I wish we had more goalie prospects. It's difficult to put all your eggs in one basket in regard to goaltending prospects. So many of them fizzle out and very few ever reach NHL starter.

You look at other teams and they have 3 Stolarzs
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, I said from day 1 that moving on from Eriksson is favor of the 6'7 Finn(what was his name???? Yeah, that much of an impact) was a terrible move. Now, Vancouver has had Luongo/Schneider/Lack/Eriksson in the past 2 years. Same with LA (although Scrivens and Jones were surprises to say the least). I think Eriksson can be an NHL starter eventually, as he had huge numbers overseas.

Edit: Niko Hovinen. Yeah, that guy.

There are corners of the advanced stats community that strongly believe in the ice time stats.
- johndewar

Stats are useless without reason. If you can't explain why the numbers are a certain way then there is no point in displaying the statistic.

If Giroux played more minutes in games where the Flyers were ahead, he would score more. However, there would be a cumulative effect that would result in fatigue.

There are corners of the advanced stats community that strongly believe in the ice time stats.
- johndewar

More in usage than actual minutes played, which is what Sam & Tim are using.

When Giroux plays a high number of minutes, he's often adding the minutes as a face off guy in the defensive zone or working on the PK, which means he's not out there to produce offense.

Which sort of destroys the whole "Giroux is more effective when he plays less minutes" nonsense.

Stats are useless without reason. If you can't explain why the numbers are a certain way then there is no point in displaying the statistic.

If Giroux played more minutes in games where the Flyers were ahead, he would score more. However, there would be a cumulative effect that would result in fatigue.
- PhillySportsGuy

Oh, I don't disagree. Statistics without context are a waste of time.

I wanted to defend those writers a little bit because it's not like they pulled that analysis out of their ass. People do believe that stuff. There are people that post here that believe that stuff.

As for me, the one area I do think is important (and makes sense) is to improve your 4th line enough so that you can trust them for more minutes so you don't grind your top line down to a nub come playoff time.

I'd hope Laughton can be more than a 4th line player, but that's where I see him starting next year (basically taking Hall's place) and having to work his way up. The problem is what to do at center. As always, we're stocked deep there (Giroux/Vinny/Schenn/Couturier/Hall/Laughton). I know Schenn's moved to wing and Hall's a UFA, but that still leaves a question as to what Laughton's role is. Maybe he can move to a wing on the 3rd line. Heck, I think Boston had 7 "natural" centers last year, and they did okay with it.
- jmatchett383

Just start him on the 4th line and see how things go. I'm always in favor of playing the best player possible. If Laughton is outperforming some third liners, then move him up. There is also a solid chance he will play top 9 minutes for portions of the season due to injury.

It wouldn't be the worst thing to have a decent 4th line. Our 4th line this year has been pretty bad lately. They seem to get hemmed in their own zone a lot. I don't expect them to score goals very often, but I am hoping for even play when they're matched up against other 4th lines.

I like the way the Eagles tasted defeat this weekend. With another good draft and maybe a key free agent signing, that's a contending team.

Well, I said from day 1 that moving on from Eriksson is favor of the 6'7 Finn(what was his name???? Yeah, that much of an impact) was a terrible move. Now, Vancouver has had Luongo/Schneider/Lack/Eriksson in the past 2 years. Same with LA (although Scrivens and Jones were surprises to say the least). I think Eriksson can be an NHL starter eventually, as he had huge numbers overseas.

Edit: Niko Hovinen. Yeah, that guy.
- jmatchett383

They seem to find the talent but not hang on to it. If they had Bob, Ericsson and Stolarz, it wouldn't look so bad.

I like the way the Eagles tasted defeat this weekend. With another good draft and maybe a key free agent signing, that's a contending team.
- Just5

I would have liked to see them win one game, but you're right. They are pretty close.

I want to see them add a Safety, Pass rushing OLB and maybe one more playmaker on offense. Maybe Maclin can come in and fill that role. I want them to draft either Clinton-Dix or Trent Murphy.

