I disagree with Bill on the Mayfield goal. Morin was positioned properly. He was in the center spot defensively. It is not static that the LW always covers the point. That was Farabee's responsibility on that sequence. Laughton had the other point. Where Morin went wrong is that he dropped down low to the net instead of being high in the slot. Which caused Farabee to have to drift over to cover the slot drifting away from his point coverage. Perhaps you could say that Morin should've recognized that and rotated over but it's really a lot to ask for a player playing his first ever hockey game at a new position. I understand the benching of Konecny but inserting Morin was not a good decision.

The Islanders had a 60% Corsi last night, and in his post game presser AV said that we have to give the Islanders credit. Really? That's the reason? Yes, I can give the Islanders credit for having better players than the Flyers do. How many more games do we need to see before we realize the players on this team are just not good enough?
- jd250

So what should they do? Break it up as they sit 2nd overall in the NHL in points? When are you going to realize that this team's fortunes sit in the development of young players. As they get better, the team will get better. I agree with AV. The Isles turned it up. Flyers played without their top center and selke winner. He is a play driver and controls play when he is out there. Lets get him back and continue to develop as a team.

Just want to endorse this post. All of it. Its not even a close comparison.
- Tfaehner

It really is a shame that Gustafsson is just so fundamentally bad defensively in his own zone. Especially on the lone goal in the last Devils game. That was about as pathetic of fundamental defense and footwork that I've seen. The guy can flat out make plays in the offensive zone but is a flat out liability otherwise.

It really is a shame that Gustafsson is just so fundamentally bad defensively in his own zone. Especially on the lone goal in the last Devils game. That was about as pathetic of fundamental defense and footwork that I've seen. The guy can flat out make plays in the offensive zone but is a flat out liability otherwise.
- MJL

You really wonder if he's one the rare rare cases where a position change makes sense. Hes got enough size and speed to be an effective winger and his ability to play either side bodes well for the ability to play either wing. Its almost like he has 0 hockey sense defensively.

So what should they do? Break it up as they sit 2nd overall in the NHL in points? When are you going to realize that this team's fortunes sit in the development of young players. As they get better, the team will get better. I agree with AV. The Isles turned it up. Flyers played without their top center and selke winner. He is a play driver and controls play when he is out there. Lets get him back and continue to develop as a team.
- MJL

The game looked exactly like last years playoffs with coots in the lineup. Adding in coots wouldn’t change much. The flyers can’t consistently skate with the isles

The game looked exactly like last years playoffs with coots in the lineup. Adding in coots wouldn’t change much. The flyers can’t consistently skate with the isles
- Just5

So what do we one by one trade people for better skaters ? Is that the answer ? Who do you went to see moved out ? Who would you target to bring in ?

In season I dont see us making major changes. If we miss the post season or show a lack luster performance I think you could have merit to make hockey trades but we are not in a position to go backwards.

You really wonder if he's one the rare rare cases where a position change makes sense. Hes got enough size and speed to be an effective winger and his ability to play either side bodes well for the ability to play either wing. Its almost like he has 0 hockey sense defensively.
- Tfaehner

How did he get 3 mil. I realize he’s good offensively but damn what a liability back there

So what do we one by one trade people for better skaters ? Is that the answer ? Who do you went to see moved out ? Who would you target to bring in ?

In season I dont see us making major changes. If we miss the post season or show a lack luster performance I think you could have merit to make hockey trades but we are not in a position to go backwards.
- Tfaehner

Hope to avoid the Islanders, sometimes there are teams that you just don’t match up well with at all. Even if you are a good team.

The game looked exactly like last years playoffs with coots in the lineup. Adding in coots wouldn’t change much. The flyers can’t consistently skate with the isles
- Just5

Stating that adding a dominant two way puck possession #1 center to the lineup wouldn't change much is asinine. You don't understand the difference between not being able to do something and just not doing it. The Flyers showed in the first period that they absolutely can skate with the Isles.

