as slow as possible.

That being said, this team has way too many pieces now to continue to be this bad. Chalk it up as a lost season to a combination of injuries, poor roster construction, and questionable coaching decisions. So we had a bad year transitioning from one organizational philosophy (Stevens/Lavy and Homer) to the next (Berube? and Hextall).

But this team should 100% bounce back next season. Missing the playoffs again would be absolutely unacceptable. Two scorers in the leagues top 5, Simmonds, Coots, Laughton, legit starting goalie with a .920SV%.....it's not like we need to re-invent the wheel.
- mochoson

Never know what's going to happen, but I expect Morin to at least start the season in the AHL. Gostisbehere has a shot at making the team out of camp, if he does, expect to see flashes of raw skill, but expect him to struggle overall. He might even need more AHL time.
I agree that they should bounce back, they shouldn't be this bad this year.

I know this team isn't a complete 180 in terms of it's roster but when you are dead last in PK compared to last year's top 10, you get this type of year

Never know what's going to happen, but I expect Morin to at least start the season in the AHL. Gostisbehere has a shot at making the team out of camp, if he does, expect to see flashes of raw skill, but expect him to struggle overall. He might even need more AHL time.
I agree that they should bounce back, they shouldn't be this bad this year.
- MJL

With his injury I'd keep Ghost in the AHL at least to start.

Nope. Bill really does great work, but really what's the sense in previewing/recapping this game to game garbage?
- Just5

It really is demoralizing to suffer through this drek. I was almost peeved last night because we got two points further ahead of Buffalo. We can't suck badly enough to hit the lottery.

I would like to see Couturier with a skilled LW to play on his line with Simmonds.
Give him a solid line to grow with for at least a year
- 3flyerkids

Agreed.

A few things:

I am totally confused about how we are approaching this thing. Yes, they are missing the playoffs this year. OK. We all see that.

But for the life of me, I don't understand this talk about NEXT year being a tire fire, too.

Yeah, they have a couple of contracts that are jacked. But WTF? They have options available to them. They can buy out Umberger and free up three-ish million. They will absolutely be able to move one of the defensemen they choose to move, freeing up a bit more cash OR getting a pick/asset in return.

It baffles me how people want them to play poorly right now for the mythical, mystical draft pick. Why? Do we really want Baby Schenn and Couturier to not get better and produce? Or Matt Read to not even score 10 (frank)ing goals this season? Or Simmonds to not find ways to connect with Laughton and be better at ES? Or Laughton to not show improvement?

Because if they suck ass for the rest of the year, that is what we are talking about. We're not the Devils, an ancient team that isn't going to get better. The Flyers should be better than this, and these players should be getting better! Otherwise the last three seasons have been a complete (frank)ing joke!

Don't know if laught but the Buffalo feed last night pointed out that G's ankle may have been bleeding:

- JAKEw1234

Jonesy even interjected and said it may be Iodine or whatever that they use in the care of wounds that will sometimes show up brown. Regardless, it's not suppose to be that color and G is clearly doing his best to tough it out through every game.

Glad hes the Captain.

With his injury I'd keep Ghost in the AHL at least to start.
- ob18

Not a bad idea. Personally, if there are any signs of Gostisbehere not being ready, they should overcook him in the AHL. The Flyers control Del Zotto, so no need to rush Gostisbehere.

Jonesy even interjected and said it may be Iodine or whatever that they use in the care of wounds that will sometimes show up brown. Regardless, it's not suppose to be that color and G is clearly doing his best to tough it out through every game.

Glad hes the Captain.
- mochoson

Agreed 100%
Every time I see some foolish 610 Wannabe Philly sports fan proclaiming that Giroux is part of the issue I just have to lol.

Hextall sheds some light on his mindset.

http://www.courierpostonl...vid-jack-eichel/21954313/

Flyers demote Akeson back to the AHL. Phantoms play today at 5. Did he fly, or drive back?

Hextall sheds some light on his mindset.

http://www.courierpostonl...vid-jack-eichel/21954313/
- MJL

I think this is a bit of posturing on Hexy's part. They will be sellers, but he's not going to slash prices to move guys out. It's his first deadline as GM. He almost has to say this.

A few things:

I am totally confused about how we are approaching this thing. Yes, they are missing the playoffs this year. OK. We all see that.

But for the life of me, I don't understand this talk about NEXT year being a tire fire, too.

