I would certainly agree that the players can play better. But I don't think this roster can really excel playing this style.
- BringBack25

What's excel? Winning a Cup? They're need some more pieces for that realistically. But that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about a team that plays the right way. That maximizes it's talent. That plays all 3 zones and both ends of the ice. It starts with the Coach. He isn't getting done. Repeated errors are not being corrected. This team has the wrong mindset. And that starts with Laviolette.

Ottawa's been decent with a bunch of AHLers. How is this possible?
- eayost

they probably know how to draft and/or don't trade 2nd round picks like they're going out of style.

Ottawa's been decent with a bunch of AHLers. How is this possible?
- eayost

Solid team game!

Mookster! What's up buddy?
- PLindbergh31

nm how r u. flyers sucked a fat 1 2day

Why do you care? He can't play goalie....
- Giroux_Is_God

Jimmy Howard

ohhhhelllyeah we've been owned by teams we haven't even played yet, that's wild.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Since our miraculous 0-3 comeback the record against Boston hasn't been pretty, seeing how nj and ny have had their way with us playing a similar style, I'd say its a safe bet playing them won't be much different.

howabout Staal?
- watsonnostaw

I think that the puck got him in the eye. I've seen a still, and if it's not the eye itself, it's the damned eyelid

This is where you get off course. You seem to think that you can't be an aggressive fore-checking team and play well defensively, and check in all 3 zones. I assure you that you can. It's not a choice between one or the other.

Did you not see how the Rangers solid checking and breaking up plays in the neutral zone led to odd man chances for them? And goals?
- MJL

The Rangers crushed the Flyers in terms of board battles all game.

Especially when the Flyers were in their own zone.

I stand by my fact that this team is best built to play an up-tempo aggressive system, and follow such an identity.

The biggest problem in my eyes? They aren't made to have any kind of identity as of now. If they had a squad like the Rangers I would be talking differently. They do not.

They have a forward corps that is streaky and has big issues in back-checking. A d-core that loses too many battles, is slow and cant transition with creativity. Add in goaltending that is sometimes questionable, and what identity can you hope to have?

This team needs to be improved in terms of overall players, then to look at coaching.

They lead the NHL in save %
- PLindbergh31

That all on the goalie or team play?

All I care about is DO NOT trade assets for short term only. It's fools gold at this point. Already coughed up a 3rd rd pick for Gagne. Holmy is becomming Clarke! Ugh.

ohhhhelllyeah we've been owned by teams we haven't even played yet, that's wild.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

That is indeed the height of embarrassment.

Ottawa's been decent with a bunch of AHLers. How is this possible?
- eayost

Hard work, and guys that give everything when the puck is along the boards.

Ottawa back-checks like crazy and have pretty consistently gotten above average goaltending to bail them out.

nm how r u. flyers sucked a fat 1 2day
- bigmookalookie

Same old. Losing to the Rangers and Devils on spin cycle is getting (frank)ing old. Can't watch the same game time after time. Sickening.

Since our miraculous 0-3 comeback the record against Boston hasn't been pretty, seeing how nj and ny have had their way with us playing a similar style, I'd say its a safe bet playing them won't be much different.
- JoeRussomanno

Flyers did OK against Bruins last year. Got blown out that one ugly game in December but won the first game 2-1 and the other two were ties lost in the skills competition.

The Rangers crushed the Flyers in terms of board battles all game.

Especially when the Flyers were in their own zone.

I stand by my fact that this team is best built to play an up-tempo aggressive system, and follow such an identity.

The biggest problem in my eyes? They aren't made to have any kind of identity as of now. If they had a squad like the Rangers I would be talking differently. They do not.

They have a forward corps that is streaky and has big issues in back-checking. A d-core that loses too many battles, is slow and cant transition with creativity. Add in goaltending that is sometimes questionable, and what identity can you hope to have?

This team needs to be improved in terms of overall players, then to look at coaching.
- flyer_nutter

If the D-core is slow and can't transition with creativity, how are they built to play an up-tempo aggressive system?

Last year the line of Jagr/Roo/Harts was dominant through large parts of the reg season, esp early. This year, Voracek has far outplayed what Jagr was. Yet that line is nothing special really, except for Voracek.

All I care about is DO NOT trade assets for short term only. It's fools gold at this point. Already coughed up a 3rd rd pick for Gagne. Holmy is becomming Clarke! Ugh.
- jstross

this.

sell only. don't buy.
solidifies first round exit.

That all on the goalie or team play?
- eayost

Team play has nothing to do with Anderson posting a .952 save %

Tired of Bryz, abilities the whole gimmick. He has to be distracting in the locker room. Then he just said the coaches need to be held responsible.

Flyers did OK against Bruins last year. Got blown out that one ugly game in December but won the first game 2-1 and the other two were ties lost in the skills competition.
- bmeltzer

I stand corrected on they performed last year but how they look this year, I see nothing to get my hopes up at this point, Bill. This is a team that can't play 60 minutes or effectively in all three zones.

The Rangers crushed the Flyers in terms of board battles all game.

Especially when the Flyers were in their own zone.

I stand by my fact that this team is best built to play an up-tempo aggressive system, and follow such an identity.

The biggest problem in my eyes? They aren't made to have any kind of identity as of now. If they had a squad like the Rangers I would be talking differently. They do not.

They have a forward corps that is streaky and has big issues in back-checking. A d-core that loses too many battles, is slow and cant transition with creativity. Add in goaltending that is sometimes questionable, and what identity can you hope to have?

This team needs to be improved in terms of overall players, then to look at coaching.
- flyer_nutter

The Flyers were doing fine in puck battles in the game. You're putting the cart before the horse here. This team's lack of a solid fundamental team game, is why you think they're not built right. And you seem to think that you can't play an uptempo and aggressive style, while also playing well defensively. Paying attention to detail in all 3 zones. And checking all over the ice. You absolutely can. Ottawa gave the Flyers all they could handle with half the talent. Why is that? Because they play the right way.

If the D-core is slow and can't transition with creativity, how are they built to play an up-tempo aggressive system?
- eayost

They are not.

They arent built to have any identity as of now imo.

I dont mind anger and frustration, I just dont like the panic. The team needs to be improved in terms of overall players first and foremost.

This was an evulation year after the failure to improve the back end in the summer.

How is Jersey doing playing a defensive minded system right now? How are the Hawks doing playing a truly aggressive system?

Last year the line of Jagr/Roo/Harts was dominant through large parts of the reg season, esp early. This year, Voracek has far outplayed what Jagr was. Yet that line is nothing special really, except for Voracek.
- PT21

I wonder if this being Hartnell's 8th game of the season might have a bit to do with that? Seriously.

The first line is about item number 27 on things wrong with this team considering Voracek is tied for 7th in scoring and Giroux tied for 14th.

Team play has nothing to do with Anderson posting a .952 save %
- PLindbergh31

Seriously? Solid team defense doesn't limit quality scoring chances, forcing the other team to take shots from lower percentage scoring areas?

Tired of Bryz, abilities the whole gimmick. He has to be distracting in the locker room. Then he just said the coaches need to be held responsible.
- Winning

I just watched the Nash goal in slow motion, Bryzgalov barely moved. Wasn't screened or anything. I have no idea what he was doing there.

The attempted half hearted poke checks are silly, and the inability to stop a single breakaway is a farce.