Hope to avoid the Islanders, sometimes there are teams that you just don’t match up well with at all. Even if you are a good team.
- ClaudeFather

That’s all you can do. Hell I’d rather take my chances with tampa

Bunnaman really responded w/ that extra ice time.

Starting to look like he's gonna shape into a player.

And Phil Myers

That’s all you can do. Hell I’d rather take my chances with tampa
- Just5

but they have played this way against everyone. We need to hope it clicks and we get Coots back/ Do I think they should be looking at a trade to change the chemistry? yes I do but it needs to really help the team, not a trade just to trade. They have holes on D and O, they can't fix both with trades. They could only hope to address one or the other. In any scenario it would be giving up a Farabee or Lindblom for a different skill set, there is no trade JVR for the solution.

Do I think this squad can play like they did last season? Yes I do. Do I think having a speed and puck possession player would really help? Yes I do. I don't mention the D because of the cost and the fact that I do believe next season you will see Zamula and possibly York. Add in THERE IS EXPANSION AND IT IS JUST NOT EASY TO FIX YOUR LINEUP VIA TRADE

How did he get 3 mil. I realize he’s good offensively but damn what a liability back there
- Just5

Idk. In a market where players didn't get paid we seemed to overpay for one the worst defenseman out there. Fletcher hasn't made, at least in my eyes, any horrendous moves. And this one while being bad so far still can be rid of by season end. But its hard for me to see this as anymore than a panic signing with niskanen retiring.

news flash they have a really good record, I do think we will see a 3-4 game losing streak so having point in the bank is really good, it gives them run way to fix this crap show.


Scoring depth and goal tending is saving their collective arses.

Isles play a very positionally sound defense, where their players seem to be able to interefere just to the limit of the rules. When they move the puck they usually have a second player so close that if the puck carrier has to pass or if the forechecker forces a pass the forechecker is now out of the play. Watch the game tonight and you will see one islander go behind the net and the other will stand just to the side of the crease enough to force the Flyer wide. The team that perfected that was the '90s Devils and M. Brodeur was extremely good at interfering and no ref is ever going to call a goalie on that. The other mistake the flys are making is when the opposing teams d sets up behind their net and has control, they are making a cardinal hockey mistake and chasing them from behind, once the d-man sets up and has control of the puck you lose at least 2-3 strides by chasing him. The only way that can be effective is if you have a d-man that isn't as strong handling the puck on the backhand, if you can't force the back hand you lose that race.

I think the Flyers are downright dominant in OT. I think shows this team can skate and create. So why does adding 2 players make them struggle? Yeah, yeah, less room etc etc. Are they that bad at the 5 man game? Does the talent fall off so much that having 5 shows their weakness? Are they just a young team learning how to play together? all of the above and something else?

Isles play a very positionally sound defense, where their players seem to be able to interefere just to the limit of the rules. When they move the puck they usually have a second player so close that if the puck carrier has to pass or if the forechecker forces a pass the forechecker is now out of the play. Watch the game tonight and you will see one islander go behind the net and the other will stand just to the side of the crease enough to force the Flyer wide. The team that perfected that was the '90s Devils and M. Brodeur was extremely good at interfering and no ref is ever going to call a goalie on that. The other mistake the flys are making is when the opposing teams d sets up behind their net and has control, they are making a cardinal hockey mistake and chasing them from behind, once the d-man sets up and has control of the puck you lose at least 2-3 strides by chasing him. The only way that can be effective is if you have a d-man that isn't as strong handling the puck on the backhand, if you can't force the back hand you lose that race.
- ptards

puck support is definitely an issue, along with anticipation of where the puck is going. Ghost is playing well because he is anticipating the play really well right now. Why we as fans need not to jump on him when he misses one, I would rather have him anticipate than wait and see where the puck was going. I do think we have a good number of players following the puck not anticipating the puck

I completely disagree with you here. Gostisbehere played another solid game. He had a few miscues but otherwise solid. Especially with the way the Isles ramped up the pressure. You alluded to it yourself. Why does a defenseman hold onto the puck? He doesn't have an option.
Gustafsson is horrendous in his own end and is no comparison to the level that Gostisbehere is playing at. Gostisbehere has also done a good job getting pucks to the net since he's been back in the lineup.
- MJL

Ghost has played very well since returning and I’m pleasantly surprised. I expect more offense will come but it seems that his confidence has returned. Fantastic news. We played terribly for 2 periods but on the bright Side, we’re more than staying afloat with cooter out.

