Need to hit the reset button and have a short-term memory. Clean slate tonight. Come out ready, win and we are heading back to philly with an even series.

ttt

Holy frank, your team got embarrassed in your first game.

Must really suck to be so excited, only to have your team come out and poop the bed.

I'm just glad my Toronto Maple Leafs...

...wait...

What?

Really?

Damn.
- Atomic Wedgie

lol well played

Hi Bill, would love your opinions on the following:

1. Is Brian Elliott fully at 100% and ready for playoff action? It seems to me at least that in all 3 games he's played since returning (even in the shutout), that he's just not quite himself or fully comfortable in the net yet. I'm at least somewhat surprised they aren't going with Mrazek tonight.

2. How bad does this team's D need to play before someone sits and Hagg gets a shot? I'm not even going to single out any one Dman or the group as a whole as the whole team crapped the bed in game one, but man, you'd think they'd want to shake things up a bit.

3. Would it also not make sense to get Weal back in the lineup? Yeah, I know that overall he did not have a good season, but he was one of the few players on this team that had any success against the Pens this season.

and lastly,
4. I know you can't comment on specifics, but are Simmonds and Couturier playing with some type of injury? Neither one looked like they were playing at 100% Wednesday night.
- BiggE

1) - I was worried about Elliott sitting for 2 months post surgery then coming into a playoff intensity atmosphere esp against a quick Penguins team. Man I really wanted the capitals. if he had been playing all season I don't think it would even be a question

2) I've wanted Hagg back in for a multiple of reasons. That said, I honesty had more concern over the forwards defensive game after game 1 than the actual dmen. they need to do a better job in the neutral zone as well as the defensive zone.

3) I want Weal back in. Yes, he has been very inconsistent. Yes he has been disappointing in comparison to last season. That said he still helps even out the lines a bit. I would put him back in on the 3rd line and move TK to the first line. Of course that means one of the 3 players who actually put out a good effort has to come out of the lineup but the fact that the 4th line of 2 guys i really want replaced was the best line shows just how bad game 1 was.

4) In Simmonds case I do hope he has been playing hurt all season because honestly I can't recall too many stretches where i thought he looked like himself. As far as Couturier goes, it wouldn't surprise me. he's take some big hits and he has played a lot of hard minutes. I really hope they carve out a bigger role for Patrick next season and they have someone in that 3rd center role who can take some minutes effectively

if that loss doesn't get them fired up, nothing will. after reading Giroux's comments, he seemed pretty pissed/embarrassed, but I guess he has to say something to that effect. we'll see.

1). I doubt he is, but also not surprised he is playing.

2) I understand Hakstol's reasoning for the D pairs the way they are, but I'm not a big fan of it. That said, I don't think Hägg being in will, in and of itself, have much impact on a game or a series. The foot soliders have to do their part, yes, but the top end of the lineup has to drive the bus. They didn't in Game 1, at all.

3) I'd be fine with Weal back in the lineup but, three-point game against the Penguins aside, he has been ineffective this season.

4) No idea. Couturier has looked worn down at times during the stretch drive and into Game 1. Other times, he's seemed fine. Simmonds insists he is fine physically but, apart from his torrid start in the first 8 games, this has been his least effective season as a Flyer.
- bmeltzer

Thanks for the responses!

I disagree with the coach when it comes to starting Elliott more than anything else. I don't care how much the players like and/or respect the guy, if he's not fully at 100% they cannot beat this team. I think it's a mistake not to start Mrazek who at least gives you a chance to win. I think they have zero chance at winning with any goalie who is rusty and not in mid season form.

Yeah, you're likely right, the outcome of this series will not hinge on whether they dress Manning or Hagg, but it ticks me off because the experience that Hagg would get just playing in the playoffs is valuable and it's an opportunity that should not be missed.

Absolutely agree that our best players have to be dominant to have a shot at pulling an upset, but unless they get superlative goaltending, I still don't think they can win.

Holy frank, your team got embarrassed in your first game.

Must really suck to be so excited, only to have your team come out and poop the bed.

I'm just glad my Toronto Maple Leafs...

...wait...

What?

Really?

Damn.
- Atomic Wedgie

Hey, I picked you guys to win and still think you have a very good shot provided the Leafs win game 2. I think your youth and speed can wear Boston down in a long series, but getting a split in Boston will be critical.

1) - I was worried about Elliott sitting for 2 months post surgery then coming into a playoff intensity atmosphere esp against a quick Penguins team. Man I really wanted the capitals. if he had been playing all season I don't think it would even be a question

2) I've wanted Hagg back in for a multiple of reasons. That said, I honesty had more concern over the forwards defensive game after game 1 than the actual dmen. they need to do a better job in the neutral zone as well as the defensive zone.

