I agree. People tend to forget there was a reason that he was moved to the wing. His game at center was slipping. I think he'll do fine back at center for a while, but his game will slip again over the long haul. Obviously, part of these depends on who's playing on his wings. If/When G goes back to the wing... I would like to see him on Nolan's wings - I don't think Hak has played him there??? I don't think anyone has thrown it out there as an option? Nolan is in a sophomore slump, G may help him out of it and help his long term development in the NHL.
- leon neon

Was G's slipping due to him being at center or having 2 seasons fighting injuries. I tend to think the latter based on the last 2 games.

Also, putting Patrick on the 3rd line with sheltered minutes should also help him out of the slump.

It’s my opinion that exposing him to our young players takes their development in the wrong direction. If Travis sanheim has a question to ask, I wouldn’t want amac to be the one answering it.

Is starfishing contagious?
- Shrike

I would assume that he would ask Je Watson.

If only coach clueless would figure out that they need to take more shots from the slot and around the net and instruct the players to do so.
- MJL

How arbitrary of you to say this after you have argued that the shot map isn’t weighted toward point shots.

Do you really, honestly believe that Hakstol has been commanding his players to shoot from lower-percentage areas of the ice when higher-percentage areas are just as easily available?
- jmatchett383

Don’t really give a flying (frank).

I watch them now because it’s a thing I’ve done for a long time. They are irrelevant with him in charge, and aren’t going to win jack poop.

I would assume that he would ask Je Watson.
- Sinisalo4vr

He sits next amac on the bench and talks to him, I would think they talk defense a little bit

It’s my opinion that exposing him to our young players takes their development in the wrong direction. If Travis sanheim has a question to ask, I wouldn’t want amac to be the one answering it.

Is starfishing contagious?
- Shrike

Over his Flyers career, MacDonald has been a strong mentor and a solid partner to the team's young defenseman. That's why he has been paired with the young players so often.

How arbitrary of you to say this after you have argued that the shot map isn’t weighted toward point shots.
- Shrike

That is not even remotely representative of something I have said. If you want to call me out, it helps to have the facts.

Do you really, honestly believe that Hakstol has been commanding his players to shoot from lower-percentage areas of the ice when higher-percentage areas are just as easily available?
- jmatchett383

No. I believe his system lacks options for the puck when it’s at the point and a weak wrister from the point is the option least likely to get you benched.

I disagree, fight me!
- jmatchett383

Can't today. How about tomorrow?

That is not even remotely representative of something I have said. If you want to call me out, it helps to have the facts.
- MJL

Paul holmgren told me at lunch

Don’t really give a flying (frank).

I watch them now because it’s a thing I’ve done for a long time. They are irrelevant with him in charge, and aren’t going to win jack poop.
- flyer_nutter

Here is what I would love to happen. I'd love to go to a sit down with Hakstol with some chosen posters with me, to have a tutorial given on the Flyers offensive system, complete with video by Hakstol. They can bring their shot charts and stats spread sheets and ask him questions. It would be enlightening. I'd pay for lunch.

How arbitrary of you to say this after you have argued that the shot map isn’t weighted toward point shots.
- Shrike

He didn't say that. What he said was (paraphrasing) is that he doesn't believe that shooting from there is by design (systematic).

Over his Flyers career, MacDonald has been a strong mentor and a solid partner to the team's young defenseman. That's why he has been paired with the young players so often.
- MJL

Haven’t you said the young defensemen don’t deserve more icetime until they earn it? He must have really been helpful when he spent that year in the ahl while Brandon manning played

Haven’t you said the young defensemen don’t deserve more icetime until they earn it? He must have really been helpful when he spent that year in the ahl while Brandon manning played
- Shrike

Officially added to the list.

Officially added to the list.

- MJL

ok Francis

He didn't say that. What he said was (paraphrasing) is that he doesn't believe that shooting from there is by design (systematic).
- Scoob

I know. He believes the players at the point choose to shoot. I believe the system is easily defended and forces a point shot because everybody else is covered.

ok Francis
- wcorvette

That's the fact, Jack!

Lol at Mac playing with the young kids because he’s great at it.

He’s been out in that role because the organization hasn’t had anyone better. That’s not really a compliment.

Whatevs boys.

Here is what I would love to happen. I'd love to go to a sit down with Hakstol with some chosen posters with me, to have a tutorial given on the Flyers offensive system, complete with video by Hakstol. They can bring their shot charts and stats spread sheets and ask him questions. It would be enlightening. I'd pay for lunch.
- MJL

That would certainly be a interesting free lunch

Lol at Mac playing with the young kids because he’s great at it.

He’s been out in that role because the organization hasn’t had anyone better. That’s not really a compliment.

Whatevs boys.
- flyer_nutter

There is tons of information out there complete with quotes and players crediting MacDonald for his role as a leader in helping young players acclimate to the league.

I am not against putting Patrick as 3C, but give him someone to play with, no? Simmonds is a major drag at even strength and Laughton had his best games in the first 10 of the year, but since has been just what we all think he is, a fast checking line guy. This hosing of Lindblom is ridiculous. the best games for Lindblom, Voracek, and Patrick came when they played together. Patrick is not ready to carry a Laughton-Simmonds wing pair, but Couturier can. Additionally, I am a huge Michael Raffl fan, have always loved the way he plays the game, but he's not a second line winger in the NHL. He needs to slot down a little bit.

Why doesn't Hakstol try something like this (with this personnel):

JVR - Giroux - Konecny
Lindblom - Couturier - Simmonds
Raffl - Patrick - Voracek
Laughton - Lethera - Wiese

This wouldn't be my favorite way to run the lines, but it's just a bit better than what Bill has listed.

The best possible scenario is more like this:
JVR - Couturier - Konecny
Giroux - Patrick - Voracek
Lindblom - Laughton - Simmonds
Raffl - Lethera - Weise

My logic is this: Lindblom, Grioux, Couturier, and Raffl are the primary play drivers on the team. You put each of them on a different line with at least one other guy who can absolutely play at their level and a second who needs a little pulling. JVR, Patrick, Simmonds, and Lethera are the anchors, but if you surround them with guys who can play above the level of the line they are on, you can get them the results. Patrick, as a right handed center can really benefit from having the best passer on the team on his left wing, JVR has the best defensive player and the most dynamic offensive forward to cover his defensive lapses and lack of pure speed, Laughton and Lindblom can control the puck and play defense while Simmonds does whatever it is he does at even strength (also that line will forecheck really well and Lindblom and Laughton backcheck well too), and Raffl gets stuck with the dead weight, but Weise has been playing well since coming back into the lineup.

There is one other possibility, with Giroux staying at center that could work pretty well to get some of the guys who need boosts boosted:

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

There is tons of information out there complete with quotes and players crediting MacDonald for his role as a leader in helping young players acclimate to the league.
- MJL

Oh yeah? What's his GA%*?



*Good Advice Pct

There is tons of information out there complete with quotes and players crediting MacDonald for his role as a leader in helping young players acclimate to the league.
- MJL

Do you think publicly insulting amac would help or hurt their chances at getting icetime?

Here is what I would love to happen. I'd love to go to a sit down with Hakstol with some chosen posters with me, to have a tutorial given on the Flyers offensive system, complete with video by Hakstol. They can bring their shot charts and stats spread sheets and ask him questions. It would be enlightening. I'd pay for lunch.
- MJL

pizza?

pizza?
- Scoob

and wings