Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 11/29/16 vs. BOS

Big game tonight.

I feel bad for Carson Wentz. For Crissakes Howie, get the kid some linemen and receivers! Oh, and some cornerbacks would be nice too.

On the Flyers:
All in all I'm mildly disappointed so far this season. On the plus side, I love watching how quickly Provorov and Konecny are developing and I think vets like Simmer, Gudas and Manning are having excellent seasons. Ghost I can somewhat excuse as a lot of very talented players seem to struggle in their second NHL season, I think he will come around and be fine.

On the other hand, I'm very disappointed in the play of vets like Giroux and Streit and to a lesser extent, Del Zotto, AMac and Weise. The goalies, for the most part, have been atrocious and their early season play is simply inexcusable. The rest of the squad has pretty much performed to my expectations. We rip guys like VdV, but they are what they are and it's not their fault that they aren't producing more.

When it comes to management and coaching, it's a mixed review moreso re the coach. I like Hak's system a lot, and I understand to some degree the scratches and benching of some of the "better" players. What I don't understand is why some players (Streit in particular stands out) are allowed to mess up time and time again, while others make one or 2 miscues and they're out of the lineup. I also think he needs to make better use of his timeout and be a bit more patient with some of his line combos. When it comes to the GM, I'm fully on board with rebuilding from within, I'd just like to see him try and add one experienced veteran that can play in the top 9 and can add some leadership and grit to the lineup. Losing guys like Briere and Timonen over the last couple of years has hurt, perhaps more off the ice than on, and trying to get a guy like that wouldn't be a bad idea.

Big game tonight.
- Streit2ThePoint

Absolutely humongous, these are the most critical two points in franchise history. Anything short of victory and the entire team should be beaten and made to take the walk of shame.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!

😍👍😄
Edit: in response to ggunky

Damn cheapass site

I feel bad for Carson Wentz. For Crissakes Howie, get the kid some linemen and receivers! Oh, and some cornerbacks would be nice too.

On the Flyers:
All in all I'm mildly disappointed so far this season. On the plus side, I love watching how quickly Provorov and Konecny are developing and I think vets like Simmer, Gudas and Manning are having excellent seasons. Ghost I can somewhat excuse as a lot of very talented players seem to struggle in their second NHL season, I think he will come around and be fine.

On the other hand, I'm very disappointed in the play of vets like Giroux and Streit and to a lesser extent, Del Zotto, AMac and Weise. The goalies, for the most part, have been atrocious and their early season play is simply inexcusable. The rest of the squad has pretty much performed to my expectations. We rip guys like VdV, but they are what they are and it's not their fault that they aren't producing more.

When it comes to management and coaching, it's a mixed review moreso re the coach. I like Hak's system a lot, and I understand to some degree the scratches and benching of some of the "better" players. What I don't understand is why some players (Streit in particular stands out) are allowed to mess up time and time again, while others make one or 2 miscues and they're out of the lineup. I also think he needs to make better use of his timeout and be a bit more patient with some of his line combos. When it comes to the GM, I'm fully on board with rebuilding from within, I'd just like to see him try and add one experienced veteran that can play in the top 9 and can add some leadership and grit to the lineup. Losing guys like Briere and Timonen over the last couple of years has hurt, perhaps more off the ice than on, and trying to get a guy like that wouldn't be a bad idea.
- BiggE

I agree with much of this. The goaltending, however, has started to come around as of late even if the numbers don't show it yet.

I agree with much of this. The goaltending, however, has started to come around as of late even if the numbers don't show it yet.
- bmeltzer

True, but if it had been there all year, they'd be in much better shape right now. However I am a fan of Mason and I think he'll be fine.

On the Flyers:
All in all I'm mildly disappointed so far this season. On the plus side, I love watching how quickly Provorov and Konecny are developing and I think vets like Simmer, Gudas and Manning are having excellent seasons. Ghost I can somewhat excuse as a lot of very talented players seem to struggle in their second NHL season, I think he will come around and be fine.

On the other hand, I'm very disappointed in the play of vets like Giroux and Streit and to a lesser extent, Del Zotto, AMac and Weise. The goalies, for the most part, have been atrocious and their early season play is simply inexcusable. The rest of the squad has pretty much performed to my expectations. We rip guys like VdV, but they are what they are and it's not their fault that they aren't producing more.

When it comes to management and coaching, it's a mixed review moreso re the coach. I like Hak's system a lot, and I understand to some degree the scratches and benching of some of the "better" players. What I don't understand is why some players (Streit in particular stands out) are allowed to mess up time and time again, while others make one or 2 miscues and they're out of the lineup. I also think he needs to make better use of his timeout and be a bit more patient with some of his line combos. When it comes to the GM, I'm fully on board with rebuilding from within, I'd just like to see him try and add one experienced veteran that can play in the top 9 and can add some leadership and grit to the lineup. Losing guys like Briere and Timonen over the last couple of years has hurt, perhaps more off the ice than on, and trying to get a guy like that wouldn't be a bad idea.

