It is almost a seeming lack of pride. I have never seen a group of professional hockey players so seemingly uninterested in not being embarrassed.

As has been said, it is not their speed, any team looks slow when they are standing still or gliding, and the other team is skating hard. When this team skates they can play with anyone, we have seen them do it.

What gets me is their seeming lack of care. They just don't give a crap. They are being embarrassed? Whatever.

I don't get it. Show some pride in your game. Its not like they have to get up and go to work the next day. Its not like they have to worry about paying their bills. This is their job, they get to play a kids game for a living. How did they get this far if they don't care, if they didn't know how to compete? So why not now?

This problem has been going on through multiple coaches, multiple rosters, for YEARS now.

I have no idea what the problem is. There are beer league players out there who risk injury and livelihood all the time for the love of playing.....They risk WAY more than these guys. They get hurt, they cant work, they don't get paid, yet they play as hard as they can...because they CAN!

Way, WAY too many blowouts!

They're not a slow team. It's not like every player on this team is Jay Rosehill. But when they don't skate hard and the other team does, then anyone not named Pavel Bure is going to look slow, whcih is what's happening. Just look at them against the Sharks before the break and last night. Two completely different paces to how they skate. But sadly, I don't know why this is the case with this team where it's so night-and-day.
- jmatchett383

IMO there are very few "effortless" skaters on this team. Guys that can skate at a decent speed without trying very hard. Example would be Coburn. He is a very good skater for a D-man his size... but it takes him a lot of effort to get up to speeds. And constantly doing that is Taxing on a player. Same thing for most of the guys on this team. It is the only thing that I can come up with as to why you see such difference from period to period.

Its either that, or these guy, or the coaches can't adjust to mid-game strategy changes.

I've been trying to figure out why this team is so Jeckyll and Hyde for a while now. Last nights' game had zero to do with the speed of the Flyers. That I know for sure.
- MJL

It's the slurpy machine mix.... It HAS to be..

The slow start phenomenon predates the speed issue, though.

I would contend that the cause is that player/coaching/philosophy turnover has been so great from season to season, that the players are in a perpetual state of struggling to get on the same page, and easily wilt in the face of more cohesive opponents.
- Tomahawk

It could very easily be that, too. Continuity does matter.

One thing without a doubt is that it'd be amazing for it to stop.

I'm surprised they let you near salt.
- tangent_man

Bullies, I think he called you a slug...
I could be wrong here...

Slow is a surface argument... yeah, ideally if everybody on the roster could skate like Andrew Cogliano, that would be great -- but there are no shortage of slow-ish players on a lot of current Cup-contenders, and some of them are key players:




Team play > Speed.

Problem with the Flyers, is their team game can fall apart at a moments notice, and the results can be catastrophic.

when the gaps between the D and forwards is correct lack of speed doesn't show or hurt as much.....they are slow on the backend and when they can't make that first pass in their own end it sticks out....but with guys like Coburn, Gus and even Streit at his age, they have enough foot speed. But it can't be considered a strength of this team.
its still a game where speed kills.

(btw: Rosehill is a pretty decent skater)
- Tomahawk

Speed on the back end is a bit of a problem, but if the gaps are correct then the problem is some what solved.....but when they can't make that first clean pass, the lack of foot speed from some of their D sticks out like a sore thumb.

No, but if Raffl gets hurt, I'd expect one of our Black Aces to play instead of Rosehill. You can't be afraid to make a trade because someone might get hurt.

If Giroux gets hurt, would you be mad that Homer DIDN'T trade a boatload of assets to acquire a backup first line center in the off chance that Giroux might get hurt?
- jmatchett383

There is a difference in doing a fire sale when your in a playoff position, then doing one when your completely out. If you do a fire-sale while in a playoff hunt, you better get more out of it then a few 3rd round picks. Everyone is knee-jerk right now, and not thinking clearly.

I've been trying to figure out why this team is so Jeckyll and Hyde for a while now. Last nights' game had zero to do with the speed of the Flyers. That I know for sure.
- MJL

my conclusion is, they arent good enough. simple as that.

Bullies, I think he called you a slug...
I could be wrong here...

- FlyersGrace

It is almost a seeming lack of pride. I have never seen a group of professional hockey players so seemingly uninterested in not being embarrassed.

