It’s what this team is....the top end talent has been so good this year, you start to think this team can really do some damage, but they really have a quality depth issue that is close to being addressed but not quite there yet....not that I’m going anywhere soon, but I really hope we have some of the kids ready to contribute soon.
- landros 2

Heck, at this point in the rebuild, I'm just happy to see them make the playoffs. Anything beyond that is a bonus.

When you watch teams like Boston, Tampa and Nashville, you really see the difference having quality depth makes. Those teams, when fully healthy, can just wear you down with 4 good lines and 3 quality D pairs, and each also features some world class players at various positions as well. The Flyers have the world class players, but they just have nowhere near the quality depth of the top teams.

The Bruins are a great example. Here they are winning games with Bergeron out of the lineup. Now try and imagine the Flyers doing the same thing on a consistent basis with Couturier on the sideline.

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Maybe but, if that's so, even in his obvious decline, Filppula (10 goals, 29 points overall and 25 points at even strength) is still a pretty good 4th line player. In fact, the Flyers have three guys in double digit goals -- Filppula, Laughton and Raffl -- among their group of six players of fourth-line caliber. A lot of teams would gladly take that.
- bmeltzer

I too would gladly take it, but when Filppula sees harder 3rd line minutes, he's exposed, just like our two 3rd pairs. Granted, being exposed on D is always more glaring.

This is why I always said Weal was such a key to this team. Unfortunately he hasn't worked out, but if he could have effectively used his speed and skills to be a poor man's Lindblom (so far) on the third line, with a strong possession player in Raffl, it would be clutch. Suddenly that's a real 3rd line, and an even marginally above average one, which separates the contrenders from pretenders many times in the NHL. This would relegate Filppula to "true" 4th line looks, where he would be most effective at this point and give us also a solid fourth line. What could have been.

On a similar note, maybe Simmonds could be that x factor 3rd liner when he comes back.

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- Giroux_Is_God

I agree. AMac was trash last night

a couple of late 1st's AND Skjei for Provorov...?






I know
- 21peter

I agree. AMac was trash last night
- YuenglingJagr

Yesterday, though I didn't see it, seems to me the game where your worst nightmare of having Gudas, AMac, Manning, and Hagg all playing either average or poorly (relative to their skill levels)

Most nights, AMac plays respectively. Hagg holds his own. Guess holds his own. Which is good enough to get by. But the bottom line is all 4 of these players are inherently bad and therefore the possibility exists that they could play badly on any night. And god forbid that happen all at once.

In other words, I have very little trust in anyone not named ghost or prov. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Until that changes this team will be good, but not a playoff threat.

I agree. AMac was trash last night
- YuenglingJagr

When your on for 5 even strength goals against .....it not a great night.

Maybe but, if that's so, even in his obvious decline, Filppula (10 goals, 29 points overall and 25 points at even strength) is still a pretty good 4th line player. In fact, the Flyers have three guys in double digit goals -- Filppula, Laughton and Raffl -- among their group of six players of fourth-line caliber. A lot of teams would gladly take that.
- bmeltzer

I think our bottom 6 and 2nd 3rd pairing get very little credit they've played well. That being said if we want to compare our bottom 6 vs Tampa or our defense vs nashville we aren't in the same ballpark. But we are also not strong cup contenders yet. Just happy if we can make make playoffs and winning a series would be a bonus

I think our bottom 6 and 2nd 3rd pairing get very little credit they've played well. That being said if we want to compare our bottom 6 vs Tampa or our defense vs nashville we aren't in the same ballpark. But we are also not strong cup contenders yet. Just happy if we can make make playoffs and winning a series would be a bonus
- Tfaehner

Look I can understand, but disagree, with those that say Filppula has played well in what his role has been for the mjority of the year.

But when you start saying Manning gets little credit and has played well I'm going to add you to the prayer list at church

When your on for 5 even strength goals against .....it not a great night.
- landros 2

And yet his minutes weren't reduced by the coach. Only Couturier had more 5 on 5 ice time.

Look I can understand, but disagree, with those that say Filppula has played well in what his role has been for the mjority of the year.

But when you start saying Manning gets little credit and has played well I'm going to add you to the prayer list at church
- Giroux_Is_God

As a collective unit they've played well. Well enough that we are in the position to be battling for a division title. If we want to talk about individuals players Weise leier and manning have been the worst imo. Lehtera filp amac have gotten a lot of hate but in their roles they have been fine. If we were able to keep them in their roles more by having more depth well yeah that would of course be ideal.

As a collective unit they've played well. Well enough that we are in the position to be battling for a division title. If we want to talk about individuals players Weise leier and manning have been the worst imo. Lehtera filp amac have gotten a lot of hate but in their roles they have been fine. If we were able to keep them in their roles more by having more depth well yeah that would of course be ideal.
- Tfaehner

Lehteras role is a healthy scratch, along with Weise.

Filppula is 4C

Manning is a healthy scratch.

