This is nonsense!

The team has access to the things we dont see! To the things we will never know!
- ggunky

Just because they have access to certain data doesn't mean they make decisions based on that data

Oh no you di-in't. Broke it down for me haha. TBH some of those comments were for previous responses. I didn't recognize it as a sincere request, so my bad. Cheers, bru.

The BJs are obviously a different team from the Rags or Canucks, but I think he let's them play more open and it is less of a stubborn "you listen to exactly what I say" type of coaching attitude he seemed to have. I think he did do that a bit when he first took over, but at the risk of sounding cliche I think he is just less hands on now. Calmer from what I have seen
- YuenglingJagr

The structure and the way his teams play on the ice, when they're buying in and doing what they're coached to do, hasn't seemed to have changed a whole lot. Tortorella has always been about puck pressure and a strong neutral zone and offensive zone forecheck. He may have become less hot headed and deals with players better, I don't know. His animated looks and reactions on the bench seemed pretty much the same. I'm quite sure over time, like any coach, he has tweaked and adapted some of his coaching methods.

I'm sure the Simmonds/Couts numbers are inflated due to facing 2nd units, but it still makes no sense to use them as the 2nd pair. I just don't understand what the team sees in Vandevelde and Bellemare to keep using them as the top unit on the PK. It makes no sense.
- PhillySportsGuy

It's so unbelievably unsurprising that when you look at the top PK teams in the league, here's who is their top PKer or on the 1st unit......

Boston: Bergeron (Marchand is 4th, but the minutes are basically dead even)
Florida: Trocheck
Anaheim: Kesler
LA: Kopitar
Minnesota: Koivu (Followed by flashy winger Granlund, followed by Staal)
St Louis: Steen

Boy, I sure do wish we had an elite defensive player to use on our PK like they do! Even some of those teams that use their stars on the second unit, they see pretty even ice time relatively. But on this team, it's not even close. Over the last 2 seasons, PEB and VDV are 3rd and 6th in the entire NHL, among forwards, in PK time. They don't just use them as the top unit; they use the holy poop out of them. They're used as an elite duo, not just a top duo even.

A coach in his first TWO Seasons:

1) Makes Playoffs by leading a team to overachieve
2) Misses playoffs because of some underachieving players and players who came back to earth from unrepeatable seasons (Ghost).

FIRE HIM!

I'd love to see you as the boss of a company. Your employee morale and turnover would be astronomical.
- dragonoffrost

The "going out of business" sale would happen within two years.

How many of those teams that are ahead of the Flyers, have their star #1 Center struggling at 5 on 5, and ranked 299th in the league in 5 on 5 scoring, tied with his teammate Matt Read and tied with players such as Deryk Engelland, Matt Hunwick,Derek Forbert, and Tim Schaller?
- MJL

Exactly, thank you for making my point. The coach is not motivating any of his star players and that is his responsibility so he should be torched. I do not know what the reason is for all these star players not getting results but you could probably trade any one of them and the slump would be over. My point is the coach has no ability to motivate his players and it is quite possible they are playing to get him fired.

No! The Flyers are a fairly talented team and are far behind teams with less talent in the standings. That is why the coach should be accountable for the team not making the playoffs. I am sure every ref in the league just laughs at him and never gives him a break. Bacbcock, Torts, and many others have respect from the refs and get some breaks. Philly gets screwed regularly on penalty calls and coaches challenges.
- joegreif17

Okay, thanks

On the other hand, what I think shouild be criticized more, is that they carried 8 D this year. Not until the trade deadline did they fix that and when they did, they got a top 9 forward. While he may not be what everyone wanted in the top 6, would having Filppula (or another top 9 player) earlier in the year been better than carrying 8 defensemen. Especially, when there may be guys on the Phantoms that could have come up if a defensemen was hurt?
- FlyerFan16

You'd have to know that trade was available earlier. TB was tight against the cap, and their ability to immediately flip Streit to the Pens was a factor.