As has been said, it is not their speed, any team looks slow when they are standing still or gliding, and the other team is skating hard. When this team skates they can play with anyone, we have seen them do it.

What gets me is their seeming lack of care. They just don't give a crap. They are being embarrassed? Whatever.

I don't get it. Show some pride in your game. Its not like they have to get up and go to work the next day. Its not like they have to worry about paying their bills. This is their job, they get to play a kids game for a living. How did they get this far if they don't care, if they didn't know how to compete? So why not now?

This problem has been going on through multiple coaches, multiple rosters, for YEARS now.

I have no idea what the problem is. There are beer league players out there who risk injury and livelihood all the time for the love of playing.....They risk WAY more than these guys. They get hurt, they cant work, they don't get paid, yet they play as hard as they can...because they CAN!
- MBFlyerfan

I don't buy the "don't care enough" or "compete" argument at all... these are the most competitive/driven athletes in the sport, and 99% of them got to where they are now because they cared more and worked harder than everybody else around them -- there are a lot of super-skilled hockey players not in the show who had everything but the work ethic. I look at the Flyers roster and only see a couple of guys whom I might question their seriousness and commitment, and even those are debatable.

You can have a pack of guys ready to run through a wall to win... but if you don't give them a single rope to pull on, or they're all running around doing their own thing, most of that energy is just wasted.

Downie hasn't played well. Whether it be due to injuries or what have you. He's scored 2 goals in 40 games played for the Flyers since the trade. This is the worst stretch of his career. He's a UFA after the season, if I'm the Flyers I do not want to give him a contract. Since this team isn't a legit contender, trade him for an asset.
- PLindbergh31

You dont know who is and who isnt a legit condendor. In 2010 a team made the playoffs on the last day of the season in a shoot-out. They only had a goalie they picked up on the waiver-wire and a career back-up that was often injured that season. Thier top line LW was out for the first round and halfway through the second round...

That team wasn't a "legit" contendor, but they made hockey History and made it to the SCFs.

Another great article Bill. I was at the game last night and kept saying the same thing you brought up. The Sharks constantly were in front of our net with no fear...Too many times Mason was left out to dry. I was sitting there last night watching the Sharks and I was saying "I remember when the Flyers played like this"...There no snarl or grit on our defense, everyone of them is soft pure and simple. I dont want to sound like I am panicking, but the last place I want to be is in the "oblivion of the middle" not good enough to challenge for a cup but to good to get good draft picks and rebuild...Im afraid thats where we are right now and it scares me

You dont know who is and who isnt a legit condendor. In 2010 a team made the playoffs on the last day of the season in a shoot-out. They only had a goalie they picked up on the waiver-wire and a career back-up that was often injured that season. Thier top line LW was out for the first round and halfway through the second round...

That team wasn't a "legit" contendor, but they made hockey History and made it to the SCFs.
- SchennBros

That team had one of the best defensemen in the game....You cant compare the two its apples and oranges

There is a difference in doing a fire sale when your in a playoff position, then doing one when your completely out. If you do a fire-sale while in a playoff hunt, you better get more out of it then a few 3rd round picks. Everyone is knee-jerk right now, and not thinking clearly.
- SchennBros

Who's talking about a fire sale? I'm talking about a 4th line winger who has 2 goals for us and a 7th defenseman who's offensive output hardly offsets his defensive liabilities.

For the record, I've had this stance since about 3 weeks before the Olympic break.

Can we just stop dissecting this team already? They're streaky, and inconsistent. Sometimes they play really well, other times, really horribly.

This is still a young team. This is still a team based around potential. Because of that, fans need to give proper space and time to allow this team to develop. They're going to have their ups and downs. Let's not forget that this team was on a four game winning streak heading into the break. But no, they get blown out two weeks after their last game and the sky is falling, the season is over, and everyone should be traded.

It is almost a seeming lack of pride. I have never seen a group of professional hockey players so seemingly uninterested in not being embarrassed.

As has been said, it is not their speed, any team looks slow when they are standing still or gliding, and the other team is skating hard. When this team skates they can play with anyone, we have seen them do it.

What gets me is their seeming lack of care. They just don't give a crap. They are being embarrassed? Whatever.

I don't get it. Show some pride in your game. Its not like they have to get up and go to work the next day. Its not like they have to worry about paying their bills. This is their job, they get to play a kids game for a living. How did they get this far if they don't care, if they didn't know how to compete? So why not now?

