I honestly wonder if they'd sit Laughton over Umby. Lord knows he did himself no favors tonight. Shame because Umby probably would've been scratched otherwise.

I've said it before: I just don't see a center man in Scott Laughton. His game doesn't seem to jibe with passing and puck control, his defense is horrendous, but he has nice wheels and a terrific shot. This has been season long. Even when he has a good game, he strikes me as a winger. Weal is supposed to be responsible if not great 2 way and a creative playmaker. Move Laughts to RW (where I think he gravitates towards) or switch sides with Read, who can play either. It's just tough to watch and has been for 90% of the season.
- Mononoke

They need to find more goals in this lineup. They've scored more than 4 goals one time all year. Weal needs a few games here. He doesn't need to work wonders but if he's got speed, playmaking, and 2 way ability give him a shot here

They didn't deserve a point, anyway. In fact, they probably deserved to lose a point for that effort.

Still, to be 7 seconds away from getting one was definitely a gut punch. Oh well, this too shall pass.

I honestly wonder if they'd sit Laughton over Umby. Lord knows he did himself no favors tonight. Shame because Umby probably would've been scratched otherwise.

I've said it before: I just don't see a center man in Scott Laughton. His game doesn't seem to jibe with passing and puck control, his defense is horrendous, but he has nice wheels and a terrific shot. This has been season long. Even when he has a good game, he strikes me as a winger. Weal is supposed to be responsible if not great 2 way and a creative playmaker. Move Laughts to RW (where I think he gravitates towards) or switch sides with Read, who can play either. It's just tough to watch and has been for 90% of the season.
- Mononoke

Laughton was just awful tonight. Every bit as bad as Umberger. And if Seravalli is right, he's no longer exempt, so they're going to have to keep him.

I can't argue the wing argument. And now there's no real excuse to not give Weal a shot. They're going to need more reliability out of the bottom six. Laughton's been bad in his own end, he's struggled to consistently bring much offense either.

Umberger hasn't been a liability, but he's brought almost zero production. Tonight he was a liability on top of not adding anything at the far end of the ice. If he's going to be as worthless in his own end as he was tonight, there's no reason to dress him.

Maybe bring in Weal, leave Read at LW, move Laughton to RW and roll. Or, slide Laughton up to Couturier's line, drop Raffl to C between Read & Weal. I think eventually, they'll bring Gagner back up, and maybe we see him slide into the top six.

The fact that Medvedev had another yuck game minus a sweet pass and a stick save tells me Manning is back in. He played only a shift or two at evens the entire third. Tbh, the goals and called back goals that went in on them were probably as much or more the forwards faults than their's. But the pairing was bad apart from the goals.

Ghost-Medvedev just seems to always look awful when the puck gets in the D zone and they don't break it up at the blue line. During Medvedev's successful stretch he was playing LD. He's playing RD with Ghost on his off side. I wonder if he feels uncomfortable there. Because he does not seem at ALL like the same player. Could be they each share the same strengths and weaknesses; could be Medvedev has just been bad in a vacuum. Three subpar games just screams "scratch." It was funny to see the CSN crew raving about his team best +/- though. I've been a fan of his for a lot of the season, but if THAT isn't incredibly deceptive...

Laughton was just awful tonight. Every bit as bad as Umberger. And if Seravalli is right, he's no longer exempt, so they're going to have to keep him.

I can't argue the wing argument. And now there's no real excuse to not give Weal a shot. They're going to need more reliability out of the bottom six. Laughton's been bad in his own end, he's struggled to consistently bring much offense either.

Umberger hasn't been a liability, but he's brought almost zero production. Tonight he was a liability on top of not adding anything at the far end of the ice. If he's going to be as worthless in his own end as he was tonight, there's no reason to dress him.