Stop living in the past like Hextall. Julien won a Stanley Cup. If your not getting the job done no matter who you are you should be replaced. It is all about what you are doing now for the team now. I imagine you are still gloating about going to the finals in 2010 but this is now MJL.
I see Giroux being like Eric Staal, stagnant in Carolina and a change of scenery has revived him in Minny.
- joegreif17

Be prepared to be disappointed. I believe Hakstol will get all of next year unless the wheels really fall off. He's going to be given probably at least 4 rookies next year, so it will be another year of a projected bubble team.

Exactly, thank you for making my point. The coach is not motivating any of his star players and that is his responsibility so he should be torched. I do not know what the reason is for all these star players not getting results but you could probably trade any one of them and the slump would be over. My point is the coach has no ability to motivate his players and it is quite possible they are playing to get him fired.
- joegreif17

So you think this year the reason why Giroux is struggling as he is, is because Hakstol has not motivated this season?

we are going to shuffle coaches every year between the 29 losing teams. should make for lots of fun
- nastyflyergirl

lol! They should do it draft style - worst team picks first.

It's so unbelievably unsurprising that when you look at the top PK teams in the league, here's who is their top PKer or on the 1st unit......

Boston: Bergeron (Marchand is 4th, but the minutes are basically dead even)
Florida: Trocheck
Anaheim: Kesler
LA: Kopitar
Minnesota: Koivu (Followed by flashy winger Granlund, followed by Staal)
St Louis: Steen

Boy, I sure do wish we had an elite defensive player to use on our PK like they do! Even some of those teams that use their stars on the second unit, they see pretty even ice time relatively. But on this team, it's not even close. Over the last 2 seasons, PEB and VDV are 3rd and 6th in the entire NHL, among forwards, in PK time. They don't just use them as the top unit; they use the holy poop out of them. They're used as an elite duo, not just a top duo even.
- Mononoke

You forgot Grabner in NYR who is simply the best pk in the league and was available on the cheap last year as a ufa/

Probably because all it is to this point is prospects and promises.
- landros 2

That's usually how building from the ground up works, it won't all just work right out of the gates

Oh no you di-in't. Broke it down for me haha.
- YuenglingJagr

Snow day - "working" from home - have plenty of time lol

The BJs are obviously a different team from the Rags or Canucks, but I think he let's them play more open and it is less of a stubborn "you listen to exactly what I say" type of coaching attitude he seemed to have. I think he did do that a bit when he first took over, but at the risk of sounding cliche I think he is just less hands on now. Calmer from what I have seen

The media and fans are different in Columbus than NY and Van, which could also have a lot to do with his newfound zen attitude.

Isn't that really that root of it all? If they had signed a top 6 guy last year, the bottom 6 would have been upgraded immediately by someone from the top 6 moving down. However, signing a top 6 in FA is a huge risk/reward. They are just getting out of years of having cap issues. I get they didn't want to sign a guy that is 30+ to a 5+ year contract for 6+ a year. That's why I keep saying they will do that when they are ready to compete.

On the other hand, what I think shouild be criticized more, is that they carried 8 D this year. Not until the trade deadline did they fix that and when they did, they got a top 9 forward. While he may not be what everyone wanted in the top 6, would having Filppula (or another top 9 player) earlier in the year been better than carrying 8 defensemen. Especially, when there may be guys on the Phantoms that could have come up if a defensemen was hurt?
- FlyerFan16

Even if they added a top 6 forward, they're still just spinning their wheels here. They need a disruptive forward; a guy who will change the franchise's trajectory. Until they have that guy, they have a limited upside to their potential.

They need a disruptive forward
- PhillySportsGuy

Disruption intensifying

It's so unbelievably unsurprising that when you look at the top PK teams in the league, here's who is their top PKer or on the 1st unit......

Boston: Bergeron (Marchand is 4th, but the minutes are basically dead even)
Florida: Trocheck
Anaheim: Kesler
LA: Kopitar
Minnesota: Koivu (Followed by flashy winger Granlund, followed by Staal)
St Louis: Steen

Boy, I sure do wish we had an elite defensive player to use on our PK like they do! Even some of those teams that use their stars on the second unit, they see pretty even ice time relatively. But on this team, it's not even close. Over the last 2 seasons, PEB and VDV are 3rd and 6th in the entire NHL, among forwards, in PK time. They don't just use them as the top unit; they use the holy poop out of them. They're used as an elite duo, not just a top duo even.
- Mononoke

Washington is the top team in the league. They use Beagle, Winnik, Wilson, and Eller. Pittsburgh is right behind them, they use Bonino, Cullen, Hagelin, and Fehr the most this year.

