I would just put the pressure on the top players. Either they step up or not.

Schenn - Giroux - Simmonds
Konecny - Couturier - Voracek
Weise - Raffl - Read
Lyubimov - Bellemare - Vandevelde

I understand the needing depth in the lineup but I think that will start to happen when some of the prospects start to filter in.


Right now I need my top guys to produce.

And I think it's time to maybe bring Laughton up and just waive Gordon. Laughton needs to sink or swim in some role up here.
- J35Bacher

It just sucks because I think we could be a really really good team with 4 lines that can score if we went with this line up

Raffl - Giroux - Simmonds
Konecny - Couturier - Voracek
Schenn - Cousins - Read/Weise
Laughton - Bellemare - Lyubimov/Weise

my thoughts on the team's struggles in general and why VDV and AMac get all the blame:

It is not difficult to watch most of the Flyers games this season and see where the problems lie. Certainly not any one player's fault. So why do players get singled out? Reading along you can see it is for any number of reasons, but for me it is simply just because the lack of skill is obvious and there really isn't a change in sight.

Using common sense and looking at trends/history (in addition to the never-flawed eye test) I can gather enough information to not be worried about a lot of the other players on the team. I can see what some of the guys are capable of and have confidence they are skilled enough to get it worked out, especially once the skill level of the entire lineup is increased. I believe that Ghost, MDZ, Couturier and Mason will get better, because they have been and there are obvious signs of struggle. Cant say the same about everyone.

So in summary, I will continue to female dog about players like AMac, Schultz, VDV, and PEB, because they are a waste of my time. I don't want them on the team because I don't think they make other players better, and I don't see them getting better themselves. I am supremely confident that even if Hakstol trusts one player more than the next, there is no proof that the Flyers would be in a worse situation playing players like Laughton and Cousins
- YuenglingJagr

My only difference is PEB has shown (with better linemates) that he can be a player. See the World Cup, most broadcasters were raving about him. I'd like to see what happens if the anchor is removed.

I COULDN'T GIVE A FLYING (frank) ABOUT HIS CONTRACT. I DO NOT WANT HIM PAIRED WITH PROVOROV. I DO NOT WANT HIM KILLING PENALTIES. I DO NOT WANT HIM GETTING TOP MINUTES. I DO NOT WANT HIM ON OUR TEAM.
- hammarby31

So, what you're saying is...sorry, I'm still not sure. You're saying he's only mostly good?

my thoughts on the team's struggles in general and why VDV and AMac get all the blame:

It is not difficult to watch most of the Flyers games this season and see where the problems lie. Certainly not any one player's fault. So why do players get singled out? Reading along you can see it is for any number of reasons, but for me it is simply just because the lack of skill is obvious and there really isn't a change in sight.

Using common sense and looking at trends/history (in addition to the never-flawed eye test) I can gather enough information to not be worried about a lot of the other players on the team. I can see what some of the guys are capable of and have confidence they are skilled enough to get it worked out, especially once the skill level of the entire lineup is increased. I believe that Ghost, MDZ, Couturier and Mason will get better, because they have been and there are obvious signs of struggle. Cant say the same about everyone.

So in summary, I will continue to female dog about players like AMac, Schultz, VDV, and PEB, because they are a waste of my time. I don't want them on the team because I don't think they make other players better, and I don't see them getting better themselves. I am supremely confident that even if Hakstol trusts one player more than the next, there is no proof that the Flyers would be in a worse situation playing players like Laughton and Cousins
- YuenglingJagr

i understand all of that. what i want is for the lesser players to not consistently hurt the team, chip in on occasion. i want the best players to consistently be the best players. when the top guys are bad, there's typically not a good result.

and when a team is going bad, like they are right now, i want to see urgency and pressure...i do not see this now. shot totals don't fool me either.

So, what you're saying is...sorry, I'm still not sure. You're saying he's only mostly good?
- jmatchett383

yes.

My only difference is PEB has shown (with better linemates) that he can be a player. See the World Cup, most broadcasters were raving about him. I'd like to see what happens if the anchor is removed.
- dragonoffrost

I think the real anchor on PEB is the responsibility of playing center at the highest level of hockey, and possibly advancing age. In the SHL he was a winger and scored a lot of really nice goals.

Dave Isaac ‏@davegisaac 1h1 hour ago
Lines look different:
Raffl-Giroux-Konecny
Read/Cousins-Couturier-Voracek
Gordon/Weise-Schenn-Simmonds
VandeVelde-Bellemare-Lyubimov


Dave Isaac ‏@davegisaac 1h1 hour ago
Defense pairs:
Provorov-MacDonald
DelZotto-Manning
Streit-Gudas
Schultz-Gostisbehere
- JFlyers00

Big solution? Swap Konec and Read. Solid.

Big solution? Swap Konec and Read. Solid.

- flyer_nutter

Funny how people want TK with G and now it's actually listed and people are still hollering.

Funny how people want TK with G and now it's actually listed and people are still hollering.
- dragonoffrost

gotta hate sumethin

My only difference is PEB has shown (with better linemates) that he can be a player. See the World Cup, most broadcasters were raving about him. I'd like to see what happens if the anchor is removed.
- dragonoffrost

Don't you think years of games in the NHL is a better way to judge a player than a few games in a tournament?

Don't you think years of games in the NHL is a better way to judge a player than a few games in a tournament?
- PhillySportsGuy

No, and I also believe that Giroux is a 3rd line winger.

