So again I ask, do you think the Flyers have any bad players on the team? If so, who are they? In your opinion.
- jmatchett383

well the other criteria is whether or not they've been signed by the Flyers...since they all currently have a contract...it is proof they are not bad players

Why do we need a bridge for 4th liners? They don't matter!

Weal was clearly better than VDV in camp, and he has certainly showed it since being called up.

There is certainly more than enough evidence for one to criticize Hextall's talent evaluation at the NHL level. I've said it before, but its my main concern going forward. He will eventually need to find missing pieces for the team via trade or free agency, and if all the defensive prospects pan out, they will need to move at least one of them. You don't want the team to move Sanheim or Myers and have them become franchise defenders/perennial Norris candidates for another team while the guy we chose to keep regressed to a bottom pairing dman.
- JFlyers00

First - Weal doesn't play the same role as vandevelde.

Second- You question Hextalls talent evaluation but he was the one who brought Weal in in the trade.

3rd- I have no clue what your comment about moving Sanheim or Myers has to do with Vandevelde. And what dman regressed and kept to a bottom pairing.

I agree with this. My biggest problem with PEB is his deployment. To me, he should not be seeing the ice as much as he does, and unless there are massive injury woes, should not be used in OT.

Vandevelde, don't let the door hit you in the ass...really, you are so (frank)ing slow, the door may hit you in the ass.
- jmatchett383

Agreed. Its also a huge problem that Flyers brass seems to think PEB is capable of playing 3C or even 2C if needed. Major overvaluation.

I don't remember anyone but Carchidi being upset about Weal going on waivers in October. He clearly needed major playing time in the AHL to get his mojo back.
- Feanor

To me it is less about the player and more about the strategy/belief of what the 4th line is

well the other criteria is whether or not they've been signed by the Flyers...since they all currently have a contract...it is proof they are not bad players
- YuenglingJagr

That's my point. If you want to use a moving comparison of your choice, no one in the world is bad at hockey.

Raffl catches a lot of poop, but he's been one of the better 5v5 players on the Flyers over the years. He doesn't put up gaudy numbers due to little to no PP time. He's been the Flyers best possession forward at 5v5 the past 4 years, 1st line levels for the NHL. And he also scores at a rate of middle-6 NHL forward at 5v5. I'd say hes above average and underrated due to his usage. You can certainly make a case that he is an asset to this team.

PEB on the other hand sucks, no matter the role or how you look at it
- JFlyers00

Raffl is certainly an asset. I just think, when you compare with all other wingers in the NHL, he's somewhere in the middle of the pack. That would make him, at least in the
way I look at it, an average player.

There is nothing wrong with being an average NHL player, every single team in the league from the best to the worst, has average players on their roster. It's having too many below average players that is killing the Flyers right now.

I hate this stupid (frank)ing playoff format. Just make one division and 1-8 make it. The projected matchups as it stands now:

#1 vs #8
#2 vs #3
#4 vs #5
#6 vs #7
- PhillySportsGuy

That would sure be a nice way to do it...

Any reasonable person would know that when discussing Raffl or Bellemare and calling them good players, it is not in the context of comparing them to the top players in the NHL.
- MJL

I'm comparing them to all the players in the NHL that play their position, not just the top ones. Please get it right.

That's my point. If you want to use a moving comparison of your choice, no one in the world is bad at hockey.
- jmatchett383

Oh I fully understand your point

well the other criteria is whether or not they've been signed by the Flyers...since they all currently have a contract...it is proof they are not bad players
- YuenglingJagr

Yup, that Boyd Gordon fellow is awesome.

I don't remember anyone but Carchidi being upset about Weal going on waivers in October. He clearly needed major playing time in the AHL to get his mojo back.
- Feanor

I've been upset every game VDV has played, not specifically regarding Weal. I wasn't mad he got sent down, but for 50+game though? And lets be honest here, Weal wasn't getting called up if Konecny didn't get hurt.

Agreed. Its also a huge problem that Flyers brass seems to think PEB is capable of playing 3C or even 2C if needed. Major overvaluation.
- JFlyers00

So you don't think getting a guy like Filpulla was the Flyers addressing the center depth in the short term?

Agreed. Its also a huge problem that Flyers brass seems to think PEB is capable of playing 3C or even 2C if needed. Major overvaluation.
- JFlyers00

They think PEB is a 2C or 3C, but they were playing Schenn as 2C/3C, then went out and got Filppula to be 2C or 3C. And PEB averages 10:11 in ES ice time, 12th among Flyers forwards.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...4&sort=evTimeOnIcePerGame

Seems like you are the one overestimating his role on the team.

Why do we need a bridge for 4th liners? They don't matter!

Weal was clearly better than VDV in camp, and he has certainly showed it since being called up.

- JFlyers00

If 4th liners don't matter, then why do we have to upgrade from Vandevelde? Weal and Vandevelde were not competing for ice time or for the same spot on the team.

Yup, that Boyd Gordon fellow is awesome.
- BiggE

Well, when you compare Boyd Gordon to other AHL 4th liners and children under the age of 14, he's actually fairly good.

Agreed. Its also a huge problem that Flyers brass seems to think PEB is capable of playing 3C or even 2C if needed. Major overvaluation.
- JFlyers00

I think that's false. They view Bellemare as a 4th line center.

Yup, that Boyd Gordon fellow is awesome.
- BiggE

Is he still alive?

Is he still alive?
- johndewar

Aaaaaaaa SIGHTING!....

I'm comparing them to all the players in the NHL that play their position, not just the top ones. Please get it right.
- BiggE

I have it exactly right. You can compare them anyway you choose. I'll rate them and compare them how I see fit. Next time Hextall calls a player such as Raffl a good player, makes sure you correct him!

Is he still alive?
- johndewar

He's actually very popular with the boys in LHV. He tells funny stories and often picks up the bar tab.

I have it exactly right. You can compare them anyway you choose. I'll rate them and compare them how I see fit. Next time Hextall calls a player such as Raffl a good player, makes sure you correct him!
- MJL

In your opinion, do the Flyers have any players that are not good? If so, which one(s)?

I have it exactly right. You can compare them anyway you choose. I'll rate them and compare them how I see fit. Next time Hextall calls a player such as Raffl a good player, makes sure you correct him!
- MJL

If he chooses to post here or gives me his contact info, I'll be happy to.

I've been upset every game VDV has played, not specifically regarding Weal. I wasn't mad he got sent down, but for 50+game though? And lets be honest here, Weal wasn't getting called up if Konecny didn't get hurt.
- JFlyers00

To be honest, you don't have a clue what Hextall is thinking or planning.

He's actually very popular with the boys in LHV. He tells funny stories and often picks up the bar tab.
- BiggE

I wonder how many times he's told that "I TOTALLY SCORED ON OPENING NIGHT" story.

LOL! Clearly you are not interested in having a rational conversation, or you're completely missing the point. I never said that you should compare elite players to 4th liners to determine if they are good or bad. Putting this into context, which you seem unable to do, realizing the value these players bring to their role on the team is the only way to truly evaluate how good they are. You're obviously wrong if you think that players like Raffl or Bellemare are bad players. In my opinion.
- jmatchett383

Yeah just like Laughton learning and all important "ROLE" in the Ahl that may never translate to a ROLE on this NHL team...