It is frustrating to see them play dump and chase hockey. Even when they retrieve it and get it back to the point, the defenseman are so inept at getting the puck to the net or making a play. They're essentially using their skilled guys to win board battles and create opportunities for their unskilled defenseman.
- PhillySportsGuy

Would it be exaggeration to say that every line is a version of the VDV-Bellemare-White line? Just more skilled versions playing the same way. This isn't a short term, bump in the road problem. This is systemic and season long. If the lines aren't changed next game, and Medvedev not back in, then I give up. Though that will only help so much given the system....Hakstol better recognize what isn't working soon because he's done a piss poor job of it lately. Just let the players play at this point. Don't square hole, round peg it.

He didn't intend to tank this year. I honestly believe he thought this team would be competitive. Maybe not playoffs, but certainly in the mix
- PhillySportsGuy

Sure. Losing Streit isn't helping. Jake having 1 goal (3v3 at that...pfft) isn't helping. Hakstol making a bunch of really (frank)ing odd moves/scratches/line combinations isn't helping. And the PP hibernating for winter (prior to Ghost anyway) isn't helping either. I don't think anybody saw this team being this inept.

Would it be exaggeration to say that every line is a version of the VDV-Bellemare-White line? Just more skilled versions playing the same way. This isn't a short term, bump in the road problem. This is systemic. If the lines aren't changed next game, and Medvedev not back in, then I give up. Though that will only help so much given the system....Hakstol better recognize what isn't working soon because he's done a piss poor job of it lately.
- Mononoke

let's be real here... titanic deck chairs man

Would it be exaggeration to say that every line is a version of the VDV-Bellemare-White line? Just more skilled versions playing the same way. This isn't a short term, bump in the road problem. This is systemic and season long. If the lines aren't changed next game, and Medvedev not back in, then I give up. Though that will only help so much given the system....Hakstol better recognize what isn't working soon because he's done a piss poor job of it lately. Just let the players play at this point. Don't square hole, round peg it.
- Mononoke

I get the feeling Medvedev has a concussion

I get the feeling Medvedev has a concussion
- PhillySportsGuy

i heard he was flying a jet over turkey the other day

At the animal hospital after my two golden retrievers got attacked by my neighbors pitbull. My one legged neighbor with a pit on no leash that is. Finally found something worse than watching this team. Sigh.
- hereticpride

I'm sorry man.

I have to go to my friend's funeral on Saturday. I can empathize.

let's be real here... titanic deck chairs man
- JoeRussomanno

I don't care if they lose -- they're not a good team. But I want to see our star players and young players put in positions to succeed. That is the ONLY thing this season is about. And they're failing at that. You can be a bad overall team, but no one should want to see the players individually being sucked down a black hole. The team did awful last year amid career years. That's probably the best outcome. Not this.

Sure. Losing Streit isn't helping. Jake having 1 goal (3v3 at that...pfft) isn't helping. Hakstol making a bunch of really (frank)ing odd moves/scratches/line combinations isn't helping. And the PP hibernating for winter (prior to Ghost anyway) isn't helping either. I don't think anybody saw this team being this inept.
- wolfhounds

I thought they'd be bad, but I didn't think they'd have a chance of being the worst team in hockey. If not for the McDavid injury, they'd really have a chance to be the worst.

I get the feeling Medvedev has a concussion
- PhillySportsGuy

And yet he's been practicing fully each day, and even took optional skating yesterday. In a sick twist of events, I pray he's been ill. The fact that they're not up front if he has health issues is even more sick.

And yet he's been practicing fully each day, and even took optional skating yesterday. In a sick twist of events, I pray he's been ill. The fact that they're not up front if he has health issues is even more sick.
- Mononoke

If he's healthy, I actually think Hakstol scratching Medvedev is worse than Berube scratching MDZ last year

I thought they'd be bad, but I didn't think they'd have a chance of being the worst team in hockey. If not for the McDavid injury, they'd really have a chance to be the worst.
- PhillySportsGuy

as bad as they are, they are tied with Toronto for the 6th worse record. of course the bottom 8 are all within 4-5 points of one another

Morin did this to a guy in a fight tonight. Hopefully his hockey game comes along similarly.

