GratefulFlyers

Good to hear ... somebody has to win draws.

Very true but all rebuilds are not the same. Some around here, long time Flyers’ fans, question whether what Briere’s doing is a rebuild at all. And you can’t blame them let’s face it Briere is doing a quasi-rebuild, keeping, re-signing some older players while emphasizing he won’t mortgage the future for the sake of one PO run. It’s a multi-year program but nothing that resembles a full rebuild. So yeah I think his moves fit his words pretty well. If he was truly “going for it” this year he would’ve made a whole slew of different moves. Instead it was a few tweaks, minor moves that shored up the depleted D while picking up another 1R.

Contradicting what they said all year would’ve meant an absurd (and irresponsible) change in direction. Because remember the first we heard anyone in mngmt say “we want to make the POs” was just prior to the TD. No one either before or after ever said, “but if we surprise everyone and are sitting in a PO spot at the TD, we’ll trade whoever it takes to make sure we drop out of the race.” The moves Briere made (and didn’t make) fit with what he’s said all along. I suspect if the team wasn’t in the PO race we would’ve seen more movement but probably not a lot more.

The "book" on Laughton is well-known to the Flyers, not so much by the other GMs. Maybe Briere valued him too highly. I don't think so but it's a reasonable POV. He said he wanted "more than market value" but wasn't offered that. 21's still with the Flyers for now but @RonJeremy is right, trading him on Draft Day could be worthwhile if it allows Briere to acquire a higher pick, don't you think? I don't think anyone can dispute that...

It was - and the goal couldn't come at a better time... right after TK and Sanheim fail to control the puck at the 'Canes blue line sends Martinhook in untouched, he rips it past Ersson ... I felt like "oh no another blowout coming?" But 25 secs later... a beautiful play, great finish by #21. ********************* and now ... the Daily Sermon ... This year the Flyers are establishing a baseline of respect - for the logo, for each other and for the fans (+ pride in their own game). That takes preparation and commitment. It's developing slowly, steadily below the surface, becoming ingrained in the personality of the team. That's why I expect it will survive with or w/out Tortorella. All the Flyers and in particular the younger guys own that preparation etc. and they'll own it the rest of their careers. Doesn't automatically make them great hockey players but championship teams all share those qualities. When Briere adds talent he'll be looking for guys who share them too.

His assist on Laughton's goal - the work he did along the boards to get control, flick it to Farabee (i think) - was great to see Brink able to win that puck battle.

Not usually but that early giveaway could’ve been deadly but the way he instantly recovered and snagged that point-blank shot….that was a jump outta out of our seats moment around here. Crazy how karma or whatever the heck it is works sometimes…You, you of all people go to a ‘Canes game to see your Flyers and run into a guy wearing a Voracek sweater…omg that is rich! Gotta love it.

I can't either. Maybe all the way back to when Richards was captain, Pronger on the blue line...a bunch of not-quite-ready-for-prime-timers in net... Once Fletcher took over the teams Giroux had to lead were like sheep compared to this bunch (maybe not that bad lol).

Oh you think he was trying to score? Could be, trying to shoot it makes sense. But it didn't get tipped or anything - and the puck went right onto TK's tape. ... I don't know. Story often told in Flyersland this year... not as bad as other years but those near-misses in OT can kill you. Not sure Farabee's shot qualifies as a near miss though ... went about 6 feet over the bar WTF... at least hit the pads force a save... you and me both brother. stupidass way of settling a pro hockey game.

Frost with another huge skill play - backhand pass btw his legs to TK coming around from behind the net. TK got noticed on that one... tying goal and his first in awhile... good work that whole line.

Poehling has deceptive speed and good hands. Spending most of the season skating 12-15 mins he hasn't racked up many points but I don't think anyone knows his ceiling. Frost has come alive and like you say it shows what's missing. TK has the vision to be a good setup guy but he's in funk ... barely noticeable the past 10+ games. I really expect he'll be scratched when Couturier gets back in.

Okay I didn't mind bringing in Johnson but this sounds a little overcooked - what is he angling for a contract? edit: good crowd in Carolina... Farabee went down hard took a puck in the face - crowd gave him a nice round of applause when he skated off... don't hear that as much these days.

Ugh was that a soft goal? I saw the end of the replay looked pretty far out near the blue line ... edit: never mind it was from btw the circles good shot. So now it's 2-1 - do the Flyers get blown out or can they keep it close? 'Canes can really own a team with their forecheck when it's going good.

It took awhile to wreck the pipeline it'll take awhile to fix it. Briere's been GM for one year and he (and his team) drafted that "ONE blue chip prospect." As for Tortorella I know his rep. Some of it's deserved most of it isn't. Anyway ... you say he's not the coach for a rebuild? Good then. According to you the Flyers aren't rebuilding so they oughta be just fine. Until we know for sure - until enough time has gone by to prove whether or not Jones/Briere are as creative as they'll need to be to pull this off - to build a Cup champion w/out stripping it to the rafters, w/out "tanking" - Tortorella's as good as anyone behind the bench. If he starts wearing thin after awhile so what? FFS he can't "ruin" anybody in the process no matter what Dubinsky says (though he may hurt some feelings).

