My problem with Voracek is just the continuous turn overs and lost puck battles. He is the opposite of a player like Hayes.
- jd250

There are going to be turnovers with an offensive player like Voracek. He was much improved last season away from the puck. Lets see how he does this year.

There are going to be turnovers with an offensive player like Voracek. He was much improved last season away from the puck. Lets see how he does this year.
- MJL

That line will struggle defensively. NoPa hasn’t played enough and JVR and Jake are not great defensively. Hopefully, they can level it off moving forward.

That line will struggle defensively. NoPa hasn’t played enough and JVR and Jake are not great defensively. Hopefully, they can level it off moving forward.
- mickel25

Patrick was very good away from the puck last night and strong on the boards.

ttt

Voracek wins a lot of puck battles, and his turnovers are about average for players who handle the puck as much as he does. Check his career stats: 52.7 percent individual Corsi (last night was ugly in that regard, but that's not his norm) and roughly 0.5 giveaways per game. He does sometimes make low-percentage plays but I think this is a case of eye-test confirmation bias. Statistically over a 916-game career sample (675 as a Flyer), he does not match your description.
- bmeltzer

jake has a high bar with a good bit of fans

Patrick was very good away from the puck last night and strong on the boards.
- MJL

He definitely was and hopefully that continues.

NHL XM, mentioning the game very little, other lead stories. Why do I think if the score was reversed the headline would be PITT beats good Philly team, Pitt is a contender

NHL XM, mentioning the game very little, other lead stories. Why do I think if the score was reversed the headline would be PITT beats good Philly team, Pitt is a contender
- wcorvette

The face of the league is on Pitt lol

NHL XM, mentioning the game very little, other lead stories. Why do I think if the score was reversed the headline would be PITT beats good Philly team, Pitt is a contender
- wcorvette

I love it. People will learn this season that the Flyers are legit. They have the deepest forward group in the division and arguably the best goalie. They will win a lot of games.

Voracek wins a lot of puck battles, and his turnovers are about average for players who handle the puck as much as he does. Check his career stats: 52.7 percent individual Corsi (last night was ugly in that regard, but that's not his norm) and roughly 0.5 giveaways per game. He does sometimes make low-percentage plays but I think this is a case of eye-test confirmation bias. Statistically over a 916-game career sample (675 as a Flyer), he does not match your description.
- bmeltzer

Thank you Bill for this insight. I guess it is eye-test bias for sure on my part. I just seem to notice Voracek more than others because as you say he does handle the puck and try to make low-percentage plays more often than I guess I am comfortable with. I wonder, how does Voracek compare to Hayes in this regard? Wondering if my positive eye-test bias towards Hayes in unwarranted?

Penguins D is much better than the Flyers D

/s

Penguins D is much better than the Flyers D

/s
- Tomahawk

According to a Pierre they are an up tempo, puck moving group. They might be but they are a disaster in there own end.

jake has a high bar with a good bit of fans
- wcorvette

Guilty as charged! :-) I guess that happens to players who are essentially the highest paid player on their respective team.

Guilty as charged! :-) I guess that happens to players who are essentially the highest paid player on their respective team.
- jd250

a little oversimplified don't ya think

Not worried about the Patrick line yet. It’s been one game. But there are options. The third and fourth lines were about equal in ice time. Could flop any of the wingers.

He has always like playing with g but I like either bee or Scott with Hayes as well. So wouldn’t change a thing yet. Give the 6 or so games together.

Turnovers happen. Notice no one is calling for a hart demotion and there’s no question he was the result of a goal. Just saying. Gus is still adjusting. Give it time.

If anything I feel we were trying a bunch of stretch passes.

But first game.

Penguins D is much better than the Flyers D

/s
- Tomahawk

I still believe defense is a team responsibility, not solely on the defenseman, but I wonder why you make this statement? What is it about the Penguin's D that is so much better that the Flyers D? I think offensively you have to give the edge to the Flyers, and skating and transition I think the Flyers have the edge also. Maybe size and toughness go to the Penguins D, since most of them are more stay-at-home guys, except Letang who to me is a defensive liability. But I think the Flyers match up pretty well overall.

Penguins D is much better than the Flyers D

/s
- Tomahawk

How so? Letang is a beast and Marino will improve. Dumo is good but their bottom 3 not so much. I think the three above can be matched by our top three.

I still believe defense is a team responsibility, not solely on the defenseman, but I wonder why you make this statement? What is it about the Penguin's D that is so much better that the Flyers D? I think offensively you have to give the edge to the Flyers, and skating and transition I think the Flyers have the edge also. Maybe size and toughness go to the Penguins D, since most of them are more stay-at-home guys, except Letang who to me is a defensive liability. But I think the Flyers match up pretty well overall.
- jd250

He finished his statement with a /s

That’s to denote sarcasm.

I don’t think JVr touched the puck last night besides his tip in

According to a Pierre they are an up tempo, puck moving group. They might be but they are a disaster in there own end.
- mickel25

Flyers owned the area in front of the Pens net.

Voracek wins a lot of puck battles, and his turnovers are about average for players who handle the puck as much as he does. Check his career stats: 52.7 percent individual Corsi (last night was ugly in that regard, but that's not his norm) and roughly 0.5 giveaways per game. He does sometimes make low-percentage plays but I think this is a case of eye-test confirmation bias. Statistically over a 916-game career sample (675 as a Flyer), he does not match your description.
- bmeltzer

Bill, don't let facts get in the way of a good narrative.

I still believe defense is a team responsibility, not solely on the defenseman, but I wonder why you make this statement? What is it about the Penguin's D that is so much better that the Flyers D? I think offensively you have to give the edge to the Flyers, and skating and transition I think the Flyers have the edge also. Maybe size and toughness go to the Penguins D, since most of them are more stay-at-home guys, except Letang who to me is a defensive liability. But I think the Flyers match up pretty well overall.
- jd250

Somebody mentioned the Pens blogger was adamant about that before the game yesterday, like it would be the Pens' big advantage over the Flyers.

I'm not the type to run into another team's thread to troll after a win, so I thought it would be amusing to rehash the point this morning here.

He finished his statement with a /s

That’s to denote sarcasm.
- Hesh_

Somebody mentioned the Pens blogger was adamant about that before the game yesterday, like it would be the Pens' big advantage over the Flyers.

I'm not the type to run into another team's thread to troll after a win, but I thought it would be amusing to rehash the point this morning here.







- Tomahawk

Didn’t realize that meant sarcasm.

I don’t think JVr touched the puck last night besides his tip in
- ClaudeFather

shooting% at 100 baby!

Didn’t realize that meant sarcasm.
- Peter Richards

Pete, even in a Flyers hockey thread, everyone has something to learn.