Would you include Gudas?
Normally I watch every second of every game but this week it has not been possible.
- Marc D

Gudas has been serviceable. I won't go so far as to say great because of some dumb things like the misconduct last night. He did have a beautiful hip check in front of Mason though.

Would you include Gudas?
Normally I watch every second of every game but this week it has not been possible.
- Marc D

He's done his job. Took some iffy penalties.

Alright, just a few thoughts from nutter.

By no means are they done and out yet, but as one gets a feel for the way things are headed, a gut feeling so to speak... Its time to look at the future. A theme highlighted and preached by Hextall himself.

The positives:
1. The team itself has shown growth this season, and played better than most of us expected. That cannot be overlooked. As a group the outcome has been far greater than the individual parts of the equation would foretell. 5 on 5 they have become a competitive club, that has laid down an identity for how it wants to play in the future. As the year went on we saw a club find a balance between offensive play and defensive focus. The pendulum has seemingly found a proper resting point. In terms of the future, I am overall happy with the growth they have shown in mastering this system, and way to play the game.

2. The younger players, we all know who they are have shown great growth and taken postive steps toward being pieces for a Stanley Cup team. Ghost has shown some concern with handling a "heavy playoff" game so to speak, but in his first real season what more can you expect from a rookie. He has been tremendous, especially in his own end for the majority of the year. There will be ups and downs, but it is nice to have a real infusion of talent. Brayden Schenn has shown he can play with a level of intensity for extended streches, to be effective when he is not scoring. Couturier has been Couturier, showing some growth in an offensive game with paired with NHL caliber offensive talent on his wings. Gudas has shown the ability to play a punishing type of defense, keeping teams looking over their shoulder and the ability to play more minutes if he is called upon. In terms of the future, the youth currently on the team, and those set to arrive in a few years down the line give true reason for optimism.

3. Giroux. A young player thrust into a captain role far too early in his career has grown to become a true leader and catalyst for the club. I am not a stats person, but anyone will tell you that how Giroux goes, the Flyers go. He is the #1 target for enemy clubs, continously focused on and punished physically. Giroux for all the knocks on not producing currently, is a top 1C in the league. The passion and competative edge can never be questioned, and I am happy to have him on the club. He helped put the boys on his back this season, and carry them to the playoffs. The face-off ability always makes me smile. He may not be able to keep up such a high level of play for an extended future, but he offers an incredible stop gap, (if nothing else) to allow one core to be replaced by another. Organic growth.

4. Management. It can not be understated how much not making a move at the deadline helped this group pull together and push for the playoffs. Hextall has clearly defined a course for the future, and more importantly has stuck to it. An emphasis on organic growth, and building from within has been set. In a league so influenced by the cap this is key. I am confident in Hextall leading this team in the future.

What can be improved:
1. The PP. I am not sure it is time to let Mullen go, but the PP needs to change. Its worked incredibly well for years but unfortunately teams now know how to shut it down. There is nothing wrong with admitting that. I'd like to see Voracek get the puck down low a lot more, and get back to playing that Jagr-lite game. Special teams are a factor, and if a club senses that you cannot make them pay, they have free reign to do whatever they wish to you. In the future, the PP needs to be tweaked.

2. The shootout. On one hand, it seems such a futile attempt. How much can a team really improve their chances in a shootout? I honestly have no answer, but I would like to be a true focus for the club next season. Far too many points lost year to year in the skill competition. In a league that has so much parity, and where every point matters the futile attempts at getting two points need to stop. It needs to be a greater focus for goaltenders in practice, and while I am sure the forward practice it as real emphasis needs to be established. For the future, the teams chances in the shootout needs to improve. I say this with hesitation, but believe some improvement is possible.

3. Mason. First off last me say I am a Mason fan. I believe he is a very good goaltender and has earned the #1 job for the club. He has had an up and down year, and this mystery "personal issue" may indeed be the cause. The unfortuante thing is, the personal issue (whatever it is) will probably not magically go away after this season ends. The injuries are concern for me as well. It did not help having to ride him into the ground at the end of the regular season. Mason has not been the reason for the clubs failure in this post-season but I do believe he would be the first to tell you there is room for improvement. His puck handling especially, such a strength in the past seems to have vanished this year. Point shots are a big threat to go in, but I am not naive enough to think he is purely at fault for these. I do wish that Jeff Reese was not let go, and do slightly question the current goalie coach.

4. Size. I think the Flyers have somewhat improved their speed game, but there is still room for improvement. It is size where the club needs help. The fight in a dog matters, but unfortunately at the end of the day so does the size in the dog. I never question the work ethic or heart of this current team. It is however hard to play a punishing, and heavy game when you are undersized. Finding size that can play above a fourth line role is not easy, but needs to be a true focus for the future. There are far too many teams, especially in the West that play a brand of hockey that this team could not keep up with. Perhaps simply from a fan standpoint, I do not like my Flyer teams pushed around.

