About a quarter away through the season this team has exceeded expectations. For the most part they play hard every game. They have outshot the opposition in 14 of 21 games. They have been fairly entertaining as well. The only time I was annyoed by a loss was the game in San Jose.

Give me this type of season any day over a bottom feeder season. Never guaranteed anything in the draft as the Nolan Patrick situation shows.
- PLindbergh31

flyers love fans like you.

Interesting. Here is a post you made attempting to call me out for saying that I thought the Flyers were the better team. At least I think it was me.


https://www.hockeybuzz.co...?thread_id=185787&page=10

"It's kind of funny that the resident genius said that the Flyers were the better team and should handle the Isles. I countered with the fact that they have been playing better lately without getting the results. Wa la! The Isles won again tonight too. I also said when this 7 game gauntlet started within the Patrick division that this would be a good indicator of where the Flyers really are. Wa la...it ain't lookin too good. You're welcome! Eh what?"
- MJL

Congrats! The fact remains that the Isles had won 3 games in a row up until last night's game and they now have a point in 4 straight. If you read my comment you will see that I was talking in short term logistics. Long term I think they are in deep doo doo and the Flyers are better situated. The fact remains that the game that we were referring to the Isles indeed did win, so I wouldn't go spiking the football if I was you.

flyers love fans like you.
- hello it's me 2050

Would I prefer they be Cup contenders? Of course. But if the alternative to this is being a bottom 5 team what does that do? How'd it work out in 2007, and 2017?

I was surprised that torts let frost play over 16 minutes last night. Especially after all 3 of those unforced turnovers that sorokin caused

Would I prefer they be Cup contenders? Of course. But if the alternative to this is being a bottom 5 team what does that do? How'd it work out in 2007, and 2017?
- PLindbergh31

I enjoy watching a more competitive team as well. The last few years have been tough…since the bubble games it was pretty hard to watch. They were never going to be a bottom 3-4 team this year with a healthy line up…the real horrible teams are simply awful.
I still think they are a .500 team….probably drafting around 10-14 if the balls fall like they do…I also think the draft is just Meh…this year. They have Florida’s 1rst rounder which if Florida keeps up will fall in the 23-25 range.
With it being just an average draft out the top 2 or 3 kids, perhaps teams will be will to move out their own 1rst rounder via trades? Hopefully DB can add another one along the way.

Would I prefer they be Cup contenders? Of course. But if the alternative to this is being a bottom 5 team what does that do? How'd it work out in 2007, and 2017?
- PLindbergh31

seem you are happy wallowing in mediocrity, at best.

This team refuses to tear it down and build from the ground up. They refuse to put themselves in the best position to draft elite talent. Until they do this is the results they will likely get, outside of a lot of luck.

This is a rudderless franchise fascinated with the past and what they think it takes to win. Despite the ugly results hitting them right in the face.

Congrats! The fact remains that the Isles had won 3 games in a row up until last night's game and they now have a point in 4 straight. If you read my comment you will see that I was talking in short term logistics. Long term I think they are in deep doo doo and the Flyers are better situated. The fact remains that the game that we were referring to the Isles indeed did win, so I wouldn't go spiking the football if I was you.
- Phillywhiteout

Not spiking the football, just posting to the fact that I think you saw the same as I did. That the Isles are not a very good team. They have great goaltending, three really solid defenseman. Lee is a shadow of himself. Barzal isn't at the level he was at earlier in his career, and I always thought he was overrated. Horvat is decent and Nelson is a good goal scorer. That's about it. I think the Flyers have better depth are a bit of a better team. You felt the need to call me out when really, we're in agreement.

seem you are happy wallowing in mediocrity, at best.

This team refuses to tear it down and build from the ground up. They refuse to put themselves in the best position to draft elite talent. Until they do this is the results they will likely get, outside of a lot of luck.

This is a rudderless franchise fascinated with the past and what they think it takes to win. Despite the ugly results hitting them right in the face.
- hello it's me 2050

I really do wonder what people mean by tearing it down and building from the ground up. Isn't that what the Sabres have done about 5 times now? Did the Rags really tear it down and rebuild from the ground up. St louis and the Caps recently won Cups. Did they win Cups that way? I guess the Black Hawks are the most recent to go that route and it looks like they have a generational talent to show for it, but who knows. I honestly don't think the Flyers are sitting in that bad of a position right now. They have some young guys coming into their own with more on the way. They really need to draft some good young defenders in this year's draft (supposed to be deep draft for defensemen). We shall see what they do with the likes of Laughts, TK, Hart, Seeler and Walker. I dunno...

