Lose one game and the sky is falling 😂 typical flyers thread. Glad I wasn’t there
- Richieattack18

Not like we’re in a playoff race or anything

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Opportunistic Devils Pick Apart Flyers, 5-0
- bmeltzer

The Flyers loss tonight last night looks to me like their victory on Monday. PP still not clicking. The stars aren’t showing up, while the grinders are playing their hearts out. A couple of weeks ago you could forgive them because the effort is there but now, the effort needs to translate to finish. There is v a lot of mental mistakes. Passing to unoccupied corners. Win or lose, we have a lot of messy areas to clean up.

I'm just waiting for the first, "They were playing well with Ghost out" post.

Bill - You are the only person I can listen to re: Flyers. Help me understand what’s happening with G? I mean the guy can’t even skate anymore. And that first play off the draw last night, you can’t be serious. He has been, by far, the biggest disappointment this year. I think he would be a healthy scratch if not for wearing the C, that’s how bad he has been.
- prominal88

I don't know about a healthy scratch but he hasn't been himself. I don't know if he has a physical issue -- he'd never admit it if he did -- but he is skating like he did when he ended up having the groin/hip issue he denied affecting him, and he is several years older now than then. There's little burst and he can't get separation.

He is still setting up chances that aren't getting buried; at least eight for JVR alone this year that absolutely should have been goals and where the goalie didn't make a 10-bell save, either. There's a bunch for other players, too. But on the goal-scoring side, Giroux himself really isn't getting a ton of chances. Even last night back on the left side on the PP, on the rare ocassions that the Flyers weren't turning pucks over for odd-man shorthanded bids, he wasn't getting one-timer looks.

I think that Giroux has worked pretty hard defensively this year. Every one has some plays here and there that look bad -- Giroux was among the culprits on the opening shift goal last night -- but, overall, that hasn't been an issue.

Giroux has been intrumental in getting the team as a whole to buy in to AV's system -- and BTW, Giroux is treated as more "just another player" by AV than he's been to any of his coaches since he was a rookie under Stevens, but he never pouts about it.

One thing I like about Giroux is that whatever he's asked to do, he'll do. Play LW, play C. Play PK because we need you for right circle draws. Shuttle different linemates. Play right side on PP, play left. He'll do it and never publicly complain even if he doesn't personally like it. There aren't many two-time Hart Trophy top-4 finishers who are like that in today's game.

All that said, yes, the Flyers definitely need more production out of Giroux this season.

I don't know about a healthy scratch but he hasn't been himself. I don't know if he has a physical issue -- he'd never admit it if he did -- but he is skating like he did when he ended up having the groin/hip issue he denied affecting him, and he is several years older now than then. There's little burst and he can't get separation.

He is still setting up chances that aren't getting buried; at least eight for JVR alone this year that absolutely should have been goals and where the goalie didn't make a 10-bell save, either. There's a bunch for other players, too. But on the goal-scoring side, Giroux himself really isn't getting a ton of chances. Even last night back on the left side on the PP, on the rare ocassions that the Flyers weren't turning pucks over for odd-man shorthanded bids, he wasn't getting one-timer looks.

I think that Giroux has worked pretty hard defensively this year. Every one has some plays here and there that look bad -- Giroux was among the culprits on the opening shift goal last night -- but, overall, that hasn't been an issue.

Giroux has been intrumental in getting the team as a whole to buy in to AV's system -- and BTW, Giroux is treated as more "just another player" by AV than he's been to any of his coaches since he was a rookie under Stevens, but he never pouts about it.

One thing I like about Giroux is that whatever he's asked to do, he'll do. Play LW, play C. Play PK because we need you for right circle draws. Shuttle different linemates. Play right side on PP, play left. He'll do it and never publicly complain even if he doesn't personally like it. There aren't many two-time Hart Trophy top-4 finishers who are like that in today's game.

All that said, yes, the Flyers definitely need more production out of Giroux this season.
- bmeltzer

I’d be very surprised if we don’t find out after the season that he’s been dealing with some type of physical issue. He’s clearly not moving as well as he did during the first half of the season.

If Giroux is hurt enough to affect his performance this much, then why hasn't he sat out in order to heal up? Granted, it could be something that only months off helps. But as much as G would be a gamer and showing leadership for trying to fight through an injury, if some time out of the lineup would get him back closer to 100%, then it should have been done already, rather than this close to the end of the season.

But both the Islanders and Canes were down by two goals.
It's possible to get two points when that happens?