5. Voracek. Was the mega contract given too soon? Too early to tell, and with an up/down year with injuries along with being forced to play with scrubs for far too long makes it hard to evaluate Jake. I think with a healthy off-season he can get back to being more of the dominant player we saw. It is also about using him correctly, and not forcing a player who relies on his body, carrying pucks in... To continously dump them.


What needs to change:
1. The PK itself has been far too questionable for not just this season. Its perfectly reasonable to say that with better individual parts the whole would be greater. However it is the system based approach to the PK that needs to dramatically change. 4 men focus far too much on staying in proper lanes, allowing other teams to pass at will. Point shots are taken too easily, giving easy opportunity for unlucky bounces and deflections. A more aggressive approach is needed, and frankly I am not sure Lappy is the man to do it. I want new blood in this category, and it needs to happen in the off-season to allow the boys time to practice.

2. Matt Read, RJ Umberger. I dont want to say too much here, just want both players away from the organization next season. Warm bodies at best.

3. Fear in playing the game. NHL officiating has long been uneven, caters to making games "exciting", and balancing out penalties. It cannot be relied upon as a consistent factor. There are countless examples of this even in the first few games of this series, this season, etc. Teams cannot worry about focusing with all their might on playing a clean and noble game as it honestly matters not. Calls will be made regardless. The Flyers at certain points in the season, especially now have focused far too much on keeping their PK team off the ice and not taking penalties. You cannot consistently play looking over your shoulder scared you are going to get a call against you. The club in general needs to continously go out, and play on the edge. Initiate, not retaliate. Nobody wishes for them to be dirty, but to play on that line, agitate, and try to throw other teams off of their game. Its what in particular made them so successful against Pittsburgh for these last few years. The philosophy needs to be put in place to playing "your" game and not let officiating dictate changes to that approach. Lives on other teams, other goaltenders and other star players have been made far too easy. Hockey, and especially playoff hockey is not a noble game. In this series, the Flyers have been hunted. Looking to officials for calls. Forget about the officiating, replace the fear, and become the hunters. Initiate, not retaliate. This to me, is all on coaching.

Props for those who managed to read everything.

I am not as big a Mason fan.

I think he is good but not sure I want to commit what will probably 6mil or more on his next deal.

I loved how the tv crew kept trying to justify the Ovechkin goal. Finding ways to make it seem like it was a good shot.
- J35Bacher

I mean it was...clearly Mason didnt expect him to shoot there and his release is a lot better than most. It is just still a very stoppable shot

Would you include Gudas?

- Marc D

I think he's been good this series. Pretty much playing with restraint but still playing hard.

Props for those who managed to read everything.
- flyer_nutter

You tried to throw me off with your numbering

If you think its up to 3 guys to win a cup, then I have no way of speaking to you.


The Flyers issue is NOT Giroux, Simmonds, or Voracek.

The Flyers issue is NOT Steve Mason.

The Flyers issue is that they are playing with a patchwork group of d-men, and have 5-6 fourth liners currently on the team.

Bellemare, White, Vandevelde, Read, Laughton & Cousins (learning curve).

We lack secondary skill. That will be corrected very soon.
- jak521

we had a top 4 of Pronger, Timonen, Carle and Coburn in 2010 and that wasn't good enough so why are people surprised that a core of Streit (looking pretty close to done), Schultz, a talented but still rookie Ghost and Amac isn't good enough?

Probably the best players so far:

Mason(other then some questionable goals)
Schultz
Manning
Schenn
Gagner
and the 4th line



That isn't going to win many series
- J35Bacher

The top line has just been so poor. Especially giroux. Gagner and g are somewhat similar with the puck. I see them getting the same time and space. Gagner has done more with it. Whether it be moving the puck along or giving that extra effort to ensure we keep possession. I see none of this with Giroux. I see dangerous one on one dangles by him in dangerous areas of the ice. I see passive play along the walls at times. I see frustration with no means to a solution

I have a family member who works for a hotel chain and can get us some very substantial discounts. Same deal. We screw up, they pay the price.
- Scoob

My friend is janitor and we're allowed to use the handicap stall, but if we miss the toilet, he could lose his janitorial license

Not me. I think 16-17 will be better than this year. I'm expecting them to be solidly in a playoff spot all year. And 17-18 is when it starts to get really exciting - multiple playoff series wins.
- Scoob

This. And I really do think that you don't go 100% young like I feel someone suggested with the age-gap comment earlier. It is a shame for the older guys who might be competing for a cup on another team. But it's not a shame for the young guys developing here.

