Serious question. What in the hell has happened to Hartnell? He doesn't do anything that made him a good player any more. He doesn't agitate and get under the other teams skin. He doesn't get to the net. Doesn't win battles in the corners. He doesn't shoot the puck well. He used to score so many goals from that spot in the slot. Now he acts as if there is a restraining order from his ex wife that says he cant go within 10 feet of that area.
- MBFlyerfan

It hasn't been one of his better games but I thought he was good on the three power plays in the first period. He had a really nice shot off a feed from Giroux in the middle the box, where he is suppose to be. Than on almost the same type of play, he got the same type of feed but made a nice pass to a pinching Voracek. Miller is a really good goalie, we should probably be up by more if not for him.

completely agree. he scored tons of goals and had great success creating havoc in front of the net and sitting in those soft spots. drawing penalties by agitating but being smart enough to not retaliate and getting people off their game. it's like he thinks he can play like a sniper now but that's not his game and why he looks useless.

kinda like how the team starts scoring doing the right things and then get too confident and starts trying to make every fancy play which turns into turnover and after turnover and no goals.
- dillpx183

I never used to dislike the guy. He was one of my favourite's but year by year he has stopped doing the things that made him special. He always took stupid penalties, was so-so in his own zone, and bad at skating.

However he used to make up for it by being a pest, agitating other players/goaltenders, and doing the dirty work consistently. Fighting when the team needed a spark, big hits, etc. At this point, he just seems to be content with having a few laughs, and fun. I dont want him here next season. Especially not with that contract looming.

He is an anchor on that first line.

what player if you could pick any in the NHL would go well with Giroux and Voracek
- 2Real

Lucic

It hasn't been one of his better games but I thought he was good on the three power plays in the first period. He had a really nice shot off a feed from Giroux in the middle the box, where he is suppose to be. Than on almost the same type of play, he got the same type of feed but made a nice pass to a pinching Voracek. Miller is a really good goalie, we should probably be up by more if not for him.
- Schenn2shine

No offense, but to me he should have his ass stapled to the bench after that stupid penalty he took giving Buffalo 4 minutes on the PP.

When he did get sent out with the first unit, he did a good job of consistently standing at Miller's side, not in front where he should be.

Flyers better hang on and win this thing.

I'm missing the big Hunger Games premier for this....

I never used to dislike the guy. He was one of my favourite's but year by year he has stopped doing the things that made him special. He always took stupid penalties, was so-so in his own zone, and bad at skating.

However he used to make up for it by being a pest, agitating other players/goaltenders, and doing the dirty work consistently. Fighting when the team needed a spark, big hits, etc. At this point, he just seems to be content with having a few laughs, and fun. I dont want him here next season. Especially not with that contract looming.

He is an anchor on that first line.
- flyer_nutter

I don't want to quit on him yet. He's a streaky player and his offense is completely dependent on the players around him. I agree that he can do better, but Giroux hasn't exactly been a flawless player on the top line. What I'm trying to say is Hartnell isn't the only reason that line hasn't been productive.

No offense, but to me he should have his ass stapled to the bench after that stupid penalty he took giving Buffalo 4 minutes on the PP.

When he did get sent out with the first unit, he did a good job of consistently standing at Miller's side, not in front where he should be.
- flyer_nutter

Our 5 on 3 sucked. I hated the approach. Nothing down low. Pass back and forth on the points....shoot and hope for a rebound if no tip. Awful

I liked Peter Laviolette as a coach and he did some good things with the Flyers, and I wish the players hadn't quit on him.

At the same time, I kinda want to go back and punch him in the face for every time he played Sean Couturier with two wingers who can't score
- AllInForFlyers

The one good thing Coots has shown me with his offensive game is he isnt scared of the dirty areas, and is good at protecting the puck. He cant shoot to save his life, but makes good passes.

If he can do that for 10 years, and be a good 3rd line center for that time sign me up. Just pay him accordingly, because the kid cant buy a normal goal.

I liked Peter Laviolette as a coach and he did some good things with the Flyers, and I wish the players hadn't quit on him.

At the same time, I kinda want to go back and punch him in the face for every time he played Sean Couturier with two wingers who can't score
- AllInForFlyers

I don't know. I think Berube made the same mistakes in the early going with Couturier. At one point we had a Talbot-Couturier-Simmonds line. Not much creativity there. I think we can thank Laviolette for keeping Read and Couturier together for such along time. They tried a Gagne-Couturier-Read line last season. Couturier has to find it within himself to get it going. Couturier is easily the worst offensive player on his line. Couturier has seen some time with voracek his rookie season.

Lucic
- Just5

Thats like saying "what could go well with this sandwich?" and you answer "bacon". Bacon and Lucic go well with everything.

Flyers better hang on and win this thing.

I'm missing the big Hunger Games premier for this....
- BringBack25

Im going with the girl to see that with a promise that I get part 2 of the Hobbit in December.

