- Thread starter
- #1
flyersfan4706
Kimmo Forever
I try to make a thread every year when the season ends and it is almost always redundant rambling that we basically all know/have discussed, but I'd just like to get my thoughts moving forward all in one place anyway. Nothing groundbreaking here, but I've got some time to kill until the preseason starts.
I guess the easiest thing to do it look at the positives that this season brought. Voracek has proven to be Giroux's long term winger. Unfortunately the duo cooled down, but Voracek and Giroux at their peak this season my have been the most dominant I have seen any Flyer in a long time. We have a 1-2 1st line punch of the future. Just look at Raffl's stat line: 7 assists...21 goals. I don't like Raffl as a top 6 player at all, but Voracek and Giroux turned him into a 20 goal scorer.
The 4th line has at least partially come together to be competent. Rinaldo is worthless, but Bellemare and White have been great pick ups for what they are. White in particular is what Rinaldo should be. Fiesty, tough, but can actually play. I am not sure how anyone in the organization can possibly still think Rinaldo is an actual NHL option at this point.
Michael Del Zotto is almost too good to be true. Not that he was some elite player, but there is no way that he should have gone untendered, let alone unsigned into August. Great pickup. He made his fair share of mistakes, but he costs a 4th of what Matt Carle makes with much better production.
And of course, Steve Mason. Stone Cold. The Mased God. What he did this season despite Berube's treatment, his injuries, and the defense in front of him is unheard of. I don't think I have to say anything else. If there is one thing you take away from this season, let it be the miracle that is Steve Mason.
Now moving forward. Unfortunately there are no quick fixes. Obviously everyone talks about the concern for our defense, and rightfully so, but I stand by the hole at 2nd line center as being the biggest gap between us and the playoffs. The kids are coming to help on D, and that improvement will make us a contender. But in order to be a contender we must first be a playoff team, and that will come with improved scoring depth and better balance of the lines. For next year anyway our 2C can be either Couturier, Laughton, Lecavalier (If he is somehow reborn, unlikely), or McDavid (If we win the lottery, very unlikely). I don't think there is any real possibility of Laughton being a competent scoring 2C next year, but Couturier could be if Read gets healthy and rebounds while Schenn keeps up his improved play with Couturier.
Regarding the balance of lines, players like Rinaldo, Lecavalier, and Umberger just cannot realistically be on a good hockey team. Either those three are wasting on line entirely, or they will be anchors holding back multiple lines. It isn't my money, but considering they aren't going anywhere they might as well be scratched. Put in any NHL calibre free agent in their holes. These three bring nothing offensively or defensively. They can not be in the lineup if we want to be in the playoffs.
Streit and MDZ get a pass here because they at least provide points to the table. Grossmann, MacDonald, and Schenn are just a terrible trio to be moving forward with. Add in Gudas, who I like, and then we just begin to have redundant "physicality" on the blue line. These are the guys that should and likely will be starting to be phased out as the kids come. By the way, while Manning is signed next year and presumable will make the team I do not consider him any sort of future defenseman on this team in the slightest.
Berube has to go. Between the treatment of Mason and the playing of Rinaldo, scratching of MDZ early on, and usage of guys like Couturier and Giroux, there is no incentive to keep him. A new coach should be brought in from the outside, be it an NHL assistant, former NHL coach, or a Junior/AHL coach. Just get a fresh face to work with.
Hextall did a great job with what he could do at the deadline. Timonen+Coburn for a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Gudas, and a conditional pick is an incredible haul. I am excited that Hextall clearly sees the future with this team and look forward to him continuing to build towards an improved team of tomorrow.
Gostisbehere lost the year, Alt was hurt, and Stolarz may have hurt a bit from playing on a bad team. Hagg hasn't necessarily taken a jump since being drafted. But Morin, Sanheim, Fazleev, and Lindblom all grew exceptionally this year. Adding in 4 picks in the first 3 rounds this year, including two 1sts, will have our cupboard loaded and ready.
