I disagree. There are potential better options at LHV such as Lindblom instead of Weise. This team needs better personnel.
- BiggE

And I agree with you. But since he wants guys to develop that's why I even suggest small changes with Carey and Bardreau.

You just had two teams in the kings and oilers who made a small deal just to change the optics of their teams?

Because Hextall has a plan doesn't mean their can't be some subtle changes that don't effect the overall plan.

Lack of secondary scoring? Do all those folks that argued trading Schenn was not a step backwards (this year) want to amend their statements?
- coffee junkie

Everyone knew it was step backwards this year. The trade was made for future years.

Also if Schenn is still here would Couturier being doing what he is doing?

Do we know Schenn would be producing in this lineup?

How many times have I heard "no, no the refs can't use the video board to make calls. It doesn't matter that they blew it on their own"?

Gudas did it on purpose and thought he was being pretty slick and stealthy too. But we've got his number. He's not unknown. At the same time the result is total crap. How many times have we all seen a missed or botched call that may have been modified by refs watching video? How many of you absolutely freaked out that time in Toronto when refs watched a replay and changed a call? The one thing I despise about the NHL is how relative all the rules are. Ask Marc Methot if he thinks this is worse than losing a finger.

ttt

And I agree with you. But since he wants guys to develop that's why I even suggest small changes with Carey and Bardreau.

You just had two teams in the kings and oilers who made a small deal just to change the optics of their teams?

Because Hextall has a plan doesn't mean their can't be some subtle changes that don't effect the overall plan.
- J35Bacher

The vision of Hextall's plan may be a good one, but it better start producing some results soon. GM's don't get 7-8 years of nothing but first round playoff eliminations, and missing the playoffs. I know everyone said this is a playoff bubble team.. there is a such thing as exceeding expectations in sports. It happens all the time.

And I agree with you. But since he wants guys to develop that's why I even suggest small changes with Carey and Bardreau.

You just had two teams in the kings and oilers who made a small deal just to change the optics of their teams?

Because Hextall has a plan doesn't mean their can't be some subtle changes that don't effect the overall plan.
- J35Bacher

The thing is, of all the kids to bring up, the logical one is Lindblom. Wingers, when compared to goalies, dmen and centers, usually need the least time to develop, he already has NHL level skills and an NHL sized build, he has extensive experience playing against full grown men in Sweden, and he's already shown himself to be very defensively responsible.

And, most importantly, he'd be replacing Dale Weise...DALE (frank)ing Weise! It honestly should be a no brainer.

The vision of Hextall's plan may be a good one, but it better start producing some results soon. GM's don't get 7-8 years of nothing but first round playoffs eliminations, and missing the playoffs. I know everyone said this is a playoff bubble team.. thing is there is a such thing as exceeding expectations in sports. It happens all the time.
- PLindbergh31

usually not long term though...at least when the Flyers become good they will stay good

Gudas

....I don't think it was intentional,
- landros 2

Me either. Apparently we're in the minority.

I don't think he intentionally went for the guy's head. They were scrumming it up pretty good. I'm pretty sure that right after it happened he said something to the Jet along the lines of "didn't mean that" and they were clearly talking while in the box.
Imho, he got the additional 5 and tossed based on crowd reaction to the replay and his reputation.

The thing is, of all the kids to bring up, the logical one is Lindblom. Wingers, when compared to goalies, dmen and centers, usually need the least time to develop, he already has NHL level skills and an NHL sized build, he has extensive experience playing against full grown men in Sweden, and he's already shown himself to be very defensively responsible.

And, most importantly, he'd be replacing Dale Weise...DALE (frank)ing Weise! It honestly should be a no brainer.
- BiggE

I am with you. My first choice would be Lindblom. Because even if he isn't scoring he is still defensively responsible.

Also is Gudas starting to get into the Rinaldo realm?

The thing is, of all the kids to bring up, the logical one is Lindblom. Wingers, when compared to goalies, dmen and centers, usually need the least time to develop, he already has NHL level skills and an NHL sized build, he has extensive experience playing against full grown men in Sweden, and he's already shown himself to be very defensively responsible.

And, most importantly, he'd be replacing Dale Weise...DALE (frank)ing Weise! It honestly should be a no brainer.
- BiggE

Lindblom and Vecchione are the two that could definitely play in this lineup, and the former is the one I wanted here since day 1. I don't buy that he is learning the nuances to round out his NHL game with what the Phantoms do. Giroux at center and Lindblom+Filpulla at wing easily makes this team deeper and better

I am with you. My first choice would be Lindblom. Because even if he isn't scoring he is still defensively responsible.

Also is Gudas starting to get into the Rinaldo realm?
- J35Bacher

Re Gudas: Yeah sort of, the main difference though is that Gudas, when his head is on straight, is a solid top 4 Dman while Rinaldo at best, is basically just a 4th liner who can skate well.

Re Gudas: Yeah sort of, the main difference though is that Gudas, when his head is on straight, is a solid top 4 Dman while Rinaldo at best, is basically just a 4th liner who can skate well.
- BiggE

I get the difference. my problem is you start to lose that benefit of doubt and anything close goes against you.

And kind of like Rinaldo, Gudas needs to walk the line to kind of be effective.

I get the difference. my problem is you start to lose that benefit of doubt and anything close goes against you.

And kind of like Rinaldo, Gudas needs to walk the line to kind of be effective.
- J35Bacher

Gudas is getting to where Glen Cochrane was by the early 80s. The guy could play, but due to his rep, he was always under the scrutiny of the refs and had no chance of ever getting the benefit of the doubt. He's the guy I'd look to move in the offseason (or sooner) to open up a spot for Morin.

