February has started off where January left off for the Flyers and it is very, very concerning. Primeau has to officially fish or cut bait here, at least privately to Clarke. Clarke needs to upgrade at least one forward position, try to add a defenseman for depth and possibly overhaul the goaltending (offseason more likely for this position). Adding a center would really help at this time (top-two liner). Then add a defenseman for depth...say Vandermeer, Richardson, Weinrich, or Morris (when healthy). Luongo is such a pipe dream that only the off season will likely sort out his situation. This team is in free fall and it needs more than a C on sweater to turn it around.
I totally agree. You decide on last nights performance. Lack of effort or out played, I would call it a combination.
Speaking of combinations our lines are terrible Knuble and Nedved are too slow for Gagne allowing teams to double and triple team him constantly, Hitch has to recognize this.
Speaking of Hitch - you cannot say this often but he was out coached by Ruff last night. There is no question that he was baffled by their fore check and unable to combat it with a capable line. Handzus against a checking line is non productive.
Speaking of non productive and Handzus- yes he has been our best player defensively but he needs to score a goal or two- he is easliy 20 games without, obviously too busy staying back.
And finally, speaking of staying back, does somebody want to tell Meyer and Jones to try taking a shift on defense, constantly these two are caught up ice or pinching when they shouldn't.
And in closing, get a longer stick for Pitkanen- he cannot 1 time on a 5-3 because he is too busy reaching for the "perfect pass" - You just know it's a matter of time before Clarkie does something big- I'll bet it happens before the end of today!
The goaltending is fine, it's difficult when the team around you isn't playing with any heart. I never heard anyone calling for Brodeur's head when he and the Devils were stinking up (more so than usual) north Jerset.
The goaltending is fine, it's difficult when the team around you isn't playing with any heart. I never heard anyone calling for Brodeur's head when he and the Devils were stinking up (more so than usual) north Jerset.
Heart has nothing to do with it.
The Flyers' talent doesn't match up any longer, now that the young guys' adrenalin has worn off and veterans are too beat up to compensate.
I am somewhat skeptical as to whether or not we need another center. Nedved is useless, but playing him on a third or fourth line is not really an option. Keep him at #2 center. What the Flyers need is a top notch winger. I say they should go after Samsonov or Murray from Boston. Either one would provide a great deal of help to Gagne and Forsberg. That way, the second line would look pretty decent with Nedved-Knuble-Umberger/Kapanen/Carter/Richards etc... On a side note, leave the goaltending alone, Frank and Esche will be fine.
And finally, speaking of staying back, does somebody want to tell Meyer and Jones to try taking a shift on defense, constantly these two are caught up ice or pinching when they shouldn't.
meyer does fine with defense as a rookie, he made a couple of good stops last night, rookies r gonna make mistakes though
The D-men were jumping in because our offence sucks. We need to make a trade but we have to wait till after the olympics as a player that we get may get hurt in the Olympics, plus we are expected to get Forsberg, Pitkanan, and Johnson all back from injuries next week. And that would give Pirmeau the miracle shot of getting better.
The D-men were jumping in because our offence sucks. We need to make a trade but we have to wait till after the olympics as a player that we get may get hurt in the Olympics, plus we are expected to get Forsberg, Pitkanan, and Johnson all back from injuries next week. And that would give Pirmeau the miracle shot of getting better.
Pitkanen has been back for a week. Rico will help a lot though if he regains his form when he's back after the Olympics.
I'd give up the farm to get a guy like Oli Jokinen. But please........stay away from Kieth Tkachuk
If I had to choose between those two....I'd probably take Keith. This team needs more physical presence, the current guys aren't getting it done in that department. I haven't seen such a soft Flyers team in my life. Not that I have anything against Jokinen's skill and I know that Tkachuk is a risk given his contract and the troubles he's had this season, but we need a big power forward that can score goals and play tough.
If I had to choose between those two....I'd probably take Keith. This team needs more physical presence, the current guys aren't getting it done in that department. I haven't seen such a soft Flyers team in my life. Not that I have anything against Jokinen's skill and I know that Tkachuk is a risk given his contract and the troubles he's had this season, but we need a big power forward that can score goals and play tough.
What the Flyers don't need is someone like Tkachuk who dissappears in the playoffs.
Tkachuk has also said he will not waive his no-trade clause
What the Flyers don't need is someone like Tkachuk who dissappears in the playoffs.
