Clearly Hextall is fine with all this.

I'm just really happy for Hakstol that he has the strength of character to scapegoat Ghost for a complete team loss. It's brave really. But the good news is he will learn so much watching from the press box. You just wait; he'll be a different man. Let's be honest, going to this well for the 3rd time, it's likely this is for multiple games now too. Stunning and brave.
- Mononoke

I seriously doubt the reason is to scapegoat Gostisbehere.

I don't agree with it, but based on last night, nobody should be immune.
- MJL

seems like anyone not names Ghost or Manning IS immune

seems like anyone not names Ghost or Manning IS immune
- nastyflyergirl

Del Zotto, MacDonald, Raffl, Cousins, Lybimov, to name a few have all sat out.

Death Star levels. Do we really think that this will be another 1 game wake-up call scratch? It's a good chance we're looking at a few games minimum. It's turning from walking on egg shells to walking on switchblades for a player whose gave revolves around confidence and risk taking. Ghost's confidence is already not in a good place with this tough results season. He looked like a husk after the other 2 scratches. And I'm sure it doesn't help long-term relationships. It's not even tough coaching at this point: it's draconian and solves nothing.

Ghost was poor last night, in that game. Full stop. Manning was even worse on that pair. And the entire team, from top to bottom, was a disaster. It's a scapegoat job pure and simple. I really really do hope he has the same steely gaze when he looks inward to the job he and his coaching staff are doing. Not a single player hasn't regressed from last year (ignoring injuries). It's worrisome.
- Mononoke

There really is a certain level of chaos that has plagued this team this year. There really isn't much reasoning behind a lot of the moves made. I get that coaches like to keep strategy to themselves, but I would like a little more explanation from Hak and Hexy than what we've been giving. What exactly is the direction of this team? Are you developing or trying to win now?

There really is a certain level of chaos that has plagued this team this year. There really isn't much reasoning behind a lot of the moves made. I get that coaches like to keep strategy to themselves, but I would like a little more explanation from Hak and Hexy than what we've been giving. What exactly is the direction of this team? Are you developing or trying to win now?
- PhillySportsGuy

Hextall has talked about that numerous times. He's been pretty clear. They're trying to do both.

Hextall has talked about that numerous times. He's been pretty clear. They're trying to do both.
- MJL

Sigh

Is there something going on we don't know about? Bill mentioned something about Brennan and how he has a lot of talent but the knock has been he hasn't worked hard on his game where a kid like Manning, who has limited ability, has worked hard on his game. I mean is it something like that? He doesn't seem to be a player like that but without inside info who knows
- nastyflyergirl

Brennan is a train wreck haha. He's an AHL player in every way twice over, even though he scores. He would make Manning look like Lidstrom.

Ghost seems like a good kid and a really really hard worker. Just look at him with his ACL injury. He's incredibly passionate on the ice and off. I've said it plenty before, and some will disagree, and that's fine no need to rehash stale arguments, but his season has not been as bad in a process-oriented way as the scoring indicates IMO. Doesn't mean he's still not a sophomore needing work and adjusting, but it's been a season from hell in many ways, and some not in his control. He has the 2nd lowest on-ice shooting % of any d man in the entire NHL (that means the shooting % of him and every player he's on the ice with); yet he's in the o-zone creating chances a ton, the most of any Flyers d man. He's in the company down there of a few other great d men in (surprise) slumps. Sometimes that's just hockey. Like life, it's not always fair.

This. This. THIS.

How do you single out only him? It's amazing. Manning was far worse on that pair alone. It's obvious that the other scratches did nothing to improve his game and only further tanked his confidence in a season from hell. What is Hakstol hoping to prove at this point? Turn him into an actual ghost of himself? (frank).
- Mononoke

Manning or AMac both should sit before Ghost, it's (frank)ing ridiculous.

Brennan is a train wreck haha. He's an AHL player in every way twice over, even though he scores. He would make Manning look like Lidstrom.

Ghost seems like a good kid and a really really hard worker. Just look at him with his ACL injury. He's incredibly passionate on the ice and off. I've said it plenty before, and some will disagree, and that's fine no need to rehash stale arguments, but his season has not been as bad in a process-oriented way as the scoring indicates IMO. Doesn't mean he's still not a sophomore needing work and adjusting, but it's been a season from hell in many ways, and some not in his control. He has the 2nd lowest on-ice shooting % of any d man in the entire NHL (that means the shooting % of him and every player he's on the ice with); yet he's in the o-zone creating chances a ton, the most of any Flyers d man. He's in the company down there of a few other great d men in (surprise) slumps. Sometimes that's just hockey. Like life, it's not always fair.
- Mononoke

sometimes, it is about who you know....especially if you know Dave Hakstol

Del Zotto, MacDonald, Raffl, Cousins, Lybimov, to name a few have all sat out.
- MJL

Also vets making $2m+ in Weise and Schultz.