So here we are on February 7, the Flyers are in 6th place in the division, and two of their young players may never play again. No one would have signed on for this back in the summer.
- PLindbergh31

they're right in the mix, and i believe they can make it, but likely first round fodder, unless hart steals a series and i haven't seen anything from him yet that shows me he's capable of doing that.

the bottom guys are doing their job. they need more from the top guys. it sucks that lindblom and patrick are out, and not coming back this year. 2 big holes. it's frustrating. no matter how many steps forward they take, they are always somehow exactly where they are. on the bubble with big problems. insert ned ryerson gif here.

they're right in the mix, and i believe they can make it, but likely first round fodder, unless hart steals a series and i haven't seen anything from him yet that shows me he's capable of doing that.

the bottom guys are doing their job. they need more from the top guys. it sucks that lindblom and patrick are out, and not coming back this year. 2 big holes. it's frustrating. no matter how many steps forward they take, they are always somehow exactly where they are. on the bubble with big problems. insert ned ryerson gif here.
- hammarby31

I honestly think that they could beat any team in the Metro except for Pittsburgh or Carolina in a best-of-7. That includes Washington.

Don't worry. The Red Wings will win in C-Bus tonight. I'm guessing it will be 6-0.
- PLindbergh31

haha i was going to say they have to win sometime, but they beat buffalo last night. (frank).

Maybe the Flyers are a trap game for the good teams. Flyers track record over the last few seasons hasn’t put any fear in anybody. They always seem to be a bubble team.
Just to passive, no snarl. I know it’s a pipe dream but a Tom Wilson type player or hell, I would take Miles Wood might help. Do they even teach checking anymore ? It’s almost like the game is to PC.

If Giroux is hurt enough to affect his performance this much, then why hasn't he sat out in order to heal up? Granted, it could be something that only months off helps. But as much as G would be a gamer and showing leadership for trying to fight through an injury, if some time out of the lineup would get him back closer to 100%, then it should have been done already, rather than this close to the end of the season.
- copelal

It’s probably not a quick fix and we can’t afford to have him out of the lineup. He’s too important in the dot and as bad as the production offensively has been he’s still playing the right way and effectively defensively. I think he will get going, he’s too good of a player. And think about why doesn’t he take time off, we just had what 10 days off, what’s he need a year?

The team took 46 shots and 0 goals. This is not the first time this has happened this year and should be a wake-up call to a simple fact, this team has plenty of 200 foot players but very little in the ways of finishing skill, and to win in this league you need a healthy balance of both. Its telling that the players who make the most on this team, Giroux, Voracek and JVR are not even leading the team in scoring, this tells me the way the money is allocated on this team is out of balance and needs to be addressed. I would look to move JVR, he is not scoring and is a liability to team speed and defense, which means he is absolutely useless. Cover some salary if you have to, but this team needs to shed salary, open cap space, and really look into how to bring more skill and speed into the lineup. I for one would love to see the Flyers make a splash and get Hoffman before the deadline.

I'm just waiting for the first, "They were playing well with Ghost out" post.
- jmatchett383

They were playing well until ghost came back

It’s probably not a quick fix and we can’t afford to have him out of the lineup. He’s too important in the dot and as bad as the production offensively has been he’s still playing the right way and effectively defensively. I think he will get going, he’s too good of a player. And think about why doesn’t he take time off, we just had what 10 days off, what’s he need a year?
- ClaudeFather

Thats the thing though, he isnt producing and not playing all that well so in essence we are playing without him. I would hazard a guess that if he is injured, he needs surgery and long rehab which would carry over into playoffs. At this point I would rather he get surgery to be honest. We need him at his best next season if that is the case. It took him a while to get back to normal after the last injury.

They were playing well until ghost came back
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I have the nhl package but msg games blocked out for the regional bull crap, found a link online and immediately he flubs that puck at the blue line and woods buries haha. Turned it right off.

Thats the thing though, he isnt producing and not playing all that well so in essence we are playing without him. I would hazard a guess that if he is injured, he needs surgery and long rehab which would carry over into playoffs. At this point I would rather he get surgery to be honest. We need him at his best next season if that is the case. It took him a while to get back to normal after the last injury.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

As bad as he’s placing we have no one to replace him, he’s instrumental in the face off circle , he’s been good defend, and he’s a big part of the locker room and as bill aluded to setting the tone for the coaching staff. I highly doubt it’s a 9 month recovery if there even is a surgery necessary.

