I can...You would include a pick or prospect to get rid of a bad contract? That is the definition of compounding your mistake. If a contract like AMacs prevents them from retaining their players (which it wont) you trade the guy you cant sign (see: Bickell / Saad) for actual assets that dont cost much...you dont trade the guy that creates the jam AND assets. I cannot even understand why this type of trade even keeps getting brought up. It is the dumbest trade you could possibly make

Less dumb because you could probably get value from him. But it is working backwards from what the team is trying to do. The point of rebuilding was to get young guys that would develop into players that would be considered good -
- YuenglingJagr[some say] elite. You appear to have hit on one...why would you turn around and trade him?

I can understand that.

But the Flyers have two 2nds and two 3rd rounders. So if I used one of them and moved MacDonald to free myself of that cap hit isn't the cap space an asset? Even if I don't sign Stamkos, the cap space is an asset itself to allow the team to be more creative.

Also I wonder how Hextall feels about a guy like Laughton. He didn't draft him. COuld he be moved for picks or added to a deal with MacDonald to bring back a prospect like Weal?

Flyers got the short end of the straw from officating last night. How what Wilson did ended up being a wash is beyond me.

On another note, Brayden Schenn is an animal. Loved him leveling Carlson right at the final buzzer.
- MacPatty

Schenn usually steps up the intensity in the playoffs. He is really going to have to step it up now, especially if Couturier is out for any length of time.

Who also fills an immediate need currently and for the upcoming years. He's a pure goal scorer/sniper. Something we don't have on our NHL roster right now arguably.
- arichardson22

It is a bit short sighted, thats all. We might think the Flyers are desperate, but I would bet that Hextall is confident he can draft players to fill scoring roles at fractions of the cost. One big name scorer will help, but it will not solve all the problems.

Seeing at what has been extracted from this roster, it shouldn't be too hard to imagine a better team with 4 or 5 more guys that offer more skill

Who also fills an immediate need currently and for the upcoming years. He's a pure goal scorer/sniper. Something we don't have on our NHL roster right now arguably.
- arichardson22

And even if signed doesn't preclude ffomr the draft an develop strategy either.

Also Stamkos is not just a sniper. He plays an underrated two way game and kill penalties.

What fatal acts?

Because he was defending on the play and the puck went over the boards? That was an unlucky bounce.

Manning was the least of the problems if a problem at all.

Problems:
-1st PP is not generating enough pressure.
-Didn't get to the net enough or cause traffic 5v5
-Top guys weren't top guys last night. I thought Schenn busted his ass and played with an edge


This team lacks the talent depth that Washington has so they need their top guys to have good games to win. And then role players have to play above themselves to win this series.
- J35Bacher

The Manning-Gudas pair was the worst last night. -10 for Manning and -13 for Gudas

They lost a close road game to the best team in the league... and they somehow managed to mostly contain OV/Kuz/Backstrom despite losing Coots for much of the night. It wasn't so bad.

#optimist
- Tomahawk

With Couturier and less penalties, I think the Flyers would have a chance

Stamkos would come here and either get hurt or not be able to get past 23 goals
- Giroux_Is_God

IKR!

I can understand that.

But the Flyers have two 2nds and two 3rd rounders. So if I used one of them and moved MacDonald to free myself of that cap hit isn't the cap space an asset? Even if I don't sign Stamkos, the cap space is an asset itself to allow the team to be more creative.

Also I wonder how Hextall feels about a guy like Laughton. He didn't draft him. COuld he be moved for picks or added to a deal with MacDonald to bring back a prospect like Weal?
- J35Bacher

More chances at getting a good player in the draft. No reason to trade assets away. AMacs contract is not as terrible as it is perceived now that he has established himself s an NHL player again. Expansion helps too

I hate fans like you. I don't hate you, but I hate fans like you. It's always doomsday. Go cheer for the Yankess.
- jmatchett383

Not really doomsday. I stated a few facts. The Flyers generated next to no offense last night, and Couturier is likely out for the series. It's not an issue not having him on the PK in your opinion?

It is a bit short sighted, thats all. We might think the Flyers are desperate, but I would bet that Hextall is confident he can draft players to fill scoring roles at fractions of the cost. One big name scorer will help, but it will not solve all the problems.

Seeing at what has been extracted from this roster, it shouldn't be too hard to imagine a better team with 4 or 5 more guys that offer more skill
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah I understand. My biggest fear with signing Stamkos is these young guys knocking on the door don't translate well into the NHL. Then we are tied with 3 mega contracts and don't have the cheap young depth that we all are expecting in the next few years.

And even if signed doesn't preclude ffomr the draft an develop strategy either.

Also Stamkos is not just a sniper. He plays an underrated two way game and kill penalties.
- J35Bacher

Oh I know I didn't mean to call him a sniper to discredit his other areas. His sniping and scoring are just his main asset, as well as our biggest need.

