Hart's stats over his last 7... 2.28 gaa and .924 save %, over the last 4 games is 1.25 GAA and .957 save %.

seems like the kid is finding his game
- nastyflyergirl

Its worth mentioning that the league ahl average is .903

Coach has to go first, otherwise you don't really know what you need. After a new coach (who can get more out of his players) we can see who is really bad and who was just in the wrong system. Everyones value is down under this coach, we will get fleeced in the long run with any trades we try to make now...
- BadCowboyDan

You only get fleeced in a deal if you agree to.

Well, I believe firing Hextall was the organization (Scott and Holmgren at least) showing they aren't standing for this. You can't just start making trades for the sake of it. they have to make sense

As i said a few posts above, i really believe what needs to happen is firing the coaching staff. I look at last year's team that made the playoffs and really expected this team to take a step forward. Yes, they didn't replace the 3C, however, i expected all of the young players to take a step forward. Provorov and Ghost have not played well for their standards and Patrick has really not been good outside of a 5 game stretch. Lindblom is on the 4th line. at least TK and Sanheim has looked to take steps forward. I guess what I am ultimately saying is I just believe a new voice is needed
- nastyflyergirl

I mean they don’t have to trade all their young guys to change this teams course....in today’s NHL you need guys that are 21 playing rolls for the team and producing on the ELC. That’s the reality of today’s league. Everyone knows this that’s why you don’t see high end prospects moved very often. The Flyers are going to have to hit on some of these kids to be able to go to that next level. You can’t pay everyone like Giroux and Vorecek...not in the salary cap era.

Actually living abroad in Africa right now, so I'm +7 hrs from east coast. Never changed the account name. Maybe it would be more fitting to rename to ZamFlyerfan71 for the duration of my stay here.
- dcflyerfan71

Africa? ...and still time to follow the Flyers...unfortunately I’m sure they look as poopty over there as they do here. I guess it’s true there are Flyer fans all over the world.

Africa? ...and still time to follow the Flyers...unfortunately I’m sure they look as poopty over there as they do here. I guess it’s true there are Flyer fans all over the world.

- landros 2

Yup, even 7000 miles can't make this turd hill hockey look better!

Its worth mentioning that the league ahl average is .903
- Tfaehner

Kids starting to get his confidence up....so much quicker and better shooters the jr. that’s why these guys mostly need a couple years in the A. It’s great to see he’s starting to have some success.

It’s tough to make a trade when everyone knows you need to make one. But in house there are some things that can be done to shake this team up. Waive Lehtera, neuvirth, amac, and Weal and send to phantoms cause no one will claim them as they are worthless. Bring up Myers, Vorobyev, and Friedman. Put Ghost on wing for a game or two cause he can’t defend worth a s_hit these days. I’d like to see Hart but it is probably too early. If there is a good trade for Simmonds, make it. Beg Q after the holidays to coach this team. This season is a dumpster fire.

I bought a Patrick jersey a few weeks ago, so I probably jinxed him.

In general I agree with all but one thing.

Raffl is a solid 4/3 player so I don't agree with your assessment he needs to go.
- opeth_pa

Raffl is one of those guys that you can just plug in to a spot and he will for the most part do a good job....he will never be or should be expected to produce on a regular basis, but I see worse problems on this team then him. I like his work ethic as well....

It’s tough to make a trade when everyone knows you need to make one. But in house there are some things that can be done to shake this team up. Waive Lehtera, neuvirth, amac, and Weal and send to phantoms cause no one will claim them as they are worthless. Bring up Myers, Vorobyev, and Friedman. Put Ghost on wing for a game or two cause he can’t defend worth a s_hit these days. I’d like to see Hart but it is probably too early. If there is a good trade for Simmonds, make it. Beg Q after the holidays to coach this team. This season is a dumpster fire.

I bought a Patrick jersey a few weeks ago, so I probably jinxed him.
- darkerens

Hold on to that Patrick jersey.....he’ll be fine.

Serious answer:

First off, the top teams probably aren’t looking to make coaching changes. Second, he has a good relationship with the new GM. Third the team has the cap room and trade ammunition to quickly improve things. Fourth, Comcast knows that they can sell coach Q to the STHs and therefore they will probably be offering to make him the highest paid coach in the NHL. And finally, Quenneville is a competitive guy, the challenge of turning this team’s fortunes around will likely appeal to him.
- BiggE

Not to mention a pipeline of kids, including what looks to be a franchise goalie. Add in that they're not as bad as they're playing right now.

Edit: way leight. Just read Bill's response.

