Consistent mediocrity is still mediocrity.
- BiggE

He's a 4th line player, who brings stability.

Consistent mediocrity is still mediocrity.
- BiggE

That's true I just googled it

That's true I just googled it
- Streit2ThePoint

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

Good points. I know it's been discussed, but I am really starting to worry that Laughton might not develop into anything more than a 4th line/AHL tweener. Not looking to send him packing, but wow. He's regressed, and he simply looks terrible when I notice him at all..

Consistent mediocrity is still mediocrity.
- BiggE

How absurd is it that 23 games into the season, VDV is tied in goals scored with Giroux. That can't happen.

He's a 4th line player, who brings stability.
- MJL

"Stability" is one of those vague coachspeak terms that basically means: I'm comfortable with the guy. Well sometimes, in order to improve, you need to leave your comfort zone. Considering the amount of mistakes that this club consistently makes, I'm not sure that Vandevelde's "stability" is that much of a tangible asset. They are not going to win the Cup this year no matter who skates on the 4th line, so why not give some more talented players a chance. Lyubimov certainly deserves to stay in the lineup and Leier has 16 points in 18 games and is +4 with the Phantoms while seeing time on both the pp and the pk. He certainly seems ready for another look. I'd send down Laughton who is struggling and could use 18 minutes a night in LHV and bring up Leier.

Why not try something like:

Raffl-G-Simmonds
TK-Schenn-Jake
Lyubimov-Cousins-Weise
Leier-Bellamare-Read

They have nothing to lose and if it doesn't work, you can put VdV back in.

How absurd is it that 23 games into the season, VDV is tied in goals scored with Giroux. That can't happen.
- PLindbergh31

"Stability" is one of those vague coachspeak terms that basically means: I'm comfortable with the guy. Well sometimes, in order to improve, you need to leave your comfort zone. Considering the amount of mistakes that this club consistently makes, I'm not sure that Vandevelde's "stability" is that much of a tangible asset. They are not going to win the Cup this year no matter who skates on the 4th line, so why not give some more talented players a chance. Lyubimov certainly deserves to stay in the lineup and Leier has 16 points in 18 games and is +4 with the Phantoms while seeing time on both the pp and the pk. He certainly seems ready for another look. I'd send down Laughton who is struggling and could use 18 minutes a night in LHV and bring up Leier.

Why not try something like:

Raffl-G-Simmonds
TK-Schenn-Jake
Lyubimov-Cousins-Weise
Leier-Bellamare-Read

They have nothing to lose and if it doesn't work, you can put VdV back in.
- BiggE

Hextall has often said, the Flyers are in the business of winning hockey games. When a team is as inconsistent and mistake prone as this team is, the stability that a player like Vandevelde offers is valued by a coach. Not sure why some can't grasp this.

Hextall has often said, the Flyers are in the business of winning hockey games. When a team is as inconsistent and mistake prone as this team is, the stability that a player like Vandevelde offers is valued by a coach. Not sure why some can't grasp this.
- MJL

Clearly it is working...

How absurd is it that 23 games into the season, VDV is tied in goals scored with Giroux. That can't happen.
- PLindbergh31

Is VDV not good? The way you guys talk about him, hes either hockey jesus or satan..

Is VDV not good? The way you guys talk about him, hes either hockey jesus or satan..
- Guile

he is our eric fehr, but actually was never good

he is our eric fehr, but actually was never good
- YuenglingJagr

That's a tad depressing

Hextall has often said, the Flyers are in the business of winning hockey games. When a team is as inconsistent and mistake prone as this team is, the stability that a player like Vandevelde offers is valued by a coach. Not sure why some can't grasp this.
- MJL

You completely missed my point, but oh well, agree to disagree...

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.

Couturier was the team's best 5 on 5 scorer last season playing mainly with Raffl, Simmonds and Read. I'm not sure why you are rehashing the argument that he needs elite wingers to be a 2C based on 20 games this season, because that was already proved false last season over 63 games.

Clearly it is working...
- YuenglingJagr

Exactly

Couturier was the team's best 5 on 5 scorer last season playing mainly with Raffl, Simmonds and Read. I'm not sure why you are rehashing the argument that he needs elite wingers to be a 2C, because that was already proved false last season.
- Feanor

I don't think it's that he needs elite wingers to be a 2C, rather it's more like we expected more than what we saw when he was playing with guys like Voracek and TK. Also offensive game aside, he seemed to be making more coverage and defensive mistakes than he usually does as well. For whatever reason, after the first couple of games, his play did take a step back. He needs to play better when he returns.

- jmatchett383

LOL

always funny to see that VS logo

Couturier was the team's best 5 on 5 scorer last season playing mainly with Raffl, Simmonds and Read. I'm not sure why you are rehashing the argument that he needs elite wingers to be a 2C based on 20 games this season, because that was already proved false last season over 63 games.
- Feanor

Just marry him man we get it.

I don't think it's that he needs elite wingers to be a 2C, rather it's more like we expected more than what we saw when he was playing with guys like Voracek and TK. Also offensive game aside, he seemed to be making more coverage and defensive mistakes than he usually does as well. For whatever reason, after the first couple of games, his play did take a step back. He needs to play better when he returns.
- BiggE

Koenecny and Voracek have scored at a MUCH higher rate this season with Couturier, than without him. Just because Coots didn't get an assist on all their goals, doesn't mean he didn't contribute to the offense.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2016-17&sit=5v5

http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2016-17&sit=5v5

Konency: 8 points in 228 minutes with Couturier, 1 point in 74 minutes without

Voracek: 6 points 217 minutes with Couturier, 2 points 115 minutes without

Just marry him man we get it.
- ClaudeFather

The classic response of a retarded homophobe.

How absurd is it that 23 games into the season, VDV is tied in goals scored with Giroux. That can't happen.
- PLindbergh31

Clearly VDV isn't a problem. The forth line usually doesn't win or loose games. But G.. Well I hate to say it but he has been an obvious problem.
Just imagine if VDV had PP TIME.. He could have more goals than G

Just marry him man we get it.
- ClaudeFather

But d0000000d...5v5 shot attempt differentials win games.

Clearly VDV isn't a problem. The forth line usually doesn't win or loose games. But G.. Well I hate to say it but he has been an obvious problem.
Just imagine if VDV had PP TIME.. He could have more goals than G
- 3flyerkids

It is sad right now. Obviously other facets to the game than scoring goals, but I'm sure if I scoured the stats I wouldn't find another team in the NHL where a fringe 4th liner is tied in goals with the teams best player.

But d0000000d...5v5 shot attempt differentials win games.
- jmatchett383

5 on 5 goals win a lot of games.