I’m feeling a rant coming on...some people need to step down from their high-all-knowing horses and start being real. I keep reading how the Flyers fan base is a bunch of drama queens that panicked after the first 11 games of the season when, in their almighty opinion, the Flyers are, of course, a playoff team and it was just the normal ebb and flow of a 82 game season.

While I do think that the Flyers are righting the ship and should be a playoff team, getting off to a really poor start in this competitive league, with such parity between teams, can be a horrible, next to impossible hole crawl out from and changes how your team has to play. Thankful this may not happen, but to say that it was never a possibility and mock the thought is a word I won’t use here.
- NC Flyers Fan

Easy amigo, I’m with you and I’m sick of slow starts. However, every year is different. With AMac trying to play injured, Coots not likely at 100% and Elliott trying to shake off some rust, a poor start was to be expected. However the last 3 games prior to the west coast trip were inexcusable, and it will take more than 2 wins over struggling teams to convince me that all is well.

Easy amigo, I’m with you and I’m sick of slow starts. However, every year is different. With AMac trying to play injured, Coots not likely at 100% and Elliott trying to shake off some rust, a poor start was to be expected. However the last 3 games prior to the west coast trip were inexcusable, and it will take more than 2 wins over struggling teams to convince me that all is well.
- BiggE

That part I get, I understand the people that are still skeptical. I hope they can still enjoy the wins though.

What I don’t get is thinking there was never any reason for questions or concerns.

That part I get, I understand the people that are still skeptical. I hope they can still enjoy the wins though.

What I don’t get is thinking there was never any reason for questions or concerns.
- NC Flyers Fan

Personally I have yet to encounter anyone saying everything is perfect now. They won 2 games in a row against struggling teams, but AT LEAST they didn't look like a struggling team themselves.

I still think eventually some changes will have to be made, but the true test will be how they bounce back when they come back home.

Bill, don't know if you read the comments but a question if you do:

Is Andrew MacDonald healthy, or "healthy"?

Bill, don't know if you read the comments but a question if you do:

Is Andrew MacDonald healthy, or "healthy"?
- hockeyal

Physically or mentally?

I’m feeling a rant coming on...some people need to step down from their high-all-knowing horses and start being real. I keep reading how the Flyers fan base is a bunch of drama queens that panicked after the first 11 games of the season when, in their almighty opinion, the Flyers are, of course, a playoff team and it was just the normal ebb and flow of a 82 game season.

While I do think that the Flyers are righting the ship and should be a playoff team, getting off to a really poor start in this competitive league, with such parity between teams, can be a horrible, next to impossible hole crawl out from and changes how your team has to play. Thankful this may not happen, but to say that it was never a possibility and mock the thought is a word I won’t use here.
- NC Flyers Fan

What are you talking about? A lot of teams in the league have been just as inconsistent. A 2 game winning streak puts us 2 games out of a wild card spot....

EDIT: Actually 3rd in the metro

Easy amigo, I’m with you and I’m sick of slow starts. However, every year is different. With AMac trying to play injured, Coots not likely at 100% and Elliott trying to shake off some rust, a poor start was to be expected. However the last 3 games prior to the west coast trip were inexcusable, and it will take more than 2 wins over struggling teams to convince me that all is well.
- BiggE

Couldn't agree more. And before people get too excited, Anaheim and LA are NOT good teams. Neither will make the playoffs this year. It is encouraging that Hakstol has finally made defensive pairings that make sense based on the skills of players on his roster. And you have to wonder if AMac is done, as in end of career. It may be that at his age he won't ever recover from whatever he tweaked.

I’m feeling a rant coming on...some people need to step down from their high-all-knowing horses and start being real. I keep reading how the Flyers fan base is a bunch of drama queens that panicked after the first 11 games of the season when, in their almighty opinion, the Flyers are, of course, a playoff team and it was just the normal ebb and flow of a 82 game season.

While I do think that the Flyers are righting the ship and should be a playoff team, getting off to a really poor start in this competitive league, with such parity between teams, can be a horrible, next to impossible hole crawl out from and changes how your team has to play. Thankful this may not happen, but to say that it was never a possibility and mock the thought is a word I won’t use here.
- NC Flyers Fan

Well there is certainly is a representation of the fan base that act like drama queens. Even a clique of those who revel in the negativity. There's always a middle ground and a big picture. Nothing has changed. The definition of a bubble team is they might make it, they might not. Parity is an argument that they can withstand the slow start rather than be doomed because of it. It's all going to come down to how the young kids progress and if they can play consistent team hockey.

Physically or mentally?
- Glak18

Herp or Derp?

