Which two 4th line players were scapegoats last year and where are they now?
- MJL

The same place this years scapegoats will be next year. Not here.

- KINGKENZO

Do you want me to post the Mason goal from the 2016 playoffs that was basically a dump in too?

Every goalie gives up soft goals. Some nights even Brodeur did too. It happens. He needs to prove it in the playoffs, but then again he's won as many series as Mason has, 0.

The same place this years scapegoats will be next year. Not here.
- MBFlyerfan

Exactly. Changes will be made. Last night's game did not change anything. They're still the same bubble playoff team attempting to build through the draft that they were before the game. Same inconsistent and frustrating team. I understand it, but now we're going to go back to litigating the Bobrovsky and Pronger trades? None of that matters now. Neither does Weise or Lehtera. What is going to matter and what is going to determine this teams fate moving forward is how the young players and prospects develop. Nothing has changed from that. Patience is still necessary.

I'm cool with being patient. I'm not cool with a team just rolling over and playing dead after giving up a couple goals or a team that gets pushed around and just passively takes it. I'm also not thrilled with keeping a PK coach on board who's failed miserably at his job for quite a while now.

I really don't care how many shots Lappy blocked with his face, he's still a lousy PK coach.

I'm cool with being patient. I'm not cool with a team just rolling over and playing dead after giving up a couple goals or a team that gets pushed around and just passively takes it. I'm also not thrilled with keeping a PK coach on board who's failed miserably at his job for quite a while now.

I really don't care how many shots Lappy blocked with his face, he's still a lousy PK coach.
- BiggE

Maybe that's why he's a lousy PK coach. Too many blocks with the face.

The same place this years scapegoats will be next year. Not here.
- MBFlyerfan

I'm happy with Laughton. I'm good with a pace of 12-13 goals as the 4th line center. I liked Leier/Laughton/Raffl but I get moving Raffl up. I am fine with Weise there as the team is constructed now but I thought he was supposed to come with Grit and I just don't see it. Seeing Lehtera/Laughton/Weise just makes me go meh. and yes, I understand the 4th line, like last year, isn't the main concern on this team. I wish it were. Doesn't change that I hate watching certain players in the lineup over younger players.

Do you want me to post the Mason goal from the 2016 playoffs that was basically a dump in too?

Every goalie gives up soft goals. Some nights even Brodeur did too. It happens. He needs to prove it in the playoffs, but then again he's won as many series as Mason has, 0.
- hockeylover

Bernie gave up a shot from center ice that caused them to miss the playoffs. Imagine if that happened today with social media

I'm cool with being patient. I'm not cool with a team just rolling over and playing dead after giving up a couple goals or a team that gets pushed around and just passively takes it. I'm also not thrilled with keeping a PK coach on board who's failed miserably at his job for quite a while now.

I really don't care how many shots Lappy blocked with his face, he's still a lousy PK coach.
- BiggE

Hakstol said they are discussing whether to continue using 6 forwards on PK or contracting a bit. So I think that says they feel its about personnel and not the coaches or system.

The Flyers over the past few years have been inconsistent if nothing else. You just never know which team will show up.

I don't get to follow the Phantoms to closely but is there a player in the AHL that could spark this team?

Probably won't make anyone feel better but Giroux and Voracek are #7 and #8 SCORING leaders.

I'm cool with being patient. I'm not cool with a team just rolling over and playing dead after giving up a couple goals or a team that gets pushed around and just passively takes it. I'm also not thrilled with keeping a PK coach on board who's failed miserably at his job for quite a while now.

I really don't care how many shots Lappy blocked with his face, he's still a lousy PK coach.
- BiggE

everyone in here knows what the basic plan is and that requires patience. nothing wrong with being aggravated by a poopty performance against a rival. it's sports. we're fans. in the course of that aggravation things come up, including former players. nobody is freaking out. it's just (frank)ing conversation.

Hakstol said they are discussing whether to continue using 6 forwards on PK or contracting a bit. So I think that says they feel its about personnel and not the coaches or system.
- nastyflyergirl

How would you restructure the PK? I think Simmonds needs to be taken off but not sure who would take his place.

