Trading Timonen, especially at the TDL, screams that you are selling. That hurts the confidence of the rest of the team, because they're being told you don't think they can win.

Even if Timonen asks for a trade-which I think is unlikely before summer, if at all-the team has to come first.
- Jsaquella

The team would come first if the player asks to be traded. What you get back in return should help bolster the roster. Why would the Flyers want to keep a player who asks to be traded? I get the point that it screams their sellers but the chances of winning the cup are very slim with or without him. The confidence of this team is already on a downslide whether Timonen is here or not. We obviously have different opinions on the situation. I dont condone trading Timonen unless he comes into Homers office and asks to be.

If anything their style of play should translate better in a playoff setting.
- Gunner Staal

Could be wrong but I think they are playing full throttle playoff hockey right now. When teams decide to shift gears in the playoffs, that's when we might see a more vulnerable Rags.

When you look at the series between the Flyers it seems it's either been soft as poop goals or blown ass coverage leading to the Rangers scoring. When the flyers have scored it's come usually of a break away or just good old driving the net.

Clean the poop up in the defensive zone and they could force a 7 game series with that team and in game 7 its anyone's guess. Flyers are better on the road and looks like Rags have the home ice.
- JoeRussomanno

It has been. The Rangers make a mistake, Lundqvist or the defense covers it up. When the Flyers have made an error, it's in the back of their net. They showed that they can skate with the Rangers, they just need to match the discipline and comitment to defense that NY has.

"Flyers are an undisciplined, poor defensive team, with leaky goaltending" -B. Melrose

Ouch. Tough to argue with. Doesn't sound like a great formula.
- PLindbergh31

Its amazing that the Flyers have tried every route possible to try and shore up that position, and nothing seems to work.

"Flyers are an undisciplined, poor defensive team, with leaky goaltending" -B. Melrose

Ouch. Tough to argue with. Doesn't sound like a great formula.
- PLindbergh31

While true, I don't take anything he says seriously.

If the Flyers had won just 2 of the 5 games they played against the Rangers the Flyers would be tied for 1st in the East with them at 73 pts.

All is not lost, far from it.

Just a blip on the radar.

2 wins this week and they'll be Cup favourites in here again
- Buts16

Not without the great Barry Melrose's blessings.

Could be wrong but I think they are playing full throttle playoff hockey right now. When teams decide to shift gears in the playoffs, that's when we might see a more vulnerable Rags.
- JoeRussomanno

I hope so.

"Flyers are an undisciplined, poor defensive team, with leaky goaltending" -B. Melrose

Ouch. Tough to argue with. Doesn't sound like a great formula.
- PLindbergh31

Who can argue against that statement.

loosing 5 in a row to the smurfs and getting spanked by the bruins says otherwise...this defense is overrated. My biggest problem is that they dont make the other team pay when entering the zone. NO ONE ON THIS DAMN DEFENSE HITS!.
- Philly1980

You don't need to hit to play good defense. You just need to play good defense. Not many guys on the Flyers are doing that on a regular basis.

If the Flyers had won just 2 of the 5 games they played against the Rangers the Flyers would be tied for 1st in the East with them at 73 pts.

All is not lost, far from it.

Just a blip on the radar.
- Buts16

Nope, trade timonen and move on bro

I am curious what the reasoning will be.

It surely wasn't a head shot because Rinaldo would need to jump off a min tamp to get high enough to hit Ericsson in the head.
- Buts16

I'm guessing they will say it was late and Ericsson was defenseless

If the Flyers had won just 2 of the 5 games they played against the Rangers the Flyers would be tied for 1st in the East with them at 73 pts.

All is not lost, far from it.

Just a blip on the radar.
- Buts16

Two teams heading in different directions, imo.

You don't need to hit to play good defense. You just need to play good defense. Not many guys on the Flyers are doing that on a regular basis.
- Jsaquella

I was shaking my head at Coburn last night, I was hoping the Flyers could reverse the Zhitnik/Coburn trade at one point.

Its amazing that the Flyers have tried every route possible to try and shore up that position, and nothing seems to work.
- Gunner Staal

GEEZU Bryz did just post a shutout, but i forgot it doesn't count cause he only faced 17 shots, and he did go through a stretch of 8 games where he allowed more than one goal twice- both against Rags and Bruins hmm. Either way he's been an improvement over what the tandem they had last year.

If the Flyers had won just 2 of the 5 games they played against the Rangers the Flyers would be tied for 1st in the East with them at 73 pts.

All is not lost, far from it.

Just a blip on the radar.
- Buts16

Yep, they have flaws. But we've seen how good they can be earlier on this season -- the first 5 games of the season, the 7-game win streak to start December.

A lot has to get better and they'll need some luck on their side; but they're a playoff team, and last time I checked, you don't have to win the President's Trophy to win a Stanley Cup.

Who can argue against that statement.
- stveshdy

Do you really need to ask?

If the Flyers had won just 2 of the 5 games they played against the Rangers the Flyers would be tied for 1st in the East with them at 73 pts.

All is not lost, far from it.

Just a blip on the radar.
- Buts16

It was a rough weekend. Last night was a bit of a tease but moving forward, we should be just fine. The deadline is around the corner, so there isn't much to worry about. I'm not so sure this is our final roster of the season.

You don't need to hit to play good defense. You just need to play good defense. Not many guys on the Flyers are doing that on a regular basis.
- Jsaquella

I disagree with that....Ever see the front of our net? its like a comfort inn. I want to see someone change that.

I was shaking my head at Coburn last night, I was hoping the Flyers could reverse the Zhitnik/Coburn trade at one point.
- Buts16

That bad, huh?

I was shaking my head at Coburn last night, I was hoping the Flyers could reverse the Zhitnik/Coburn trade at one point.
- Buts16

He looks lost at times.

While true, I don't take anything he says seriously.
- funmaster18

Melrose is a flamboyant character, the guy knows the game though

I hope so.
- Gunner Staal

Just look at the flyers and how many times they mopped the floor with teams in the regular season then were shown the door in the playoffs. The cup ain't won in February.

I think if they get a guy like Hal Gill as a rental for like a third, then we can make it to round two or so of the playoffs and be a difficult out. The team as currently comprised will not beat the Bruins or Rangers in a series. That much is clear. Add a couple rental pieces on the cheap and then try to land the big fish in the offseason to fix the d.

I do see this as a difficult trade deadline as so many teams think they are still buyers, the prices will be sky high.
- Hextall271

With you there but I am hoping PH does not trade draft picks and one of the younger guys to land the big expensive dman.
If Suter can be had then great. I would consider trading Carle and Timmo if he wants that last chance to win a cup. I would want a can't miss blue line prospect back though.