Good old Nodl Syndrome. Raffl is a decent player, but belongs on a fourth line.

Perfect example is that feed from Giroux where he shoots it over the top of the net. Cant turn a mule into a mustang. Not to say this game is on Raffl by any means, but too many "secondary" players on this team with poor puck skills, without even looking at the defense.
- flyer_nutter

Raffl's better than the 4th line, but probably isn't top line material. He's a solid 2nd/3rd liner. Then again, Jake had 2 bad turnovers on the PP the last 2 games, Vinny had the turnover that lead to a goal, G has no goals, Hartnell and Couts have no goals. etc. Lots of things to fix on this team.

Agreed. He did have a nice game.

Can't finish though. Maybe in time he will. Until he can, why is he learning the NHL game on the first line?
- 77rams

because the team needs a dynamic winger and at least raffl won't hurt them..."i don't like it, any more than you do..."

JVR w/ #6 tonite...
- isaiah520

Its all good we got a third paring d-man for him, awesome trade!

did i see a hand pass in the neutral zone on their 3rd goal?

Raffl's better than the 4th line, but probably isn't top line material. He's a solid 2nd/3rd liner. Then again, Jake had 2 bad turnovers on the PP the last 2 games, Vinny had the turnover that lead to a goal, G has no goals, Hartnell and Couts have no goals. etc. Lots of things to fix on this team.
- wolfhounds

A 2nd/3rd line player better be able to put the puck in the net.

I have big doubts about Raffl's ability to do that, and more important the other guys on the team expected to contribute in such a way. Again, this isn't meant to knock Raffl. He is being put in a unfair position.

Stick Tap to Brad for tweeting this

http://blogs.thescore.com...th-defensive-zone-starts/

The Flyers Godawful 4th line prevents them from doing the ideas outlined in this blog-limiting the defensive zone starts for the stars-and helps grind them out, where a team like the Ducks rolls four lines, and can double shift their star players late in the third period of a tied or one goal game

Raffl played a very good game. It's not his job to stick a cattle prod up G's arse to shoot.
- jstross

This. G needs to wake up.

Its all good we got a third paring d-man for him, awesome trade!
- flyerfan28

mook played more than kimmo tonite

we're just a couple notches below. the D skate in molasses...
- isaiah520

Have to admit, when the Ducks started squeezing, making them make plays...it was painful to watch, at times.

It's just going to take some time. To me...the roster they had dressed tonight played as well as it could.

Now, yeah. That's kinda damning with faint praise, in the regard that we all know there are holes and weaknesses. But the Ducks are one of the better teams, and sometimes you need to get exposed so all of us recognize that we need to get better.

Stick Tap to Brad for tweeting this

http://blogs.thescore.com...th-defensive-zone-starts/

The Flyers Godawful 4th line prevents them from doing the ideas outlined in this blog-limiting the defensive zone starts for the stars-and helps grind them out, where a team like the Ducks rolls four lines, and can double shift their star players late in the third period of a tied or one goal game
- Jsaquella

works for me...the old way isn't working...

what the hell happened? i left the house after the first period. you guys were playing like a team possessed. i know the ducks are a tough team to keep down, but 3 unanswered? i wouldve felt the flyers had another 5 spot in them tonight with the way they dominated possession from what i saw

Have to admit, when the Ducks started squeezing, making them make plays...it was painful to watch, at times.

It's just going to take some time. To me...the roster they had dressed tonight played as well as it could.

Now, yeah. That's kinda damning with faint praise, in the regard that we all know there are holes and weaknesses. But the Ducks are one of the better teams, and sometimes you need to get exposed so all of us recognize that we need to get better.
- AllInForFlyers

I disagree. I think they took their foot off the gas and failed to match the intensity of the Ducks. Part of that is the support players not being able to shoulder more of the load, but the team they dressed was capable of a better effort.

A 2nd/3rd line player better be able to put the puck in the net.

I have big doubts about Raffl's ability to do that, and more important the other guys on the team expected to contribute in such a way. Again, this isn't meant to knock Raffl. He is being put in a unfair position.
- flyer_nutter

He's playing well, and he seems more inclined to pass to G and Vinny as opposed to taking a shot for himself. I'd like to see him crank some shots at net to see what happens. Scoring on the whole seems to be a problem for this team, but I get what you're saying.

When B Schenn is your 2nd line center your in trouble. No other way around it now.

