Nice to see Akeson back being a healthy scratch and not playing.

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.
- Feanor

Exactly. Will it be as easy as pie, finding a little more size and skill to improve the second, third and fourth lines? No. I know it won't. But a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, and things like you just noted are things that won't cost a penny.

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

Waiting for..."G out with an infection to the skate wound he suffered... "

As we all know, the locker room, the ice, and the equipment are very sanitary. If the wound keeps opening, for heaven's sake, sit the kid down.

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

x2

Waiting for..."G out with an infection to the skate wound he suffered... "

As we all know, the locker room, the ice, and the equipment are very sanitary. If the wound keeps opening, for heaven's sake, sit the kid down.
- 77rams

x2

looks dangerous

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

To me you have a goaltender, who you pray bounces back healthy from some injury issues this season. That's crucial going forward. In his time with Philadelphia, Mason hasn't exactly been very well protected in the crease.

I think the biggest issues, a lack of intensity/physicality, skating speed, inability of the defense to initiate or lead a transition game along with poor coaching still remain.

Along with some dead weight, who the team seems to be unwilling to simply bury in the press box to probably save themselves dignity for employing them with such contracts I could see this going another year easy. I don't see this as a quick fix, and if there is a chance they bounce back well next year, you have to hope management stays course for the long haul.

Pay the price, build it right.

Exactly. Will it be as easy as pie, finding a little more size and skill to improve the second, third and fourth lines? No. I know it won't. But a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, and things like you just noted are things that won't cost a penny.
- AllInForFlyers

In particular, the season I expect bigger changes is not this upcoming off-season but the one after.

You have the expiring contracts of Luke Schenn, Grossmann, and Coburn. Couturier, bSchenn, Raffl and Voracek are due to new contracts that year however and I am not sure we see all 4 return. Far away, but the FA class that year is a hell of a lot more promising than in a long time.

The unfortunate part of this equation is the real poop show, MacDonald, Umberger and LeCavalier are the real dead weight. Pronger's contract still counts in the summer months against the cap I believe. How to get around those contracts, which make a combined 14 million not counting #20 is the real challenge. Unfortunate.

Just looking at the not too far off future. That same year the team has new contracts due for Coburn, BSchenn, Couturier and Voracek if it so chooses.

The following players also need new deals, which yes, wont be too expensive.

Ghost, Morin, Hagg, Aube Kubel, Stolarz, Leier.

Point here being, the real infusion and changes.. I am not sure happen for a couple of years at least.

/rant over. Carry on.

Just looking at the not too far off future. That same year the team has new contracts due for Coburn, BSchenn, Couturier and Voracek if it so chooses.

The following players also need new deals, which yes, wont be too expensive.

Ghost, Morin, Hagg, Aube Kubel, Stolarz, Leier.

Point here being, the real infusion and changes.. I am not sure happen for a couple of years at least.

/rant over. Carry on.
- flyer_nutter

Ha! You're fine. We are just talking pucks on a lazy Sunday.

For instance: I am not entirely certain that Wheels doesn't retire after this season, if he isn't traded and Berube is the coach and he is told that he's a fourth liner, period.

I know: It likely won't happen. But who knows? Maybe Wheels decides he's had enough and decides to pack it in back to Florida.

A lot of stuff could play out before the draft, and free agency, and training camp. With the Flyers, something we don't expect almost always happens

Rags beat he hell out of the Pens, looked good in doing so

In particular, the season I expect bigger changes is not this upcoming off-season but the one after.

You have the expiring contracts of Luke Schenn, Grossmann, and Coburn. Couturier, bSchenn, Raffl and Voracek are due to new contracts that year however and I am not sure we see all 4 return. Far away, but the FA class that year is a hell of a lot more promising than in a long time.

The unfortunate part of this equation is the real poop show, MacDonald, Umberger and LeCavalier are the real dead weight. Pronger's contract still counts in the summer months against the cap I believe. How to get around those contracts, which make a combined 14 million not counting #20 is the real challenge. Unfortunate.
- flyer_nutter

I think VL may be the only possible poop show contract that is moveable... And I know it is very doubtful. If Hexy can get one of those three out of here it will be a miracle. I just wish Berube would use Vinny more and give him better opportunity to help his offensive numbers and ultimately our chances of moving him. Just don't get our coach

Nice to see Akeson back being a healthy scratch and not playing.
- flyer_nutter

He was only recalled on an emergency basis for a road game because Read was questionable. He's already been sent back down to the Phantoms.

