By now it's clear that in a 7 game series, the Flyers will definitely not win against Carolina, Caps, Toronto, Florida, Tampa or Boston and probably not against the Rangers. That puts the Cup out of reach so what should be the goal of this season? They don't need experience for the young kids because the Flyer have a top 5 oldest roster in the NHL. (I didn't believe it either until I looked).
I think once Hayes/Ellis and the rest of the injured come back, you'll see them start to pick it back up. Something like win 2, lose 1. Just enough to put them within grasp of the wildcard spot which will make them stand pat. I'm not saying that's what I want them to do but what I think they will do.
However, as @mojo1917 said, the next 2 drafts are looking pretty good. While I personally don't think Giroux is the problem, he might help fix it. It's pretty clear by now that he can't carry a team on his back, so he helps more by the value he would get in return. It will be a sad day to see him leave, but unfortunately it's time - this is the first time I remember feeling this way. If they do keep floundering it makes even clearer that trading him at the deadline is the right move.
Don't look now but Couturier is 28, maybe it's time to see what offers are out there. While we are at it.... JVR & Hayes
So can the combination of Giroux, Couturier, JVR and/or Hayes in combination of the kids coming up, fill the holes?
? - ? - Atkinson
Farabee - ? - Konecny
Lindblom - Frost - Allison
? - Laughton - MacEwen
---Wisdom, Foerster, Ratcliffe
Provorov - Ellis
Sanheim - Ristolainen(?)
York - ?
---Zamula, Morin (ha)
Hart
Jones
---Ersson, Ustimenko, Sandstrom
At least during this rebuild, they would have they most important position filled already.