Think how good their draft pick is going to be.
- mayorofangrytown

Lol.

The funny part about the MLB draft is that it occurs during the season, so the Phillies will have the 10th pick this year. They won't reap the benefits of this awful season until mid 2016.

Yay!

Surprised there's been no more discussion on the Amac scratch tonight.

I know we all hate him, but he's been playing very good of late, and no way deserves to sit tonight

This is coming down from Hexy IMO, to showcase the defensemen on the team that they have a shot to trade.

So while the discussion all day has been about the excitement of being 5 pts back in the playoff hunt, it's clear to me Hextall's priority is to unload defensemen at the deadline. Playoffs are not priority

Pretty much. Last time I felt this way was the Eagles towards the end of the Marion Campbell era.
- BiggE

Right over my head

Surprised there's been no more discussion on the Amac scratch tonight.

I know we all hate him, but he's been playing very good of late, and no way deserves to sit tonight

This is coming down from Hexy IMO, to showcase the defensemen on the team that they have a shot to trade.

So while the discussion all day has been about the excitement of being 5 pts back in the playoff hunt, it's clear to me Hextall's priority is to unload defensemen at the deadline. Playoffs are not priority
- Just5

While I agree that in no way shape or form does MacDonald deserve to sit, I don't agree that this is coming down from Hextall. I don't think Hextall would do that. This is Berube's call. I don't know what his reasoning is, and don't much care. The Flyers have defensive depth, can't play them all.
Hextall's priority always has been, and is still the future. He still feels they can make the playoffs. He'll make a deal if he thinks it can help them in the future. That doesn't mean that making the playoffs is not a priority.

I was surprised by how little "They're going to make the playoffs" chatter there was today. Maybe I missed it. I skipped a couple pages or 4.
- mayorofangrytown

My guess is that they will come a handful of points short, and there will be a lot of nostalgia looking back at how they blew this game or that game.

Right over my head
- PhillySportsGuy

They were sinking fast with the Swamp Fox at the helm.

Surprised there's been no more discussion on the Amac scratch tonight.

I know we all hate him, but he's been playing very good of late, and no way deserves to sit tonight

This is coming down from Hexy IMO, to showcase the defensemen on the team that they have a shot to trade.

So while the discussion all day has been about the excitement of being 5 pts back in the playoff hunt, it's clear to me Hextall's priority is to unload defensemen at the deadline. Playoffs are not priority
- Just5

Auston Matthews?



Too early?

Right over my head
- PhillySportsGuy

It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away

My guess is that they will come a handful of points short, and there will be a lot of nostalgia looking back at how they blew this game or that game.
- MJL

That is the most likely scenario, because at the end of the day, Mason is injured, too

But at the same time, it's simply not far-fetched that they could make it. Boston has consistency issues too, and Florida's really young

Don't really have a percentage that I'd place on it. I don't know, maybe...15 percent chance? Maybe 20 percent

While I agree that in no way shape or form does MacDonald deserve to sit, I don't agree that this is coming down from Hextall. I don't think Hextall would do that. This is Berube's call. I don't know what his reasoning is, and don't much care. The Flyers have defensive depth, can't play them all.
Hextall's priority always has been, and is still the future. He still feels they can make the playoffs. He'll make a deal if he thinks it can help them in the future. That doesn't mean that making the playoffs is not a priority.
- MJL

Playoffs are not the top priority. Should've clarified myself.

I'd like to hear why Amac was scratched after the game. If the answer is hockey decision/matchup etc. I'll know Hexy is making the deadline a larger priority. It's great to see and very interesting at the same time

Auston Matthews?



Too early?
- mayorofangrytown

Nope, kids looked like he belonged when at the WJC

Surprised there's been no more discussion on the Amac scratch tonight.

I know we all hate him, but he's been playing very good of late, and no way deserves to sit tonight

This is coming down from Hexy IMO, to showcase the defensemen on the team that they have a shot to trade.

So while the discussion all day has been about the excitement of being 5 pts back in the playoff hunt, it's clear to me Hextall's priority is to unload defensemen at the deadline. Playoffs are not priority
- Just5

People say that "playoffs are not a priority" and are comfortable with it like they know what Ed Snider is going to do if/when they miss

If they miss, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if Snider woke up one day and cleaned out every single person in hockey operations and hired other people, and anyone who has watched this team long enough shouldn't be surprised, either

I wouldn't get too casual about not making the playoffs under Snider, I'll tell you that much

Auston Matthews?



Too early?
- mayorofangrytown

How about Jakob Chychrun, Sean Day, Max Jones, Liam Murphy, Tyler Benson, Adam Mascherin, Michael McLeod, & Beck Malenstyn?

People say that "playoffs are not a priority" and are comfortable with it like they know what Ed Snider is going to do if/when they miss

If they miss, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if Snider woke up one day and cleaned out every single person in hockey operations and hired other people, and anyone who has watched this team long enough shouldn't be surprised, either

I wouldn't get too casual about not making the playoffs under Snider, I'll tell you that much
- AllInForFlyers

I'd be surprised, shocked actually if that happened.

I'd be surprised, shocked actually if that happened.
- MJL

Were you shocked when Bill Barber got ran out of town? Or when Bob Clarke fired Hitch eight games into a season, then quit? Or when Laviolette got fired three games in, Hextall was brought back, and Holmgren was kicked upstairs after getting them back into the playoffs?

Nothing should surprise anyone about this team when it comes to coaching or management.

Thinking that Snider's all about a long rebuild...there's nothing, absolutely nothing, in his history that suggests Ed Snider's going to tolerate it for nearly as long as some in the fanbase would

How about Jakob Chychrun, Sean Day, Max Jones, Liam Murphy, Tyler Benson, Adam Mascherin, Michael McLeod, & Beck Malenstyn?
- ob18

The only two I know anything about is Chychrun and Benson. I remember Sean Day was a big thing at the Bantam draft.

