i bet this team will play hung over today
- 2Real

So they will play better.

I was pretty close to going to this game we will see how it goes. Would have still enjoyed Nashville.

NBC should be embarrassed with the crap they just aired with JR

Wow Franklin tries fake punt around their own 30 and Penn state didn’t make it just dumb.

Do agree with you he can be on a good day a 2nd pair dman.But still be needs to look at Timonen style of play to get better.
Right now dman are the bigger mess then goaltending
- goenzoy

I don't agree that the defenseman are the biggest mess. The biggest mess besides goaltending by far is the forwards lack of attention to detail within the game as well as the forwards inconsistent efforts away from the puck. I think there are issues team wide but the defenseman are not the biggest issue.

So they will play better.

I was pretty close to going to this game we will see how it goes. Would have still enjoyed Nashville.
- bird_dog_pa

Nashville is a damn good time. Nice arena too.

For sure, I totally understand and appreciate your sentiment here. But the reality is these are professional athletes, all of whom should be “looking in the mirror” each and every day. I doubt the change of calendar is going to make these guys more reflective. They’ve already sh*t the bed too many times this season. They need only look at the standings to grasp the depths to which they’ve dropped.

Good God...what in the world happened to this once proud franchise?
- BroadSTmayhem

Totally true, they are professional athletes and one look at the standings tells you just how very difficult it would be to make the playoffs. But they are also ultra competitive people and that is something I understand. You are never out till you’re out. And honestly, they would be a whole lot more fun to watch if winning. Lose for Hughes is not in my DNA.

I am feeling that the Simmonds trade is inevitable. I also think we are stuck with JvR for better and worse. Maybe not, but trading him seems like a long shot.

Trading Voracek is a big deal. Even with his contract I’d think he’d be valuable and of interest to a lot of teams. But for teams with cap issues the Flyers would have to take back a big contract to make it work. This is the type of deal that is much harder to pull off, and could backfire for the GMs involved.

I’d be interested in re signing Raffl if a reasonable deal could be reached. I think him and Laughton have the makings of a very effective bottom six checking line. I wouldn’t be against trading him either as what he brings is ultimately replaceable.

Trading Voracek is the big make or break thing.
- Marc D

Well are his (Raffl) current terms on a 2 or 3 year deal reasonable for you

Nashville is a damn good time. Nice arena too.
- corduroy

Yup all downtown good time and great food. Have yet to see a game there but on the bucket list.

I think a 6-1 L tonight with a TK goal. Other predictions?

Bill, could Oscar and Patrick be sent down to the minors. I think they need to play a lot and get some confidence .

Happy New Years all, I’m thankful for Bill and the chance to talk Flyers with all of you.

Reading opinions here on its time to break up the core of this team.

I get the idea of trading Simmonds.

For those wanting to trade Voracek or even Giroux, are you ok with the team getting much worse in the short term? A full tear down doesn’t seem to be in the cards if you listen to what management said in the post Hextall firing press conference.

I would be aghast if they traded Provorov for a forward. Franchise type D guys don’t grow on trees. His down year along with the awful goaltending (goaltending is the #1 reason) are the two biggest reasons why they are struggling right now. He’s going to bounce back.
- Marc D

Short term pains could bring long term gains. Haven't won a playoff series since 2012, what's another few seasons of being irrelevant if it helps build the foundation for a championship caliber team?

I think a 6-1 L tonight with a TK goal. Other predictions?
- coffee junkie

5-2 Nashville with EN at end.

Coots and JVR with goals.

I think a 6-1 L tonight with a TK goal. Other predictions?
- coffee junkie

this team is so inconsistent they could actually win. except Preds have revenge factor going for them.

Bill, could Oscar and Patrick be sent down to the minors. I think they need to play a lot and get some confidence .
- Angus4444

So who do you play in their place?

Well are his (Raffl) current terms on a 2 or 3 year deal reasonable for you
- goenzoy

His last deal was 3 yrs for ~7M?

I’d be ok with a similar deal, I think.

Maybe slightly less as his production has fallen since 2014/15.

3 years 6M would be ok.

Short term pains could bring long term gains. Haven't won a playoff series since 2012, what's another few seasons of being irrelevant if it helps build the foundation for a championship caliber team?
- Pelle31Forever

I’d probably be ok with a big tear down too, but I think a lot of fans would be angry if the team got worse.

Actually I thought that’s what Hextall was doing long term, but the expectations went up for this season and the goaltending exploded and here we are.

I’d probably be ok with a big tear down too, but I think a lot of fans would be angry if the team got worse.

Actually I thought that’s what Hextall was doing long term, but the expectations went up for this season and the goaltending exploded and here we are.
- Marc D

I don't think you have to worry about G going anywhere. I think the other players mentioned you have to seriously think about if the return makes you a better team.

So who do you play in their place?
- bird_dog_pa

Anybody, there not winning the cup

Neuvy's stock rises in 2019....some games in the books, without pulling something out of the socket, could be serviceable help for someone.

I think a 6-1 L tonight with a TK goal. Other predictions?
- coffee junkie

They kick the extra point, 7-2.
TK G w/goals

Yup all downtown good time and great food. Have yet to see a game there but on the bucket list.
- bird_dog_pa

Yup all downtown good time and great food. Have yet to see a game there but on the bucket list.
- bird_dog_pa

I recommend you do it. Me and the wife enjoyed a game in October when we were there on vacation. That place is louder the philly has been in years and there chants are outstanding

Perfect setup! They tank without doing it on purpose. So they can still look at themselves in the tough man flyer mirror.
- Landsbergfan

I agree, but I worry about the current groups ability to accumulate loser points.

Fletch should make a trade to ensure that happens.

Neuvy's stock rises in 2019....some games in the books, without pulling something out of the socket, could be serviceable help for someone.
- konalover711

As long as it NOT as a Flyer

so, similar to the last game?
- Marc D

pretty much