Bill Meltzer: Flyers Remain Bedeviled in 6-2 Loss to NJ, Flyers Alumni, Quick Hits

Thankfully the tournament is on as a distraction.

I'm really starting to question the coaching of this team. The handling of the goalies, especially Mason, has been puzzling to say the least. The massive amount of PK time given to PEB and VdV is also hard to explain as is his willingness to bench kids for making mistakes while veterans seem to go unpunished.

As I've said before, I like his system of play, but it takes more than a grasp of X's and O's to be a successful NHL coach. More and more I see a team devoid of heart and passion and I have to wonder why so many players seem to be having poor seasons.

I'm not calling for Hak to be fired, but I would like to see changes made in regards to some or all of the assistants following this season. That being said, I do believe that 17-18 needs to be a make or break season for Hak. Not so much in regards to wins and losses, but more importantly for a rebuilding club, I want to see players improving and a team that competes hard and shows some fire every night.

What we saw last night is not Flyers hockey and should be unacceptable in the eyes of Hextall.

I'm really starting to question the coaching of this team. The handling of the goalies, especially Mason, has been puzzling to say the least. The massive amount of PK time given to PEB and VdV is also hard to explain as is his willingness to bench kids for making mistakes while veterans seem to go unpunished.

As I've said before, I like his system of play, but it takes more than a grasp of X's and O's to be a successful NHL coach. More and more I see a team devoid of heart and passion and I have to wonder why so many players seem to be having poor seasons.

I'm not calling for Hak to be fired, but I would like to see changes made in regards to some or all of the assistants following this season. That being said, I do believe that 17-18 needs to be a make or break season for Hak. Not so much in regards to wins and losses, but more importantly for a rebuilding club, I want to see players improving and a team that competes hard and shows some fire every night.

What we saw last night is not Flyers hockey and should be unacceptable in the eyes of Hextall.
- BiggE

The inconsistent and lifeless brand of hockey that is being played has to make Hextall realize a change is in order. The assistant staff should be cleaned out,and there should be at least 3-4 new faces in forward group ...via trade, youth, FA.
Love or hate Homer but you know he would not stand for this and a change in the core would be top of his off season agenda

So does anyone have any thoughts who might be a good fit for the Flyers this upcoming draft?

Players that intrigue me that I believe are realistic picks are:

Tolvanen
Rasmussen
Mittelstadt (some reason seems to be my current favorite)

Anyone have any info on Popugayev? Maybe a trade up in the late first round or long gone by then?

So does anyone have any thoughts who might be a good fit for the Flyers this upcoming draft?

Players that intrigue me that I believe are realistic picks are:

Tolvanen
Rasmussen
Mittelstadt (some reason seems to be my current favorite)

Anyone have any info on Popugayev? Maybe a trade up in the late first round or long gone by then?
- Glak18

Vilardi is my personal favorite but would require trading up into the top 5.

I'm really starting to question the coaching of this team. The handling of the goalies, especially Mason, has been puzzling to say the least. The massive amount of PK time given to PEB and VdV is also hard to explain as is his willingness to bench kids for making mistakes while veterans seem to go unpunished.

As I've said before, I like his system of play, but it takes more than a grasp of X's and O's to be a successful NHL coach. More and more I see a team devoid of heart and passion and I have to wonder why so many players seem to be having poor seasons.

I'm not calling for Hak to be fired, but I would like to see changes made in regards to some or all of the assistants following this season. That being said, I do believe that 17-18 needs to be a make or break season for Hak. Not so much in regards to wins and losses, but more importantly for a rebuilding club, I want to see players improving and a team that competes hard and shows some fire every night.

What we saw last night is not Flyers hockey and should be unacceptable in the eyes of Hextall.
- BiggE

Agreed

So does anyone have any thoughts who might be a good fit for the Flyers this upcoming draft?

Players that intrigue me that I believe are realistic picks are:

Tolvanen
Rasmussen
Mittelstadt (some reason seems to be my current favorite)

Anyone have any info on Popugayev? Maybe a trade up in the late first round or long gone by then?
- Glak18

Rasmussen and Mittelstadt are likely off the board when we pick. I really like Tovanen but if we win many more games here he'll likely be off the board as well.

Cal Foote is another guy that intrigues me but if the take a D man they'd better damn well be getting a top offensive prospect via some sort of trade.

From what I understand Popugaev fell off a cliff this year. If he falls to us in the 2nd I'd take a chance but I wouldn't look to burn assets moving up for him.