My only difference is PEB has shown (with better linemates) that he can be a player. See the World Cup, most broadcasters were raving about him. I'd like to see what happens if the anchor is removed.
- dragonoffrost

a world cup isnt going to change what ive seen in the actual NHL for 2 seasons. Most of his time has been anchored to VDV, no denying that, but most of the other linemates throughout his NHL career have better stats away from each other than with him. Statistically, the only forward with more favorable goals and shot metrics (than the two have away from each other) is Raffl

I think the real anchor on PEB is the responsibility of playing center at the highest level of hockey, and possibly advancing age. In the SHL he was a winger and scored a lot of really nice goals.
- Feanor

yeah i have more of a problem with him being used as a defensive center in the NHL than I would with him at wing or as a scratch

No, and I also believe that Giroux is a 3rd line winger.
- jmatchett383

as long as you can prove it with the claim of an eye test and unyielding defense of that claim, it has to be true

i understand all of that. what i want is for the lesser players to not consistently hurt the team, chip in on occasion. i want the best players to consistently be the best players. when the top guys are bad, there's typically not a good result.

and when a team is going bad, like they are right now, i want to see urgency and pressure...i do not see this now. shot totals don't fool me either.
- hammarby31

frog protection? I think we're on the same page.

I know a big topic in the offseason was taking defensive pressure off Giroux, but I never saw it that way. With the most skilled lineup they take pressure off of offense and defense. From the skill level standpoint, the Flyers have better options. They need someone to score when their top players slump

Ghost healthy scratch incoming!
- dragonoffrost

for (frank) sake

my thoughts on the team's struggles in general and why VDV and AMac get all the blame:

It is not difficult to watch most of the Flyers games this season and see where the problems lie. Certainly not any one player's fault. So why do players get singled out? Reading along you can see it is for any number of reasons, but for me it is simply just because the lack of skill is obvious and there really isn't a change in sight.

Using common sense and looking at trends/history (in addition to the never-flawed eye test) I can gather enough information to not be worried about a lot of the other players on the team. I can see what some of the guys are capable of and have confidence they are skilled enough to get it worked out, especially once the skill level of the entire lineup is increased. I believe that Ghost, MDZ, Couturier and Mason will get better, because they have been and there are obvious signs of struggle. Cant say the same about everyone.

So in summary, I will continue to female dog about players like AMac, Schultz, VDV, and PEB, because they are a waste of my time. I don't want them on the team because I don't think they make other players better, and I don't see them getting better themselves. I am supremely confident that even if Hakstol trusts one player more than the next, there is no proof that the Flyers would be in a worse situation playing players like Laughton and Cousins
- YuenglingJagr

It's frustrating for me because we have yet to see what would be the optimal line up to my eyes. But the anchor line has been getting significant less 5v5 ice time since the return of Coots. So we have that going for us. Can't complain too much about the PK either as that has been the one thing trending in the right direction recently. I would much rater Cousins and Laughton sub for PEB and VDV, but not if their line is going to get so little ice time.

To clarify my feelings on Amac, he has played better recently. Certainly an improvement from his play in the beginning of this season. That being said, he should be no where near our top-pair. I don't want even want him in the top-4. He also should not be a part of the primary defensive pair used to kill penalties imo. I could live with him getting 16-17 minutes a night on the bottom pair.

And how long would you be willing to let him go until he can start providing support offense? Because through the Flyer's first 40+ games, that offense has been nonexistent. At what point does he need to sit since he has been short of "fine?"
- jmatchett383

That's a good question. Without the offense, he is basically a 4th line player. You'd even want a 4th liner to chip in more offense. It also becomes a cap issue then, because that is way too much money to spend on a 4th line player. I'm more patient than others, so I'm not ready to write him off yet. In my opinion he still has more time to get it together. If he doesn't improve the rest of the season, then there it's definitely an issue moving forward.

is it? is it funny? not really. lots of blame to go around, but he's an easy target for good reason.

I COULDN'T GIVE A FLYING (frank) ABOUT HIS CONTRACT. I DO NOT WANT HIM PAIRED WITH PROVOROV. I DO NOT WANT HIM KILLING PENALTIES. I DO NOT WANT HIM GETTING TOP MINUTES. I DO NOT WANT HIM ON OUR TEAM.

the team has dead weight, just like every year. the top players aren't producing, and not doing much good otherwise. ES is still problem. the PP has dried up. nobody is picking up the slack. they are bad in their own end. it all equals a long losing streak.

i'll be sure to check with you first before i post to make sure something isn't funny.
- hammarby31

What did you think of Giroux's performance last night? Nice touch with the caps.

I would never sit Weise while VdV is in the lineup. Weise would be an upgrade at 4LW, and Couturier/Read/Lyubimov would be an upgrade on the PK.

Big solution? Swap Konec and Read. Solid.

- flyer_nutter

Is this akin to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic?

I enjoyed how Mac was interviewed last night and said about that third goal where he made a terrible terrible turnover: "I don't know what happened on the third one
- Mononoke[goal]. It hit a few bodies and stayed in, kind of a broken play coming back. It's a tough one to give up. Unfortunately they got that one."

Are you (frank)ing kidding me? What a way to shift off blame.

Simmonds had clear possession of the puck, and turned it over at the blueline. That's the turnover that led to that goal. MacDonald had his coverage and blocked a shot, which bounced into the slot. Kane skated right by Giroux, who glided and weakly waived his stick at him, as Kane went by to get to the puck in the slot, and pot it in the net. I know we have to single out the scapegoat.

'member when Vandevelde had 10 points 35% of the way through the season? When we complained about him too much because he wasn't the problem? When wasn't getting lucky, but was actually using veteran savvy and hard work to will the puck into the net?

Well that guy hasn't recorded a point since the Flyers played EDM (14 game streak). It is just like the Jeep Trivia question, people. I am giving you the answers!

Is this akin to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic?
- aantny88

aside from a trade all they can do is rearrange the chairs and hope something clicks for a bit