3) I want Weal back in. Yes, he has been very inconsistent. Yes he has been disappointing in comparison to last season. That said he still helps even out the lines a bit. I would put him back in on the 3rd line and move TK to the first line. Of course that means one of the 3 players who actually put out a good effort has to come out of the lineup but the fact that the 4th line of 2 guys i really want replaced was the best line shows just how bad game 1 was.

4) In Simmonds case I do hope he has been playing hurt all season because honestly I can't recall too many stretches where i thought he looked like himself. As far as Couturier goes, it wouldn't surprise me. he's take some big hits and he has played a lot of hard minutes. I really hope they carve out a bigger role for Patrick next season and they have someone in that 3rd center role who can take some minutes effectively
- nastyflyergirl

The bolded is, IMO, the biggest key to this team moving forward next season. You cannot beat the better teams in the NHL in a playoff series with only 2 good centermen. That third guy is crucial. The D will be better with just more experience and the addition of Morin over Manning. The goaltending will be fine. Elliott when healthy is solid and while he won't win you a Cup, he's more than good enough to win a playoff series. However, if they can't fill that hole at 3C, one and done is likely the best they can expect.

3. To me the season as a whole doesn’t matter. If you got a guy whose had good games against a certain team you play him. Id put him in for laughton. Not necessarily on the 4th line. I’d put TK on the first, Prob have a line of weal/filpulla/Simmonds, and drop Raffl to line 4
- Just5

I think any roster that doesn't include Manning, Lehtera or Weise is a good one. Lehtera had a couple positives in Game 1 but he looks so slow. The last minute of changing Lehtera from wing to center, while Laughton has been a center all season, I think hurts both players, especially Laughton.

I disagree with the coach when it comes to starting Elliott more than anything else. I don't care how much the players like and/or respect the guy, if he's not fully at 100% they cannot beat this team. I think it's a mistake not to start Mrazek who at least gives you a chance to win. I think they have zero chance at winning with any goalie who is rusty and not in mid season form.
- BiggE

In their current conditions today, I don't think they have much of a chance of winning with any of the goalies. Elliott is clearly nowhere near 100%, Neuvirth is still not ready, and Mrazek is wildly inconsistent and really just not very good at all right now.

So what to do? I guess you go with the guy who is supposed to be your #1 guy and hope for the best. :shrug:

Before the series started I called Elliott the x-factor for the series. I still see goaltending as being the Achilles heel for the remainder of the series.

The bolded is, IMO, the biggest key to this team moving forward next season. You cannot beat the better teams in the NHL in a playoff series with only 2 good centermen. That third guy is crucial. The D will be better with just more experience and the addition of Morin over Manning. The goaltending will be fine. Elliott when healthy is solid and while he won't win you a Cup, he's more than good enough to win a playoff series. However, if they can't fill that hole at 3C, one and done is likely the best they can expect.
- BiggE

center has always been the Flyers biggest strength in their team history. Moving Giroux to wing has proven to be best for his which obviously ends up being best for the team but it also created a hole this year up the middle. Filppula hasn't gotten it done. I also don't like Lehtera as the 4th center but the 3rd center role is the issue

Did I read something this week that the Flyers were going to have lighted bracelets or something similar again for this series? Or did I dream it?

Yeah, you're likely right, the outcome of this series will not hinge on whether they dress Manning or Hagg, but it ticks me off because the experience that Hagg would get just playing in the playoffs is valuable and it's an opportunity that should not be missed.

- BiggE

Agreed. While the recent run of Hagg scratches have been frustrating, he ultimately isn't going to upgrade the team enough to be the difference. I would like to see him get the playoff experience, but I'm sure he is still getting some of it by just being with the team. It will be really frustrating if he continues to sit if they're down 0-2 or 0-3 in the series.

Wish we had Rinaldo in the lineup tonight.

The bolded is, IMO, the biggest key to this team moving forward next season. You cannot beat the better teams in the NHL in a playoff series with only 2 good centermen. That third guy is crucial. The D will be better with just more experience and the addition of Morin over Manning. The goaltending will be fine. Elliott when healthy is solid and while he won't win you a Cup, he's more than good enough to win a playoff series. However, if they can't fill that hole at 3C, one and done is likely the best they can expect.
- BiggE

And this is why I feel Simmonds could be moved for a youngish NHL vet center. They have depth in the pipline coming on the wings. A center is needed next year. Maybe it's Vorobyev or Vecchione but if not then they need one.

And this is why I feel Simmonds could be moved for a youngish NHL vet center. They have depth in the pipline coming on the wings. A center is needed next year. Maybe it's Vorobyev or Vecchione but if not then they need one.
- J35Bacher

I'd be fine with that, but I think it will be hard to find a team with a good young center that wants to move that guy for a 30 year old power forward coming off of a bad year. I think it's much more likely Simmonds is moved for a 1st and perhaps a prospect depending on where the 1st round pick falls. I don't think he can get you any more than that.

if they don't come out with tons of fire and hit everything that moves and score the first goal, they might be in BIG trouble.