Whoever said it said it best when you'd hope that Cooter and B Schenn would show glimpses of being real good players. Its just few and far between. Cooter is going to be a great 3rd line center for years to come. B Schenn just isnt a dynamic player
- Just5

I'm willing to wait. JVR has turned out ok. I mean, what's the hurry? This team is going no where. Why not let them develop while the rest of the team sucks ass and then reap the benefits when they blossom with hopefully a competent NHL defense behind them?

Have to admit, when the Ducks started squeezing, making them make plays...it was painful to watch, at times.

It's just going to take some time. To me...the roster they had dressed tonight played as well as it could.

Now, yeah. That's kinda damning with faint praise, in the regard that we all know there are holes and weaknesses. But the Ducks are one of the better teams, and sometimes you need to get exposed so all of us recognize that we need to get better.
- AllInForFlyers

if that's true, they aren't making the plyoffs.

Stick Tap to Brad for tweeting this

http://blogs.thescore.com...th-defensive-zone-starts/

The Flyers Godawful 4th line prevents them from doing the ideas outlined in this blog-limiting the defensive zone starts for the stars-and helps grind them out, where a team like the Ducks rolls four lines, and can double shift their star players late in the third period of a tied or one goal game
- Jsaquella

Exactly -- it's sad that this is even a topic of discussion. It's sad that not everyone doesn't recognize this.

Have to admit, when the Ducks started squeezing, making them make plays...it was painful to watch, at times.

It's just going to take some time. To me...the roster they had dressed tonight played as well as it could.

Now, yeah. That's kinda damning with faint praise, in the regard that we all know there are holes and weaknesses. But the Ducks are one of the better teams, and sometimes you need to get exposed so all of us recognize that we need to get better.
- AllInForFlyers

This team is just bad, they missed their shot in 2010 which blows cause they were so close. This roster as it stands, needs to be blown up it just does. Too many of the same type of players and not enough play-makers. Flyers don't have enough top end talent or D to help offset youth growth. Its gonna be a long season fellas

Stick Tap to Brad for tweeting this

http://blogs.thescore.com...th-defensive-zone-starts/

The Flyers Godawful 4th line prevents them from doing the ideas outlined in this blog-limiting the defensive zone starts for the stars-and helps grind them out, where a team like the Ducks rolls four lines, and can double shift their star players late in the third period of a tied or one goal game
- Jsaquella

Can I see your 4 lines?

Stick Tap to Brad for tweeting this

http://blogs.thescore.com...th-defensive-zone-starts/

The Flyers Godawful 4th line prevents them from doing the ideas outlined in this blog-limiting the defensive zone starts for the stars-and helps grind them out, where a team like the Ducks rolls four lines, and can double shift their star players late in the third period of a tied or one goal game
- Jsaquella

It is amazing that something as simple as putting together a dependable 4th line escapes Homer.

if that's true, they aren't making the plyoffs.
- isaiah520

Man...I want them to. I want to believe they can.

But that defense...against good teams...hell, the Islanders were grinding them, too, on the second night of a back to back.

But we all know that we can't just get an upgrade on defense. It's so frustrating. It would really help this team, so much.

The fourth line...that's on the coach and the GM. That's totally on them.

But we all know they want another defenseman...I just don't know anymore where the hell you even get one.

Can I see your 4 lines?
- jstross

19-28-40
17-10-93
15-14-24
25-Holmstrom-12
36

Hall & Rosehill to ADK. It's obvious that the coach has zero faith in Hall, so no need to keep him around.

It is amazing that something as simple as putting together a dependable 4th line escapes Homer.
- 77rams

It's escaping Berube. He doesn't have to write Rosehill's name on the lineup card

Exactly -- it's sad that this is even a topic of discussion. It's sad that not everyone doesn't recognize this.
- AllInForFlyers

i do see the value in an effective fourth line, but in a cap league its hard for most teams to trot out a good fourth line. inevitable injuries only force guys to move up and strain depth even more.

19-28-40
17-10-93
12-14-24
25-Holmstrom-15/36

Hall & Rosehill to ADK. It's obvious that the coach has zero faith in Hall, so no need to keep him around.
- Jsaquella

pretty soft 3rd line for me, but i get your drift

pretty soft 3rd line for me, but i get your drift
- isaiah520

See my edit...flipped 15 & 12