Some thoughts:

- This team is a little ahead of where they should be. Let's be honest. But they are also in a spot they need to capitalize on. I was ok with Hextall not throwing out a huge package for a rental but i do think he could have explored something for a 3rd line center. Kind of why i think Simmonds could be moved in the offseason for maybe a youngish vet 3rd line center. I know the Flyers have some depth(Vorobryev, Frost, Rubtsov, Vecchione, Laughton) Just not sure any of them are sure fire guys to produce next year. I do like Vorobryev's game and the size has has and skills. Frost looks like a find but will need a huge camp to earn a spot next season.

- There is no way they will bring up Myers, Morin and Sanheim for a playoff run. We all know they have more talent then guys like MacDonald, Gudas and Manning but it just isn't happening this year.
- J35Bacher

Assuming they make the playoffs, I think Sanheim will see some game time simply due to injuries.

I'm probably in the minority, but I feel the Flyers could be contenders if they brought up their younger players. I would definitely bring up Sanheim right now and I would likely bring up Morin if he got into game shape. I wouldn't rule out Myers either.

They also have some forwards performing well like NAK who could help with secondary scoring. He's been one of the best even strength forwards in the AHL this year in scoring.

I just don't get the coddling of players in their early-mid 20s. If Morin is too weak minded to rebound from a bad outing, then he shouldn't even be playing in the NHL. These kinds need to play and they'll be fine when they make a mistake. They should have been broken in long ago. This idea that the seas will part and Hexy will receive a sign from a god that it's time to play them is such a fallacy. There is no perfect time. You just gotta jump in.

As a fan, I'd rather lose with rookies making mistakes they can learn from than watching MacDonald and Hagg back 40 feet off the blue line.

The only productive thing about playing these sloths on defense for a full season is that some dumb team might talk themselves into taking one of these guys in the offseason. "The Flyers made the playoffs and MacDonald logged a bunch of minutes for them, so he must be a solid player!"
- PhillySportsGuy

he IS a rookie

It is worth watching how Simmonds continues to play. Could be yet another example of a player in this organization coming back too early from injury.

This team is still a bubble team, obviously. The question still remains on the timing of this rebuild on the fly. Will Giroux, Voracek, and Simmonds still be relevant players, adjusted for cap hit, when all of the young players are finally up on the roster? What will turn this team into a true contender if that is not the case?

The smart money is to move Simmonds at the draft.

Assuming they make the playoffs, I think Sanheim will see some game time simply due to injuries.
- Feanor

I do too for that reason.

I'm headed to the game as well. Is Lyon going to start?
- nikon2kool

I'm hoping we see Lyon tonight. The bottom line is good goals or weak ones, you can't win in the NHL if your goalie gives up 18 goals in 4 games. 18, EIGHTEEN, 18 (frank)ing goals. This needs to stop. The team is just bleeding goals now. It's hard to watch. Too many mistakes. Very frustrating, they are close . Help is on the way. There are quality players banging on the door at ALL the positions.
Look at Lindblom. The kid has zero points yet seems to impact the game some how virtually every shift. He has made that line more dangerous. Fils line was a bad match up against Crosby. Too much speed to handle.
At this point I'm hoping they can hold on til Elliot gets back. He seems to settle things down. Bottom line is they are currently a bubble team. Really, who thought they would be fighting for first in the Metro 6 weeks ago?
Still, 18 (frank)ing goals in 4 games!

I actually think they win.

I think it could be interesting with two super pests in Marchand and Konecny going at it. Konecy's game is growing so much. If he can become our Marchand, just hope he doesn't cross the line too much, it would be huge going forward. Especially if he could be a PK guy with his skills.
- J35Bacher

Konecny is quickly becoming a fave of mine. I might wear his jersey tonight... but prob gonna go with my cooter as he's from my province nb.

Marchand is too dirty imo. He's not just a pest but a dangerous player who sometimes looks to hurt people.

I pray you're right and they do win. I want to see them win as I'm in the house of course but also. Man do they need it here

Hope he makes B's look as bad as Jerry did us last night.
- Konalover

Yeah. That's frustrating too. Young backup and we can't get anything done.

On a side note, man was Konys goal a weird one. Along shotted it up over the pad.

I dont know whether I love this statement from Voracek or hate it.
- youarewrong

that is just about as honest of an answer you are going to get from an athlete

that is just about as honest of an answer you are going to get from an athlete
- nastyflyergirl

I'm ok with it. He's mad and prob trying to motivate the team. That was a huge measuring stick game and they came up massively short. The leaders have to start raising their games like kony and Patrick have.

I'm ok with it. He's mad and prob trying to motivate the team. That was a huge measuring stick game and they came up massively short. The leaders have to start raising their games like kony and Patrick have.
- Hextall271

Yeah, pretty much. With their lack of quality depth, their top players have to excel on a nightly basis for them to beat the better teams

I'm ok with it. He's mad and prob trying to motivate the team. That was a huge measuring stick game and they came up massively short. The leaders have to start raising their games like kony and Patrick have.
- Hextall271

Voracek, Giroux and Couturier have all been producing (Couturier hasn't score in a while but he has gotten points and has been playing well). I have no issue with them.

