I think folks are being victims of the moment with Weal, he has a good game and now we want him in the lineup. He will probably have a couple invisible games these next two and people will be calling him off the roster again
- ClaudeFather

Yup - there is enough data to show what Weal is. He did have a good game last night, but don't get used to it.

Go take your lunch break lol
- ClaudeFather

lol wut

Yup - there is enough data to show what Weal is. He did have a good game last night, but don't get used to it.
- Scoob

Using only size and relative experience as a measuring stick, I wonder if that's what people in Tampa Bay said about Martin St. Louis in his second full season after he scored only 18 points in 56 games the year before.

He's been a center his entire career going back to Russian junior and he definitely has a center's skill set. I'd be very hesitant about moving him to wing, it could end up doing more harm than good.
- BiggE

He will be fine on the wing his vision and defensive awareness make him a great fit for C though. I don't think anyone should've come in expecting him to be as effective as he was in the preseason. He has still shown flashes. Has to work through it.

As much as we would all love to hit the ground running like the Devils have or something, it's more important that the team figures out how to play together and develops into a strong team by season's end. Vorobyev made the team because he is a good player. Play the good players.

I was thinking of Vorobyev centering Laughton and Simmonds while van Riemsdyk is out.
- J35Bacher

They could try it, but Vorobyev, while not really playing poorly by any means, has look hesitant the last few games and seems to be playing without confidence. I'm not writing the kid off by any means, I think he can be a viable NHL 3rd line center. I just think a few weeks at LHV would do him good. He's only a 2nd year pro and is still working on his command of the English language. Let him go down play a month or so of AHL games, get into a good groove, and then bring him back up.

As Hextall and others often point out, development is rarely linear. A return to LHV helped both Sanheim and Laughton at times. I think it would be in the kid's best interest.

I won't lie, I cried when both of my children were born.
- jmatchett383

Same. That was insane

They could try it, but Vorobyev, while not really playing poorly by any means, has look hesitant the last few games and seems to be playing without confidence. I'm not writing the kid off by any means, I think he can be a viable NHL 3rd line center. I just think a few weeks at LHV would do him good. He's only a 2nd year pro and is still working on his command of the English language. Let him go down play a month or so of AHL games, get into a good groove, and then bring him back up.

As Hextall and others often point out, development is rarely linear. A return to LHV helped both Sanheim and Laughton at times. I think it would be in the kid's best interest.
- BiggE

and Ghost

He's been a center his entire career going back to Russian junior and he definitely has a center's skill set. I'd be very hesitant about moving him to wing, it could end up doing more harm than good.
- BiggE

Yes, I think this too. His faceoff percentage and youth and inexperience make me think it would be best to keep someone like Laughton on his wing.

Both TK and Lindblom can play both wings. Maybe...

TK - Weal - Simmonds
Laughton - Vorobyev - Lindblom

Of course, Patrick might be back soon. It is too soon to yank Vorobyev. Let’s see if he can show improvement. And Weal is valuable still even if he does not have a permanent top 9 center spot, he stays on the roster.

Using only size and relative experience as a measuring stick, I wonder if that's what people in Tampa Bay said about Martin St. Louis in his second full season after he scored only 18 points in 56 games the year before.
- jmatchett383

Pretty narrow measuring stick. St. Louis' stats in both 4 years of college and the AHL was a better indication of his NHL future than what Jordan Weal has put up. That isn't to say that Weal's stats aren't respectable. But Weal doesn't hold a candle to St. Louis in skill level. And that is something their respective organizations see and saw every day in workouts and practices. They see way more than we as fans do on a daily basis.

To me Weal is Peter White +. A great AHL player but at best an NHL journeyman.

They could try it, but Vorobyev, while not really playing poorly by any means, has look hesitant the last few games and seems to be playing without confidence. I'm not writing the kid off by any means, I think he can be a viable NHL 3rd line center. I just think a few weeks at LHV would do him good. He's only a 2nd year pro and is still working on his command of the English language. Let him go down play a month or so of AHL games, get into a good groove, and then bring him back up.

As Hextall and others often point out, development is rarely linear. A return to LHV helped both Sanheim and Laughton at times. I think it would be in the kid's best interest.
- BiggE

That's why i think playing with two guys who are playing with confidence would help him. Also both guys have been getting to the net so a playmaker like Vorobyev i think would work there.

The problem with this team is players like Weal. Vorobyev, Hagg, Sanheim, Laughton ect show flashes but are not consistent. Until they play at the same level this team will always be on the outside looking in. Is this from coaching or are they just not talented enough to play at this level. That's the question that needs to be answered.

Pretty narrow measuring stick. St. Louis' stats in both 4 years of college and the AHL was a better indication of his NHL future than what Jordan Weal has put up. That isn't to say that Weal's stats aren't respectable. But Weal doesn't hold a candle to St. Louis in skill level. And that is something their respective organizations see and saw every day in workouts and practices. They see way more than we as fans do on a daily basis.

To me Weal is Peter White +. A great AHL player but at best an NHL journeyman.
- MBFlyerfan

This is most likely the case. Just saying, I'm not completely writing him off just yet. Let's wait until game 8 for that.

They could try it, but Vorobyev, while not really playing poorly by any means, has look hesitant the last few games and seems to be playing without confidence. I'm not writing the kid off by any means, I think he can be a viable NHL 3rd line center. I just think a few weeks at LHV would do him good. He's only a 2nd year pro and is still working on his command of the English language. Let him go down play a month or so of AHL games, get into a good groove, and then bring him back up.

