MacDonald's defensive zone coverage play is among the best on the team.
- MJL

Why am I not surprised that out of everything I stated, that's what you decide to pull out of it? Guess the rest were all valid points and you have an issue with calling out AMac when he did not play a good game and was in no man's land on the last goal.

If Lappy is back next season it really would be comical. That would be favoritism to a former player pure and simple.

Dont give a rats ass if he can relate to the guys or he is loved in the room. PK has been a passive trash box his whole tenure.
- flyer_nutter

Would it really surprise you if he's back? They've been awful on the PK for years and the personnel has changed with the same results.

Same thing with Hak if the Flyers miss the playoffs. Can almost guarantee he returns!

Yeah, I have wanted it for a while too.

Fun fact: they have similar rate scoring stats (Laughton leading slightly)

Filppula has spent roughly 85% of his ice time with one or both of Simmonds, Voracek, and/or Konecny

Laughton has spent roughly 1% of his ice time with one or both of Simmonds, Voracek, and/or Konecny
- YuenglingJagr

I know you have been., just venting.

It's just frustrating to compare usage/scoring rates/linemates/corsi etc of the two, and then compare their ice time and deployment. It just doesn't make that much sense.

There is no doubt Laughton should have a bigger role with the club and Filppula should have a smaller role with the club.

So last message board, Bill posted the following, I wanted to respond, but by the time I read it the game was on and did not want to take the time to write the response below.



Most analytic-based users will say that the prototypical shutdown d-man is good at 'generating defense' (I've seen people use this term here as well as other sites). Basically, the thought is if one cannot add to the offensive side of the puck with a good breakout pass, or a decent pinch, then you are hurting your team just as much by stifling potential offensive scoring chances (if the puck isn't in the offensive zone you can't score).

With the way the NHL has been trending the past few years, one could make a valid argument that different types of skillsets, not just the skill set of a the physical shutdown d-man, may be overvalued by talent evaluators in the NHL. This has most recently been seen in how well Vegas has done with a bunch of left overs. Some teams missed the mark so bad, they traded draft picks to keep certain players over others.

Now, I'm not calming to be smarter than NHL pro scouts, commentators or media members, but what I am saying is there is a valid argument can be made both ways.

My personal view on Hagg is that he's got more than he's showing right now in the NHL. He can play a more mobile game than he's shown thus far in the NHL. He has more puck skills than he's shown so far in the NHL. There are things he does that he has done at lower levels that suggest he can become competent on the offensive side of the puck. There are also things that don't show up on fancy stats, such as board pins and crease clears, that he does that help the team win. He also has a bit of a physical edge, and NHL players know that. They know they are going to get hit when the go into the corner with Hagg. However, if he doesn’t show a bit more offensive ability at the NHL level, I think he becomes more disposable than other d-men prospects.

My biggest gripe with Hagg is not himself but his usage relative to other younger players, not just Sanheim. I understand the logic behind why Hagg was given more leeway, but I do think there is room for reevaluation.
- VladDrag

I dont mind Hagg, I think he is a decent player on a cup team. Thats what anyone should be compared to. I think for the most part he has played decent overall, but much like Provorov has been expected to do a bit too much early in his career. That is what it is I am afraid.

It is frustrating to me a little bit that because he plays a "safe" game he is at present time vastly favoured over a guy like Sanheim. That's very much old age dinosaur thinking. So be it there too I suppose.

At the end of the day I very much like the idea of what this young D core could become. The fact that they have been able to develop they way they have is as much of a compliment to the players themselves as it is the organization. These kids have had Andrew MacDonald as their main NHL mentor on the back end basically during this whole rebuild. Thats just (frank)ing sad. Good for them to rise above.

Would it really surprise you if he's back? They've been awful on the PK for years and the personnel has changed with the same results.

Same thing with Hak if the Flyers miss the playoffs. Can almost guarantee he returns!
- aantny88

Hak is coming back. I am sure the organization will see any growth and give him big credit as opposed to the team simply getting better because of the influx of more talent. Hextall has shown great loyalty to the men he has hired. That does have me a little worried I wont lie.

My hate aside, I can understand the reasoning for him to be back next year. They are morons if they bring back Lappy. This whole idea that the big wigs are drastically smarter than many of the fans is a little comical to me at times. Plenty of mistakes happen with every team to suggest otherwise.

Glad I missed it. Looking forward to 20/21 season!
- Lawless18

lockout year

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Point(s) Slip Away Again, Flyers Lose 3-2 to Vegas
- bmeltzer

Bill,

At what point does Hakstol move Laughton up to center Simmonds and Raffll?

Why am I not surprised that out of everything I stated, that's what you decide to pull out of it? Guess the rest were all valid points and you have an issue with calling out AMac when he did not play a good game and was in no man's land on the last goal.
- aantny88

He wasn't in no man's land on the last goal. He was forced to try and cover 2 opposition players due to breakdowns in the coverage by other players. MacDonald had a few miscues but otherwise played a solid game.

Hak is coming back. I am sure the organization will see any growth and give him big credit as opposed to the team simply getting better because of the influx of more talent. Hextall has shown great loyalty to the men he has hired. That does have me a little worried I wont lie.

My hate aside, I can understand the reasoning for him to be back next year. They are morons if they bring back Lappy. This whole idea that the big wigs are drastically smarter than many of the fans is a little comical to me at times. Plenty of mistakes happen with every team to suggest otherwise.
- flyer_nutter

The Flyers don't view the PK problems as a coaching issue.

The Flyers don't view the PK problems as a coaching issue.
- MJL

Seems to be the case.