I was surprised that torts let frost play over 16 minutes last night. Especially after all 3 of those unforced turnovers that sorokin caused
- Bob Habib

Every time I watch Frost play, the skill and ability are evident. He makes things happen offensively and is solid away from the puck. Can't figure out why this coach doesn't like the player. It makes zero sense.

I really do wonder what people mean by tearing it down and building from the ground up. Isn't that what the Sabres have done about 5 times now? Did the Rags really tear it down and rebuild from the ground up. St louis and the Caps recently won Cups. Did they win Cups that way? I guess the Black Hawks are the most recent to go that route and it looks like they have a generational talent to show for it, but who knows. I honestly don't think the Flyers are sitting in that bad of a position right now. They have some young guys coming into their own with more on the way. They really need to draft some good young defenders in this year's draft (supposed to be deep draft for defensemen). We shall see what they do with the likes of Laughts, TK, Hart, Seeler and Walker. I dunno...
- Phillywhiteout

The only thing that can save the Flyers, is if Gauthier and Michkov become elite players. If not, the Flyers are in a world of hurt. They still don't have the defense or the players in the system to build the defense to where it needs to be currently. The worst place to be as a team, is to be a bubble playoff team. You are better off being a team with failed prospects and failed rebuild then a team that is at a bubble level, with aging players and cap issues. The latter is potentially where the Flyers are heading. Again.

The only thing that can save the Flyers, is if Gauthier and Michkov become elite players. If not, the Flyers are in a world of hurt. They still don't have the defense or the players in the system to build the defense to where it needs to be currently. The worst place to be as a team, is to be a bubble playoff team. You are better off being a team with failed prospects and failed rebuild then a team that is at a bubble level, with aging players and cap issues. The latter is potentially where the Flyers are heading. Again.
- MJL

Which aging players with cap issues? The cap is supposed to go up pretty dramatically over the next few years. The Coots contract isn't gonna age well, but if Sanheim can live up to his contract I'm not seeing this team really being tied down to long term contracts with aging veterans.

I really do wonder what people mean by tearing it down and building from the ground up. Isn't that what the Sabres have done about 5 times now? Did the Rags really tear it down and rebuild from the ground up. St louis and the Caps recently won Cups. Did they win Cups that way? I guess the Black Hawks are the most recent to go that route and it looks like they have a generational talent to show for it, but who knows. I honestly don't think the Flyers are sitting in that bad of a position right now. They have some young guys coming into their own with more on the way. They really need to draft some good young defenders in this year's draft (supposed to be deep draft for defensemen). We shall see what they do with the likes of Laughts, TK, Hart, Seeler and Walker. I dunno...
- Phillywhiteout

you are another one who always mentions the sabres. Their are 2 parts to tearing it down. 1st part is putting yourself in a position to draft the highest and best players. They have done that and succeeded.

The 2nd part is having competent owners, management, and coaches. This is where they have failed big time. A carousel of GM's and coaches. Though the flyers also have those same traits so they would likely fail as well!!!

Caps got high end talent at the top of the draft did they not? Blues an outlier. Guess that's the flyers model.

What guys do the flyers have coming into their "own"? They have players pretty much every nhl team has, no stand outs at all. No stars at all. No top line elite level players. They have 2 on the way you hope are elite level talent.

I do not share the optimism that you and others seem to share.

The only thing that can save the Flyers, is if Gauthier and Michkov become elite players. If not, the Flyers are in a world of hurt. They still don't have the defense or the players in the system to build the defense to where it needs to be currently. The worst place to be as a team, is to be a bubble playoff team. You are better off being a team with failed prospects and failed rebuild then a team that is at a bubble level, with aging players and cap issues. The latter is potentially where the Flyers are heading. Again.
- MJL

what cap issues do they flyers have? only 3 longer term deals in ex selk, RR, and Sanheim.

He was great. Got over some early season issues and has been a reliable go to in his last 4.
- landros 2

He’s probably relieved knowing that he will be on a backup schedule now. I was thinking the worst on every shootout attempt. Islanders % on shootouts was pretty good.

I disagree about the summer part. Teams wont want to commit 2.9 cap hit ( 50%) for a 34/35 year old unless he has a very strong year, like you said.

Well torts is the co-gm1 at the nhl level. He has to approve!!!
- hello it's me 2050

Flyers most definitely will. It seems 34-35 is their age sweet spot. They have always been enamored with the older players.

About a quarter away through the season this team has exceeded expectations. For the most part they play hard every game. They have outshot the opposition in 14 of 21 games. They have been fairly entertaining as well. The only time I was annyoed by a loss was the game in San Jose.

