I don't know where to put the blame on this team. I mean they can play well enough to have a great second period, but totally nose dive thereafter.
The power play is the worst that I can remember.
The penalty kill is slightly worse than terrible.
I thought that the Hextall/Hakstol years were to build through the draft and be a young great team. Fast forward a few years - this team has serious issues.
- RustyPipes

The thought that they could draft and develop a whole D core while already having a forward core in place and not getting any younger never sat well with me and it’s clearly not gone according to plan. The roster has been in a state of disarray ever since the Pronger injury if you ask me. I mean the lack of any substantial playoff success since then basically speaks for itself.

To be honest, I'm sick of watching Myers, Sanheim, Raffl, NAK, Laughton, Patrick, Jake V and Hayes. This team lacks the ability to finish a play and that more than anything else is why they lose.
- jd250

They are nowhere near being close to a contending team. And there isn't an end in sight.

No, I'm not that smart. You never said in any post that I read that you didn't want the Flyers to trade for Ekholm because you felt the Flyers were not good enough. Instead your argument was that Ekholm was not that good and wouldn't move the needle. I think Ekholm is very good and would be a step in the right direction, but I also posted by itself would not be enough to push this team over the top.
- jd250

Ekholm wouldn’t fix their problems...but he’d help...

You have to follow through. I wouldn't expect them to come out and dominate again in the 3rd and I would expect the Bruins to be better but there was no push by the Flyers in the 3rd. Bruins played last night also. After how the 2nd went, the Bruins should've been the worn down team. Have to find a way to dig deep and seize the game. Clichés I know but it's the truth.
- MJL

No, you're right, this game was the Flyers game and they somehow snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. They just don't have IT, whatever IT is that makes you a winner. Fletcher needs to remake this team in the off season, its as simple as that.

To be honest, I'm sick of watching Myers, Sanheim, Raffl, NAK, Laughton, Patrick, Jake V and Hayes. This team lacks the ability to finish a play and that more than anything else is why they lose.
- jd250

I like Raffl, plays hard and fights for the puck. I'm sure that some teams would like to have him. I wouldn't be surprised if he is traded soon.

Ekholm wouldn’t fix their problems...but he’d help...
- landros 2

That's right, he alone is not enough, but actually having a legitimate top 4 Dman on this team would be a step in the right direction.

Listen, the Flyers didn't finish well but that kid is no slouch. He is a very talented kid.
- MJL

Stop making excuses for them. The season was on the line and they choked. They barely played with any intensity.

I like Raffl, plays hard and fights for the puck. I'm sure that some teams would like to have him. I wouldn't be surprised if he is traded soon.
- RustyPipes

I can only hope .. he will be very easy to replace. You hardly even notice him out there!

No, you're right, this game was the Flyers game and they somehow snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. They just don't have IT, whatever IT is that makes you a winner. Fletcher needs to remake this team in the off season, its as simple as that.
- jd250

Anyone expecting a remake in the off season is likely going to be disappointed.

I can only hope .. he will be very easy to replace. You hardly even notice him out there!
- jd250

Replace? With who? The team has much bigger problems than Raffl.

Is there a worse defender skating backwatds in open ice than Ghost?

Stop making excuses for them. The season was on the line and they choked. They barely played with any intensity.
- KGBflyers10

LOL. I made this post at 10:04

You have to follow through. I wouldn't expect them to come out and dominate again in the 3rd and I would expect the Bruins to be better but there was no push by the Flyers in the 3rd. Bruins played last night also. After how the 2nd went, the Bruins should've been the worn down team. Have to find a way to dig deep and seize the game. Clichés I know but it's the truth.

Is there a worse defender skating backwatds in open ice than Ghost?
- PT21

Bergeron.

Don’t you know? Big macho strong men don’t need no vaccine.
- hereticpride

No it meant I don’t need a commercial with three formal presidents to tell me what I should do.
I and my family will do what’s best for us after we look at all the info.
Is that so hard to understand?

