Just looked at the even strength goal ratios around the league. Flyers are 0.91 (23rd). The Caps are 1.49, which is absurd. By far the best in the league. They also have the best power play and good PK. They've gotta be the Cup favorites right now.
- PhillySportsGuy

Chicago or LA would give em a good fight, but I can't see anyone in the East having much of a shot against them as long as they stay healthy

I want to see Weal play also. From a fan perspective, we want to see him play, and if he can make a difference or not. That's normal. I'm not prepared or not to state what a coach, who has a lot more information, not to mention knowledge and experience, doesn't understand.
- MJL

I understand your point. We love to make our line ups/trades/drafts as fans but none of us are professional coaches/GMs/scouts etc.

But that is part of the fun of this place.

I'm all for seeing what Weal can do.

I think this is a good season to do this, try out some of the older "kids" and see. Like the Manning experiment. They gave him significant playing time and they know what he can do.

I figured Weal would get a shot when a top six player went down, but they recalled Sam Gagner instead. So maybe he could give Weal a shot with Laughton and Read. If that line is too "small", then switch Read and Raffl to give more size and grit with Raffl on the line with Read and Weal.
- Marc D

For me it's not just Weal. He's an easy option because he's sitting on the roster. They could bring up Cousins. They could have brought up Straka, prior to his injury. All three are pending RFAs.

If you know Umberger's not part of the future, and he's playing so poorly, what's the reasoning for not giving an opportunity to a younger guy who could be part of the solution moving forward or could possibly be traded to add another asset to the pool?

The PEB line is the best defending line on the team. They're so good at it, it's all they do.

-Confucius PSG

Chicago or LA would give em a good fight, but I can't see anyone in the East having much of a shot against them as long as they stay healthy
- BiggE

If the Caps make a couple of the right moves at the TDL they could win it all.

Maybe getting a guy like Komorov from Toronto and another solid D.

Chicago or LA would give em a good fight, but I can't see anyone in the East having much of a shot against them as long as they stay healthy
- BiggE

Clearly the best team in the East. Think the Kings would have a better shot than the Blackhawks, but honestly, I don't think any team truly matches up well against them.

Caps have done a lot of good things in surrounding Ovechkin with better players since that disaster a few seasons back

If the Caps make a couple of the right moves at the TDL they could win it all.

Maybe getting a guy like Komorov from Toronto and another solid D.
- Marc D

Considering they have the best record in the league, I think it's safe to say that they could win the cup without making any moves

For me it's not just Weal. He's an easy option because he's sitting on the roster. They could bring up Cousins. They could have brought up Straka, prior to his injury. All three are pending RFAs.

If you know Umberger's not part of the future, and he's playing so poorly, what's the reasoning for not giving an opportunity to a younger guy who could be part of the solution moving forward or could possibly be traded to add another asset to the pool?
- Jsaquella

I think that gets back to Bill's point about there may not be any significant upgrades in the system. I'd rather watch Cousins or Straka or whoever then RJ at this point, but don't think they would make a big difference in reality. Also maybe Hexstall feels these guys really need more time in the AHL, more pixie dust as MOAT says. I don't know about that, but there maybe other reasons.

Considering they have the best record in the league, I think it's safe to say that they could win the cup without making any moves
- BiggE

maybe but as you well know the NHL playoffs are a different beast

you can't win it with a weak 3rd D pair, and depth in case of injury is huge

For the most part, and there have been some games where it hasn't been the case, Umberger's play away from the puck defensively, and with puck management has been fine. He's no longer a strong player on the forecheck, or is providing offense such as shot generation. He plays limited minutes. My guess is he feels that Weal is not a player who will make a big enough impact offensively, while being a detriment defensively. Hakstol had the chance to insert Weal into a offensive role with Couturier out. They instead called up Gagner. Was that Hakstol or Hextall's call, I don't know. The GM controls the roster, the coach controls the game lineup. I think it's wrong to discount certain reasons why the coach has made certain decisions as not being valid, even if we don't agree with it.

Trust me, I'm confident that both Hextall and Hakstol both know that the Flyers forward depth needs to be upgraded in the future.

As a fan, I want to see Weal play, I'd like to see Cousins called up, and see how he can do. Despite that, I understand that there are a lot of reasons why a coach or a GM makes a decision. Right or wrong, or whether I agree with it or not.

Hartnell worth a pick and prospect while Umberger is worth a pick a wedgie coupon and free walk in the park.

http://www.philly.com/phi...ger-in-Flyers-lineup.html

Hakstol was asked if Umberger had done enough to remain in the lineup.

"He does so many other little things well," Hakstol said. "There's a little bit of a balance because for our team, being able to score a little bit more is a premium for us...I think as we get to the meat of the second half, we need to continually look for ways to produce a little more offense."

Hakstol said the things Umberger "does in his two-way game are valuable. We also need him to chip in a little bit offensively."


I guess the one year anniversary of Umberger's last NHL goal was a wake up call.

I was replying to this post.

"I've never been one who fully understood analytics or fancy stats, but even I know it shouldn't be hard to replace 9 goals after 50 some odd games. "
- MJL

My mistake. I should have typed 0 instead of a 9. That had nothing to do with Couturier, but rather Umberger.

I think that gets back to Bill's point about there may not be any significant upgrades in the system. I'd rather watch Cousins or Straka or whoever then RJ at this point, but don't think they would make a big difference in reality. Also maybe Hexstall feels these guys really need more time in the AHL, more pixie dust as MOAT says. I don't know about that, but there maybe other reasons.
- Marc D

That's always one thing that isn't considered. Hextall is going to do what is best for those players. He's hurt now, but they might feel the best place for a player like Straka, who is finally showing signs of moving forward, is to continue his strong play in the AHL, rather than interrupting that. Same for Cousins.

