This season has so far been a nightmare for me from a viewing standpoint. I have not been able to sit down and watch one full game yet. And I will miss tonight's game as well.
- MBFlyerfan

I've only been able to catch the weekend games to date.

The West Coast games during the week are unwatchable for me.

/I'm old

This season has so far been a nightmare for me from a viewing standpoint. I have not been able to sit down and watch one full game yet. And I will miss tonight's game as well.
- MBFlyerfan

A real fan would put watching a team's games on TV above all else, including (but not limited to) family, friends, sleep, work, and physical pain.

if Sanheim is going to continue to sit he should be sent down and either call up a veteran like Alt to sit or just go with 6 for the home stand. the kid needs to play.

I like Manning. i have always been one of the people on here defending him. he has worked hard to make himself a NHL player with limited abilities. Perfect #7 who can fill in. But I still will never agree Sanheim or Morin should be sitting for him. I get a coach needing to trust a player and that trust needs to be earned but you also have to let a kid play and work through mistakes. If a player continues to make the same mistakes and doesn't improve then fine, send him down.
- nastyflyergirl

You do know it's like game 6 and what has he sat one game? Very well could be in the lineup for the next 10. If he sits a couple more in a row I'm with you but not yet. Morin was not going to be playing much so they sent him down, they will do the same with Sanheim if necessary.

if Sanheim is going to continue to sit he should be sent down and either call up a veteran like Alt to sit or just go with 6 for the home stand. the kid needs to play.

I like Manning. i have always been one of the people on here defending him. he has worked hard to make himself a NHL player with limited abilities. Perfect #7 who can fill in. But I still will never agree Sanheim or Morin should be sitting for him. I get a coach needing to trust a player and that trust needs to be earned but you also have to let a kid play and work through mistakes. If a player continues to make the same mistakes and doesn't improve then fine, send him down.
- nastyflyergirl

Manning had to overhaul his game from being a two-time AHL All-Star due to his offense and physical game -- he wasn't very good in his own end of the ice, especially the first few years as a pro, and not quite good enough offensively for that to work in the NHL -- to being a serviceable 6 or 7 in the NHL as a defensive defenseman. Works his tail off, great teammate, good team representative (fan friendly, good rapport with the media). Nevertheless, I agree that he should not be playing over Sanheim. A couple years down the line, we'll be looking back and marveling how he was scratched a few times as a rookie in favor of Mandog.

Manning had to overhaul his game from being a two-time AHL All-Star due to his offense and physical game -- he wasn't very good in his own end of the ice, especially the first few years as a pro, and not quite good enough offensively for that to work in the NHL -- to being a serviceable 6 or 7 in the NHL as a defensive defenseman. Works his tail off, great teammate, good team representative (fan friendly, good rapport with the media). Nevertheless, I agree that he should not be playing over Sanheim. A couple years down the line, we'll be looking back and marveling how he was scratched a few times as a rookie in favor of Mandog.
- bmeltzer

I did notice Gudas playing his strongest game of the year on Saturday. He was getting stronger game by game already but do you attribute any of that to his comfort of playing with a familiar partner? I'm not saying that's enough reason to keep Sanheim out of the line up for long, just an observation.

Mono isn't going to like that.
- VladDrag

three-way defenseman

No one player, besides the goalie on occasion, is ever the sole reason that a goal is scored. It's usually a series of coverage breakdowns or lack of pressure applied. On the first goal, Manning wasn't the sole culprit, but does bear responsibility.

However, Giroux and Voracek also share blame. However, they absolutely dominated the game offensively. So while you can't absolve them for lack of defensive detail, you can easily live with it given their play on the other end of the puck. Manning, on the other hand, while he did register an assist, did not have the same effect, and was at best marginal defensively. Add in a number of times where he seemed to have severe issues handling and moving pucks without pressure, and I don't see how he deserves to start tonight over Sanheim.
- jmatchett383

Oh no you didn't! Those two totally dominated that game there is no way they did a single thing wrong.



Yep they totally missed on that play also. But since Manning was the last one near the goal score it's all on him.

It's going to be odd tonight sitting at home watching a home game on TV but it's well worth it as my seats are going to one of our Navy sailors.

I am probably in the minority here where I think this little break isn't a bad thing at all for Sanheim. He had a few games to see what the NHL is like and now he's getting a break to digest that and see again from a different angle what is expected of him. If it helps him like it helped Ghost last year (and no it didn't fix all of Ghost's issues in the D zone with out the puck) I'll stay fine with it.