Schenn usually steps up the intensity in the playoffs. He is really going to have to step it up now, especially if Couturier is out for any length of time.
- MBFlyerfan

Beating the Caps was going to be extremely difficult with a full lineup. Without Coots, it's next to impossible.

I would guess the Flyers seriously consider Stamkos. They probably in the end wont sign him or even make an offer, but as was said, it is rare to have a big name free agent go go on the market who is only 26. That has to be considered.
- MBFlyerfan

They blew their load on Jake. Can't see how Stamkos would come close to fitting in$$$
Overpayment IMO on Jake. I like Okposo. Don't know cost but he would be a nice piece

They blew their load on Jake. Can't see how Stamkos would come close to fitting in$$$
Overpayment IMO on Jake. I like Okposo. Don't know cost but he would be a nice piece
- 3flyerkids

r u poopting me?

r u poopting me?
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah they spent 64M. How much more do they have to spend?

Didn't see any of the game... was Ovechkin's hit on Coots questionable at all? If so, I would just shake my head at that... with all the advantages the Caps have going into this series, that they would still feel the need to try to take out key Flyers. I hope that's not what they're trying.

Yeah I understand. My biggest fear with signing Stamkos is these young guys knocking on the door don't translate well into the NHL. Then we are tied with 3 mega contracts and don't have the cheap young depth that we all are expecting in the next few years.
- arichardson22

I get the fear.

And if Stamkos was 29 or 30 I wouldn't even bring it up. I think his age and skills are perfect for the Flyers. The window for the Flyers is opening.

Also I would love to see what happens in Montreal. COuld be a ton of shakeup after the way their season went. Would they move a guy like Gallagher for Schenn? I love the way Gallagher plays and would love him on the Flyers. Also a nice cost controlled 3.5 cap hit until 2020 I believe.

Not really doomsday. I stated a few facts. The Flyers generated next to no offense last night, and Couturier is likely out for the series. It's not an issue not having him on the PK in your opinion?
- PLindbergh31

1. They generated a few good chances, especially early. Schenn had a few nice looks on the PP and Gagner had some good looks. They didn't score, and Caps blocked shots, but it wasn't like they're the 92/93 Senators.

2. Yes, Couturier being out hurts them on the PK as well as other areas. Others have to step up.

But it's not just this. You constantly act like the Flyers are a horrible team, are bound to lose every game, and that every decision they make is wrong. I don't know why you'd be a fan of such a terrible team.

Didn't see any of the game... was Ovechkin's hit on Coots questionable at all? If so, I would just shake my head at that... with all the advantages the Caps have going into this series, that they would still feel the need to try to take out key Flyers. I hope that's not what they're trying.
- copelal

No, it was a clean, hard hit. Shoulder to shoulder. Wilson and Orpik, on the other hand, were taking some liberties. Sure it got him gone for 7 (should have been 5), I'm glad that Simmonds dropped them with Wilson, and I'm glad that Ghost wanted to murder the player who slashed him. They lose the battle, but they've yet to lose the war.

Yeah they spent 64M. How much more do they have to spend?
- 3flyerkids

Projected for next year right now:

$10,103,334

And that's without a buyout of Umberger. Plus I still feel they will move Read and a defenseman at the draft.

The team doesn't quit. Losing Coots is huge, and not in a good way. However, it was only one game.

One thing I'll say, and I would say it whether or not they won or lost last night, they need to get bigger up front.

Schenn hits everything that moves.

1. They generated a few good chances, especially early. Schenn had a few nice looks on the PP and Gagner had some good looks. They didn't score, and Caps blocked shots, but it wasn't like they're the 92/93 Senators.

2. Yes, Couturier being out hurts them on the PK as well as other areas. Others have to step up.

But it's not just this. You constantly act like the Flyers are a horrible team, are bound to lose every game, and that every decision they make is wrong. I don't know why you'd be a fan of such a terrible team.
- jmatchett383

I thought Schenn played well.

The problem with this Flyers team is while not a bad team, they just lack the talent depth Washington has. They almost need to play perfect just to have a chance.

I still think they get a win in game 2. I also think, while not ideal, they need to cause more of a controlled chaos. Maybe a few more scrums. Kind of how they got the penguins off their game a few years ago.

Just my thought

The score was close, but imho the game didn't feel close. It felt to me that the Flyers were just trying to weather the storm and maybe get a lucky break.

Beating the Caps was going to be extremely difficult with a full lineup. Without Coots, it's next to impossible.
- BiggE

This

Didn't see any of the game... was Ovechkin's hit on Coots questionable at all? If so, I would just shake my head at that... with all the advantages the Caps have going into this series, that they would still feel the need to try to take out key Flyers. I hope that's not what they're trying.
- copelal

No it was a clean hit.. Bumped Couts and he kinda squashed him shoulder to shoulder into the boards. Typical for a separated shoulder. Tough break for Couts..