Lehtera might be earning himself a 4th line role for next season. Unless they need the cap space. Simmonds is going to need a hell of a stretch run to keep his name out of trade rumors. I actually thought he was playing pretty well last night until he lost that battle.
- Baxter27

Lehtera isn't the type of guy I want on the 4th line or really in the lineup per se because of his lack of speed, however, I cannot argue against his play of late. he really has been playing well and out of the scratched players he has earned being in the lineup.

Looks like Stolarz is ready to play :D

...for Reading
- YuenglingJagr

Am I Reading this right?

Looks like Stolarz is ready to play :D

...for Reading
- YuenglingJagr

He needs to earn his ice time with them before he can earn time with Lehigh.

Lehtera might be earning himself a 4th line role for next season. Unless they need the cap space. Simmonds is going to need a hell of a stretch run to keep his name out of trade rumors. I actually thought he was playing pretty well last night until he lost that battle.
- Baxter27

I'm happy that Lehtera is doing good things, but at his cap hit, there should be no way he should be considered for a roster spot next year.

First one was just tough luck...maybe a bit of a weak play, who knows. He had the right idea.

Second one I don't think I would put it primarily against Mrazek. Yeah, you'd like the rebound to not go to Karlsson, but there was a reason he was standing there. I'd hope for better coverage just as much as better rebound control. That wasn't an easy play
- YuenglingJagr

It's usually my last resort to blame the goalie but the first goal was a completely unorthodox stick position that went terribly wrong.

The second goal, it's his job to control that rebound. It was an unscreened shot if I remember correctly. He needs to absorb it or deflect it to a better area. Obviously I'd like better coverage on the shooter but it was a containable shot.

I'm happy that Lehtera is doing good things, but at his cap hit, there should be no way he should be considered for a roster spot next year.
- johndewar

I just don't see any reason to buy him out unless they need the cap space. He's adding value to the line up right now. Doesn't really matter if he's overpaid.

I don't really care about playoffs this year or not. Sure, the experience will be good. Other than that I'm not really seeing this team pulling it all together to win a series against the the likely opponents. Just too many question marks.

What I really want is to see the Blues totally fumble the remainder of the season. Just picture Joel Farabee on Patrick's wing. 😍

Edit: Now that I look at the points race it's looking pretty likely that we'll get the Blues pick this year. They would really have to poop the bed to get to 10th overall.

I know it's doom and gloom,but they didn't deserve to lose that game imo

Lehtera isn't the type of guy I want on the 4th line or really in the lineup per se because of his lack of speed, however, I cannot argue against his play of late. he really has been playing well and out of the scratched players he has earned being in the lineup.
- nastyflyergirl

My eyes may be playing tricks on me but his skating looks to have improved recently as well. He's still no speedster but he's getting around fine.

I'm happy that Lehtera is doing good things, but at his cap hit, there should be no way he should be considered for a roster spot next year.
- johndewar

Your going to get savings with Filppula and Read gone. As a 4th line, veteran guy i think you can deal with it. Also he does have the flexibility if a center were to go down he could play a 3rd line center role in a pinch. Plus they could always waive him and get a little savings like they did with Read if people just completely out play him and force the Flyers that direction.

It's usually my last resort to blame the goalie but the first goal was a completely unorthodox stick position that went terribly wrong.

The second goal, it's his job to control that rebound. It was an unscreened shot if I remember correctly. He needs to absorb it or deflect it to a better area. Obviously I'd like better coverage on the shooter but it was a containable shot.
- Baxter27

It was maybe screened and definitely deflected. He moves his blocker up to stop the shot and it deflects to his left pad. I doubt people think anything if that goes in.