I love watching Hagg. I think once he shows he can be trusted out there as a steady partner then they can turn their attention to incorporating Sanheim more. It's going to take time, we're 5 games in, it's really just a matter of time.

I love watching Hagg. I think once he shows he can be trusted out there as a steady partner then they can turn their attention to incorporating Sanheim more. It's going to take time, we're 5 games in, it's really just a matter of time.
- Just5

I actually think Hakstol has trust in the Hagg/Ghost pair. Look at their ice time. It's creeping up towards Provy/AMac.

Oh no you didn't! Those two totally dominated that game there is no way they did a single thing wrong.



Yep they totally missed on that play also. But since Manning was the last one near the goal score it's all on him.
- dragonoffrost

Sorry, the first Caps goal was where Giroux and Voracek were coasting around, just to clarify.

On the second goal, I don't get why Manning tries to make a play at the red line with the winger streaking down the side, as that's Filppula's man. But Weal could have picked up Backstrom on the play, although he was 2 strides behind by the time he came around and realized he was uncovered.

So again, to pin the blame for a goal solely on one player isn't fair. But also, if I had to pick the player most directly responsible for allowing the scoring chance to happen, it's Manning on that goal.

For the record, Shayne Gostisbehere at the the 2014 NCAA Championship game is the most dominating individual performance at a hockey game I have ever seen. That is all.

Sorry, the first Caps goal was where Giroux and Voracek were coasting around, just to clarify.

On the second goal, I don't get why Manning tries to make a play at the red line with the winger streaking down the side, as that's Filppula's man. But Weal could have picked up Backstrom on the play, although he was 2 strides behind by the time he came around and realized he was uncovered.

So again, to pin the blame for a goal solely on one player isn't fair. But also, if I had to pick the player most directly responsible for allowing the scoring chance to happen, it's Manning on that goal.
- jmatchett383

Completely agree with your point that on most goals, many are responsible rather than just a scapegoat.

Ironic thing is, the same fans who continue to roast Manning and AMac no matter what happens on the ice will have to get used to the rookies being primary responsible for goals against some nights.

Sorry, the first Caps goal was where Giroux and Voracek were coasting around, just to clarify.

On the second goal, I don't get why Manning tries to make a play at the red line with the winger streaking down the side, as that's Filppula's man. But Weal could have picked up Backstrom on the play, although he was 2 strides behind by the time he came around and realized he was uncovered.

So again, to pin the blame for a goal solely on one player isn't fair. But also, if I had to pick the player most directly responsible for allowing the scoring chance to happen, it's Manning on that goal.
- jmatchett383

Yep you didn't sense my sarcasm sorry. Yeah I am one of the biggest defenders of defensemen who get hung out to dry by lazy play (COUGH G AND JAKE COUGH). It sucks to be the one who everyone blames because someone else also makes a mistake but that's the life of NHL Defensemen and Goalies.

You do know it's like game 6 and what has he sat one game? Very well could be in the lineup for the next 10. If he sits a couple more in a row I'm with you but not yet. Morin was not going to be playing much so they sent him down, they will do the same with Sanheim if necessary.
- ClaudeFather

Coaching is first and for Most, a results orientated position. It may be nothing more then based on results. Sanhiem has played in 3 games, Flyers are 1-2 in those games. Manning has played twice and both games were victories. They beat the Sharks, whom they have not beaten there since I think about 1963. (Sarcasm).
We all know how good the Caps are and Ovie came in with 9 goals already. Nice thing is he left with 9 goals.
I really never, ever want to see Manning in the line up again but that isn't going to happen. We just need to be patient. Hexy hasn't broken any of our players yet.
Last year Ghost was pretty much lost. He sat a few games and is back and perhaps better than before.
TK was a rookie and sat a few games. I think we can all agree that his play this year is at a new level.
I don't think Sanhiem will be hurt by sitting a few early games.
I like the way the team is playing for the most part. A few glitches but solid games.
Bottom line is this team is fun to watch. The games are entertaining and that is what they are supposed to be. I for one am grateful that we are leaving the big PLODDING type of players behind.

Go Flyers, let's kick some Kitty Cat buts tonight.

Hextall interview from 10-14-2017.

http://975thefanatic.com/...-big-8-2-home-opener-win/

For the record, Shayne Gostisbehere at the the 2014 NCAA Championship game is the most dominating individual performance at a hockey game I have ever seen. That is all.
- jmatchett383

It was magical. I was outside Xfinity live watching it on the big screen. Incredible.