Waiting for..."G out with an infection to the skate wound he suffered... "

As we all know, the locker room, the ice, and the equipment are very sanitary. If the wound keeps opening, for heaven's sake, sit the kid down.
- 77rams

If he has an open wound, he's just as much at risk if he's not playing. The outside World that he will obviously be exposed to is just as unsanitary.

In particular, the season I expect bigger changes is not this upcoming off-season but the one after.

You have the expiring contracts of Luke Schenn, Grossmann, and Coburn. Couturier, bSchenn, Raffl and Voracek are due to new contracts that year however and I am not sure we see all 4 return. Far away, but the FA class that year is a hell of a lot more promising than in a long time.

The unfortunate part of this equation is the real poop show, MacDonald, Umberger and LeCavalier are the real dead weight. Pronger's contract still counts in the summer months against the cap I believe. How to get around those contracts, which make a combined 14 million not counting #20 is the real challenge. Unfortunate.
- flyer_nutter

MacDonald is far from dead weight. He's a solid defenseman who is playing solid hockey for the Flyers.

Flyers future cap issues are way overblown in my opinion.

If he has an open wound, he's just as much at risk if he's not playing. The outside World that he will obviously be exposed to is just as unsanitary.
- MJL

Really?

I think VL may be the only possible poop show contract that is moveable... And I know it is very doubtful. If Hexy can get one of those three out of here it will be a miracle. I just wish Berube would use Vinny more and give him better opportunity to help his offensive numbers and ultimately our chances of moving him. Just don't get our coach
- 3flyerkids

From all accounts they tried to trade him last off-season and failed. I don't think he's helped his value even with that one hot streak.

Really?
- 77rams

An open wound is susceptible to infection regardless of if he plays or doesn't play. The Flyers employ a full medical staff, including a number of University of PA doctors. If he was in danger by playing, they wouldn't let him play.

From all accounts they tried to trade him last off-season and failed. I don't think he's helped his value even with that one hot streak.


- flyer_nutter

At this point you would hope to Christ that this organization from coach to GM realizes they are not going to playoffs. Try to put all " trading chips" in BEST possible situations. There was rumblings awhile ago that maybe Florida or Nashville may have interest him.

At this point you would hope to Christ that this organization from coach to GM realizes they are not going to playoffs. Try to put all " trading chips" in BEST possible situations. There was rumblings awhile ago that maybe Florida or Nashville may have interest him.
- 3flyerkids

When Laughton went down, I wanted to see Lecavalier moved up. Berube likes that 4th line though. They scored another goal last night.

An open wound is susceptible to infection regardless of if he plays or doesn't play. The Flyers employ a full medical staff, including a number of University of PA doctors. If he was in danger by playing, they wouldn't let him play.
- MJL

Even if it continually opens up while on the ice, it's still safe for him to continue?

An open wound is susceptible to infection regardless of if he plays or doesn't play. The Flyers employ a full medical staff, including a number of University of PA doctors. If he was in danger by playing, they wouldn't let him play.
- MJL

I have no idea what the (frank) they did to him or what the injury is. Nor do I believe a small red blur on a sock is 100% blood.

However if they stitched him, and the wound is re-opening. You don't let him back out. That's child play. That all star medical team has a real chronic problem of letting guys back on the ice too soon.

Even if it continually opens up while on the ice, it's still safe for him to continue?
- 77rams

Is it continually opening up? I have a hard time believing that the Flyers would put their star franchise player at risk, especially considering the position the Flyers are in.

I have no idea what the (frank) they did to him or what the injury is. Nor do I believe a small red blur on a sock is 100% blood.

However if they stitched him, and the wound is re-opening. You don't let him back out. That's child play. That all star medical team has a real chronic problem of letting guys back on the ice too soon.
- flyer_nutter

Any data or examples that shows that they have a chronic problem?

At this point you would hope to Christ that this organization from coach to GM realizes they are not going to playoffs. Try to put all " trading chips" in BEST possible situations. There was rumblings awhile ago that maybe Florida or Nashville may have interest him.
- 3flyerkids

I get there is that side. Personally, I just sit wheels. Never touches the ice again. Admit your mistake and give the minutes to a player who will bring more intensity or a young kid. I haven't seen a whole game from start to finish for a while but stats wise seems Umberger is playing better.

I get there is that side. Personally, I just sit wheels. Never touches the ice again. Admit your mistake and give the minutes to a player who will bring more intensity or a young kid. I haven't seen a whole game from start to finish for a while but stats wise seems Umberger is playing better.
- flyer_nutter

The Flyers don't have a young kid that is better. Lecavalier has been producing playing on the 4th line.