Yeah, pretty much. With their lack of quality depth, their top players have to excel on a nightly basis for them to beat the better teams
- BiggE

Thing is last night the had chances. The PP really let them down. But they did have a 2-1 lead. Right now they just get nothing from the bottom 6 to offset any down shifts in a game.

Thing is last night the had chances. The PP really let them down. But they did have a 2-1 lead. Right now they just get nothing from the bottom 6 to offset any down shifts in a game.
- J35Bacher

Exactly

Some thoughts:

- This team is a little ahead of where they should be. Let's be honest. But they are also in a spot they need to capitalize on. I was ok with Hextall not throwing out a huge package for a rental but i do think he could have explored something for a 3rd line center. Kind of why i think Simmonds could be moved in the offseason for maybe a youngish vet 3rd line center. I know the Flyers have some depth(Vorobryev, Frost, Rubtsov, Vecchione, Laughton) Just not sure any of them are sure fire guys to produce next year. I do like Vorobryev's game and the size has has and skills. Frost looks like a find but will need a huge camp to earn a spot next season.

- There is no way they will bring up Myers, Morin and Sanheim for a playoff run. We all know they have more talent then guys like MacDonald, Gudas and Manning but it just isn't happening this year.

- This team is a bubble team. There will be these highs and lows. i actually find it pretty exciting they are even where they are right now.

- Next season you lose Filppula, Read, Manning for sure as all are UFAs. Maybe Manning is brought back to be 6/7 swing man. But more youth will be in the lineup again.

- As much as I want to push things forward i still have to take a step back at times and realize this team is probably a little ahead of schedule and not totally ready yet.
- J35Bacher

You hit the nail on how I feel I know there will be bumps in the road the good thing is they are where they are with all the warts this team has. Add some kids next season and it should really become fun.

Voracek, Giroux and Couturier have all been producing (Couturier hasn't score in a while but he has gotten points and has been playing well). I have no issue with them.
- nastyflyergirl

I'm not calling them out all together but cooter has to pick it up. At the end of the day the vets are burying enough chances to win or scoring at key times.

Voracek, Giroux and Couturier have all been producing (Couturier hasn't score in a while but he has gotten points and has been playing well). I have no issue with them.
- nastyflyergirl

Yup them Ghost and Provy have been busting ass all year. Add in the help TK and Nolan are bringing and there's a lot of good. The problem is when the wheels come off of the bottom 6 forwards and the bottom 4 defense it gets very sketchy. I do think Hagg will learn from this year though.

Elliott does seem to calm the team wish he could be back soon but we all know that ain't happening and we need to pray they don't rush him back.

I'm not calling them out all together but cooter has to pick it up. At the end of the day the vets are burying enough chances to win or scoring at key times.
- Hextall271

He's still picking up assist and playing solid defense. His line scored last night to take the lead. He's still getting chances. Would be nice to see him get number 30 since that could maybe get the goal scoring going again but I don't have an issue with his game.

Yup them Ghost and Provy have been busting ass all year. Add in the help TK and Nolan are bringing and there's a lot of good. The problem is when the wheels come off of the bottom 6 forwards and the bottom 4 defense it gets very sketchy. I do think Hagg will learn from this year though.

Elliott does seem to calm the team wish he could be back soon but we all know that ain't happening and we need to pray they don't rush him back.
- dragonoffrost

I was thinking that too last night. I still think they should resign Mrazek as I am not sure you can count on Neuvirth anymore to be healthy for next year.

I like Mrazeks skills and think he could steal you a game in the playoffs. Just Elliott had a calming influence like you said.

I was thinking that too last night. I still think they should resign Mrazek as I am not sure you can count on Neuvirth anymore to be healthy for next year.

I like Mrazeks skills and think he could steal you a game in the playoffs. Just Elliott had a calming influence like you said.
- J35Bacher

I wouldnt resign Mrazek

I wouldnt resign Mrazek
- YuenglingJagr

Ok.

I would. Next year I think Lyon is probably gone if Stolarz shows to be healthy. So your Phantoms goalies could be Stolarz and Hart. If you resign Mrzaek to something like 2 years at lower AAV then his QO would be i think he can platoon or outright take the 1 job next season with Elliott. Also since he is younger it allows time for Hart not to be rushed if he falters in AHL a little.

We just got to keep it simple. We over-complicated things.
- Wayne Simmonds

Yup


They were their own worst enemy last night.

Crossbar
- VladDrag

lol I get it

The amount of players that we have seen over the last few years that are a sack of poop just needs to end.

Raise the standards.

I was thinking that too last night. I still think they should resign Mrazek as I am not sure you can count on Neuvirth anymore to be healthy for next year.

I like Mrazeks skills and think he could steal you a game in the playoffs. Just Elliott had a calming influence like you said.
- J35Bacher

I see no reason to lose a 3rd round draft pick to sign Mrazek.

He is just like any other goalie that hits the open market every year.

Flyers really need to take advantage of this Bruins team missing key players tonight. No Bergeron, Backes, McAvoy or Rask.

It's been snowing all night up here in Boston so hopefully they didn't have any delays flying in.

The last time a Philly team played a New England team it went well (Super Bowl 52) so lets hope the mojo keeps going!