The Flyers don't view the PK problems as a coaching issue.
- MJL

I think you'll see a better pk next year. When you can put guys like that are more mobile out there like say Sanheim and Myers when ready you can get away playing a more pressure style PK because guys can recover quicker.

I actually wouldn't mind seeing someone like Konecny get some PK time. You could also see Linblom there as well.

Right now the Flyers are playing like the bubble team we said they were. they had a very good steak and now have come back to earth a little.

I think you'll see a better pk next year. When you can put guys like that are more mobile out there like say Sanheim and Myers when ready you can get away playing a more pressure style PK because guys can recover quicker.

I actually wouldn't mind seeing someone like Konecny get some PK time. You could also see Linblom there as well.

Right now the Flyers are playing like the bubble team we said they were. they had a very good steak and now have come back to earth a little.
- J35Bacher

The Panthers are really the only team that could catch them and knock them out of the playoffs. They are up 10 on the Canes and they play them twice. If the Flyers average a point per game the rest of the way the Panthers would need 18 points in 15 games just to tie them. Still have a good lead for the playoffs. Just need to get games like last nights to OT.

So you're blaming the guy who was forced to try and cover two opposition players rather than Fillppula who turned the puck over and then failed to cover anyone, Simmonds who lost a 50-50 puck battle and was on the wrong side of Bellemare and Gudas who also got outworked by Bellemare? If MacDonald wasn't where he was, Eakins walks right out to the net. Defense is a team game.
- MJL

Yes, the team played hard, but moral victories mean squat this time of year. Especially when all the teams you're chasing and the ones chasing you are all winning! This team needs contributions from the bottom six, which they are not getting and better d zone coverage from Manning and MacDonald. A momentum/10 bell save from Mrazek would be nice every now and then too. The PK is simply a poop show on ice and has prevented the team from earning valuable points on too many occasions this season.

At this point, they may not even make the playoffs
- aantny88

Well said on all fronts.

xx

Simmonds also lost a 50-50 battle. Plenty of blame to go around.
- bmeltzer

It started with a turn over and a failed clear....went down hill from there.

I would like to recommend switching Filppula and Laughton
- YuenglingJagr

and play Patrick more. 13 mins is not enough for me. 10 mins at even strength is not enough for me. I understand he went off for a bit but even so i want to see him play more. Laughton has barely been getting any ice. 9 mins again last night

The Panthers are really the only team that could catch them and knock them out of the playoffs. They are up 10 on the Canes and they play them twice. If the Flyers average a point per game the rest of the way the Panthers would need 18 points in 15 games just to tie them. Still have a good lead for the playoffs. Just need to get games like last nights to OT.
- mickel25

5-5-2 gets them into the playoffs.

Games against Carolina, Detroit, Rangers, Colorado, and Islanders must be won. Even Dallas should be winnable. They can split with Carolina or the Rangers and still get the 5 wins. Find 2 games against the rest they can get to OT and they are fine.

My game observations:

- Too many times the Flyers have a chance to clear the zone and they don't and it almost always seems to hurt them. Failed clears on the PK and zone exits at 5 on 5 seem to always result in a goal when they don't clear the zone.

- Thought Sanheim has looked good. There looks to be more confidence in his game. He's made some really nice breakout passes and stretch passes.

- Damn Lindblom is snakebitten. I think once he gets that first one we will see a little streak of goals He is always in the right spot.

- Would love to see Couturier get 30 as i think he'll get back on a scoring role again. Not too worried as he is still getting chances and still picking up assists.

- Gostisbehere could use a goal on the PP. When he can score on the PP it seems to open up more lanes.

- What we are seeing is a bubble team. Team can get hot but also it still has warts and they show up. I still feel they make the playoffs and could win a round depending on the matchup. Other then Tampa, no team in the EAST is scary. And the Flyers have played well against the better teams this year.
- J35Bacher

Honestly that’s as well as Sanheim has played at the NHL level.

Lindblom really needs a break...lol. But I think he to has been pretty good.


Agreed ....this teams biggest issue has been play in their own zone....it’s why they are a bubble team.

and play Patrick more. 13 mins is not enough for me. 10 mins at even strength is not good enough more me. I understand he went off for a bit but even so i want to see him play more. Laughton has barely been getting any ice. 9 mins again last night
- nastyflyergirl

Patrick has really turned it on lately....I would like to see his minutes go up....but that’s a coaching issue. I’m sure it will come, as he gains more coaches confidence.

and play Patrick more. 13 mins is not enough for me. 10 mins at even strength is not good enough more me. I understand he went off for a bit but even so i want to see him play more. Laughton has barely been getting any ice. 9 mins again last night
- nastyflyergirl

It would be nice, but I am not going to get bent out of shape about Patrick. He is still playing in his first NHL season without a full offseason to get ready. There is no real reason for Laughton

It would be nice, but I am not going to get bent out of shape about Patrick. He is still playing in his first NHL season without a full offseason to get ready. There is no real reason for Laughton
- YuenglingJagr

Especially when Filppula has struggled recently.

Would it really surprise you if he's back? They've been awful on the PK for years and the personnel has changed with the same results.

Same thing with Hak if the Flyers miss the playoffs. Can almost guarantee he returns!
- aantny88

The PK is probably the Flyers Achilles heal....it’s why they are where they are....it exposes the team biggest weakness....defensive zone play.

Simmonds really should have got to that loose puck ahead of Bellemare, but he took a bad angle to the boards and ended up with the puck behind him instead of in front of him. The Curse of the Former Flyer strikes again.

Especially when Filppula has struggled recently.
- mickel25

as long as the definition of recently is pretty loose, I completely agree