Agree with you.

Vandevelde is what he is but also probably gone after the season as youth moves in.

I have been disappointed in Giroux and and some of the vets. I know he can put up points but some games he isn't even noticeable. I know he can't play great every night but I need him more engaged more nights than most. Streit I can only imagine they hope he gets some value and can move at the deadline. Schenn needs to show me more. He got his money and now he needs to play like a guy making the dough. he isn't just a role player anymore. Laughton I am starting to think needs a change of scenery. Maybe a even swap of players in same boat.

I get more frustrated at guys that should be doing the right things don't. I can live with mistakes by Konecny and Provorov or other youngsters. It's the vets that bug me so far.

Don't know much about that D core of the Buins..but it looks very different especially with the big man out of lineup.

Heave ho, two in a row!!! Get it done! Is tonight the night for consecutive wins?

On the Flyers:
All in all I'm mildly disappointed so far this season. On the plus side, I love watching how quickly Provorov and Konecny are developing and I think vets like Simmer, Gudas and Manning are having excellent seasons. Ghost I can somewhat excuse as a lot of very talented players seem to struggle in their second NHL season, I think he will come around and be fine.

On the other hand, I'm very disappointed in the play of vets like Giroux and Streit and to a lesser extent, Del Zotto, AMac and Weise. The goalies, for the most part, have been atrocious and their early season play is simply inexcusable. The rest of the squad has pretty much performed to my expectations. We rip guys like VdV, but they are what they are and it's not their fault that they aren't producing more.

When it comes to management and coaching, it's a mixed review moreso re the coach. I like Hak's system a lot, and I understand to some degree the scratches and benching of some of the "better" players. What I don't understand is why some players (Streit in particular stands out) are allowed to mess up time and time again, while others make one or 2 miscues and they're out of the lineup. I also think he needs to make better use of his timeout and be a bit more patient with some of his line combos. When it comes to the GM, I'm fully on board with rebuilding from within, I'd just like to see him try and add one experienced veteran that can play in the top 9 and can add some leadership and grit to the lineup. Losing guys like Briere and Timonen over the last couple of years has hurt, perhaps more off the ice than on, and trying to get a guy like that wouldn't be a bad idea.

Agree with you.

Vandevelde is what he is but also probably gone after the season as youth moves in.

I have been disappointed in Giroux and and some of the vets. I know he can put up points but some games he isn't even noticeable. I know he can't play great every night but I need him more engaged more nights than most. Streit I can only imagine they hope he gets some value and can move at the deadline. Schenn needs to show me more. He got his money and now he needs to play like a guy making the dough. he isn't just a role player anymore. Laughton I am starting to think needs a change of scenery. Maybe a even swap of players in same boat.

I get more frustrated at guys that should be doing the right things don't. I can live with mistakes by Konecny and Provorov or other youngsters. It's the vets that bug me so far.
- J35Bacher

Giroux makes 8,750,000 a year. He's not looking like a player that matches that salary right now. He sure did on that shootout dangle against the Blue Jackets but particularly at 5-on-5 is where I'm concerned.

Heave ho, two in a row!!! Get it done! Is tonight the night for consecutive wins?
- PLindbergh31

They've really got to start building some consistency. Start with tending which is coming around, and then start putting a 60 min effort in. They really need to get over .500 and get into a playoff spot. They're pissing away a lot of these home games.

The Bruins have a defensive pairing of 13 feet and 2 inches.
The rookie Carlo has been impressive.

Heave ho, two in a row!!! Get it done! Is tonight the night for consecutive wins?
- PLindbergh31

Let's hope so.. We are one day away from the month of December, it's be a long time coming

I feel bad for Carson Wentz. For Crissakes Howie, get the kid some linemen and receivers! Oh, and some cornerbacks would be nice too.

On the Flyers:
All in all I'm mildly disappointed so far this season. On the plus side, I love watching how quickly Provorov and Konecny are developing and I think vets like Simmer, Gudas and Manning are having excellent seasons. Ghost I can somewhat excuse as a lot of very talented players seem to struggle in their second NHL season, I think he will come around and be fine.

On the other hand, I'm very disappointed in the play of vets like Giroux and Streit and to a lesser extent, Del Zotto, AMac and Weise. The goalies, for the most part, have been atrocious and their early season play is simply inexcusable. The rest of the squad has pretty much performed to my expectations. We rip guys like VdV, but they are what they are and it's not their fault that they aren't producing more.