That is the most likely scenario, because at the end of the day, Mason is injured, too

But at the same time, it's simply not far-fetched that they could make it. Boston has consistency issues too, and Florida's really young

Don't really have a percentage that I'd place on it. I don't know, maybe...15 percent chance? Maybe 20 percent
- AllInForFlyers

You are right on the money, sir. 17.4% to be exact.

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Eastern.html

The only two I know anything about is Chychrun and Benson. I remember Sean Day was a big thing at the Bantam draft.
- mayorofangrytown

A solid looking player when I've watched.........Benson looks like a scoring/power forward in the making.

Were you shocked when Bill Barber got ran out of town? Or when Bob Clarke fired Hitch eight games into a season, then quit? Or when Laviolette got fired three games in, Hextall was brought back, and Holmgren was kicked upstairs after getting them back into the playoffs?

Nothing should surprise anyone about this team when it comes to coaching or management.

Thinking that Snider's all about a long rebuild...there's nothing, absolutely nothing, in his history that suggests Ed Snider's going to tolerate it for nearly as long as some in the fanbase would
- AllInForFlyers

Firing Coaches happens all the time in Hockey. Firing a GM who just took the team over for missing the playoffs in the first season under the GM doesn't happen all the time. What was Ron Hextall's first big move as GM? It was trading Hartnell for Umberger. Which certainly didn't make the team stronger for this year. Why was that move done? For future reasons. Let's rehash Hextall's mantra on how he is going to run and build the team. Same conversation as last night all over again. He is focused on the future, not winning now. Do you think that he hasn't a conversation with Snider on what his approach is going to be? That Snider isn't aware of what the philosophy of the team is going to be under Hextall going forward? None of this is out of the blue. Does the way Hextall is approaching this season suggest that his job could be on the line? It's all there. Hitchcock, Barber, Laviolette, all in the past, and has nothing to do with now.

My season tix are at the top row, along the goal line where the Flyers shoot 2x, with the bulk of the ice to my right. I asked for those seats specifically because they give you the best view of the overall play and, unlike baseball/football, there isn't a bad seat to be had. Plus I can stand up all game long and no one can complain, but that's just a bonus.
- jmatchett383

The company I work for has season tix at Cadillac Grill. Seems the boss was lucky enough to see a couple of playoff games there and is convinced they are the greatest seats ever. I was lucky enough to score a pair for the Lindros/LeClair HOF induction. Seats were OK, but the waitress service and less than enthusiastic "fans" in the section were major distractions. I prefer sitting up top, usually in section 209A, with tix from StubHub. My son and I enjoy the game from there, with the crazy Flyers' fanatics, much more than we would in any other seats.

Jonesy says AMac missed last game due to a funeral?

Perhaps Luke Schenn should have been scratched tonight instead of AMac.

I really don't think Hextall cares about making the playoffs right now. He cares about putting together a team that can compete in the playoffs. And one of the very worst PKs in the league and a team that relies far too much on the top line and PP to score is not going to go places in the playoffs.


Maybe we do make the playoffs. Its great to be in the dance, sure. But does anyone seriously think this roster stands a chance against the Isles, Habs or Bolts in a 7 game series?

Firing Coaches happens all the time in Hockey. Firing a GM who just took the team over for missing the playoffs in the first season under the GM doesn't happen all the time. What was Ron Hextall's first big move as GM? It was trading Hartnell for Umberger. Which certainly didn't make the team stronger for this year. Why was that move done? For future reasons. Let's rehash Hextall's mantra on how he is going to run and build the team. Same conversation as last night all over again. He is focused on the future, not winning now. Do you think that he hasn't a conversation with Snider on what his approach is going to be? That Snider isn't aware of what the philosophy of the team is going to be under Hextall going forward? None of this is out of the blue. Does the way Hextall is approaching this season suggest that his job could be on the line? It's all there. Hitchcock, Barber, Laviolette, all in the past. Nothing to do with now.
- MJL

Your job isn't on the line until someone above you decides that it is.

You go about this thinking that owners don't change their minds about employees and their recommendations, just because plans are enacted.

Maybe Ed Snider's watching games in California and he decides he doesn't like the plan anymore. Maybe Ed Snider thought they would still make the playoffs, even if he was told that it was a possibility that they wouldn't.

Maybe Ed Snider is like most wealthy individuals in that what he wants today doesn't always match what he wanted yesterday.

Does the fact that he agreed with it 12 months ago mean anything when he's firing you today?

I really don't think Hextall cares about making the playoffs right now. He cares about putting together a team that can compete in the playoffs. And one of the very worst PKs in the league and a team that relies far too much on the top line and PP to score is not going to go places in the playoffs.


Maybe we do make the playoffs. Its great to be in the dance, sure. But does anyone seriously think this roster stands a chance against the Isles, Habs or Bolts in a 7 game series?
- hereticpride

I think he cares a great deal about making the playoffs this season. He just isn't going to sacrifice any of the future to do it. Realistically, I'd say no, but in a 7 game series, you never know. Mason could stand on his head.

I really don't think Hextall cares about making the playoffs right now. He cares about putting together a team that can compete in the playoffs. And one of the very worst PKs in the league and a team that relies far too much on the top line and PP to score is not going to go places in the playoffs.


Maybe we do make the playoffs. Its great to be in the dance, sure. But does anyone seriously think this roster stands a chance against the Isles, Habs or Bolts in a 7 game series?
- hereticpride

One positive, even just going through one round, would be to have some of the kids around for the atmosphere.

Yes, it's a reach on my part, but if they do happen to get in, you gotta look at the potential good it could do.