I think he's been good this series. Pretty much playing with restraint but still playing hard.
- Scoob

That's my impression as well
I think he has earned a spot on the team for the short term future
A 2 or even 3 yr deal would be great, but under 3M per yr hopefully.

Hey Bill,

Any word on Schultz? He looked kind of gimpy after blocking that many Ovi one timers?
- dragonoffrost

No, that's just how Schultz skates.

I think he is good but not sure I want to commit what will probably 6mil or more on his next deal.
- J35Bacher

Outside of Hank, I don't believe there's really any goalie worth that % of the salary cap.

I live in NY buddy
- PapaSquat

That's not all that much better.

Right on! Losing to the better team no shame in that. Being thoroughly embarrassed from A to Z is unacceptable. Throwing poop on the ice, embarrassing Ed Snider's family, purposely trying to injure the opposition when the game is out of hand. All chicken poop stuff. That was a despicable display. I know Bellamare isn't typically a dirty player, but that hit could have easily paralyzed Orlov. Then what? Real black eye for the franchise last night. No sugar coating it.
- PLindbergh31

I don't think its ever ok to throw stuff on the field, ice or court. I just don't. Its annoying me that people thinks its ok to do.

My friend is janitor and we're allowed to use the handicap stall, but if we miss the toilet, he could lose his janitorial license
- PhillySportsGuy

Outside of Hank, I don't believe there's really any goalie worth that % of the salary cap.
- Tomahawk

Holtby

I don't think its ever ok to throw stuff on the field, ice or court. I just don't. Its annoying me that people thinks its ok to do.
- nastyflyergirl

Never ever.

And that stuff didn't all make it to the ice. I have the bruise on my arm (thankfully not my head) to show for it.

we had a top 4 of Pronger, Timonen, Carle and Coburn in 2010 and that wasn't good enough so why are people surprised that a core of Streit (looking pretty close to done), Schultz, a talented but still rookie Ghost and Amac isn't good enough?
- nastyflyergirl

I think it says a hell of a lot about the coaches and players that they even made the playoffs with their personnel they have especially on D.

I've been one looking forward to a D without Streit and Schultz. But you know what, without them this year we'd be the Oilers.

I think the way Hexy is going about things is just about right. They need some vets even over the hill guys until the D prospects are ready.

With that said I do want him to get a top four guy who is a righty this summer.
Maybe Demers or someone like him.

Never ever.

And that stuff didn't all make it to the ice. I have the bruise on my arm (thankfully not my head) to show for it.
- bodiva88

bring a net next time

So have we abandoned the long term view and tempered expectations after these last 3 games? Sure it sucks they lost three straight the way we have, but that's the only thing I'm frustrated with. I'm still proud of the run they went on. I wish G and Voracek could have stepped up a little more. Ghost is obviously hurting or gassed. He hasn't looked the same.

I'm just hoping to have one good game tomorrow and avoid the sweep at home.
- funmaster18

Yeah. I hate to see another team celebrating on my ice. The SCF in 2010 is still a nightmare.

Imho, it was accidental and unfortunate. Fortunately Orlov didn't seem any worse for the wear. Bellmare will probably be suspended for game four. It's a pretty easy one for the league to be able to say "see, we're enforcing this stuff" plus there's no risk of backlash for the league for suspending a star in the playoffs.
- Scoob

His actions after the play lead me to believe it was totally accidental. he seemed concerned about Orlov. that said, it was very careless and would understand him being suspended for game 4.

Outside of Hank, I don't believe there's really any goalie worth that % of the salary cap.
- Tomahawk

I doubt Hexy signs him to some big extension. Would be better off to wait until he reaches UFA then make a decision.

bring a net next time
- YuenglingJagr

Double vision makes intentionally catching anything a no-win proposition for me. Thanks for the ever so clever response.

When the Wings won NILL in 2001 in Toronto the Toronto fans threw everything they could find. For a lacrosse championship.

A few years ago in DC (where only polite dainty fans live) someone threw a beer that hit Carter in the head during his on-ice interview at the end of a game.

I'm not sure if anyone else posted this link, but it is interesting, and I think he actually has it right.

http://deadspin.com/on-ph...ladelphia-fans-1771756748
- bodiva88

Here's the difference:

When idiots are idiots at Toronto games, there's condemnation. And there's consequences.

Case in point: the waffle thrower.

Yeah, no idea what the hell the guy was thinking, but when he threw waffles on the ice, not only was he charged, but MLSEL banned him from all MLSEL buildings:

http://www.thehockeynews....arge-trespass-notice.html

Same goes for the jersey throwers.

It just seems that when a percentage of Philly fans (the same percentage as any other fan base) act like idiots, not only is it accepted by the owners, it's worn as a weird badge of pride. They embrace the reputation.