Tkachuk has also said he will not waive his no-trade clause
Not saying it's do-able or would happen. But a lot of players disappear in the playoffs. We have a few of them on our team already. I'm just saying it could be beneficial to have a power forward who can score some goals. There aren't many available.
We have had enough re-treads already at the deadline...how about a SPLASH from Clarke for once. I totally agree with the concept of adding a TOP FLIGHT wing to the mix before March 9. Samsonov is NOT it to me, nor is Tkachuk. Clarke should make a strike at someone like Marian Gaborik from Minnesota. Minnesota would likely ask for Carter, Richards, or Umberger in any package (who wouldn't). I would attempt to send Esche, Potulny, Ruzicka, and our first and second for Gaborik and either Fernandez or Roloson. Have Niitty start and the team looks like this. By the way add in a pick for a UFA rental dman like Richardson (anything to keep Therien off the ice:
Gagne - Forsberg - Gaborik
Nedved - Handzus - Knuble
Umberger - Carter - Kapanen
Stevenson - Richards - Savage
Clarke should make a strike at someone like Marian Gaborik from Minnesota. Minnesota would likely ask for Carter, Richards, or Umberger in any package (who wouldn't). I would attempt to send Esche, Potulny, Ruzicka, and our first and second for Gaborik and either Fernandez or Roloson. Have Niitty start and the team looks like this. By the way add in a pick for a UFA rental dman like Richardson (anything to keep Therien off the ice:
Gagne - Forsberg - Gaborik
Nedved - Handzus - Knuble
Umberger - Carter - Kapanen
Stevenson - Richards - Savage
Wow I'd love to see that.
But unfortunately: Gaborik > Potulny, Ruzicka, 1st and 2nd
and: Fernandez >>>> Esche
We'd have to give up Carter or Richards. I'm not gonna give up our future captain, but I would trade Carter. Gaborik is 23 and a proven scorer/playmaker, Carter 21.
we're absolutely not going to splash a big name forward. atleast no bigger than the past: oates, zhamnov, etc. this team has way way too much youth and has been exposed as a one line team. goaltending is not our problem. niitty is being groomed to be next years #1.
That is exactly the reason behind dealing from a position of assumed strength in moving Esche out now. Esche would be of help to many teams as he is extremely cheap by today's standards and could help a team and you have to give to get more so today than ever before. Esche being offered up as part of a package for either Gaborik or Richards makes sense on many levels...especially if it nets the Flyers a top two line forward.
we're absolutely not going to splash a big name forward. atleast no bigger than the past: oates, zhamnov, etc. this team has way way too much youth and has been exposed as a one line team. goaltending is not our problem. niitty is being groomed to be next years #1.
I know for a fact that the Flyers are looking for a semi big name.
Two guys that are often injuried and a goalie that can't stop a shot, I'll take my chances with Esche.
you mean two guys who are offensively excellent with a good center/a good passer and a goalie whose team hang him out every two seconds and who only needs a defense who bother/clear the puck one in a while and a little confidence, right?
a goalie whose team hang him out every two seconds and who only needs a defense who bother/clear the puck one in a while and a little confidence, right?
And like this defense doesn't leave goalies out to dry?
i would literally EXPLODE if we landed gaborik. i can think of no other player i would realistically want more. but i dont see any package that minnesota would be interested in. theyre already trying to unload a goalie, there would be no interest in esche.
The first round pick is no consolation this year either. According to the Satellite Hot Stove on CBC's Hockey Night In Canada, after the top 15, the draft is incredibly weak and there is a substantial drop off in terms of talent. This would probably be the one year that I wouldn't mind seeing them give up a first if it meant getting a proven talent like Gaborik in return. However, I don't think Minny will give up the franchise unless it meant a Lindros type return for him. We can't afford to do another Lindros type trade. As well, where would you play Gaborik? Would you bump Knuble off the top line and play Gaborik there? Would you bump Gagne? Would you play Gaborik with Handzus?
What we really need is a banging forward with great hands. I know he might not be putting up great numbers, but I think a player like Mark Bell would be a great addition in Philadelphia. We have enough players who are blazers, but we don't have anybody who can really pound people in terms of playing in front of the opposition's goaltender or defensive zone. Knuble isn't a banger in terms of the old war horses like Tocchet and Neely. That's the type of player we need. And no, Bertuzzi doesn't fit the mould of those two guys. Neither does Tkachuk. It's a shame that the days of those warrior types are slowly dying. Gary Roberts would be the last in the line of those type of players, but age is beginning to catch up with him. If it were the Roberts of 10 years ago, he'd be a great fit here.