If he's healthy, I actually think Hakstol scratching Medvedev is worse than Berube scratching MDZ last year
- PhillySportsGuy

A Russian national top 4 d man uprooted his entire life and family to move to a strange country where they speak a strange language only to be replaced by an AHL All Star tweener, a one year removed NHL reject showing why he was a reject, and a guy whose claim to hockey fame is a beard. If it's not as bad as the MDZ scratching, it's close. I remember after preseason and the first 5-7 games we were all assuming he'd be resigned for another 2-3 years as a solid transitional d man, given how he looked. Who the (frank) knows now. I want pictures of him at practice to prove he isn't actually in a gulag somewhere.

Morin did this to a guy in a fight tonight. Hopefully his hockey game comes along similarly.
- Mononoke

For all that blood, the kid looks fine, not all busted up. Cut by the helmet?

A Russian national top 4 d man uprooted his entire life and family to move to a strange country where they speak a strange language only to be replaced by an AHL All Star tweener, a one year removed NHL reject showing why he was a reject, and a guy whose claim to hockey fame is a beard. If it's not as bad as the MDZ scratching, it's close. I remember after preseason and the first 5-7 games we were all assuming he'd be resigned for another 2-3 years as a solid transitional d man, given how he looked. Who the (frank) knows now. I want pictures of him at practice to prove he isn't actually in a gulag somewhere.
- Mononoke

It's bad. And a waste of money. Certainly not helping Med's value come trade day.

For all that blood, the kid looks fine, not all busted up. Cut by the helmet?
- wolfhounds

Don't be a party pooper. Not now.

His face was busted up so badly his pulp was pulp. He may never see again. That's the story, and we're sticking to it!

as bad as they are, they are tied with Toronto for the 6th worse record. of course the bottom 8 are all within 4-5 points of one another
- nastyflyergirl

They're trending in the wrong direction though and they could end up being big sellers at the deadline.

It's bad. And a waste of money. Certainly not helping Med's value come trade day.
- wolfhounds

Before the Buffalo game where he suffered his concussion he looked like the best d man on the team besides Streit. That's the problem. If he's healthy it makes zero (frank)ing sense. He wasn't a complete bust, in fact we were all surprised at how good he looked this being his first handful of NA games.

They're trending in the wrong direction though and they could end up being big sellers at the deadline.
- PhillySportsGuy

A Russian national top 4 d man uprooted his entire life and family to move to a strange country where they speak a strange language only to be replaced by an AHL All Star tweener, a one year removed NHL reject showing why he was a reject, and a guy whose claim to hockey fame is a beard. If it's not as bad as the MDZ scratching, it's close. I remember after preseason and the first 5-7 games we were all assuming he'd be resigned for another 2-3 years as a solid transitional d man, given how he looked. Who the (frank) knows now. I want pictures of him at practice to prove he isn't actually in a gulag somewhere.
- Mononoke

I just don't see how they could keep scratching him unless he was hurt. It just wouldn't make any sense.

Don't be a party pooper. Not now.

His face was busted up so badly his pulp was pulp. He may never see again. That's the story, and we're sticking to it!
- Mononoke

Sorry. The kid was battered. He's in surgery right now. It's not pretty.

I just don't see how they could keep scratching him unless he was hurt. It just wouldn't make any sense.
- PhillySportsGuy

I can't wait until he rejoins the lineup and he's put on a line with PEB and VDV.

- Mononoke

They'll be passing the Flyers soon.

I still think the Flyers finish around the same place as last year. I just think theres a legit chance they finish with one of the 3 worst records.

I can't wait until he rejoins the lineup and he's put on a line with PEB and VDV.
- Mononoke

How else do you expect to get him going?

They're trending in the wrong direction though and they could end up being big sellers at the deadline.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm quite ok with that. Obviously this group isn't working. I'm good moving on from Streit, Schultz, Read, Umberger and Luke being he is a UFA and I can't see him re-signing over the next two seasons.