I hope they can move Streit and Read. Move on from Gagner (I want speed and size and he has neither). buy out Umberger if the expansion draft info is true. I want to see the 4th line upgraded. they work hard and do a good job but honestly they really don't add enough offense.

I like Cousins a lot. is he a 4th liner tho? I look at his progress as a player and can't help but think maybe Laughton should have been in the AHL. I know one is a 3rd round pick and the other a first rounder but I don't think that should matter in the development of a player. Cousins 2-1/2 yrs in the A has really help him develop into a good role player.
- nastyflyergirl

Thin lineup, that much thinner without Couturier. Remember when everyone was pumped when Read was re-signed? Those people have gone the way of the Edsel.

I think they made the playoffs by in large with smoke and mirrors. Which says a lot for Hakstol. The roster has a lot of major holes.

Thin lineup, that much thinner without Couturier. Remember when everyone was pumped when Read was re-signed? Those people have gone the way of the Edsel.

I think they made the playoffs by in large with smoke and mirrors. Which says a lot for Hakstol. The roster has a lot of major holes.
- PLindbergh31

Just sucks with read. Last year it was reported he dealt with high ankle sprain all season basically so people, myself Included, figured he'd bounce back and have better year but man he just looked bad this year and has become our worst forward imo

who's this sielski dude on philly.com who writes articles like he hates the flyers ?
- -davies-

Either PLind or 2Real

Thin lineup, that much thinner without Couturier. Remember when everyone was pumped when Read was re-signed? Those people have gone the way of the Edsel.

I think they made the playoffs by in large with smoke and mirrors. Which says a lot for Hakstol. The roster has a lot of major holes.
- PLindbergh31

Honestly think it has more to do with the salary cap and the mediocrity of the league after the top 8 to 10 teams.

My only issue is this gravy can quickly spoil if they lose out in 4 in a deteriorating series where this first game was their best game. I'm hoping against hope that this isn't true.

Right now it's cheek to curb and heel to ear. I'm hoping the stomping doesn't begin Saturday.
- mayorofangrytown

I just want 1 win. If they win one game, I'll be satisfied.

Honestly think it has more to do with the salary cap and the mediocrity of the league after the top 8 to 10 teams.
- mayorofangrytown

Salary cap? Look at the Caps roster, where are the bad contracts?

Salary cap? Look at the Caps roster, where are the bad contracts?
- PLindbergh31

Orpik, Brooks

Orpik, Brooks
- jmatchett383

Disagree. I'd lean towards Carlson & Kuznetsov.

Salary cap? Look at the Caps roster, where are the bad contracts?
- PLindbergh31

Niskanen could turn out to be bad. Orpik isn't ideal. After next season is where they may hit some trouble. Are gonna have to sign Kuz and Burakovsky, and decide if they want to keep Oshie.

Salary cap? Look at the Caps roster, where are the bad contracts?
- PLindbergh31

What does one good teams management of the cap have to do with a league wide virus of bad contracts and poor money mangement? I don't even begin to get your counterpoint.

Thin lineup, that much thinner without Couturier. Remember when everyone was pumped when Read was re-signed? Those people have gone the way of the Edsel.

I think they made the playoffs by in large with smoke and mirrors. Which says a lot for Hakstol. The roster has a lot of major holes.
- PLindbergh31

We know, which is why it's impressive they even made it into the post season. If you want to argue they would have been better missing the playoffs, ok. Other than that, this team definitely has holes, and I'm confident Hexy knows what they are and will fill them given more time. Can only do so much season to season, and he's already gotten quite a lot done.

who's this sielski dude on philly.com who writes articles like he hates the flyers ?
- -davies-

He is the same idiot who wrote "Culture change" in the article like he was Jack Nicholson in the Shining I believe when they hired Hakstol. Literally that was his entire article.

He's a smarmy arrogate guy.

Disagree. I'd lean towards Carlson & Kuznetsov.
- PLindbergh31

Brooks Orpik v 2009 would be good. Brooks Orpik 2016 is a #5/6 defenseman making $5.5M for the next 3 years. He was never fast, and he's only gotten slower. He throws the big hit here and there, but not like he did in Pittsburgh.

Are you being serious or joking about Kuznetsov/Carlson? Or is this just another "OMG, AMAC IS SO BAD AND IS SUCH A BAD CONTRACT, AND THE FLYERS ALWAYS SUCK AT CONTRACTS" kick?

He is the same idiot who wrote "Culture change" in the article like he was Jack Nicholson in the Shining I believe when they hired Hakstol. Literally that was his entire article.

He's a smarmy arrogate guy.
- hockeylover

Ah, now I remember that wiener.

My only issue is this gravy can quickly spoil if they lose out in 4 in a deteriorating series where this first game was their best game. I'm hoping against hope that this isn't true.

