Everyone just calm down.

All they have to do is start executing Lappy's PK and most issues will be resolved. Just need to execute better.

I mean, sure, they haven't been able to execute at all for 3+ years, but I have no reason to doubt they won't start executing it well within a week or so.

I'd be fine with swapping a low pick for PEB. At the very least, he's an effective PKer and he plays with some edge in his game.
- BiggE

Same here. Hell I’d offer Weal even haha

Ivan Provorov, and yeah, I know some here consider him a vet, but last time I checked he's still a 21 year old player with less than 200 NHL games under his belt, is being asked to play 25 minutes a night, face the other teams best players pretty much all the time and play huge minutes on the PK too.
- BiggE

All true, but what is also true is the dude needs to get his ish together.

I don't worry about those guys at all. As Bill noted, 5v5 the team is fine offensively.
- Scoob

They're sneaky-good at evens this year. If they can get this PK straightened out, I can see them going on a run if the goaltending is even average

They're sneaky-good at evens this year. If they can get this PK straightened out, I can see them going on a run if the goaltending is even average
- AllInForFlyers

Those 2 "ifs" are mighty big ones, and have been since 2014.

My one fear is that Elliott had hip surgery last spring, he's now 33 and (apparently) suffering from some type of groin issue. Are they connected? Who knows, but I've seen groin issues become a season long problem for goalies a lot younger and with a lot less mileage on them than Brian Elliott. With 62 games left in the season, can you realistically count on Brian Elliott to play more than 35-37. What if his problems are recurring and he can only play 20-25 or less?

Alex Lyon may be an NHL goalie, he may not, the jury is still out. We already know that Pickard is no more than an AHL/NHL tweener. You don't sign a 30 year old winger to a 5 year, 35 million dollar deal if you aren't convinced that you have a playoff team here.

Going into camp thinking that Elliott/Lyon could be your tandem and whatever you might get from Neuvirth would be a bonus was already a risk. At this point, I can't see not trying to make a deal for another goalie. If not, you really run the risk of missing the playoffs.
- BiggE

Is there any documentation that Elliott's injury is a groin injury?
- MJL

Not that I know of.

I agree if Elliott is out long term, they have to replace his 35 or so games with an established goaltender, but that isn’t what has been reported on his injury so far.

Those 2 "ifs" are mighty big ones, and have been since 2014.
- jmatchett383

PK fix is easier: new PK coach

Everyone just calm down.

All they have to do is start executing Lappy's PK and most issues will be resolved. Just need to execute better.

I mean, sure, they haven't been able to execute at all for 3+ years, but I have no reason to doubt they won't start executing it well within a week or so.
- jmatchett383

Those 2 "ifs" are mighty big ones, and have been since 2014.
- jmatchett383

Trust me: I get it. I have as little faith in the PK as any human can have. There have been games where I have honestly been amazed when they've killed any. They look completely lost the majority of the time. It's amazing how bad it looks

The goaltending, as MJL has noted correctly, hasn't been awful with Elliott in net, at ES. He is brittle at this point in his career, which is why I say the goaltending as a whole is below-average. We just have to hope Elliott plays enough games

If anyone is looking for an aural treat this morning I suggest

Not that I know of.

I agree if Elliott is out long term, they have to replace his 35 or so games with an established goaltender, but that isn’t what has been reported on his injury so far.
- NC Flyers Fan

I'm just saying that injuries such as these, especially to goalies, often end up causing issues all season long. I think it would be a smart move to be looking at potential deals to acquire another legit NHL goalie. That's all.

If anyone is looking for an aural treat this morning I suggest


- Scoob

Great stuff, both the cd and DVD rock.

My one fear is that Elliott had hip surgery last spring, he's now 33 and (apparently) suffering from some type of groin issue. Are they connected? Who knows, but I've seen groin issues become a season long problem for goalies a lot younger and with a lot less mileage on them than Brian Elliott. With 62 games left in the season, can you realistically count on Brian Elliott to play more than 35-37. What if his problems are recurring and he can only play 20-25 or less?

Time to try thinking outside the box.
- BiggE

I was watching the carnival yesterday afternoon and Lauren Hart was interviewing Elliott. He was flirting with her so I assume the groin is fine... He doesn't seem to have game in that area either. Poor guy.

Everyone just calm down.

All they have to do is start executing Lappy's PK and most issues will be resolved. Just need to execute better.

I mean, sure, they haven't been able to execute at all for 3+ years, but I have no reason to doubt they won't start executing it well within a week or so.
- jmatchett383

"Hey, that's hockey." -D. Hakstol

My one fear is that Elliott had hip surgery last spring, he's now 33 and (apparently) suffering from some type of groin issue. Are they connected? Who knows, but I've seen groin issues become a season long problem for goalies a lot younger and with a lot less mileage on them than Brian Elliott. With 62 games left in the season, can you realistically count on Brian Elliott to play more than 35-37. What if his problems are recurring and he can only play 20-25 or less?

Alex Lyon may be an NHL goalie, he may not, the jury is still out. We already know that Pickard is no more than an AHL/NHL tweener. You don't sign a 30 year old winger to a 5 year, 35 million dollar deal if you aren't convinced that you have a playoff team here.

