It’s getting close now! Time to switch the sling package into game mode.

Thinking about that PK...would like to see some new pairs in preseason

Laughton - TK

Raffl - Weal

Lindblom - Patrick

Provorov - Folin

Hagg - Ghost

Also like Giroux with Couturier especially for face offs but with Coots injury that will wait.

It’s getting close now! Time to switch the sling package into game mode.

Thinking about that PK...would like to see some new pairs in preseason

Laughton - TK

Raffl - Weal

Lindblom - Patrick

Provorov - Folin

Hagg - Ghost

Also like Giroux with Couturier especially for face offs but with Coots injury that will wait.
- NC Flyers Fan

Would also give Frost, Leier, Bardreau, Vorobyev and Rubtsov a look up front and Myers and Sanheim a look on D.

It’s getting close now! Time to switch the sling package into game mode.

Thinking about that PK...would like to see some new pairs in preseason

Laughton - TK

Raffl - Weal

Lindblom - Patrick

Provorov - Folin

Hagg - Ghost

Also like Giroux with Couturier especially for face offs but with Coots injury that will wait.
- NC Flyers Fan

Koncency is not a player that I would play on the PK. I wouldn't put Gostisbehere out there either. Coverage around the net and in the corners are his biggest weakness and area of vulnerability.

Koncency is not a player that I would play on the PK. I wouldn't put Gostisbehere out there either. Coverage around the net and in the corners are his biggest weakness and area of vulnerability.
- MJL

I disagree about Konecny. His speed is a huge asset and his defense is improving. I would like Morin over Ghost in a perfect world but I do think Ghost’s stick work is a plus over available options.

Would also give Frost, Leier, Bardreau, Vorobyev and Rubtsov a look up front and Myers and Sanheim a look on D.
- BiggE

Sure and probably will early in preseason and rookie game. But I don’t think any are likely to make opening night roster except Sanheim.

Sure and probably will early in preseason and rookie game. But I don’t think any are likely to make opening night roster except Sanheim.
- NC Flyers Fan

True, but I’d still give them a look while they’re here. PK is tiring and no point using any of the vets before the last couple preseason games.

True, but I’d still give them a look while they’re here. PK is tiring and no point using any of the vets before the last couple preseason games.
- BiggE

I do agree with that however in our case the PK needs to get into a rhythm ASAP so it is an improvement to what we saw last year.

Also new blog...goalies

I disagree about Konecny. His speed is a huge asset and his defense is improving. I would like Morin over Ghost in a perfect world but I do think Ghost’s stick work is a plus over available options.
- NC Flyers Fan

It takes far more than speed to be an effective penalty killer. He does not have the defensive acumen to play on the PK. It was only last season that his ice time and role was increased after making improvements in his play away from the puck and in his puck management. I'm not sure what your disagreement could be based on. Asking Gostisbehere to play on the PK is asking a player to lay in a situation that he is not well suited for. His stick work does not erase his weaknesses in vital areas on the PK.

I do agree with that however in our case the PK needs to get into a rhythm ASAP so it is an improvement to what we saw last year.

Also new blog...goalies
- NC Flyers Fan

Here, we're in agreement. No reason to play players who aren't likely to make the team other than if the lineup choices in pre season necessitate it. They need to get off to a good start and improve the PK.

It takes far more than speed to be an effective penalty killer. He does not have the defensive acumen to play on the PK. It was only last season that his ice time and role was increased after making improvements in his play away from the puck and in his puck management. I'm not sure what your disagreement could be based on. Asking Gostisbehere to play on the PK is asking a player to lay in a situation that he is not well suited for. His stick work does not erase his weaknesses in vital areas on the PK.
- MJL

That is true of any young player before he is given the opportunity to learn and grow. TK needs the chance to prove himself. I disagree that PK is not in his skill set. Did you think PK was not in Giroux’s skill set?

That is true of any young player before he is given the opportunity to learn and grow. TK needs the chance to prove himself. I disagree that PK is not in his skill set. Did you think PK was not in Giroux’s skill set?
- NC Flyers Fan

This makes zero sense. Konecny's ice time and opportunity to play on top lines was diminished because he was brutal with puck management and weak away from the puck. Now to be fair this is common for a lot of young players and he has certainly improved. The Flyers PK has struggled so giving a young player who strong suit is certainly not coverage away from the puck and making smart decisions with the puck and opportunity to learn and grow playing on the PK makes zero sense. Let him learn and grow in 5 on 5 hockey and down the line when he matures, maybe then he can use his quickness and puck skill to play on the PK.

