There were few smiles in the city of Brotherly Love after the Philadelphia Flyers made an early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs. But GM Bobby Clarke seems to have appeased the Flyer faithful with an aggressive offseason. Clarke nabbed All-Star center Jeremy Roenick and Czech standout Jiri Dopita to bolster a lagging Flyers scoring attack. Clarke also addressed Phily's defensive concerns by picking up free agent Eric Weinrich. Will Clarke's go-getter offseason bring some love back to Phily or will the Flyers be labeled as underachievers once again in 2001-02?

Here are your thoughts on what the Flyers need for next season:

Additions only help strong Flyers squad
I think the Flyers will be one of the premier teams in the NHL next season, as they have been for the last seven or eight years. Bill Barber already had a strong team last year with promising rookies like Ruslan Fedotenko, Justin Williams and Todd Fedoruk, not to mention second-year player Simon Gagne. Bob Clarke, although stubborn to trade Lindros, has added three good players (All-Star Jeremy Roenick, Eric Weinrich, and Czech All-Star Jiri Dopita) without losing anyone who can't be replaced (Dopita will look good instead of Daymond Langkow). Flyers fans should expect the conference finals or better for 2001-02.

Brian
Gibbsboro, N.J.

New destiny in Phily next season
Being a "team of destiny" doesn't help when your destiny consists of watching the Cup finals on TV. I think picking up Jeremy Roenick was a good move. Bob Clarke can now trade Eric Lindros for a puck-handling defenseman who knows how to cover his zone, instead of a big center. If this happens, maybe the Flyers can break out of this rut. That is, assuming Roman Chechmanek isn't going to follow in Brian Boucher's footsteps.

Mike
Philadelphia

The ultimate praise
As a Devil fan, I've been cringing with every Flyers' signing. First, Jeremy Roenick. Then the Czech star. Now it's Eric Weinrich. Add that to a rejuvenated John LeClair and a determined Cechmanek, and the Flyers have the look of a real powerhouse in the East. They match up just as well (maybe better) with New Jersey down the middle, and with Alexander Mogilny gone to the North, the Devs will need big production from their wingers. The Flyers got better -- a LOT better. Even with the subtraction of Daymond Langkow, who seemed to kill Jersey at every shift, I think this year may be what Flyers fans have been waiting for. Then again, the questions of goaltending and defense still remain. But with Eric Lindros, they've got one big carrot to dangle in front of many rabbits' mouths.

John
Toms River, N.J.

All roads lead to Roman next season
This is the Flyers' season. The only team in the East that can take them out is the Devils, and the loss of Alexander Molgilny and his 43 goals leaves them slightly suspect. To me, the success of this season lies squarely on the shoulders of Roman Cechmanek. Looking at all of the injuries the Flyers had to deal with last year, it is simply amazing that they had the regular-season success they did and it is not terribly surprising that they were booted out in the first round. But it was Cechmanek who carried them. This season should be a bit easier for Roman, but you never know what can transpire (Brian Boucher, for example). If Jiri Dopita is the Czech bomb that people claim he is, the Flyers may have the best combined three lines in hockey (and their checking fourth line is one of the best at what they do as well). The Flyers will be hard to beat this season. Look for Bob Clarke (who is making one heck of an effort to keep his job) to pick up a fleet-footed D-man at some point during this season as the final piece to the puzzle. The Cup will be going down Broad Street next June!

Raws
Perth Amboy, N.J.

Flyers will continue Philadelphia teams' success
I think the Flyers have done as much as possible to prepare for the upcoming season. They knew going into this offseason where their weaknesses were and they took steps to cover all of them. As long as Roman Cechmanek can repeat what he did last year and make it through the playoffs, they have a decent chance at winning the Cup. I believe if they could accomplish all they did last year -- aside from the disappointing first-round exit -- there's no telling what they'll be able to do this year. Philadelphia teams have a way of going beyond what's expected of them (as can be seen this year with the Sixers and currently with the Phillies). Besides, the Devils are counting on having the same strength they had last year, but they are the one of the only teams in the Eastern Conference to do NOTHING to improve themselves. They've lost their top goal scorer and their defense is nothing to brag about. I think they won't be nearly as tough as people expect them to be, and I think the Flyers will come out on top.

Lindsay
Aston, Pa.

Patrick
Malvern, Pa.

Stacked team will have same poor results
Even with the addition of Jeremy Roenick, the Flyers won't go much further in the playoffs than last year's first-round exit. I can guarantee they will be kicked out in the second round. I'm an Avs fan and I think if the Flyers do make it as far as the finals, they will crumble to any Western Conference team. Whether it be Colorado, Dallas, or St. Louis, it won't matter. Roman Cechmanek will hold up a little more than last year, but he will start to fade in the playoffs and the Flyers won't recover.

Sean
Worcester, Mass

Patrick
Malvern, Pa.

Good health, depth key for 2001-02
Injuries played a big part in the Flyers' downfall in the playoffs last season. Losing Keith Primeau going into the playoffs was critical, and John LeClair was not himself after his late season staph infection. The Flyers could have easily been more competitive in that series. Several of the key games went to overtime, and Buffalo managed to put in the big goal mostly because of defensive lapses by the Flyers. I thought Eric Desjardins looked as though he was completely used up by the time the playoffs started. Providing that the majority of the roster stays healthy, the upcoming season should be very promising. Signing Jeremy Roenick was key, and he is what I would describe as a perfect fit for the Flyers. He brings all of the elements to the game, including some grit, which fits in perfectly with Bill Barber's style. Eric Weinrich will help the blue line tremendously, but the defense is still an area that needs some improvement. Guys like Andy Delmore and Chris McAllister must prove that they can help out more, both offensively and defensively. Goaltending remains a bit of a question because of Brian Boucher's status. If he is not traded and the Flyers hold on to him, I look for him to come into camp poised and ready to compete with Roman Cechmanek for the top spot.

Todd
Lehigh Valley, Pa.