A few things went the wrong way last year but I think we have to be realistic about how far bounce back years from Giroux and Voracek will go. This team does have a ways to go to be a legit contender but I'm all for them getting into the playoffs next year and maybe catching some lightning in a bottle. That kind of experience is invaluable.
- fls13

I'm not expecting Jake to come back to his 14-15 point total or Giroux to his 13-14 point total but I think they can still have better seasons compared to this years point totals and even +\- . I know it's like beating a dead horse, but over the years we haven't had scoring depth or even speed. I'm hoping with guys like Filp (full season), Lindblom, and even Weal, and whoever else is potentially added to the roster that our team overall will become more dangerous for teams to match up against. And from there have Giroux and Voracek get more space and favorable matchups on top of getting healthier to improve next year. I don't think playoffs next year are unrealistic at all.

Definitely but this is a team that will be very young on the blue line and still doesn't have a #1 goalie. He's doing it the hard way, but I like the way Hextall is building this team. I just think they need more scoring if he's serious about making the playoffs in 2018. Once the D corps matures, I think this will be a fine team for a nice long while.
- fls13

The same team with less talent on the blueline made the playoffs last year.

I dont think they need more scoring to make the playoffs but rather they cant afford another season of G, Coots, Jake, Schenn, disappearing for weeks at a time. .

Now when its time to go for a cup run, different story.

I agree. However, as of this moment, he's our most dynamic offensive blueliner. Until someone shows they can be similar at the NHL level, I'm not willing to trade him unless it's for a young top-line winger.
- jmatchett383

Yeah I'm in the same boat. Two guys that I would think about doing it for are Landeskog and Drouin.

It sounds like he's saying, "We watched the tape, then we tried to make the numbers fit, and if they didn't, we disregarded them."
- jmatchett383

Seems like he's not happy about being in the bottom of the league in those categories to me

- Mononoke

okay, fine. you have the eyes for it too

They have data that would make your Richard spin
- PhillySportsGuy

I dont think they need more scoring to make the playoffs but rather they cant afford another season of G, Coots, Jake, Schenn, disappearing for weeks at a time.
- opeth_pa

I think they will need more scoring. You need 95-97 points to get in and you need enough scoring to win enough games to get to that number. Teams have made the playoffs scoring roughly what the Flyers did last year but they were among the league leaders in fewest goals against when they did it. Since i don't think the Flyers will have that next year, they need more scoring. That's how I'm looking at it.

I'm hoping with guys like Filp (full season), Lindblom, and even Weal, and whoever else is potentially added to the roster that our team overall will become more dangerous for teams to match up against. And from there have Giroux and Voracek get more space and favorable matchups on top of getting healthier to improve next year. I don't think playoffs next year are unrealistic at all.
- arichardson22

If they get three reasonably balanced lines going, I think they can do that. I think adding one more winger who can score improves those odds.

- Mononoke

What are the chances Filppula has a Lecavalier type nose dive next year?

What are the chances Filppula has a Lecavalier type nose dive next year?
- PhillySportsGuy

Well he can still skate, so smaller than I think you think, don't you think?

Seems like he's not happy about being in the bottom of the league in those categories to me
- PhillySportsGuy

And he is right. It's not a surprise the Kings can't score. He and Stevens actually had some good on paper answers......talking about not using the middle of the ice enough, scoring more off the rush, too much low-high, not enough controlled entries, too little adaptability to personnel changes, playing quicker. Sounds like the Kings realize they can't play like the Kings anymore, at least offensively. Good news: the Flyers will take up their mantle.

But why did they just start to care about this stuff now? Really makes you think about team application of stats, huh?

Well he can still skate, so smaller than I think you think, don't you think?
- YuenglingJagr

I think there's a distinct possibility. He was soooooo bad for the Flyers last year. So bad

I think they will need more scoring. You need 95-97 points to get in and you need enough scoring to win enough games to get to that number. Teams have made the playoffs scoring roughly what the Flyers did last year but they were among the league leaders in fewest goals against when they did it. Since i don't think the Flyers will have that next year, they need more scoring. That's how I'm looking at it.