It’s tough to make a trade when everyone knows you need to make one. But in house there are some things that can be done to shake this team up. Waive Lehtera, neuvirth, amac, and Weal and send to phantoms cause no one will claim them as they are worthless. Bring up Myers, Vorobyev, and Friedman. Put Ghost on wing for a game or two cause he can’t defend worth a s_hit these days. I’d like to see Hart but it is probably too early. If there is a good trade for Simmonds, make it. Beg Q after the holidays to coach this team. This season is a dumpster fire.

I bought a Patrick jersey a few weeks ago, so I probably jinxed him.
- darkerens

With the current state of the team, the worst thing to do is to bring up young players and ask them to break into the NHL. Players who are much better than they are, are struggling. The team is dysfunctional in it's defensive team coverage and puck management and they should bring up a young defenseman to play in that. Might at well just feed him to the wolves. I know we need to scapegoat the usual suspects but they aren't the big issue.

It's obvious Haks days are numbered. New voice is needed. I still believe a few minor tweaks can get us going in right direction. Still only a few points out of wild card. They head home after tonight's game so things will be interesting.

Hextall firing did slightly improve the team but right now their problem is more fundamentals at this point. They are making beer league plays

They do get the pressure, they do get the cycle going and they even cause turnovers in the offensive zone but 9 times out of 10 they turn the puck over in the offensive zone and they dont generate a scoring chance. They will try to force a pass in the slot that isnt there, try to be too fancy, make that extra pass in a grade A scoring area, throw the puck away blindly or just try to do too much on their own.

The above doesnt just happen at EVSTR. It is a huge reason for the PP poor success rate. Plus there are turnovers gaining the zone as well

Defensively I think you got to reduce Ghost's minutes. He is getting beat in battles and turning the puck over. I cringe most the time he tries to make a pass. It also doesnt help that AMac is back to his poopty self. He played great last season. The goals against us are simple poor coverages and people being out of position. A lot of the time when pressure is on us I feel like teams are skating circles around us and our players are lost in the D zone.

The PK has improved tremendously. Yes it is last in the league currently but they were at 67-68% and they have jumped to 73%. It doesnt seem like much but they allowed so many PP goals to start that it gonna take a bit to improve it further. They have killed 73 of 100 PPs. I think they have only let in 2 PPG in their last 20 times shorthanded.

Goaltending has improved as well with Stolarz

I think a not just a new voice is needed but the right new voice.
- MJL

absolutely

Hextall firing did slightly improve the team but right now their problem is more fundamentals at this point. They are making beer league plays

They do get the pressure, they do get the cycle going and they even cause turnovers in the offensive zone but 9 times out of 10 they turn the puck over in the offensive zone and they dont generate a scoring chance. They will try to force a pass in the slot that isnt there, try to be too fancy, make that extra pass in a grade A scoring area, throw the puck away blindly or just try to do too much on their own.

The above doesnt just happen at EVSTR. It is a huge reason for the PP poor success rate. Plus there are turnovers gaining the zone as well

Defensively I think you got to reduce Ghost's minutes. He is getting beat in battles and turning the puck over. I cringe most the time he tries to make a pass. It also doesnt help that AMac is back to his poopty self. He played great last season. The goals against us are simple poor coverages and people being out of position. A lot of the time when pressure is on us I feel like teams are skating circles around us and our players are lost in the D zone.

The PK has improved tremendously. Yes it is last in the league currently but they were at 67-68% and they have jumped to 73%. It doesnt seem like much but they allowed so many PP goals to start that it gonna take a bit to improve it further. They have killed 73 of 100 PPs. I think they have only let in 2 PPG in their last 20 times shorthanded.

Goaltending has improved as well with Stolarz
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Forcing passes that aren't there and the reluctance to shoot are both symptoms of a lack of confidence. That's team wide but it is a big factor with Gostisbehere. He is in a complete funk and he refuses to shoot the puck on the PP. He has completely lost his swagger and it's obvious to see. This has leaked into his defensive play also such as the play where McDavid easily stripped him without any resistance from Gostisbehere. I don't see reducing his minutes as the solution.

Kids starting to get his confidence up....so much quicker and better shooters the jr. that’s why these guys mostly need a couple years in the A. It’s great to see he’s starting to have some success.
- landros 2

I dont know that he needs a few years. If he can show over 3 to 4 months he can be consistently elite I have no problem giving him a shot.

