So he's facing the toughest matchups and outshooting them on most nights. I don't see the problem. Do you expect him to outshoot the opponent every night? There are other good players in the league too.

Now tell me how many night Bellemare has outshot the opponent
- PhillySportsGuy

In his defense, I don't think any player in NHL history outshoots an entire opposition team with any sort of regularity.

I don't know weather they need an upgrade at 1LW or 2C more, either. It all comes down to weather you think Coots is a legit 2C (aka do you believe in hand-picked #fancystats).

By the way, (frank) this cold ass whether.
- jmatchett383

Yeah frank this cold ass"whether "!!
Got it

i really should've finished my hype video
- YuenglingJagr

Do you think Australia has a chance to move up to IIHF Division II A for next year's WJC?

Yeah frank this cold ass"whether "!!
Got it
- 3flyerkids

I'm glad two hear that you go it, to.

In the cap world, loading up your 3 best guys on the top line is pointless. The depth needs to be moved throughout the top 9. Raffl, at his cap hit, is a fine first liner and is actually he has been very helpful in making that line click
- YuenglingJagr

This is such a good point and I feel like people overlook it constantly. Very few teams (probably none) have enough talent to ice a top line of all stars while also having above average 2nd-4th lines.

The days of the top 6 scoring all the points while the bottom 6 "plays defense" are over. It's just not an effective strategy. Conceding 20-25 minutes per game is not something you can afford to do on a nightly basis.

Do you think Australia has a chance to move up to IIHF Division II A for next year's WJC?
- jmatchett383

we are certainly trying, and sometimes that is all that matters

yvonne left the team for personal reasons though....she was great

How will they improve those positions? I can think of one bona fide scoring forward in the pipeline (Lindblom) and not much else after that. D and goalies are solid for years to come. Hexy doesn't seem inclined to do much in free agency or trade, so I guess it'll be left up to the draft, which may take some time. By then, G may be past his prime.
- aantny88

The positive is that forwards usually take less time to develop than D and goalies.

we are certainly trying, and sometimes that is all that matters
- YuenglingJagr

Better watch out, Serbia and Mexico will be tough outs.

Turd twin 1 + 2 scored yesterday and tonight.

Need to keep the consistency going. G and V can't do it all.
- flyer_nutter

Yeah Gordon and VandeVelde need a break.

Better watch out, Serbia and Mexico will be tough outs.
- jmatchett383

Who do the Mexicans have? We haven't scouted Central America much

Hey guys* - send me your resumes and I will personally deliver them to the Flyers HR department for immediate consideration.

* generic term, I'm an EEOC resume gatherer

I know it’s not rationale but sometimes I start to believe the conspiracy people when they say the NHL wants non hockey markets such as Columbus to make the playoffs when I see decisions like yesterday. Bob was out of the paint when brushed into by Murray who slightly rubbed into Raffl. How that was called a non goal is beyond me. Meanwhile Mason has the back of his skate hit knocking him slightly off balance and that is a goal. Sorry but they are both goals or neither are goals. Goalie interference is like what is and is not a catch in the NFL. when fans have no idea what is and is not good the rule is too convoluted. Glad the Flyers came away with a point but I can't help to feel like its bull poop

How will they improve those positions? I can think of one bona fide scoring forward in the pipeline (Lindblom) and not much else after that. D and goalies are solid for years to come. Hexy doesn't seem inclined to do much in free agency or trade, so I guess it'll be left up to the draft, which may take some time. By then, G may be past his prime.
- aantny88

I've read that some scouts believe Rubstov may have a higher upside than other suggest, a possible 1c with some scoring prowess.

Igor Eronko
‏@IgorEronko

Per @Boogaard_2 German Rubtsov terminated contract with 'Vityaz' of the #KHL. Now he's free to play for Chicoutimi #Flyers

I know it’s not rationale but sometimes I start to believe the conspiracy people when they say the NHL wants non hockey markets such as Columbus to make the playoffs when I see decisions like yesterday. Bob was out of the paint when brushed into by Murray who slightly rubbed into Raffl. How that was called a non goal is beyond me. Meanwhile Mason has the back of his skate hit knocking him slightly off balance and that is a goal. Sorry but they are both goals or neither are goals. Goalie interference is like what is and is not a catch in the NFL. when fans have no idea what is and is not good the rule is too convoluted. Glad the Flyers came away with a point but I can't help to feel like its bull poop
- nastyflyergirl

It was bull.

I know it’s not rationale but sometimes I start to believe the conspiracy people when they say the NHL wants non hockey markets such as Columbus to make the playoffs when I see decisions like yesterday. Bob was out of the paint when brushed into by Murray who slightly rubbed into Raffl. How that was called a non goal is beyond me. Meanwhile Mason has the back of his skate hit knocking him slightly off balance and that is a goal. Sorry but they are both goals or neither are goals. Goalie interference is like what is and is not a catch in the NFL. when fans have no idea what is and is not good the rule is too convoluted. Glad the Flyers came away with a point but I can't help to feel like its bull poop
- nastyflyergirl

I also think Mason's glove was interfered with as well.

