I think the VdV pick was the real gem.

They did look good, much faster than in year's past. Fourth line was very effective, and the Simmonds line was very good. Need to do something with Konecny, he seems like he's on an island at ES. Elliott was average which, if we can get league average goaltending, should be good enough to get into the playoffs. He wasn't bad, but he wasn't spectacular either. Overall, a very nice win, and was good to see the team keep going after SJ tied it twice.
- jmatchett383

it took vision, scouting, discipline to not go off the board, and created a problem where I am without a defenseman

I didn't think they were bad. Just wish we had the more talented rookies in. Especially watching the defense attacking the offensive and neutral zones.

I actually thought Gostisbehere was a little rough defensively. He also was caught deep a couple times and once it cost a goal.
- J35Bacher

To be effective, Ghost is gonna have to take risks. But yes, him getting caught deep indirectly led to a goal (the first one, I believe). You know you're going to have to take the good with the bad.

I'm not going to slam him, but either of the rookies, based on preseason and last night, would be better than Manning. AMac was solid, but Manning was pretty bad last night. Not abysmal, but not very good, either.

I think the VdV pick was the real gem.

They did look good, much faster than in year's past. Fourth line was very effective, and the Simmonds line was very good. Need to do something with Konecny, he seems like he's on an island at ES. Elliott was average which, if we can get league average goaltending, should be good enough to get into the playoffs. He wasn't bad, but he wasn't spectacular either. Overall, a very nice win, and was good to see the team keep going after SJ tied it twice.
- jmatchett383

Kind of why I wouldn't mind Lehtera in there over Weise. Lehtera brings more skill and I think he could be just as effective with his size as Weise is.

yes, because youth loses hockey games
- YuenglingJagr

This is true, look at all the trouble the Laffs had with GGSM last night.

yes, because youth loses hockey games
- YuenglingJagr

lol...you're just cranky because I pre-quoted you

lol!

So is Manning better then Morin and Sanheim? Or is there a game limit that Provorov achieves that he is considered experienced, therefore playing a rookie dman won't make the entire Blue line too inexperienced.

This is true, look at all the trouble the Laffs had with GGSM last night.
- jmatchett383

I happened to catch those highlights right before bed and man Mase got lit up. Laine's beard is also nasty.

no they were awesome!!!! the way Weise took that stick in the face to draw a penalty....gold...pure gold.
- landros 2

Details, I need details on how bad they were!

All kidding aside, from every source I read:

AMac was fine, nothing spectacular, but fine.

Weise was meh and did not look good on the PK.

Manning was bad. He took a bad penalty and his play was generally ineffective. I still think the team would be better served having Morin in his spot.
- BiggE

Manning wasn't brutal every shift as much as it was he got exposed when Hakstol couldn't hide him without last change

All kidding aside, from every source I read:

AMac was fine, nothing spectacular, but fine.

Weise was meh and did not look good on the PK.

Manning was bad. He took a bad penalty and his play was generally ineffective. I still think the team would be better served having Morin in his spot.
- BiggE

Weise barely played on the PK...the time he did he just passed it to a shark flying into the zone

Manning was absolutely the least effective player, but the penalty was kind of poopty. He got the stick up into Pavelski and Pavelski clamped down and held onto it, which is what players do. Just a little unfortunate. I just don't see a single thing he brings to the lineup that is more impressive than Morin and especially Sanheim

AMac was fine. One memorable shot block, a couple good plays to keep the puck in the zone. Misfired on a couple passes as usual, but moved well.

To be effective, Ghost is gonna have to take risks. But yes, him getting caught deep indirectly led to a goal (the first one, I believe). You know you're going to have to take the good with the bad.

I'm not going to slam him, but either of the rookies, based on preseason and last night, would be better than Manning. AMac was solid, but Manning was pretty bad last night. Not abysmal, but not very good, either.
- jmatchett383

I understand. but his risks can't be putting the team in tough spots. Have to be smart. But it was good to see him playing with confidence.

I thought MacDonald was ok. Just seemed like he gets pushed off the puck easily or loses a lot of the physical battles.

Manning had a tough 1st period but thought he settled in after that.

All kidding aside, from every source I read:

AMac was fine, nothing spectacular, but fine.

Weise was meh and did not look good on the PK.

