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- Scoob

I love G
He's such a little kid sometimes with his antics and grilled cheese

Sorry if this has been discussed, but how did Miller not get an instigator on that fight with Schenn? Clean hit, picks a fight = instigator. How many times this year have we seen a Flyer get an instigator when standing up for a teammate after a borderline hit?
- five4fighting10

Same reason Rinaldo didn't get a boarding minor for running MDZ into the glass.

Refs = clowns.

That's exactly how I saw it. Schenn accepted the fight, Miller didn't force Schenn into a fight.
- VladDrag

I saw the same. Simmonds will jump a motha (frank)a, which is the difference.

Well you brought it up. The names that I named being specialists and this is the perfect word to describe those names. We shouldn't under value the specialists in the league. We could use a couple now in my opinion. I was proud when we picked up Adam Hall for example. Penalty killer. Solid faceoff man. Blair Betts the same. There was a time for years where we were dangerous shorthanded and it wasn't all Mike Richards.
- SuperSchennBros

I brought up what? Sorry, I honestly am not sure what that's referring to.

Guys like Betts/Laperriere/Otto/Podein were not specialists, they were basically elite 4th liners if such a thing can exist. Guys like Hall/Dowd were specialists, and then you had your Thoresen types who were fillers. Still, I wouldn't want any one of those players playing close to 12 minutes of ES TOI per game.

I love G
He's such a little kid sometimes with his antics and grilled cheese


- Marc D

Yep...the life of a professional athlete doesn't suck

Same reason Rinaldo didn't get a boarding minor for running MDZ into the glass.

Refs = clowns.
- Feanor

MDZ turned into, from my memory. It was a bit late, but not enough for it to be called a penalty.

*I reserve the right to change my opinion if the video is posted*

My guess is Miller approached Schenn and did not touch him until they both dropped their gloves at the same time.

Had Miller bumped or hit or punched Schenn before Schenn dropped his gloves he would have gotten the instigator.

Alternative explanation is because it's the Flyers.
- Marc D

I thought Schenn dropped them first, actually.

I brought up what? Sorry, I honestly am not sure what that's referring to.

Guys like Betts/Laperriere/Otto/Podein were not specialists, they were basically elite 4th liners if such a thing can exist. Guys like Hall/Dowd were specialists, and then you had your Thoresen types who were fillers. Still, I wouldn't want any one of those players playing close to 12 minutes of ES TOI per game.
- jmatchett383

You brought up the word specialist, which I agree we're missing. I would disagree that Blair Betts wasn't a specialist.

Yes, you're right, I wouldn't want them playing 12 minutes a night and I don't like our 4th line doing so now.

My guess is Miller approached Schenn and did not touch him until they both dropped their gloves at the same time.

Had Miller bumped or hit or punched Schenn before Schenn dropped his gloves he would have gotten the instigator.

Alternative explanation is because it's the Flyers.
- Marc D

And this is why I don't get the instigator penalty. Per the rulebook:

Instigator
-
An instigator of an altercation shall be a player who by his
actions or demeanor demonstrates any/some of the following criteria:
distance traveled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing
attitude or posture; verbal instigation or threats; conduct in retaliation
to a prior game (or season) incident; obvious retribution for a previous
incident in the game or season

I believe that Miller fit at least one, if not all, of the following criteria.

I was gonna bring up losing Luke when some were discussing Schultz play. We finally had two righties and Luke was having a decent year but not good enough as we transition into the new and improved Flyers. With this said, Luke seemed key to getting Vinny's deal dumped, so it is what it is.

I love the Couturier line. I don't want to downplay Raffl because he's been outstanding but where Read is in the line up doesn't sit well with me. In fact it's odd seeing Read being the main screen on the second PP unit, when that seems more suited for Raffl.

Hakstol deseres all the credit in the world for getting Voracek on the left side. Jake looks good.
- SuperSchennBros

Agree with all of this.
2nd PP still does not look right, don't love the 1st PP without Ghost.

Also the "3rd line" meaning Laughton Read RJ needs work.

I am actually ok with White Bellemare VDV as a 4th line, I know you disagree but they do their job of bringing some energy and getting a cycle going on ES.

You brought up the word specialist, which I agree we're missing. I would disagree that Blair Betts wasn't a specialist.

Yes, you're right, I wouldn't want them playing 12 minutes a night and I don't like our 4th line doing so now.
- SuperSchennBros

Ah, okay, sorry wasn't sure. I don't think Betts was a specialist or, if he was, was the top specialist in the league. He's the guy you want out there defending a lead late in a game, whereas a guy like Dowd and Hall were a "win the faceoff and get off the ice" types. But yeah, regardless of classification, too much ES TOI for me.

And this is why I don't get the instigator penalty. Per the rulebook:

Instigator
-
An instigator of an altercation shall be a player who by his
actions or demeanor demonstrates any/some of the following criteria:
distance traveled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing
attitude or posture; verbal instigation or threats; conduct in retaliation
to a prior game (or season) incident; obvious retribution for a previous
incident in the game or season

I believe that Miller fit at least one, if not all, of the following criteria.
- jmatchett383

Yeah I just don't get it. I remember other instigators this year being called on fights when players dropped the gloves at the same time. Just another inconsistency in this league.

I thought Schenn dropped them first, actually.
- Scoob

He might have, it was close.

That's exactly how I saw it. Schenn accepted the fight, Miller didn't force Schenn into a fight.
- VladDrag

It appeared that Schenn, looked around right after the hit knowing someone would be coming for him and actually drop his gloves first when Miller came up to him as if saying "yeah, I knew it..."

