No it’s brutally mediocre. You are what your record says you are. 9-9-2 is not good, it’s borderline mediocre.
- Flyers1218

Mediocre is different from sucks in my book. Pretty simple. They have some things to clean for sure but they've got a ton of talent and today they showed they have fight.

Continued fundamental individual errors. Scott Laughton with the most egregious error.
- MJL

And a team THAT PERFORMS AS BAD AS WE DO CONSISTENTLY, does not suck?

A goal is a goal. Simmonds has been one of the Flyers better goal scorers for a long time. Simmonds belongs on the ice in OT.
- MJL

Yes but its still a different situation. Should he be on the PK because he can score goals short handed? No every situation is different. On the PP yea he can definately get those goals. 5 on 5? He can get them but not as likely. Shorthanded? Not a chance because he isnt going to be able to redirect or tap in a goal. 3 on 3? Same thing. He isnt going to get that chance. 3 on 3 is for speed and puck handlers. Simmonds is neither of those.

Thoughts on the PK?
- Nucker101

And a team THAT PERFORMS AS BAD AS WE DO CONSISTENTLY, does not suck?
- DrMidnite

No.

They have enough hi end skilled vets.....any doofus that thinks this team isn’t expected to take a major step needs to wake up....you don’t spend 35 million on a 30 year old winger unless you expect to ‘contend” in the short term.

Trades are not easy....but they now have the assets to try and fix some of the issues. They also have the cap space and the ability to create more.
- landros 2

The JVR signing fully signaled their intent to contend this year. The goalie situation and their backend looks to hold them back this year. They really need another legitimate top-4 defenseman because you’re not going to go far with AMac and Gudas playing in your top 6.

No it’s brutally mediocre. You are what your record says you are. 9-9-2 is not good, it’s borderline mediocre.
- Flyers1218

I really feel like Hakstol lacks vision and creativity. Giroux and Couturier both had decent games today. Not great but good games today. I don’t think the two of them make or break this team. I think JvR for Simmonds on the top unit is a very minor change considering the puck filter through Giroux and sees a lot of time moves around up high. I don’t think this team has to go with the standard stuff we’ve watched for years. I think we need different approach in a major way. The umbrella isn’t the only PP style of running a power play.

And a team THAT PERFORMS AS BAD AS WE DO CONSISTENTLY, does not suck?
- DrMidnite

A team that sucks, does not tie this game, nor outshoots the Tampa bay Lightning.

Yes but its still a different situation. Should he be on the PK because he can score goals short handed? No every situation is different. On the PP yea he can definately get those goals. 5 on 5? He can get them but not as likely. Shorthanded? Not a chance because he isnt going to be able to redirect or tap in a goal. 3 on 3? Same thing. He isnt going to get that chance. 3 on 3 is for speed and puck handlers. Simmonds is neither of those.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Not every player on the ice in OT needs to be a speedster. Simmonds was used on the PK in previous seasons. Simmonds lost his man. Nothing to do with the kind of player he is.

Mediocre is different from sucks in my book. Pretty simple. They have some things to clean for sure but they've got a ton of talent and today they showed they have fight.
- MJL

They are at the bottom of the league in special teams. In the case of the PK, it's been that way going on a few years now.

They have more than a little to "clean up".

Yes but its still a different situation. Should he be on the PK because he can score goals short handed? No every situation is different. On the PP yea he can definately get those goals. 5 on 5? He can get them but not as likely. Shorthanded? Not a chance because he isnt going to be able to redirect or tap in a goal. 3 on 3? Same thing. He isnt going to get that chance. 3 on 3 is for speed and puck handlers. Simmonds is neither of those.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Exactly, at 3 on 3 I’d just rotate:

Jake/G/Ghost
Coots/TK/Provorov
Patrick/JVR or Laughton/Sanheim

They are at the bottom of the league in special teams. In the case of the PK, it's been that way going on a few years now.

They have more than a little to "clean up".
- johndewar

I did not use the term a little.

A goal is a goal. Simmonds has been one of the Flyers better goal scorers for a long time. Simmonds belongs on the ice in OT.
- MJL

Who said a goal is not a goal? But there are different types of goals. Simmonds scores off deflections, rebounds, scrambles in front. Loose pucks. And while, yes, that can happen in OT, it is more often a break off a rush or an odd man rush. Not his specialty. He doesn’t have the skill set suited for 3 on 3 as other players have. Doesn’t mean he’s not a good forward. Just not who should play 3 on 3.