When it comes to management and coaching, it's a mixed review moreso re the coach. I like Hak's system a lot, and I understand to some degree the scratches and benching of some of the "better" players. What I don't understand is why some players (Streit in particular stands out) are allowed to mess up time and time again, while others make one or 2 miscues and they're out of the lineup. I also think he needs to make better use of his timeout and be a bit more patient with some of his line combos. When it comes to the GM, I'm fully on board with rebuilding from within, I'd just like to see him try and add one experienced veteran that can play in the top 9 and can add some leadership and grit to the lineup. Losing guys like Briere and Timonen over the last couple of years has hurt, perhaps more off the ice than on, and trying to get a guy like that wouldn't be a bad idea.
- BiggE

There are a lot of guys underachieving thus far. Giroux certainly is chief among them, and we hope it's a slump. Until he shows it isn't I'm willing to cut him a little slack, because he's basically carried the team since 2011.

As for the others, certainly it's disappointing. Streit is 38. A decline shouldn't amaze anyone. Del Zotto dealt with injuries coming out of camp. Weise has played a lot better the last few weeks after a rough start. MacDonald is what he is...

I'd add Couturier and Schenn to the list of disappointments. I really hoped Schenn would take the next step and show consistency. Instead he's been the same old Schenn. Couturier finally got the wingers we had hoped for, and after a fast start, his production tailed off prior to the injury. He wasn't playing that great prior to the injury, either. It's not the worst thing in the world if he's just a really good C3, but I had hoped the offense would come being paired with guys like Voracek and Konecny.

As for the focus on guys like Bellemare and VandeVelde, a lot of that is born from the untouchable status those guys enjoy. We see a guy like Lyubimov come out and he's a whirling dervish-and the coach admits he did nothing to lose a spot-and it's frustrating. Meanwhile, even when one of those guys makes an obvious mistake-like shooting the puck directly out and turning a 5-4 PK into a 5 on 3 PK which cost them a goal-and stays in the line up, while other guys seem to get benched for more arbitrary reasons.

That said, it's still early and they certainly have a chance to right the ship. It's also still about the future, rather than the now with this team. I'd be fine with Hextall making a deal for a vet who can come in and help, but it needs to be a guy who will still be here in 3-4 years as a part of the puzzle.

They've really got to start building some consistency. Start with tending which is coming around, and then start putting a 60 min effort in. They really need to get over .500 and get into a playoff spot. They're pissing away a lot of these home games.
- Hextall271

They have been pretty consistent, win a game and lose 2 games win a game lose 3 games win a game lose 2 games, etc.

There are a lot of guys underachieving thus far. Giroux certainly is chief among them, and we hope it's a slump. Until he shows it isn't I'm willing to cut him a little slack, because he's basically carried the team since 2011.

As for the others, certainly it's disappointing. Streit is 38. A decline shouldn't amaze anyone. Del Zotto dealt with injuries coming out of camp. Weise has played a lot better the last few weeks after a rough start. MacDonald is what he is...

I'd add Couturier and Schenn to the list of disappointments. I really hoped Schenn would take the next step and show consistency. Instead he's been the same old Schenn. Couturier finally got the wingers we had hoped for, and after a fast start, his production tailed off prior to the injury. He wasn't playing that great prior to the injury, either. It's not the worst thing in the world if he's just a really good C3, but I had hoped the offense would come being paired with guys like Voracek and Konecny.

As for the focus on guys like Bellemare and VandeVelde, a lot of that is born from the untouchable status those guys enjoy. We see a guy like Lyubimov come out and he's a whirling dervish-and the coach admits he did nothing to lose a spot-and it's frustrating. Meanwhile, even when one of those guys makes an obvious mistake-like shooting the puck directly out and turning a 5-4 PK into a 5 on 3 PK which cost them a goal-and stays in the line up, while other guys seem to get benched for more arbitrary reasons.

That said, it's still early and they certainly have a chance to right the ship. It's also still about the future, rather than the now with this team. I'd be fine with Hextall making a deal for a vet who can come in and help, but it needs to be a guy who will still be here in 3-4 years as a part of the puzzle.
- Jsaquella

Spot on. Lyub was beastly on Sunday night. Weise has turned it around.
Such a bummer about Schenn. He got the dollars and looks to be the same player - actually a slightly regressed version compared to how he closed out the season last year.

They have been pretty consistent, win a game and lose 2 games win a game lose 3 games win a game lose 2 games, etc.
- Streit2ThePoint

Yeah consistently meh.

Spot on. Lyub was beastly on Sunday night. Weise has turned it around.
Such a bummer about Schenn. He got the dollars and looks to be the same player - actually a slightly regressed version compared to how he closed out the season last year.
- Pixote Andolini

If he played the way he did to close out last season, I think everyone would be ecstatic. He's not even close to that right now.

