winning is good
- BulliesPhan87

This is huge

If true

at lot can change between now and the end of the season but lets suppose the team stays as is and the players continue to play at the level they are (as in Read looks more like the Matt Read of his first 3 seasons than the last 2)...the Flyers can protect 7 forwards leaving 3 exposed. the no brainers are of course Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn, Coots. that leaves 2 more spots between Raffl (2 seasons left afte this season), Weise (3 seasons left), Cousins, Laughton and Read (1 season left). who do you protect?

defense is easy - protect Ghost, Manning and Gudas exposing AMAC.
- nastyflyergirl

I'd protect Raffl and Cousins. Read will probably get taken, but even if he is in the 18-22 goal range, I still think we need to free up his cap hit. And I hope Laughton doesn't stay at his current level all year.

winning is good
- BulliesPhan87

Going to need a graph to support your claim. I am a visual learner.

I lovehate you too.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, I think AMac is destined for the press box when MDZ comes back. Best case would be to trade him or Streit.

Edit: I'd hold onto Schultz until Manning has filled his quota, as we may have to sign and expose him.
- jmatchett383

See this goes back to my same thinking that I kind of agree and disagree. So many around here think so highly of Del Zotto, which is fine. I think he's a nice piece but I don't think the team lives or dies through him. With this said, he's in the prime of his career. If I'm his agent, I'm trying to get him the best deal possible. I don't think MDZ signs short term to help the team at a friendly price. I think something can be worked out doesn't break the team but if MDZ prices himself out, I think we might have to consider all our options including resigning Streit to another year. I don't want this but if you want MDZ back, the deal has to be fair for both sides.

This is huge

If true
- BiggE

I've done the research, it's a near certainty.

I've also found that, if certain things happen, the Flyers will make the playoffs. However, conditions can change and alter their chances. We'll have to see how the season plays out to know for sure.

I think the Flyers will have a tough time getting a playoff spot considering there is only 2 spots up for grabs.

Rangers
Pens
Lightning
Panthers
Canadians
Capitals

The 6 that I feel will pretty much be in.

That leaves the Flyers battling for a wild card spot against the Senators, Red Wings, Bruins, Devils, and Islanders.

I don't see where your confidence is with regards to us being a playoff team comes from. Montreal has a healthy Price, at least for now - The devils have added some much needed fire power - and the islanders hit the 100 point mark last season.

Realistically I can see the Islanders taking 1 of the wild card spots again and leaving only 1 spot for the rest of us.
- MikesPillBottle

Because they just had 96 points last year and have improved.

People act like this team is one of the worst-run franchises in the league, that these are the damn Oilers -- do you even realize that they haven't finished with less than a point-per-game pace in any season since 2006-07?

They have retooled on the fly since 2012 -- one of the hardest things to do in professional sports, and even with that retooling, they have made the playoffs three of the last five years and are TRENDING UP.

They now have cap space, depth, goaltending and impact rookies in the lineup coming off a 96-point playoff season -- it's not about what other teams have. It's what they have -- they're a good team! They have some flaws, but they have the ability to actually address those flaws -- and the flaws they have are no worse than teams around them and they are better off than all but those four teams ahead of them.

The days of doom and gloom, when they were rebuilding on the fly, are behind them. Believe they are good or not, I honestly don't give a poop. But they're gonna get 100 points this year. And they're gonna make the playoffs

I don't see how you have the Rangers as a lock? To me it is TB, FLA, Pitt and WAS as the locks. The Flyers, Isles, Rangers, MON, DET, BOS and maybe OTT will be in the equation for a while.

I would not be surprised if the Flyers finished third in the division. I would also not be surprised if they finished 5th and secured the 2nd wildcard. The 7 teams I listed all have flaws. The Flyers are as talented or more talented than any of those teams.
- mickel25

There are no locks, but the Rangers had 101 points last year and 113 the year before. If we're a lock, they are a def lock.

Granted there are no locks 7 games in and this is all nonsense to even debate.

Going to need a graph to support your claim. I am a visual learner.
- mickel25

BAD|------------------(winning)--|GOOD

(closer to the right means more gooder)

See this goes back to my same thinking that I kind of agree and disagree. So many around here think so highly of Del Zotto, which is fine. I think he's a nice piece but I don't think the team lives or dies through him. With this said, he's in the prime of his career. If I'm his agent, I'm trying to get him the best deal possible. I don't think MDZ signs short term to help the team at a friendly price. I think something can be worked out doesn't break the team but if MDZ prices himself out, I think we might have to consider all our options including resigning Streit to another year. I don't want this but if you want MDZ back, the deal has to be fair for both sides.
- SuperSchennBros

No, he likely isn't the difference between winning and not winning a Cup the next 2 years, but if he plays at the same level as he did last year, he's still your top defenseman going into next season unless Provorov skyrockets. If he wants a Matt Niskanen type deal, I think (personally) that's fair, although I'd try to keep it at 4 years or less. If he wants 7 years at $6.5M, then no thanks.

BAD|------------------(winning)--|GOOD

(closer to the right means more gooder)
- BulliesPhan87

I appreciate this graphic depiction. I also like that you used words I understand like "gooder".

I fully endorse your message.

I've done the research, it's a near certainty.

