here is the thing, we all scream about wanting young players to make the team so we can't complain when Hextall doesn't sign a veteran to fill a hole they use for a young player. maybe Vorobyev isn't quite ready for the 3rd line but we all wanted to see him make the team and get experience.

Fans in general can be a little hypocritical. we want kids on the roster but when they struggle we complain about the team.
- nastyflyergirl

You're absolutely correct about this. I think the issue is that it's been a longer process than many care for. They want to start winning. Can't blame them.

here is the thing, we all scream about wanting young players to make the team so we can't complain when Hextall doesn't sign a veteran to fill a hole they use for a young player. maybe Vorobyev isn't quite ready for the 3rd line but we all wanted to see him make the team and get experience.

Fans in general can be a little hypocritical. we want kids on the roster but when they struggle we complain about the team.
- nastyflyergirl

He isn't ready.

I am one of those "play the kids!" peeps. But this year is exposing that point of view when the kids play but aren't ready for the responsibility given to them.

At this moment in time, you can argue NoPa isn't ready for the 2 line center responsibilities. He has been OK. But if this is a team that is looking to not just make the playoffs but win a round, then NoPa needs to be better then OK.

This is not to criticize him, it is to re-enforce the thought process that the kids need to earn their spot in the line-up and not just be given the spot.

I want to make sure I make this clear, I am not calling NoPa a bust, far from it, I am simply saying they have put a ton of responsibility on this kid very early into his career.

This is more of an in general post.

I was just thinking about the whole ‘best players need to be the best players’ concept. It is true.

However, look at last season. Career highs for Couts, Giroux, Provy, Ghost. Seeming breakout year for TK. Last year the best were the best, where did that get us? That’s why the secondary role players matter.
- VladDrag

Great point. Well said.

This is more of an in general post.

I was just thinking about the whole ‘best players need to be the best players’ concept. It is true.

However, look at last season. Career highs for Couts, Giroux, Provy, Ghost. Seeming breakout year for TK. Last year the best were the best, where did that get us? That’s why the secondary role players matter.
- VladDrag

3rd place in the Metro and a playoff spot.

All in all, there’s a lot of blame to go around:

Coaches: can’t put it all on them, even Lappy, but it’s becoming obvious that the players just aren’t responding to them

Coots: he’s probably playing through a knee injury, but they need more from him. Being the only center on the roster able to match up against a top line isn’t helping either

Jake: the offense is there, but the defensive lapses need to stop

Provy: It’s really not fair to put as much as they do on the shoulders of a 21 year old Dman, but they have no other option. He needs to be better

Ghost: they need him to start generating some offense at ES

AMac: they need him to stop being awful

The pp: this team can’t afford to not be successful on the pp. they need to start scoring again

The pk: no explanation needed

Secondary scoring: they need some forwards not named Scott Laughton to start producing

Goaltending: while better of late, this team can’t afford soft goals and we’ve seen too many of those

Intensity: Come out from the drop of the puck and play like a team that is desperate to start winning. Oh, and if you aren’t desperate to start winning, GET THE (frank) OUT OF TOWN!!

DISCIPLINE: idiotic too many men penalties, leaving the penalty box too soon, asinine stick infractions: THIS SH!T NEEDS TO STOP!! Hey guys, here’s a thought: if your pk blows, why not STOP TAKING DUMB PENALTIES!!!

Ok then, I think that about covers it.
- BiggE

100% agree. One simple fix is not changing anything, many things need to be done, but the starting point is the top players need to be better point blank before anything else can domino.

What do you think would happen if the Flyers could play the Couturier line and Provorov and Gostisbehere less against top lines and play another line along with say MacDonald more against top lines? Do you think that he results for the Couturier line and Provorov and Gostisbehere would improve?
- MJL

I'm not playing the what if stupid games, you want to hear they get scored more against. They need to play better or someone else has to be found to take the role.

I speak in terms of overall play, not just basic stat lines. Do you know the stat lines on GF-GA while those players are on the ice compared to the rest ?
- Glak18

not excusing anyone on the team. the overall team defense has been god awful. I am just talking about basic production. goals and assists.

I'm not playing the what if stupid games, you want to hear they get scored more against. They need to play better or someone else has to be found to take the role.
- Glak18

It's not a stupid what if game. I don't disagree with you that hey have to be better. The point is if they spend less time not only having to carry the scoring while also having to play head to head against the top lines, that will significantly help the team get better. Having another line that can take some of that burden along with a defenseman like MacDonald will help the team improve. It's a simple point. MacDonald gets vilified even when he's playing well because of his Corsi but he normally helps keep the puck out of the net and the Flyers are a better team when he is playing well. That doesn't change that to be even better, they need better players especially on defense but that is all a factor with the team currently.

As much as I want him gone, I think they come out today and kick some ass.

The boys seem to like playing in front of Neuvirth and I think the floodgates open a bit today.

Should be a good one hopefully.

Bill, thanks for the prospect update. Sounds like Joel Farabee has been kinda disappointing so far.

He isn't ready.

I am one of those "play the kids!" peeps. But this year is exposing that point of view when the kids play but aren't ready for the responsibility given to them.

