I think it really depends on how much we can get lines 2 - 5 to produce in 5 v 5 play. And right now that's a huge question mark.
- FlyersGrace

It is -- bottom line, lines 2 and 3, in whatever configuration they are in (minus Wheels), have to put on their big-boy pants and not only not get caved in at ES, but break even

It might be too much to ask them to outscore their comparables, but the days of them getting caved in have to be over, right now right now right now

No, he's overpaid, which is a big issue.
- MJL

Can't blame him for that; that is on Holmgren. He is what he is, a decent depth defenseman. Problem is, a lot of NHL defensemen are greatly overpaid. Forwards, that make top money need to produce strong stats in order to make that money, goalies as well.

Defensemen get graded on various levels and often paid in bulk despite a strong lack of statistical evidence to validate their paycheck.

Yep, but the caliber of competition is much higher in the NHL 3 on 3. So I'll give the kid some slack.
- FlyersGrace

He needs to play this a little:

I think they have played pretty good....was hoping for a few young guys to start year with big team, but in willing to wait a little longer.
- landros 2

Well they didn't play well last night.

I think it really depends on how much we can get lines 2 - 4 to produce in 5 v 5 play. And right now that's a huge question mark.
- FlyersGrace

Congrats!!!

The goal has to be the playoffs. Maybe at the end of the day they don't have the horses, but the players on this roster have to produce in line with their abilities, if not the expectations of the coaches and management

Two top 10 scorers in their prime, a.Top 10 goalie in his prime, an elite PP and what has traditionally been an.above-average PK means you have to think you can make the playoffs
- AllInForFlyers

I'm sure that's always the goal.

The way I see it, as things stand right now, they are not a playoff team.

That's my opinion.

Well they didn't play well last night.
- MJL

I agree

I'm sure that's always the goal.

The way I see it, as things stand right now, they are not a playoff team.

That's my opinion.
- Scoob

Not gonna attack you for your opinion. I think there's enough there, if they play the right way, to be there at the end. But I understand why a rational person might see them out rather than in. There are valid reasons

That, and bad at playing NHL-level ice hockey.
- jmatchett383

Yup

When I met Ken Daneyko he put it best, "if I knew they'd be handing out 30 million dollar deals to 3rd pair defensemen, I woulda played a few more years"

Not gonna attack you for your opinion. I think there's enough there, if they play the right way, to be there at the end. But I understand why a rational person might see them out rather than in. There are valid reasons
- AllInForFlyers

The East is solid too. Save for the Devils and maybe the Leafs and Canes I see a whole slew of teams giving us fits this year.

Not gonna attack you for your opinion. I think there's enough there, if they play the right way, to be there at the end. But I understand why a rational person might see them out rather than in. There are valid reasons
- AllInForFlyers

They could make the playoffs but they'll need some breaks to do it. They are the 6th best team in the division and only 5, max, can get in.

The top pairing of Schultz-Streit were the ones got got dominated last night. Weird how there's no mention of that in the blog or the comments.
- Feanor

It's gonna be a long season without Braydon Coburn

So tank, trade Streit and any other dman we can , draft Matthews, sign Zaitsev.
- arichardson22

If they did trade Streit for a 1st I think the Flyers could end up having a very, very interesting draft. Two 1sts and BSchenn to offer up could bring back a hell of a piece to upgrade the top 6 LW positions.

The East is solid too. Save for the Devils and maybe the Leafs and Canes I see a whole slew of teams giving us fits this year.
- hereticpride

If MDZ and the Russian can't eat huge minutes -- because let's be real, we all know Schultz-Streit can't handle that on a nightly basis. We all know this -- then yeah

I have hope that MDZ and the Russian don't get caved in, but I am honest enough to admit that it could happen

Yup

When I met Ken Daneyko he put it best, "if I knew they'd be handing out 30 million dollar deals to 3rd pair defensemen, I woulda played a few more years"
- BiggE

If comments by ex players actually were definitive, the Flyers should be looking for a new goaltender!

They could make the playoffs but they'll need some breaks to do it. They are the 6th best team in the division and only 5, max, can get in.
- BiggE

That's a fair assessment -- they need to have some players advance in their development, right now

I have hope that MDZ and the Russian don't get caved in, but I am honest enough to admit that it could happen
- AllInForFlyers

I love MDZ more than just about anybody on this board -- but yeah, if he's going up against some of these beasts in the East nightly, Mason should have rights to hazard pay.

If comments by ex players actually were definitive, the Flyers should be looking for a new goaltender!
- MJL

I think Ken Daneyko may know a bit more about playing D ithan Jeremy Roenick knows about playing goal. I also think he knows more about playing D in the NHL than you or I

No, he's not. MacDonald is to some Flyers fans as Girardi is to James Tanner.
- MJL

Putting him with a struggling Gudas hasn't helped him.

It's gonna be a long season without Braydon Coburn
- Tomahawk

Konecny + LSchenn for Coburn?

I think Ken Daneyko may know a bit more about playing D ithan Jeremy Roenick knows about playing goal. I also think he knows more about playing D in the NHL than you or I
- BiggE

Still, it's just one man's opinion and completely meaningless.

I love MDZ more than just about anybody on this board -- but yeah, if he's going up against some of these beasts in the East nightly, Mason should have rights to hazard pay.
- Tomahawk

Praying that Hakstol steals a little how Ottawa does it with Erik Karlsson -- not that the Flyers have anybody like that -- but more with the system, where they emphasize puck retrieval and turning it up ice rapidly

MDZ and the Russian should be able to do that. The question is what the hell is gonna happen when they allow controlled entries

I thought MDZ was solid from the benching all the way to the end of the season, at ES. If he slips, though...yeah

If comments by ex players actually were definitive, the Flyers should be looking for a new goaltender!
- MJL

Konecny + LSchenn for Coburn?
- Feanor

You really are trying to give 2Real a heart attack, aren't you?

Putting him with a struggling Gudas hasn't helped him.
- puckhead17

Playing with Gudas, and on a team last night that didn't generate much offense at 5 on 5, that was on it's heels most of the night, out attempted in shots 62 -35 at ES, isn't a good situation. I think MacDonald is a solid defenseman, but not that good to single handily change that. Combined with MacDonald didn't exactly play his best game, like the majority of the team.