Going into camp thinking that Elliott/Lyon could be your tandem and whatever you might get from Neuvirth would be a bonus was already a risk. At this point, I can't see not trying to make a deal for another goalie. If not, you really run the risk of missing the playoffs.

As far as the PK goes, at the very least, turn the reins over to someone besides Lappy. You can keep him as developmental coach, but get him off the PK. Here's an idea that requires no hires from the outside, nor does anyone lose their job. Take Lappy of the PK and let him just work individually with the younger players on the roster. Then, flip Gordon and Knoblauch. The more experienced Gordon joins the Flyers staff and takes over all special teams. Knoblauch, the very successful Junior head coach who now has some pro experience, takes over the Phantoms.

Time to try thinking outside the box.
- BiggE

at Elliot's age and with that type of injury it can't make Hextall very confident that Elliot will be any more reliable the Nuevirth. That's a problem. Maybe Hextall thinks the answers are in house....maybe they have more faith in Lyons and Stollie then we are giving them credit for.

As far as the PK. They are out of excuses. it's putrid and will be an achilleas heal until there is an over haul of the system, the players or the coach. take your pick.

I just think that's what they should have done. Take your chances -- you'd have two goaltenders by opening night.
- AllInForFlyers

Also needed a goalie for the expansion draft otherwise Stolarz was exposed

I'm just saying that injuries such as these, especially to goalies, often end up causing issues all season long. I think it would be a smart move to be looking at potential deals to acquire another legit NHL goalie. That's all.
- BiggE

I'm sure they are, and probably have been for a while now. It's slim pickings out there right now.

I'm just saying that injuries such as these, especially to goalies, often end up causing issues all season long. I think it would be a smart move to be looking at potential deals to acquire another legit NHL goalie. That's all.
- BiggE

Yep, I’m sure if there’s a worry there then the Flyers are looking. Plsses me off though. Then what? We’ll have New guy, ?Elliott, ??Neuvy and Pickard standing between the net and giving Lyon a shot. Priorities...sigh. I know we all just want to win, but look at it from different points of view.

Me: hears Lyons

My brain: Don't say it
Don't say it
Don't say it
Don't say it
Don't say it
Don't say it
Don't say it
Don't say it
Don't say it
Don't say it
Don't say it

Me: It's LYON!!!

Trust me: I get it. I have as little faith in the PK as any human can have. There have been games where I have honestly been amazed when they've killed any. They look completely lost the majority of the time. It's amazing how bad it looks

The goaltending, as MJL has noted correctly, hasn't been awful with Elliott in net, at ES. He is brittle at this point in his career, which is why I say the goaltending as a whole is below-average. We just have to hope Elliott plays enough games
- AllInForFlyers

So wait...Are you saying you don't expect the PKers to start executing well, solely based on the past 3 seasons that month+ of this season to date?

I find that hard to believe.

That's like saying that you don't expect Neuvirth to get injured based on past experience.

Everyone just calm down.

All they have to do is start executing Lappy's PK and most issues will be resolved. Just need to execute better.

I mean, sure, they haven't been able to execute at all for 3+ years, but I have no reason to doubt they won't start executing it well within a week or so.
- jmatchett383

All kidding aside, this is EXACTLY what they need to do. Penalty Killing isn't rocket science. Its not like there is some magic strategy out there that has never been tried before.

But three plus years of this? You have to start with the coach.

The scary thing is that there is no guarantee changing the coach will improve the situation. But at least its a start, and the players will still have to execute whatever changes are made.

Since you cant get the personnel to execute the plan, either you change the personnel or you change the plan. You cant tell me that in three plus years you cant devise a plan that plays to your players strengths.

It seems no matter who his out there, they get gashed by backdoor chances and cross ice passes. And seem to have no solution for it.

It HAS to start with the coach. But it ends with the players doing their jobs.

All kidding aside, this is EXACTLY what they need to do. Penalty Killing isn't rocket science. Its not like there is some magic strategy out there that has never been tried before.

But three plus years of this? You have to start with the coach.

The scary thing is that there is no guarantee changing the coach will improve the situation. But at least its a start, and the players will still have to execute whatever changes are made.

Since you cant get the personnel to execute the plan, either you change the personnel or you change the plan. You cant tell me that in three plus years you cant devise a plan that plays to your players strengths.

It seems no matter who his out there, they get gashed by backdoor chances and cross ice passes. And seem to have no solution for it.

It HAS to start with the coach. But it ends with the players doing their jobs.
- MBFlyerfan

I agree with this 100%. It really comes down to a coach designing a good PK, explaining it to the players, and then having the players execute it.

But when you're going on 4 years of abysmal execution, using a rotating cast of PK players, maybe you start looking past the players.

Also wasn't Pickard acquired due to Lyon being hurt when Neuvy went down. Which meant we had 3 goalies for 4 nets (including Lehigh)

I agree with this 100%. It really comes down to a coach designing a good PK, explaining it to the players, and then having the players execute it.

But when you're going on 4 years of abysmal execution, using a rotating cast of PK players, maybe you start looking past the players.
- jmatchett383

Exactly, especially since its been a different cast of characters over those 4 seasons. The only true common denominator is Lappy.