Banged up or not, Simmonds was terrible last night. Couldn’t get his stick on the puck cleanly all night it seemed. Lost the puck several times too. Love him to death, but man was he frustrating to watch last night
- arichardson22

Yep, but who wasn't terrible? Few exceptions.

Simmonds has been banged up physically which has been clearly affecting his game. With the team struggling to score, no coach would bench Simmonds in that situation. Voracek has made numerous defensive gaffes that have cost this team but with the team struggling and only having one line scoring benching him is biting off your nose to spite your face. It's not going to happen as you said. That's a situation which needs to be handled by the leadership of the team. Hakstol is caught between a rock and a hard place.
- MJL

See here is where I disagree. A good, confident coach would sit down with Simmonds in his office and say "Wayne, I love ya buddy, you're a (frank)ing warrior out there, but you're hurting right now. I need you at 100%. I'm gonna scratch you for a couple of games. Yeah, I know, you want to play and aren't happy about this, but I need a healthy Wayne Simmonds out there. It's best for you and it's best for the team so rest up and get well.

And, in regards to Jake, no, you do bench a guy for stuff like that. Maybe not a whole period, but at least for a shift or 2. If you don't think coaches like Babcock, Hitchcock, Quennville or Lavi would do that, you haven't been watching those guys coach. Yeah, it may be a leadership thing, but the coach has to send a message now and then and he's not doing well in that dept.

42 games dating back to last year.... Yup and hextall when asked about it said he's playing great don't change a thing.
- Tfaehner

42 games without a point?? That is pathetic. Wasn't he a guy who was supposed to contribute secondary scoring wise?

See here is where I disagree. A good, confident coach would sit down with Simmonds in his office and say "Wayne, I love ya buddy, you're a (frank)ing warrior out there, but you're hurting right now. I need you at 100%. I'm gonna scratch you for a couple of games. Yeah, I know, you want to play and aren't happy about this, but I need a healthy Wayne Simmonds out there. It's best for you and it's best for the team so rest up and get well.

And, in regards to Jake, no, you do bench a guy for stuff like that. Maybe not a whole period, but at least for a shift or 2. If you don't think coaches like Babcock, Hitchcock, Quennville or Lavi would do that, you haven't been watching those guys coach. Yeah, it may be a leadership thing, but the coach has to send a message now and then and he's not doing well in that dept.
- BiggE

What is the situation when those coaches did that? Was it benching a player when the team is struggling to score and the player is one of 3 players on the entire team generating offense for you. That's generalizing without looking at the specific situation. Same with Simmonds, if he can play, a coach would play him.

I'd also bet a kings ransom that if Hakstol did that and they lost a one goal game, Hakstol would be criticized for it. Remember last year when he scratched Gostisbehere?

It really is astounding that Raffl doesn't have a point in 21 games. He's VDV and Bellamare all rolled up into one.
- PLindbergh31

The guy has played on every line over the last 2 seasons. We have seen enough... Time to move on

Yep, but who wasn't terrible? Few exceptions.
- MJL

Have they come out and said Simmonds is banged up?

I am starting to get a little tired of seeing that as an excuse unless I know it is confirmed. Are we just assuming he is?

Weal too needs to step it up. A guy like him needs to produce or he doesn't bring much else. He hasn't been involved offensively lately. Not creating like when the season started.

What is the situation when those coaches did that? Was it benching a player when the team is struggling to score and the player is one of 3 players on the entire team generating offense for you. That's generalizing without looking at the specific situation. Same with Simmonds, if he can play, a coach would play him.

I'd also bet a kings ransom that if Hakstol did that and they lost a one goal game, Hakstol would be criticized for it. Remember last year when he scratched Gostisbehere?
- MJL

Ghost wasn't scratched because he was injured. Simmonds appears, at least to me, to be injured. He can barely keep up. Now the guy is tough as nails and he's gonna tell the coach, I'm good, I can play. But, the coach needs to realize, no, he can't and sit him for a game or 2.

With Voracek, I'm not generalizing at all, nor I am calling for him to be scratched or even benched for an entire period. What I am calling for is that next time he makes a lazy or bonehead play, he misses a shift. One shift. A lot of coaches would absolutely do that. Think about it, I know you like to argue and be contrary, but if you really think about it, you'll see that what I'm suggesting is not out of line at all.

