Well it would help him if he didn't get stuck out on the ice in the 2nd and 3rd period for 3+ minute shifts. I put that on the 4th line, specifically Deslauriers inability to get the puck past the red line, both times.
- jd250

ND shouldn't be dressing against teams like the Pens. If you want to dress him against teams that have an enforcer fine, but the Pens have no one of that ilk and ND can't skate at an NHL level anymore. Although I guess they had to dress him last night cause they only have 12 forwards currently.

I think the Flyers are what they are, that is, if they stay healthy they can sneak into the playoffs and be a tough out in the 1st round. Hart is certainly capable of stealing a series also. But in the big picture, is that what is best for the Flyers at this stage of the rebuild? If you ask Torts he will tell you there is nothing better for the development of a young team than a playoff series. This is why I think if this season continues as it has for the Flyers, it will be very hard for DB to sell pieces at the deadline, not because other teams won't be calling, but because of the message it will send to the players.
- jd250

That’s the rub…if you believe what they all said just 6 weeks ago that might explain the scouts last night. Frankly I don’t think Briere can let it bother him about a message that will be sent to the room. Of course it matters, but for the sake of the future DB must do what’s best for them long term.
I did listen to Torts go on about what a wonderful room they have and how it’s lending to them winning games…but let’s not be fooled into thinking this team is anything more then a 13-10 type of team. From everything I hear DB wants to be very aggressive and as long as the Flyers keep playing well the prices and returns may be to good for DB not to act.

If only Hextall hired Torts instead of Hakstol, what a player G would have been. Jake would been gone the very next season.
- jd250

For all we know Jake make have lead the league in blocked shots.

Walker +7.. 11 points
Seeler +12.. 6 points- tied for 5th in NHL blocked shots
combined salary of 3.4M

best value on the team, I would like to see them play more minutes perhaps closing out games . Seem to be more steady than the #1 pairing lately.
- 3flyerkids

Walker was awesome in that game last night

I don't care what folks say on here. It's nice to watch a competitive team playing well with some young guys in the lineup! The Flyers have some decisions to make, but for now I'm just enjoying the games and the fact that they just beat the hated Penwhines in back to back games. It's mind boggling how bad the Pens PP is with all that talent on it. Coaching? They look lost and it's nice! Thanks!
- Phillywhiteout

I am hoping Briere looks at Detroit last year and sees what Yzerman did. He saw they weren't more than a 1st round exit at best, sold off Bertuzzi and others and got extra picks to help out. He looked at things as they were, and made decisions based on the reality they were in. They are a better team so far this year ( cap space saved, acquired DeBrincat, and the extra first) because of the bigger picture viewed by their management.

I am hoping Briere looks at Detroit last year and sees what Yzerman did. He saw they weren't more than a 1st round exit at best, sold off Bertuzzi and others and got extra picks to help out. He looked at things as they were, and made decisions based on the reality they were in. They are a better team so far this year ( cap space saved, acquired DeBrincat, and the extra first) because of the bigger picture viewed by their management.
- TheFreak

I have absolutely no faith the flyers will make the right decision come the deadline

Walker +7.. 11 points
Seeler +12.. 6 points- tied for 5th in NHL blocked shots
combined salary of 3.4M

best value on the team, I would like to see them play more minutes perhaps closing out games . Seem to be more steady than the #1 pairing lately.
- 3flyerkids

They already are. That pairing and the Sanheim/York pairing is pretty much double shifted at the end of games

He’s a great player playing great he just needs to switch up and deke instead of shoot all the time on breakaways
- Just5

FYI.... Farabee is a forward. In the O zone, he's supposed to "pinch" and Sanheim is a D. He's supposed to be super careful about pinching when there's guys even with or behind him.

Or maybe they are a young team that is tired of listening to their old coach?
- jd250

Why would they be tired of listening to a coach that they have vastly improved under?