Right now it's cheek to curb and heel to ear. I'm hoping the stomping doesn't begin Saturday.
- mayorofangrytown

well when you aren't a deep offensive team to start with and you lose one of your most important all around players not much you can do. Washington can key on Giroux's line knowing there probably isn't going to be much production from the rest. Look at how well the Flyers held OV's line in check (mind you I had a game and missed the 3rd period) but they got scoring from the defense/PP and a bottom 6 guy. depth.

they have to dig in and play a solid defensively game no matter how boring that is.

We know, which is why it's impressive they even made it into the post season. If you want to argue they would have been better missing the playoffs, ok. Other than that, this team definitely has holes, and I'm confident Hexy knows what they are and will fill them given more time. Can only do so much season to season, and he's already gotten quite a lot done.
- wolfhounds

I agree. I'm hoping we can find a gem of an offensive player in this years draft. It would be intriguing to me if they attempted to move up and target someone specific like they tried to do with Ekblad.

Thin lineup, that much thinner without Couturier. Remember when everyone was pumped when Read was re-signed? Those people have gone the way of the Edsel.

I think they made the playoffs by in large with smoke and mirrors. Which says a lot for Hakstol. The roster has a lot of major holes.
- PLindbergh31

I won't lie, I was for bringing Read back because of his two 20 goal seasons and speed which they lack as a whole but man, I want a do over. too big of a cap hit for his production.

He is the same idiot who wrote "Culture change" in the article like he was Jack Nicholson in the Shining I believe when they hired Hakstol. Literally that was his entire article.

He's a smarmy arrogate guy.
- hockeylover

Isn't he also the turd that heckled Snider during that press conference after they hired Berube?

If they buyout Umberger and the cap goes up to $74m they should have around $6m in space, and that includes hefty raises for Schenn and Gudas. Trading Streit for a pick after his bonus is paid on July 1st and he's only owed $2m would free up $5.25m.

I'm interested in adding Ladd as a second line LW, if he's not too expensive.
- Feanor

Id be very interested in going after Mikkael Boedker, only 26, has a real nose for the net. I think he'd be a good fit, and would add some much needed speed to our lineup

well when you aren't a deep offensive team to start with and you lose one of your most important all around players not much you can do. Washington can key on Giroux's line knowing there probably isn't going to be much production from the rest. Look at how well the Flyers held OV's line in check (mind you I had a game and missed the 3rd period) but they got scoring from the defense/PP and a bottom 6 guy. depth.

they have to dig in and play a solid defensively game no matter how boring that is.
- nastyflyergirl

I thought they played well but the Offense was non existent (alternately, I completely missed the first).

I'm not sure they can hold up defensively if they're getting nothing going up front. At some point the players are going to feel the need to press and that's when I fear things will go all to hell in the series.

Niskanen could turn out to be bad. Orpik isn't ideal. After next season is where they may hit some trouble. Are gonna have to sign Kuz and Burakovsky, and decide if they want to keep Oshie.
- arichardson22

Having Backstrom signed for 6 million is a good deal. they are set for this season and next before they need to worry about the cap so they have 2 seasons of a real run to get it done.

I won't lie, I was for bringing Read back because of his two 20 goal seasons and speed which they lack as a whole but man, I want a do over. too big of a cap hit for his production.
- nastyflyergirl

Seems his speed has declined each season. He was so damn quick even in 13-14 when he had 4 shorties.

As much as I like Simmonds it was foolish to engage him in that fight even if it was standing up for a teammate.

They were about to get a PP in a 1-0 game. The better answer would have been to score on the PP. Tie the game and then win it. That would have had more of an impact.

I know why Simmonds did it and I don't hate him for it but I thought it wasn't the right time.
- J35Bacher

could set the tone for the rest of the series, maybe its the bigger picture, and the fact he didnt think hed get a 2 minute phantom roughing call, that is the absolute worst. no instigating or roughing should have been called whatsoever. 2 minutes for boarding on wilson, and then 5 minute majors for each. the fact he was out for the rest of the game also was just a killer.

I won't lie, I was for bringing Read back because of his two 20 goal seasons and speed which they lack as a whole but man, I want a do over. too big of a cap hit for his production.
- nastyflyergirl

Yep. Doesn't make much sense as to what happened. Last year the high ankle sprain gives him a pass, but he's been terrible this year.

I won't lie, I was for bringing Read back because of his two 20 goal seasons and speed which they lack as a whole but man, I want a do over. too big of a cap hit for his production.
- nastyflyergirl

As was I. He had 3 good seasons and I figured that he'd have a small drop off, but not many expected this drastic of a drop. His defensive play is still very good, but his speed and scoring have taken a nosedive.