I've also found that, if certain things happen, the Flyers will make the playoffs. However, conditions can change and alter their chances. We'll have to see how the season plays out to know for sure.
- BulliesPhan87

Ok, now your just grasping at straws

There are no locks, but the Rangers had 101 points last year and 113 the year before. If we're a lock, they are a def lock.

Granted there are no locks 7 games in and this is all nonsense to even debate.
- MikesPillBottle

Yeah, but the Rangers are trending down. Detroit has made the playoffs for the last 86 years or so, but that doesn't mean jack poop for them this season.

I appreciate this graphic depiction. I also like that you used words I understand like "gooder".

I fully endorse your message.
- mickel25

"Gooder" is a perfectly cromulent word.

Because they just had 96 points last year and have improved.

People act like this team is one of the worst-run franchises in the league, that these are the damn Oilers -- do you even realize that they haven't finished with less than a point-per-game pace in any season since 2006-07?

They have retooled on the fly since 2012 -- one of the hardest things to do in professional sports, and even with that retooling, they have made the playoffs three of the last five years and are TRENDING UP.

They now have cap space, depth, goaltending and impact rookies in the lineup coming off a 96-point playoff season -- it's not about what other teams have. It's what they have -- they're a good team! They have some flaws, but they have the ability to actually address those flaws -- and the flaws they have are no worse than teams around them and they are better off than all but those four teams ahead of them.

The days of doom and gloom, when they were rebuilding on the fly, are behind them. Believe they are good or not, I honestly don't give a poop. But they're gonna get 100 points this year. And they're gonna make the playoffs
- AllInForFlyers

Where did they improve? The only team that made the playoffs last year that had less points than the Flyers was Detroit.

100 points would be a miracle. If they find ways to draw penalties consistently than perhaps they could hit 100, but if not they better learn to play better at even strength cause they won't make the playoffs if they don't.

Any word on a suspension for the head hit on Voracek? Or was he wearing orange thus it's all good? There is no way that if that play wasn't reversed they wouldn't be throwing the book at us at this point.

I'd protect Raffl and Cousins. Read will probably get taken, but even if he is in the 18-22 goal range, I still think we need to free up his cap hit. And I hope Laughton doesn't stay at his current level all year.
- jmatchett383

I meant Read staying at his current level. Not Laughton. He is still young so I have not given up on him at all but its hard not to be disappointed in his development thus far

if you are Vegas do you take Read or go for a kid like Laughton or Cousins (whichever one is exposed)?

Buffalo had the puck in the NZ near the offensive blue line. A player jumped onto the ice without one of the other 3 skaters leaving the ice. The puck was played into the skates of the player who entered the ice. They play was whistled for being offside. Happened with about 40 seconds left in OT, I believe.
- jmatchett383

And the Flyers fans screamed for a Too Many Men penalty which never came.

There are no locks, but the Rangers had 101 points last year and 113 the year before. If we're a lock, they are a def lock.

Granted there are no locks 7 games in and this is all nonsense to even debate.
- MikesPillBottle

I agree it is all nonsense at this point. I do feel the Flyers are trending up and the Rangers are trending down. Whatever "trending" means. They are both in the mex.

Because they just had 96 points last year and have improved.

People act like this team is one of the worst-run franchises in the league, that these are the damn Oilers -- do you even realize that they haven't finished with less than a point-per-game pace in any season since 2006-07?

They have retooled on the fly since 2012 -- one of the hardest things to do in professional sports, and even with that retooling, they have made the playoffs three of the last five years and are TRENDING UP.

They now have cap space, depth, goaltending and impact rookies in the lineup coming off a 96-point playoff season -- it's not about what other teams have. It's what they have -- they're a good team! They have some flaws, but they have the ability to actually address those flaws -- and the flaws they have are no worse than teams around them and they are better off than all but those four teams ahead of them.

The days of doom and gloom, when they were rebuilding on the fly, are behind them. Believe they are good or not, I honestly don't give a poop. But they're gonna get 100 points this year. And they're gonna make the playoffs
- AllInForFlyers

Barring significant injuries, I agree. I think, when healthy, they are the 3rd best team in the Metro.

Ok, now your just grasping at straws
- BiggE

That is part of the research process, yes. I also read the tea leaves when necessary.

No, he likely isn't the difference between winning and not winning a Cup the next 2 years, but if he plays at the same level as he did last year, he's still your top defenseman going into next season unless Provorov skyrockets. If he wants a Matt Niskanen type deal, I think (personally) that's fair, although I'd try to keep it at 4 years or less. If he wants 7 years at $6.5M, then no thanks.
- jmatchett383

How many years did Niskanen get? I'm fine with 5.75 per but anything more than 5 seems silly to me. I could be wrong of course.

https://twitter.com/CSNPh...status/791098218037686272
- YuenglingJagr

head principal point of contact 5 games
hit on flyers player - reduced to 0 games and 2 minute minor

How many years did Niskanen get? I'm fine with 5.75 per but anything more than 5 seems silly to me. I could be wrong of course.
- SuperSchennBros

He got 7.

Yeah, but the Rangers are trending down. Detroit has made the playoffs for the last 86 years or so, but that doesn't mean jack poop for them this season.
- jmatchett383

None of it really matters at this point. You can only judge expectations based on the evidence provided within the first 7 games.

Right now they'll be lucky as hell to make the playoffs.

I hate the Rangers, but they can win in the regular season. I'm more worried about the Devils, Senators, and Bruins.