Gudas



Me either. Apparently we're in the minority.

I don't think he intentionally went for the guy's head. They were scrumming it up pretty good. I'm pretty sure that right after it happened he said something to the Jet along the lines of "didn't mean that" and they were clearly talking while in the box.
Imho, he got the additional 5 and tossed based on crowd reaction to the replay and his reputation.
- Scoob

That's what it looked like to me also, he should have gotten a slashing minor because you have to be in control of your stick but 5 and a game was reaction/reputation.

And I agree with you. But since he wants guys to develop that's why I even suggest small changes with Carey and Bardreau.

You just had two teams in the kings and oilers who made a small deal just to change the optics of their teams?

Because Hextall has a plan doesn't mean their can't be some subtle changes that don't effect the overall plan.
- J35Bacher

exactly....you can run and chew gum at the same time. It is tough to make deals in this league, so maybe a trade is tough. To do nothing makes no sense. The team has regressed from some early games and that's scary to me. Its not like Lindblom hasn't played pro hockey at a high level in the past....Bardreau would be interesting on the fourth line for a game or two....again he's not 19, why not give him a look.

If I ever win the big lottery I'm going to buy an NHL team and turn it over to some of you guys.

The laughs would be so worth the waste of money.

Lindblom and Vecchione are the two that could definitely play in this lineup, and the former is the one I wanted here since day 1. I don't buy that he is learning the nuances to round out his NHL game with what the Phantoms do. Giroux at center and Lindblom+Filpulla at wing easily makes this team deeper and better
- YuenglingJagr

I wouldn't want to change all the lines.

I think Giroux at wing has been a little blessing. He seems to get more room and the top line has been your only constant. Also it saves some wear and tear on him not having to do so much defensive work.

Bring up lindblom and your lineup already looks better like this:

Giroux - Couturier - Voracek
Weal - Filppula - Simmonds
Lindblom - Patrick - Konecny
Raffl - Laughton - Leier

I wouldn't want to change all the lines.

I think Giroux at wing has been a little blessing. He seems to get more room and the top line has been your only constant. Also it saves some wear and tear on him not having to do so much defensive work.

Bring up lindblom and your lineup already looks better like this:

Giroux - Couturier - Voracek
Weal - Filppula - Simmonds
Lindblom - Patrick - Konecny
Raffl - Laughton - Leier
- J35Bacher

Gudas is getting to where Glen Cochrane was by the early 80s. The guy could play, but due to his rep, he was always under the scrutiny of the refs and had no chance of ever getting the benefit of the doubt. He's the guy I'd look to move in the offseason (or sooner) to open up a spot for Morin.
- BiggE

Spot on.

this is the 2nd game now the defense was left short.

If I ever win the big lottery I'm going to buy an NHL team and turn it over to some of you guys.

The laughs would be so worth the waste of money.
- Scoob

The laughs under Holmgren are enough to sustain you for decades.

JVR for Luke Schenn wouldn't fly in the land of video game dorks.

Everyone knew it was step backwards this year. The trade was made for future years.

Also if Schenn is still here would Couturier being doing what he is doing?

Do we know Schenn would be producing in this lineup?
- J35Bacher

Schenn looks like a different player this year....Did he just figure it out or was it the Flyers? It's not like they dealt a 30 year old. The next few years may show this trade to be a disaster, although looking at Morgan Frost the other night, he has the chance to be a very good player....fingers crossed.

I wouldn't want to change all the lines.

I think Giroux at wing has been a little blessing. He seems to get more room and the top line has been your only constant. Also it saves some wear and tear on him not having to do so much defensive work.

Bring up lindblom and your lineup already looks better like this:

Giroux - Couturier - Voracek
Weal - Filppula - Simmonds
Lindblom - Patrick - Konecny
Raffl - Laughton - Leier
- J35Bacher

But he is good at it...certainly better than Filppula. You act like he has gotten more room compared to last year, but he is healthy. Keeping the top line together is just sacrificing the overall depth of the forwards for points. The best part is that Hakstol can put the three out there together whenever he feels it is needed!

How many times have I heard "no, no the refs can't use the video board to make calls. It doesn't matter that they blew it on their own"?

Gudas did it on purpose and thought he was being pretty slick and stealthy too. But we've got his number. He's not unknown. At the same time the result is total crap. How many times have we all seen a missed or botched call that may have been modified by refs watching video? How many of you absolutely freaked out that time in Toronto when refs watched a replay and changed a call? The one thing I despise about the NHL is how relative all the rules are. Ask Marc Methot if he thinks this is worse than losing a finger.
- thebutlerdunnit

Did the replay change the call or a linesman when they conferred? I think that's the misunderstanding here. MAYBE...ok it's a stretch that a linesman saw it and brought it up then it was confirmed when they looked at the scoreboard. But the call probably would have changed anyway if a linesman said he saw intent.

Spot on.

this is the 2nd game now the defense was left short.
- J35Bacher

Exactly. Some folks were upset that Manning was on the ice during the last 2 minutes of last nights game. But with Gudas out, Hak's options were pretty limited. He's not going to, nor should he, use Ghost or Sanheim in that situation so he's only left with 3 options. And, contrary to popular opinion, Hagg and even the Russian Superman Provorov can't play the whole damned game. I pin the loss on Gudas as much as anyone, he simply can't take penalties like that.

The vision of Hextall's plan may be a good one, but it better start producing some results soon. GM's don't get 7-8 years of nothing but first round playoff eliminations, and missing the playoffs. I know everyone said this is a playoff bubble team.. there is a such thing as exceeding expectations in sports. It happens all the time.
- PLindbergh31

The Flyers did exactly that when they made the playoffs the last time...