one way to get kids in over some of the fringe vets is to get rid of the fringe vets.
- landros 2

This is brilliant. Say it again slowly....

Sloppy Joesph, hello.

Raffl best year on the first line he managed a cool 7 assists, 18 the next year and now has a combined 20 assists in his last 137 games. He sure did not play much of a part in 93 and 28 goal production and actually was in part why they were slumping for long stretches the past two years. Either way I like Raffl but not on the first line and long term he would serioulsly be part of an offensive decline.
- joegreif17

Hey Joe, how are you doing today?

Raffl was really good last night and moving Konecny away from G gives them 3 lines with a chance to score even strength.

It could also lessen the scoring of the top line, which is likely the outcome if Raffl stays there in TKs spot.

Another downside is limiting Konecny’s ice time, because that current line with 51 and 17 is a defensive liability.

If Hextall had sent down Lehtera instead of Read in October, this team would be not be 29th on the PK and wouldn't be waiting till the last day to confirm a playoff spot. They waited too long to end the Leier experiment, and when they did, they picked the wrong veteran to add to the PK mix. Lehtera wasn't a regular PKer in St Louis, so god only knows why the Flyers brain trust thought they could turn him into a good one at age 30.
- Feanor

I have to agree with you on this, the personnel choices on the PK are puzzling to me. Goulbourne is somewhat of a PK specialist...that also wasn't used on the PK.

I agree, good points. Not 100% but a lot of times it can be in sync. They made a mistake sitting Sanheim for that long. It seems as though the coach and the GM were not on the same page there.
- MJL

Yes, I am VERY handsome indeed, thank you.

On another note...

The Captain has to an MVP finalist...

Second in the league with 99 points and has the best +/- of any player in the top 10 in points with a +24.

Not only did he only finish with 58 points last year but he was also a -15.
- opeth_pa

He’s a close 2nd behind Taylor Hall imo.
Monster season for Giroux.
Flyers are bottom of the metro and in the lottery without him.

HBness
- Scoob

haha, that is spot on. Luckily, none of us are responsible for contributing directly to the success of a multi-million dollar professional sports organization.

That is a fair point..

I think if you asked Hextall the GM in public he would say "yup we think he is going to win the cup"

If you asked Hextall the GM in private he would say "yup we think he is going to develop young players and we hope we can with the cup with him"
- opeth_pa

Agreed, it is obvious Hextall is a very patient man and I hope he is rewarded for all of us Flyer Nation. You would not believe how many fans the Flyers have in Vancouver, I go every year when they come to town and many of the bars are filled with orange and black. I have made so many new friends from all over BC and even Washington as the Canucks/Flyers game is a special occasion out here.

that was not good. But gotta give it up to the kid....what didn't kill him made him stronger. He has played better. Makes you wonder why he lost his confidence in the first place??
- landros 2

Oh, I absolutely agree that he needed to be sent down, and that he has responded well. I just think that his development would have been better served playing all situation minutes in the AHL.

from that we can opinion; Hextall believed Hak should have gotten Sanheim back in. I mentioned earlier, in the off season Hak and Hex would go over areas for improvement. I do believe usage and vet vs rooks will be high on the list. All in an effort for Hak to grow as a head coach and make better decisions in season.
- wcorvette

I can't say from that Hextall disagreed about getting him back in. I personally believe that both Hextall and Hakstol's philosophies on developing young players are in sync with each other. Both are cautious with young players.

Agreed, it is obvious Hextall is a very patient man and I hope he is rewarded for all of us Flyer Nation. You would not believe how many fans the Flyers have in Vancouver, I go every year when they come to town and many of the bars are filled with orange and black. I have made so many new friends from all over BC and even Washington as the Canucks/Flyers game is a special occasion out here.
- joegreif17

I’ve always said the flyers are like the cowboys of the nhl.

I can't say from that Hextall disagreed about getting him back in. I personally believe that both Hextall and Hakstol's philosophies on developing young players are in sync with each other. Both are cautious with young players.
- MJL

They are...

I do believe in the exit interview, usage will be at the top of the list. Not just for Hak but Hexy too

On another note...

The Captain has to an MVP finalist...

Second in the league with 99 points and has the best +/- of any player in the top 10 in points with a +24.

