If I was running the Hawks, I'd be shopping Crawford, Keith and Kane. They still have value, especially Kane, and moving them could really jump start their rebuild. Toews and even more Seabrooke, are unmovable due to their deals. The Hawks are a mess right now. They have 23 points in 27 games are going absolutely nowhere and I don't see any way they get much better next season if they keep the same core.

The Flyers are in much better shape than the Hawks. They have no deals on the books anywhere near as bad as Seabrooke or even Toews and they have a deeper pool of quality prospects in the system and a lot more youth on the current NHL roster. If the Hawks brass can't see that it's time to tear it down and rebuild then that team is (frank)ed.
- BiggE

The reason why the Flyers are in much better shape is because they didn't build a team that won 3 Cups. It took them 7 years the last time to rebuild to get to contender status. So what are they more inclined to do? See if they can somehow make some other moves to take another shot at it? Or are they going to tear it up?

Normally Bill has a review blog up by now after a game, not rushing just saying.

I wonder if there is news to go along with new blog...
- Glak18

I hope he is okay.

Feel like the news will come soon, but maybe Bill just deserves a day off.
- FlyerFan16

Or he's just enjoying some family time on the weekend, LOL
- BiggE

I agree 100%...he deserves every second he takes, which is why I said no rush.

I could be wrong, but I thought he wrote his recaps as the game went along. It is just a feeling in the air...

I agree 100%...he deserves every second he takes, which is why I said no rush.

I could be wrong, but I thought he wrote his recaps as the game went along. It is just a feeling in the air...


- Glak18

Could be driving back from Pittsburgh still.

Could be driving back from Pittsburgh still.
- Tfaehner

I'm not talking about Bill. He will get the blog done when it gets done.

If I was running the Hawks, I'd be shopping Crawford, Keith and Kane. They still have value, especially Kane, and moving them could really jump start their rebuild. Toews and even more Seabrooke, are unmovable due to their deals. The Hawks are a mess right now. They have 23 points in 27 games are going absolutely nowhere and I don't see any way they get much better next season if they keep the same core.

The Flyers are in much better shape than the Hawks. They have no deals on the books anywhere near as bad as Seabrooke or even Toews and they have a deeper pool of quality prospects in the system and a lot more youth on the current NHL roster. If the Hawks brass can't see that it's time to tear it down and rebuild then that team is (frank)ed.
- BiggE

Towes contract could be the worse contract in the league.

Towes contract could be the worse contract in the league.
- wcorvette

I can think of two worse ones in Minnesota.

Zito?

Zito?
- bulet13

Let's hope

I can think of two worse ones in Minnesota.
- hereticpride

At least they are only 7 per. That's a standard 2nd line wing now

At least they are only 7 per. That's a standard 2nd line wing now
- Tfaehner

That's what happens with every long term deal. The further into Toews contract the closer it will be to the league norm.

At least they are only 7 per. That's a standard 2nd line wing now
- Tfaehner

Yup and just 6 more years after this year.

The reason why the Flyers are in much better shape is because they didn't build a team that won 3 Cups. It took them 7 years the last time to rebuild to get to contender status. So what are they more inclined to do? See if they can somehow make some other moves to take another shot at it? Or are they going to tear it up?
- MJL

My point is, once you figure in the contracts they have, the cap space they have to work with and the decline of many of their high priced players, I don't believe they have any chance of taking another shot at it in the near future. Perhaps they think differently, if so, I think they're wrong.

Until we get a GM in here or Homer makes a trade to support this team, G will need to go C. No matter what is done that Second line wont be any good with Patrick centering it. It is disappointing but he isnt ready. Go with this lineup next game and see what happens

Raffl\Laughton - G - Konecny
JVR - Couturier - Voracek
Lindblom - Patrick - Simmonds
Raffl\Laughton - Lehtera - Weise

Until we get a GM in here or Homer makes a trade to support this team, G will need to go C. No matter what is done that Second line wont be any good with Patrick centering it. It is disappointing but he isnt ready. Go with this lineup next game and see what happens

Raffl\Laughton - G - Konecny
JVR - Couturier - Voracek
Lindblom - Patrick - Simmonds
Raffl\Laughton - Lehtera - Weise
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

No

How did the new lines look last night? I only saw highlights.

Did JVR-Patrick-Simmonds fare well? Voracek looked fired up in the highlights. Not the first time hes responded well to a demotion.

My point is, once you figure in the contracts they have, the cap space they have to work with and the decline of many of their high priced players, I don't believe they have any chance of taking another shot at it in the near future. Perhaps they think differently, if so, I think they're wrong.
- BiggE

They'll have to find a way to make some moves. They have some contracts that they probably can't get out of. Breaking it down is not a quick fix. I doubt they'll go that way.