What you're doing is ignoring the actual evidence of the players ability and stating that they should use him on the PK simply because he skates well. You have zero evidence that his actual play and current level of ability lends itself to playing on the PK when in fact it's the opposite. Giroux is a different player and has zero to do with it.

I am not going to invest to much in arguing for Ghost on the PK, I do like Morin when healthy. But I will say Ghost has had a much higher defensive ceiling then I originally thought and he although still developing shows that he is more than just an elite offensive guy. I think he currently is better for this role than Amac, Gudas, and Sanheim and probably Hagg. Not that I don’t wish one of those was better. It is about improving the team and Ghost can do that.

I am not going to invest to much in arguing for Ghost on the PK, I do like Morin when healthy. But I will say Ghost has had a much higher defensive ceiling then I originally thought and he although still developing shows that he is more than just an elite offensive guy. I think he currently is better for this role than Amac, Gudas, and Sanheim and probably Hagg. Not that I don’t wish one of those was better. It is about improving the team and Ghost can do that.
- NC Flyers Fan

MacDonald is the second best PK defender on the team. Gostisbehere is also not better in coverage and in physical battles than Gudas is. Hagg is a better zone defender. Gostisbehere's strength as a player are his obvious offensive and puck skills. Defensively his strength is anticipation of breaking up plays in the neutral zone and transitioning the puck out. His weaknesses are down low physical plays in the corner and around the net, as well as his coverage away from the puck.
I agree that Gostisbehere made strides and improved his play defensively but out of the attributes and strengths and weaknesses I described, which best illustrates the kind of attributes needed to play on the PK?

Let's not make Gostisbehere try and be the player that he is not.

This makes zero sense. Konecny's ice time and opportunity to play on top lines was diminished because he was brutal with puck management and weak away from the puck. Now to be fair this is common for a lot of young players and he has certainly improved. The Flyers PK has struggled so giving a young player who strong suit is certainly not coverage away from the puck and making smart decisions with the puck and opportunity to learn and grow playing on the PK makes zero sense. Let him learn and grow in 5 on 5 hockey and down the line when he matures, maybe then he can use his quickness and puck skill to play on the PK.

What you're doing is ignoring the actual evidence of the players ability and stating that they should use him on the PK simply because he skates well. You have zero evidence that his actual play and current level of ability lends itself to playing on the PK when in fact it's the opposite. Giroux is a different player and has zero to do with it.
- MJL

In the original post, at forward, I paired lefty and rightys that show good chemistry with their 5 on 5 playing styles to compliment each other. My point with the mostly new pairings and some new personnel is to use what we already have (no trades) to experiment in preseason to see if we can improve from within. To your point, of course I can’t be sure TK will be an improvement until he tries, and you can’t really be sure he wouldn’t succeed.

In the original post, at forward, I paired lefty and rightys that show good chemistry with their 5 on 5 playing styles to compliment each other. My point with the mostly new pairings and some new personnel is to use what we already have (no trades) to experiment in preseason to see if we can improve from within. To your point, of course I can’t be sure TK will be an improvement until he tries, and you can’t really be sure he wouldn’t succeed.
- NC Flyers Fan

Your opinion is basically lets throw something against the wall to see if it sticks. Rather than being based on the actual abilities of the player. I'm pretty confident in saying that at this point in his career, playing Konecny on the PK is not a smart decision. Let him concentrate on improving his all around play and become a really good top 6 5 on 5 offensive forward.

MacDonald is the second best PK defender on the team. Gostisbehere is also not better in coverage and in physical battles than Gudas is. Hagg is a better zone defender. Gostisbehere's strength as a player are his obvious offensive and puck skills. Defensively his strength is anticipation of breaking up plays in the neutral zone and transitioning the puck out. His weaknesses are down low physical plays in the corner and around the net, as well as his coverage away from the puck.
I agree that Gostisbehere made strides and improved his play defensively but out of the attributes and strengths and weaknesses I described, which best illustrates the kind of attributes needed to play on the PK?

Let's not make Gostisbehere try and be the player that he is not.
- MJL

I kind of think we are not watching the same things. There is less physical play during the PK vs. 5 on 5. Rules make it difficult to clear players using force. Honestly the biggest problem I saw was the lack of coverage around the sides to the net front. Mostly not anticipating a pass then no coverage for the quick shot. This is something both Hagg and Gudas struggled in. The right side was a particular problem. And the Amac over Hagg might be right, but I would like to see Hagg given a chance on the Left side to see if that helps.

