Games like the one last night made me wish Sam Morin was in the lineup.

We're not going to get many goals out of him, but we're not going to get bullied either.

Might even want to try him back on D. I mean....why not?
If we're going to suck, at least show some spirit.

I would have loved to see Morin hit somebody hard last night.
We got pushed around all over the ice.
- Nh_kong

Agree! If nothing else, Friedman was willing to engage physically.

I don't think the forwards will be the issue this season, Any team who looses a Coots will struggle a bit, losing another center right away didn't help, but I expect Patrick and Lindy to both get into a groove after 15-20 games - Both missed alot of hockey - the real issue is a 1B D Man, Not sure how they do it, cap wise but they have the assets to make something happen. Pipe dream but Seth Jones on the Right would suit up perfectly next to Provy and he's got that fire that's missing. Its said that Nurse can be had from Edmonton and he hits but I don't think he's a true 1 liner, Gets out of position to make the hit - alot. I don't think this team makes it far without a tweak this year to that D stable.

There's a lot of things the Flyers need to change. Line combos are not the big issue.
- MJL

The Giroux/ Laughton line combo doesn’t work.

Why is it that Fletch and AV cannot see fit to inject toughness into the lineup? EVERY other team in the league has at least one (if not two or more) players dressed that opponents have to answer to if someone gets tripped and face plants on the ice, against the boards, etc. As it stands now, we are one of if not the easiest team in the league to take liberties with. I never have and never will buy into the “we have team toughness” crap...skilled teams like the NYI and Caps manage to combine their skill with sandpaper and grit.

Tired of watching listless Flyers hockey. There are games when you need to send the other team a message. This lineup is just not built to be able to do that.
- BroadSTmayhem

I buy in to it. I just don't think this particular team has any team toughness.

Let’s start by putting Friedman in the press box
- ClaudeFather

He had a rough night. He was also paired with an anchor that doesn’t help. Want to give him more games to make a better determination.

He is a rough night. He wish also paired with an anchor that doesn’t help. Want to give him more games to make a better determination.
- Striiker

Thursday was his first bonafide hockey game in 10 and a half months. Have to cut a little slack. That said, yes, it was a rough game for him.

TK was MIA last night, as much as I love Oskar he has been nowhere to be found on the offensive side of the puck. Farabee is still trying to find his footing in this league, Patrick still trying to get back. It’s really unfortunate Frost got hurt because he looked like he was ready to make an impact. We may have over estimated this “depth”
- ClaudeFather

I’ve been holding back from saying this because of the cancer, because he’s super beloved right now. Lindblom has been overall very soft. You’re right, Konency was MIA last night. However, it’s pretty amazing Konency can lead the charge on a line with two young players who might not be up to speed yet.

That's not even the main issue. A legit top 4 defenseman is simply not available now. If people want to know why they didn't replace Niskanen, it's because they couldn't. The Flyers were very fortunate to get Niskanen in the first place. Fletcher knew what the market was and who was available.
- MJL

They couldn’t is your opinion. May be several reasons why they didn’t.

He is a rough night. He wish also paired with an anchor that doesn’t help. Want to give him more games to make a better determination.
- Striiker

The game was way too fast for him, doesn’t matter who he is paired with, most of his hiccups were self inflicted. Blaming his partner is a cop out.

I’ve been holding back from saying this because of the cancer, because he’s super beloved right now. Lindblom has been overall very soft. You’re right, Konency was MIA last night. However, it’s pretty amazing Konency can lead the charge on a line with two young players who might not be up to speed yet.
- SuperSchennBros

Yea Oskar has brought next to nothing besides being in position at all times supposedly. If TK is going to be an all star he needs to bring it every night, his performance last night was awful. I don’t like TK and Patty together either, they are buddy buddy and over pass.

Agree with the Giroux comments. Taking away a C wouldn't do any good, and you can't trade him. But I got super worried when he got all defensive at the press conference before the season about his age and conditioning. Rather than "I copied Jags fitness routine" it was more "I'm not that old" even as we celebrate his longevity milestones. He's still a legendary passer and shooter, but he rarely shoots, he's pretty slow, and rarely noticeable.
I thought putting him with Hayes might help spark him. I was wrong.
It's that painful veteran time. He is NOT leading on the ice. What do you do? Try him back at center? Do a Jags and make him a first power play guy but limited even strength?
And how do you carry G and Jake at gazillions of our Cap when Frost, Farabee, Patrick, and every D man younger than Provorov is two years away from being steady?

Wait, I thought he was poised to save our season, that it was a travesty he was not in the starting 6 already?

- jd250

Who said he will save the season?

I’ve been holding back from saying this because of the cancer, because he’s super beloved right now. Lindblom has been overall very soft. You’re right, Konency was MIA last night. However, it’s pretty amazing Konency can lead the charge on a line with two young players who might not be up to speed yet.
- SuperSchennBros

I’m right there with you. Lindblom and Patrick are wonderful examples of perseverance, but I don’t consider either one to be must-dress players. There’s nothing that stands out with either of their games, imo.

