What else must the flyers do in order to make the playoffs next year?

Question

Alright, years prior to this season, theres no doubt that the Flyers where recognized as one of the better teams in the NHL. But as everyone knows this year, they finished last in the NHL. What caused this sudden drop in standings could be discussed for days, but thats not what im concerned with.

I wanna know what else the Flyers should do in order to get back on track. Theyve made huge strides towards the end of last season like shipping Forsberg to the Preds (which cant be argued, wasent a bad move) and getting a young guy like Upshall who I think will have a huge season next season. They also got Ryan Parent, whos suppouse to be like a defensive wonderkid.

Adding depth to there defense with young guys like Lasse Kukkonen and Braydon Coburn, getting goaltender Biron and resigning Nitty, and just recently recieved Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timmonen from Nashville. The flyers are looking very strong for next season.

They also recently put Pitkanen on arbitration.

Whats left?

Answer 1

i don't claim to know enough about the Flyers to tell you EXACTLY what they need to do, especially to achieve their full potential.

however, i can tell you, especially based on last year's hiccup, that they have to do 2 basic things (which they WILL do), and they'll make the playoffs handily.

1) teamwork, play as a team, chemistry, unselfish (that whole concept. they got a lot of talent. just have to synergize it).

2) recognize that they DO have a chip on their shoulder (too much pride); that it's to their advantage to have one; and then play w/ it.

frankly, i think they're gonna rip thru some opponents, and they're gonna feel like a tornado hit them. carnage will be everywhere. they're gonna do some damage next year. will they be able to CONSISTENTLY do it? put together some long streaks? i don't know. but they will wake some teams up and rock their world.

Answer 2

As a Flyers fan, how about an intelligent and thought out answer? The reason for the fall was because Bob Clarke refused to evolve with the sport and it finally caught up with him. Now Homer is starting to make some moves. The trade for Hartnell and Timonen was big and it didn't cost them anything but the draft pick they got from Nashville in the Forsberg trade. They now need a front line center and a better goaltender even though they could do worse then Biron. I think they'll make the playoffs this season as this past season was an aberration.

Answer 3

They need a star center now, to play on the line with Gagne and Knuble.

Ryan F, good answer, just one tidbit: no self-respecting Flyers fan would want the Pens to win and vice versa. It's not like we're rallying to get the Cup back to Pennsylvania "where it belongs!!" LOL.

What Catherine said is actually a great answer. =) Last year, Peter Forsberg came out and said that part of the Flyers losing so much was not having their heads or hearts in the game. I don't know WHAT was going on, but no matter how good your troops are, morale has to be high. It is a team sport, after all.

I think the Flyers have done a good job rebuilding for their future. I agree with Ryan F, I could see them falling between 5th and 9th in the eastern conference, depending on if they find that center. It's worth mentioning that I think Scottie Upshall found some kind of scoring niche in the Flyers that he never found with the Preds. The FAs they signed so far are good contributions, especially Timmonen, who can mentor younger defenseman...

Joni Pitkanen might not be one of them. Lol.

Answer 4

Its a new day in the Philadelphia Flyers orginization, With Bobby Clarke out as GM, and Paul Holmgren in, the Flyers have already made some great moves. First the first time in 10+ years we have a true #1 goaltender and we are slowly trimming off the fat. With the two new aquisitions and now we are going after some big name's including Scott Gomez, Vincent Lacavalier, and Thomas Vanek the Flyers will be back to the best franchise in hockey in no time flat

Answer 5

I think they have enough now to make the playoffs. The traded for Timmonen and Hartnell and the biggest and best move they have made was getting Marty Biron. That guy is an elite goalie and will carry Philly next year. I see them make the playoffs and actually maybe winning the division. But, I think the will lose in the 2nd round to the Sabres.

Answer 6

Get a top prospect in the upcoming draft who is able to suit up and play big minutes for the team next season. They also could use some actual contributions from their big name players outside of Simon Gagne. It seemed to me that Gagne was the only guy scoring goals last year for these guys, which isn't a bad thing, but no team ever wins games with only one guy scoring the goals all the time, so some secondary offense is needed in Philly. And they also need Martin Biron to play as the number one guy in goal for them next season, which is a possibility. You can score all the goals you want to, but if your defense and goaltender can't keep the puck out of the net, you're not going to win games, plain and simple. Those are the main things that Philly needs to do to succeed next year. By the way, I am anything but a Flyers fan, so I would not feel any bit sorry if they don't succeed next year and fail to make the playoffs yet again.

Answer 7

They could try winning. Now don't get mad, I'm just kidding! I think they need to spend time outside the rink making sure the guys all understand that they're one team and that everyone is equally important and has to work as hard as everyone else for them to succeed. It doesn't matter how many superstars you have on your team if they're all divas who won't work together. Also, from a long-time Sabres fan, I want to let you know that Marty Biron will bring a lot of morale-boost to the locker room. He's a really great guy who was well-loved here in Buffalo and your team is really lucky to have him, just for that alone.

Answer 8

They need to play better hockey. They have been playing goon hockey the last few years. Everyone on the team has forgotten how to play HOCKEY, and with the new NHL you have to be able to play. They cant, and they enjoyed the basement the entire season.

Answer 9

ill tell u what. im a flyers fan and they need to get a top center. their are some top centers out their and if they get a good player they can be at playoff contender.

go flyers.

Answer 10

Introduce a nasty flu virus to the rest of the division. Even then, I'd take the Devils taking shifts between barfs over the Flyers.