There are corners of the advanced stats community that strongly believe in the ice time stats.
- johndewar

I might be using the term wrong, but I think they'd describe this phenomenon as "scoring effects".

Just start him on the 4th line and see how things go. I'm always in favor of playing the best player possible. If Laughton is outperforming some third liners, then move him up. There is also a solid chance he will play top 9 minutes for portions of the season due to injury.

It wouldn't be the worst thing to have a decent 4th line. Our 4th line this year has been pretty bad lately. They seem to get hemmed in their own zone a lot. I don't expect them to score goals very often, but I am hoping for even play when they're matched up against other 4th lines.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, the 4th line does need an overhaul of sorts. They're just quickly becoming a total liability. Also, I don't have a problem with Hall, but that line needs to have SOME offensive spark. I don't expect 20 goals, but if they could chip in 8-9 goals a year and at least be dangerous I'd be happy. Rinaldo/Rosehill won't give you that.

I would have liked to see them win one game, but you're right. They are pretty close.

I want to see them add a Safety, Pass rushing OLB and maybe one more playmaker on offense. Maybe Maclin can come in and fill that role. I want them to draft either Clinton-Dix or Trent Murphy.
- PhillySportsGuy

I want them to draft Ha Ha Clinton-Dix just so I can hear Merrill Reese say his full name on multiple occasions.

I would have liked to see them win one game, but you're right. They are pretty close.

I want to see them add a Safety, Pass rushing OLB and maybe one more playmaker on offense. Maybe Maclin can come in and fill that role. I want them to draft either Clinton-Dix or Trent Murphy.
- PhillySportsGuy

I still don't think they're a real contender. A good (not great, good) QB will be able to pick them apart over the middle and run the ball straight at them. They key to beating the Eagles this year was simple: long, sustained drives built on running the ball up the middle and 6-7 yard passes with yards after the reception. The Chargers were the model of how to beat the Eagles. Until they can learn to stop the run and get better pass coverage over the middle, they'll stagnate as an annual playoff contender.

Oh, I don't disagree. Statistics without context are a waste of time.

I wanted to defend those writers a little bit because it's not like they pulled that analysis out of their ass. People do believe that stuff. There are people that post here that believe that stuff.

As for me, the one area I do think is important (and makes sense) is to improve your 4th line enough so that you can trust them for more minutes so you don't grind your top line down to a nub come playoff time.
- johndewar

I agree on the 4th line. Most good teams have a 4th line that averages 8-10 minutes a night.

The issue with Sam & Tim's columns is, that they just look at ice time and completely ignore usage and score effects.

Obviously, if the Flyers start the 3rd period up 4-1, Giroux is going to play less. There's a real good chance if that is the case, Giroux had a hand in the scoring. Now, if they are down 3-2 going into the third, like against Phoenix, Giroux is likely to play a ton in the third to try and tie the score.

I agree on the 4th line. Most good teams have a 4th line that averages 8-10 minutes a night.

The issue with Sam & Tim's columns is, that they just look at ice time and completely ignore usage and score effects.

Obviously, if the Flyers start the 3rd period up 4-1, Giroux is going to play less. There's a real good chance if that is the case, Giroux had a hand in the scoring. Now, if they are down 3-2 going into the third, like against Phoenix, Giroux is likely to play a ton in the third to try and tie the score.
- Jsaquella

I hear you, but those guys aren't going to do a full blown advanced stats tutorial for their readership. It'd put their normal readership to sleep. People that want that stuff already know where to get that.

That's like going to Sizzler and expecting to get a cut of steak you'd get at Morton's.

I hear you, but those guys aren't going to do a full blown advanced stats tutorial for their readership. It'd put their normal readership to sleep. People that want that stuff already know where to get that.
- johndewar

That's true, but it's real easy to sum things up by saying something like:

Although the anecdotal evidence suggests less Giroux means good things for the Flyers, there are many factors, such as game situation and what role Giroux is being asked to fill that means that simply looking at ice time doesn't provide a full picture, despite the interesting numbers.