Your going to get savings with Filppula and Read gone. As a 4th line, veteran guy i think you can deal with it. Also he does have the flexibility if a center were to go down he could play a 3rd line center role in a pinch. Plus they could always waive him and get a little savings like they did with Read if people just completely out play him and force the Flyers that direction.
- J35Bacher

They have 15 million in cap space with only Hagg to resign. Plenty of room to do whatever else they want

It was maybe screened and definitely deflected. He moves his blocker up to stop the shot and it deflects to his left pad. I doubt people think anything if that goes in.
- YuenglingJagr

I don't remember it deflecting but if it did, that changes things .

Edit: just watched the replay and can't put the blame on him anymore. I do question why he's sliding so far right though.

I don't really care about playoffs this year or not. Sure, the experience will be good. Other than that I'm not really seeing this team pulling it all together to win a series against the the likely opponents. Just too many question marks.

What I really want is to see the Blues totally fumble the remainder of the season. Just picture Joel Farabee on Patrick's wing. 😍

Edit: Now that I look at the points race it's looking pretty likely that we'll get the Blues pick this year. They would really have to poop the bed to get to 10th overall.
- hereticpride

I get what you're saying, but if it comes down to it I'd rather watch my team in the playoffs than not. I agree that they likely lose in the first round, but I am a believer that once a team gets in anything can happen.

My eyes may be playing tricks on me but his skating looks to have improved recently as well. He's still no speedster but he's getting around fine.
- Baxter27

season long grind wearing down faster skaters possibly helping him look faster as he couldn't possibly be slower?

I don't remember it deflecting but if it did, that changes things .

Edit: just watched the replay and can't put the blame on him anymore. I do question why he's sliding so far right though.
- Baxter27

those pesky replays

My eyes may be playing tricks on me but his skating looks to have improved recently as well. He's still no speedster but he's getting around fine.
- Baxter27

stockholm syndrome

A lot of harping on the PP which I think has looked better in recent weeks. Not sure it's justified. The recent teams they've played have
the top ranked PPs in the league.

I'd say Mrazek was primarily responsible for both PK goals against last night.
- Baxter27

A 29th/30th ranked PK is not a result of the last few games against good PP teams, but an entire season of crapping the bed while shorthanded. Been like this for the last few seasons too...sorry but allowing one PP goal against per game is the difference between getting points and no points. Last night was simply a microcosm of that.

I know it's doom and gloom,but they didn't deserve to lose that game imo
- Giroux_Is_God

Agreed...they played hard and you could see the effort, but the mental miscues, average at best goaltending and awful PK could not be overcome.

A 29th/30th ranked PK is not a result of the last few games against good PP teams, but an entire season of crapping the bed while shorthanded. Been like this for the last few seasons too...sorry but allowing one PP goal against per game is the difference between getting points and no points. Last night was simply a microcosm of that.
- aantny88

Im aware the PK has been terrible this season. My point was that recently it looks to be doing better things.

The Flyers were still in a position to win a hockey game despite allowing 2 pp goals last night. It was their third line that let them down late.

Im aware the PK has been terrible this season. My point was that recently it looks to be doing better things.

The Flyers were still in a position to win a hockey game despite allowing 2 pp goals last night. It was their third line that let them down late.
- Baxter27

And that same line was the culprit against Boston

They have 15 million in cap space with only Hagg to resign. Plenty of room to do whatever else they want
- YuenglingJagr

Exactly. Plus you don't know what other moves are made. I mean the Schenn trade was kind of a surprise so you never know what happens at the draft or in the off season.

Exactly. Plus you don't know what other moves are made. I mean the Schenn trade was kind of a surprise so you never know what happens at the draft or in the off season.
- J35Bacher

Will the mad scientist strike again?

Will the mad scientist strike again?
- dragonoffrost

I think so.

I really do believe Simmonds gets moved at the draft. Just have the feeling someone will offer something too good to pass up.

I'm happy that Lehtera is doing good things, but at his cap hit, there should be no way he should be considered for a roster spot next year.
- johndewar

I'm not a big fan of creating dead cap space over 2 years if you can afford to just keep the player for one.