Replace? With who? The team has much bigger problems than Raffl.
- RustyPipes

Are you serious? Raffl? I can trip over players in the NHL that can do what Raffl does. What does he give you that is so precious?

Are you serious? Raffl? I can trip over players in the NHL that can do what Raffl does. What does he give you that is so precious?
- jd250

Teams in the playoffs are looking for veteran depth. Raffl can play forward or center. He can chip in with offense and play well defensively and on the PK. That has value to teams at playoff time. You won't get much but there would be interest.

Anyone expecting a remake in the off season is likely going to be disappointed.
- MJL

I can't imagine Fletcher is going to roll out essentially the same team next year. I think if he tries he will be fired by Scott. This team has serious holes, and its Fletcher's job to fill them. I know you have been preaching patience, but I will be very surprised if patience will prevail in the off season.

Teams in the playoffs are looking for veteran depth. Raffl can play forward or center. He can chip in with offense and play well defensively and on the PK. That has value to teams at playoff time. You won't get much but there would be interest.
- MJL

Yes, sure .. you can get a 4th for Raffl and I think that is what Fletcher will do at the deadline, and I would not want to resign him on the off season.

I can't imagine Fletcher is going to roll out essentially the same team next year. I think if he tries he will be fired by Scott. This team has serious holes, and its Fletcher's job to fill them. I know you have been preaching patience, but I will be very surprised if patience will prevail in the off season.
- jd250

I think he will definitely look to make some moves but you stated he has to remake the team. That's more than just some moves. Flat cap era, it won't be easy.

Yes, sure .. you can get a 4th for Raffl and I think that is what Fletcher will do at the deadline, and I would not want to resign him on the off season.
- jd250

The thing is based on what Raffl makes now, unless he takes a pay cut. You can replace him with a younger player and save 600-700K on the cap.

No it meant I don’t need a commercial with three formal presidents to tell me what I should do.
I and my family will do what’s best for us after we look at all the info.
Is that so hard to understand?
- bird_dog_pa

Honestly the info has been out for a while now. Imo if people have the chance they should just get it and be done with it so we can get this behind us.

Are you serious? Raffl? I can trip over players in the NHL that can do what Raffl does. What does he give you that is so precious?
- jd250

Is he 1st, 2nd, or 3rd line player? No, he's a very good 4th line player and I haven't seen anyone else called up that does what he does. It's not so precious, his contract is minimal. As I said. he is not the issue. You need to look at the top 3 lines and figure them out first.
Having said that, if he's traded I wouldn't have a problem with that.

I can't imagine Fletcher is going to roll out essentially the same team next year. I think if he tries he will be fired by Scott. This team has serious holes, and its Fletcher's job to fill them. I know you have been preaching patience, but I will be very surprised if patience will prevail in the off season.
- jd250

And since the Flyers are run by Dave Scott, who is a businessman, he's probably looking at the success of the Sixers and the early success at the Phillies and probably thinking how the Flyers can compete with them both. You're right, there's no way that Fletcher brings back this roster next season. I'd argue that anyone who isn't Giroux, Coots, Provorov, Farabee, and Hart are available.

Are you serious? Raffl? I can trip over players in the NHL that can do what Raffl does. What does he give you that is so precious?
- jd250

Raffl is the type of player that cup winning teams need. He plays the right way and can move around the lineup.
For the flyers he isn’t worth much because at this point in his career he’s a supportive type of player.
If Fletch traded him I would hope it’s to a contending team so he at least has a shot at a cup.

It's common sense. I told you over and over it wouldn't make a difference. What do you think that is based on? Why wouldn't he move the needle? Because the team is not good enough. It's not hard to figure out. You were going on and on of how they had to make a move, blah blah blah. Now you're coming at me asking if I finally agree with you that they suck. Honestly, I'm embarrassed for you.
- MJL

Revisionist history!!