I actually thought gostisbehere and hagg played well together. Thing is finding a partner for Provorov. MacDonald has worked there but with him looking like he is still not 100% i am not sure who else would work there. Sanheim has looked better. Just not sure what the right pairing is.
- J35Bacher

I'd try:
Provorov-Gudas
Ghost-Hagg
Sanheim-Folin/Amac

asdf

I think that Ghost and Provy should remain together. They were one of the best pairs of Dmen in the league last year. Let’s not let 5 games trump the quarter or so of season where they were absolutely dominating.
- VladDrag

I'm fine with it as long as the move is temporary. Maybe as a reset to get them going. I do worry it gets interpreted as they play better without each other, when really they just weren't playing well at the time. They've had chances when their "best 5 man unit" is out there, but they are giving up way too man.

edit: all in all they are 3-3 which isn't bad when you factor in inconsistent goaltending, growing pains and the injuries to JVR and Patrick. They will be fine.
- BiggE

1-0 without AMac

Weal is now 5-11 in shootouts. He is like our own Barkov

I'd try:
Provorov-Gudas
Ghost-Hagg
Sanheim-Folin/Amac
- BiggE

I almost feel like Provorov is kind of pushing because Gostisbehere is playing well. Almost like he feels he needs to keep up with him in a way. If that makes sense.

I turned over and went to sleep when the game tied up... Sigh... I missed the shoot out. I find it amazing we actually won one. I'm not panicking but they don't look like the team we were hoping for.

I know what happened lol it was just a small window / hard angle. Was just surprising it got to Elliott imo. Absolutely has to be made. Elliott was not good last night.
- arichardson22

You posted "Still don’t know how FLA’s 1st goal went in" lol

Some general observations on last night and the season so far:

Don't know what's going on with Provorov, but I really doubt that he simply forgot how to play quality hockey. My best guess is that his struggles are due to some lingering issues with his shouldered coupled, and more likely IMO, with a young kid who is putting too much pressure on himself and trying to do too much on the ice. Like I said before, I think he just needs to stop pressing and start letting the game to come to him. Sometimes we forget that Provorov is only 21 and just starting his 3rd NHL season. I think he'll be fine.

Can't believe it took this long for both AMac and the Flyers to realize that he was not playing at anywhere near 100% and clearly struggling. Please keep him out of the lineup until he is fully recovered, thanks!

Folin actually had a decent game. If he can continue to play like this when called upon, it will be a great help to this team.

It was good to see the leaders of this team, Giroux and Simmonds, come out and have strong games. It was also nice to see Weal have a good game as well.

Still waiting to see this team put together 3 consecutive quality periods of hockey and I think we may be waiting for a while. Right now, with Patrick out, they are just woefully thin at center and other teams, especially on the road, are going to be able to exploit that. I'm glad to see Hak moved Laughton back to center last night. While I still think long term his future is as a winger, it's obvious that Vorobyev is struggling and the move had to be made. Once Patrick returns, I'd consider sending Vorobyev down and rolling with:

G-Coots-TK
Lindblom-Patrick-Jake
Weal-Laughton-Simmonds
Raffl-Lehtera-Weise

Lindblom also had a pretty so-so game last night, and after factoring the hit he took the prior game, you have to wonder if he's 100% as well. This definitely needs to be monitored.

Thought Sanheim was solid and Ghost was Ghost. I also thought Gudas was pretty solid overall. Gudas has actually been a present surprise. While he makes mistakes at times, his overall play has been much closer to what we saw in 16-17 than it is to what we saw last season.

I hope Hak isn't going to get into that routine where he overplays his goalie. Elliott is not Steve Mason, you can't start him 85-90% of games, it's a recipe for failure. Last night probably would have been a good night to get Pickard his 2nd start. Starting Elliott in 65% or more of games will probably not end well. You really want to keep him in that 47-52 start range by the end of the season.

Staying with the goalies, please waive Neuvirth once he's healthy and just release him. You'll have to eat the cap dollars and still pay him but so what? They have a ton of cap room and I'm pretty sure Comcast can afford the bill. There is no point in bringing him back, he's simply too unreliable.

Finally, kudos to Hak for calling that timeout last night. It was absolutely the right call and kudos to the Flyers for figuring out how to win a friggin shootout!

edit: all in all they are 3-3 which isn't bad when you factor in inconsistent goaltending, growing pains and the injuries to JVR and Patrick. They will be fine.
- BiggE

I agree on not bringing back Neuvirth but you just can't release a player.

I agree on not bringing back Neuvirth but you just can't release a player.
- MJL

Well you get the gist of it though. Waive him, send him to Lehigh, where he can enjoy life as a healthy scratch. Hard to feel sorry for him since he will be getting paid 2.5 million to do nothing. Perhaps if another team loses multiple goalies to injury, they maybe take a chance on him if its later in the season and the Flyers retain 50% of the cap/salary. Other than that, I don't see too many other options.

I agree on not bringing back Neuvirth but you just can't release a player.
- MJL

Well you get the gist of it though. Waive him, send him to Lehigh, where he can enjoy life as a healthy scratch. Hard to feel sorry for him since he will be getting paid 2.5 million to do nothing. Perhaps if another team loses multiple goalies to injury, they maybe take a chance on him if its later in the season and the Flyers retain 50% of the cap/salary. Other than that, I don't see too many other options.
- BiggE

Agree and agree. Pickard can pick up the starts when Elliott needs a break.