As bad as he’s placing we have no one to replace him, he’s instrumental in the face off circle , he’s been good defend, and he’s a big part of the locker room and as bill aluded to setting the tone for the coaching staff. I highly doubt it’s a 9 month recovery if there even is a surgery necessary.
- ClaudeFather

This is my feeling too. Similar to when Malkin went down, Crosby held off on surgery until Malkin got back. I think Giroux is in a similar boat between not having anyone to replace him as well as recovery being too long. Something is 100% off with Giroux.

As bad as he’s placing we have no one to replace him, he’s instrumental in the face off circle , he’s been good defend, and he’s a big part of the locker room and as bill aluded to setting the tone for the coaching staff. I highly doubt it’s a 9 month recovery if there even is a surgery necessary.
- ClaudeFather

No but the last time he had hip surgery. He missed time. Came back the next season, had a poor season and then was back to himself next season

The only major move I'd make before the TDL is to fire Michel Therrien. It's inexcusable for our powerplay to be this bad with the players that we have. Some of the powerplays last night were some of the worst powerplays I have seen.
- arichardson22

Dave Scott is too in love with his "gold plated coaching staff" to realize that Therrien is terrible.

https://www.inquirer.com/...improvement-20200131.html

Maybe he'll get a clue when the Flyers broken PP causes the team to miss the playoffs.

No but the last time he had hip surgery. He missed time. Came back the next season, had a poor season and then was back to himself next season
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I see what you’re saying but this is a big season for this team, they need to make the playoffs, what does that say if we spent all this money and can’t eveb get in? We don’t know if he even needs surgery that Will delay his return next year and if so you’d think we would be in a better position to make up for it next year through a frost/Patrick and just other young kids stepping up . Right now we need the captain.

Dave Scott is too in love with his "gold plated coaching staff" to realize that Therrien is terrible.

https://www.inquirer.com/...improvement-20200131.html

Maybe he'll get a clue when the Flyers broken PP causes the team to miss the playoffs.
- Feanor

Fire Therien and hire Briere for the PP coach . Or lavy

Dave Scott is too in love with his "gold plated coaching staff" to realize that Therrien is terrible.

https://www.inquirer.com/...improvement-20200131.html

Maybe he'll get a clue when the Flyers broken PP causes the team to miss the playoffs.
- Feanor

It's honestly strange. Scott and Comcast were known to want instant results and expected us to be a playoff team, as well as a winning playoff team. Yet they can't seem to recognize our PP could be a leading cause for missing the playoffs.

I don't know about a healthy scratch but he hasn't been himself. I don't know if he has a physical issue -- he'd never admit it if he did -- but he is skating like he did when he ended up having the groin/hip issue he denied affecting him, and he is several years older now than then. There's little burst and he can't get separation.

He is still setting up chances that aren't getting buried; at least eight for JVR alone this year that absolutely should have been goals and where the goalie didn't make a 10-bell save, either. There's a bunch for other players, too. But on the goal-scoring side, Giroux himself really isn't getting a ton of chances. Even last night back on the left side on the PP, on the rare ocassions that the Flyers weren't turning pucks over for odd-man shorthanded bids, he wasn't getting one-timer looks.

I think that Giroux has worked pretty hard defensively this year. Every one has some plays here and there that look bad -- Giroux was among the culprits on the opening shift goal last night -- but, overall, that hasn't been an issue.

Giroux has been intrumental in getting the team as a whole to buy in to AV's system -- and BTW, Giroux is treated as more "just another player" by AV than he's been to any of his coaches since he was a rookie under Stevens, but he never pouts about it.

One thing I like about Giroux is that whatever he's asked to do, he'll do. Play LW, play C. Play PK because we need you for right circle draws. Shuttle different linemates. Play right side on PP, play left. He'll do it and never publicly complain even if he doesn't personally like it. There aren't many two-time Hart Trophy top-4 finishers who are like that in today's game.

All that said, yes, the Flyers definitely need more production out of Giroux this season.
- bmeltzer

Good analysis. Maybe issues are more upstairs then physical. Hopefully he can have a big push here to help get them into the playoffs. I think he’s been a pretty good leader and a good “Flyer” since the day he arrived.

It's honestly strange. Scott and Comcast were known to want instant results and expected us to be a playoff team, as well as a winning playoff team. Yet they can't seem to recognize our PP could be a leading cause for missing the playoffs.
- arichardson22

The top PP unit could only break even in shot attempts last night in 4 minutes of PP time, and they gave up a SHG.

So......at Washington tomorrow. Have to remember that this is a real possibility for a first round playoff matchup. Flyers need to play it like it’s a playoff game.