It’s tough to make a trade when everyone knows you need to make one. But in house there are some things that can be done to shake this team up. Waive Lehtera, neuvirth, amac, and Weal and send to phantoms cause no one will claim them as they are worthless. Bring up Myers, Vorobyev, and Friedman. Put Ghost on wing for a game or two cause he can’t defend worth a s_hit these days. I’d like to see Hart but it is probably too early. If there is a good trade for Simmonds, make it. Beg Q after the holidays to coach this team. This season is a dumpster fire.

I bought a Patrick jersey a few weeks ago, so I probably jinxed him.
- darkerens

This org is too dysfunctional right now for me to judge any of the young guys.

I give a waiver for now and 2nd legit shot for anyone on their rookie deal and/or 2nd if it's reasonable (Ghost).

However, should we trade from a position of strength (d) to shore up weak areas like C and W?

AND I am totally willing to move anyone other than Patrick, Provorov or Hart.

Anyone. Especially those with no pro experience.

In general I agree with all but one thing.

Raffl is a solid 4/3 player so I don't agree with your assessment he needs to go.
- opeth_pa

I totally don't understand the Raffl hate here. I don't know if it's people thinking he's better than he is but he's a good bottom 6 forward at a reasonable price.

Forcing passes that aren't there and the reluctance to shoot are both symptoms of a lack of confidence. That's team wide but it is a big factor with Gostisbehere. He is in a complete funk and he refuses to shoot the puck on the PP. He has completely lost his swagger and it's obvious to see. This has leaked into his defensive play also such as the play where McDavid easily stripped him without any resistance from Gostisbehere. I don't see reducing his minutes as the solution.
- MJL

It works because by reducing his minutes he is playing against weaker talent. Much easier to gain confidence playing against players that arent that skilled.

I totally don't understand the Raffl hate here. I don't know if it's people thinking he's better than he is but he's a good bottom 6 forward at a reasonable price.
- FlyerFan16

Agreed. He is one of few players right now that are playing well. He isnt a top 6 guy but he is a guy that can step up and play a top 6 role when injuries hit.

It works because by reducing his minutes he is playing against weaker talent. Much easier to gain confidence playing against players that arent that skilled.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

No such thing as players that aren't that skilled in the NHL. Have to let him play through it. It was a lack of will that caused him to lose that battle with McDavid. That's the best way for him to learn lessons that he will use for the rest of his career.

I dont know that he needs a few years. If he can show over 3 to 4 months he can be consistently elite I have no problem giving him a shot.
- Tfaehner

I agree....you can’t put an artificial time table on any prospect....it’s up to him.

Went to the game in Edmonton they seem to try all these fancy and drop passes which really work, there system seems to be total confusion at times, Patrick and Sanheim looked good but not much more. Provy and ghost just couldn’t do anything right it seems, 1 or 2 decent shifts then 5 bad ones. Definitely time to change coaches and get back to the basics of just hard work until they can get some confidence back

No such thing as players that aren't that skilled in the NHL. Have to let him play through it. It was a lack of will that caused him to lose that battle with McDavid. That's the best way for him to learn lessons that he will use for the rest of his career.
- MJL

I remember I think it was briere who said some the most skilled players in the world never make the NHL. Because they arent able to carve out their niche at the NHL level. I think about our team and think about all our players and I look at role clarity. I think we need to plug guys into roles that suit them and let them excel. And if we cant do that yet especially with young guys that needs to be our gm job to fix which I'm sure hes trying to

Hextall firing did slightly improve the team but right now their problem is more fundamentals at this point. They are making beer league plays

They do get the pressure, they do get the cycle going and they even cause turnovers in the offensive zone but 9 times out of 10 they turn the puck over in the offensive zone and they dont generate a scoring chance. They will try to force a pass in the slot that isnt there, try to be too fancy, make that extra pass in a grade A scoring area, throw the puck away blindly or just try to do too much on their own.

The above doesnt just happen at EVSTR. It is a huge reason for the PP poor success rate. Plus there are turnovers gaining the zone as well

Defensively I think you got to reduce Ghost's minutes. He is getting beat in battles and turning the puck over. I cringe most the time he tries to make a pass. It also doesnt help that AMac is back to his poopty self. He played great last season. The goals against us are simple poor coverages and people being out of position. A lot of the time when pressure is on us I feel like teams are skating circles around us and our players are lost in the D zone.

The PK has improved tremendously. Yes it is last in the league currently but they were at 67-68% and they have jumped to 73%. It doesnt seem like much but they allowed so many PP goals to start that it gonna take a bit to improve it further. They have killed 73 of 100 PPs. I think they have only let in 2 PPG in their last 20 times shorthanded.

Goaltending has improved as well with Stolarz
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I'm willing to bet these two things are related.