Its an interesting thing about Hagg's hits. He is always among the league leaders there. But to the best of my memory, I cannot recall a single open ice hit or even a hip check. All his hits are against the boards, on his side of the ice, and most of them are are on the left quadrant of the D zone next to the goal. They are sneaky hits, not full on thundering hits.

He has fashioned his game very effectively, I think, working on his constraints and his size and strength. He plays mostly within himself. He has probably listened very closely to the coaches and that might be why he is valued.

Ghost has a higher risk/reward game. The question is, do you really need that in your bottom pairing?
- PT21

If Gostisbehere can get his game back then yes, you absolutely need his ability on the 3rd pair or any other pair. Haag is a good solid defender who brings a physical edge to his game but his style of play is not winning hockey. Defending, no matter how well you do it can only help you to compete or not lose. Attacking with the puck and moving the puck in transition is how you win. Spend less time defending and more time attacking is how you win. That being said it has been two seasons waiting for Gostisbehere to refind his game.

No, plenty have mentioned Niskanen. People overreact to everything Hayes does to mess with you.
- Ftown19125

Maybe but it’s not just here. Hayes is everywhere. Mic’d up. Interviews. He gets talked up during intermissions. I don’t get it. I don’t even think he’s funny.

Hi Bill. Nice news on Hayes. I guess he was good for something. Tanner has been writing about how he's extremely overpaid, and all of the advanced stats shows that he was hurting the Flyers. My eye test said he was a great fit that stabilized the forward group, but the advanced stats are never wrong.
- Kooleus

Who is "Tanner"

He will never live up to the contract at least statistically. But he has been a true leader for this team. They are a better team with him and that is all that really matters.

One stat would equalize it pretty quick - GWG game 7 SCF...

[quote=SuperSchennBros]

For real?

[quote=SuperSchennBros]

Niskanen’s interview from this week where he calls himself—an old fart who will try to keep up with young stud Provy—was priceless.

Edit: here’s the link

https://www.nhl.com/flyer...nen/t-277437426/c-5391664

Niskanen's addition has been huge. He's enabled the coaches to better slot the pairings. He had a very strong two-way season. He helps instill a sense of calm. He's been a great D partner for Provorov. Also had a good year on PP2.

To a lesser but still important extent, Justin Braun has provided some of the same elements.
- bmeltzer

I would argue Niskanen has had the biggest impact in the offseason. Prior to Provorov being drafted, we all knew we needed a number one defenseman but once Provorov was here, nobody could quite play up to the same level in terms of shutdown top lines. Niskanen has two Cup rings. During intermission interviews, he’s not afraid to say if we’re playing well or playing like poop. I’m blown away he doesn’t wear an “A”. Total pro! I don’t think enough is made of Matt Niskanen.

There is much to what you say, but give it time.

There was once a time that nobody thought computers could beat players in Chess or checkers or Go. Now, the best players in the world will lose every game to computers.In European soccer leagues, coaches look at goalkeeper's tendencies on Ipads to prepare for penalty kicks and vice versa.

Team sports played in stadiums are more complex, therefore the analytics are not yet so defined. But they are coming.

In the future, scouting will largely cease to exist or will play secondary roles. Teams interested in drafting players will simply roll tape and and a software program will cull everything related to the players abilities within minutes.

So, I agree with you for now but disagree about the future.
- PT21

Chess by definition is a game of logic...perfectly suited to boolean algebra. So computers will naturally excel and outperform any human being.

But in the corner...a loose puck battle between provorov and the latest iteration of IBM’s Deep Blue...i’ll take provy every time. Sht i’d even take robert hagg!!!

Not ever going to happen...hockey is too nuanced...with too many variables...global warming and detonated nuclear bombs will have wiped out the human race long before it’s even the slightest bit conceivable.

Who is "Tanner"
- The_Universe

I rarely to never would read other team blogs. I had no clue who "Tanner" was till a few weeks ago. Now because of Covid, I am always online, and I suddenly became aware of this apparent phenom.

He is/was the Coyotes blogger on this site, apparently very controversial, because he would often write about politics and would mix it up with his readers. Whatever.

I will leave it to others more informed to educate you further, should they wish.