Sigh
- PhillySportsGuy

I wrote this a bit ago but didn't post it with this Ghost stuff, plus troll town in here:


It's just a sad truth that you need a truly elite 1C to be a Cup champion or true contender. There have been a few odd years where a team hasn't had one, but not in recent history, and still very rarely. By my estimation, these are the Cup caliber 1Cs, who could be (or were) the best player on a team, in recent years:

Boston: Bergeron/Krejci (a bit unusual 1B/1B)...#45/#63
Toronto: Matthews....#1
Florida: Barkov...#2
Buffalo: Eichel (maybe)....#2
Tampa: Stamkos...#1
Detroit: Datsyuk/Zetterberg (both formerly)....#171/#210
Chicago: Toews....#3
Dallas: Seguin...#2
Winnipeg: Scheifele...#7
Washington: Backstrom....#4
Carolina: Eric Staal (formerly)...#2
Pittsburgh: Crosby/Malkin....#1/#2
Philadelphia: Giroux....#22
NYI: Tavares...#1
San Jose: Thornton...#1
Anaheim: Getzlaf....#19
Edmonton: McDavid/Draisaitl (maybe)...#1/#3
LA: Kopitar....#11


The bolded are guys who weren't top 10 picks. Even a guy like Scheifele I considered bolding because he's the only one of the rest who wasn't top 5. It's just a tough truth. Defenseman are way riskier and less certain, and you'll routinely see guys outside the top 10 or even first round who are studs. Forwards just are more known quantities. You know better what you're getting. It's doable to hit on someone later, but boy, is it playing with fire if that's your Plan A, B, or C. And rarely are you winning when those top players are out of their prime.

Also vets making $2m+ in Weise and Schultz.
- Feanor

...and Konecny

, but his season has not been as bad in a process-oriented way as the scoring indicates IMO. Doesn't mean he's still not a sophomore needing work
- Mononoke

Couldnt agree more..

When you draft someone its" well I expect him to struggle a bit in the second season like all players do" . At this point Ghost is only slightly into his second year of playing NHL level hockey and go figure he is struggling.

What I hope or expect to see is that next season he falls someplace between his unrealistic last season and the frustration of this season.

Brennan is a train wreck haha. He's an AHL player in every way twice over, even though he scores. He would make Manning look like Lidstrom.

Ghost seems like a good kid and a really really hard worker. Just look at him with his ACL injury. He's incredibly passionate on the ice and off. I've said it plenty before, and some will disagree, and that's fine no need to rehash stale arguments, but his season has not been as bad in a process-oriented way as the scoring indicates IMO. Doesn't mean he's still not a sophomore needing work and adjusting, but it's been a season from hell in many ways, and some not in his control. He has the 2nd lowest on-ice shooting % of any d man in the entire NHL (that means the shooting % of him and every player he's on the ice with); yet he's in the o-zone creating chances a ton, the most of any Flyers d man. He's in the company down there of a few other great d men in (surprise) slumps. Sometimes that's just hockey.
- Mononoke

Sometimes it's just hockey, and sometimes it isn't. Sometimes a player contributes greatly to his lack of production. He's not a snowflake who is going to be ruined by sitting out a few games. Too many excuses are made for him out of bias. You won't find the answers on a stat spread sheet. His season has not been good, process wise or any reason why. I'll lead you in the right direction. Stop looking at the stats, and look at why the results are as they are. I don't know what feed you had for the game, but the Comcast feed had a great shot of a play Gostisbehere made in the offensive zone. We can only speculate, but I believe those kinds of plays and mistakes that he has made repeatedly over and over, is the reason, or one of the reasons, why he has at times drawn the coaches ire.

dont forget coots #8

Sometimes it's just hockey, and sometimes it isn't. Sometimes a player contributes greatly to his lack of production. He's not a snowflake who is going to be ruined by sitting out a few games. Too many excuses are made for him out of bias. You won't find the answers on a stat spread sheet. His season has not been good, process wise or any reason why. I'll lead you in the right direction. Stop looking at the stats, and look at why the results are as they are. I don't know what feed you had for the game, but the Comcast feed had a great shot of a play Gostisbehere made in the offensive zone. We can only speculate, but I believe those kinds of plays and mistakes that he has made repeatedly over and over, is the reason, or one of the reasons, why he has at times drawn the coaches ire.
- MJL

Comcast has been running Ghost is in a sophomore slump, needs to hit the net, and lost his confidence propoganda for weeks now. No surprise they were comparing his +/- to last year

dont forget coots #8
- YuenglingJagr

What is there to forget?
Coots isnt a first line center and that list shows first line centers.

Comcast has been running Ghost is in a sophomore slump, needs to hit the net, and lost his confidence propoganda for weeks now. No surprise they were comparing his +/- to last year

- YuenglingJagr

Barking up the wrong tree. This was during the game. I don't pay attention to much post game or pre game stuff.