Not only did he only finish with 58 points last year but he was also a -15.
- opeth_pa

I was watching the NHL channel a few days ago and they were talking about Hart finalists. 7 players were mentioned and none of them was Giroux. That was when I knew he wasn't going to even get nominated.

Bullcrap of the first degree.

Raffl best year on the first line he managed a cool 7 assists, 18 the next year and now has a combined 20 assists in his last 137 games. He sure did not play much of a part in 93 and 28 goal production and actually was in part why they were slumping for long stretches the past two years. Either way I like Raffl but not on the first line and long term he would serioulsly be part of an offensive decline.
- joegreif17

Yet you leave out the goals he scored during the same 2 seasons: 21 and 13.

Im not saying he should be a fixture on the first line..Im not saying he is better then TK. Im saying him being on the first line for a few games isnt a disaster.

On another note...

The Captain has to an MVP finalist...

Second in the league with 99 points and has the best +/- of any player in the top 10 in points with a +24.

Not only did he only finish with 58 points last year but he was also a -15.
- opeth_pa

Honestly, I think that Couturier's breakout season will take some of the votes away. It's weird though; did he get better because he's playing on the wing with a skilled (but priorly miscast) center, or did he make that center a better player? Chicken or the egg. I think it's a little bit of both, but regardless, if you watch the games, you can see he's driving the team.

Agreed, it is obvious Hextall is a very patient man and I hope he is rewarded for all of us Flyer Nation. You would not believe how many fans the Flyers have in Vancouver, I go every year when they come to town and many of the bars are filled with orange and black. I have made so many new friends from all over BC and even Washington as the Canucks/Flyers game is a special occasion out here.
- joegreif17

This is true.
Maybe not as many Leaf fans who show up at Rogers when they are in town, but the Flyers fans have an amazing turn out in Van City.

We lost RockyChocBill though.
Seeing Rinaldo in Orange and Black was too much for him.
😥

This is brilliant. Say it again slowly....
- FlyersGrace

no need...just r----e----a---d---it slower

Repeat of 2010 against the Rags last game of the year?

Won't have as much jubilation tied to it with the Panthers not playing til a day later... but still

I paid special attention to Nolan Patrick last night.

Holy hell, he was playing like it was Game 7 of the Finals. He was getting more involved physically than I've ever seen before, and he was all over the puck. It's nice when a player with his skill set is out there like a bull dog.

Also, I thought that Gudas was far from flawless, but was...better. Baby steps.

I paid special attention to Nolan Patrick last night.

Holy hell, he was playing like it was Game 7 of the Finals. He was getting more involved physically than I've ever seen before, and he was all over the puck. It's nice when a player with his skill set is out there like a bull dog.

Also, I thought that Gudas was far from flawless, but was...better. Baby steps.
- jmatchett383

NoPa*

Repeat of 2010 against the Rags last game of the year?

Won't have as much jubilation tied to it with the Panthers not playing til a day later... but still
- Boyer83

Just hope it's not a repeat of 2009 against the Rags last game of the year.

Yet you leave out the goals he scored during the same 2 seasons: 21 and 13.

Im not saying he should be a fixture on the first line..Im not saying he is better then TK. Im saying him being on the first line for a few games isnt a disaster.
- opeth_pa

I agree it's not a disaster but I think it's strange considering Hakstol said before the Boston game now is not the time for experimentation, and then he experiments. I'm just glad it worked out.

Raffl best year on the first line he managed a cool 7 assists, 18 the next year and now has a combined 20 assists in his last 137 games. He sure did not play much of a part in 93 and 28 goal production and actually was in part why they were slumping for long stretches the past two years. Either way I like Raffl but not on the first line and long term he would serioulsly be part of an offensive decline.
- joegreif17

Right now that is looking at it the wrong way. In isolation, Raffl is clearly not a first line caliber winger. However when looking at it from a team perspective, spreading out the offensive talent throughout the lineup could make the Flyers a stronger and deeper team. Raffl on the first line does a good job getting in on the forecheck and breaking pucks loose so the better offensive players can get opportunities to make plays with the puck.

I’ve always said the flyers are like the cowboys of the nhl.
- Just5

ehhh, I feel like fans of all the Philadelphia sports teams travel pretty well.