Thinking a bit about Voracek and Hayes together on a line.

They both play a fairly similar game in some regards, both good puck carriers and good at shielding the puck, both better at setting up the play then scoring.

Are they too similar to be part of an effective line? If they stay together would moving someone with opposite skill set like JVR to the line be better? JvR can be the net front goal scorer set up by the other two.

Just random thoughts here.
- Marc D

didn't they give this line a few games?

If I’m being honest, I don’t care for our fourth line. Andy Andreoff has had two or three dangers chances in two games but cannot seem to bury his chances. I don’t like Raffl at center, I like him a lot more along the wall, it seems to be his specialty. Pitlick, while may be recovering from injury, I feel offers very little. He’s a good skater but I’m not seeing much of anything else. On the Marchand goal, I felt like Pitlick hesitated to get in front of the shot, with bugged me.

Feel like our fourth line is being over used in games right now in close games. I think more of our gifted players need to be out there and break games open in regulation.
- SuperSchennBros

Feelings < Facts

4th-line has (finally) been effective since Andreoff's been put in.

If I’m being honest, I don’t care for our fourth line. Andy Andreoff has had two or three dangers chances in two games but cannot seem to bury his chances. I don’t like Raffl at center, I like him a lot more along the wall, it seems to be his specialty. Pitlick, while may be recovering from injury, I feel offers very little. He’s a good skater but I’m not seeing much of anything else. On the Marchand goal, I felt like Pitlick hesitated to get in front of the shot, with bugged me.

Feel like our fourth line is being over used in games right now in close games. I think more of our gifted players need to be out there and break games open in regulation.
- SuperSchennBros

You make some valid points
As Flyers fans we have gotten used to the 4th line as being poor the last few seasons and when they can hold their own and not need to be sheltered to under 7-8 minutes a game it is a noted improvement from the recent past.

To get to level of the best teams they’ll need a 4th line that can chip in some offense as well as forecheck and play shut down.

Having Patrick healthy and Laughton back would certainly help. With those two out I’m pretty happy with Raffl/Pitlick/Andreoff the last few games.

Agree that Raffl is better as a winger. I think Laughton will slide into center when he’s back, but I also think SL is better at wing, and they eventually (maybe not this season) will need an upgrade at 4C. It’s kind of a luxury to have a good vet there, so maybe a prospect fills that spot.

didn't they give this line a few games?
- ClaudeFather

Iirc it was a preseason game and they looked dominant

Getting scoring chances nearly every shift

Can’t remember if they were together during the regular season

Thinking a bit about Voracek and Hayes together on a line.

They both play a fairly similar game in some regards, both good puck carriers and good at shielding the puck, both better at setting up the play then scoring.

Are they too similar to be part of an effective line? If they stay together would moving someone with opposite skill set like JVR to the line be better? JvR can be the net front goal scorer set up by the other two.

Just random thoughts here.
- Marc D

Honestly...once Patrick is ready to play again....I prefer to put him between Giroux and Farabee and slot JVR-Hayes-Voracek. Each line has a primary play maker...a dual threat...and more of a shooter.

Honestly...once Patrick is ready to play again....I prefer to put him between Giroux and Farabee and slot JVR-Hayes-Voracek. Each line has a primary play maker...a dual threat...and more of a shooter.
- juiced

I like this idea
Leaves Couts line intact too

Honestly...once Patrick is ready to play again....I prefer to put him between Giroux and Farabee and slot JVR-Hayes-Voracek. Each line has a primary play maker...a dual threat...and more of a shooter.
- juiced

Patrick will need a couple of weeks just to get back to speed. And even then, he has little track record of being effective in a prime scoring role. Throwing him on the top line is asking a lot.

Right. I typed the same thing. Just stated that they might not have if all of the injuries never happened and they did not have the LTIR space.
- mickel25

Morin and Myers have pretty much the same cap hit. Swap Morin and Myers. That simple. They had the cap space.

agree he needs to finish some chances
He’s been close or unlikely on a few lately, hopefully he gets a few bounces and gets it going
- Marc D

At some point the unlucky excuse has to go away.

Patrick will need a couple of weeks just to get back to speed. And even then, he has little track record of being effective in a prime scoring role. Throwing him on the top line is asking a lot.
- Tomahawk

Understood that Patrick will need some time to get up to speed. But seriously...who has Hayes really had the most chemistry with? Probably JVR.