Secretly I actually really enjoyed the 1st hunger games. Girl is hot.

what player if you could pick any in the NHL would go well with Giroux and Voracek
- 2Real

brent burns

well at least I made it home for the 3rd. Sounds like the 2nd went pretty well.

Thats like saying "what could go well with this sandwich?" and you answer "bacon". Bacon and Lucic go well with everything.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's location worthy right there

The one good thing Coots has shown me with his offensive game is he isnt scared of the dirty areas, and is good at protecting the puck. He cant shoot to save his life, but makes good passes.

If he can do that for 10 years, and be a good 3rd line center for that time sign me up. Just pay him accordingly, because the kid cant buy a normal goal.
- flyer_nutter

He has had some glowing opportunities to score goals. I'm talking about gaping open nets. If he could have scored a few more goals, I don't think people would be complaining about his offense.

I'd rather have a guy who isn't finishing than a guy who can't even create opportunities.

well at least I made it home for the 3rd. Sounds like the 2nd went pretty well.
- BiggE

Very well. for the middle 10 minutes the puck seemed to be in Buffalos zone for maybe 9 of those 10 minutes.

The one good thing Coots has shown me with his offensive game is he isnt scared of the dirty areas, and is good at protecting the puck. He cant shoot to save his life, but makes good passes.

If he can do that for 10 years, and be a good 3rd line center for that time sign me up. Just pay him accordingly, because the kid cant buy a normal goal.
- flyer_nutter

Agreed. Yeah, it'd be nice if he developed a little more goal-scoring -- I think it's in there -- but to me, he's proving he's a player who should be here; you just need to give him wingers. Good things will happen as a result.

Doesn't have to be Downie, doesn't have to be Read. But it needs to be two guys who can make offensive plays at a 35-45 point level, if they're the third line.

I don't want to quit on him yet. He's a streaky player and his offense is completely dependent on the players around him. I agree that he can do better, but Giroux hasn't exactly been a flawless player on the top line. What I'm trying to say is Hartnell isn't the only reason that line hasn't been productive.
- PhillySportsGuy

I dont care if he is productive or not. He doesnt need to score goals for me.

He needs to do the things that made him a special player. Play with consistent grit, be a solid net presence, win board battles, and fight/agitate when the team needs a lift.

If not, all he brings is the stupid penalties. Which has been consistent throughout his career. I dont see shipping him out as quiting on him to be honest. We all know what he is now, and you saw it best. Streaky. He has moved from streaky in terms of simply production, to overall play. Not good enough, for his contract extension, and apparently a "core" player.

No offense, but to me he should have his ass stapled to the bench after that stupid penalty he took giving Buffalo 4 minutes on the PP.

When he did get sent out with the first unit, he did a good job of consistently standing at Miller's side, not in front where he should be.
- flyer_nutter

I would easily go to Simmonds over Hartnell in a 5 on 3 situation. On the points, Voracek would be one of the point men for me. Timonen or Streit would be a toss up.

I still think Hartnell is a good player but it's always 50/50 that he could end up doing something good for his team or hurting his team in a big way. I would strip him of the "A" and give it to Lecavalier.

Agreed. Yeah, it'd be nice if he developed a little more goal-scoring -- I think it's in there -- but to me, he's proving he's a player who should be here; you just need to give him wingers. Good things will happen as a result.

Doesn't have to be Downie, doesn't have to be Read. But it needs to be two guys who can make offensive plays at a 35-45 point level, if they're the third line.
- AllInForFlyers

To me if he ever develops that goal production its a bonus. He has shown me nothing in his time with the club to show he will get more than the "fluke" goals more often than naught.

I am okay with that. He has good vision, can handle/protect the puck and is amazing shutting down other top players.

I dont care if he is productive or not. He doesnt need to score goals for me.

He needs to do the things that made him a special player. Play with consistent grit, be a solid net presence, win board battles, and fight/agitate when the team needs a lift.

If not, all he brings is the stupid penalties. Which has been consistent throughout his career. I dont see shipping him out as quiting on him to be honest. We all know what he is now, and you saw it best. Streaky. He has moved from streaky in terms of simply production, to overall play. Not good enough, for his contract extension, and apparently a "core" player.
- flyer_nutter

I would rather hang on to him. He's not going to get you anything in return right now anyway

Watching the Subway Series tonight.

Laughton looks good at both ends of the ice, solid on the PP and PK, active stick. He really is a man among mostly boys at this stage in his junior career.

McDavid is flying out there, whoever sucks the most next season is going to be very lucky to grab this kid. Great release, sees the ice really well.

Ekblad looks alright, bigger than I thought he was. Joins the rush at good times.

Horvat has really impressed tonight, great on the PK and hard on the forecheck.

Nurse is playing really physical, has a really hard shot from the point.

3-2 Russia after 2.

This is when they need to turn it up a notch and put a bad team away. Don't let the Sabres hang around, finish em!

what player if you could pick any in the NHL would go well with Giroux and Voracek
- 2Real

Josh Anderson of the London Knights & a Columbus prospect

at least you can't say we're hanging back to protect a one goal lead.