Tim Panaccio: Surprise: Raffl Goes to the Phantoms

Tim Panaccio: Surprise: Raffl Goes to the Phantoms
- tpanaccio

Hard to choose, since none of them especially stood out. One key could be Raffl's waiver exempt status. VandeVelde, assuming he gets signed to a NHL deal, would have to clear waivers. Laughton has to stay in Oshawa if he's sent back...this way, they can keep Laughton and VandeVelde to see what they can do when the games count, and Raffl gets to play in the AHL.

would you guys be interested in Cody McLeod or John Mitchell in a trade for Meszaros?

would you guys be interested in Cody McLeod or John Mitchell in a trade for Meszaros?
- DDM-Coga

Rather have a pick, but yes.

Rather have a pick, but yes.
- Jsaquella

Mitchell and a 3rd?

Mitchell and a 3rd?
- DDM-Coga

Done.

Meszaros has looked brutal for most of the pre-season...but he's staying upright

Done.

Meszaros has looked brutal for most of the pre-season...but he's staying upright
- Jsaquella

Mithell wants to play top 9 and thats not happening on our team, plus have you looked at our D-Core...its not pretty

Mithell wants to play top 9 and thats not happening on our team, plus have you looked at our D-Core...its not pretty
- DDM-Coga

He might fight for the 3rd line LW job here, and our defense has looked iffy...transition game is killing the Flyers

He might fight for the 3rd line LW job here, and our defense has looked iffy...transition game is killing the Flyers
- Jsaquella

until they get an all star level dman in his prime, the flyers have a clear ceiling. they will have to fight tooth and nail to make the plyoffs...

until they get an all star level dman in his prime, the flyers have a clear ceiling. they will have to fight tooth and nail to make the plyoffs...
- isaiah520

Unless they get a coach that can get the forwards to play a better 200 foot game.

It's no accident that the Devils made the SCF in 2012. Their defense wasn't that good, but everyone played defense and helped out in their own end. The Flyers team defense is a bigger issue than adding a big name to the defense corps.

Unless they get a coach that can get the forwards to play a better 200 foot game.

It's no accident that the Devils made the SCF in 2012. Their defense wasn't that good, but everyone played defense and helped out in their own end. The Flyers team defense is a bigger issue than adding a big name to the defense corps.
- Jsaquella

you've cited that example many times and it's valid, but it's also a classic example of the exception, not the rule. forwards need to help and generally speaking, a top level guy on the blueline is needed. hence, homer's desperation last summer...

you've cited that example many times and it's valid, but it's also a classic example of the exception, not the rule. forwards need to help and generally speaking, a top level guy on the blueline is needed. hence, homer's desperation last summer...
- isaiah520

Not saying that it isn't needed, but it's also not something I'd gut the team for.

I'd rather change the coach, get the team playing better, more disciplined 200 foot hockey and then identify what players couldn't adapt and use them as trade bait to try and upgrade the defense.

But in and of itself, the defense should be adequate. Simply adding a Keith Yandle, Jay Bouwmeester or similar would help, but wouldn't cure all the ills.

Even adding a Subban, Pietrangelo or guy on that level probably doesn;t fix all the issues, unless the entire team starts playing better two way hockey

Doesn't really surprise me sending Rafl down, since they can give Laughton an extra look. Then keeping an experienced player to play and see how he meshes with the team too. The time with the phatoms playing top minutes will be great for Rafl even if it is only for a short time. Holmgren is actually making a smart move viewing all his options while keeping it in the players best interest.

The transition game for the flyers is horrible and the team defense (not just the defensemen ) is also horrible. We lose so many puck battles. I don't like how the organization doesn't mind letting up 4 goals if we score 5. I love offense but id be much happier winning most game 3-2 or 2-1 not 5-4 or 6-5.

Doesn't really surprise me sending Rafl down, since they can give Laughton an extra look. Then keeping an experienced player to play and see how he meshes with the team too. The time with the phatoms playing top minutes will be great for Rafl even if it is only for a short time. Holmgren is actually making a smart move viewing all his options while keeping it in the players best interest.

The transition game for the flyers is horrible and the team defense (not just the defensemen ) is also horrible. We lose so many puck battles. I don't like how the organization doesn't mind letting up 4 goals if we score 5. I love offense but id be much happier winning most game 3-2 or 2-1 not 5-4 or 6-5.
- steveromanowski

I'm very worried about the lack of discipline and focus on team defense and better 200 foot play by the forwards.

Rinaldo is piece of poop.


All I got.