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.
- GPerogie

I was thinking Hedman rather than Jones.

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?
- therabbi

The solution in my opinion is simple. When Couturier is back, play Giroux with him.

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

Disagree. Seen enough of Gagg and Gus.

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

I agree. But I do agree with MJL too. Gus is my first choice out of the defensive players to sit.

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!
- MJL

Part of playing the game the right way is checking. They don’t need a tough guy to play physical. I’m so tired of all the stick checking in the defensive zone. I can understand patrick and Lindblom being hesitant to hit, but What’s the excuse for the rest of the team?

Part of playing the game the right way is checking. They don’t need a tough guy to play physical. I’m so tired of all the stick checking in the defensive zone. I can understand patrick and Lindblom being hesitant to hit, but What’s the excuse for the rest of the team?
- Dkos

Good teams would just take advantage of a player like Morin. You're right. Need to be hard to play against as a team. Flyers simply aren't competing to make up for the injuries. I'm confident that Vigneault will get this turned around. Hopefully before it's too late.

I was thinking Hedman rather than Jones.
- MJL

Think I see the point you're making. Jones isn't going anywhere unless he forces his way to ufa in 2 years.

Ekblad, Nurse, Dumba, OEL are probably the best defenseman who have rumors around their name. Each with their own flaws and acquisition costs.

Good teams would just take advantage of a player like Morin. You're right. Need to be hard to play against as a team. Flyers simply aren't competing to make up for the injuries. I'm confident that Vigneault will get this turned around. Hopefully before it's too late.
- MJL

Before its too late is my worry. We fell to 3rd last night and a pair of losses to the devils would likely fall us to 6th.

I agree. But I do agree with MJL too. Gus is my first choice out of the defensive players to sit.
- Pelle31Forever

Start scanning the waiver wire !

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

Pretty much.

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!
- MJL

This was actually the broadcast’s idea. I can’t remember if it was Jim Jackson or Keith Jones said it. They brought up Morin was on and off the taxi squad. Maybe they should bring him in to stand up against teams like Boston. My words aren’t verbatim but something along these lines.

That is not the Flyers issue.
- MJL

I disagree. Lack of accountability for opponents that take runs at players without any fear of retribution is a huge issue.

I disagree. Lack of accountability for opponents that take runs at players without any fear of retribution is a huge issue.
- BroadSTmayhem

Fools errand. It's absolutely a non issue in terms of why they are winning or losing. It's not 1975

Good teams would just take advantage of a player like Morin. You're right. Need to be hard to play against as a team. Flyers simply aren't competing to make up for the injuries. I'm confident that Vigneault will get this turned around. Hopefully before it's too late.
- MJL

I’m convinced Morin just is not good enough to play defense in the nhl. Evidence points to the flyers feeling the same way. I’ll trust that the coaches and GM are qualified to make this determination.

I’m convinced Morin just is not good enough to play defense in the nhl. Evidence points to the flyers feeling the same way. I’ll trust that the coaches and GM are qualified to make this determination.
- Dkos

My guess is that it's possible that knee injuries have robbed him of the mobility to play defense. In my opinion if he was inserted into the lineup, he would be laxed in positioning and coverage as well as puck management due to never having played an NHL game at forward. It's also likely that overexuberance in the physical game would lead to penalties and put the team shorthanded.

Fools errand. It's absolutely a non issue in terms of why they are winning or losing.
- MJL

It’s not at all “fools errand.” Flyers could not handle the physicality of the Islanders in last season’s playoff series. They worked their asses off, for sure, and extended the series as long as they could, given their lineup. But in a long series, guys like Anders Lee, Clutterbuck, Matt Martin, Cizakas, Mayfield wore them down. Hell, even Russ Johnston contributed in a positive way...Islanders ground the Flyers down shift by shift. Heart only goes so far. This team is soft...there I said it.

Fools errand. It's absolutely a non issue in terms of why they are winning or losing. It's not 1975
- MJL

For some teams, including the Flyers, you’re right - it’s not 1975. Western Conference teams would disagree with you, as do I.

It’s not at all “fools errand.” Flyers could not handle the physicality of the Islanders in last season’s playoff series. They worked their asses off, for sure, and extended the series as long as they could, given their lineup. But in a long series, guys like Anders Lee, Clutterbuck, Matt Martin, Cizakas, Mayfield wore them down. Hell, even Russ Johnston contributed in a positive way...Islanders ground the Flyers down shift by shift. Heart only goes so far. This team is soft...there I said it.
- BroadSTmayhem

If you want to talk about being a harder team during play, I'm with you. If it's about what you posted earlier and accountability for taking runs, I'm not.

I disagree. Lack of accountability for opponents that take runs at players without any fear of retribution is a huge issue.
- BroadSTmayhem

The best payback is winning. Retribution feels good for a minute, but it doesn’t change the score. This team definitely lacks a physical element. I’m all for playing aggressively and checking and agree that when offense isn’t there you need to Tighten up defensively and finish checks.

For some teams, including the Flyers, you’re right - it’s not 1975. Western Conference teams would disagree with you, as do I.
- BroadSTmayhem

So it's 1975 in the west but not in the east?

For some teams, including the Flyers, you’re right - it’s not 1975. Western Conference teams would disagree with you, as do I.
- BroadSTmayhem

What western teams are big but don't skate ? Dallas Colorado st louis and Vegas the best 4 teams in the west all are very good skaters and play fast controlled games. Their size comes with speed and a ton of skill. Its not in spite of it. And im sure if the flyers could add size with speed and skill they would.

What western teams are big but don't skate ? Dallas Colorado st louis and Vegas the best 4 teams in the west all are very good skaters and play fast controlled games. Their size comes with speed and a ton of skill. Its not in spite of it. And im sure if the flyers could add size with speed and skill they would.
- Tfaehner

Agree. And Flyers have skilled players, too. They lack the size and toughness of the 4 teams you mentioned.

Agree. And Flyers have skilled players, too. They lack the size and toughness of the 4 teams you mentioned.
- BroadSTmayhem

The Flyers size is not an issue. There's a difference between lacking toughness and just not playing with toughness.

So it's 1975 in the west but not in the east?
- MJL

Nope, I just flagged the West because across the board, teams in the West are more physical than Eastern Conference teams. More teams in the west play a fast, physical brand of hockey.

I don’t give a crap about “the game has changed.” The Flyers built their legacy on having skilled, physical teams. This team has for years lacked an identity. It’s dumb to think otherwise, and if they continue to try and get by with the team as constructed, nothing will change in terms of getting to/succeeding in the post-season.

AV and Fletcher are 100% to blame for all non-injury problems.

Not kidding.
- Striiker

How is it AV's fault, exactly? He made Niskanen retire? He made Giroux struggle in four of the first six games?