I keep seeing this. Who would you put there instead? They are already a one line team.
- MBFlyerfan

i would try gagne there instead of Raffle give him a few games see what he does...he cant be any worse

At this point they really need a shakeup, since a trade likely won't happen at this point in the season, I'd do the following:

Waive Umberger and Manning, if someone actually takes either, who gives a (frank), and if not, send em down.

With the newly created cap space, bring up Morin and Cousins and go with the following lines and pairings.

Laughton-G-Schenn
Read-Couturier-Voracek
Raffl-Cousins-Simmonds
VDV-PEB-White

MDZ-Gudas
Morin-Streit
Medvedev-Schenn

Before you criticize the above, ask yourself one question. What do they have to lose by trying it?
- BiggE

Morin needs more AHL time and making him play in the NHL before he is ready could retard his development. I would call up Ghost before Morin, and MacDonald before either of them.

I don't see them trading Giroux under any circumstances in the near future.
- BiggE

Neither do I. It would be too risky

I keep seeing this. Who would you put there instead? They are already a one line team.
- MBFlyerfan

That's the rub, if not Raffl, who? Brayden Schenn struggled there. Read didn't seem to click. Gagner is intriguing, Simmonds didn't feel comfortable on the LW. Laughton? Not a ton of options.

I'd be all for some juggling, but there's not an out and out 1st line LW

At this point they really need a shakeup, since a trade likely won't happen at this point in the season, I'd do the following:

Waive Umberger and Manning, if someone actually takes either, who gives a (frank), and if not, send em down.

With the newly created cap space, bring up Morin and Cousins and go with the following lines and pairings.

Laughton-G-Schenn
Read-Couturier-Voracek
Raffl-Cousins-Simmonds
VDV-PEB-White

MDZ-Gudas
Morin-Streit
Medvedev-Schenn

Before you criticize the above, ask yourself one question. What do they have to lose by trying it?
- BiggE

The season's already in the toilet -- now all that's left to do is flush.

At this point they really need a shakeup, since a trade likely won't happen at this point in the season, I'd do the following:

Waive Umberger and Manning, if someone actually takes either, who gives a (frank), and if not, send em down.

With the newly created cap space, bring up Morin and Cousins and go with the following lines and pairings.

Laughton-G-Schenn
Read-Couturier-Voracek
Raffl-Cousins-Simmonds
VDV-PEB-White

MDZ-Gudas
Morin-Streit
Medvedev-Schenn

Before you criticize the above, ask yourself one question. What do they have to lose by trying it?
- BiggE

Well for one, they could affect the development of a player such as Morin and set him back.

I have some questions for you, regarding that scenario. Do you honestly think making those moves is going to substantially change anything with the current team? Needing a shakeup is just a cliche. They need far more than that.

So the question ultimately becomes, what is best for the players that they're calling up? Do you know that Morin is ready to play in the NHL, and if he isn't, why would you call him up? For a shakeup? If he's not ready and you call him up for that reason, then your priorities are screwed up!

What's best for Cousins? A low minute 4th line role in the NHL, or a top role with the Phantoms? If you think he is ready, then call him up, but not for a cliche of a big shakeup.

Hextall needs to stick to the plan.

At this point they really need a shakeup, since a trade likely won't happen at this point in the season, I'd do the following:

Waive Umberger and Manning, if someone actually takes either, who gives a (frank), and if not, send em down.

With the newly created cap space, bring up Morin and Cousins and go with the following lines and pairings.

Laughton-G-Schenn
Read-Couturier-Voracek
Raffl-Cousins-Simmonds
VDV-PEB-White

MDZ-Gudas
Morin-Streit
Medvedev-Schenn

Before you criticize the above, ask yourself one question. What do they have to lose by trying it?
- BiggE

well I know one thing. cousins is in his 3rd year and he should absolutely be playing on the flyers right now to see if he has any nhl future. You do what you need to , to get him in the lineup....Same with Alt. the shape that this team is in you need to see what they can do

Now if they truly believe they hav no nhl future than I guess I can understand their line of thinking if they don't.

I don't see them trading Giroux under any circumstances in the near future.
- BiggE

Nor do I, but there's noise about whether they should.

Right now, I can't see them getting enough of a return to make it worthwhile, let alone the whole openly admitting a rebuild is on aspect.

That's the rub, if not Raffl, who? Brayden Schenn struggled there. Read didn't seem to click. Gagner is intriguing, Simmonds didn't feel comfortable on the LW. Laughton? Not a ton of options.

I'd be all for some juggling, but there's not an out and out 1st line LW
- Jsaquella

What if they cut their losses and started playing two forwards with three defensemen?

well I know one thing. cousins is in his 3rd year and he should absolutely be playing on the flyers right now to see if he has any nhl future. You do what you need to , to get him in the lineup....Same with Alt. the shape that this team is in you need to see what they can do

Now if they truly believe they hav no nhl future than I guess I can understand their line of thinking if they don't.
- rinaldo

I thought cousins played well for us last year at the end of the season. I wouldn't mind having him up here at all. Especially as you said to see if he's an NHLer

To touch briefly on trading Giroux, I think there's four major factors to consider:

1. Getting full value. If they trade Giroux right now or even this summer, I can't see anyway this is likely. They absolutely can not deal Giroux and get the kind of return that the Bruins got for Thornton or Seguin.

