Don't mean to pick on you (you just happen to be the first to respond), but the female doging about Hak reminds me very much of certain Eagle fans with Doug P last year. Do I like the 4th line being out there with one minute left? No. However, the goal against was an icing so to blame the coach is ridiculous. And if this team had competent PK (I put that issue more on Hextall) we'd probably be at the top if the division.

Answer me this, did any of you expect this team to be 3rd in the division at this point of the season? The honest answer is no and if you don't think some good coaching played a part in that than you're just being thick skulled.
- EducatedOpinion

I called Doug Pederson he said why put your worst players on the ice when the GAME is really on the line.

Complaining about end game usage doesn't mean I don't think there's some good coaching at work. Just because I female dog about how many looks he gives the slugs doesn't mean I or anyone else here absolves him from everything he's done well.

He's done some gutsy, good things. Moving Patrick up recently was gutsy because it was pretty hasty after only a handful of good games. Worked out. G to the wing. Gutsy. Solid. Coots to 1C. Moving Jake down to distribute scoring. Juggling D pairs to find Ghost and Provy.

He's done good things. But putting out 3 of some of the worst 5v5 players in the entire league to protect a one goal lead in the final 3 minutes against a division opponent in the thick of the playoff race is boneheaded. Then look what happened? It led to an icing and a goal. That is a bad matchup and the coach deserves criticism.

I don't understand how these boards have to be so black and white. It's insane. People don't get the fact that there are many decisions coaches have to make, and criticizing a coach on one of the DOES NOT MEAN I think he is atrocious in all aspects of coaching.

Or, dare I say it, just because some people think Elliot's usage might have contributed to his injury DOES NOT MEAN his injury was directly caused by "overuse" and only that, 100%.

Good night. Let's go watch skiing.
- Giroux_Is_God

I've got no problem with criticizing poor decisions and you won't see me saying Hak is a perfect coach. Perhaps I read too much into it, just seems to me the board is overly negative towards Hak. Maybe I'm on the outside of a board joke, though.

Enjoy the skiing. I DVRed the figure skating and curling to occupy my time😀

it does and you should but when you describe folks as sad and pathetic, you go beyond just opinion.
- wcorvette

I didn't call anyone sad and pathetic personally. I called the general tone of negativity on the board after a huge road win against a division opponent sad and pathetic.

Yes when the vibe is overwhelmingly negative and most of the posts are criticizing the coach and focused on who is on the ice late rather than focusing on the results and a huge win on the road against a division opponent, I find that sad and pathetic.
- MJL

so you dont think it was a mistake to have Flip out there?

I've got no problem with criticizing poor decisions and you won't see me saying Hak is a perfect coach. Perhaps I read too much into it, just seems to me the board is overly negative towards Hak. Maybe I'm on the outside of a board joke, though.

Enjoy the skiing. I DVRed the figure skating and curling to occupy my time😀
- EducatedOpinion

Homie curling is on for like 3 hrs every day on CNBC and it's my poop. Love it.

No worries, sorry for the rant, guess it's been bubbling up. Perhaps what is seen as a mistake in matchups leading to a tying goal is what weighs heavy on people's minds. Kind of glaring. Like some of Manning's turnovers.

Overall, my bottom line- speaking for myself- is Hak isn't a bad coach. Hopefully soon he won't even have the chance to put the slugs out there because they'll be showing us Lindblom, Leier and co.

so you dont think it was a mistake to have Flip out there?
- wcorvette

Absolutely not. While Filppula is not the offensive player he used to be and he is in decline, he is still a veteran and experienced player who is a defensively responsible center. After Columbus scored and had the momentum, the game could easily get away from a team late and that's a tough spot to put a young player such as Patrick in. Most coaches will rely on veterans in that situation versus younger players.

Homie curling is on for like 3 hrs every day on CNBC and it's my poop. Love it.
- Giroux_Is_God

Same here. Absolutely love curling. Don't know why but it's pretty good.

Absolutely not. While Filppula is not the offensive player he used to be and he is in decline, he is still a veteran and experienced player who is a defensively responsible center. After Columbus scored and had the momentum, the game could easily get away from a team late and that's a tough spot to put a young player such as Patrick in. Most coaches will rely on veterans in that situation versus younger players.
- MJL

wow, you just quote the hockey hand book. Flip has been and continues to struggle, while I am not saying put Patrick out there, find someone else. the tying goal was predictable. it doesnt take away from the team playing a great game and all the good stuff but that was to obvious

I didn't call anyone sad and pathetic personally. I called the general tone of negativity on the board after a huge road win against a division opponent sad and pathetic.
- MJL

Win where they let Columbus have a point. I'll temper my happiness when that happens in a game it's better to get 2 and Columbus get 0

wow, you just quote the hockey hand book. Flip has been and continues to struggle, while I am not saying put Patrick out there, find someone else. the tying goal was predictable. it doesnt take away from the team playing a great game and all the good stuff but that was to obvious
- wcorvette

You can do better than that. In other words, I made some good points. I'm not going to join the chorus and repeatedly complain about the use of veteran players in roles on a developing team. Especially after a big win.

Win where they let Columbus have a point. I'll temper my happiness when that happens in a game it's better to get 2 and Columbus get 0
- dragonoffrost

Of course, but it would be worse for the Flyers to get 1 and Columbus to get 2. Normally one goal in regulation isn't enough.

Homie curling is on for like 3 hrs every day on CNBC and it's my poop. Love it.

No worries, sorry for the rant, guess it's been bubbling up. Perhaps what is seen as a mistake in matchups leading to a tying goal is what weighs heavy on people's minds. Kind of glaring. Like some of Manning's turnovers.

