Hexy27

I obviously love Hextall but I have really want someone with no connections to the Flyers. A fresh perspective would be ideal but should that not be possible...Ron Hextall for GM! ;-)

This is only a partial truth. You still need a steady stream of prospects. We need to address several areas of the game: defense, goal tending (starting and backup) and special teams. How much of that gets done via the draft or via trades? We can't keep trading away picks so likely it will be some of our young core that has to be sacrificed. I say the cupboard is bare because we really don't have anything anyone wants in the way of junior and minor league prospects besides Laughton. We let Sestito go for nothing (I'm still wondering what Homer was thinking). Would we be in this situation if someone with a different mentality was GM? Homer is a great talent evaluator, which certainly plays a part in being a GM. The other part is the finances and futures (ala draft picks). I find Homer significantly lacking in the latter.

@Bertmega I never meant to insinuate that Homer is the worst GM ever. I just don't think he is a good one and not the best GM this organization could use. I do like some of the names being thrown about in this thread. It gives me something to research (as I have little working knowledge of the GM class out there).

This is being talked about in alot of separate threads so I thought it might be good to start a new thread about the topic. I blame Homer for the product that is on the ice and the bare cupboard we have as a prospect pool. IMO Homer (and the organization) has never taken the cap seriously. They constantly game the rules and the result is we get painted into corners. We overpay players and give them longterm contracts with NTCs. The Flyers give away draft picks like candy and constantly think the next big move will be the difference maker. It hasn't worked so far so how is this going to change? I think we need a GM with no history with the team. The question is who would that be? I'll be honest in that I don't know. Burke is out there. Do you give him a chance? Someone else?

We have some serious problems. I agree that Bryz needs to go but we also have issues with our defense. How do we get a new starting goalie, backup goalie and a defenseman or two via trades? You'll end up with some parts of these needs and your forwards raided by other teams. I think we need a new GM. One that values draft picks more than the big splash signing. We need someone with better talent evaluation.

I was in the "Bring in Vokoun to mentor Bob" camp and wanted no part of Bryz.

@flyercanuck I don't recall the number being nearly that high and do remember as many people pining for Vokoun.

@flyercanuck His chances at a cup are better if he allows himself to be bought out. I don't doubt there will be any number of suitors for Briere if he should hit the open market. His playoff stats alone will get him a good deal on a cup contending team (of his choosing).

I really don't see any incentive for Briere to waive his NTC. The incentive is there to refuse it. The buyout money would be like a signing bonus once he signs somewhere else.

Time to sign him to a 5 year $60M contract!

I have been to a fair share of games and I have never witnessed Flyers fans do anything other than taunt opposing fans. Never anything like what Alzner claims. The only thing I saw that came close to this was when we were playing Montreal at home in the playoffs a few years ago. Some Canadiens fans were taunting Flyers fans. The Flyers fans were giving it back pretty good (verbally) and eventually the three Canadiens fans dumped their sodas on a Flyers fan who was a kid. Security was on them within minutes and they got tossed out in the second period.

I couldn't be happier to see Gagne return. I know he is on the decline and everything but it is good to see him back!

I agree about Lavy. I think he is a good coach. My only gripe is how often we get caught with too many men on the ice over the last couple of seasons. I think it is something Lavy can work on. I don't necessarily agree that Homer is a good GM. He isn't the worst one out there but I do think the organization could benefit from hiring a GM that has no history with the team. I appreciate Homer's tenacity and desire to win but he doesn't seem to realize we have a cap at times. Too many long term deals and NTCs. At times I feel like he thinks draft picks are meaningless and gives them away for no reason. The cap is going down next season and it will likely make things alot more difficult for the organization. If the Flyers were to miss the post season I would rather see a change in the GM rather than the head coach.

I thought Hartnell brought some good energy today. He looked a little lost at times but overall not a bad first game back.

I still can't figure out why they sent Boucher to the AHL instead of Leighton. Hopefully they fix this oversight soon.

I agree that your team didn't throw seasons. They were truly terrible. Instead of tanking the team on purpose Lemieux decided to have closed door sessions with Bettman and out came your string of amazing lottery picks. Say what you will but that is not how I want to see it get done for the Flyers.

Laughton has been good so far. I heard Pierre say yesterday that he thinks the Flyers will keep him beyond his 5 game stint. I don't think that's going to happen, however. There is little reward in doing so this season and burning a year of his entry level contract. I think he goes back to juniors and we give him a shot with the big club full time next year.

I want to see B. Schenn on one of the top two lines. I think he'll be a bit of a waste on the third line. He has a really good opportunity right now with Briere out. That opens up a spot.

@brelic I don't necessarily want him bought out. I'd rather see Briere stick around but I do also think it may be a business decision. It all depends on what the Flyers' plan is in the next couple of seasons. Remember we have to resign Giroux, B. Schenn, Read and Coutourier at the end of next season. These players will likely command a higher salary and there will be a lower cap. What if someone places an offer sheet on one of these players? Briere might be a victim of numbers if the Flyers want to resign these players and play in free agency.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. This could be dumb luck!

@DaGreatGazoo I was actually wondering about this myself. With Schenn, Coutourier, Giroux and (maybe) Laughton the Flyers could have a young productive offense for some time to come. Briere may simply be the odd man out come this off-season. If Schenn and Coutourier can add to their post season experience and production then Danny might not be needed any more.

Now that you mention that...I'd still take Boucher over Leighton!

While I hate seeing the Flyers retread players I am happy to see Boosh back. If anyone can clear waivers to/from the AHL it's Leighton. Boucher would be claimed while no one will give Leighton a thought. I think Homer made a low risk move here and took care of half of our goalie problem. I suspect the other half will be taken care of this off season via a buyout.

@pilldoc Thanks for the pic!

I can see all the Upshall posts starting again in 3, 2, 1...