I thought the team played well tonight and could have easily won it. They were a little flat towards the end, but overall I thought they looked better. The first goal the Canucks scored was a fluke. I've been saying since last year McGinn should be playing. When Hartnell gets back no way should he replace McGinn on the top line.

Last thing Rosehill shouldn't be in the line up, that 4th line looked weak. Did they even really play?

If they lose on thursday i'm not sure that the 7 days off is a good thing. On one hand they get lots of practice time, on the other they could dwell on the 1-7 start.
- Flyers_01

I was foolishly thinking they might win tonight and may get lucky in a game vs a Pens squad that they hate. Go into the break 3 and 5 Boy was I wrong.. after the break.. they will be 10 pts out of the 8th spot with games in hand they won't take advantage of.. book it.

Yeah.. the worry I have about Mason is that he's not getting any results. He has been everything we need as a tender so far... you can't win scoring 2 goals or less every game. I'd re sign him.. but I am expecting it will be Hexy doing so.
- Hextall271

He is from Columbus. Pretty sure this is the norm for him.

If they lose on thursday i'm not sure that the 7 days off is a good thing. On one hand they get lots of practice time, on the other they could dwell on the 1-7 start.
- Flyers_01

Pittsburgh is the best thing that can happen to them.

What was the last time this team actually played real chippy, with some emotion and engaged in a little bit of after the whistle stuff.

They cant play like a damn machine. I want the poop to blow off that night. Lose control, and let emotion take over. Hooking/holding I have a problem with, but the chippy poop needs to happen at this point.

Its like they are scared.

I thought the team played well tonight and could have easily won it. They were a little flat towards the end, but overall I thought they looked better. The first goal the Canucks scored was a fluke. I've been saying since last year McGinn should be playing. When Hartnell gets back no way should he replace McGinn on the top line.

Last thing Rosehill shouldn't be in the line up, that 4th line looked weak. Did they even really play?
- LJF

I think that they barely played and Berube had to roll the other 3 lines.. they ran out of steam at the end.

I used to get on the D, but at this point its not even the transition game.

They cant get anything going in the offensive zone. For apparently a group of forwards that is supposed to be gritty, they really lose a lot of battles and cant bring the puck to the front of the net.

I'm not going to put all the blame on Giroux. Yes he is the face of the team, but maybe the (frank)ing organization should have learned not to rush a kid after the Richards fiasco.

Who else is stepping up? Even with extra effort/hustle? Tye (frank)ing McGinn.
- flyer_nutter

repect the hell out of that kid.

When you're not a dominant team wouldn't a stronger 4th line capable of playing more than 2-4 minutes help keep your top 3 lines fresher? I'm not asking for 10+ minutes, but 6-8 minus a 4th line player.

I agree, Ed looks like a tool right now. I think if they loose the Pens game a trade is looming
- bigmookalookie

I said at beginning of this blog when Pittsburgh crushes us Thursday I have a feeling homer will be fired.

If they lose on thursday i'm not sure that the 7 days off is a good thing. On one hand they get lots of practice time, on the other they could dwell on the 1-7 start.
- Flyers_01

they can, and they will.

I thought the team played well tonight and could have easily won it. They were a little flat towards the end, but overall I thought they looked better. The first goal the Canucks scored was a fluke. I've been saying since last year McGinn should be playing. When Hartnell gets back no way should he replace McGinn on the top line.

Last thing Rosehill shouldn't be in the line up, that 4th line looked weak. Did they even really play?
- LJF

The Flyers let off the gas in the 3rd, and played too careful. Not enough edge in that period. I know people want to scapegoat Hartnell, but yes he absolutely should replace McGinn on the top line when he's healthy.

I just posted on that:

Rosehill 2:38
Rinaldo 4:45
Hall 5:16

Is it a surprise the top 3 lines got run down?

Out of the 3 goals, Coburn can only be assigned partial blame for one of those goals. And that's the Higgins goal. They have to communicate better. One of Giroux or Coburn needs to go and cover the slot. But Giroux does not belong on the post there. Giroux should've been in the slot.
- MJL

You are right as they do have to communicate better, but Coburn was awful today. And I'd give him the majority of the blame on that 2nd goal. Coburn was standing there for quite some time before Giroux crept up to that post on the opposite side. Once G covers that far post, Coburn CONTINUES to stand off to the side and stare at Higgins.

When you're not a dominant team wouldn't a stronger 4th line capable of playing more than 2-4 minutes help keep your top 3 lines fresher? I'm not asking for 10+ minutes, but 6-8 minus a 4th line player.
- jstross

That's why Rosehill shouldn't have played tonight.

I just posted on that:

Rosehill 2:38
Rinaldo 4:45
Hall 5:16

Is it a surprise the top 3 lines got run down?
- jstross

Once Lecavalier and Hartnell get back, I really hope McGinn and Raffl stay, or at LEAST one of them in place of Rosehill//Rinaldo. Rinaldo fought Bissonette, we don't need a super heavy weight.