I think that gets back to Bill's point about there may not be any significant upgrades in the system. I'd rather watch Cousins or Straka or whoever then RJ at this point, but don't think they would make a big difference in reality. Also maybe Hexstall feels these guys really need more time in the AHL, more pixie dust as MOAT says. I don't know about that, but there maybe other reasons.
- Marc D

Even if there are no significant upgrades in the system, you have a few young players who will require new contracts this summer. Even if they don't make a difference in reality, it's an opportunity to get an extended look at them.

We know what Umberger brings. Even if he somehow manages to even out his recent awful defensive play, he's not going to suddenly start being an effective possession player or point producer.

And if Cousins and Straka do need more AHL time, fine. Jordan Weal is on the roster and needs waivers to go back to the AHL. If he's not an improvement on Umberger, nothing lost. And if he's worse, waive him and be done with it.

Even if there are no significant upgrades in the system, you have a few young players who will require new contracts this summer. Even if they don't make a difference in reality, it's an opportunity to get an extended look at them.

We know what Umberger brings. Even if he somehow manages to even out his recent awful defensive play, he's not going to suddenly start being an effective possession player or point producer.

And if Cousins and Straka do need more AHL time, fine. Jordan Weal is on the roster and needs waivers to go back to the AHL. If he's not an improvement on Umberger, nothing lost. And if he's worse, waive him and be done with it.
- Jsaquella

To me at least, the Flyers have always seemed to be more reluctant than other teams try young players and when they do they normally get traded quickly. The age of 28-29 years old as prime is over, its now 24-26.

What is a coaches ultimate responsibility? Is it to develop young players, or is it to win? Certainly both are part of it, but winning takes precedence. It would be unfair to some of the veteran players who are playing hard to throw away the season, at this point, and to use it to audition younger players.
With the Flyers offensive struggles, they have a real fine line between winning and losing. They are one of the better 5 on 5 teams defensively in the league in terms of goals given up.

To me at least, the Flyers have always seemed to be more reluctant than other teams try young players and when they do they normally get traded quickly. The age of 28-29 years old as prime is over, its now 24-26.
- Glak18

Couturier made the NHL at 19. They didn't have a problem putting Gostisbehere in the lineup.

Even if there are no significant upgrades in the system, you have a few young players who will require new contracts this summer. Even if they don't make a difference in reality, it's an opportunity to get an extended look at them.

We know what Umberger brings. Even if he somehow manages to even out his recent awful defensive play, he's not going to suddenly start being an effective possession player or point producer.

And if Cousins and Straka do need more AHL time, fine. Jordan Weal is on the roster and needs waivers to go back to the AHL. If he's not an improvement on Umberger, nothing lost. And if he's worse, waive him and be done with it.
- Jsaquella

all great points

I am guessing we see Weal soon, hope so anyway

all great points

I am guessing we see Weal soon, hope so anyway
- Marc D

If he's not an improvement, there is definitely something to be lost. Every game lost lessens the Flyers odds of making the playoffs.

To me at least, the Flyers have always seemed to be more reluctant than other teams try young players and when they do they normally get traded quickly. The age of 28-29 years old as prime is over, its now 24-26.
- Glak18

The thing is, the Flyers are really embarking on a path they haven't tried in decades.

In the past, the primary goal in most seasons has been to win the Stanley Cup. This team is trying to compete, but it's also one that aware of it's shortcomings and that the real target is to be a competitive team and a serious Cup contender in the future.

This GM has put much more of a focus on drafting and developing than past GMs have. The Phantoms have more drafted players than perhaps at any point of their history, outside of NHL lockout seasons.

Is the coach's primary job to win now? Or is it to ensure that the developmental path of the key young players on his roster now continues?

Couturier made the NHL at 19. They didn't have a problem putting Gostisbehere in the lineup.
- MJL

To this day I am shocked Couturier made the lineup at that age, but let me rephrase my previous comment by saying lower drafted young players. I don't expect a surprise 7th round pick to make the roster every year, but give them a shot when needed. They just tend to have a history of recalling the players who are on their way out.

all great points

I am guessing we see Weal soon, hope so anyway
- Marc D

And if he's no better or even worse than Umberger, you've found out. Nobody's calling for Weal to be jammed into the line up and left there no matter what. If he gets in and sucks, go back to the known quantity, put Umberger back in.

The thing is, the Flyers are really embarking on a path they haven't tried in decades.

In the past, the primary goal in most seasons has been to win the Stanley Cup. This team is trying to compete, but it's also one that aware of it's shortcomings and that the real target is to be a competitive team and a serious Cup contender in the future.

This GM has put much more of a focus on drafting and developing than past GMs have. The Phantoms have more drafted players than perhaps at any point of their history, outside of NHL lockout seasons.

Is the coach's primary job to win now? Or is it to ensure that the developmental path of the key young players on his roster now continues?
- Jsaquella

Completely understand, still trying to get used to the new and improved Hextall regime. Just tired of seeing the Flyers bottom 6 filled with dime-a-dozen players that can be had for a fraction of the cost.

Completely understand, still trying to get used to the new and improved Hextall regime. Just tired of seeing the Flyers bottom 6 filled with dime-a-dozen players that can be had for a fraction of the cost.
- Glak18

The only expensive one left is really Umberger. You could argue Read, but he's been pretty solid this season, if a bit underproductive.