This problem has been going on through multiple coaches, multiple rosters, for YEARS now.

I have no idea what the problem is. There are beer league players out there who risk injury and livelihood all the time for the love of playing.....They risk WAY more than these guys. They get hurt, they cant work, they don't get paid, yet they play as hard as they can...because they CAN!
- MBFlyerfan

Could it be lack of "Chippy" Veteran leadership. All they have is Timonen and Hartnell. Not too many Prongers, Lappys, Richards on this team.

But no, they get blown out two weeks after their last game and the sky is falling, the season is over, and everyone should be traded.
- KGBflyers10

Now THIS is the truth.

Can we just stop dissecting this team already? They're streaky, and inconsistent. Sometimes they play really well, other times, really horribly.

This is still a young team. This is still a team based around potential. Because of that, fans need to give proper space and time to allow this team to develop. They're going to have their ups and downs. Let's not forget that this team was on a four game winning streak heading into the break. But no, they get blown out two weeks after their last game and the sky is falling, the season is over, and everyone should be traded.
- KGBflyers10

The most dangerous word in sports...especially hockey

That team had one of the best defensemen in the game....You cant compare the two its apples and oranges
- nonpoint22

Wasnt compairing the teams. Just pointing out that you can't say who is and who isnt a Legit contendor. All you need is a "chip and a Chair".

Can we just stop dissecting this team already? They're streaky, and inconsistent. Sometimes they play really well, other times, really horribly.

This is still a young team. This is still a team based around potential. Because of that, fans need to give proper space and time to allow this team to develop. They're going to have their ups and downs. Let's not forget that this team was on a four game winning streak heading into the break. But no, they get blown out two weeks after their last game and the sky is falling, the season is over, and everyone should be traded.
- KGBflyers10

This! I mean, I don't like losing either, but nobody should be surprised when a young team with an incomplete roster plays inconsistently, let alone gets blown out by a top team in the league.

Could it be lack of "Chippy" Veteran leadership. All they have is Timonen and Hartnell. Not too many Prongers, Lappys, Richards on this team.
- SchennBros

Could also be a lack of "talent", but I guess were not allowed to think about that huh

Speed on the back end is a bit of a problem, but if the gaps are correct then the problem is some what solved.....but when they can't make that first clean pass, the lack of foot speed from some of their D sticks out like a sore thumb.
- landros 2

I like that assessment. Speed of the individual player must be differentiated from the team/ game speed. The speed of decision making, speed and accuracy of passing (especially out of their own) as well as a gap between O speed and D speed of skating slow this team significantly on both ends of the puck

But really, there is no plan. I said it before these seasons started. The Sixers are the closest to a championship in this city and I still believe it. They have a foolproof plan.
- Just5

Hmmm...

Young Core of Forwards - led by G, Jake, B Schenn, Couturier, Simmer, + guys like Raffl...prospects McGinn, Laughton, Leier, Cousins, Akeson...

Goaltending, solid youngish goalie in Mason, prospects Stolarz & Heeter

Defense - The D corps on the big club is an area in need of change...with Kimmo and Mez likely leaving, it's a transition year....they should have an opportunity to upgrade...and they have been building up prospects in Morin, Hagg, Ghost, Alt, Lauridsen...some of these guys should start making an impact in the next season or two.

The plan seems to be to build via a core of young, talented NHL players and add more via the draft and other means and complement with a few veterans. A plan like this depends on the young players and prospects getting experience, learning and developing, which requires patience. So far Homer has resisted trading off youthful assets for quick fixes and is letting the "plan" proceed. A plan like this has to account for the possibility (probability) of being an inconsistent team and one that isn't likely to be in contention until that younger element comes of age, which may be some 2-3 seasons out.

Fans need to be patient as well, which is tough at times, because they will show their talent at times, beating some top teams, but then you get games like like last night..., so yeah, the good news is that there is talent here and more coming...the bad news is, currently, the Flyers aren't really a contender they won't become one overnight. They'll win some games and maybe even make the playoffs, where anything can happen, but in my view, the Flyers window for true Cup contention opens wider over the next few seasons as these young players develop and learn what it takes to win. Expecting more than that is likely to leave one disappointed.

Meh. All's I know in another month or so it'll be motorcycling season. Hell, racing has already started, lucky Aussies.