Agree Marc. It's sad isn't it?
- MJL

Ha, I agree it is sad when I look forward to seeing the 4th line on the ice.

That's not going to work and is not the answer. Who is going to take his place?
- MJL

It doesnt matter. The point is to kick the Vets in the butt. Im not saying bench everyone at once. Start with one. It sends a message to the player sitting and the rest of them who are close to follow. I dont understand why sitting someone is such a bad idea. A guy like Voracek is not playing any better than a guy like Twarynski or Stewart amd guys like Voracek dont seem to be improving their play on their own.

Giroux's play is not concerning me, chances are there and he's creating chances just not getting the results. JVR/Jake/Hayes, all of their play is concerning (Hayes good on the PK)
- ClaudeFather

I'm not giving Giroux or Hayes a pass. They both need to be better. However, they contribute in multiple ways that help the team even when they do not produce points. JVR and Voracek have to produce points to contribute. That is all that they offer really.

yup - they're in a playoff position now - things could be worse - the sky isn't falling over here
- Scoob

And that could happen. Maybe in Jan/Feb, the vets take off and the team goes on a tear. They haven't buried themselves, but there's cause for concern.

I'm not giving Giroux or Hayes a pass. They both need to be better. However, they contribute in multiple ways that help the team even when they do not produce points. JVR and Voracek have to produce points to contribute. That is all that they offer really.
- mickel25

Not giving them a pass at all, just that watching him play he doesn't look awful it's just not going in for him. Jake and JVR look awful.

It doesnt matter. The point is to kick the Vets in the butt. Im not saying bench everyone at once. Start with one. It sends a message to the player sitting and the rest of them who are close to follow. I dont understand why sitting someone is such a bad idea. A guy like Voracek is not playing any better than a guy like Twarynski or Stewart amd guys like Voracek dont seem to be improving their play on their own.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

It's a bad idea because the player who is replacing him is worse. Doing that tends to alienate a veteran proven player more than it motivates him. Its biting off your nose to spite your face.

Totally agree on all points. I like Pitlick's energy and willingness to shoot the puck. I can't wait for Laughton to get back. I think he's desperately missed right now.
- dramado

Yes, seems Pitlick’s shot is coming back. Maybe we see Pitlick and Laughton on that 3rd line soon. I agree somewhat with not scratching Voracek, but I don’t think it would hurt the team to throw the most expensive 4th line in hockey out on the ice for a few games and see if efforts improve.

a sub-.500 team

Yes, seems Pitlick’s shot is coming back. Maybe we see Pitlick and Laughton on that 3rd line soon. I agree somewhat with not scratching Voracek, but I don’t think it would hurt the team to throw the most expensive 4th line in hockey out on the ice for a few games and see if efforts improve.
- NC Flyers Fan

A Pitlick, Raffl and Laughton line could be a great energy and forechecking line

A Pitlick, Raffl and Laughton line could be a great energy and forechecking line
- arichardson22

It doesnt matter. The point is to kick the Vets in the butt. Im not saying bench everyone at once. Start with one. It sends a message to the player sitting and the rest of them who are close to follow. I dont understand why sitting someone is such a bad idea. A guy like Voracek is not playing any better than a guy like Twarynski or Stewart amd guys like Voracek dont seem to be improving their play on their own.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

We are not scratching Jake, even if he's playing bad there's a chance he can make a play, for example the Washington game on the one goal we scored...

It's a bad idea because the player who is replacing him is worse. Doing that tends to alienate a veteran proven player more than it motivates him. Its biting off your nose to spite your face.
- MJL

These are professional adults, not children. If you dont perform at work, you are demoted and there are one on one meetings and if those dont work you are fired. The player replacing him isnt worse either when he isnt performing. We are talking about a player that is not playing well and hasnt all year. Not a guy who is putting up points and has been making this team better. He is making the team worse and the fact that I suggest Stewart should play over him shows how badly Voracek has been playing.