Maybe bring in Weal, leave Read at LW, move Laughton to RW and roll. Or, slide Laughton up to Couturier's line, drop Raffl to C between Read & Weal. I think eventually, they'll bring Gagner back up, and maybe we see him slide into the top six.
- Jsaquella

It's funny: I quite like the top 6 as is. The team played awful tonight, but come crunch time in the third, the top 6 rebounded very well. It was an off night for them. But for the bottom six, a good night is an odd night. They are anchoring this team, minus Read. It would really be as simple as sending MacGyver Raffl to the third line, who with Read could make them a terrific possession unit. But then the top 6 has a hole. And I like how they're playing. If Weal can't cut it, changes like you said will be made.

Vinnie isn't going to sustain his O stats but he does fill the 3rd/4th line center issue the Kings had. He looks like he's having fun and plays pretty smart. He is not quick by any means. He is a now player where weal will require some development......good luck with him he will make his place......kind of a Theron fleury type player......if is half as good then good scoop up by the Flyers

The fact that they even got that close to "earning" a point in that game was remarkable. They were terrible.

Can we start talking about whether it might be a good idea to send Scott Laughton to Lehigh Valley?

I don't know if it's the right thing or not. He might just need to go through this and he'll be better for the experience.
- johndewar

They were lucky to get a point out of the ranger and red wing games also
they got dominated for a good part of the team but found away to keep going

Vinnie isn't going to sustain his Oscars but he does fill the 3rd/4th line center issue the Kings had. He looks like he's having fun and plays pretty smart. He is not quick by any means. He is a now player where weal will require some development......good luck with him he will make his place......kind of a Theron fleury type player......if is half as good then good scoop up by the Flyers
- seven111dman

Pretty good assesment. He has even shown very good hands on 5vs 5 but his skating is an absolute liability. That being said in the kings system it doesn't hurt him that much because your center is essentially a 3rd defenseman in your own zone. Move the puck out get a change.

I've been pleasantly surprised by Schenn, he is playing his role moving the puck quickly and been very good clearing the sight lines on the pk.

Overall I hope Weal produces for you guys. What a sick pick off and rush by ghost. that kid is fun to watch.

Pretty good assesment. He has even shown very good hands on 5vs 5 but his skating is an absolute liability. That being said in the kings system it doesn't hurt him that much because your center is essentially a 3rd defenseman in your own zone. Move the puck out get a change.

I've been pleasantly surprised by Schenn, he is playing his role moving the puck quickly and been very good clearing the sight lines on the pk.

Overall I hope Weal produces for you guys. What a sick pick off and rush by ghost. that kid is fun to watch.
- QuicksEnnormous

Give me a break. This entire fan base was ragging on VL and how (again) Flyers won the trade (last time was Richards...4 non Flyers cups ago). So sick and tired of reading crap like this.
Hey, buttnuts: Flyers is not a good team. Solid players can't make it with this crap team because, from GM to Coach, they do not know how to utilize players. Enjoy mediocracy to basement play, that's all this effin' team is good for...

Give me a break. This entire fan base was ragging on VL and how (again) Flyers won the trade (last time was Richards...4 non Flyers cups ago). So sick and tired of reading crap like this.
Hey, buttnuts: Flyers is not a good team. Solid players can't make it with this crap team because, from GM to Coach, they do not know how to utilize players. Enjoy mediocracy to basement play, that's all this effin' team is good for...
- puckhog

It's apparent that you have no clue how systems can effect player usage and effectiveness. I'm a fan of hockey. I watch more than just Kings games and Vinny was not a good fit in the Flyers scheme and system. They had the right to rip him the way Kings fans have the right to rip Dustin brown for making 2 million dollars per goal so far this season. I have been a kings fan since the late 80s. Anyone could have made that same argument against us from 1995 to 2010... you don't have to be a fan of an elite team to know hockey and have intelligent insight on the sport.

You do realize your ripping on Ron Hextall who was our assistant GM responsible for player development. You do realize without Hextalls impact and influence, the Kings wouldn't have Jeff Carter or had Mike Richards. You do realize your ripping Ian Laperierre one of the grittiest, toughest and most honest players, as a man and former King. You do realize your ripping Kim Dillabaugh who Jonathan Quick credits as making him the goalie he is today. Before you run your mouth about coaching and management you should do your homework, because a major part of that staff was the Kings coaching staff during 2012 and a major part of La's first cup. You literally made no sensible argument. Your slam was "Flyers is not a good team". Learn how to speak English and make a coherent case to your point, or be quiet while adults are speaking.

