Schultz/Med will have the same problem as Schultz/Streit. I will leave you to determine the constant. What's interesting is Schultz/Streit sees the hardest competition on the team...Med the easiest. Streit/MDZ I have faith in. In fact I wonder if THAT is the top pair now. It has to be, right? Manning/Gudas. Holy hell, (frank) no. If MDZ and Medvedev can't even carry Manning, and MDZ was already carrying Gudas to a certain extent...this will be fun!
- Mononoke

They might have the same problem if they get the same usage. Even though Streit is the better point producer, I think Medvedev is the best puck mover on the team. I think that could help reduce the number of shots against for Schultz. Medvedev's ability to outlet the puck is elite. He makes a hard, flat pass right on the tape, regardless of distance.

They might have the same problem if they get the same usage. Even though Streit is the better point producer, I think Medvedev is the best puck mover on the team. I think that could help reduce the number of shots against for Schultz. Medvedev's ability to outlet the puck is elite. He makes a hard, flat pass right on the tape, regardless of distance.
- MJL

Streit is a good even strength player and very good pushing play. He couldn't carry Schultz so I don't see why Med could unless usage goes down.

Streit is a good even strength player and very good pushing play. He couldn't carry Schultz so I don't see why Med could unless usage goes down.
- Mononoke

Simply because you never know how chemistry develops and how a defense pair meshes. It's not an individual game, it's a team game.

That's been the case since day 1. We've always known they need a true top pairing, and that they don't have one. Imagine if this team had a true #1 defenseman that can play 25 minutes a night. Solve a lot of problems.
- MJL

absolutely. it solves problems for them, and every other team without a real number 1.
I do wonder if a personnel change could help, in the short term, mitigate their lack of a true number one guy

absolutely. it solves problems for them, and every other team without a real number 1.
I do wonder if a personnel change could help, in the short term, mitigate their lack of a true number one guy
- nails

I do believe the Flyers aren't playing their 6 best NHL defenseman on a nightly basis, but there's a lot of factors involved with that. None of the young kids are ready.

You should just be thankful he was given 8 games. It might even be too large a case study tbh
- Mononoke

fired already?!

It's rainier in Philly then it is in Seattle.
Feels good to be back anyway.

No Bellemare update?

And is VLC really playing tomorrow?

Wow I picked a good game to go to!

It's rainier in Philly then it is in Seattle.
Feels good to be back anyway.

No Bellemare update?

And is VLC really playing tomorrow?

Wow I picked a good game to go to!
- Marc D

Bellemare is out 2 weeks

It's rainier in Philly then it is in Seattle.
Feels good to be back anyway.

No Bellemare update?

And is VLC really playing tomorrow?

Wow I picked a good game to go to!
- Marc D

It's always good to be home

2 weeks

Yes

Nice job

Manning and gudas?

Hey now

I do believe the Flyers aren't playing their 6 best NHL defenseman on a nightly basis, but there's a lot of factors involved with that. None of the young kids are ready.
- MJL

no, the pups are not ready.
I am reasonably certain that the current pace will not continue and eventually guys will move out to other teams. Amac, at some point, will return if for no other reason than to show he can actually play at the NHL level.
I just don't know who this team is.
they can easily make each pair have a puck mover and a stay at home guy. something that should be a formula for at least moderate success.
ultimately, they need a top pair that can really eat minutes. so we are back to skill and need for a true 1/2 combo.
A couple of years of patience will do the trick

Simply because you never know how chemistry develops and how a defense pair meshes. It's not an individual game, it's a team game.
- MJL

When one player can't hold his own it doesn't matter that it is a team game. I'm not arguing about Schultz anymore: I think he's a half decent bottom pairing d man that has been brutalized by poor play and poor usage. It doesn't matter who he's paired with. Streit is arguably the best defenseman on the team and couldn't compensate for him.

When I state he's done, that doesn't mean that he's never going to play an NHL game again, it means that he can no longer be an effective player. You keep bringing up MacDonald and making up statements claiming that I said, as if that is going to wound me or something. That's not going to work. The only reason Lecavalier is still on the team, is that he has a NMC. If he didn't the Flyers would've waived him to the AHL. This is all going to play out, and we'll find out if Lecavalier can still play or not, and so there is no misunderstanding, what I mean by still play, is not just putting on the gear, and stepping out on the ice in a game, it means being an effective player, that is a positive to a team, and brings value and helps a team win, over the long term. In the long term, I believe my opinion on Lecavalier, will turn out to be correct.
- MJL

See this is where there is a collective ignorance, led by you this evening. I never once stated how effective Lecavalier would be in a game, I have however stated that Lecavalier should be good enough not to hurt the team on a nightly basis, when inserted into the line up. It's really up to the Coach how much he plays. Now, this need to fight and prove your right only suggests at least a small glimmer of frustration on your part due to our disagree, which is fine by me because my stance won't change. There will be rust, there will be mistakes. There won't be points pooring in bunches. With this said, due to injury he must play and we must hope he plays well, which is the only thing I'm hoping for.