In my opinion, the Flyers have gotta luck to have the start they’ve had in the standings. Blame the refs for last night all you want but if you play well, you can overcome. If anything, we’ve overcome the refs and bad play up until Thursday. They’ve been exposed the passed two games. These losses are more than Couturier, Myers and Gostisbehere not being in the line up. The structure 5 on 5 isn’t great. We’re passing up on shots. I felt like Boston was much bigger, played bigger and pushed us around. Will we better as a healthy team? Of course we will. However, our defense is showing exactly what we thought it was heading into the season, which is not good. Our team defense (when including the forwards) is even worse.

The Power Play for a lack of a better word looks stupid. The PP filters through Giroux as it should but for whatever reason Giroux is playing opposite from guys like Hayes, Voracek and James van Riemsdyk. Right now it’s Giroux and a bunch of inexperienced young players, who clearly as strong on the PP as the names, I named above. Giroux should be playing with Hayes, Voracek, JvR and Provorov or Gus (doesn’t matter. Ghost when he returns).

I think it would be in the best interest of the team to split time between the goalies until the team figures itself out at even strength because Hart is being hung out to dry. When the team figures itself out, run with Hart after. Let’s not ruin this kid.

The game was way too fast for him, doesn’t matter who he is paired with, most of his hiccups were self inflicted. Blaming his partner is a cop out.
- ClaudeFather

Who is blaming his partner? Did I not say he had a rough night?

Not going to make a decision based on 1 full game after huge layoff of playing competitive hockey. Give him a dozen games. Then revisit his role.

I’m right there with you. Lindblom and Patrick are wonderful examples of perseverance, but I don’t consider either one to be must-dress players. There’s nothing that stands out with either of their games, imo.
- BroadSTmayhem

Hang on. I’m not saying they’re not must dress players. I’m saying the opposite. You must dress them. To expect them to light the world on fire is too much. The problem is, they’re blending in well on a team playing poorly. A veteran forward group to say the least.

Thursday was his first bonafide hockey game in 10 and a half months. Have to cut a little slack. That said, yes, it was a rough game for him.
- bmeltzer

Agree with you; give him some more games. Not expecting him to be anything more than #6 is all.

Hang on. I’m not saying they’re not must dress players. I’m saying the opposite. You must dress them. To expect them to light the world on fire is too much. The problem is, they’re blending in well on a team playing poorly. A veteran forward group to say the least.
- SuperSchennBros

Good points. They do blend in with the mediocrity of every other player in the lineup.

Let’s start by putting Friedman in the press box
- ClaudeFather

I wouldn't even know where to start with whom I'd put up there. I guess I'd ask who did with replace Friedman? How soon is Ghost available?

Who is blaming his partner? Did I not say he had a rough night?

Not going to make a decision based on 1 full game after huge layoff of playing competitive hockey. Give him a dozen games. Then revisit his role.
- Striiker

Let’s pray he doesn’t get a dozen games.

I wouldn't even know where to start with whom I'd put up there. I guess I'd ask who did with replace Friedman? How soon is Ghost available?
- Pelle31Forever

Pouiliot, Ghost, how much worse could Morin be lol?

I dont think that there is ever nobody available. The price is just more than whats prudent for good business. Do we truly believe not 1 top 4 defenseman out there could be had?
- Tfaehner

Very few players can't be had if you want to make a ridiculous offer for them! What's the context here? Making a good and reasonable hockey trade or the former? In my opinion, at this point in time, a legit top 4 defenseman who will make an impact is not available in the context I described.

Where is that leader who knocked Crosby on his ass and then scored the game's first goal during the first shift of game 6? I have not seen that player in, what seems to be, a very long time.
- jd250

I just watched a video of G’s top hits on YouTube. He really could catch guys and hurt them. I miss that guy to but it was a long time ago. Also I think the game has become passive. Everything is a penalty now. Guys don’t look to line somebody up anymore for fear of a penalty. Except for Ovie , who really hits captain wise. The days of intimidation are gone. So is the captain that will do everything or anything.

Why is it that Fletch and AV cannot see fit to inject toughness into the lineup? EVERY other team in the league has at least one (if not two or more) players dressed that opponents have to answer to if someone gets tripped and face plants on the ice, against the boards, etc. As it stands now, we are one of if not the easiest team in the league to take liberties with. I never have and never will buy into the “we have team toughness” crap...skilled teams like the NYI and Caps manage to combine their skill with sandpaper and grit.

Tired of watching listless Flyers hockey. There are games when you need to send the other team a message. This lineup is just not built to be able to do that.
- BroadSTmayhem

That is not the Flyers issue.

Issues. Flyers were outworked on the puck and outskated to the net. Consistently on the wrong side of the puck as a team. Continued lack of a neutral zone presence. Poor individual coverages.


Solution for some Flyers fans. Put in Sam Morin. We need some toughness. Hit sumbudy!