I will give you credit for buttnuts though. That was pretty funny. Look maybe trolling and saying your team sucks my team rules because I say so is your style. To each his own. But don't rip me for being respectful to another teams fan base on their thread. It's been what 5 games with vinny, let's wait til June before anointing this guy the savior.

Really (frank)ing pissed me off

Good thing Hakstol held onto his timeout at the end of the game. Wouldn't want to rest those guys or get a plan together to stop the Leafs set play or anything. It really wasn't an important part of the game.

Really (frank)ing pissed me off
- Giroux_Is_God

But at least we got to see this:

Thanks Bill. These are the types of games that make me question the team's character. These are must win games, and we just can't walk away with a solid win. The core guys that Hexy may wish to build this team around are suppose to be the leaders of the team. I didn't see one leader last night step up to the plate, and get angry with the team's play. Do you think that Pronger would have settled for this type of play? Talk about a leader, Pronger is the poster boy for such an individual. Thus, we will have to settle for a mediocre team with a .500 record. They must realize that with the players that they have, they have to bring their "A" game every game in order to compete with the rest of the league. None of this taking nights off, or over looking teams. If they had played hard, it's one thing to lose, however with the play quality of last night's game, this make them painful to watch, and support.

Do you think that Pronger would have settled for this type of play?
- OrangeAndBlack1

Even w/ Pronger, Kimmo, Briere, Gagne, Knuble, etc, this team was inconsistent with their effort, started games slow, and didn't always bring it against 'inferior' opponents.

Fact is, over the course of 82-games, every team will lay its fair share of eggs, and no team (not even the '95 Wings) will have that flip switch to ON 100% of the time, no matter who you have cracking a whip. Human nature and all.

You just hope the Flyers keep increasing their depth/quality of talent to the point when they can eke out these games where they're sleep walking as a group -- like Chicago can.

Please introduce Umberger to the press box next!
He should be the next "daily scratch"!
Permanently!
5 guys in the bottom 6 with stone hands should be addressed, and it starts with Mr. 0 goals in 50 games.
Laughton is young & still has promise, Umberger brings nothing to the
table anymore.

Give me a break. This entire fan base was ragging on VL and how (again) Flyers won the trade (last time was Richards...4 non Flyers cups ago). So sick and tired of reading crap like this.
Hey, buttnuts: Flyers is not a good team. Solid players can't make it with this crap team because, from GM to Coach, they do not know how to utilize players. Enjoy mediocracy to basement play, that's all this effin' team is good for...
- puckhog

Your ability to properly use the English language is lacking.

Seven and a half seconds away from grabbing at least one point in the standings on a night where they were severely outplayed by the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs, the Philadelphia Flyers found a way to slink off with a 3-2 regulation loss on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

Bill, you do such a nice job with your opening sentences. This one statement totally captured how the Flyers played last night.

It's a game you just forget about. Nothing good came out of this game.

Even w/ Pronger, Kimmo, Briere, Gagne, Knuble, etc, this team was inconsistent with their effort, started games slow, and didn't always bring it against 'inferior' opponents.

Fact is, over the course of 82-games, every team will lay its fair share of eggs, and no team (not even the '95 Wings) will have that flip switch to ON 100% of the time, no matter who you have cracking a whip. Human nature and all.

You just hope the Flyers keep increasing their depth/quality of talent to the point when they can eke out these games where they're sleep walking as a group -- like Chicago can.
- Tomahawk

I almost figured this game might be a loss. 3rd game in 4 nights. Perfect trap game after playing Rangers and Detroit over the weekend and with Pittsburgh Thursday. We will see what the character of the team is on Thursday as they should have no problem getting up for that game.