Vilardi is my personal favorite but would require trading up into the top 5.
- BiggE

I don't think he is possible unless they move up in the top 3 in the lottery. IMO not worth the assets it would cost to move up.

Rasmussen and Mittelstadt are likely off the board when we pick. I really like Tovanen but if we win many more games here he'll likely be off the board as well.

Cal Foote is another guy that intrigues me but if the take a D man they'd better damn well be getting a top offensive prospect via some sort of trade.

From what I understand Popugaev fell off a cliff this year. If he falls to us in the 2nd I'd take a chance but I wouldn't look to burn assets moving up for him.
- hereticpride

Popugaev looks like he is huge, seems to have a really strong stick and skates pretty decent for his size. I believe he has good numbers this year in the WHL. Did he get injured?

I'm not so sure about Mittelstadt since he is going the college route.

Can't go wrong with more defensive prospects, but what scares me about Foote is his connection with his father and expectations from that.

Whoever they draft, no more midgets. The current forwards are seriously lacking in size and skill. No more 5'10" 170 lb scooters who get knocked off the puck and wear down.

I want some forwards who wear down the OTHER team.

The "fire Hakstol" crowd needs to be told that firing him won't solve a thing. It's the players. Scotty Bowman couldn't make this hodge podge a winning unit. Hextall's retooling has failed. Time to tear it down and rebuild.

I don't think he is possible unless they move up in the top 3 in the lottery. IMO not worth the assets it would cost to move up.
- Glak18

Yeah probably, 4 is as low as I see him going. However if we fall as low as 8 or 9 (unlikely but not impossible) I'd at least explore what it would take to move up 4-6 spots.

So does anyone have any thoughts who might be a good fit for the Flyers this upcoming draft?

Players that intrigue me that I believe are realistic picks are:

Tolvanen
Rasmussen
Mittelstadt (some reason seems to be my current favorite)

Anyone have any info on Popugayev? Maybe a trade up in the late first round or long gone by then?
- Glak18

Doesn't matter... With this GM you won't see the player for five years anyway.

Yeah probably, 4 is as low as I see him going. However if we fall as low as 8 or 9 (unlikely but not impossible) I'd at least explore what it would take to move up 4-6 spots.
- BiggE

I would be excited for a top 8 pick.

Doesn't matter... With this GM you won't see the player for five years anyway.
- redcoat75

Interesting. This GM put two 19 year old players on the roster this season, did he not?

Doesn't matter... With this GM you won't see the player for five years anyway.
- redcoat75

Hi Mr. Morning Negativity!

The same thing happens with other team's prospects...shhhh but don't tell anyone

Doesn't matter... With this GM you won't see the player for five years anyway.
- redcoat75

Konecny and Provorov say hi.

Interesting. This GM put two 19 year old players on the roster this season, did he not?
- MJL

Oh you just stop

The "fire Hakstol" crowd needs to be told that firing him won't solve a thing. It's the players. Scotty Bowman couldn't make this hodge podge a winning unit. Hextall's retooling has failed. Time to tear it down and rebuild.
- redcoat75

The coach, IMO, has clearly made mistakes, but yes, at the end of the day, it's always on the players. Obviously Hextall isn't going to trade a half dozen core forwards in one offseason, but I'd like to see one or two moved. If you want to rebuild, moving Simmonds would probably be where to start as he likely has the most value.

The "fire Hakstol" crowd needs to be told that firing him won't solve a thing. It's the players. Scotty Bowman couldn't make this hodge podge a winning unit. Hextall's retooling has failed. Time to tear it down and rebuild.
- redcoat75

This forward core has played through three coaches now. Hak may very well not but the answer but I don't think this forward group as currently constructed necessarily is either.

I would be excited for a top 8 pick.
- Glak18

Me too

Doesn't matter... With this GM you won't see the player for five years anyway.
- redcoat75

Paging Provorov and Konecny. Ivan Provorov and Travis Konecny, please report to the GM's office.

I am not going to comment on the specifics of this game. However, I wanted to mention how much i hate watching games played in New Jersey. Honestly the whole scene seems sad and gray. Generally, the hockey is boring. Last night was actually entertaining if your a Devils fans. Also, the Flyers seemingly never win there.

Happy St. Patty's?

This forward core has played through three coaches now. Hak may very well not but the answer but I don't think this forward group as currently constructed necessarily is either.
- hereticpride

It's just a bad mix. Jake, G and Coots are all pass first players while Schenn and Simmonds are PP horses but average at best at ES. The forward group needs an injection of speed, skill, size and overall hockey sense. Changes need to be made