At this moment in time, you can argue NoPa isn't ready for the 2 line center responsibilities. He has been OK. But if this is a team that is looking to not just make the playoffs but win a round, then NoPa needs to be better then OK.

This is not to criticize him, it is to re-enforce the thought process that the kids need to earn their spot in the line-up and not just be given the spot.

I want to make sure I make this clear, I am not calling NoPa a bust, far from it, I am simply saying they have put a ton of responsibility on this kid very early into his career.
- ggunky

I agree. I tend to fall on the more patient side with the kids. I mean, honestly even look at Laughton. He has played well and looks like he is really starting to be a solid support player. players develop at various rates. but i get the lack of patience to a degree because we see a player like Giroux getting older (still productive) and want to see him win.

3rd place in the Metro and a playoff spot.
- MJL

and a first round exit. Honestly I 100% expect a playoff team and a team that does more than go out in the first round and anything less will be very disappointing.

Bill, thanks for the prospect update. Sounds like Joel Farabee has been kinda disappointing so far.
- Dkos

He’s an 18 year old freshman playing in a league where many juniors and seniors are 21-23 years old. The fact that he’s taking a regular shift and killing penalties is pretty solid.

Bill, thanks for the prospect update. Sounds like Joel Farabee has been kinda disappointing so far.
- Dkos

4 games into a gigantic step up of competition on an underperforming team, I think the disappointing tag can be held just for a bit

It's not a stupid what if game. I don't disagree with you that hey have to be better. The point is if they spend less time not only having to carry the scoring while also having to play head to head against the top lines, that will significantly help the team get better. Having another line that can take some of that burden along with a defenseman like MacDonald will help the team improve. It's a simple point. MacDonald gets vilified even when he's playing well because of his Corsi but he normally helps keep the puck out of the net and the Flyers are a better team when he is playing well. That doesn't change that to be even better, they need better players especially on defense but that is all a factor with the team currently.
- MJL

Basic stages of teams, I said basic.

- (WIN) Team wins convincingly, overall team play is great
- (WIN) Team wins with some mistakes or just better than other team that night
- (WIN) Team wins due to other teams poor play and mistakes

- (LOSE) Team loses, overall play is good just other team was better
- (LOSE) Team loses, no additional support to get win
- (LOSE) Whole team plays poorly, looks out of sync, fans question if the players even try

Right now the Flyers are just trying to get to stage 5, which has not been a rare occurrence over the years. All teams go through slumps, all teams do not look like this consistently game to game, period to period.

If weise can keep up firing blind passes into the slot area and lehtera finishes his checks....we really have something going here with the 4th line...it’s been nice to have

IMO they are being hurt by, and Im sure some of these players are hurt or recovering:

1. The play of Couturier and Provorov.
- Of the new Provy seems to slowly be coming around.

2. Iffy goaltending

3. An apparent lack of any intensity. LIke I said yesterday I know this isn the NHL where fighting is a major thing anymore but for the Flyers to be this far in and the last team without a major. THe problem is Simmonds is there resident police man and is too valuable to be off the ice in the box.

4. Being stuck between wanting the kids to develop and trying to win.

5. JVR injury

He’s an 18 year old freshman playing in a league where many juniors and seniors are 21-23 years old. The fact that he’s taking a regular shift and killing penalties is pretty solid.
- BiggE

Doesn't matter, why can't the Flyers draft someone who becomes an instant superstar right away like every other team.

Being sarcastic.

He’s an 18 year old freshman playing in a league where many juniors and seniors are 21-23 years old. The fact that he’s taking a regular shift and killing penalties is pretty solid.
- BiggE

Good lord I think we can slow our roll on passing judgement on a kid after 4 games.

Good lord I think we can slow our roll on passing judgement on a kid after 4 games.
- MBFlyerfan

You would think, lol

Good lord I think we can slow our roll on passing judgement on a kid after 4 games.
- MBFlyerfan

Ya think...

Joel Farabust

If vorobyust continues to struggle maybe they should consider callling up rubstbust

It's not a stupid what if game. I don't disagree with you that hey have to be better. The point is if they spend less time not only having to carry the scoring while also having to play head to head against the top lines, that will significantly help the team get better. Having another line that can take some of that burden along with a defenseman like MacDonald will help the team improve. It's a simple point. MacDonald gets vilified even when he's playing well because of his Corsi but he normally helps keep the puck out of the net and the Flyers are a better team when he is playing well. That doesn't change that to be even better, they need better players especially on defense but that is all a factor with the team currently.
- MJL

We all know MacDaddy limitations but this is true. When he plays well the flyers play well. He's obviously still injured and it was probably a bad idea for him to rush back from injury (like simmer last year). Hopefully he gets back on track soon.

Also if I was Hak I would try giving Sanheim and Gudas more responsibility. The last 4 games Sanheim has been the best defenseman and Gudas has gone back to being the solid player he was the first two years here. Will help take some pressure off ghost and provy

Good lord I think we can slow our roll on passing judgement on a kid after 4 games.
- MBFlyerfan

Hell no..
One season and people already know every single thing about Hagg why should this be different?

Joel Farabust

If vorobyust continues to struggle maybe they should consider callling up rubstbust
- bulet13

At least next year Frostybust, Myerbust, Hartbust and Morinbust will join the party