I still want to give them 12 or 15 games to see if they can start to develop some consistency. Period to period game to game. Av got them sorted out last year and he will again. I’m just ecstatic they’re not buried in the standings. Previous years, that Boston loss turns into a losing streak that has to be negated with a long Winning streak to make the dance.

Ghost has played very well since returning and I’m pleasantly surprised. I expect more offense will come but it seems that his confidence has returned. Fantastic news. We played terribly for 2 periods but on the bright Side, we’re more than staying afloat with cooter out.

I still want to give them 12 or 15 games to see if they can start to develop some consistency. Period to period game to game. Av got them sorted out last year and he will again. I’m just ecstatic they’re not buried in the standings. Previous years, that Boston loss turns into a losing streak that has to be negated with a long Winning streak to make the dance.
- Hextall271

hope Ghost gets points but I don't even care as long as he keeps playing this way. Give him credit, he is playing some good D. The islanders are a good team and they pushed and rushed our D in the PO last season, they came hard last night and Ghost has been a standout

Agree. Not a ghost fan but t last two games is how he needs to play. If he plays like that he is a benefit to the team. Yes he had a few turnovers, but broke up a bunch of plays as well and was effective moving the puck.

I completely disagree with you here. Gostisbehere played another solid game. He had a few miscues but otherwise solid. Especially with the way the Isles ramped up the pressure. You alluded to it yourself. Why does a defenseman hold onto the puck? He doesn't have an option.
Gustafsson is horrendous in his own end and is no comparison to the level that Gostisbehere is playing at. Gostisbehere has also done a good job getting pucks to the net since he's been back in the lineup.
- MJL

I agree. But one thing I will say for Gustafsson is that all five of his assists this season have been legit; three well-executed deflection-friendly shots, a slap-pass goal set up for Giroux and a stretch pass that got converted into a goal. He has been awful defensively, however.

So what do we one by one trade people for better skaters ? Is that the answer ? Who do you went to see moved out ? Who would you target to bring in ?

In season I dont see us making major changes. If we miss the post season or show a lack luster performance I think you could have merit to make hockey trades but we are not in a position to go backwards.
- Tfaehner

I still think ghost is the odd man out. If HRB plays well this year we could lose for nothing to Seattle.

When is the gus experiment over ? Even in the first where we played well he was a problem. For me I feel like the leash has been long enough this guy just doesn't fit the style of hockey AV wants the team to play. Turnover machine.
- Tfaehner

It is getting old. It’s like his bad decisions are snow balling. At this point his offence is not out weighing his defensive short comings...and it’s not close.

So what should they do? Break it up as they sit 2nd overall in the NHL in points? When are you going to realize that this team's fortunes sit in the development of young players. As they get better, the team will get better. I agree with AV. The Isles turned it up. Flyers played without their top center and selke winner. He is a play driver and controls play when he is out there. Lets get him back and continue to develop as a team.
- MJL

So the Flyers have been getting badly outplayed this year simply because 1 veteran center is not in the lineup? A team with, what we were told, outstanding depth? I agree that this team's fortune sits on the development of their young players. I just don't believe 1. their young players are that good and 2. their leadership is good enough. Any team will be better with a player like Coots in the lineup, and thus the Flyers will be better, but they will not be good enough.

AV is such an idiot and the team continues to win in spite of him.

We're so unbelievably lucky that our players can carry this dogpoop front office and their crap teammates.
- Striiker

Its like the chicken and the egg. Which came first?

The players carrying the dogpoop front office or the crap teammates? Or are the crap teammates the ones carrying the front office? Or did the crap front office get the players carrying their crap teammates?