Manning was way out of position on the 1 goal the CAPs scored. He fumbled the puck a couple times and he passes were off. Add in, Gudas just inst playing well.
- wcorvette

No he wasn't. He was correctly covering Oshie who was working horizontally across the ice. If he doesn't cover Oshie, he takes that pass and has a breakaway. The Caps ran a set breakout stretch play that NHL teams have been running forever. The forward, I believe it was Weal did not recognize the play and got caught flat footed and beaten on the weak side by Backstrom. Oshie made a phenomenal tip pass.

Manning had to overhaul his game from being a two-time AHL All-Star due to his offense and physical game -- he wasn't very good in his own end of the ice, especially the first few years as a pro, and not quite good enough offensively for that to work in the NHL -- to being a serviceable 6 or 7 in the NHL as a defensive defenseman. Works his tail off, great teammate, good team representative (fan friendly, good rapport with the media). Nevertheless, I agree that he should not be playing over Sanheim. A couple years down the line, we'll be looking back and marveling how he was scratched a few times as a rookie in favor of Mandog.
- bmeltzer

I think he gets more crap that he deserves. like you said he is a serviceable 6/7. I admire a kid who may not have as many physical tools but works his ass off to make it. I always think wow if a talented player, like say Daigle, worked as hard as kids like this imagine how good they could have been. thats why I root hard for a kid like manning. but as we all said, Sanheim should be in. its not like he looked overwhelmed. He will only get better playing.

Coaching is first and for Most, a results orientated position. It may be nothing more then based on results. Sanhiem has played in 3 games, Flyers are 1-2 in those games. Manning has played twice and both games were victories. They beat the Sharks, whom they have not beaten there since I think about 1963. (Sarcasm).
We all know how good the Caps are and Ovie came in with 9 goals already. Nice thing is he left with 9 goals.
I really never, ever want to see Manning in the line up again but that isn't going to happen. We just need to be patient. Hexy hasn't broken any of our players yet.
Last year Ghost was pretty much lost. He sat a few games and is back and perhaps better than before.
TK was a rookie and sat a few games. I think we can all agree that his play this year is at a new level.
I don't think Sanhiem will be hurt by sitting a few early games.
I like the way the team is playing for the most part. A few glitches but solid games.
Bottom line is this team is fun to watch. The games are entertaining and that is what they are supposed to be. I for one am grateful that we are leaving the big PLODDING type of players behind.

Go Flyers, let's kick some Kitty Cat buts tonight.
- jaws1955

Not only has Hexy not broken players I'd say his approach has rectified 2 players(Hagg & Laughton) who many were so quick to give up on before this season.

For the record, Shayne Gostisbehere at the the 2014 NCAA Championship game is the most dominating individual performance at a hockey game I have ever seen. That is all.
- jmatchett383

I remember sitting there (well, standing pretty often, too) and being so excited that he was "ours." Such a great game.

No one player, besides the goalie on occasion, is ever the sole reason that a goal is scored. It's usually a series of coverage breakdowns or lack of pressure applied. On the first goal, Manning wasn't the sole culprit, but does bear responsibility.

However, Giroux and Voracek also share blame. However, they absolutely dominated the game offensively. So while you can't absolve them for lack of defensive detail, you can easily live with it given their play on the other end of the puck. Manning, on the other hand, while he did register an assist, did not have the same effect, and was at best marginal defensively. Add in a number of times where he seemed to have severe issues handling and moving pucks without pressure, and I don't see how he deserves to start tonight over Sanheim.
- jmatchett383

I disagree that we can easily live with it. If you want to give them a pass fine, go ahead. You can't have top players who play large chunks of a game giving that kind of disgraceful effort defensively. I find the difference sometimes in effort and intensity from one side of the puck or the other unacceptable. There are different kinds of mistakes in my opinion.

For the record, Shayne Gostisbehere at the the 2014 NCAA Championship game is the most dominating individual performance at a hockey game I have ever seen. That is all.
- jmatchett383

That was a thing of beauty.

Manning's biggest issue is that he still pinches way too often, which is exactly what you don't want from a #7 defensive dman.

Sanheim sitting out 1, meh
2 in a row, mild concern
3 in a row, wtf Hak?
4+, (frank) you Hak.

IMO