You forgot Grabner in NYR who is simply the best pk in the league and was available on the cheap last year as a ufa/
- joegreif17

On a team that is 16th in penalty kill 7 spots and 1.1% better than the Flyers. YAY!

Come on dude. Your over reactions are well over the top. I get it 42 years is a long time for a title. But they only award one cup each season. Try being the Rangers before 1994 or the Leafs who even with the great Babcock and a ton of skilled youth probably are going cupless again this year?

It's so unbelievably unsurprising that when you look at the top PK teams in the league, here's who is their top PKer or on the 1st unit......

Boston: Bergeron (Marchand is 4th, but the minutes are basically dead even)
Florida: Trocheck
Anaheim: Kesler
LA: Kopitar
Minnesota: Koivu (Followed by flashy winger Granlund, followed by Staal)
St Louis: Steen

Boy, I sure do wish we had an elite defensive player to use on our PK like they do! Even some of those teams that use their stars on the second unit, they see pretty even ice time relatively. But on this team, it's not even close. Over the last 2 seasons, PEB and VDV are 3rd and 6th in the entire NHL, among forwards, in PK time. They don't just use them as the top unit; they use the holy poop out of them. They're used as an elite duo, not just a top duo even.
- Mononoke

I think the Flyers philosophy over the last years has been to get their best players off of the PK, so they can use them more in scoring situations. This could work if your 4th liners were actually good PKers. In reality, it's probably best to use guys like Couturier and Simmonds more, and form a 4th line that will contribute more at even strength.

The coach is not motivating any of his star players and that is his responsibility so he should be torched.
- joegreif17

okay

I do not know what the reason is for all these star players not getting results

Wait, I thought you know it is the coach's fault.

but you could probably trade any one of them and the slump would be over.

Ah, the old "change of scenery" motivation.

My point is the coach has no ability to motivate his players and it is quite possible they are playing to get him fired.

I don't see a team that has "given up" on the coach or themselves.

Disruption intensifying


- Mononoke

Washington is the top team in the league. They use Beagle, Winnik, Wilson, and Eller. Pittsburgh is right behind them, they use Bonino, Cullen, Hagelin, and Fehr the most this year.
- MJL

Pittsburgh actually has a pretty mediocre PK. Washington I can grant you, but here's the thing and where your theory poops the bed, and then poops the bed again after I had to change the sheets already for you.

You CAN be a good bottom 6/4th line player and good PKer! You don't have to use your stars if those players are indeed good PKers who grade out well, though I'd argue a player like Couturier should always be your top guy. They will not ever likely have someone better defensively. All of Washington's PKers grade out pretty well. Absolutely use your 4th liners if they're indeed good PKers.

And there's the problem.

Even if they added a top 6 forward, they're still just spinning their wheels here. They need a disruptive forward; a guy who will change the franchise's trajectory. Until they have that guy, they have a limited upside to their potential.
- PhillySportsGuy

Which disruptive forward do you foresee being available this year? There isn't one coming from within.

So you think this year the reason why Giroux is struggling as he is, is because Hakstol has not motivated this season?
- MJL

I do blame Hakstol for Giroux's slide. He has put a weak player on every line all year. He should not break up 93 and 28. Nothing has gone right. I would try the following combinations and stick with it now that nothing really matters.


Filppula with Giroux and Voracek
Konecny with Schenn and Simmonds

I am not sold on Weal as a top six or even an nhler but he has played very well and time will tell. It is a priority to get a top six lw next year. Filppula could also move to 2C and put Schenn with 93 and 28.

Couter could center the third line with Cousin Nicky and Weal, weally, lol

Which disruptive forward do you foresee being available this year? This isn't one coming from within.
- FlyerFan16

Gotta put yourself in position to get one. Whether that's the draft or trade. Rather them take a shot and miss than not take a shot at all.