As Hextall and others often point out, development is rarely linear. A return to LHV helped both Sanheim and Laughton at times. I think it would be in the kid's best interest.
- BiggE

Is this a coach by-product?
Do they become scared for some reason rather then play loose and happy?

Using only size and relative experience as a measuring stick, I wonder if that's what people in Tampa Bay said about Martin St. Louis in his second full season after he scored only 18 points in 56 games the year before.
- jmatchett383

Maybe - I really don't know. Or care. Weal is not St. Louis.

This is most likely the case. Just saying, I'm not completely writing him off just yet. Let's wait until game 8 for that.
- jmatchett383

We really just need to make sure we have our minds completely made up about whether or not we think he is useful so that his actual play doesn't cloud our judgement.

Maybe - I really don't know. Or care. Weal is not St. Louis.
- Scoob

I agree, their names are completely different.

I'll reserve judgement until this team is fully healthy. But...

The goaltending is what is.

Even when Provorov gets going, that alone won't cure the defense.

So after 6 games the offense scores 5 they win. They don't, it's a loss.

Now I'm sure over the course of the season they'll slug out some 3-2 , 2-1 type games, but until this team gets their full group of players back, they aren't trending in the right direction.

I'll reserve judgement until this team is fully healthy. But...

The goaltending is what is.

Even when Provorov gets going, that alone won't cure the defense.

So after 6 games the offense scores 5 they win. They don't, it's a loss.

Now I'm sure over the course of the season they'll slug out some 3-2 , 2-1 type games, but until this team gets their full group of players back, they aren't trending in the right direction.
- Pelle31Forever

It won't cure the defense, but he's out there the most and playing key matchups. So it would go a long way.

It won't cure the defense, but he's out there the most and playing key matchups. So it would go a long way.
- jmatchett383

It's definitely a plus. I'm not sure I'm ready to split he and Ghost. Let those 2 eat the minutes and do their thing. It's the other 34-36 minutes they're not on the ice that worries me.

FWIW, I think the problems with the Flyers D are due more to ill fitted pairings than anything else

AMac/Folin, Gudas and Hagg are all going to be more successful players if paired with a skilled, mobile, puck moving partner. However, if you are wedded to keeping Provorov/Ghost as a pairing this is impossible right now. Until you replace one of the less skilled members of this group with a guy like Myers, I think the team would be better off if they broke up the top pair and went with:

Provorov-Gudas
They often play together on the PK anyway so it's not like they are strangers. Gudas has been solid this season and I see no reason not to give this pair a look in situations other than PK.

Hagg-Ghost
This pair brings the added dimension of both players being able to play the off side, so you can switch them up based on the line you are matching up against and/or for D and O zone faceoffs. They have some experience together and Ghost is playing well enough now that I think he'd still be successful with any partner.

Sanheim-Folin (until AMac is healthy)
This is the classic old school offense/defense pair that can settle nicely, especially once AMac returns as he and Sanheim seemed to be developing some good chemistry down the stretch last year.

Now, if at some point, you move a veteran (Gudas or AMac) and add Myers to the mix, then you can put Provy and Ghost back together as a top pairing and your secondary pairs would be:

Sanheim-AMac or Gudas
Hagg-Myers
- BiggE

I agree. I like both Haag and MacDonald as players in the right role. I just don't like them paired together.

I thought Lindblom had a good game last night, albeit quietly. He shot for a rebound -- Konecny was unable to pot it -- to create a Grade A chance in the second period. He was outstanding on the boards, winning most of his battles. He backchecked consistently and also helped clear some pucks from the D zone. All things that coaches (and not just the Flyers' coach -- all coaches) like even if the stat line was nothing to look at.

I agree. I like both Haag and MacDonald as players in the right role. I just don't like them paired together.
- MJL

Once MacDonald is healthy I would go back to MacDonald/Provorov and Hagg/Gostisbehere and Sanheim/Gudas.

They could try it, but Vorobyev, while not really playing poorly by any means, has look hesitant the last few games and seems to be playing without confidence. I'm not writing the kid off by any means, I think he can be a viable NHL 3rd line center. I just think a few weeks at LHV would do him good. He's only a 2nd year pro and is still working on his command of the English language. Let him go down play a month or so of AHL games, get into a good groove, and then bring him back up.

As Hextall and others often point out, development is rarely linear. A return to LHV helped both Sanheim and Laughton at times. I think it would be in the kid's best interest.
- BiggE

I think returning Vorobyev after a 5 game stint is not a move Hexy makes. It’s not like him. By his own admission he only move players up when they force him to. I think you see him up for a month and likely he’ll have to go as a scratch for a long time until he’s returned to LHV.

It won't cure the defense, but he's out there the most and playing key matchups. So it would go a long way.
- jmatchett383

Exactly. When Provorov starts looking like himself again, it should help stabilize things to a large degree and other things will snap into place underneath.

Additionally, if Sanheim and Hägg play on a regular basis how they've played overall -- not on a rough play here or there, but on the bulk of their shifts -- in the last two games, the supporting pairs' outlooks should be better.

Right now, though, that's a lot of hoping. Also, unless there is more consistent forward support defensively, and not just in one game, it's going to make life rough on the D and the goalies even beyond them trying to sort out their own play. So far, it's a vicious circle.

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

No but you can send him down to the AHL and hope he does get injured tripping over the waiver wire