Yeah, they have a couple of contracts that are jacked. But WTF? They have options available to them. They can buy out Umberger and free up three-ish million. They will absolutely be able to move one of the defensemen they choose to move, freeing up a bit more cash OR getting a pick/asset in return.

It baffles me how people want them to play poorly right now for the mythical, mystical draft pick. Why? Do we really want Baby Schenn and Couturier to not get better and produce? Or Matt Read to not even score 10 (frank)ing goals this season? Or Simmonds to not find ways to connect with Laughton and be better at ES? Or Laughton to not show improvement?

Because if they suck ass for the rest of the year, that is what we are talking about. We're not the Devils, an ancient team that isn't going to get better. The Flyers should be better than this, and these players should be getting better! Otherwise the last three seasons have been a complete (frank)ing joke!
- AllInForFlyers

I agree. I brought this up the other night. I can't do another year like this. I believe they will be better next year. That doesn't mean I think they will be cup contenders, but I believe they will be better than what we see. I also don't believe we need to blowup the team to move forward effectively.

I think this is a bit of posturing on Hexy's part. They will be sellers, but he's not going to slash prices to move guys out. It's his first deadline as GM. He almost has to say this.
- hereticpride

I don't think it's posturing at all. There's a difference between wanting to sell, and being able to sell. Hextall knows what the market is at the deadline, which is why he states that they don't have the UFA's, which are the players that are typically dealt at the deadline as playoff rentals. There isn't going to be a fire sale. He's going to answer the phone and make calls, but it takes two to tango. Flyers are more likely to make moves at the draft and in the off season, in my opinion. What happens at the deadline is going to depend on what other teams want to do, more so then what the Flyers want to do.

A few things:

I am totally confused about how we are approaching this thing. Yes, they are missing the playoffs this year. OK. We all see that.

But for the life of me, I don't understand this talk about NEXT year being a tire fire, too.

Yeah, they have a couple of contracts that are jacked. But WTF? They have options available to them. They can buy out Umberger and free up three-ish million. They will absolutely be able to move one of the defensemen they choose to move, freeing up a bit more cash OR getting a pick/asset in return.

It baffles me how people want them to play poorly right now for the mythical, mystical draft pick. Why? Do we really want Baby Schenn and Couturier to not get better and produce? Or Matt Read to not even score 10 (frank)ing goals this season? Or Simmonds to not find ways to connect with Laughton and be better at ES? Or Laughton to not show improvement?

Because if they suck ass for the rest of the year, that is what we are talking about. We're not the Devils, an ancient team that isn't going to get better. The Flyers should be better than this, and these players should be getting better! Otherwise the last three seasons have been a complete (frank)ing joke!
- AllInForFlyers

Its not that they can't get better next year, they certainly can and should. However it will take more than one year to develop a D corps that can take a team on a deep playoff run.

Realistically, I would expect the following:
15-16-bubble team
16-17-playoff team capable of winning a round or maybe 2
17-18- very good team, dark horse contender
18-19- The Cup!! (hopefully)

I want to see this team built well and built smart. Build the core via the draft and fill holes via FA and trades.

I would like to see Couturier with a skilled LW to play on his line with Simmonds.
Give him a solid line to grow with for at least a year
- 3flyerkids

BSchenn-Couturier-Simmonds looked pretty good to me. No reason that couldn't be a productive line if it gets close to 50% Off Zone starts.

Don't expect many points from Coots if only gets to play with Umberger, Rinaldo and Read who are all having career worst seasons.

Its not that they can't get better next year, they certainly can and should. However it will take more than one year to develop a D corps that can take a team on a deep playoff run.

Realistically, I would expect the following:
15-16-bubble team
16-17-playoff team capable of winning a round or maybe 2
17-18- very good team, dark horse contender
18-19- The Cup!! (hopefully)

I want to see this team built well and built smart. Build the core via the draft and fill holes via FA and trades.
- BiggE

That's my thing -- Ron Hextall's job isn't to just sit there and wait for the draft. Trades are more difficult now, but some do get made. He did well in FA last offseason, bringing in Schultz and Del Zotto, who have been good enough for what they are being paid to do.

This team can be improved by not just sitting around and hoping some 18-year-old savior is going to come in and save their asses. Yes, they need pieces and better roster fits. That means Hextall needs to try to address those, as best he can.