Hey guys* - send me your resumes and I will personally deliver them to the Flyers HR department for immediate consideration.

* generic term, I'm an EEOC resume gatherer
- Scoob

which position is this for again? I have been burned before

The Flyers got one major glaring stat to me. 83.59% High Difficulty Save Percentage. Along with giving up 54 High Difficulty Shots Against. Both of those are league worst numbers.

They need to tighten that up and they will be fine for all the bashing of any player it's really a team issue that's hurting them most nights.

Igor Eronko
‏@IgorEronko

Per @Boogaard_2 German Rubtsov terminated contract with 'Vityaz' of the #KHL. Now he's free to play for Chicoutimi #Flyers
- JFlyers00

which position is this for again? I have been burned before
- YuenglingJagr

Seems there are two positions in need of an upgrade.

General Manager
Head Coach

Seems there are two positions in need of an upgrade.

General Manager
Head Coach
- Scoob

I can save them some money and do both

Who do the Mexicans have? We haven't scouted Central America much
- YuenglingJagr

They're led by the trio of Jorge Perez on D with Antonio Najera and Alan Benabib up front. I'm not sure if Sebastian de la Vega or Gerardo Garcia del Valle will provide adequate goaltending, though.

I can save them some money and do both
- YuenglingJagr

Calm down, Chip.

How will they improve those positions? I can think of one bona fide scoring forward in the pipeline (Lindblom) and not much else after that. D and goalies are solid for years to come. Hexy doesn't seem inclined to do much in free agency or trade, so I guess it'll be left up to the draft, which may take some time. By then, G may be past his prime.
- aantny88

The Flyers biggest problem is that they a subpar bottom 6.

Everyone keeps talking about getting a top line sniper or something along those lines. Strengthen the bottom 6 and it will do wonders through out the lineup.

Fortunately, we have an abundance of guys who project to be just that.

Right now the Flyers have about 4 guys who could make immediate impacts as soon as next season...

Oskar Lindblom (6'2" 205, LW/RW, 20 years old) should be able to come in and play 3rd line wing. More importantly, he should be a staple to the second PP unit which is just god awful. Having Konecny, Couts and Lindblom along with Sanheim and Provy should make for a very good second unit.

Taylor Leir (5'10" 177, LW, soon to be 23) also should be on the team at the start of next season. If you have paid any attention to Leier over his career, you will see he just continues to develop. Started his WHL career as about a .4 ppg player and finished well over a ppg. Same thing seems to be happening in the AHL. More importantly is the fact that he can be used in many different situations, and kills penalties.

Scott Laughton (6'1" 180 C/LW, 22) is getting near the end of the line. He is a RFA at the end of the season, but the Flyers shouldnt have any problem resigning him. Part of Laughton's problem is finding where he fits/ what his role in the NHL will be. He has had some success offensively despite limited roles and untimely injuries, but his defensive game (the assumed ticket to his NHL future) hasnt been there. It is very surprising to me that he hasnt been able to round things out. Hopefully finishing the year in the AHL will give him a chance to really get his game going again. The 3rd line center spot is ripe for his picking, but he needs to make some serious strides over the next 9 months.

Nick Cousins (5"10" 190, C, 23) is also a guy who could solidify a spot on the Flyers roster, and hold it down. Cousins is a bit different than the other 3. He probably has reached his NHL peak. He may put up more points, could be a 15-15 guy, but as a center he lacks a few things needed in the bottom 6. He is not a special teams player. He is rather bad at taking draws. He isnt a good defensive player (He is so-so IMO). That doesnt bode well for a 3rd/4th line center. It is likely the reason his is a healthy scratch. He could make for a good 13th forward who you can pot around the lineup when needed, but he looks like he is gonna be a tweener in my eyes.



Outside of those guys there are some other interesting players a few years away..
Fazleev could end up being a very solid 4th liner... Decent size, strong defensively, smart, some offensive skills, pretty physical along the walls..

Cooper Marody looked like he was gonna be a steal this time last year. He was playing alongside Kyle Connor for a bit at Michigan, and then was getting top 6 forward minutes until he got mono which knocked him down. He also got behind with school which made him academically ineligible until just recently.. He has been a near ppg college player so far, and has 3 points (all assists) in his two games back. He is a darkhorse top 9 guy...

Wade Allison was one of the fastest risers in the draft last year. He is in his first season at Western Mich and is having a hell of a start to his NCAA career. The big winger's (6'2" 210) game is all about strength. The kid is a moose. He also has top 9 potential IMO.

I can save them some money and do both
- YuenglingJagr

I recommend sending links to your best HB posts as supporting evidence of your qualifications.