If only Hextall hired Torts instead of Hakstol, what a player G would have been. Jake would been gone the very next season.
- jd250

Giroux was a top 5 Hart trophy finalist under Hakstol. Had a 100 point season under Hakstol. Clearly, you didn't think this through.

I don't understand why everyone is always harping on Tortorella, he has the team winning and in a playoff position, so far. Isn't that the whole point? The Flyers are like the Coyotes in that they are somewhat of a lunch bucket group, but both coaches have them playing above their expected levels.
- DraftandDestroy

The whole point is to develop the team in a rebuild with a focus on young players development.

FYI.... Farabee is a forward. In the O zone, he's supposed to "pinch" and Sanheim is a D. He's supposed to be super careful about pinching when there's guys even with or behind him.

- Letterkenney

As F3, Farabee needs to recognize that a defenseman has pinched in and play more conservatively and retreat into the neutral zone.

With Cates injured, currently don't have a 13th forward. Probably will put Cates on IR and call up a player for the road. Don't see Deslauriers sitting. Too valuable in the room.
- MJL

ND may be valuable to the Flyers in the room, but on the ice he's valuable to the other team.

His play has tailed a little bit, well maybe a bit more then a little bit…maybe he shouldn’t be leading the entire NHL in ice time. They need to find that sweet spot…interesting that there were so many scouts at the game last night…you know they weren’t there to see Pitt who is all in…I thought Sean Walker picked a good night to play a string two way game.
- landros 2

Where Torts needs to tell him keep pushing, long season, Sanheim will have bad stretches, but he needs to keep playing this style.

ND shouldn't be dressing against teams like the Pens. If you want to dress him against teams that have an enforcer fine, but the Pens have no one of that ilk and ND can't skate at an NHL level anymore. Although I guess they had to dress him last night cause they only have 12 forwards currently.
- Phillywhiteout

Nd had chances prior to getting caught out there to get off, he turned back into the play, just brutal.

I think the Flyers are what they are, that is, if they stay healthy they can sneak into the playoffs and be a tough out in the 1st round. Hart is certainly capable of stealing a series also. But in the big picture, is that what is best for the Flyers at this stage of the rebuild? If you ask Torts he will tell you there is nothing better for the development of a young team than a playoff series. This is why I think if this season continues as it has for the Flyers, it will be very hard for DB to sell pieces at the deadline, not because other teams won't be calling, but because of the message it will send to the players.
- jd250

And that would be the worst outcome to this. Holding onto to trade assets in the first year of the rebuild is not a good idea. They just announced less than 6 months ago they are starting a rebuild...it is these first few years that you sell ufa's and older players for picks and prospects and build the proper foundation to be a true contender. The goal is to win the cup, be a long lasting contender with multiple years of having a decent shot of winning it all. Not slipping into the playoffs and losing in the first round, resigning ufas and continuing to do what they have done for the last 15 years. The point the rebuild is in is the beginning point, where you are not pushing to make the playoffs.

I am thrilled for them to be playing well, and that no injuries have really happened yet. But I don't see them making the playoffs over NJ, NYR, Carolina, Toronto, Tampa, Florida, Boston or Detroit. They need to see the bigger picture, and not get giddy like a school girl over their current position.

The whole point is to develop the team in a rebuild with a focus on young players development.
- MJL

I think the organization would disagree, winning is the whole point.

And that would be the worst outcome to this. Holding onto to trade assets in the first year of the rebuild is not a good idea. They just announced less than 6 months ago they are starting a rebuild...it is these first few years that you sell ufa's and older players for picks and prospects and build the proper foundation to be a true contender. The goal is to win the cup, be a long lasting contender with multiple years of having a decent shot of winning it all. Not slipping into the playoffs and losing in the first round, resigning ufas and continuing to do what they have done for the last 15 years. The point the rebuild is in is the beginning point, where you are not pushing to make the playoffs.