Bill, don't know if you read the comments but a question if you do:

Is Andrew MacDonald healthy, or "healthy"?
- hockeyal

Not Bill but I believe that MacDonald is well enough to play.

What are you talking about? A lot of teams in the league have been just as inconsistent. A 2 game winning streak puts us 2 games out of a wild card spot....

EDIT: Actually 3rd in the metro
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Flyers have played more games than those teams though.

Not Bill but I believe that MacDonald is well enough to play.
- MJL

So not "mentally healthy".

So not "mentally healthy".
- Glak18

I can't speak on that!

Personally I have yet to encounter anyone saying everything is perfect now. They won 2 games in a row against struggling teams, but AT LEAST they didn't look like a struggling team themselves.

I still think eventually some changes will have to be made, but the true test will be how they bounce back when they come back home.
- Glak18

There are online articles and Twitter comments. I really should stop looking.

You are right that the a solid home game plan (that includes wins) will be a big factor.

Question for BiggE....ONLY BiggE,

Speculation from Elliotte Friedman: Ghost for W. Nylander

Speculation from Glak18: Voracek for Trouba

Speculation from IheartDale: Weise for a pair of used panties from a Japanese vending machine

Would any make sense or be approved by you?

Question for BiggE....ONLY BiggE,

Speculation from Elliotte Friedman:

Ghost for W. Nylander

Speculation from Glak18:

Voracek for Trouba

Speculation from IheartDale:

Weise for a pair of used panties from a Japanese vending machine

Would any make sense or be approved by you?
- Glak18

No!

No!


What color are they?

No!

No!


What color are they?
- MJL

Green and a little bit of brown.

Green and a little bit of brown.
- Glak18

Flyers have played more games than those teams though.
- MJL

False. Only CBJ(12), WSH(11) and OTT(12) Have played less games.

TOR, NJ, CAR, BUF and PHI have 13 games played

That part I get, I understand the people that are still skeptical. I hope they can still enjoy the wins though.

What I don’t get is thinking there was never any reason for questions or concerns.
- NC Flyers Fan

If the 3 games prior to the trip didn’t raise questions and concerns, than I just give up.

And even now, I think 3C is a legit concern going forward. Weal is not a season long solution and if they really are serious about trying to get into the playoffs and be a threat to win a round or 2, it’s a position that needs to be addressed.

Well there is certainly is a representation of the fan base that act like drama queens. Even a clique of those who revel in the negativity. There's always a middle ground and a big picture. Nothing has changed. The definition of a bubble team is they might make it, they might not. Parity is an argument that they can withstand the slow start rather than be doomed because of it. It's all going to come down to how the young kids progress and if they can play consistent team hockey.
- MJL

The parity argument can go both ways. While it has been true for sometime that anyone and beat anyone on any given night. In a situation with more bubble teams than in prior years, it can mean it is harder than ever to come from behind. Meaning there is a definite basement of teams, larger bubble, and some top teams. So schedule and in conference points are more important than ever.

False. Only CBJ(12), WSH(11) and OTT(12) Have played less games.

TOR, NJ, CAR, BUF and PHI have 13 games played
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I was looking at the teams in the top 3 in the Metro.

The parity argument can go both ways. While it has been true for sometime that anyone and beat anyone on any given night. In a situation with more bubble teams than in prior years, it can mean it is harder than ever to come from behind. Meaning there is a definite basement of teams, larger bubble, and some top teams. So schedule and in conference points are more important than ever.
- NC Flyers Fan

I think it's pretty clear that even though the Flyers started slow, they're not out of it. That's the point.

That's also why I think the claims that the Flyers beat two bad teams is BS. In the NHL any team can beat you so beating teams that may not be as good as you on paper are important wins in the standings.

Question for BiggE....ONLY BiggE,

Speculation from Elliotte Friedman: Ghost for W. Nylander

Speculation from Glak18: Voracek for Trouba

Speculation from IheartDale: Weise for a pair of used panties from a Japanese vending machine

Would any make sense or be approved by you?
- Glak18

1. No

2. Possibly but I’d rather try and make it a 4 player deal where we add a guy like Hagg and they add a middle six forward along with a 2nd round draft pick

3. 2 weeks ago this would have been an unequivocal yes. Now, the vending company would need to add a couple of candy bars in order for this to be a fair deal.

If the 3 games prior to the trip didn’t raise questions and concerns, than I just give up.

And even now, I think 3C is a legit concern going forward. Weal is not a season long solution and if they really are serious about trying to get into the playoffs and be a threat to win a round or 2, it’s a position that needs to be addressed.
- BiggE

And I wholeheartedly agree that the 3C spot needs to be addressed, but that is with the assumption the top players play well.

We are winning games because our 3rd line is playing great while our top 6 blows...said no one ever.