2. There's not another Giroux anywhere in the organization. There's good kids and nice pieces, but nothing that projects to be an elite center.

3. Timeline to contention. If you feel that the Flyers can contend in 2-3 years, it'd be idiotic to deal him. If you think they are 4-6 years away....

4. Snider and the fact that a trade if Giroux would be the first time that the Flyers fully embarked on an open and total rebuild, without a superstar face of the franchise, in their history. They Flyers-and Snider-don't rebuild, they retool. Trading Giroux says, we're going to not even contend for the playoffs for a year or two. Even if they admit this internally, it would be a massive departure to do it outwardly.
- Jsaquella

that's the key imo.

Morin needs more AHL time and making him play in the NHL before he is ready could retard his development. I would call up Ghost before Morin, and MacDonald before either of them.
- Feanor

From what I've seen, Ghost looks no more ready than Morin at this point, but fine, make it AMac. Just do something.

The season's already in the toilet -- now all that's left to do is flush.
- Tomahawk

Yeah, pretty much.

i would try gagne there instead of Raffle give him a few games see what he does...he cant be any worse
- flyer186

So putting another playmaker in Gagner with two other playmakers. And demote Raffl, the guy who lead the team in even strength goals last season?

The point I am trying to make is that Raffl is not the problem with the top line. He is a complimentary piece and always has been.

G and Voracek will break out regardless of who plays on the Left side.. Its the other lines that need an infusion of talent.

To touch briefly on trading Giroux, I think there's four major factors to consider:

1. Getting full value. If they trade Giroux right now or even this summer, I can't see anyway this is likely. They absolutely can not deal Giroux and get the kind of return that the Bruins got for Thornton or Seguin.

2. There's not another Giroux anywhere in the organization. There's good kids and nice pieces, but nothing that projects to be an elite center.

3. Timeline to contention. If you feel that the Flyers can contend in 2-3 years, it'd be idiotic to deal him. If you think they are 4-6 years away....

4. Snider and the fact that a trade if Giroux would be the first time that the Flyers fully embarked on an open and total rebuild, without a superstar face of the franchise, in their history. They Flyers-and Snider-don't rebuild, they retool. Trading Giroux says, we're going to not even contend for the playoffs for a year or two. Even if they admit this internally, it would be a massive departure to do it outwardly.
- Jsaquella

I'm in the 2-3 year camp so unless something completely unbelievable came along that absolutely couldn't be resisted I wouldn't trade him.

Well for one, they could affect the development of a player such as Morin and set him back.

I have some questions for you, regarding that scenario. Do you honestly think making those moves is going to substantially change anything with the current team? Needing a shakeup is just a cliche. They need far more than that.

So the question ultimately becomes, what is best for the players that they're calling up? Do you know that Morin is ready to play in the NHL, and if he isn't, why would you call him up? For a shakeup? If he's not ready and you call him up for that reason, then your priorities are screwed up!

What's best for Cousins? A low minute 4th line role in the NHL, or a top role with the Phantoms? If you think he is ready, then call him up, but not for a cliche of a big shakeup.

Hextall needs to stick to the plan.
- MJL

So, you would change nothing?

I do think Laughton could play LW with Giroux. He has a nice, hard, shot and they look dangerous on the PK.

well I know one thing. cousins is in his 3rd year and he should absolutely be playing on the flyers right now to see if he has any nhl future. You do what you need to , to get him in the lineup....Same with Alt. the shape that this team is in you need to see what they can do

Now if they truly believe they hav no nhl future than I guess I can understand their line of thinking if they don't.
- rinaldo

Exactly. Cousins will need to go through waivers next fall. Seems to make sense to see what he can do at the NHL level at this point.

As far as making mass AHL call ups or making a "shake up" trade, I think both are possible, but I don't think we will see either unless it fits the plan for the future as well as the present.

The only thing this 15 games has done is maybe reiterate that the secondary depth is lacking and they need more skill. Maybe it means that guys like Simmonds who were seen as potential core pieces before are more open to being available in trade

From what I've seen, Ghost looks no more ready than Morin at this point, but fine, make it AMac. Just do something.
- BiggE

Hextall should do something, stick to the plan, and don't panic. Put what is best for any young player first, rather than prioritize a sinking ship.

Nor do I, but there's noise about whether they should.

Right now, I can't see them getting enough of a return to make it worthwhile, let alone the whole openly admitting a rebuild is on aspect.
- Jsaquella

Agreed. Plus between Streit, both Schenns, Simmonds, Read, MDZ, Raffl, etc..., you have plenty of players to choose from to move for picks and prospects at the deadline.

the entire organization needs an enema!!!!

What if they cut their losses and started playing two forwards with three defensemen?
- BulliesPhan87

Ugh. More Schultz and Manning?

I thought cousins played well for us last year at the end of the season. I wouldn't mind having him up here at all. Especially as you said to see if he's an NHLer
- arichardson22

although i agree that Cousins would be great option and could maybe give the flyers a spark...who do you send down...they are only allowed a 23 man roster so someone has to go the other way...Vinny has a NMC he isnt going...now exposing Hamburgler to waivers isnt that much of a risk but once again who do you send down