I still don't think they're a real contender. A good (not great, good) QB will be able to pick them apart over the middle and run the ball straight at them. They key to beating the Eagles this year was simple: long, sustained drives built on running the ball up the middle and 6-7 yard passes with yards after the reception. The Chargers were the model of how to beat the Eagles. Until they can learn to stop the run and get better pass coverage over the middle, they'll stagnate as an annual playoff contender.
- jmatchett383

They were good against the run this year. The problem with the Saints game was Billy Davis putting them in Nickel and Dime defense the entire game to stop Graham and Colston. They have a very young defensive line, which should be even better next year. Bennie Logan (Rookie), Fletcher Cox (2nd year), Cedric Thornton (3rd year).

For the most part, I thought the pass defense was pretty good after the broncos game. They allow a lot of yards because they play more drives per game. Their yards per pass is middle of the pack. I like the corners they have, but they need a better safety and a better pass rush.

I want them to draft Ha Ha Clinton-Dix just so I can hear Merrill Reese say his full name on multiple occasions.
- johndewar

Well, the 4th line does need an overhaul of sorts. They're just quickly becoming a total liability. Also, I don't have a problem with Hall, but that line needs to have SOME offensive spark. I don't expect 20 goals, but if they could chip in 8-9 goals a year and at least be dangerous I'd be happy. Rinaldo/Rosehill won't give you that.
- jmatchett383

They need more speed. I, also, don't think it's necessary to save a spot for a guy who fights. It would be much more beneficial to have a 4th line that can play against lines 2-4 without being scored upon. Carcillo-betts-Lappy line was great for this reason. Although Carcillo was a fighter.

Well, the 4th line does need an overhaul of sorts. They're just quickly becoming a total liability. Also, I don't have a problem with Hall, but that line needs to have SOME offensive spark. I don't expect 20 goals, but if they could chip in 8-9 goals a year and at least be dangerous I'd be happy. Rinaldo/Rosehill won't give you that.
- jmatchett383

I'd like to see Raffl-Hall-VandeVelde as the 4th line, when everyone is healthy.

I agree on the 4th line. Most good teams have a 4th line that averages 8-10 minutes a night.

The issue with Sam & Tim's columns is, that they just look at ice time and completely ignore usage and score effects.

Obviously, if the Flyers start the 3rd period up 4-1, Giroux is going to play less. There's a real good chance if that is the case, Giroux had a hand in the scoring. Now, if they are down 3-2 going into the third, like against Phoenix, Giroux is likely to play a ton in the third to try and tie the score.
- Jsaquella

Now, if there were a correlation between the Flyers overall play in the first period and Giroux playing less, then it would be interesting.

I'd like to see Raffl-Hall-VandeVelde as the 4th line, when everyone is healthy.
- Jsaquella

Downey on first line?

Now, if there were a correlation between the Flyers overall play in the first period and Giroux playing less, then it would be interesting.
- PhillySportsGuy

That sounds like a job for the fellas at Broad Street Hockey. They are the guys that would take an idea like that and run with it

Downey on first line?
- PhillySportsGuy

Its funny.. I have been trying to figure out which line combos I have liked the most...


If it were me though, Id probably experiment with this..

Simmonds-Giroux-Voracek
Hartnell-Schenn/Vinny-Vinny/Schenn
Downie-Couts-Read
Raffl-Hall-Rinaldo/Velveta

Downey on first line?
- PhillySportsGuy

Honestly, I'd go with these when everyone is healthy

19-28-93
10/40-40/10-17
24-14-9
12-76-18

I know Hartnell struggled with Giroux & Voracek earlier, but he's playing much better now. He's doing the dirty work he needs to be a productive player. A big part of his issues last season and early this one were born from him NOT doing that kind of stuff.

He needs to be a bastard out there, wreaking havoc and causing mayhem. He's doing that now. He was not before.

I'd like to see Raffl-Hall-VandeVelde as the 4th line, when everyone is healthy.
- Jsaquella

I definitely want to keep Adam Hall around and on some iteration of that 4th line. Ideally, someone with some speed (miss you, Eric Wellwood) would be on that line, as well.