According to Daily Face Off - Roster in Raleigh - Couturier won't play tonight. Looks like the same lineup that went against the Leafs.

I hit "Good Post" but this is a stretch. Not the "more middle 6..." part I agree with you there - but the cause. You're saying the guy who's getting this bunch to overachieve is the problem? In other words if Tortorella weren't so damn good at his job the Flyers might've sucked and gotten a better pick this year. Okay so I stretched it there myself but in essence that's what you're saying: the Flyers are badly served by a "hold 'em accountable" type coach and they'd be better off with a Bruce Boudreau teddy bear type for now. I don't recall if he was available at the time but I wish Barry Trotz was coaching the Flyers these days. Hell I would've even taken JQ with all his bad choices (and bad PR) over Tortorella. But the point is... Yes they do. So why is Tortorella (or any head coach) an obstruction to that? I'm not saying head coaches are innocent bystanders. And we know Tortorella shares the GM's vision because he said so. But you're well aware the GM delivers the roster. Sounds to me like your problem is with Jones and Briere. In any case whether it's John Tortorella or Dave Tippett, Claude Julien or Mike Babcock - whoever is behind the bench, given the same roster they'll all take the team to (roughly) the same spot at the end of the season.

So Couturier is scratched again? Say it ain't so... I don't see the lineup online yet but you sound convinced we won't see #14 out there tonight.

That Deslauriers point was a GOAL! First one of the year! Game 68 or whatever it was... His fights are likely in games where the Flyers are struggling, already behind the 8-ball not a huge surprise the record is bad. But anyway...I don't get you sometimes. You know the game you know the NHL so why try to sell that because ND rarely puts up points he has zero value? Hey if you're just venting no problem. And that would be understandable coming from someone who hates this entire not-quite-a-rebuild thing the Flyers are doing. edit: of course his contract is too long. A 4-year deal was dumb at the time looking back now just as dumb. Prob the only way to keep the cap hit down but $2.5/2 is better than $1.75 for 4. If Fletcher had to have him that is... Back to benching Couturier, Flyers' fans have been clamoring for years for a HC who holds everyone accountable. Now we got him and it's still no good. It seems to me regardless what you think of Tortorella you have to admit he's pressed most of the right buttons this year.

Probably right I agree. And although they don't award the Selke to 12-min guys he doesn't have to win the trophy just play like a contender for it. Hopefully next year he's not only 100% healthy but ready and up to speed for an 82-game schedule, which clearly he wasn't this year.

Right now it's hard to imagine him playing Selke-candidate hockey ever again but who knows. He missed a lot of time; nobody expected his return would be problem-free. He's obviously dealing with some physical issues and now maybe a "Tortorella issue."

Tortorella’s probably tempted to ice the same team so what are the odds the captain sits again? The Flyers finally beat Toronto but it cost them something … weird: it turned Couturier into a victim. Any other player gets scratched starts grumbling about “the way I been treated around here lately” I wouldn’t think twice but Sean Couturier? Yeah that was a little weird.

yawn... oh look Dubinsky's ragging on Tortorella again...

@mojo1917 I think we know all that. But I see a player choosing to play; I don't see "mismanagement." Of course there's pressure to play. No doubt Couturier felt it just as Simmonds did in his day. But that's pro sports my friend... Maybe Tortorella did cut Couturier's ice time solely because of the injury. And? Is that something "less than" - something "other than" managing one of your players? Professionals right? Ultimately each one is his own "adult in the room." Once the medical staff clears him for contact it's still up to him to announce he's ready to go. I don't pretend to know how it works on every team in the NHL but I do know the player makes the final call on his readiness.

the only one I remember is Bobrovsky and that was all Laviolette FWIU. Played him past his waiver-exemption and in the process overworked him into some bad starts in the POs that year. But he's the only one I recall. I'm not sure who @radoran is referring to on April 13th - Simmonds complained about too much ice time? Can't be...has to be someone else... @radoran YOU ARE HEREBY CALLED TO ANSWER THE CHARGE OF WILLFULLY ... oh well could've been funny but I cramped up. Anyway who are the Flyers honoring on April 13th and what's his story?

could be...benching your captain is such a momentous decision it's bound to have unintended consequences. The good news is all the evidence suggests the entire organization is proud of "the room" this year. I expect the players will do whatever it takes to keep it intact, just as I expect Couturier's disappointment, anger etc. will quietly fade away and he'll be back in the lineup tomorrow night. TK on the other hand...I smell it coming...healthy scratch. How will he handle it? Hopefully we don't find out but he hasn't scored in a month. He needs some goals ASAP.