I don't get to follow the Phantoms to closely but is there a player in the AHL that could spark this team?
- SimmerDown

You'll probably see a move around the TDL. If they move a guy like Filppula or Simmonds or really anyone you could see guys like Vecchione, Lindblom or maybe someone else.

I think you'll see something around the TDL.

Filppula has been brutal lately and continued that trend last night. Weise has no busines on the pp. I hear those frustrations. Lehtera and Weise were fine in their 4th line roles.

Weal flubbed on a prime set up by Jake which could've gave them some momentum early in the 3rd.

The major issues. The PK, Our top line getting scored on by their 4th twice and Provorov having one of his worst stretches as a Flyer.

No matter who replaces Lehetera, Weise and Manning, I doubt it drastically changes the factors above.

I'm happy with Laughton. I'm good with a pace of 12-13 goals as the 4th line center. I liked Leier/Laughton/Raffl but I get moving Raffl up. I am fine with Weise there as the team is constructed now but I thought he was supposed to come with Grit and I just don't see it. Seeing Lehtera/Laughton/Weise just makes me go meh. and yes, I understand the 4th line, like last year, isn't the main concern on this team. I wish it were. Doesn't change that I hate watching certain players in the lineup over younger players.
- nastyflyergirl

Oh no doubt. Personally I would rather see Martel, Lindblom and the kids getting the minutes.

Whether or not they are playing up to some arbitrary criteria that they are "earning" the minutes is besides the point. They are going to make mistakes, and there are better ways to help them learn from them than taking away ice time and or benching them. That gets them tight, kills their confidence and creativity and makes them play scared.

Sometimes I think a more seasoned coach would have a better idea of how to do that. These may be college aged kids, but they aren't college players.

There is too much fear, and its not the right kind of fear. Hak coaches scared, the kids play scared. Hak wants to keep his job, the kids want to play.

This whole team plays scared.

How would you restructure the PK? I think Simmonds needs to be taken off but not sure who would take his place.
- SimmerDown17

Not sure what happened but Leier and Laughton were looking good putting pressure on the puck in the early part of the season.

I don't get to follow the Phantoms to closely but is there a player in the AHL that could spark this team?
- SimmerDown

Couldn't spark this team with crossed jumper cables

i wonder when hexy is going to ask which vets are willing to waive their NTCs

i wonder when hexy is going to ask which vets are willing to waive their NTCs
- 2Real

Have to hand it to Hextall he's done a good job of avoiding NMC/NTCs. Simmer, Flip, and Giroux are the only ones and I believe Simmonds and Giroux weren't his signings.

Edit: None of them were his signings. I didn't realize Simmonds has a list of 12 teams.

i wonder when hexy is going to ask which vets are willing to waive their NTCs
- 2Real

Does Voracek seem like the most questionable star on this team. Just my opinion but he seems to make some dumb plays or just look out of place a lot for a guy who has the amount of assist he does.

Which broadcast company in the USA is covering the WJC? I've been very impressed by the boys at TSN they way the rattle off names with no hesitation. At least there is some fun hockey going on elsewhere these days.

I haven’t watched a game since Game 6 of this year. Try once in a while to watch them but the bore me to death.

Brutal team to be a fan of. The only thing to cheer for is the possible future we have with the young players, but we never know when they will be discarded for over the hill nobodies.

Does Voracek seem like the most questionable star on this team. Just my opinion but he seems to make some dumb plays or just look out of place a lot for a guy who has the amount of assist he does.
- J35Bacher

He's guilty of being a pass first player when he should shoot. Last night he had someone on the right side in case of a rebound and passed it to the trailer. He can look lazy without the puck. Still wouldn't get rid of #8 scoring leader when he's responsible for about 40% of the points.

Filppula has been brutal lately and continued that trend last night. Weise has no busines on the pp. I hear those frustrations. Lehtera and Weise were fine in their 4th line roles.

Weal flubbed on a prime set up by Jake which could've gave them some momentum early in the 3rd.

The major issues. The PK, Our top line getting scored on by their 4th twice and Provorov having one of his worst stretches as a Flyer.

No matter who replaces Lehetera, Weise and Manning, I doubt it drastically changes the factors above.
- Baxter27

I really don’t think Provorov has been that bad. I don’t think the d pairings as currently constructed are the best options. But Provorov is not near as bad as the stretch he went through early last year. Zero worry about him.