They've really got to start building some consistency. Start with tending which is coming around, and then start putting a 60 min effort in. They really need to get over .500 and get into a playoff spot. They're pissing away a lot of these home games.
- Hextall271

They have to stop committing egregious turnovers, and having defensive breakdowns in their own end. Yes there has been soft goals allowed a fair amount this year, but for the most part the goaltenders have been hung out to dry.

I've never seen a team get burned as much as this team. It seems like nearly every mistake ends up in their net.

There are a lot of guys underachieving thus far. Giroux certainly is chief among them, and we hope it's a slump. Until he shows it isn't I'm willing to cut him a little slack, because he's basically carried the team since 2011.

As for the others, certainly it's disappointing. Streit is 38. A decline shouldn't amaze anyone. Del Zotto dealt with injuries coming out of camp. Weise has played a lot better the last few weeks after a rough start. MacDonald is what he is...

I'd add Couturier and Schenn to the list of disappointments. I really hoped Schenn would take the next step and show consistency. Instead he's been the same old Schenn. Couturier finally got the wingers we had hoped for, and after a fast start, his production tailed off prior to the injury. He wasn't playing that great prior to the injury, either. It's not the worst thing in the world if he's just a really good C3, but I had hoped the offense would come being paired with guys like Voracek and Konecny.

As for the focus on guys like Bellemare and VandeVelde, a lot of that is born from the untouchable status those guys enjoy. We see a guy like Lyubimov come out and he's a whirling dervish-and the coach admits he did nothing to lose a spot-and it's frustrating. Meanwhile, even when one of those guys makes an obvious mistake-like shooting the puck directly out and turning a 5-4 PK into a 5 on 3 PK which cost them a goal-and stays in the line up, while other guys seem to get benched for more arbitrary reasons.

That said, it's still early and they certainly have a chance to right the ship. It's also still about the future, rather than the now with this team. I'd be fine with Hextall making a deal for a vet who can come in and help, but it needs to be a guy who will still be here in 3-4 years as a part of the puzzle.
- Jsaquella

No coach is going to bench a player because a puck rolled on edge, and was accidentally shot into the crowd, leading to a penalty. Especially when that player, plays with max effort every game, and trusted because he plays his position well, in terms of being responsible in coverage and positioning, within the system. He brings consistency, even if his talent is limited, to an inconsistent team.

There are a lot of guys underachieving thus far. Giroux certainly is chief among them, and we hope it's a slump. Until he shows it isn't I'm willing to cut him a little slack, because he's basically carried the team since 2011.

As for the others, certainly it's disappointing. Streit is 38. A decline shouldn't amaze anyone. Del Zotto dealt with injuries coming out of camp. Weise has played a lot better the last few weeks after a rough start. MacDonald is what he is...

I'd add Couturier and Schenn to the list of disappointments. I really hoped Schenn would take the next step and show consistency. Instead he's been the same old Schenn. Couturier finally got the wingers we had hoped for, and after a fast start, his production tailed off prior to the injury. He wasn't playing that great prior to the injury, either. It's not the worst thing in the world if he's just a really good C3, but I had hoped the offense would come being paired with guys like Voracek and Konecny.

As for the focus on guys like Bellemare and VandeVelde, a lot of that is born from the untouchable status those guys enjoy. We see a guy like Lyubimov come out and he's a whirling dervish-and the coach admits he did nothing to lose a spot-and it's frustrating. Meanwhile, even when one of those guys makes an obvious mistake-like shooting the puck directly out and turning a 5-4 PK into a 5 on 3 PK which cost them a goal-and stays in the line up, while other guys seem to get benched for more arbitrary reasons.

That said, it's still early and they certainly have a chance to right the ship. It's also still about the future, rather than the now with this team. I'd be fine with Hextall making a deal for a vet who can come in and help, but it needs to be a guy who will still be here in 3-4 years as a part of the puzzle.
- Jsaquella

I agree about Schenn and Couturier, both need to show more as well. I also agree with your last statement about adding a vet who will be here for a while. I don't know that guy is, but if they can find a 28-30 year old center or winger who perhaps has a Cup ring and rep for playing the game hard and the right way, I'd love to get that guy.

No coach is going to bench a player because a puck rolled on edge, and was accidentally shot into the crowd, leading to a penalty. Especially when that player, plays with max effort every game, and trusted because he plays his position well, in terms of being responsible in coverage and positioning, within the system. He brings consistency, even if his talent is limited, to an inconsistent team.
- MJL

Consistent mediocrity is still mediocrity.

Spot on. Lyub was beastly on Sunday night. Weise has turned it around.
Such a bummer about Schenn. He got the dollars and looks to be the same player - actually a slightly regressed version compared to how he closed out the season last year.
- Pixote Andolini

In my opinion, Schenn had a strong game Sunday night.