I want team toughness during the course of play. Toughness on the puck around the net, in the corners. etc. No need to plan for a event like that which will rarely happen. A complete non factor in planning for the future in my opinion. There will always be players to stand up for teammates.
- MJL

Yeah, I really don’t think a GM should look at it that way. When it “rarely” happens, the complaints from the fan base will go up. Size plays a big factor in being able to take on a Tom Wilson type if you don’t have fighting ability and natural tenacity. And there is a danger in doing so. Have we reached the point where it is never needed?

I want team toughness during the course of play. Toughness on the puck around the net, in the corners. etc. No need to plan for a event like that which will rarely happen. A complete non factor in planning for the future in my opinion. There will always be players to stand up for teammates.
- MJL

There wasn’t a lot of team toughness yesterday. Too much stick checking and not taking the body.

Yeah, I really don’t think a GM should look at it that way. When it “rarely” happens, the complaints from the fan base will go up. Size plays a big factor in being able to take on a Tom Wilson type if you don’t have fighting ability and natural tenacity. And their is a danger in doing so. Have we reached the point where it is never needed?
- NC Flyers Fan

I think a team needs to think about combating a player like Wilson during game play and not about fighting.

Yeah, I really don’t think a GM should look at it that way. When it “rarely” happens, the complaints from the fan base will go up. Size plays a big factor in being able to take on a Tom Wilson type if you don’t have fighting ability and natural tenacity. And their is a danger in doing so. Have we reached the point where it is never needed?
- NC Flyers Fan

I'm not saying there's no need, I just don't think you need designated "you're one of our fighters" types. Guys like Brayden Schenn and Mike Richards did their fair share of fighting even when the team had guys like Simmonds/Hartnell/etc. who were much bigger players. So yeah, it's a good thing to have those guys around if they are also effective players, but I don't you need to have designated players is all. Again, that Coburn fight being a great example.

No, he was a non-factor because he only scored 2 goals and didn't impact the series in any other way. If you are putting up points but not doing anything else, you're a factor. If you're not scoring but are bringing something else (see Shawn Thornton in 2011), you're a factor. This can be leading the PK, shutting down the other team's top lines, being an effective forechecker, etc. Reaves, aside from a few big hits early in the series, didn't really bring anything else to the table. So, yes, I would say he was a non-factor.

But man, dude sure can fight.
- jmatchett383

has nothing to do with whether he can fight.

He played his role fine in the playoffs. did his job. ask his teammates if he was a non factor.

There wasn’t a lot of team toughness yesterday. Too much stick checking and not taking the body.
- Sinisalo4vr

And that's what good goaltending can do for a team that played a soft game.

I know everyone, myself included, I would like to see the Flyers in the post season. However, fletcher shouldn't make moves solely based on 2019. Every move, including Simmer needs to have 2020,2021,2022 etc in mind.

Take your optimistic viewpoint and go some place else!!!

Agreed though. If you would have told me in November that this team was going to be worth watching in late Feb I would have been stunned.

What I hope for the rest of the season:

1. No major injuries.. This is my biggest concern over the remaining games with the anticipation of next season.
2. Continue to get meaningful experience for Hart, OL, Patrick, Sanheim, TK, Hagg and any other young player I am missing.
3. Provy keeps looking more and more like himself while Ghost turns any element of his game around.
4. A standing ovation in the anticipation of Simmonds last game. People rag on him but he is IMO the closest the modern game will ever see to a classic Flyer. That warrants our appreciation.
-opeth_pa

Thing is I called this back in October\November. I said they would go on a ridiculous streak later. I figured it would have happened a month sooner though

I think a team needs to think about combating a player like Wilson during game play and not about fighting.
- MJL

Yes, of course, but not being able to contend with that kind of player during game play or alternatively facing dirty players with size during game play is what leads to fighting.

has nothing to do with whether he can fight.

He played his role fine in the playoffs. did his job. ask his teammates if he was a non factor.
- daryl stanley

Okay, give me MAF's cell number, I'll ask him.

What exactly was his role that he did well? Stir the pot? Didn't do it very much. Stand up to Tom Wilson? Nope, still took our Marchessault. Throw checks? Yeah, he threw a few, but none that stand out. So...what was the role that he performed well in his 8:49 TOI/GP?

Yes, of course, but not being able to contend with that kind of player during game play or alternatively facing dirty players with size during game play is what leads to fighting.
- NC Flyers Fan

Yes...and again, Braydon Coburn, the gentle giant, ended up fighting arguably the toughest, dirtiest player in the player in the league. He didn't need to have "a fighter" take on Wilson, he did it himself.

I'm not saying there's no need, I just don't think you need designated "you're one of our fighters" types. Guys like Brayden Schenn and Mike Richards did their fair share of fighting even when the team had guys like Simmonds/Hartnell/etc. who were much bigger players. So yeah, it's a good thing to have those guys around if they are also effective players, but I don't you need to have designated players is all. Again, that Coburn fight being a great example.
- jmatchett383

Then I think we agree. Do we have enough of those guys?

Yes, of course, but not being able to contend with that kind of player during game play or alternatively facing dirty players with size during game play is what leads to fighting.
- NC Flyers Fan

Fighting is rare in today's game. I'll cut to the chase. What happened with that situation should not factor into whether the Flyers re-sign Wayne Simmonds in my opinion.

Okay, give me MAF's cell number, I'll ask him.

