yw
- JFlyers00

I've seen that graphic plenty. It's just I'm not sure how people suddenly believe this team is magically devoid of talent up top and reason out that literally EVERY single player (inanimate objects don't count) has significantly gotten worse scoring. They scored more under Berube. Are we saying that roster had more talent then? When it happens to a few players, that's a slump, or decline, or whatever. When it is an entire team, from top to bottom all-at-once? That's bigger.

What it feels like to me is the Flyers are playing a Chip Kelly like "college" system. It's low on skill, high on reliable, safe plays up to the point, get traffic, and repeat. And teams read the poop out of it. That's not an issue in and of itself because you have to do that in the NHL. But it is their Plan A.....and probably B and C. You see highly skilled players just stop inside the blue line, and instead of make a skill play or try to create, they just turn to the point and give them the puck so Brandon Manning can shoot over and over miles away from the net. It seems plain as day to me that Hakstol has to reassess this, because if HE doesn't look inwards and see his share of blame in this, we have a problem. Teams in the NHL are simply too good at blocking and getting in lanes. This isn't college hockey where players are more fungible. Our top 6 plays no differently than the Bellemare line.

this team has a lot of disaster contracts.

fungible
- Mononoke

props

Weise is pretty far down the line of my concerns with this team. He was signed as a player that can move up and down the line up and I still see that ability regardless of his terrible production so far.
- Baxter27

I agree.

The one thing I thought he would bring was a little more attitude to the team. but I understood the signing. He was a more skilled Ryan White. And we don't know. But he could be off our hands in the expansion draft. I could see Read or Weise actually taken.

I wonder if Columbus will be aggressive at the deadline. They could probably use a depth defender and they might want to go for it since they are playing so well this year.

Not sure I would want picks but maybe I could pry Paul Bittner away from them. Big winger who isn't really producing in AHL. Could be a project guy but he's 6'4''. Had decent junior numbers.

I am not sure I want picks in a draft that is average to below average. I might like a project guy or one who just isn't developing where they are at this point.
- J35Bacher

Below average draft should be taken with a grain of salt. 2007 was a "below average draft" and Subban, Simmonds and Benn all were selected after the 1st round. I'm all for taking the extra swings instead of searching for reclamation projects.

I look forward to hearing how the MacDonald scratching is both the right decision and proof that MacDonald is a top 4 defenseman on this team
- PhillySportsGuy

Ok. I'll let Hak explain:

"It's an opportunity to rest for (MacDonald). He's played a huge part in everything we've done and will continue to do so moving forward. He's played a lot of minutes," said Hakstol.

He's just being rested for the playoff push against a bad Western Conference team. Our top pairing defenseman staying fresh will be crucial for the playoff run, especially against some divisional opponents coming up!

Called it! Back in even after a win.

Below average draft should be taken with a grain of salt. 2007 was a "below average draft" and Subban, Simmonds and Benn all were selected after the 1st round. I'm all for taking the extra swings instead of searching for reclamation projects.
- Baxter27

I understand that.

But sometimes I like the fact they have gotten a taste of pro hockey. Maybe they just need a change.

There will always be the diamonds in the rough in the draft.

I agree.

The one thing I thought he would bring was a little more attitude to the team. but I understood the signing. He was a more skilled Ryan White. And we don't know. But he could be off our hands in the expansion draft. I could see Read or Weise actually taken.
- J35Bacher

I agree, this team could use some more attitude but I think they've been coached(not just Weise) to avoid scrums after the whistle and undisciplined play.

I think the most likely expansion pick is Read but would not be surprised if Weise is taken.

Just hoping for minimal embarrassment from this team tonight.

I agree, this team could use some more attitude but I think they've been coached(not just Weise) to avoid scrums after the whistle and undisciplined play.

I think the most likely expansion pick is Read but would not be surprised if Weise is taken.
- Baxter27

I don't know.

I think they seem to play hesitant because they just don't score enough or really do a lot right, right now. Also I do have a little question about the leadership. The captain isn't really leading by example. I look at Toews. I know he is different type of player compared to Giroux but I see him having a down year but he still tries to bring other things. Maybe forechecking hard, playing solid defense. Leading by example. I feel that I am not seeing that from Giroux.

OR we could have not signed Weise OR White!

White is one of the worst hockey players in the NHL. That our coaches loved him and on both special teams' units was enough reason for addition by subtraction.
- Mononoke

Neither one of them would make a difference on where this team would be,but White would have been a better value than Wiese without question.

Just hoping for minimal embarrassment from this team tonight.
- IvanBrovorov

They are winning tonight.

4-1

I don't know.

I think they seem to play hesitant because they just don't score enough or really do a lot right, right now. Also I do have a little question about the leadership. The captain isn't really leading by example. I look at Toews. I know he is different type of player compared to Giroux but I see him having a down year but he still tries to bring other things. Maybe forechecking hard, playing solid defense. Leading by example. I feel that I am not seeing that from Giroux.
- J35Bacher

That's a bold statement.

3-1 flyers. First round elimination he were come!

That's a bold statement.
- Scoob

Yeah I don't know why it got bolded.

These get the deal done, settle for less in the last 3 hours of TDL day.

Streit-2nd
Neuvirth or Mason-2nd
Bellemare-3rd
MDZ-3rd
Schultz-5th
Vandevelde-5th

Willing to listen on non UFAs but not selling anyone off so can't have a price in mind.
- Baxter27

The idea of picking up draft picks in exchange our UFAs is tempting. Another return would to see Morin or Hagg in a few games before season's end.

