I think the Gudas thing has a lot to do with playing with Manning. Twice (that i can remember off the top of my head, including the Habs go ahead goal) Manning got cooked from inside the neutral zone to the top of the circles. TWICE.

Also, Weise has separated himself from the rest and is now clearly the worst player on the ice for the Flyers.

Two times he had possession of the puck in the O-zone and turned it over resulting in shots off the post the other way. The first one (i believe was the first period) he had the puck and slowly skated it behind their net before the d-man came down and just took it away from him. They ended up rushing the other way, had some extensive zone time, and ripped it off the right post.
- jak521

I don't see it as one player versus another. The pairing is just not a good mix. They don't play well off of each other and are often "overlapping" each other in coverage. It's just as much on Gudas as Manning. Manning is a better player than he is given credit for. Gudas has not had a very good year.

But again look at when the 2nd PP comes out on the ice. Most of the time they finish the PP and then it is even. that is why I don't mind Provorov out there. Because they need to transition to that the even strength play and i want my best defender out there.

If you want Sanheim and Provorov out there ok. but i am not just putting Sanheim alone out there with 4 forwards.
- J35Bacher

I think when you are on the PP you should think about scoring a goal, not defending if you don't score, but yes, I would have Provy out there as well. Some combo of the following six: 19, 40, 54, 11, 6, 9... the setup would change slightly based on personnel.

Yes, but he won't sit. See, if he was a young player, he'd be sat because he would need to learn to be better.

But since he's a veteran and can't learn to be better, he gets to keep playing even though he will keep making the same mistakes over and over.

Does this logic fail anyone else?
- jmatchett383

It's not a logic fail, it's the fact that he is one of the best 6 defenseman on the roster. That's why Manning stays in the lineup. Until one of Sanheim or Morin, or another player earns a promotion and pushes him down in the lineup, Manning will remain in the lineup.

This is a bit off topic but I am a big guy and just got season tickets for next season in handicap seating section 121 (bad back). Unfortunately since I live in Delaware I cant make it to every game. I have to be up at 4:00 a.m. because I'm a teacher of students with special needs.

Anyway if anyone out there is interested in taking some games off my hands please PM me. Really anybody can sit in the section, but if you or someone you come with are big boned, have a bad back, or anything else that makes it difficult to sit in those cramped seats these seats offer a lot more room and a lot more comfort. And its guaranteed seating instead of maybe not getting handicap from guest services because the game is sold out.

Also, if there is anyone you know that would benefit from this pass this on as well. I could just post to stub-hub but the people in this section are good people and deserve good respectful fans to sit with them. I'm looking to move 3-10 games. Will sell at my cost, not ticket cost. Anyway PM me.

Agreed, but were they booing him at times when he had the puck on his stick? Clement mentioned it a bit last night.
- hockeylover

Mac gets paid too much. He has played well this season but at the end of the day, he could block 50 shots a game and I would still want to move him. The Flyers have seen a lot of steady defensively, shot blocking defenseman but none of which were paid like Mac.

It's not a logic fail, it's the fact that he is one of the best 6 defenseman on the roster. That's why Manning stays in the lineup. Until one of Sanheim or Morin, or another player earns a promotion and pushes him down in the lineup, Manning will remain in the lineup.
- MJL

Hey that's great

Mac gets paid too much. He has played well this season but at the end of the day, he could block 50 shots a game and I would still want to move him. The Flyers have seen a lot of steady defensively, shot blocking defenseman but none of which were paid like Mac.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree, but he didn't make the Flyers offer him that contract. He would have been a fool to turn it down. He does not deserve to get booed at home games.

I dont know Hak would throw him into a playoff series without more regular season game time.

I understand what people have been saying about Sanheim, don't disagree with all of it either. But, I don't think he was used to the best of his abilities. He did not get any pp time, despite being the second best pp dman. Provy is no doubt a better all around guy, but Sanheim is a better option on the pp. I'm sure Hak has his reasons not to, but he's put other rookes that haven't proved themselves at the NHL level on the pp, last night for example.
- VladDrag

I don't see how you can rate Sanheim as a better PP option than Provorov is. Sanheim has not come close to proving that at the NHL level. In my opinion right now there isn't anything that Sanheim is better at than Provorov is at the NHL level.

I think when you are on the PP you should think about scoring a goal, not defending if you don't score, but yes, I would have Provy out there as well. Some combo of the following six: 19, 40, 54, 11, 6, 9... the setup would change slightly based on personnel.
- VladDrag

Got it. Thanks.

But you have to be aware of them getting back to even strength. A lot of the time the 2nd PP only comes on the ice with about 30-35 seconds left.

Just logged in and have not read any back posts. Any news on TK? Thanks!

what are we 7-0-1 since the superbowl?

Anyone else absolutely loving the added physicality and snarl that Ghost has shown the second half of this season? He's not going to run guys like Brian Boyle over, but he's been dishing out some pretty good hits, and his overall defensive play has been outstanding.
- jmatchett383

In my opinion Gostisbehere is by far playing the best all around hockey in his career.

I agree, but he didn't make the Flyers offer him that contract. He would have been a fool to turn it down. He does not deserve to get booed at home games.
- jmatchett383

Anyone would have took the money. Now he has to live with the booing.

Scoreboard watching from here on out!