I am thrilled for them to be playing well, and that no injuries have really happened yet. But I don't see them making the playoffs over NJ, NYR, Carolina, Toronto, Tampa, Florida, Boston or Detroit. They need to see the bigger picture, and not get giddy like a school girl over their current position.
- TheFreak

Both jd250 and Tortorella think that squeaking into the playoffs with no realistic chance to contend is better for team development than actually adding more talented and younger players.

I think the organization would disagree, winning is the whole point.
- DraftandDestroy

Yes, they've disagreed for over a decade. Which is why the Flyers haven't been relevant for over a decade. Or longer.

That’s the rub…if you believe what they all said just 6 weeks ago that might explain the scouts last night. Frankly I don’t think Briere can let it bother him about a message that will be sent to the room. Of course it matters, but for the sake of the future DB must do what’s best for them long term.
I did listen to Torts go on about what a wonderful room they have and how it’s lending to them winning games…but let’s not be fooled into thinking this team is anything more then a 13-10 type of team. From everything I hear DB wants to be very aggressive and as long as the Flyers keep playing well the prices and returns may be to good for DB not to act.
- landros 2

I agree and hope you are right. I want DB to think big picture and if he can sell a few veterans here at the deadline and accelerate the rebuild, I am all for it.

Both jd250 and Tortorella think that squeaking into the playoffs with no realistic chance to contend is better for team development than actually adding more talented and younger players.
- MJL

This is completely false! I said that is what Torts thinks, not what I think. I would like DB to think big picture and sell at the deadline, however I think it will tougher for him to do so if the Flyers keep winning.

I don't understand why everyone is always harping on Tortorella, he has the team winning and in a playoff position, so far. Isn't that the whole point? The Flyers are like the Coyotes in that they are somewhat of a lunch bucket group, but both coaches have them playing above their expected levels.
- DraftandDestroy

As long as they sell at the deadline, you add Cutter, MM and Bonk, if all hit, this is still not a contender.

With 2 firsts and 2 seconds, they can use their draft capital, trade the right players from the roster and the farm to really put the franchise on the right track. Getting stuck on making playoffs and lighting striking will not be good. Where Danny B will have to show he is the man.

This is completely false! I said that is what Torts thinks, not what I think. I would like DB to think big picture and sell at the deadline, however I think it will tougher for him to do so if the Flyers keep winning.
- jd250

No it's not false. You've posted numerous times that playing to win is good for development. That playing older players with no future over younger players while they sit for a 'reset" is good for development. That Tortorella coaching to win, is good for the rebuild. Many, many times.

And that would be the worst outcome to this. Holding onto to trade assets in the first year of the rebuild is not a good idea. They just announced less than 6 months ago they are starting a rebuild...it is these first few years that you sell ufa's and older players for picks and prospects and build the proper foundation to be a true contender. The goal is to win the cup, be a long lasting contender with multiple years of having a decent shot of winning it all. Not slipping into the playoffs and losing in the first round, resigning ufas and continuing to do what they have done for the last 15 years. The point the rebuild is in is the beginning point, where you are not pushing to make the playoffs.

I am thrilled for them to be playing well, and that no injuries have really happened yet. But I don't see them making the playoffs over NJ, NYR, Carolina, Toronto, Tampa, Florida, Boston or Detroit. They need to see the bigger picture, and not get giddy like a school girl over their current position.
- TheFreak

I completely agree with you, I'm thrilled to have a hockey season and last night was a wonderful game to watch and feel good about, however the best thing for the Flyers this year still is to be sellers at the deadline if the right deals surface.

No it's not false. You've posted numerous times that playing to win is good for development. That playing older players with no future over younger players while they sit for a 'reset" is good for development. That Tortorella coaching to win, is good for the rebuild. Many, many times.
- MJL

Yes, but this has nothing to do with making the playoffs, this is about having a team culture and expectation of winning. If it comes down to Briere deciding between being sellers at the deadline or making the playoffs this year, I still believe the best course is to be sellers at the deadline, again as long as the right deals surface.