Raffl with 11 pts is absolutely ridiculous
- Just5

With all of this said, we have underwhelming players who might be an asset to other teams. If all Mark Streit can fetch for example is a second, I would make the deals now. Collect the draft picks and possibly get something in return that could fill a void on this current roster, even if it's another single underwhelming player. It shouldn't be too tough to fill uses spots in an already crappy bottom six or upgrade over anything we have at LW.

Neither one of them would make a difference on where this team would be,but White would have been a better value than Wiese without question.
- 3flyerkids

Keeping a terrible player and using him as an everyday guy who gets PK and PP time isn't better value to me just because of $$. Weise was a bland unnecessary signing who has backfired in the first season, but there's still a chance at being a solid bottom 6 guy, or at least very good 4th liner, and he's been fine defensively to at least counter the low points. White just sucks. And they overused him. Weise has no such luxury.

By that logic VandeVelde has better value than Matt Read.

sign radulov

Keeping a terrible player and using him as an everyday guy who gets PK and PP time isn't better value to me just because of $$. Weise was a bland unnecessary signing who has backfired in the first season, but there's still a chance at being a solid bottom 6 guy, or at least very good 4th liner, and he's been fine defensively to at least counter the low points. White just sucks. And they overused him. Weise has no such luxury.

By that logic VandeVelde has better value than Matt Read.
- Mononoke

dont give him any ideas

sign radulov
- Flyers Time

Make him captain

Keeping a terrible player and using him as an everyday guy who gets PK and PP time isn't better value to me just because of $$. Weise was a bland unnecessary signing who has backfired in the first season, but there's still a chance at being a solid bottom 6 guy, or at least very good 4th liner, and he's been fine defensively to at least counter the low points. White just sucks. And they overused him. Weise has no such luxury.

By that logic VandeVelde has better value than Matt Read.
- Mononoke

Would rather have had White for 1-2 years at half the price and term of Weise
Not saying White is "good" , would rather have him the VDV. At the very least he would stand up for his teammates this team is way too soft right now just one of many things that need to be addressed

I've seen that graphic plenty. It's just I'm not sure how people suddenly believe this team is magically devoid of talent up top and reason out that literally EVERY single player (inanimate objects don't count) has significantly gotten worse scoring. They scored more under Berube. Are we saying that roster had more talent then? When it happens to a few players, that's a slump, or decline, or whatever. When it is an entire team, from top to bottom all-at-once? That's bigger.

What it feels like to me is the Flyers are playing a Chip Kelly like "college" system. It's low on skill, high on reliable, safe plays up to the point, get traffic, and repeat. And teams read the poop out of it. That's not an issue in and of itself because you have to do that in the NHL. But it is their Plan A.....and probably B and C. You see highly skilled players just stop inside the blue line, and instead of make a skill play or try to create, they just turn to the point and give them the puck so Brandon Manning can shoot over and over miles away from the net. It seems plain as day to me that Hakstol has to reassess this, because if HE doesn't look inwards and see his share of blame in this, we have a problem. Teams in the NHL are simply too good at blocking and getting in lanes. This isn't college hockey where players are more fungible. Our top 6 plays no differently than the Bellemare line.
- Mononoke

I figured you have... I don't get why people are so easily saying we just lack talent too. If everyone really just dropped off a cliff like they have, we are (frank)ed. A systems/coaching problem is really best case scenario imo. Hak may even be the one to fix it. There's more than enough talent on this roster to at least make the playoffs.

I compared Hak with Chip a few weeks ago as a joke, but I was somewhat serious
The metrics don't tell the full story, but when you watch the games and see the forwards treat the pass to the point as the primary option, it begins to make sense. Everyone complains about Giroux being a perimeter player now, but really the whole team has become that. His love affair with with VdV is probably explained by all of this as well.

Just looking at the same metrics for last year, they were 10th worst expected fenwick shooting percentage, 10th worst shooting percentage, and had the longest average shot distance as well. These same issues were there last year, but perhaps Hak having more time on the throne has lead to a further emphasis on passes to the point? Hard to say.

I do still believe there has been some sort of luck element to this year. Last year they under-performed their xFSh% by .63, this year .93, so almost a 50% bump. They definitely haven't been as unlucky as the raw shooting percentages present, but somewhat if that makes sense.

sign radulov
- Flyers Time

I always imagine you post exclusively using Burger King's wifi on your first gen iPhone. Just sitting in a corner all day at a local BK, re-filling your drink, writing these things surrounded by the miasma of your own chicken tender inspired flatulence.

I'm saying this because I'm usually in the other corner. Stop by and say hey sometime.

I was referring to the 1994-2014 period.

Clarke:
1 Stanley Cup Finals appearance (1997)
1 conference title, 5 division titles, and 11 playoff appearances

Holmgren:
1 Stanley Cup Finals appearance (2010)
1 conference title, 1 division title, and 6 playoff appearances
- Baxter27

I was endorsing your point. If you're a GM for 20+ years and you take three teams to 5 finals I think you might know what you're doing.

If G is in the decline and Duschene is 2-3 years younger does a deal here not make sense. Sure the Avs may not be interested, but can't you sweeten the deal with picks and/or a prospect or two?
I really like Duschene, Landeskog AND Tyson Barrie....Heck the Avs even have a little log-jam in net. (Varly??)
Can anyone foresee a shocking blockbuster G,Schenn + for duschene and Landeskog?
Would anyone pull the trigger on that deal?
- dmorin

Would Edmonton pull the trigger on that deal? It better be a hell of a +