Can the Eagles keep their fans and their mantra in the linc then? The Flyers as an organization, more so than any of the other franchises in philadelphia have maintained a team that is a legitimate contender year in and year out. IMo Snider and Co have left no stone unturned in the quest to bring a championship. IF they went and hired a Lacrosse coach to teach our powerplay I could understand, but we all knew before this season started this was a team that many expected to not even make the playoffs. I'm just not gonna get up in arms about this young of a squad being outplayed by that seasoned of a devils team.
- JoeRussomanno

It could blow up in their faces but it could also change their defensive core. Price is a huge factor (even though I think Detroit is his landing spot).
- stveshdy

If they can get Suter for $6mm or so(my guess is Carle signs for between $5-$6mm) then great. He is better than Carle. But he's not Nicklas Lidstrom to Carle's Mike Commodore.

I'm all for improvements, but I don't think Suter is worth the money he will command as a UFA. It;s a thin market and teams will be hungry to land him.

Can't handle the truth?
- bodiva88

losing is not good

I think the Flyers would love to have him back but I dont see Jagr taken a pay cut so I don't like the odds. I'm not willing to sign Jagr for that much money.
- stveshdy

If they do re-sign him they should keep him around 12 minutes a game during the season and start giving him some nights off in March/April, he looked gassed.

Jagr was a huge positive influence on the young guys this year. His rep as a moody guy who was a bit selfish has been destroyed. I doubt I'd bring him back-unless he took a fairly big pay cut-but the role he filled this year and the attitude he brought was huge.
- Jsaquella

On G, on Voracek, on JVR, and who knows who else. But G grew so much in confidence and leadership. Voracek showed that the knock on him was completely off base, and his admiration for both Jagr and Elias spoke volumes to me about his getting it. JVR and Schenn both were snakebit with injuries this year. Rest a bit, then get to working. There's going to be a season next year (knock wood) and you want to be ready.

You're the one who came in here whining.
- bodiva88

It's probably just an act, much like numerous others around here trying to get a reaction.

Do you really a guy that is old enough to have seen the two Flyers Cups would prance around like a 12 year old who didn't get his way?

If they can get Suter for $6mm or so(my guess is Carle signs for between $5-$6mm) then great. He is better than Carle. But he's not Nicklas Lidstrom to Carle's Mike Commodore.

I'm all for improvements, but I don't think Suter is worth the money he will command as a UFA. It;s a thin market and teams will be hungry to land him.
- Jsaquella

I agree. This is why I think Homer will have to get creative to upgrade this defensive core.

losing is not good
- vejim

Interestingly, no one here has said that it is.

If what you said is true, then Holmgren wouldn't have made all the player changes he made. He would have changed Coaches again. It's simply about who is the better team.
- MJL

I don't understand this. But that's ok. We disagree, and that's fine. You feel it's all on the players, and I feel the coach deserves at least half the blame for the team's continual struggles against hard forechecking, sound defensive teams. Life goes on. I don't think either of us will change the other's mind.

I think beating the Penguins really ramped up the expectations of a lot of folks. Penguins were Vegas' choice to win the Cup, (not that it means a hill of beans) I think had the Flyers lost a close series to Pittsburgh there would be less disappointment if that makes any sense. Getting their asses handed to them by a team many perceived to be inferior is tough to swallow.

Overall I think it was a fruitful season for the Flyers, young players gained valuable experience that will pay dividends in the near future. There were some growing pains along the way, but it's to be expected over the course of an 82 game marathon.

Pronger's career ending, and Bryzgalov's uneven play were the two things that upset/disappointed me the most, but Bryzgalov showed in the month of March he can do the job, as well as in the series with NJ which he was very good, it's unfortunate the game winning goal in the series was such a soft/, mindless goal because ignorant fans will think that wiped out how well he played.

A few tweaks, and this is a 100+ point team again, and then you take your chances in the playoffs. One of these years the Flyers have to get lucky with injuries, law of averages says they will.

I had no idea what to expect coming into this season, but all in all i consider it a successful one. given the number of new players and the level of those shown the door, there was a tremendous potential for chaos and inconsistency...that only happened in goal.

we have to hope bryz had his mulligan and that he will look more like the guy in March for most of nxt yr.