Overall, my bottom line- speaking for myself- is Hak isn't a bad coach. Hopefully soon he won't even have the chance to put the slugs out there because they'll be showing us Lindblom, Leier and co.
- Giroux_Is_God

I was joking about figure skating, but I actually do like curling. My wife rags on me about it, but I can sit back, have a beer( or five) and watch curling for hours

You can do better than that. In other words, I made some good points. I'm not going to join the chorus and repeatedly complain about the use of veteran players in roles on a developing team. Especially after a big win.
- MJL

Gee if you think I can do better, it must be true. You dont make points you repeat obvious statements, cliche statements. Yes, a tremendous point of well Patrick is rookie.

Of course we are all stoked about the win and the good things that happened but a message board is also tp discuss all aspects of the game. If you like, read my posts, i state it was a good game, my only negative point is it is time to stop trusting Flip. The fact is he is not playing well, the fact is he did lose the draw clean, fact is he is making bad decisions with the puck etc etc

Try an original thought and I will be the first one to congratulate you on it.

Gee if you think I can do better, it must be true. You dont make points you repeat obvious statements, cliche statements. Yes, a tremendous point of well Patrick is rookie.

Of course we are all stoked about the win and the good things that happened but a message board is also tp discuss all aspects of the game. If you like, read my posts, i state it was a good game, my only negative point is it is time to stop trusting Flip. The fact is he is not playing well, the fact is he did lose the draw clean, fact is he is making bad decisions with the puck etc etc

Try an original thought and I will be the first one to congratulate you on it.
- wcorvette

You're making straw man arguments and ridiculous claims due to your weak position here. Right now with where this team is, I disagree that it is time to stop trusting Filppula and apparently Hakstol feels the same way. If you want to criticize Filppula for losing the draw, I'm fine with that. I'll just add that Filppula is 52% on draws for the season.

No coach is immune from criticism and after a road win the vibe should be positive, not overwhelmingly negative. All aspects of the game does not mean hyper focusing on which players were out on the ice and working up into an uproar about it. Such as F Hakstol because Laughton played 9 minutes and Filppula played 17.

Otherwise you're right, I should try an original thought and join in on the group think chorus and have the popular opinion of criticizing the coach rather than focus on the positive results.

Absolutely not. While Filppula is not the offensive player he used to be and he is in decline, he is still a veteran and experienced player who is a defensively responsible center. After Columbus scored and had the momentum, the game could easily get away from a team late and that's a tough spot to put a young player such as Patrick in. Most coaches will rely on veterans in that situation versus younger players.
- MJL

Most nights yes, just not tonight. He was a dumpster fire out there with or without the puck.

Most nights yes, just not tonight. He was a dumpster fire out there with or without the puck.
- Doctor DOOM

I disagree completely. I thought he played a solid game.

I disagree completely. I thought he played a solid game.
- MJL

Did you see how many times he lost the puck?

Did you see how many times he lost the puck?
- Doctor DOOM

How many times? Tell me.

How many times? Tell me?
- MJL

Have a good night

You're making straw man arguments and ridiculous claims due to your weak position here. Right now with where this team is, I disagree that it is time to stop trusting Filppula and apparently Hakstol feels the same way. If you want to criticize Filppula for losing the draw, I'm fine with that. I'll just add that Filppula is 52% on draws for the season.

No coach is immune from criticism and after a road win the vibe should be positive, not overwhelmingly negative. All aspects of the game does not mean hyper focusing on which players were out on the ice and working up into an uproar about it. Such as F Hakstol because Laughton played 9 minutes and Filppula played 17.

Otherwise you're right, I should try an original thought and join in on the group think chorus and have the popular opinion of criticizing the coach rather than focus on the positive results.
- MJL

sorry I didnt respond last night, i figured you dad would make you get off the computer.

You are void of facts as usual, besides the 52%,which has nothing to do with him losing the draw clean at crunch time. I don't criticize the win or coaching but disagree with having Flip out there. Watch the game will ya. Watch Flip skate in the O zone and lose the puck close to the blueline, watch him come around the net and not be able to make any play with the puck and then turn it over. Watch Flip be on the line that is hemmed into their own zone.

I like how you always say something like "due to your weak position" to posters, meanwhile you just quote the company line and use Cliche statements. I agree to never post on your comments, it is a waste of time. I know I am the only one who feels this way so I apologize.

sorry I didnt respond last night, i figured you dad would make you get off the computer.

You are void of facts as usual, besides the 52%,which has nothing to do with him losing the draw clean at crunch time. I don't criticize the win or coaching but disagree with having Flip out there. Watch the game will ya. Watch Flip skate in the O zone and lose the puck close to the blueline, watch him come around the net and not be able to make any play with the puck and then turn it over. Watch Flip be on the line that is hemmed into their own zone.

I like how you always say something like "due to your weak position" to posters, meanwhile you just quote the company line and use Cliche statements. I agree to never post on your comments, it is a waste of time. I know I am the only one who feels this way so I apologize.
- wcorvette

Actually you're the one who is devoid of facts in making silly arguments such as I don't have an original thought or are filled with cliches. That's a weak position simply because you haven't and most likely aren't capable of arguing or refuting the actual points I have made. So you have to resort to this tactic.
You incorrectly stated that Filppula's 52% has nothing to do with it. It certainly does. It's an explanation on why a coach would choose to use Filppula to take a defensive draw. Hockey is a team game and it takes more than one player to get hemmed in your own zone.

I stand by you as you stand
- Giroux_Is_God