I kind of think we are not watching the same things. There is less physical play during the PK vs. 5 on 5. Rules make it difficult to clear players using force. Honestly the biggest problem I saw was the lack of coverage around the sides to the net front. Mostly not anticipating a pass then no coverage for the quick shot. This is something both Hagg and Gudas struggled in. The right side was a particular problem. And the Amac over Hagg might be right, but I would like to see Hagg given a chance on the Left side to see if that helps.
- NC Flyers Fan

In today's game, 5 on 5 is passing, skating, and puck movement. Playing on the PK involves defensive zone defending and all that comes with it. The Flyers biggest issue by far that you appear to have missed is failed clears. Opportunities to clear the puck mishandled leading to more zone attack time, PK players wearing down on a shift leading to breakdowns. Hagg was an NHL rookie. Gudas had a subpar season but I'm expecting him to bounce back hopefully. Both players have better tools to play on the PK than Gostisbehere does. Max out Gostisbehere's 5 on 5 ice time and on the PP. Leave the PK to the other players.

Since Amac is injuried, they definitely won’t be using him for preseason PK.

Since Amac is injuried, they definitely won’t be using him for preseason PK.
- NC Flyers Fan

Where did you hear this?

In today's game, 5 on 5 is passing, skating, and puck movement. Playing on the PK involves defensive zone defending and all that comes with it. The Flyers biggest issue by far that you appear to have missed is failed clears. Opportunities to clear the puck mishandled leading to more zone attack time, PK players wearing down on a shift leading to breakdowns. Hagg was an NHL rookie. Gudas had a subpar season but I'm expecting him to bounce back hopefully. Both players have better tools to play on the PK than Gostisbehere does. Max out Gostisbehere's 5 on 5 ice time and on the PP. Leave the PK to the other players.
- MJL

Failed clears are a big problem, but the actual goals against were often as I described. I can’t see how not changing any personnel is going to improve the PK. Surely you like one of the other new pairings better. Lindblom - Patrick?

Where did you hear this?
- MJL

It’s on the Flyers website.

Failed clears are a big problem, but the actual goals against were often as I described. I can’t see how not changing any personnel is going to improve the PK. Surely you like one of the other new pairings better. Lindblom - Patrick?
- NC Flyers Fan

The truth really is that the Flyers only have one legitimate top pairing PK defenseman and that's Provorov. MacDonald is decent but he is more suited to playing on a secondary unit. Think back to when the Flyers could throw out a paring of Timonen and Pronger against top teams PP in defensive zone starts.

The biggest thing that happens with failed clears is players get out of position expecting the puck to clear to go for a change which has to happen quickly. Players then have to scramble to get back in position. More zone attack time leads to more chances for puck luck and a point shot to find it's way in or deflect in. This happened a lot to the Flyers. The biggest thing that has to improve for the PK to improve is execution.

Expecting a second year player and a player who is still basically a rookie to improve the Flyers PK is not reasonable. Out of Flyers forwards who played 50 minutes or more on the PK, the Flyers Selke nominated forward ranked 5th, second from last on GA/60. I personally don't like that stat but it does shed some light.

It’s on the Flyers website.
- NC Flyers Fan

Great!!!

The truth really is that the Flyers only have one legitimate top pairing PK defenseman and that's Provorov. MacDonald is decent but he is more suited to playing on a secondary unit. Think back to when the Flyers could throw out a paring of Timonen and Pronger against top teams PP in defensive zone starts.

The biggest thing that happens with failed clears is players get out of position expecting the puck to clear to go for a change which has to happen quickly. Players then have to scramble to get back in position. More zone attack time leads to more chances for puck luck and a point shot to find it's way in or deflect in. This happened a lot to the Flyers. The biggest thing that has to improve for the PK to improve is execution.

Expecting a second year player and a player who is still basically a rookie to improve the Flyers PK is not reasonable. Out of Flyers forwards who played 50 minutes or more on the PK, the Flyers Selke nominated forward ranked 5th, second from last on GA/60. I personally don't like that stat but it does shed some light.
- MJL

I didn’t think Coots was particularly effective on the PK last season. I am not convinced it’s all execution at fault. I think some changes need to be considered with personnel. One is trying Hagg on the left. Another is the chemistry of the forwards. Combining righties and lefties with complementary styles isn’t a bad idea.

I didn’t think Coots was particularly effective on the PK last season. I am not convinced it’s all execution at fault. I think some changes need to be considered with personnel. One is trying Hagg on the left. Another is the chemistry of the forwards. Combining righties and lefties with complementary styles isn’t a bad idea.
- NC Flyers Fan

Minor tweaks of personnel isn't the fix. Execution is everything no matter who is on the ice. Players only have the capabilities that they have but the Flyers PK wasn't poor because of the hands of the shots they had out there.