Some observations from last night:

While Provy struggled early, he seemed to play better as the game went on and looked very solid in the 3rd. I really think his struggles have little to do with his stick or any physical ailment, rather they are mainly mental. He just looks like he's pressing and trying too hard. With some of the recent stuff that has come out about Murphy and the D's distrust of him, I have to think that was affecting the kid's play. Hopefully, he can now settle down and play the game the way we know he can.

Couturier had a very strong game and looks just as good as he did last season. There is no way I'd break up him and G right now or in the near future. I'd much rather they make a move to bring in another solid center and just take some pressure off of Patrick. It would also allow Coot to perhaps play a bit less, ideally you don't want any forward playing much more than 20 minutes per game max.

Stolie was very good last night. If he can keep this up and Mr. Glass can at least manage not to shatter until Moose returns, perhaps they can get away with not moving any assets to acquire another goalie right now.

Both AMac and Gudas had good games last night. If they can play like this on a consistent basis, it would go a long way towards settling the whole D corps down. Also thought Hagg played his usual quiet, but solid game as well. He'll never be a star, but on a good team he'll be very capable 3rd pair guy who can step up to the 2nd pairing if needed now and then and also help out on the PK.

I can totally understand why Sanheim is getting the ice time that he is right now. He's not generating offense and he still gets out muscled a lot along the wall and in the corners in the D zone. Until he gets a little stronger and also starts producing a little more, he really can't expect to get that much more ice time at ES. However, I would not be opposed to see him get a crack at Provy's spot on the 2nd pp unit. His ability to carry the puck with speed through the neutral zone might help the 2nd unit get set up faster and have some time to actually get something accomplished.

TK is really starting to look like the TK of last season, it's needed and great to see.

Voracek seemed to get the message as he looked to be hustling back on D with a bit more alacrity than usual.

And finally, kudos to Wayne Simmonds. It takes a big pair to take on a guy who has 5 inches and 70 lbs on you, and Simmonds is that guy. That fight energized the team and showed just how badly Simmonds wants to win. I still think the smart long term move is to trade him, but he will be missed.
- BiggE

No mention of Ghost? I’m a big fan but he had a rough game last night.

Both Provy and Ghost will benefit I hope from a new D coach, and this could turn around the season if they get their A games back.

And Stollie was just short of wow. I’d let him keep playing because now I’m less inclined to go out and get another goalie if he can keep it up and Elliot comes back healthy.

Until we get a GM in here or Homer makes a trade to support this team, G will need to go C. No matter what is done that Second line wont be any good with Patrick centering it. It is disappointing but he isnt ready. Go with this lineup next game and see what happens

Raffl\Laughton - G - Konecny
JVR - Couturier - Voracek
Lindblom - Patrick - Simmonds
Raffl\Laughton - Lehtera - Weise
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I suspect the big deal Hextall was referring to at the draft was for ROR. Its a shame he couldnt pull it off, he wouldve been a perfect fit as 2C. I was OK with including #19 at the time but I wonder what other pieces Buffalo wanted.

How did the new lines look last night? I only saw highlights.

Did JVR-Patrick-Simmonds fare well? Voracek looked fired up in the highlights. Not the first time hes responded well to a demotion.
- Baxter27

The Patrick line did not look good. It seemed to the Pens coach was trying to get Crosby line against them when he could although Couts faced Crosby a lot.

JvR and Simmonds don’t seem a great fit together and Patrick is still struggling. I don’t see that line as a long term solution but if Patrick gets his game going like he did in the 2nd half last year then maybe?

I suspect the big deal Hextall was referring to at the draft was for ROR. Its a shame he couldnt pull it off, he wouldve been a perfect fit as 2C. I was OK with including #19 at the time but I wonder what other pieces Buffalo wanted.
- Baxter27

O'Reilly is a really good player and he would definitely make the Flyers a better team. I can't give up Patrick for him though.

O'Reilly is a really good player and he would definitely make the Flyers a better team. I can't give up Patrick for him though.
- MJL

Yes x5848484848483. Patrick could be just as good if not better. And hes not attached with a big contract.

About jvr Patrick simmer. I'd like to flip simmer Jake and see if that benefits the line at all. Jake can do a better job navigating the neutral zone.

O'Reilly is a really good player and he would definitely make the Flyers a better team. I can't give up Patrick for him though.
- MJL

Sorry..misunderstanding. I meant the 2018 #19 draft pick. Not Patrick.

Maybe hes celebrating Chaunaka, you heathens

The Patrick line did not look good. It seemed to the Pens coach was trying to get Crosby line against them when he could although Couts faced Crosby a lot.

JvR and Simmonds don’t seem a great fit together and Patrick is still struggling. I don’t see that line as a long term solution but if Patrick gets his game going like he did in the 2nd half last year then maybe?
- Marc D

Thanks for the recap.

I'd like to see this next game. For whatever reason JVR-Patrick-Voracek has not clicked, so give Laughton a shot.

Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
JVR Laughton Voracek
Lindblom Patrick Simmonds
Raffl Lehtera Weise