Amac and Hägg were horrendous.
- Just5

A Mac has had a bit of a rough patch of late. Like 4 years....

Both have subpar puck skills. I think they'd be much better off putting Sanheim with AMac and letting Hagg play his natural side paired with Gudas.
- BiggE

What I’ve really liked about Hagg this year is when he has a bad game it doesn’t seem to leak into the next game......funny how guys had him written off last year as a bust....to me he’s had a very strong rookie year. One I can say I never saw coming. He’s only going to get better.

I will say. Hägg is going to take someone out whose not expecting it with friendly fire. His one timers are coburn bad

I will say. Hägg is going to take someone out whose not expecting it with friendly fire. His one timers are coburn bad
- Just5

Ain’t his strong point.

What I’ve really liked about Hagg this year is when he has a bad game it doesn’t seem to leak into the next game......funny how guys had him written off last year as a bust....to me he’s had a very strong rookie year. One I can say I never saw coming. He’s only going to get better.
- landros 2

No doubt, but smart, creative puck moving is never going to be one of his skills. He's much better off with a skilled partner. Once both have experience, I could see him being a good partner for Sanheim.

I think the Provy/Ghost pair is fine long term, obviously you break them up for PK and when protecting a lead in the last couple minutes of the game, but other than that, I really like it. Re Weal: I'd rather have a struggling Weal in the lineup over Lehtera. Lehtera's skating is just awful and he does little, if anything, productive while on the ice. I knew he was on the decline, but to have all 0 goals and 2 assists after 20 games while also being -5 is just pathetic. While he and Weal both have so-so possession stats, at least Weal can skate and he has 3 goals and 9 points in 30 games while only being -3.

At this point, Lindblom, Read, and when he's healthy, Vecchione should be playing before Lehtera.
- BiggE

You have two defenseman who should be used completely different from each other playing together. Gostisbehere should see heavy offensive zone starts while Provorov the opposite. A top pairing that needs to be broken up while protecting a lead late in games?
Jordan Weal in 30 games played has not scored a single 5 on 5 goal. His 6 assists aren't much better than Lehtera.

No doubt, but smart, creative puck moving is never going to be one of his skills. He's much better off with a skilled partner. Once both have experience, I could see him being a good partner for Sanheim.
- BiggE

I think he makes a good first pass. He was decent offensively when he was younger. His focus, like Sanheim’s is more on his own end. I really like his shot blocking and the guy is also playing a physical game. I have become a fan.

You have two defenseman who should be used completely different from each other playing together. Gostisbehere should see heavy offensive zone starts while Provorov the opposite. A top pairing that needs to be broken up while protecting a lead late in games?
Jordan Weal in 30 games played has not scored a single 5 on 5 goal. His 6 assists aren't much better than Lehtera.
- MJL

The only reservation I have about the ghost/Provorov pairing is the ripple effect through the other pairings.

Those two were controlling the game together last night

You have two defenseman who should be used completely different from each other playing together. Gostisbehere should see heavy offensive zone starts while Provorov the opposite. A top pairing that needs to be broken up while protecting a lead late in games?
Jordan Weal in 30 games played has not scored a single 5 on 5 goal. His 6 assists aren't much better than Lehtera.
- MJL

I was never a big Weal fan, even last year. I thought he had some good games but never got overly excited about him. I like his speed, but he has been disappointing so far this year...for me anyways. As far as the d ....we still don’t really know what we have....the kids are still developing.

Those two were controlling the game together last night
- Just5

There is more to the story than that.

I was never a big Weal fan, even last year. I thought he had some good games but never got overly excited about him. I like his speed, but he has been disappointing so far this year...for me anyways. As far as the d ....we still don’t really know what we have....the kids are still developing.
- landros 2

It’s simple. He’s not going to the dirty areas and is content on the perimeter. His addition to the lineup last year was a huge boost. This year he’s making no difference

You have two defenseman who should be used completely different from each other playing together. Gostisbehere should see heavy offensive zone starts while Provorov the opposite. A top pairing that needs to be broken up while protecting a lead late in games?
Jordan Weal in 30 games played has not scored a single 5 on 5 goal. His 6 assists aren't much better than Lehtera.
- MJL

I was more perplexed by Haag and MacDonald together.

I was more perplexed by Haag and MacDonald together.
- Dkos

Not a good mix in my opinion.

I will say. Hägg is going to take someone out whose not expecting it with friendly fire. His one timers are coburn bad
- Just5

I remember going to practices at the skate zone and being absolutely dumbfounded how terrible Coburn was at putting the puck anywhere near the net. He had a real knack for firing the puck high into the glass on the far right corner and it would ride the glass all the way around behind the net and come flying out at the fans in the bleachers.

Not a good mix in my opinion.
- MJL

It’s like he pulled names out of a hat on D. Glad he moved Simmonds down to the third line. Hope this gets Konecny going.

It’s like he pulled names out of a hat on D. Glad he moved Simmonds down to the third line. Hope this gets Konecny going.
- Dkos

Simmonds really has no business playing in the top 6 at 5 on 5 imo. He doesn't have the puck possession skills and his transition play just isn't that great. This is a pretty big reason why I'm open to dealing him. They can't pay him market value to be playing outside the top 6 no matter how good he is on the PP.