Everyone cries for accountability but no one has the balls to do it.

And that could happen. Maybe in Jan/Feb, the vets take off and the team goes on a tear. They haven't buried themselves, but there's cause for concern.
- Hextall271

They'll figure it out.

And that could happen. Maybe in Jan/Feb, the vets take off and the team goes on a tear. They haven't buried themselves, but there's cause for concern.
- Hextall271

It's tough to stay positive after our last few games, but its easy to forget before this losing streak we were playing pretty well. I rather have these scoring woes happen now than later. Plenty of time for guys to get going as well as time to form chemistry

Haven't you heard? Giroux has a newborn at home. He's not getting enough shuteye.
- PLindbergh31

Pay a nanny, you rich female dog!

These are professional adults, not children. If you dont perform at work, you are demoted and there are one on one meetings and if those dont work you are fired. The player replacing him isnt worse either when he isnt performing. We are talking about a player that is not playing well and hasnt all year. Not a guy who is putting up points and has been making this team better. He is making the team worse and the fact that I suggest Stewart should play over him shows how badly Voracek has been playing.

Everyone cries for accountability but no one has the balls to do it.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

LOL. This is not work. Voracek has a guaranteed contract that pays him millions. They cant fire him
I stopped reading after that.

I'm not giving Giroux or Hayes a pass. They both need to be better. However, they contribute in multiple ways that help the team even when they do not produce points. JVR and Voracek have to produce points to contribute. That is all that they offer really.
- mickel25

If I was to rank my concern of the veterans it would be 4) Giroux – I don’t think his overall play has been bad, we just need more point production from him. 3) Hayes – he has done a very good job killing penalties but obviously his 5 on 5 play and point production MUST be better. 2) JVR – he has had chances so at least there is that (be more concerned if he wasn’t getting chances) but the guy is paid to score goals. He is streaky so hopefully he gets hot soon. he has to. 1) Voracek. What the hell bud? I would do the trade that resulted in Jake, Couturier and Cousins for Carter every time but my god his play has dropped off since his all star season. His skating is still there so its not, to me, physical. He may be in need of a new environment but that contract isn’t going anywhere without eating a good portion of the contract. I like Jake when he is playing well but we just haven’t see much of it in some time.

So.......from a points prospective, JvR and Wayne Simmonds are having the same season. Although Simmonds on a much worse team.

LOL. This is not work. Voracek has a guaranteed contract that pays him millions. They cant fire him
I stopped reading after that.
- MJL

This is work..... They get paid to perform a job. Yes they cant be fired but the premise is still the same....

LOL it's really not staggering at all. There are 10 teams with only one more than the Flyers and some of them have played a few more games. I will agree that it isn't good though.
- Ftown19125

It's not? So a quarter of the way through the season only one team has less regulation and overtime wins. Idk man not sure if that bodes very well.

It's not? So a quarter of the way through the season only one team has less regulation and overtime wins. Idk man not sure if that bodes very well.
- PLindbergh31

You're right that it doesn't bode well. But there are a number of teams only 1 and 2 games away. And some of them played more games. Also, I think the first tie breaker is RW. Not that they're looking too much better in that category.

Bobby Ryan is going to rehab?

This is work..... They get paid to perform a job. Yes they cant be fired but the premise is still the same....
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Except it's....not at all. When you get fired, you have no employment and are not getting paid. Unless Voracek gets bought out, he's still getting paid whether you scratch/demote him or not.

Bobby Ryan is going to rehab?
- arichardson22

Player assistance program, sounds like it.

Pay a nanny, you rich female dog!
- SuperSchennBros

No doubt they are. And I agree that the new kid thing is overblown to a degree. \

But the thing is about being a new parent, on those days where he would catch Zzzz's after a road trip or a game or a practice, it is really hard to not want to spend time with your new son, especially if you haven't seen him in a few days or weeks. And at that age, it is like looking at a new child every time because they develop THAT fast.

He will figure it out.