I would argue Niskanen has had the biggest impact in the offseason. Prior to Provorov being drafted, we all knew we needed a number one defenseman but once Provorov was here, nobody could quite play up to the same level in terms of shutdown top lines. Niskanen has two Cup rings. During intermission interviews, he’s not afraid to say if we’re playing well or playing like poop. I’m blown away he doesn’t wear an “A”. Total pro! I don’t think enough is made of Matt Niskanen.
- SuperSchennBros

He is certainly talked about man, you are making something out of nothing. Didn’t Therien give him his nod for the internal best Dman? Both players have been great adds, why can’t we enjoy anything around here ?

Who is "Tanner"
- The_Universe

James Tanner, Coyotes Hockeybuzz blogger, as was previously mentioned. I think the Hayes topic of discussion was in his yesterday’s comments if you want to check it out.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co..._id=106630&blogger_id=200

[quote=SuperSchennBros]

Hayes is a guy who seems to relish the spotlight. Not that I'm saying he's egotistical, he just likes to keep things light and seems to be cool with being spoken to by the media. It's more about personality than performance, not that both Hayes and Niskanen have been bad on the ice this season.

[quote=jmatchett383]
I agree with this and never thought about that by doing so he also takes pressure off of others off the ice as well. Good point. He also started and played in New York for years. So is also used to heavy media coverage. Almost like Scott hartnel or pronger.

Chess by definition is a game of logic...perfectly suited to boolean algebra. So computers will naturally excel and outperform any human being.

But in the corner...a loose puck battle between provorov and the latest iteration of IBM’s Deep Blue...i’ll take provy every time. Sht i’d even take robert hagg!!!

Not ever going to happen...hockey is too nuanced...with too many variables...global warming and detonated nuclear bombs will have wiped out the human race long before it’s even the slightest bit conceivable.
- bruceflyers

The language of the world, indeed of the universe, is mathematics. Everything in life is a game of logic. The only difference is the degree to which we understand the underlying logic.

That's all I am going to say about this. We have a nice hockey discussion going, which is more than '15 posts throughout the day long', so ...

Hayes is a guy who seems to relish the spotlight. Not that I'm saying he's egotistical, he just likes to keep things light and seems to be cool with being spoken to by the media. It's more about personality than performance, not that both Hayes and Niskanen have been bad on the ice this season.
- jmatchett383

There's no real way to quantify this other than giving an opinion on it, so not the current trend where you need a stat for everything. I think there is no doubt that Hayes personality and attitude have helped the team get some swagger back. To have more fun and lighten up the mood. The players are enjoying themselves and the whole situation is better. Hayes is a big part of that despite a blogger who has obviously never watched Hayes or the Flyers once this season stating that due to Hayes WAR stat, he has been a negative add to the team.

[quote=Peter Richards]

Pronger played in St. Louis and then Edmonton and then Anaheim before he came here. Hardly big media markets for Hockey.

His swagger, which extended to his post game pressers, would largely come from the fact that he was just so damn good.

EDIT: Everything in Canada is a big media market for hockey. But given that, EDM is not Toronto or NY.

Hayes Hayes Hayes

[quote=PT21]
In reference to being media friendly and enjoying it.

Pronger played in St. Louis and then Edmonton and then Anaheim before he came here. Hardly big media markets for Hockey.

His swagger, which extended to his post game pressers, would largely come from the fact that he was just so damn good.

EDIT: Everything in Canada is a big media market for hockey. But given that, EDM is not Toronto or NY.
- PT21

Pronger's dealing with the media wasn't about how good of a player he was, it was about his personality and how he chose to deal with the media. There have been many great players who are simply matter of fact and cliched with the media. Pronger chose to make it so much more.

[quote=jmatchett383]
So you agree that Hayes gets a lot of spotlight. I’m gonna respond to you because I’m already getting annoyed with Claudefather and his continued obsession with me.

[quote=SuperSchennBros]

Yes, Hayes gets the spotlight more than Nisky because he seems to enjoy it.

[quote=jmatchett383]
Thank you.

Yes, Hayes gets the spotlight more than Nisky because he seems to enjoy it.
- jmatchett383

Players who are more colorful and outgoing get the mic in their face more along with what you said.

Hayes Hayes Hayes
- Scoob

Insane

The language of the world, indeed of the universe, is mathematics. Everything in life is a game of logic. The only difference is the degree to which we understand the underlying logic.

That's all I am going to say about this. We have a nice hockey discussion going, which is more than '15 posts throughout the day long', so ...
- PT21

Yeah, but math is racist