What exactly was his role that he did well? Stir the pot? Didn't do it very much. Stand up to Tom Wilson? Nope, still took our Marchessault. Throw checks? Yeah, he threw a few, but none that stand out. So...what was the role that he performed well in his 8:49 TOI/GP?
- jmatchett383

he is a 4th line player. did what was expected of him. Don't talk down to me you know what his role is; wilson wanted no part of him. Surely you remember no?

so then there were many others who were a non factor as well. But hey focus on the 4th line "fighter". had he not been in the lineup I bet they win the series.

Then I think we agree. Do we have enough of those guys?
- NC Flyers Fan

At present, I don't think so. But I think it's something that needs to be instilled in every play and not a select few. Yes, having size and individual toughness is preferred, but not necessary.

At present, I don't think so. But I think it's something that needs to be instilled in every play and not a select few. Yes, having size and individual toughness is preferred, but not necessary.
- jmatchett383

I’ll feel better if we go with the preferred here.

he is a 4th line player. did what was expected of him. Don't talk down to me you know what his role is; wilson wanted no part of him. Surely you remember no?

so then there were many others who were a non factor as well. But hey focus on the 4th line "fighter". had he not been in the lineup I bet they win the series.
- daryl stanley

How am I talking down to you, I don't know you, and have not said anything to you as a person. Yes, he's a 4th liner who played under 9 minutes per game and was a healthy scratch in one of them. Okay, Tom Wilson didn't fight him...then what is the point of having a fighter if the other player won't fight him? O are you talking about Reaves getting a 2-minute minor for roughing in Game 2 when Wilson dove like he'd been cross checked in the face? Yeah, that sure set Wilson straight.

I focus on Reaves because I was asked what tough players Vegas had, so I answered the question. If you'd like to focus on other players, such as William Karlsson, James Neal, or Cody Eakin, then sure, we can do that.

Please, go on, this in enthralling and very informative.

I’ll feel better if we go with the preferred here.
- NC Flyers Fan

That's why I'm hoping that guys like Morin and Allison can make an impact sooner than later. Also, hoping Myers can be consistently physical at this level and would love to have a little more size (with other assets aside from fighting/hitting) in the bottom-6.

How am I talking down to you, I don't know you, and have not said anything to you as a person. Yes, he's a 4th liner who played under 9 minutes per game and was a healthy scratch in one of them. Okay, Tom Wilson didn't fight him...then what is the point of having a fighter if the other player won't fight him? O are you talking about Reaves getting a 2-minute minor for roughing in Game 2 when Wilson dove like he'd been cross checked in the face? Yeah, that sure set Wilson straight.

I focus on Reaves because I was asked what tough players Vegas had, so I answered the question. If you'd like to focus on other players, such as William Karlsson, James Neal, or Cody Eakin, then sure, we can do that.

Please, go on, this in enthralling and very informative.
- jmatchett383

so as a 4th line player do you think he did his job?

he does more than fight. he can play but i would guess in your opinion you dont think that is the case.

Fighting is rare in today's game. I'll cut to the chase. What happened with that situation should not factor into whether the Flyers re-sign Wayne Simmonds in my opinion.
- MJL

I didn’t say it should be a factor in keeping him...I said it is a factor in losing him. There is a big difference. The reason for this is that we don’t have enough “those guys” (see previous posts on team toughness).

I'm not saying there's no need, I just don't think you need designated "you're one of our fighters" types. Guys like Brayden Schenn and Mike Richards did their fair share of fighting even when the team had guys like Simmonds/Hartnell/etc. who were much bigger players. So yeah, it's a good thing to have those guys around if they are also effective players, but I don't you need to have designated players is all. Again, that Coburn fight being a great example.
- jmatchett383

so as a 4th line player do you think he did his job?

he does more than fight. he can play but i would guess in your opinion you dont think that is the case.
- daryl stanley

I think he's a player who was a healthy scratch in 50% of his team's playoff games last year, was not a part of the special teams rotation, did not do anything to stop or respond to Tom Wilson running one of his team's best players, was not a generally effective forechecker, and contributed 2 points while playing an average of 8:13 TOI/GP. So no, I personally did not see him as a factor in the playoffs for his team.

Granted, 1 of his goal was the GWG against Winnipeg in the closeout game, so, in that particular game, he was a huge factor.

trade simmonds already

I didn’t say it should be a factor in keeping him...I said it is a factor in losing him. There is a big difference. The reason for this is that we don’t have enough “those guys” (see previous posts on team toughness).
- NC Flyers Fan

With respect to Simmonds, I think most people on here would love to keep him, but not at the cost. Yes, he has those individual tough intangibles that you like, but with diminishing returns at 5v5 (still effective on the PP, as much as anyone else this year), are you willing to give him 3+ years at $7M plus to keep those intangibles? That's the real question. And to me, the cost is too high.

trade simmonds already
- 2Real

To who and for what?

I think he's a player who was a healthy scratch in 50% of his team's playoff games last year, was not a part of the special teams rotation, did not do anything to stop or respond to Tom Wilson running one of his team's best players, was not a generally effective forechecker, and contributed 2 points while playing an average of 8:13 TOI/GP. So no, I personally did not see him as a factor in the playoffs for his team.

Granted, 1 of his goal was the GWG against Winnipeg in the closeout game, so, in that particular game, he was a huge factor.
- jmatchett383

did he do his job as a 4th line player when he played? yes or no?

if no what do you think he didnt do as his job playing 9 minutes a night.

didnt ask whether he was a factor. I asked did he do his job. +4 in the playoffs. he was fine on the forecheck, in fact was good. again wilson wouldn't fight him and reeves was smart not doing anything stupid to put his team in a bad spot. what more do you expect reeves to do being a 4th liner and all.