In the 11-12 season he did a tremendous job, but that is more than two years ago.

I was thinking this season and last. 18 points in 51 games while being on the top line 90% of the time is underwhelming. I take it you are pleased with his production?

Hartsy is a great guy, but when you're taking up as much cap space as he does, he simply has to do better.
- Bearintheforest

A lot of players have been disappointing in that regard.
EDIT: keep in mind he started that 37 goal season the same way he did this one. He was a big target of trade rumors in the early part of 11-12

A lot of players have been disappointing in that regard.
EDIT: keep in mind he started that 37 goal season the same way he did this one. He was a big target of trade rumors in the early part of 11-12
- JoeRussomanno

If Hartnell was shooting the same % as he was in '11-'12, he'd have 8 or 9 goals and everyone would be overlooking his warts because GOALS.

At least he's back to taking more than 2.75 shots a game. Last year, he dipped under that mark by a half a shot per game.

A lot of players have been disappointing in that regard.
EDIT: keep in mind he started that 37 goal season the same way he did this one. He was a big target of trade rumors in the early part of 11-12
- JoeRussomanno

I am hoping that this is whats going to happen this season too.

I'd say that he hasn't even been a dependable plug... at least those guys pay some attention to detail and have to bring a consistent effort to stay in the lineup.

Hartnell's just sloppy and careless, all over the ice.
- Tomahawk

It's no mystery what Hartnell is. He's not as great as 2011-12 and not as bad as his detractors claim. He is best when making space for his linemates & creating havoc in front of the net. I wonder if, like last season, he came back from injury too early, preventing him from succeeding at making space & creating havoc.

It's no mystery what Hartnell is. He's not as great as 2011-12 and not as bad as his detractors claim. He is best when making space for his linemates & creating havoc in front of the net. I wonder if, like last season, he came back from injury too early, preventing him from succeeding at making space & creating havoc.
- Flyskippy

He needs to put his workboots on.

He needs to put his workboots on.
- bradleyc4

I think Hartnell is working. I just think he works "dumb".

I'm not even sure if that makes sense.

"Mason turned back 28 of 31 shots in the loss. It was not a bad performance, but he got outplayed on this night by Tim Thomas"

I don't know that I necessarily agree with that Bill. If by "outplayed", you mean he just got the win, and had more shots on him... then yes. But if you mean overall performance, I have to disagree. I think overall, Mason faced a lot tougher shots... especially second and third tries. He was standing on his head most of the game, and really gave them a chance to win again, if only they would have chipped in a little D and scoring. Thomas made some good saves, no doubt. But I think Mason was challenged with overall better shots, and more sustained pressure on him due to D-zone turnovers and lack of defensive help.

A side note - Another 5 on 3 down the tubes with nothing to show. It's missed opportunities like that, that really make me shake my head...

JMO

He needs to put his workboots on.
- bradleyc4

No question. Just wondering if his injury is limiting him or causing him to shy away from the greasier areas he's needed. If so, he needs to put on the foil, the ace bandages, and then the workboots.

I think Hartnell is working. I just think he works "dumb".

I'm not even sure if that makes sense.
- johndewar

I get what you mean. There are a lot of choices he makes with the puck and away from the puck that are questionable.

He needs to put his workboots on.
- bradleyc4

He'd be down even more often if he did that, even with Kiwi Sure-Step on them.

I don't know that I necessarily agree with that Bill. If by "outplayed", you mean he just got the win, and had more shots on him... then yes. But if you mean overall performance, I have to disagree. I think overall, Mason faced a lot tougher shots... especially second and third tries. He was standing on his head most of the game, and really gave them a chance to win again, if only they would have chipped in a little D and scoring. Thomas made some good saves, no doubt. But I think Mason was challenged with overall better shots, and more sustained pressure on him due to D-zone turnovers and lack of defensive help.

A side note - Another 5 on 3 down the tubes with nothing to show. It's missed opportunities like that, that really make me shake my head...