I think with the right developments and coaching we could be in the playoffs next year. Maybe not looking for major damage, but we could make it. Rebuilding doesn't have to meaning top 5 picks every year, just look at what Calgary is doing. We are on the correct path, all we need is patience.
I guess the easiest thing to do it look at the positives that this season brought. Voracek has proven to be Giroux's long term winger. Unfortunately the duo cooled down, but Voracek and Giroux at their peak this season my have been the most dominant I have seen any Flyer in a long time. We have a 1-2 1st line punch of the future. Just look at Raffl's stat line: 7 assists...21 goals. I don't like Raffl as a top 6 player at all, but Voracek and Giroux turned him into a 20 goal scorer.
The 4th line has at least partially come together to be competent. Rinaldo is worthless, but Bellemare and White have been great pick ups for what they are. White in particular is what Rinaldo should be. Fiesty, tough, but can actually play. I am not sure how anyone in the organization can possibly still think Rinaldo is an actual NHL option at this point.
Michael Del Zotto is almost too good to be true. Not that he was some elite player, but there is no way that he should have gone untendered, let alone unsigned into August. Great pickup. He made his fair share of mistakes, but he costs a 4th of what Matt Carle makes with much better production.
And of course, Steve Mason. Stone Cold. The Mased God. What he did this season despite Berube's treatment, his injuries, and the defense in front of him is unheard of. I don't think I have to say anything else. If there is one thing you take away from this season, let it be the miracle that is Steve Mason.
Now moving forward. Unfortunately there are no quick fixes. Obviously everyone talks about the concern for our defense, and rightfully so, but I stand by the hole at 2nd line center as being the biggest gap between us and the playoffs. The kids are coming to help on D, and that improvement will make us a contender. But in order to be a contender we must first be a playoff team, and that will come with improved scoring depth and better balance of the lines. For next year anyway our 2C can be either Couturier, Laughton, Lecavalier (If he is somehow reborn, unlikely), or McDavid (If we win the lottery, very unlikely). I don't think there is any real possibility of Laughton being a competent scoring 2C next year, but Couturier could be if Read gets healthy and rebounds while Schenn keeps up his improved play with Couturier.
Regarding the balance of lines, players like Rinaldo, Lecavalier, and Umberger just cannot realistically be on a good hockey team. Either those three are wasting on line entirely, or they will be anchors holding back multiple lines. It isn't my money, but considering they aren't going anywhere they might as well be scratched. Put in any NHL calibre free agent in their holes. These three bring nothing offensively or defensively. They can not be in the lineup if we want to be in the playoffs.
Streit and MDZ get a pass here because they at least provide points to the table. Grossmann, MacDonald, and Schenn are just a terrible trio to be moving forward with. Add in Gudas, who I like, and then we just begin to have redundant "physicality" on the blue line. These are the guys that should and likely will be starting to be phased out as the kids come. By the way, while Manning is signed next year and presumable will make the team I do not consider him any sort of future defenseman on this team in the slightest.
Berube has to go. Between the treatment of Mason and the playing of Rinaldo, scratching of MDZ early on, and usage of guys like Couturier and Giroux, there is no incentive to keep him. A new coach should be brought in from the outside, be it an NHL assistant, former NHL coach, or a Junior/AHL coach. Just get a fresh face to work with.
Hextall did a great job with what he could do at the deadline. Timonen+Coburn for a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Gudas, and a conditional pick is an incredible haul. I am excited that Hextall clearly sees the future with this team and look forward to him continuing to build towards an improved team of tomorrow.
Gostisbehere lost the year, Alt was hurt, and Stolarz may have hurt a bit from playing on a bad team. Hagg hasn't necessarily taken a jump since being drafted. But Morin, Sanheim, Fazleev, and Lindblom all grew exceptionally this year. Adding in 4 picks in the first 3 rounds this year, including two 1sts, will have our cupboard loaded and ready.
I think with the right developments and coaching we could be in the playoffs next year. Maybe not looking for major damage, but we could make it. Rebuilding doesn't have to meaning top 5 picks every year, just look at what Calgary is doing. We are on the correct path, all we need is patience.