Give me this type of season any day over a bottom feeder season. Never guaranteed anything in the draft as the Nolan Patrick situation shows.
- PLindbergh31

If we are to believe the back scene diatribe around the situation, this was an avoidable outcome, but ego got in the way (much like the Tortorella way). Patrick was damaged goods ("Patrick said he informed teams this week that he has recovered from a misdiagnosed double sports hernia injury that limited him during his last season of junior hockey. He had surgery on his right groin muscle last July, but a similar injury on his left side went undetected and did not heal until after the season."). He most definitely was a selection to be avoided with #2 pick. But he checked all the boxes for the Flyers -- Big and from western Canada....

I enjoy watching a more competitive team as well. The last few years have been tough…since the bubble games it was pretty hard to watch. They were never going to be a bottom 3-4 team this year with a healthy line up…the real horrible teams are simply awful.
I still think they are a .500 team….probably drafting around 10-14 if the balls fall like they do…I also think the draft is just Meh…this year. They have Florida’s 1rst rounder which if Florida keeps up will fall in the 23-25 range.
With it being just an average draft out the top 2 or 3 kids, perhaps teams will be will to move out their own 1rst rounder via trades? Hopefully DB can add another one along the way.
- landros 2

I do not mind watching a competitive team if it is a watchable product. Play the young kids who tend to be more skillful and faster. What I can't watch is "ageless wonders" grinding it out 5 ft at a time, always chasing the play, all the while looking for someone to beat up....

Tanner L seems to be in a mission in the A, he looks almost dominate down there, nice to see a first line with skill clicking like they are, other prospects doing well, Cutter, MM, Rizzo, Bonk and Barkey. It would be nice if there was a B Point in that bunch.

Every time I watch Frost play, the skill and ability are evident. He makes things happen offensively and is solid away from the puck. Can't figure out why this coach doesn't like the player. It makes zero sense.
- MJL

It is really not that hard. The coach is a first class ASS

Would I prefer they be Cup contenders? Of course. But if the alternative to this is being a bottom 5 team what does that do? How'd it work out in 2007, and 2017?
- PLindbergh31

Don’t disagree, except last draft, you don’t know what you will get, Flyers have some potential in the system, hope it hits the ceiling for most. Pray Panthers just get into playoffs and the Flyers take a step forward and get the highest pick possible. Enjoy the season, except for Torts, who is an egomaniac.

Every time I watch Frost play, the skill and ability are evident. He makes things happen offensively and is solid away from the puck. Can't figure out why this coach doesn't like the player. It makes zero sense.
- MJL

Posted last night “it’s obvious Frost is the best puck handler on the team”

Which aging players with cap issues? The cap is supposed to go up pretty dramatically over the next few years. The Coots contract isn't gonna age well, but if Sanheim can live up to his contract I'm not seeing this team really being tied down to long term contracts with aging veterans.
- Phillywhiteout

You are correct, Couturier's contract is bad, but Sanhiem looks to be leveling the ship. After that you have RR. However, this is the Flyers. It would not surprise me in the least to see them extend Laughton, Atkinson, Wallker and Seeler (everybody loves Seeler at $750K, but what about Seeler at $2-3MM). Even the TK extension will not age well on the back end. IMO, this is what most Flyers fans are afraid of....

Which aging players with cap issues? The cap is supposed to go up pretty dramatically over the next few years. The Coots contract isn't gonna age well, but if Sanheim can live up to his contract I'm not seeing this team really being tied down to long term contracts with aging veterans.
- Phillywhiteout

Players such as Konecny, Hart, Tippett, York and Brink and Zamula will all need new deals soon. That can be off set some if then can move a few players such as Atkinson. It adds up though as those players age. Even with the Cap going up. If all you reach is a bubble playoff level, that's a bad place to be.

If we are to believe the back scene diatribe around the situation, this was an avoidable outcome, but ego got in the way (much like the Tortorella way). Patrick was damaged goods ("Patrick said he informed teams this week that he has recovered from a misdiagnosed double sports hernia injury that limited him during his last season of junior hockey. He had surgery on his right groin muscle last July, but a similar injury on his left side went undetected and did not heal until after the season."). He most definitely was a selection to be avoided with #2 pick. But he checked all the boxes for the Flyers -- Big and from western Canada....
- mr4tno

Completely disagree with this. The double sports hernia had nothing to do with why Patrick's career was derailed.

Players such as Konecny, Hart, Tippett, York and Brink and Zamula will all need new deals soon. That can be off set some if then can move a few players such as Atkinson. It adds up though as those players age. Even with the Cap going up. If all you reach is a bubble playoff level, that's a bad place to be.
- MJL

What do you think a new contract for each of them will look like? Make a prediction Cliff. Step up with some numbers.

When does york, brink, and Zamula need new deals? You really think any of them are gonna break the bank?