I though Lindblom had an excellent first game up. His presence around the net was very strong. He plays bigger than his 6'1" at times. He defense was really sound. He delivered everything I'd hoped for in one game. Really excited about this kid.

Just when I was finished watching Filpula not finish or execute (great puck skills aside) I reached a tipping point with him tonight. Ready to see him gone! UNTIL he saved that open net shot in OT and got it up to Jake for the GWG. Flip.... c'mon man! Please be more consistent!

In my opinion Gostisbehere is by far playing the best all around hockey in his career.
- MJL

He's playing better in his own zone than I ever could have expected.

I think he can improve with added strength, but I don't see it being necessary. He is bigger than plenty of guys, he just needs to learn.

Obviously I don't feel the play of Manning has been worth not letting Sanheim learn. The Flyers aren't in the position they are in right now because the Brandon Mannings are taking leaps in their development. The defense is missing what Sanheim brings too. It's been talked about a ton, so it's whatever, but I don't think it's a strength issue. We have seen on the Flyers guys like Kimmo and Ghost learn to play against NHL players without overpowering them.
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah but how often did you see see Kimmo or even Ghost GET overpowered? This is what we are talking about here. We aren't saying Sanheim has to overpower players, we are saying he has to stop being overpowered.

Kimmo was a bull. pound for pound as strong as any player in the league. Ghost doesn't get overpowered because he is elusive and savvy. Sanheim isn't there yet, He is used to being bigger than players due to his sheer size. Not the case in the NHL. He needs to be stronger.

He's playing better in his own zone than I ever could have expected.
- SuperSchennBros

Oh ye of little faith, lol.

2 of the best defenders in Flyers history were undersized guys: Mark Howe and Kimmo Timonen. You can't teach pure skill and creativity, but everything else is fair game. As long as Ghost was willing to apply himself and work on improving defensively, there was no reason he couldn't succeed at that part of the game as well.

Yeah but how often did you see see Kimmo or even Ghost GET overpowered? This is what we are talking about here. We aren't saying Sanheim has to overpower players, we are saying he has to stop being overpowered.

Kimmo was a bull. pound for pound as strong as any player in the league. Ghost doesn't get overpowered because he is elusive and savvy. Sanheim isn't there yet, He is used to being bigger than players due to his sheer size. Not the case in the NHL. He needs to be stronger.
- MBFlyerfan

This!

Got it. Thanks.

But you have to be aware of them getting back to even strength. A lot of the time the 2nd PP only comes on the ice with about 30-35 seconds left.
- J35Bacher

I think not putting your best players to score on a PP is not the best usage of the man advantage.

Most of the time the powerplay ends, the puck is still in the offensive zone or at the very least in possession of the team on the powerplay.

Yeah but how often did you see see Kimmo or even Ghost GET overpowered? This is what we are talking about here. We aren't saying Sanheim has to overpower players, we are saying he has to stop being overpowered.

Kimmo was a bull. pound for pound as strong as any player in the league. Ghost doesn't get overpowered because he is elusive and savvy. Sanheim isn't there yet, He is used to being bigger than players due to his sheer size. Not the case in the NHL. He needs to be stronger.
- MBFlyerfan

For some reason, some just aren't willing to accept the Flyers philosophy and how they handle players. In my opinion both Lindblom and Sanheim are and have been capable of playing in the NHL. The question becomes what is best for the player and his future. To develop at the NHL level, or to go down to the AHL and play an elevated role and get more playing time? It's an evaluation that is individualized. They look at what area the player needs development in and then place him in the best spot where he can accomplish that.

According to Dave Isaac, TK is probable for tomorrow night.

More than anything else, I think Sanheim just needs to put on some muscle and get stronger. He can get away with just using his speed at the AHL level, but in the NHL, there are some big, strong dudes that can also skate. He got knocked off the puck too often and too easy. At this point, let him play big minutes and (hopefully) lead the Phantoms on a deep playoff run. After the season, they need to make sure he hits the gym. If he can put on 10 pounds or so of muscle this summer, there is no reason that he won't be able to step right into the 2nd pairing for the Flyers next year. All the other tools are already there.
- BiggE

agreed and his was losing confidence, he was still better than Manning but LHV was a good place to get going again

He's playing better in his own zone than I ever could have expected.
- SuperSchennBros

He has upped his physical game which is a bonus. But I think his skating, positioning, and his sheer magician like skill with his stick is what has set him apart. You simply cant stick handle around him because he is better with his stick than you are.

And I have never seen a guy better than him when it comes to keeping the puck in the zone at the blue line. He is like a gold glove third baseman out there.

Scoreboard watching from here on out!

I though Lindblom had an excellent first game up. His presence around the net was very strong. He plays bigger than his 6'1" at times. He defense was really sound. He delivered everything I'd hoped for in one game. Really excited about this kid.

Just when I was finished watching Filpula not finish or execute (great puck skills aside) I reached a tipping point with him tonight. Ready to see him gone! UNTIL he saved that open net shot in OT and got it up to Jake for the GWG. Flip.... c'mon man! Please be more consistent!
- Boyer83

ill say again, I really liked Flip but his confidence is very low, I hope he can turn it down the stretch. Trade and him and insert Brassard, ouch that would make 4 real good lines

According to Dave Isaac, TK is probable for tomorrow night.
- ajw12