I did not use the term a little.
- MJL

Never said you did.

Who said a goal is not a goal? But there are different types of goals. Simmonds scores off deflections, rebounds, scrambles in front. Loose pucks. And while, yes, that can happen in OT, it is more often a break off a rush or an odd man rush. Not his specialty. He doesn’t have the skill set suited for 3 on 3 as other players have. Doesn’t mean he’s not a good forward. Just not who should play 3 on 3.
- Flyers1218

You said he is a garbage goal scorer. My point is they all count the same. I disagree that he doesn't have the skill to play in OT.

Never said you did.
- johndewar

Than your comment doesn't make sense.

No it’s brutally mediocre. You are what your record says you are. 9-9-2 is not good, it’s borderline mediocre.
- Flyers1218

They definitely have the talent to be better then mediocre....but do they have the answers or the stones to make those tough decisions to get there? But your right....today they are a mediocre hockey team.

💩 💩
- BiggE

I can't tell are those gold nuggets?

I really feel like Hakstol lacks vision and creativity. Giroux and Couturier both had decent games today. Not great but good games today. I don’t think the two of them make or break this team. I think JvR for Simmonds on the top unit is a very minor change considering the puck filter through Giroux and sees a lot of time moves around up high. I don’t think this team has to go with the standard stuff we’ve watched for years. I think we need different approach in a major way. The umbrella isn’t the only PP style of running a power play.
- SuperSchennBros

Not really. He put Giroux on wing, He put Couturier on the Top line, He put Konecny on the top line and added him to the top PP today. He put NoPa and Lindblom with Voracek on 2nd line. Moved JVR to 3rd line cuz he didnt click. Made Provy #1 D. He has plenty of vision. Problem is young players making mistakes and some guys who arent going to be with the team in the future making mistakes.

From what I know PP and PK coaches were ones Hextall appointed. Hak had no say. His best PK. Flyers need to make due with what they got until the standing start to set in stone. Then they can look for a 3rd line C who kills penalties and a goalie.

Yes but its still a different situation. Should he be on the PK because he can score goals short handed? No every situation is different. On the PP yea he can definately get those goals. 5 on 5? He can get them but not as likely. Shorthanded? Not a chance because he isnt going to be able to redirect or tap in a goal. 3 on 3? Same thing. He isnt going to get that chance. 3 on 3 is for speed and puck handlers. Simmonds is neither of those.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I agree with you 100% and Simmonds is my favorite player (two seasons ago version)

You said he is a garbage goal scorer. My point is they all count the same. I disagree that he doesn't have the skill to play in OT.
- MJL

Being a garbage goal scorer is a skill teams pay for. Not many players, especially now, stand in front of the net and clean up the garbage. I give him credit. He’s taken a pounding in his career. In the playoffs, absolutely, he should be on the ice. During three on three? No way. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t have skills. The Flyers just have more players suited to play run and gun then Wayne.

A team that sucks, does not tie this game, nor outshoots the Tampa bay Lightning.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

In frickin November they do.

We need to change course NOW...This year or early next!

Come on is that not true?

Or what is this????

They definitely have the talent to be better then mediocre....but do they have the answers or the stones to make those tough decisions to get there? But your right....today they are a mediocre hockey team.
- landros 2

That’s all I meant by it. Today, they are not good. Let’s see at the end of the year. Again, Lavy was fired for less.

He’s a garbage goal scorer. He’s not a playmaker. Hence why Konecny and Voracek are out there. They are both fast and playmakers. And Konecny is a goal scorer off the rush. Something Simmonds, does not do. 3 on 3, Simmonds should not be on the ice.
- Flyers1218

Was Simmonds’ goal today a garbage goal? I thought his goal was one that should inspire a team. He didn’t give up. We needed a goal. He kept working hard.

Simmonds has been a top three forward on this team for years. He’s one of the guys you look to when the game is on the line, even in OT. Simmonds isn’t without his flaws but he’s a player who was put out there in a situation that goes from end to end. It’s up to everyone to play catch up and he didn’t. It happens. Simmonds isn’t a topical grinder. He’s more.

Exactly, at 3 on 3 I’d just rotate:

Jake/G/Ghost
Coots/TK/Provorov
Patrick/JVR or Laughton/Sanheim
- BiggE

For sure...eventually Lindblom ....with the top 9....I think you pick the three best wingers to go with the 3 centres. (If Giroux is considered a Center)

By best....I mean Vorecek, and who ever else has earned it during that game or has played well in 3 on 3 of late.