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.
- Mononoke

Your condescending response aside, in order for you to know that my theory poops the bed, you actually have to know what it is. You missed my point entirely. You actually agreed with the point I was making here, and you're not even aware of it.

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.
- PhillySportsGuy

Rosita can go (frank) herself

okay



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



Ah, the old "change of scenery" motivation.



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

I am fine with that, you are entitled to your opinion. But some of us are winners in life and some well not so lucky.

Your condescending response aside, in order for you to know that my theory poops the bed, you actually have to know what it is. You missed my point entirely. You actually agreed with the point I was making here, and you're not even aware of it.
- MJL

This sounds condescending tbh. I think I'm done here

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




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.
- Scoob

It is an underrated hockey city, but I have seen very little of his "media interactions" I was more referring to how he looked behind the bench.

I think one good example was last night when Gudas tried to make that play and got burned. Columbus had 2 guys half a mile up the ice. I think previously there was a bigger focus on having everyone back and in defensive position. They seem more willing to trade punches

I am fine with that, you are entitled to your opinion. But some of us are winners in life and some well not so lucky.
- joegreif17

Team Negative approves of this response always and forever...

Poutine!

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.
- MJL

I am willing to bet you've seen very little of the blue jackets. It is fine, we can move on

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
- joegreif17

Are you saying move Giroux or Filppula to wing? Either way, it's a bad idea.

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
- joegreif17

I didn't think it was this bad but it obviously is. The coach can only use the players that he has access to. It's a shame he refused to use all those strong players he had at his disposal. Hakstol has used Giroux and Voracek together and apart, to mixed results. I think a clear picture is evolving here. Flippula is a center, and will likely stay at center. If he used your suggested line combinations and it didn't work, would it still be his fault?

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.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think they have the flexibility to make trades this summer. I don't foresee it being via FA and I don't think they will part with any of the D prospects. Whether or not they can find what they need and a team willing to trade it is a different story. I couldn't tell you anything about the draft.

I am willing to bet you've seen very little of the blue jackets. It is fine, we can move on
- YuenglingJagr

I'm willing to bet that again, this is all you've got in response. Reduced.

No way, neither is A-Mac. I've been dragging the franchise down with my mis-guided negativity.
- PLindbergh31

Dude you better be getting paid

This sounds condescending tbh. I think I'm done here
- Mononoke

It was truthful and deserved. You assumed incorrectly what I was alluding to, claiming my theory poop the bed. That's not on me.

This sounds condescending tbh. I think I'm done here
- Mononoke

It is a stars blog type of day

I think they have the flexibility to make trades this summer. I don't foresee it being via FA and I don't think they will part with any of the D prospects. Whether or not they can find what they need and a team willing to trade it is a different story. I couldn't tell you anything about the draft.
- FlyerFan16

Free agency is a money pit and should only be used to fortify the bottom of the roster or take a chance on a buy low candidate. If you're hoping to sign a player in free agency who will be one of the 5 best players on your team, you've already (frank)ed up.

It is a stars blog type of day
- YuenglingJagr

If by stars, you mean City of Stars sung by Ryan Gosling, it's always that type of day

Free agency is a money pit and should only be used to fortify the bottom of the roster or take a chance on a buy low candidate. If you're hoping to sign a player in free agency who will be one of the 5 best players on your team, you've already (frank)ed up.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think we're saying the same thing, I may just not be good at it.

I didn't have a problem going out of the box with a guy like Hakstol. they did it with Keenan back in the 80's. the jury is still out on Hakstol for me. I'm not in the fire Hakstol camp yet. there have been lineup decisions I don't like but not enough to fire him over.

Now last night I thought Konecny had a very uneven game. Two goals and generated offense, drew a penalty. Also had several bad turnovers that resulted in Columbus quickly transitioning and the penalty. that said, if he is scratched I won't like that decision.
- nastyflyergirl

Agreed on Konecny. You can see the talent and skill is there. He just turned 20 years old he's learning the game. He's going to make mistakes that is to be expected. I think he has the potential to be a 25 goal scorer and could eventually be a 55-60 point guy which would be fantastic.

I'm willing to bet that again, this is all you've got in response. Reduced.
- MJL

We have enough statistical evidence to know that if you had seen games your code would've prompted a different response like "your assumption is wrong" or "that is incorrect"

#fancystats The response you seek was given to someone who can have a conversation

If by stars, you mean City of Stars performed by Ryan Gosling, it's always that type of day


- Mononoke

ftfy....He was snubbed. He learned piano ffs

So everyone was thrilled when Hextall was hired because he was going to bring over team building philosophies from his experience in LA. Now he's being criticized for not having enough skill on his 4th line. Does someone want to tell me where all the skill has been on the King's 4th line over the years?
- Baxter27

we are going build thru drafting and developing....cool . 3 drafts later in which 2 kids are ALREADY in the NHL and we should be firing Hextall. awesome

Agreed on Konecny. You can see the talent and skill is there. He just turned 20 years old he's learning the game. He's going to make mistakes that is to be expected. I think he has the potential to be a 25 goal scorer and could eventually be a 55-60 point guy which would be fantastic.
- PLindbergh31

There's a difference between making a mistake and doing something stupid. The penalty was stupid.

I didn't think it was this bad but it obviously is. The coach can only use the players that he has access to. It's a shame he refused to use all those strong players he had at his disposal. Hakstol has used Giroux and Voracek together and apart, to mixed results. I think a clear picture is evolving here. Flippula is a center, and will likely stay at center. If he used your suggested line combinations and it didn't work, would it still be his fault?
- MJL

Filppula can play wing but Schenn plays better at center imo. Either way I would want that group as my top six. Schenn top line with 93 and 28 Filppula with 11 and 17

I am just saying Hakstol has had Konecny on the fourth line, ffs, he must have read HB and moved him up , lol The pp is so predictable it is no wonder they can not generate anymore. Giroux has no time to let it go anymore, why not try shooting from the right wing once in awhile. Try having two different pp set ups and practice them well so you can shake it up during the game. This repetition of plays does not work in the nhl, teams are wise and know what to do against the flyers. Think out of the box.
Finally I want to say that all of us Flyers fans are proud fans and we all want better results to keep with Flyer tradition. I only comment to generate ideas, some good and some not so good but at least I try. So not trying to make enemies or stir trouble but throwing constructive ideas out there. About Hakstol, he may be a great guy and person but I do not think he deserves his job at this point. Cheers.

we are going build thru drafting and developing....cool . 3 drafts later in which 2 kids are ALREADY in the NHL and we should be firing Hextall. awesome
- nastyflyergirl

The crazy in this place is sometimes just....WOW

Free agency is a money pit and should only be used to fortify the bottom of the roster or take a chance on a buy low candidate. If you're hoping to sign a player in free agency who will be one of the 5 best players on your team, you've already (frank)ed up.
- PhillySportsGuy

You are on point today!

Killing it!