Manning was bad. He took a bad penalty and his play was generally ineffective. I still think the team would be better served having Morin in his spot.
- BiggE

No use dumping on Manning....the guys gives 100% every shift. Is he a solid defenseman...no. Would I like to see an upgrade.. sure. But every team has guys that are fringe players. I'm not sure I like Weise playing with Konecny, but it's early. Macdonald played his usual game....again as a # 6 used on the PK, They can live with that....did take a stupid penalty that got lost in Gudas's two stupid penalties.

Those sources are?
- MJL

Bill's post game breakdown
the stat sheet as per NHL.com
the beat coverage in both Philly and CA
observations from multiple friends who actually watched the whole game
bits and pieces I saw from my DVR of the game before I had to leave for work this morning.

lol...you're just cranky because I pre-quoted you

lol!
- Scoob

No, because I want the Flyers to win and I think Morin or Sanheim in the lineup over Manning gives them a much better chance to do so

Didn't see the game, but after reading about it from multiple sources, I came up with the following:

Elliott played extremely well, after an average 1st period
Weise was the least effect forward on the team
Manning was the worst player on the ice
Everyone else was somewhere between average to very good

Is the above correct?

re tonight's game:

I have to think one obvious change will be Neuvirth in goal. What are the odds that Hak also inserts Morin or Sanheim into the lineup and sits Manning?
- BiggE

Maybe it was only me, but i thought G looked better, skating wise, then at any point in time last season.

Details, I need details on how bad they were!

- MJL

I'm sure there coming...

Manning wasn't brutal every shift as much as it was he got exposed when Hakstol couldn't hide him without last change
- AllInForFlyers

And with the next 3 games on the road, it would seem like a good time to get him out and one of the kids in.

I understand. but his risks can't be putting the team in tough spots. Have to be smart. But it was good to see him playing with confidence.

I thought MacDonald was ok. Just seemed like he gets pushed off the puck easily or loses a lot of the physical battles.

Manning had a tough 1st period but thought he settled in after that.
- J35Bacher

The play that ended up in a goal against he was the trailer into the zone and was able to get a shot off. Hakstol would want any defenseman taking that shot. Would've been a mistake to stay back. When he came back on D he had 2 guys to defend. Was not well executed transition back.

Weise barely played on the PK...the time he did he just passed it to a shark flying into the zone

Manning was absolutely the least effective player, but the penalty was kind of poopty. He got the stick up into Pavelski and Pavelski clamped down and held onto it, which is what players do. Just a little unfortunate. I just don't see a single thing he brings to the lineup that is more impressive than Morin and especially Sanheim

AMac was fine. One memorable shot block, a couple good plays to keep the puck in the zone. Misfired on a couple passes as usual, but moved well.
- YuenglingJagr

And that's why he should come out of the lineup for one of the kids. Weise, IMO, based not just on last nights game but from what I remember from last year, should NEVER be on the PK. Between Coots, Simmonds, Laughton, Leier, Filppula, Giroux, Raffl and hell even Patrick, there are 8 better options than Weise for PK duty. If you want that roster spot to contribute on the PK, then put Lehtera in his place.

And with the next 3 games on the road, it would seem like a good time to get him out and one of the kids in.
- BiggE

I just don't get why one of Morin or Sanheim didn't play. Thought the mantra from Hextall is he wouldn't keep a kid on the roster to just sit.

Great game great win. God we actually looked fast.

Maybe it was only me, but i thought G looked better, skating wise, then at any point in time last season.
- ggunky

Naw, it was obvious that he was moving better. Ghost, too

Man, lost in everything: Couturier could've maybe had four last night

He isn't the best finisher, but at some point, some of those chances are gonna go in

No, because I want the Flyers to win and I think Morin or Sanheim in the lineup over Manning gives them a much better chance to do so
- YuenglingJagr

I do, too, but I also think that even the lineup they iced last night is better than last year and isn't the second coming of the Titanic.

Kind of why I wouldn't mind Lehtera in there over Weise. Lehtera brings more skill and I think he could be just as effective with his size as Weise is.
- J35Bacher

I didn't think the third line was bad offensively, the problem is they just rarely had the chance to be

I happened to catch those highlights right before bed and man Mase got lit up. Laine's beard is also nasty.
- arichardson22

the Amish look...