It’s like he pulled names out of a hat on D. Glad he moved Simmonds down to the third line. Hope this gets Konecny going.
- Dkos

I really think playing on that line can help Konecny.

You have two defenseman who should be used completely different from each other playing together. Gostisbehere should see heavy offensive zone starts while Provorov the opposite. A top pairing that needs to be broken up while protecting a lead late in games?
Jordan Weal in 30 games played has not scored a single 5 on 5 goal. His 6 assists aren't much better than Lehtera.
- MJL

Last time I checked 6 is 3 times 2. Also, 3 goals is better than none.

I want my top D pair to be able to drive possession, get the puck up the ice and create offense. Also you don't need to have one top pair that plays together in each and every situation, but I think they can succeed in most situations.

Last time I checked 6 is 3 times 2. Also, 3 goals is better than none.

I want my top D pair to be able to drive possession, get the puck up the ice and create offense. Also you don't need to have one top pair that plays together in each and every situation, but I think they can succeed in most situations.
- BiggE

My point is simply that Weal has not been that good and hasn't been much better than Lehtera in 5 on 5 play. Weal has been a major disappointment to me and he deserves more criticism than the 13th forward does, or Weise for that matter.

Your top defense pair needs to be able to play in all situations without having to be broken up. There is definitely value to it in a lot of situations, but there is also a weakness to it.

My point is simply that Weal has not been that good and hasn't been much better than Lehtera in 5 on 5 play. Weal has been a major disappointment to me and he deserves more criticism than the 13th forward does, or Weise for that matter.

Your top defense pair needs to be able to play in all situations without having to be broken up. There is definitely value to it in a lot of situations, but there is also a weakness to it.
- MJL

This is where we disagree. I feel that you need one top Dman to play in any and all situations, and the Flyers have that with Provorov. I think that Ghost is the best guy to then play with him in most situations: 5 on 5, 4 on 4, when trailing or tied in a game and even when leading for most of the game. The only time I'd look to pair someone else with Provorov is on PK and in the last minute of the game when protecting a lead.

I really don't see it being a problem. Heck there were times the Flyers used to give Mark Howe, who was a better all around player than Ghost, a blow on the PK now and then by sending out the pair of Marsh/McCrimmon to start the kill.

RE Weal. Yes, I agree 100% that Weal needs to be better and has been a disappointment this season. However, he's still a better player than Jori Lehtera. Since every point right now is crucial, I want the 12 best forwards on the ice, as long as they are healthy, each and every night. Jori Lehtera is simply not one of those 12.

This is where we disagree. I feel that you need one top Dman to play in any and all situations, and the Flyers have that with Provorov. I think that Ghost is the best guy to then play with him in most situations: 5 on 5, 4 on 4, when trailing or tied in a game and even when leading for most of the game. The only time I'd look to pair someone else with Provorov is on PK and in the last minute of the game when protecting a lead.

I really don't see it being a problem. Heck there were times the Flyers used to give Mark Howe, who was a better all around player than Ghost, a blow on the PK now and then by sending out the pair of Marsh/McCrimmon to start the kill.


- BiggE

I'll clarify that I'm talking about 5 on 5 play specifically. I don't want or expect Gostisbehere to play on the PK. Look at how the Flyers played and used players last night. Not a recipe for long term success. If a defenseman can't be on the ice late in games protecting a lead, then he shouldn't be on the top defense pairing in my opinion.

I'll clarify that I'm talking about 5 on 5 play specifically. I don't want or expect Gostisbehere to play on the PK. Look at how the Flyers played and used players last night. Not a recipe for long term success. If a defenseman can't be on the ice late in games protecting a lead, then he shouldn't be on the top defense pairing in my opinion.
- MJL

Guess we'll just have to disagree. On another topic, here's wishing you and your family a merry Christmas.

This is where we disagree. I feel that you need one top Dman to play in any and all situations, and the Flyers have that with Provorov. I think that Ghost is the best guy to then play with him in most situations: 5 on 5, 4 on 4, when trailing or tied in a game and even when leading for most of the game. The only time I'd look to pair someone else with Provorov is on PK and in the last minute of the game when protecting a lead.

I really don't see it being a problem. Heck there were times the Flyers used to give Mark Howe, who was a better all around player than Ghost, a blow on the PK now and then by sending out the pair of Marsh/McCrimmon to start the kill.

RE Weal. Yes, I agree 100% that Weal needs to be better and has been a disappointment this season. However, he's still a better player than Jori Lehtera. Since every point right now is crucial, I want the 12 best forwards on the ice, as long as they are healthy, each and every night. Jori Lehtera is simply not one of those 12.
- BiggE

Are you talking about "5 on 5 play specifically" or about playing "in all situations?"

http://www.sportingnews.c...4inbeqlvscd21lmrhp1wu7b20
- MBFlyerfan

well nothing was wrong with the hit but he definitely jumped the gun on the punch

so who do you like after the obvious 4 or 5 picks?
- DaveofYork

Anderson MacDonald soundy like a good player for our team