Agree and agree. Pickard can pick up the starts when Elliott needs a break.
- Scoob

It is an interesting problem, because I think Neuvirth is more talented than Elliott

It is an interesting problem, because I think Neuvirth is more talented than Elliott
- YuenglingJagr

I agree. I was a fan of Neuvirth even when he was in Washington. When healthy, he's a good goalie. His penchant for injury is a real shame.

Was at the game and boy was it an anxious game.



Hägg played physical but he was terrible in his own end in the 1st and some of the 2nd.

Still don’t know how FLA’s 1st goal went in.
- arichardson22

Saying Hagg was terrible in his own end makes me question your hockey knowledge to be honest. Are there times when he might hold the puck a little too long or make a less simple play (chip off glass), yes but to say he was terrible in his own end last night is just dumb. He had a great game.

You posted "Still don’t know how FLA’s 1st goal went in" lol
- MJL

Haha my bad I meant as in it was absurd and a strange angle

Saying Hagg was terrible in his own end makes me question your hockey knowledge to be honest. Are there times when he might hold the puck a little too long or make a less simple play (chip off glass), yes but to say he was terrible in his own end last night is just dumb. He had a great game.
- ClaudeFather

It has nothin to do with Hockey knowledge it’s literally what I watched at the game lol. In the 1st period he fumbled the puck at least 4 times when he had it on his stick and turned it over. Two of times it almsot directly lead to a goal. He was terrible in his end in the 1st period. Didn’t say he had a bad game but he wasn’t good in the 1st.

Well you get the gist of it though. Waive him, send him to Lehigh, where he can enjoy life as a healthy scratch. Hard to feel sorry for him since he will be getting paid 2.5 million to do nothing. Perhaps if another team loses multiple goalies to injury, they maybe take a chance on him if its later in the season and the Flyers retain 50% of the cap/salary. Other than that, I don't see too many other options.
- BiggE

considering how injury prone the goaltending situation is in Philly, I have a feeling Nuevy will actually see a bunch of action in the net for the Flyers. Besides Elliot has not inspired much confidence so far this year. I, like the rest of the fan base can't wait until the Flyers settle on a franchise type goalie.

Hak deserves credit for benching MacDonald, and making use of his ability to pull the goalie and call a timeout. Good shootout choices, too.

However, the two main issues of his time as coach were on full display again. Yet another woeful first period, and yet another blown 3rd period lead. When the Flyers have the long change they outscore the opposition.

Flyers goal difference under Hakstol
1st period: 166 - 202 = -36
2nd period: 267 - 244 = +23
3rd period: 234 - 238 = -4
Overtime: 26 - 18 = +8

Saying Hagg was terrible in his own end makes me question your hockey knowledge to be honest. Are there times when he might hold the puck a little too long or make a less simple play (chip off glass), yes but to say he was terrible in his own end last night is just dumb. He had a great game.
- ClaudeFather

I've liked Hagg's game this year...couple of hiccups here and there but he's playing tougher and more physical. He is making it tough on the other team.

Hak deserves credit for benching MacDonald, and making use of his ability to pull the goalie and call a timeout. Good shootout choices, too.

However, the two main issues of his time as coach were on full display again. Yet another woeful first period, and yet another blown 3rd period lead. When the Flyers have the long change they outscore the opposition.

Flyers goal difference under Hakstol
1st period: 166 - 202 = -36
2nd period: 267 - 244 = +23
3rd period: 234 - 238 = -4
Overtime: 26 - 18 = +8
- Feanor

Injured or not Mcdonald has been bad and deserved the demotion. I'm hoping guys like Sanheim and hagg continue to progress to the point where Mac D can be slotted in more of a 5-6 role. (where he belongs)

1-0 without AMac

Weal is now 5-11 in shootouts. He is like our own Barkov
- YuenglingJagr

This will really help come playoff time.



Sincerely,

Sam Carchidi

I can't stand Miles Wood, but would take him on the Flyers in a cocaine heartbeat.
- johndewar

He's like a current-day Randy McKay. He can fight and score, he's a real PITA to play against and agreed, I would love him on this team.

I've liked Hagg's game this year...couple of hiccups here and there but he's playing tougher and more physical. He is making it tough on the other team.
- landros 2

Right now, I think he is the second best defender on this team behind Gostisbehere's play. He is getting more involved offensively and playing a physical, edgy game without taking penalties.

If he can play like that all season and once Provorov returns to his normal play, this team will be a lot better.

This will really help come playoff time.



Sincerely,

Sam Carchidi
- hockeylover

gotta get there first.

sincerely,

the fan base.

Well you get the gist of it though. Waive him, send him to Lehigh, where he can enjoy life as a healthy scratch. Hard to feel sorry for him since he will be getting paid 2.5 million to do nothing. Perhaps if another team loses multiple goalies to injury, they maybe take a chance on him if its later in the season and the Flyers retain 50% of the cap/salary. Other than that, I don't see too many other options.
- BiggE

Toronto