Also Weal should be in the lineup. I want to see him play and see more skill in the lineup over a guy like Umberger. Umberger has been a good soldier but he almost has that Vinny feel as a player that is shot. Moves better then Vinny but just doesn't have it anymore.

Umberger was (frank)ing horrible last night.

I would have benched his useless ass after he missed that yawning cage. Put me in that position against an NHL goalie and even I score that goal. Guarantee it. What a (frank)ing waste he is.

I'm still so (frank)ing mad that they blew that goddamn game. Both actually blew for the entire game against a poopty team and that they blew at least a point. Gudas' icing that led to the ensuing GWG was (frank)ing stupid. Not winning that draw was (frank)ing stupid. The fact that it went in after brushing MDZ was (frank)ing stupid. The fact that their 3 (frank)ing goals came from a former flyer and two guys on 48 and 60 game goalless droughts is (frank)ing stupidly predictable.

(frank) the leafs. I hope they stay terrible forever.

Phaneuf is a cock. Kadri's a wiener. Babcock is ugly. JVR's cool tho.

Any questions? I'm going to the gym.

Umberger was (frank)ing horrible last night.

I would have benched his useless ass after he missed that yawning cage. Put me in that position against an NHL goalie and even I score that goal. Guarantee it. What a (frank)ing waste he is.

I'm still so (frank)ing mad that they blew that goddamn game. Both actually blew for the entire game against a poopty team and that they blew at least a point. Gudas' icing that led to the ensuing GWG was (frank)ing stupid. Not winning that draw was (frank)ing stupid. The fact that it went in after brushing MDZ was (frank)ing stupid. The fact that their 3 (frank)ing goals came from a former flyer and two guys on 48 and 60 game goalless droughts is (frank)ing stupidly predictable.

(frank) the leafs. I hope they stay terrible forever.

Phaneuf is a cock. Kadri's a wiener. Babcock is ugly. JVR's cool tho.

Any questions? I'm going to the gym.
- Giroux_Is_God

Weal must be in lineup ( give the kid a look ffs)

No one can dive better than Kadri

Babcock looks constipated
Phaneuf does have a hot wife

Yes, JVR you are missed

And yes Umberger blows there would be no explanation for him to be in lineup next game

Brutal loss. If they could have got the game to overtime they had one point in the bank with a chance for a second. Giving up a goal in the final 10 seconds and getting beat on home ice by the worst team in the sport is pretty bad.

That said, the way they played, they got exactly what they deserved.

Thanks Bill. These are the types of games that make me question the team's character. These are must win games, and we just can't walk away with a solid win. The core guys that Hexy may wish to build this team around are suppose to be the leaders of the team. I didn't see one leader last night step up to the plate, and get angry with the team's play. Do you think that Pronger would have settled for this type of play? Talk about a leader, Pronger is the poster boy for such an individual. Thus, we will have to settle for a mediocre team with a .500 record. They must realize that with the players that they have, they have to bring their "A" game every game in order to compete with the rest of the league. None of this taking nights off, or over looking teams. If they had played hard, it's one thing to lose, however with the play quality of last night's game, this make them painful to watch, and support.
- OrangeAndBlack1

Questioning the character of the team is the wrong read. Even though they played poorly, they fought back in the 3rd period. Unfortunately, they lost, and that was really a deserving outcome for them. This team has the most points in the league earned when losing entering the 3rd period I believe. That points to their character. They have some work to do still as a team, and they have some areas where talent needs to be upgraded. Flyers didn't play well, but I don't think it was an effort issue.
Pronger isn't here. You do remember the year the Flyers went to the Cup finals? Great playoff run, but they had to win a shootout just to get in the playoffs, and that team had a much better roster, and also had their issues, including having the coach fired in December of that season. All while having Pronger on the team.

Also Weal should be in the lineup. I want to see him play and see more skill in the lineup over a guy like Umberger.
- J35Bacher

But at least we got to see this:





- Tomahawk

That was a great play by Ghost for sure. Had they gotten to overtime, perhaps there was more on the table with 3 on 3.

The Gudas icing just wasn't necessary. He has played very well this season, but that lost them at least a point.