I wrote this a bit ago but didn't post it with this Ghost stuff, plus troll town in here:


It's just a sad truth that you need a truly elite 1C to be a Cup champion or true contender. There have been a few odd years where a team hasn't had one, but not in recent history, and still very rarely. By my estimation, these are the Cup caliber 1Cs, who could be (or were) the best player on a team, in recent years:

Boston: Bergeron/Krejci (a bit unusual 1B/1B)...#45/#63
Toronto: Matthews....#1
Florida: Barkov...#2
Buffalo: Eichel (maybe)....#2
Tampa: Stamkos...#1
Detroit: Datsyuk/Zetterberg (both formerly)....#171/#210
Chicago: Toews....#3
Dallas: Seguin...#2
Winnipeg: Scheifele...#7
Washington: Backstrom....#4
Pittsburgh: Crosby/Malkin....#1/#2
Philadelphia: Giroux....#22
NYI: Tavares...#1
San Jose: Thornton...#1
Anaheim: Getzlaf....#19
Edmonton: McDavid/Draisaitl (maybe)...#1/#3
LA: Kopitar....#11


The bolded are guys who weren't top 10 picks. Even a guy like Scheifele I considered bolding because he's the only one of the rest who wasn't top 5. It's just a tough truth. Defenseman are way riskier and less certain, and you'll routinely see guys outside the top 10 or even first round who are studs. Forwards just are more known quantities. You know better what you're getting. It's doable to hit on someone later, but boy, is it playing with fire if that's your Plan A, B, or C. And rarely are you winning when those top players are out of their prime.
- Mononoke

I've always felt like scouts just go about grading defensemen incorrectly quite a bit. Forwards are based more on scoring ability, which is usually a pretty good indicator of NHL success. Defeensive defensemen are probably given too much credit and often have trouble succeeding in the NHL.

Anyway, your point is valid. They simply need a stud forward who can lead the team in the future. That needs to be the #1 goal of the franchise over the next couple seasons. These cute little first round knockouts are meaningless. Did the year the team stunk and got Provorov feel better than the year the team was mediocre and got bounced by Washington and got Rubtsov?

I love Simmonds like a brother, but if trading him gives you a decent chance at landing that stud, you gotta make the deal. There is risk is trading him for an unknown. There is a greater risk in doing nothing IMHHO!!!!

Del Zotto, MacDonald, Raffl, Cousins, Lybimov, to name a few have all sat out.
- MJL

Was talking defense.....agree about MDZ. almost forgot he was still on the team. AMAC has not been scratched since Nov.

Brennan is a train wreck haha. He's an AHL player in every way twice over, even though he scores. He would make Manning look like Lidstrom.

Ghost seems like a good kid and a really really hard worker. Just look at him with his ACL injury. He's incredibly passionate on the ice and off. I've said it plenty before, and some will disagree, and that's fine no need to rehash stale arguments, but his season has not been as bad in a process-oriented way as the scoring indicates IMO. Doesn't mean he's still not a sophomore needing work and adjusting, but it's been a season from hell in many ways, and some not in his control. He has the 2nd lowest on-ice shooting % of any d man in the entire NHL (that means the shooting % of him and every player he's on the ice with); yet he's in the o-zone creating chances a ton, the most of any Flyers d man. He's in the company down there of a few other great d men in (surprise) slumps. Sometimes that's just hockey. Like life, it's not always fair.
- Mononoke

I know this about Brennan. Bill's point was that he has the skill but the question was regarding how hard he was willing to work to make himself a better player.

As far as Ghost goes i just want to see the kid in there. Obviously Provorov (not comparing their ability) is all of 20 and Ghost 23 with AHL time under his belt but Ghost is still a young player working on his game. I just hate seeing young guys sit when they struggle a little bit. I'm sure it has to get in their heads...mistakes = scratching.

This might be someplace in the thread....

http://www.philly.com/phi...dn_t_they_retaliate_.html

I've always felt like scouts just go about grading defensemen incorrectly quite a bit. Forwards are based more on scoring ability, which is usually a pretty good indicator of NHL success. Defeensive defensemen are probably given too much credit and often have trouble succeeding in the NHL.

Anyway, your point is valid. They simply need a stud forward who can lead the team in the future. That needs to be the #1 goal of the franchise over the next couple seasons. These cute little first round knockouts are meaningless. Did the year the team stunk and got Provorov feel better than the year the team was mediocre and got bounced by Washington and got Rubtsov?

I love Simmonds like a brother, but if trading him gives you a decent chance at landing that stud, you gotta make the deal. There is risk is trading him for an unknown. There is a greater risk in doing nothing IMHHO!!!!
- PhillySportsGuy

Yes, last season felt a lot better than the previous one. Flyers were fantastic to watch down the stretch and nothing beats playoff hockey, regardless if the odds are stacked against us.

What deal would you envision for Simmonds that gives you the best chance at getting this "stud"? Teams in the range to draft these franchise players aren't likely to be in the market for a player like Simmonds and your market is unlikely to part with a known commodity that may have potential to lead a team to a Stanley Cup. This is also ignoring the fact that Simmonds has a no trade clause. He's going to be very hurt and surprised being asked to waive it and not going to do the Flyers any favours providing a vast list of destinations he will accept.

This might be someplace in the thread....

http://www.philly.com/phi...dn_t_they_retaliate_.html
- opeth_pa

truthfully I was a little irked they didn't retaliate. not that I wanted them to jump in and take a penalty. I just mean being physical. Answer with clean physical play.