Agree with all of this.
2nd PP still does not look right, don't love the 1st PP without Ghost.

Also the "3rd line" meaning Laughton Read RJ needs work.

I am actually ok with White Bellemare VDV as a 4th line, I know you disagree but they do their job of bringing some energy and getting a cycle going on ES.
- Marc D

I don't have as much of an issue with our 4th line (well, 2/3 of it), I have an issue with the ES ice time allotted to them.

And the entire PP looks completely lost without Ghost. It;s one thing to generate chances and not score, but they're not even generating quality chances.

I have to say I have been impressed with Del Zotto. For as much as he was a low risk signing he has really played himself into the future of this team I feel.

I am not concerned at all if you move Streit because I feel like Del Zotto has replaced what he brings. The combination of Del Zotto and Gostisbehere skills I feel make moving streit easier.

Then next season you have Del Zotto and Gudas as your vets and start bringing up some young talent. Alt, Morin, Hagg, Gostisbehre and Provorov all could battle from some spots. You could also look for another low risk type of signing. Maybe you look at a Jason Demers.

It appeared that Schenn, looked around right after the hit knowing someone would be coming for him and actually drop his gloves first when Miller came up to him as if saying "yeah, I knew it..."
- wolfhounds

But that's the point. If Miller was coming at him to fight in retaliation for the hit, that would be "conduct in retaliationto a prior game (or season) incident; obvious retribution for a previous incident in the game or season," would it not?

And this is why I don't get the instigator penalty. Per the rulebook:

Instigator
-
An instigator of an altercation shall be a player who by his
actions or demeanor demonstrates any/some of the following criteria:
distance traveled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing
attitude or posture; verbal instigation or threats; conduct in retaliation
to a prior game (or season) incident; obvious retribution for a previous
incident in the game or season

I believe that Miller fit at least one, if not all, of the following criteria.
- jmatchett383

I think you have a good point.
It's not consistently called.

I hated the delay of game call on a deflected puck. To me that is very different play then a guy flinging a puck over the boards.

Milbury's hatred for the Flyers organization mirrors the feelings of the NHL towards the Flyers...Broad Street Bullies and throwing snowballs at Santa will never be forgotten
- vejim

which is always worse and way more relevant than say female bengals fans being urinated on by male steelers fans. ya' know...because philadelphia.

I have to say I have been impressed with Del Zotto. For as much as he was a low risk signing he has really played himself into the future of this team I feel.

I am not concerned at all if you move Streit because I feel like Del Zotto has replaced what he brings. The combination of Del Zotto and Gostisbehere skills I feel make moving streit easier.

Then next season you have Del Zotto and Gudas as your vets and start bringing up some young talent. Alt, Morin, Hagg, Gostisbehre and Provorov all could battle from some spots. You could also look for another low risk type of signing. Maybe you look at a Jason Demers.
- J35Bacher

I don't think I'd classify Gudas as a "vet" as he hasn't even played 200 games (and has only played 3 playoff games). MDZ has over 400 and Streit has over 600. I know games aren't the be-all/end-all, but Gudas isn't a "vet" to me.

Same reason Rinaldo didn't get a boarding minor for running MDZ into the glass.

Refs = clowns.
- Feanor

that ticked me off

I have to say I have been impressed with Del Zotto. For as much as he was a low risk signing he has really played himself into the future of this team I feel.

I am not concerned at all if you move Streit because I feel like Del Zotto has replaced what he brings. The combination of Del Zotto and Gostisbehere skills I feel make moving streit easier.

Then next season you have Del Zotto and Gudas as your vets and start bringing up some young talent. Alt, Morin, Hagg, Gostisbehre and Provorov all could battle from some spots. You could also look for another low risk type of signing. Maybe you look at a Jason Demers.
- J35Bacher

MDZ has been really solid and is getting it mostly done in all situations.

I like Gudas but would ideally like to not see him getting top 4 minutes when they have a team that is ready to compete for a Cup. He continues to get out of position to make a hit. There was a play in the 1st period last night where he stepped up at the Flyers blue line to make a hit, the play went past him and led to a grade A scoring chance for Boston. I still like him, his edge he brings and think he does have a future here.

Im starting to be impressed by Hak. I really like the breakouts and how their using the d more bringing the puck up the ice. I feel like they have options where berubes team was screwed if they couldn't get it up the boards.

Like Bill said. A top 5 team in GA in the league in evens this year. Impressive.

NHL is so weird though. Didn't the pens look great most of last year under Johnston and look what happened to them. As a coach I feel like once the players decide to tune you out you are toast, no matter what the reasons are or the previous success you've had
- Just5

the coach needs time to adapt to a new league, new players, new everything. the odds of a youngish "rookie" coach taking a team a team to the final like keenan did in 85 are low. even lower with a group like he has for players.

it will suck if their 5-8-3 start ends up keeping them out of the playoffs. good starts are so key. look at the (frank)ing habs. they're surviving because of that 9-0 start they had (or whatever it was). even if they miss, they're trending in the right direction, mixing some new guys, growing etc. it should help them next season, especially hakstol. i like what he's doing so far for the most part.

now, if we could get our special teams straightened out.....

I don't know, the mix of York/Afanesenkov/Eager/Potulny/Fedoruk is 06/07 was pretty abysmal. This group might not score a ton and play too much, but PEB and White are legit 4th liners.
- jmatchett383

jfc.

Guys that was actually a 4 point game against the bruins

#NHLmath
- YuenglingJagr

you're goddamn right it was. it was a huge win.