Can we stop wussyfooting about Schenn already? He’s gone. The deal is done. We all knew our offense would take a step back the day of the deal. Still accept that offer today. Let. It. Go.
- arichardson22

One thing I wondered about is what that trade said to guys Like Giroux, Vorecek and Simmonds....The trade was obviously for futures and basically put the team a step back no matter how you look at it. If I'm Giroux I'm like are we in a rebuild? are we in a retool? You traded one of the few productive guys for futures....a guy that is just coming into his prime. If they had moved him for an actual NHL player (sorry Lehtera doesn't count) then maybe I could understand it a little better. Pretty sure all the vets listed above have seen their best days and now they see a team that doesn't seem to care about results this year.

The guy has played on every line over the last 2 seasons. We have seen enough... Time to move on
- 3flyerkids

dead wood.

Ghost wasn't scratched because he was injured. Simmonds appears, at least to me, to be injured. He can barely keep up. Now the guy is tough as nails and he's gonna tell the coach, I'm good, I can play. But, the coach needs to realize, no, he can't and sit him for a game or 2.

With Voracek, I'm not generalizing at all, nor I am calling for him to be scratched or even benched for an entire period. What I am calling for is that next time he makes a lazy or bonehead play, he misses a shift. One shift. A lot of coaches would absolutely do that. Think about it, I know you like to argue and be contrary, but if you really think about it, you'll see that what I'm suggesting is not out of line at all.
- BiggE

better players have been benched by better coaches.

One thing I wondered about is what that trade said to guys Like Giroux, Vorecek and Simmonds....The trade was obviously for futures and basically put the team a step back no matter how you look at it. If I'm Giroux I'm like are we in a rebuild? are we in a retool? You traded one of the few productive guys for futures....a guy that is just coming into his prime. If they had moved him for an actual NHL player (sorry Lehtera doesn't count) then maybe I could understand it a little better. Pretty sure all the vets listed above have seen their best days and now they see a team that doesn't seem to care about results this year.
- landros 2

I don't think the trade has affected the on ice effort of Giroux, Voracek or Simmonds. G and Jake are producing and most of Jakes miscues come more from frustration/brain freeze, than from a lack of effort or caring. Simmonds, without a doubt, is trying. The guy plays as hard as he can every shift. I just think he's banged up to the point that it is clearly affecting his play and the coach needs to realize this and scratch him for a game or 2.

Yep, but who wasn't terrible? Few exceptions.
- MJL

Sadly a valid point. Crowd booed for most of the game, rightfully so. It’s frustrating, just few weeks ago it seemed we were in a good battle for every game, even against top teams in Western Conf. Now we are struggling to even compete with mediocre or similar-leveled teams.

dead wood.
- PLindbergh31

i am sure the corsi nerds think he is doing great though.

better players have been benched by better coaches.

- landros 2

Oh, absolutely. Christ, back in the day, Bowman benched Guy (frank)ing Lafleur a few times because he thought he was dogging it on D. Keenan would bench anyone at any time for any reason as well. Again, I'm not calling for a guy like Voracek to be scratched, but benching him for a shift or 2 when he makes a dumb or lazy play is absolutely the right call to make.

What is the situation when those coaches did that? Was it benching a player when the team is struggling to score and the player is one of 3 players on the entire team generating offense for you. That's generalizing without looking at the specific situation. Same with Simmonds, if he can play, a coach would play him.

I'd also bet a kings ransom that if Hakstol did that and they lost a one goal game, Hakstol would be criticized for it. Remember last year when he scratched Gostisbehere?
- MJL

That's actually a really good point.

He did that and people were screaming bloody murder that the coach is an idiot and should be canned.

I actually am understanding of a lot of what is going on with the Flyers. they are trying to bring in some youth so there were going to be growing pains. They are relying on new guys to produce secondary scoring this year, Weal, Konecny, Patrick, Filppula, Laughton. And it's not there right now.

My problem with the team is that the effort or cohesion isn't there. It was to start the season. But now it's not there.

That's actually a really good point.

He did that and people were screaming bloody murder that the coach is an idiot and should be canned.

