I was in pain watching this game
- vejim

They played a first good 5 minutes or so. They Schenn/VLC line in general had a good first 2 shifts. Then the rest of the game happened.

Edit: There was a play really early on where Voracek had a lot of space down the wing on a 2-on-1 and the puck hit the linesman's skate and caused Raffl to go offsides. That was a prime opportunity to break the drought and get off to a great start. That seemed to be the point at which Edmonton took it over.

Only 12 games played and I refuse to watch another game if this is the effort they are going to put out. Looks like draft talks are starting early this season. What an unbelievably horrible team.

Hell, I'd just flat-out waive him at this point. I know he's young and has a chance to improve, etc. but at the present moment, he is in no way ready to hold down a top-6 spot. I'd swap him with Hagg or Ghost right now, at least mix it up.

Edit: Although not a dirty play, his career highlight as an NHL player may be significantly injuring Connor McDavid.
- jmatchett383

I really don't think Manning has been much worse than any other clown on that Blueline group ( aside fro Streit due to his offensive #'s) I think one of the main reasons he is there is his salary. Didn't MDZ sign a new deal. WTF has he done, Schultz, Schenn, not much better than Manning

I really don't think Manning has been much worse than any other clown on that Blueline group ( aside fro Streit due to his offensive #'s) I think one of the main reasons he is there is his salary. Didn't MDZ sign a new deal. WTF has he done, Schultz, Schenn, not much better than Manning
- 3flyerkids

Manning has definitely been a glaring issue. His mistakes have been huge. He has been caught flat footed almost every game.

You just know their going to turn it on once they dump salary in March and their way out of it. A huge rally to make 80 pts beating playoff teams

We lose again and they take out one of my top fantasy contributors. (frank) you Flyers.

I really don't think Manning has been much worse than any other clown on that Blueline group ( aside fro Streit due to his offensive #'s) I think one of the main reasons he is there is his salary. Didn't MDZ sign a new deal. WTF has he done, Schultz, Schenn, not much better than Manning
- 3flyerkids

the alumni team could give this Flyer squad a game

You just know their going to turn it on once they dump salary in March and their way out of it. A huge rally to make 80 pts beating playoff teams
- Just5

I cant believe Hexy and Snider are going to be able to sit back and watch this all season. Something has to give.

I cant believe Hexy and Snider are going to be able to sit back and watch this all season. Something has to give.
- GOA88

I can see the core not being blown up but I would be very surprised if they didn't make an adjustment or two.

Manning has definitely been a glaring issue. His mistakes have been huge. He has been caught flat footed almost every game.
- GOA88

If I had to pick on one player this year for not pulling their weight, it would be Jake without question. Simply must produce. He had a great year , got a huge deal,... The honeymoon is over..12 games and no goals. Simply not good enough.
I wonder if he was playing / producing like he was last year would our record be the same..

the alumni team could give this Flyer squad a game
- vejim

you are probably right. The Phantoms would take them in a 7 games series

I cant believe Hexy and Snider are going to be able to sit back and watch this all season. Something has to give.
- GOA88

They need to start by getting rid of Bozo the bike riding clown

If I had to pick on one player this year for not pulling their weight, it would be Jake without question. Simply must produce. He had a great year , got a huge deal,... The honeymoon is over..12 games and no goals. Simply not good enough.
I wonder if he was playing / producing like he was last year would our record be the same..
- 3flyerkids

While he has'nt been great. He is hardly the problem. Same with Giroux. They have mostly been invisible aside from a few plays this season. I've said it before...put those two on a different team and they would be putting up Benn and Seguin numbers. Two players alone can not carry a team or an entire 5 man unit on the ice. Its so obvious that since we have no other threats every teams gameplan is to completely smother those two. The defense cant get them the puck and our neutral zone play is putrid so there isnt any transition to their game. Everyone is expecting these two guys to put on a red cape and just steam role an entire team by themeselves. Its not going to happen....they need support.

With the recent exception of Konecny the Flyers have not drafted high end offensive talent in the 1st round since Giroux and JVR. I want them to dump Streit at the deadline for a 1st and target the two filthiest snipers they can in this draft.

(I will acknowledge that they acquired Jake and BSchenn via trade over that time span but its still concerning.)

I can see the core not being blown up but I would be very surprised if they didn't make an adjustment or two.
- hereticpride

I dont have a problem with the core. There is no team around the core. Its like expecting a heart to beat without any blood.