Luke Schenn
12:50

6th Dman

repect the hell out of that kid.
- stayinthefnnet

Thats the thing. He is the one that stepped up.

Giroux aside. Where are the rest of them? I see nobody on that offense leading the way, and the only thing close to it was Vinny.

Where is the heart and soul of Talbot? He has been (frank)ing invisible for a long time now. Where is the intensity of Simmonds?

They all have to step up, including Giroux. However I think its laughable to expect him to carry the team. Its a league known fact that he is target #1 for other teams. Others need to step up.

Coots? Say what you will be he has been very meh. ZERO offensive game.

You are right as they do have to communicate better, but Coburn was awful today. And I'd give him the majority of the blame on that 2nd goal. Coburn was standing there for quite some time before Giroux crept up to that post on the opposite side. Once G covers that far post, Coburn CONTINUES to stand off to the side and stare at Higgins.
- GirouxForTheShow

Good thing Berube identified the problem and took Mez out.
Then he made him untradeable with his mouthy statement that he didn't see enough.
Great new coach.

i just don't have any emotion about their current state. if this was a few years ago, and i'd be climbing the (frank)ing walls with frustration and anger. it's actually nice, being in the place of detachment. not something i'm trying to do intentionally, it's happened all by itself. might be because i'm north of 40 and i'm just mellowing or maybe i've finally realized it's pointless to get so upset about something of which i don't have any control.
- hammarby31

I completely agree with your post. After last year and now this start, I just don't care as much. I hope they turn it around but I don't see it happening and as of now they should not be cashing their checks.

I just posted on that:

Rosehill 2:38
Rinaldo 4:45
Hall 5:16

Is it a surprise the top 3 lines got run down?
- jstross

None of those players saw a shift in the 3rd period.

You are right as they do have to communicate better, but Coburn was awful today. And I'd give him the majority of the blame on that 2nd goal. Coburn was standing there for quite some time before Giroux crept up to that post on the opposite side. Once G covers that far post, Coburn CONTINUES to stand off to the side and stare at Higgins.
- GirouxForTheShow

Coburn has been a mess ever since taking that puck in the Pittsburgh series.

On a decline ever since. The "being asked to do too much" excuse is getting old. For a shutdown d-man, he plays with the hockey IQ of a moron.

You are right as they do have to communicate better, but Coburn was awful today. And I'd give him the majority of the blame on that 2nd goal. Coburn was standing there for quite some time before Giroux crept up to that post on the opposite side. Once G covers that far post, Coburn CONTINUES to stand off to the side and stare at Higgins.
- GirouxForTheShow

I think Coburn was bad on that play, but he wasn't awful overall in the game. He actually played well overall. Somebody has to pick Higgins up. Giroux does not belong at that post.

Luke Schenn
12:50

6th Dman
- PLindbergh31

I did not see him much. (frank), well at least the Leafs got JVR

The Flyers let off the gas in the 3rd, and played too careful. Not enough edge in that period. I know people want to scapegoat Hartnell, but yes he absolutely should replace McGinn on the top line when he's healthy.
- MJL

Why, McGinn is doing all the things that Hartnell should do, but hasn't been. McGinn did more or less the same thing last when he was called up until he got his face broken. After he wasn't as effective and Lava sent him back down never to be recalled. Sorry but McGinn has out played Hartnell.

Thats the thing. He is the one that stepped up.

Giroux aside. Where are the rest of them? I see nobody on that offense leading the way, and the only thing close to it was Vinny.

Where is the heart and soul of Talbot? He has been (frank)ing invisible for a long time now. Where is the intensity of Simmonds?

They all have to step up, including Giroux. However I think its laughable to expect him to carry the team. Its a league known fact that he is target #1 for other teams. Others need to step up.

Coots? Say what you will be he has been very meh. ZERO offensive game.
- flyer_nutter

I agree, they have no fire, no desire, no grit... Oh well Hexy will be taking over soon. Eddy will not be made a fool of. Homer will feel his wrath

I just posted on that:

Rosehill 2:38
Rinaldo 4:45
Hall 5:16

Is it a surprise the top 3 lines got run down?
- jstross

Said it before, said it earlier tonight, and I'll say it again because I like to repeat myself on the internet:

The Flyers' margin for error is much too thin to dress players who cannot contribute shifts at even strength.

If you play a player for 2:38 and 4:45, it's not their fault they are in the lineup and not helping the team.

It's the organization's fault for having players who are so limited, they just can't get on the ice for even-strength shifts.

BiggE said it earlier: The best Flyers team will have a fourth line with Maxime Talbot on it, with Adam Hall. Because then, you can play that line for 10 minutes or so, some minutes against tougher opposition.

But 2:38 and 4:45? For a team with one win and difficulty scoring goals, you can't waste roster spots like that. You have to put players out there who can help you win.