As for me bringing up MacDonald and your view of him, I haven't made up anything. Maybe I haven't used your exact words but you have debated and argued in the defense of MacDonald and have stated that you felt MacDonald is or at least going to be one our better defensemen. If I'm wrong, what were your exact words?

The point is, we've both have beliefs in a certain player. Maybe words have been put in our mouths but we have our view of this certain player and the results are currently presenting themselves.

When one player can't hold his own it doesn't matter that it is a team game. I'm not arguing about Schultz anymore: I think he's a half decent bottom pairing d man that has been brutalized by poor play and poor usage. It doesn't matter who he's paired with. Streit is arguably the best defenseman on the team and couldn't compensate for him.
- Mononoke

I don't disagree with you, but devils advocate...
remember how good the Amac/Schenn pairing was. that was definitely a situation where chemistry between them brought up the play of both.

just saying that the situation isn't impossible.

Thanks for the PEB update guys.
Actually that is better news then I expected.

When one player can't hold his own it doesn't matter that it is a team game. I'm not arguing about Schultz anymore: I think he's a half decent bottom pairing d man that has been brutalized by poor play and poor usage. It doesn't matter who he's paired with. Streit is arguably the best defenseman on the team and couldn't compensate for him.
- Mononoke

It always matters that it's a team game. That is always a factor. All of those shot attempts against are not all on Schultz. There is no way around that fact. Schultz in the right situation, can be a decent 2nd pair defender. He has not played as well as he can, and he shares in the culpability of the results when he's on the ice. Just because Streit is arguably the best defenseman on the team, doesn't mean he is capable of carrying any one player, whether it's a forward or a defenseman. Look at Schultz shot differential last night with different teammates. That tells you that is matters that it's a team game. Just look at the shot differentials when Streit/Schultz played with the Laughton line versus the Giroux line.

Thanks for the PEB update guys.
Actually that is better news then I expected.
- Marc D

Yea, he didn't look good, and didn't seem to be able to put any weight on the injured leg. I don't know what his exact injury is.

It always matters that it's a team game. That is always a factor. All of those shot attempts against are not all on Schultz. There is no way around that fact. Schultz in the right situation, can be a decent 2nd pair defender. He has not played as well as he can, and he shares in the culpability of the results when he's on the ice. Just because Streit is arguably the best defenseman on the team, doesn't mean he is capable of carrying any one player, whether it's a forward or a defenseman. Look at Schultz shot differential last night with different teammates. That tells you that is matters that it's a team game. Just look at the shot differentials when Streit/Schultz played with the Laughton line versus the Giroux line.
- MJL

I'll just say that Schultz played 2 min 10 seconds away from Streit last game. That's not enough to determine anything. Streit also didn't have a good game. I'm basing my opinion on every game where they've been together 100/115 ES minutes. Also, that's a legitimate argument that their numbers will improve with a higher QoT in G's line versus Laughts's line. But since they're a pairing they both are affected in the same way. Using my eye, I see Schultz constantly fail to clear, lose skating battles to loose pucks, and conceding the blue line at an unhealthy rate with forward help. This isn't bucking any trends.

I've said enough on the subject. My point is clear. You win.

Thanks for the PEB update guys.
Actually that is better news then I expected.
- Marc D

yeah looked like a ten weeker

Simply because you never know how chemistry develops and how a defense pair meshes. It's not an individual game, it's a team game.
- MJL

at some point you need to understand players ability level

at some point you need to understand players ability level
- 2Real

Yup. Hard to ice a top pair when all you have to choose from is MDZ and a bunch of 4-5-6 guys.

Yup. Hard to ice a top pair when all you have to choose from is MDZ and a bunch of 4-5-6 guys.
- BiggE

But are they 4, 5, OR 6 guys? That's the question. Hopefully we can stretch this debate to 20 pages

But are they 4, 5, OR 6 guys? That's the question. Hopefully we can stretch this debate to 20 pages
- Mononoke

Well they certainly aint 1s and 2s

Well they certainly aint 1s and 2s
- BiggE

Well it all depends on how one defines "1s" and "2s." Do you define 2s as flaming piles of crap? Then we have a lot of them. But then how do we define "crap"? Definitions are most important semantically speaking.

yeah looked like a ten weeker
- -davies-

i'm partial to 91/2 Weeks