While he has'nt been great. He is hardly the problem. Same with Giroux. They have mostly been invisible aside from a few plays this season. I've said it before...put those two on a different team and they would be putting up Benn and Seguin numbers. Two players alone can not carry a team or an entire 5 man unit on the ice. Its so obvious that since we have no other threats every teams gameplan is to completely smother those two. The defense cant get them puck and our neutral zone play putrid so there isnt any transition to their game. Everyone is expecting these two guys to put on a red cape and just steam role an entire team by themeselves. Its not going to happen....they need support.
- GOA88

Exactly. Smother G and Jake and make the rest of this roster beat you.

Exactly. Smother G and Jake and make the rest of this roster beat you.
- hereticpride

Pretty simple strategy that has proven to be effective, especially with the power play being putrid. I know most people don't want to hear it and/or may disagree with me, but I don't think Simmonds has been good this year at all. If he isn't in the offensive zone, he's useless. Even then his passing ability isn't great and without any power play production, he isn't contributing.

I really don't think Manning has been much worse than any other clown on that Blueline group ( aside fro Streit due to his offensive #'s) I think one of the main reasons he is there is his salary. Didn't MDZ sign a new deal. WTF has he done, Schultz, Schenn, not much better than Manning
- 3flyerkids

Sadly they have been. Manning is getting sheltered like a Faberge egg, and his possession metrics are still horrible. At least Schultz is facing tougher competition. Manning has also badly failed the eye test. Dumb pinches, blown coverages, glaring mistakes with and without the puck.

I'd waive Manning as soon as the plane lands in Philly and recall Gostisbehere. Hell, even MacDonald would be preferable to the poopshow from Manning.

I would start Neuvirth in the next game because he's played better than Mason so far and deserves it. If that's considered a goalie controversy I really don't care. Both guys are signed till the end of 16-17 and both of them are trying to earn a nice, big extension.

Vinny didn't do anything notably awful but the Gagner-Schenn-Lecavalier line had the worst shot attempt numbers on the team (all of them were at 20% CF or less). I think these should be the lines tomorrow:

Raffl-G-Voracek
Gagner-Couturier-BSchenn
Read-Laughton-Simmonds
VdV-White-Umberger

Hopefully Medvedev is back for the next home game and the Manning as a regular top six guy era is over soon.

While he has'nt been great. He is hardly the problem. Same with Giroux. They have mostly been invisible aside from a few plays this season. I've said it before...put those two on a different team and they would be putting up Benn and Seguin numbers. Two players alone can not carry a team or an entire 5 man unit on the ice. Its so obvious that since we have no other threats every teams gameplan is to completely smother those two. The defense cant get them the puck and our neutral zone play is putrid so there isnt any transition to their game. Everyone is expecting these two guys to put on a red cape and just steam role an entire team by themeselves. Its not going to happen....they need support.
- GOA88

Hey I know the rest of the team is horrible but all I am saying is Jake has not put up the same numbers as last year. When you make 8M, you should have more production, IMO Giroux has been much better than Jake. The defence is the main problem for this team, but you top players must produce bottom line

Hakstool has scheduled a scrimmage with Wisconsin-Whitewater today to build team confidence.

I'm starting to worry that Hakstool isn't going to win the Jack Adams.
- PLindbergh31

i am starting to worry that he should have stayed in college and we should have hired a real coach.... out-shot 19-2 in the 1st sorta tells the story of this game...pathetic

Pretty simple strategy that has proven to be effective, especially with the power play being putrid. I know most people don't want to hear it and/or may disagree with me, but I don't think Simmonds has been good this year at all. If he isn't in the offensive zone, he's useless. Even then his passing ability isn't great and without any power play production, he isn't contributing.
- aantny88

I've been quite critical of Simmonds, whixh is perhaps unfair because who can't you be critical about on this roster? Some feel that he just hasn't found the right linemates to gel with. Maybe they're right, but I just can't shake the the things I constantly see with him. Poor passing, bad puck control. Those are issues specific to a player. I just don't see how much new linemates can correct those issues. I hope he turns it around. When Simmonds looks bad he looks all kinds of horrible.

Hakstool has scheduled a scrimmage with Wisconsin-Whitewater today to build team confidence.
- PLindbergh31

that's great coaching.... But could backfire, may be able to squeak out an OT win

If I had to pick on one player this year for not pulling their weight, it would be Jake without question. Simply must produce. He had a great year , got a huge deal,... The honeymoon is over..12 games and no goals. Simply not good enough.
I wonder if he was playing / producing like he was last year would our record be the same..
- 3flyerkids

Didn't he and Giroux both go like 16 games last year without scoring and still end us as top-10 in points? I'm not saying that he doesn't deserve criticism or that it's acceptable, but I'm hoping it's a start of season slump.