Did I read something this week that the Flyers were going to have lighted bracelets or something similar again for this series? Or did I dream it?
- Scoob

Yup. It's happening on sunday....

The bolded is, IMO, the biggest key to this team moving forward next season. You cannot beat the better teams in the NHL in a playoff series with only 2 good centermen. That third guy is crucial. The D will be better with just more experience and the addition of Morin over Manning. The goaltending will be fine. Elliott when healthy is solid and while he won't win you a Cup, he's more than good enough to win a playoff series. However, if they can't fill that hole at 3C, one and done is likely the best they can expect.
- BiggE

The goaltending now and also for next year doesn’t seem to fine to me.

I hope that it is addressed this summer.

Elliott/Lyon I am not comfortable with as a tandem for next year.

Elliott as a back up is fine but get a legit #1 guy signed for 2-3 years until hopefully Hart becomes the guy.

Need to upgrade the 3C, and bottom six/PK too.

A top 4 right handed D would be nice too.

I'd be fine with that, but I think it will be hard to find a team with a good young center that wants to move that guy for a 30 year old power forward coming off of a bad year. I think it's much more likely Simmonds is moved for a 1st and perhaps a prospect depending on where the 1st round pick falls. I don't think he can get you any more than that.
- BiggE

I was thinking guys like Sam Bennett or Alex Galchenyuk. Names that have been out there and teams that might want to make some changes in there rosters.

Imagine if they could get another 1st rounder this year. Would 3 first rounders get you the top pick? 3 first and Rubstov?

In their current conditions today, I don't think they have much of a chance of winning with any of the goalies. Elliott is clearly nowhere near 100%, Neuvirth is still not ready, and Mrazek is wildly inconsistent and really just not very good at all right now.

So what to do? I guess you go with the guy who is supposed to be your #1 guy and hope for the best. :shrug:

Before the series started I called Elliott the x-factor for the series. I still see goaltending as being the Achilles heel for the remainder of the series.
- Scoob

I agree with everything you said, including agreeing with you the other day stating Elliott being the X-Factor.

I'd be fine with that, but I think it will be hard to find a team with a good young center that wants to move that guy for a 30 year old power forward coming off of a bad year. I think it's much more likely Simmonds is moved for a 1st and perhaps a prospect depending on where the 1st round pick falls. I don't think he can get you any more than that.
- BiggE

This is exactly why i was championing the idea of trading Simmonds during the last off season.

He was at his pinnacle. 2 years left on his contract. They could have gotten a boat ton for him, as long as there was a team or two interested in him.

Here the Flyers are a year later and they are dealing from a weakened position.

I would like to know if we are contradicting ourselves or is there another Ulterior motive of puck tting Elliot in and keeping Mrazek out?

Why would you go back to Elliot after not looking sharp in any of his starts since returning but have every excuse in the world to keep Hagg out? Gudas and Manning have been that bad, so the worry is about breaking up their bad chemistry? We're not asking to dig further beneath the well and pull out Oldya.

My question is, our we gonna drop this series out of spite towards Mrazek? Hakstol waited along, long time to pull Elliot in game one. Who played more in that game, Elliot or Mrazek? It was pretty much on display that Mrazek played better.

I think it should be everyone's concern that Elliot drops three games before Mrazek takes over in game four. Which shows once again that Hakstol has learned nothing since his first experience in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

I don't think Elliot will do any worse than he did two nights ago but I do think he's more than capable of allowing 6 in 60 minutes.

I was thinking guys like Sam Bennett or Alex Galchenyuk. Names that have been out there and teams that might want to make some changes in there rosters.

Imagine if they could get another 1st rounder this year. Would 3 first rounders get you the top pick? 3 first and Rubstov?
- J35Bacher

I don't think any team is moving Dahlin for 3 mid round firsts and a good, but not great, prospect. Sorry.

Even if they were swap Simmonds say to Edmonton for the 9th pick, the team holding 1st overall would probably want something like: all 3 first rounders, Frost and Sanheim. Dahlin is being touted by pretty much every scout as a can't miss top pair guy, likely a true #1 and a potential Norris winner. No one is parting with that unless the package coming back is huge.

I was thinking guys like Sam Bennett or Alex Galchenyuk. Names that have been out there and teams that might want to make some changes in there rosters.

Imagine if they could get another 1st rounder this year. Would 3 first rounders get you the top pick? 3 first and Rubstov?
- J35Bacher

I just can't see whoever gets number 1 to trade it with how good dahlin is supposed to be but I'd be down to go for 2nd overall and get us some Zadina!