I said before the season that the team needed a young puck mover for so many reasons, personnel and cap-related and it's more obvious than ever. the discussion about amnesty is real, but that doesn't mean it will be a reality and the flyers will have to ponder their contingencies. it is very difficult to acquire a version of Karlsson or OEL, but it will be necessary for the flyers to move forward if the team to seriously compete for a cup.

from a coaching standpoint, they have to work on their breakouts and other fine details that this team struggled with too often this year. they have to be able to adapt and quick pass their way out of forechecking pressure...a greater measure of precision is needed in general. of course, we need the personnel to make it all come together.

If they do re-sign him they should keep him around 12 minutes a game during the season and start giving him some nights off in March/April, he looked gassed.
- canadianpenfan

You can say that again. Jagr was getting crushed on the wall and thats usually where hes a beast.

Is it July 1 yet???? At least diablo 3 comes out next week

On G, on Voracek, on JVR, and who knows who else. But G grew so much in confidence and leadership. Voracek showed that the knock on him was completely off base, and his admiration for both Jagr and Elias spoke volumes to me about his getting it. JVR and Schenn both were snakebit with injuries this year. Rest a bit, then get to working. There's going to be a season next year (knock wood) and you want to be ready.
- bodiva88

I think these kids will heal up over the summer and be champing at the bit by September. They'll be somber and upset for awhile, but that will turn to anger.

Interestingly, no one here has said that it is.
- bodiva88

you guys seem ok with it...I am trying to learn

You can say that again. Jagr was getting crushed on the wall and thats usually where hes a beast.
- stveshdy

Yea that's what I mean, he was noticeably easier to get off the puck in the playoffs.

I think these kids will heal up over the summer and be champing at the bit by September. They'll be somber and upset for awhile, but that will turn to anger.
- Jsaquella

I believe this kind of exit will make them that much more hungrier next season. Sometimes you have to suffer defeat before getting to that next level. They have a lot of young players.

I agree. This is why I think Homer will have to get creative to upgrade this defensive core.
- stveshdy

A lot depends on Timonen. If he does decide to "retire" to Finland, then they have a lot of freed room, but also a big hole to fill. With Coburn, Grossmann and Meszaros signed, they have half of a really solid top 6 in place. Lilja is fine as the 7th guy, and Gus and MAB should be capable of handling a spot.

The key is getting a guy who can do what Carle does, or managing a guy who is even better.

you guys seem ok with it...I am trying to learn
- vejim

I'm definately not okay with them losing. But what is done is done. The GM needs to add the pieces needed to get this team over the top.

- stveshdy

u know I was referring to the defensive coordinator thing with the Eagles right?

you guys seem ok with it...I am trying to learn
- vejim

I don't think anyone is "ok" with it, but as others have stated, no sense screaming and yelling about it. It doesn't change anything. The key is for the Organization to learn from it, and make the proper adjustments coaching wise and personnel wise to try and win it all.

I think beating the Penguins really ramped up the expectations of a lot of folks. Penguins were Vegas' choice to win the Cup, (not that it means a hill of beans) I think had the Flyers lost a close series to Pittsburgh there would be less disappointment if that makes any sense. Getting their asses handed to them by a team many perceived to be inferior is tough to swallow.

.
- PLindbergh31

But anyone watching the last six weeks of the season had to know that the Devils had gelled and were strong.

you guys seem ok with it...I am trying to learn
- vejim

No one here is ok with it. We are just adults who know how to deal effectively with disappointment

A lot depends on Timonen. If he does decide to "retire" to Finland, then they have a lot of freed room, but also a big hole to fill. With Coburn, Grossmann and Meszaros signed, they have half of a really solid top 6 in place. Lilja is fine as the 7th guy, and Gus and MAB should be capable of handling a spot.

The key is getting a guy who can do what Carle does, or managing a guy who is even better.
- Jsaquella

I want more balance in the defensive group. They have to add a player who can be a threat from the point in the offseason. I'm tired of not having a player who you have to watch at the point. Thats my opinion of course.

u know I was referring to the defensive coordinator thing with the Eagles right?
- JoeRussomanno

I did catch that. I though the "lacrosse coach" comment was clever.