Ideally. Which is the problem.

I think our bottom 6 and 2nd 3rd pairing get very little credit they've played well. That being said if we want to compare our bottom 6 vs Tampa or our defense vs nashville we aren't in the same ballpark. But we are also not strong cup contenders yet. Just happy if we can make make playoffs and winning a series would be a bonus
- Tfaehner

I actually think most of these guys have played to their ability....I can’t hate on a kid like Manning when you see the effort and heart every game. I just don’t think he’s very good....in the context of a regular NHL defenceman. Hopefully we can continue to add the high end youth and develop a depth like Nashville has.

Lehteras role is a healthy scratch, along with Weise.

Filppula is 4C

Manning is a healthy scratch.

Ideally. Which is the problem.
- Giroux_Is_God

I don't understand Weise at all. I actually liked his game prior to coming here as a bottom 6 guy. He's barely an ahl player at this point. But yes leier lehtera Weise manning would ideally not be in the lineup and only 1 will be come simmer return (hopefully). Manning is likely gone next year although I do expect hexy to have someone - maybe even resign oduya. To be the 7th and a 3rd vet on that defense. Maybe oduya can pair with hagg and amac with gudas down the stretch. Filp I really don't hate except for his pp usage. Like plz stop using him there hakstol. Plzzzzz

But despite all the flaws here we are fighting for a division title. They do get some credit for that just like the ball boys get a super bowl ring

What do they get if they lose 10 straight for the 2nd time in one season and miss the playoffs?

I don't understand Weise at all. I actually liked his game prior to coming here as a bottom 6 guy. He's barely an ahl player at this point. But yes leier lehtera Weise manning would ideally not be in the lineup and only 1 will be come simmer return (hopefully). Manning is likely gone next year although I do expect hexy to have someone - maybe even resign oduya. To be the 7th and a 3rd vet on that defense. Maybe oduya can pair with hagg and amac with gudas down the stretch. Filp I really don't hate except for his pp usage. Like plz stop using him there hakstol. Plzzzzz

But despite all the flaws here we are fighting for a division title. They do get some credit for that just like the ball boys get a super bowl ring
- Tfaehner

Totally agreed on both points. Like I've said. Filppula is most effective as a 4C. That's his role at this point in his career.

4C doesn't get pp time and 17 mins a game.

When they brought in Weise, a guy who chipped in what? 20-30 points a year as a bottom 6 guy with decent speed and good physicality. I thought it was a good choice of player. The term was tough, but the player and the money was a solid choice. Whodathunk this is what we'd get. Figures.

What do they get if they lose 10 straight for the 2nd time in one season and miss the playoffs?
- Feanor

A higher draft pick.

NEXT

Totally agreed on both points. Like I've said. Filppula is most effective as a 4C. That's his role at this point in his career.

4C doesn't get pp time and 17 mins a game.

When they brought in Weise, a guy who chipped in what? 20-30 points a year as a bottom 6 guy with decent speed and good physicality. I thought it was a good choice of player. The term was tough, but the player and the money was a solid choice. Whodathunk this is what we'd get. Figures.
- Giroux_Is_God

This is what we get for trying to acquire good players. Draft and develop only. Forever

A higher draft pick.

NEXT
- Giroux_Is_God

I would legit tank the rest of the season if I knew we would win a top 3 in the lottery again. #finishtheprocess

On the Wolverines side, second line left wing Brendan Warren scored a goal, was plus-two and had two shots on goal.

Floodgates, baby. Five years from now, this will be the acquisition that turns us into a perennial Presidents Trophy contender much like the current Caps.
- jmatchett383

Yup, while Merrick Madsen is contending for his 2nd Vezina in Arizona and Nick Cousins blossoms into a 70-point NHL player in his next organization.

What do they get if they lose 10 straight for the 2nd time in one season and miss the playoffs?
- Feanor

They aren't missing the playoffs

Yup, while Merrick Madsen is contending for his 2nd Vezina in Arizona and Nick Cousins blossoms into a 70-point NHL player in his next organization.
- bmeltzer

Why does this always happen to the Flyers!?!?

I actually think most of these guys have played to their ability....I can’t hate on a kid like Manning when you see the effort and heart every game. I just don’t think he’s very good....in the context of a regular NHL defenceman. Hopefully we can continue to add the high end youth and develop a depth like Nashville has.
- landros 2

I don't hate Manning at all, in fact I respect him for giving all he's got. He's just not a very good player at the NHL level. OTOH, I hate Weise's guts. The guy dogs it on the ice and just plays badly. He's played better before so we know he can be better than he's shown which is why he pisses me off so much. He really seems to play like a guy that finally got a good contract and just doesn't give a damn. (frank) him.

What do they get if they lose 10 straight for the 2nd time in one season and miss the playoffs?
- Feanor

Um, a lottery pick?

I would legit tank the rest of the season if I knew we would win a top 3 in the lottery again. #finishtheprocess
- Tfaehner