- fls13

The Flyers need to get better at pretty much every aspect of the game then they were this past season.

I think there's a distinct possibility. He was soooooo bad for the Flyers last year. So bad
- PhillySportsGuy

This are alone in this battle, good sir. I don't think he is (or will be) as bad as you think. I don't think he is as good as most think though.

What are the chances Filppula has a Lecavalier type nose dive next year?
- PhillySportsGuy

Do you know how good Filppula is defensively?! Vinny wasn't good defensively. He gives them another shutdown center. I'd even consider re-signing him tbh!

But for real, I agree with my twin there: probably slim. I doubt he has a drastic fall off like that next year, which is all he's here for. He's still a very shifty player and puck distributor and good at entries. He'll probably be a 40 point player or whatever, and that's better than anything we've had in a long time, even if he's a slight possession drag. Really he'd probably be better off at wing, but we got him to be a center. At least he should be sheltered more than he was. Probably more the issue is he plays nothing like Hakstol wants this team to play, barring some system tweaks.

And he is right. It's not a surprise the Kings can't score. He and Stevens actually had some good on paper answers......talking about not using the middle of the ice enough, scoring more off the rush, too much low-high, not enough controlled entries, too little adaptability to personnel changes, playing quicker. Sounds like the Kings realize they can't play like the Kings anymore, at least offensively. Good news: the Flyers will take up their mantle.

But why did they just start to care about this stuff now? Really makes you think about team application of stats, huh?
- Mononoke

Wonder if they are just now realizing how bad Dustin Brown is too

And he is right. It's not a surprise the Kings can't score. He and Stevens actually had some good on paper answers......talking about not using the middle of the ice enough, scoring more off the rush, too much low-high, not enough controlled entries, too little adaptability to personnel changes, playing quicker. Sounds like the Kings realize they can't play like the Kings anymore, at least offensively. Good news: the Flyers will take up their mantle.

But why did they just start to care about this stuff now? Really makes you think about team application of stats, huh?
- Mononoke

I honesty think the problem with analytics is purely a branding problem. Hockey people are just scared about losing their jobs to nerds from MIT and Stanford.

How was it a colossal failure? It was spot duty over a few games in a pinch. The team had a fine year but got bulldozed in the first round by the Pens en route to the cup.
- fls13

To be honest. I would have to say it is moronic to want Ghost to be a LW. He has no business playing forward. I can't believe you actually think that it is a good idea.

Wonder if they are just now realizing how bad Dustin Brown is too
- YuenglingJagr

He actually isn't that bad though. Had his best season in 4 years and put up legit middle 6 numbers 5v5, with the decent possession stats. Picked a good year to improve a bit

The Flyers need to get better at pretty much every aspect of the game then they were this past season.
- MJL

Especially on the road. These numbers are appalling:

http://www.espn.com/nhl/t...inus/order/false/split/34

I honesty think the problem with analytics is purely a branding problem. Hockey people are just scared about losing their jobs to nerds from MIT and Stanford.
- PhillySportsGuy

or HB U

He actually isn't that bad though. Had his best season in 4 years and put up legit middle 6 numbers 5v5, with the decent possession stats. Picked a good year to improve a bit
- Mononoke

I've long hated him. I think those possession stats are because the dude will just shoot whenever. The problem is that he plays with guys who are better than him and prevents them from shooting.

IMHO of course

Nice to know that 60% of our team is playing in Worlds and have so much more to give.

I've long hated him. I think those possession stats are because the dude will just shoot whenever. The problem is that he plays with guys who are better than him and prevents them from shooting.

IMHO of course
- YuenglingJagr

Sounds like Radko

Great news Bunnaman has signed his ATO!!! Loading up on the calvary the Phantoms are!!

Sounds like Radko
- Mononoke

Radko is the best