G just chant seem to get on the same page with JVR....but he seems to be getting there with Joel.

At some point the unlucky excuse has to go away.
- MJL

He seems to lack the finishing touch, almost like Grabner. How many short handed breakaways has Hayes had or in general, he's converted on maybe 1.

At some point the unlucky excuse has to go away.
- MJL

I hope so too
Pretty sure he gets to 40-45 points, at least I hope so
Less would be a disappointment

Patrick will need a couple of weeks just to get back to speed. And even then, he has little track record of being effective in a prime scoring role. Throwing him on the top line is asking a lot.
- Tomahawk

If Hayes and JvR and Voracek click and Couts line keeps playing lights out,
AV could use G Farabee and Patrick against more favorable match ups

But Patrick actually playing any games let alone being effective is a big stretch right now

I could just as easily see him missing the whole season as coming back to center a good scoring line

Understood that Patrick will need some time to get up to speed. But seriously...who has Hayes really had the most chemistry with? Probably JVR.

G just chant seem to get on the same page with JVR....but he seems to be getting there with Joel.
- juiced

JvR + NP + Hayes. Lot of net-drive and garbage goals.

Lindy/Coots/TK
Farabee/G/Jake
JvR/NP/Hayes
Raffl/Laughts/Twarynski/Andreoff

I hope so too
Pretty sure he gets to 40-45 points, at least I hope so
Less would be a disappointment
- Marc D

Not about a hope. It's about at what point does he no longer get a pass? I think that time has come for him and for a number of players on the team.

JvR + NP + Hayes. Lot of net-drive and garbage goals.
- Tomahawk

Who’s the wing on that line, NP?

JvR + NP + Hayes. Lot of net-drive and garbage goals.
- Tomahawk

Can't move Hayes out of the center spot.

Who’s the wing on that line, NP?
- Marc D

Either one.

Can't move Hayes out of the center spot.
- MJL

How come?

Not about a hope. It's about at what point does he no longer get a pass? I think that time has come for him and for a number of players on the team.
- MJL

I don’t think I’m giving him a pass here, he does need to contribute beyond puck possesion and PK work.

40-50 points has been his historical production.

Voracek needs to be a lot better as does G, no disagreement here. Jake has been a slow starter in the past but it’s beyond time for him to get playing to his game.

Giroux lately has been better and I think there was an adjustment for him getting back to center full time.

How come?
- Tomahawk

Seriously?

I don’t think I’m giving him a pass here, he does need to contribute beyond puck possesion and PK work.

40-50 points has been his historical production.

Voracek needs to be a lot better as does G, no disagreement here. Jake has been a slow starter in the past but it’s beyond time for him to get playing to his game.

Giroux lately has been better and I think there was an adjustment for him getting back to center full time.
- Marc D

...and that adjustment is made all the more difficult because he's somewhat playing on his heels knowing he has to get back defensively to cover for JVR and in case/when Farabee makes a rookie mistake (thankfully those have been few and far between)

I don’t think I’m giving him a pass here, he does need to contribute beyond puck possesion and PK work.

40-50 points has been his historical production.

Voracek needs to be a lot better as does G, no disagreement here. Jake has been a slow starter in the past but it’s beyond time for him to get playing to his game.

Giroux lately has been better and I think there was an adjustment for him getting back to center full time.
- Marc D

It doesn't matter who does it but in my opinion 17 games in, we're at the point where he's just been unlucky is giving him a pass. Time to produce. For Hayes and all the other players who aren't producing enough offensively.

...and that adjustment is made all the more difficult because he's somewhat playing on his heels knowing he has to get back defensively to cover for JVR and in case/when Farabee makes a rookie mistake (thankfully those have been few and far between)
- juiced

Players play within the system and team play. Giroux has his responsibilities as a center no different from any other center on the team. Both JVR and Farabee have been playing well away from the puck.

Seriously?
- MJL

Yes, seriously. He's a converted RW. He defaults to off-wing on the rush. He's not very good on draws. He hasn't exactly been lock-down defensively. Etc.

Personally I'd rather have him at C than Patrick, but I'm not gonna cry over either of them playing 'out of position'.