JMO
- WarriorHockey21

Their not even close on their 5 v 3. Its dreadful. 3 skaters up high passing point to point looking for a big slapper with an ineffective Hartnell screening? Setting up Giroux for his side angle low percentage whiff job?

I think Hartnell is working. I just think he works "dumb".

I'm not even sure if that makes sense.
- johndewar

He is capable. He just doesn't want to enough. Thats a major problem providing his skill set. He had some real good shifts in the 3rd when you could tell something set him off. He had a beautiful setup of Voracek who couldnt bury that backhander.

Sometime in the 2nd period when the Flyers were in a malaise he had an opportunity to bury a panther with a big legal hit behind floridas net, and instead did a pirrhoutte to avoid any contact. Disgrace.

The best thing after a loss...you know there will be more posters than after a win.

He'd be down even more often if he did that, even with Kiwi Sure-Step on them.
- bodiva88

I thought Brad was using a U2 reference for the first time ever in his life:

The best thing after a loss...you know there will be more posters than after a win.
- Jsaquella

I almost posted that earlier but thought, "Nah, too easy!"

The best thing after a loss...you know there will be more posters than after a win.
- Jsaquella

The board needs me during the hard times

He is capable. He just doesn't want to enough. Thats a major problem providing his skill set. He had some real good shifts in the 3rd when you could tell something set him off. He had a beautiful setup of Voracek who couldnt bury that backhander.
- Just5

Conjecture. You can't judge his heart/desire.

Sometime in the 2nd period when the Flyers were in a malaise he had an opportunity to bury a panther with a big legal hit behind floridas net, and instead did a pirrhoutte to avoid any contact. Disgrace.

I wrote in my earlier posts regarding he might still be recovering from the LBI suffered in October. I noticed him shying away from finishing his checks at the game Saturday night.

If Hartnell was shooting the same % as he was in '11-'12, he'd have 8 or 9 goals and everyone would be overlooking his warts because GOALS.

At least he's back to taking more than 2.75 shots a game. Last year, he dipped under that mark by a half a shot per game.
- bradleyc4

I'm not saying he's gonna be that good either. But it's no mystery he's a player that can be disappointing for stretches and really fascinating for others. To say he's been a disappointment overall is disappointing to me.

I can only justify venting on this board during the hard times
- Just5

FTFY

I'm not saying he's gonna be that good either. But it's no mystery he's a player that can be disappointing for stretches and really fascinating for others. To say he's been a disappointment overall is disappointing to me.
- JoeRussomanno

The fact that we need to discuss disappointment over being disappointing is disappointing to me.

It's simple really.

Yeah you want to beat the "lesser" teams. Especially in a position that the Flyers are now which is trying to grab every point they can and rising up in the standings on a winning streak.

But here's the simple part- ya gotta lose sometime.

This isn't football, where teams go 13-3. Or college football or basketball where teams rattle off 15 game win streaks. Or the NBA where the best teams lose a number of games by season's end that I could count on ONLY my hands.

Gotta lose sometime. Just come out and play hard and try not to let it snowball. We've been preaching about facing adversity for how long now? Well we got some nice adversity here. Just came off a game that was winnable but we got outworked and outplayed, and now we go face one of the top teams in the league.

Let's see what happens!

I thought Brad was using a U2 reference for the first time ever in his life:


- Flyskippy

Please shoot me if I ever do.

I was referencing Bill's blog today. IF YOU EVEN BOTHERED TO READ IT?!

The fact that we need to discuss disappointment over being disappointing is disappointing to me.
- Flyskippy

Indeed disappointingly let down by disappointment.

Please shoot me if I ever do.

I was referencing Bill's blog today. IF YOU EVEN BOTHERED TO READ IT?!
- bradleyc4

Just stirring the pot, Rinaldo-style. Enjoy your penalty, bc4!

I almost posted that earlier but thought, "Nah, too easy!"
- Flyskippy

Nothing like a loss to get folks pissed off enough to female dog...but when they win, it's like atheists at the Rapture. Non-existent.