I actually am understanding of a lot of what is going on with the Flyers. they are trying to bring in some youth so there were going to be growing pains. They are relying on new guys to produce secondary scoring this year, Weal, Konecny, Patrick, Filppula, Laughton. And it's not there right now.

My problem with the team is that the effort or cohesion isn't there. It was to start the season. But now it's not there.
- J35Bacher

I hear you, but I don't understand how scratching a healthy Ghost due to poor play equivocates with sitting Voracek for a shift or 2 because he made a stupid and/or lazy play for the umpteenth time. Nor do I see what it would have to do with sitting Simmonds who appears, at least on the surface, to be trying to play through an injury that is clearly affecting his play and effectiveness.

That's actually a really good point.

He did that and people were screaming bloody murder that the coach is an idiot and should be canned.

I actually am understanding of a lot of what is going on with the Flyers. they are trying to bring in some youth so there were going to be growing pains. They are relying on new guys to produce secondary scoring this year, Weal, Konecny, Patrick, Filppula, Laughton. And it's not there right now.

My problem with the team is that the effort or cohesion isn't there. It was to start the season. But now it's not there.
- J35Bacher

I agree about the last 2 parts. If they were going all-out and sticking to a system but lost, then I'd be okay with it...not happy, but okay. What I saw for the most part last night was a bunch of guys getting outworked on almost every shift and not supporting one another. That is unacceptable.

i am sure the corsi nerds think he is doing great though.
- rinaldo

He has produced less than dale weise. They have identical cap hits.

I hear you, but I don't understand how scratching a healthy Ghost due to poor play equivocates with sitting Voracek for a shift or 2 because he made a stupid and/or lazy play for the umpteenth time. Nor do I see what it would have to do with sitting Simmonds who appears, at least on the surface, to be trying to play through an injury that is clearly affecting his play and effectiveness.
- BiggE

Wait, you're saying there's a difference between scratching a young player for a game or 2 (or 3) because he's been playing poorly for weeks as opposed to sitting a veteran player for a shift or 2 (or 3) for lazy play? And you're saying that both of those cases are different than sitting a veteran who clearly appears to be playing injured?

I won't hear it!!!

I hear you, but I don't understand how scratching a healthy Ghost due to poor play equivocates with sitting Voracek for a shift or 2 because he made a stupid and/or lazy play for the umpteenth time. Nor do I see what it would have to do with sitting Simmonds who appears, at least on the surface, to be trying to play through an injury that is clearly affecting his play and effectiveness.
- BiggE

I get what your saying.

He is in a damned if you do damned if you don't position.

You sit him a couple of shifts and lose and guys question why you did it to one of your only offensive players. You don't and people want you too to set an example.

Honestly...I am not sure exactly what the correct response is.

Tonight i don't care if it's the wrong thing to say but i want a fight, line brawl, monster hit, something that shows a pulse.

Whatever you do...do NOT break up that top line

I hear you, but I don't understand how scratching a healthy Ghost due to poor play equivocates with sitting Voracek for a shift or 2 because he made a stupid and/or lazy play for the umpteenth time. Nor do I see what it would have to do with sitting Simmonds who appears, at least on the surface, to be trying to play through an injury that is clearly affecting his play and effectiveness.
- BiggE

The other problem with the gost benching was he only benches young guys like him and tk and never held players like g Jake who at the time were also playing terrible

Wait, you're saying there's a difference between scratching a young player for a game or 2 (or 3) because he's been playing poorly for weeks as opposed to sitting a veteran player for a shift or 2 (or 3) for lazy play? And you're saying that both of those cases are different than sitting a veteran who clearly appears to be playing injured?

I won't hear it!!!
- jmatchett383

Remember that time Boyd Gordon was scratched?

The other problem with the gost benching was he only benches young guys like him and tk and never held players like g Jake who at the time were also playing terrible
- Tfaehner

They're veterans...so there is nothing for them to learn in the press box...only young players can learn something by sitting

I get what your saying.

He is in a damned if you do damned if you don't position.

You sit him a couple of shifts and lose and guys question why you did it to one of your only offensive players. You don't and people want you too to set an example.

Honestly...I am not sure exactly what the correct response is.

Tonight i don't care if it's the wrong thing to say but i want a fight, line brawl, monster hit, something that shows a pulse.
- J35Bacher

Well, if they add Morin,you just may get your wish.