I appreciate your opinion. I don't love Bunnaman, but I think he is doing a good job in that 4th line center role. I think moving Patrick down to that role on the team would do more harm than good, both to the team and to the player. I have posted in the past that I wanted to give Patrick every opportunity to get back to his level and maybe take the next step, however moving Patrick to the 4th line does the opposite IMO. Now that the Flyers are healthy (I hope I don't jinx them) I want them to play their best available players in the roles that fit them the best. And right now I believe the best thing for the Flyers and Patrick is for him to sit and work to earn his way back into the lineup when the opportunity arises.
- jd250

So you think not playing is better for Patrick's development than playing on the 4th line?

Throwing this out there again.

For those that believe we won't win a cup with G.

The Flyers CAN win the Cup with Giroux as captain.

The Flyers CANNOT win the Cup with G being relied on to be the top scorer.

We will not be a contender if we are relying on G being our top guy. That's why the development of Patty, TK, Lindblom, Farabee, etc. is so important. All of those guys could be 25-30 goal scorers. G can get his 20/60 and we don't suffer.

Discuss...
- cdearth23

I'll discuss it. I think you're correct.

To beat a team like the Bruins you have to play 60 minutes or more of great hockey. You can't take a period off against them. I think many of us would agree the biggest problem this Flyers team has, besides Covid, is they struggle to play 60 minutes of good hockey. Even the game yesterday against Buffalo, the Flyers were out chanced 14-6 in the 3rd period. They got away with it against the Sabres but they won't get away with it against a team like the Bruins. So IMO it doesn't matter if you have stretches where you outplay your opponent, if you don't play 60 minutes of solid hockey against a really good team, you deserve what you get.
- jd250

Scoring chances in the 3rd period at 5 on 5 in the 3rd period yesterday were 8-3

Score effects.

I agree with you here. The reason you stock pile picks and prospects is to make trades when the right player becomes available that fills a need on your team. No one should expect every prospect to 1. stay with the organization that drafted them and 2. achieve their potential in the first place. You evaluate the best you can what the ceiling of each prospect you have is and then you make decisions to keep or trade as opportunities come around. The key is you have to keep drafting well so you keep that pipeline replenished. But every great team has a set of home grown players augmented by outside acquisitions. Fletcher has been good so far, I hope he continues.
- jd250

Absolutely. If it's a good trade, you will get the best player out of the deal.

Ekholm would be that guy. He is 30 this year with another year left. I would try to offer him an extension for 3 or so years now and boom. You have a new second best defenseman.

Just don't make crappy deals and trade for stiffs.

Even in 5 years in my scenario, he is still expiring again in 4 years.

Also, according to Broad Street Nsh had scouts at the Phantoms game.

Absolutely. If it's a good trade, you will get the best player out of the deal.

Ekholm would be that guy. He is 30 this year with another year left. I would try to offer him an extension for 3 or so years now and boom. You have a new second best defenseman.

Just don't make crappy deals and trade for stiffs.

Even in 5 years in my scenario, he is still expiring again in 4 years.

Also, according to Broad Street Nsh had scouts at the Phantoms game.
- DrMidnite

Ball park, what would give up to get him and what do you think he signs for approximately?

Throwing this out there again.

For those that believe we won't win a cup with G.

The Flyers CAN win the Cup with Giroux as captain.

The Flyers CANNOT win the Cup with G being relied on to be the top scorer.

We will not be a contender if we are relying on G being our top guy. That's why the development of Patty, TK, Lindblom, Farabee, etc. is so important. All of those guys could be 25-30 goal scorers. G can get his 20/60 and we don't suffer.

Discuss...
- cdearth23

See: Steve Yzerman, Red Wings.

I am really excited about playing the Penguins 3x this week! Hardly anything more delightful than a win against the Pens, and we get 3 shots.

6 points and a 12 point swing! Oh boy.


3 of 6 -bare minimum

4 of 6 -sturdy

5 of 6 -standing tall

6 of 6 -flying high
- NC Flyers Fan

I think hextall will be putting a bounty up on the board to motivate the guys haha.

Thoughts on Provy?

is he a legit #1 or a top pair D who thrives with a solid partner? Obviously having a solid partner helps but can Provy carry a D pair? or does he need that really good partner to make him a #1 D?

I think hextall will be putting a bounty up on the board to motivate the guys haha.
- Hextall271

I don’t doubt the Pens will have motivation. It’s an excellent test for the Flyers coming at a good time. They have a chance to really show their improvement in the team play.

Oh Wow what? Tell me what Patrick has done to even earn a spot in this lineup once TK comes back. In the last 6 games Patrick has 0 points and 1 shot on goal. Everyone tells me how skilled a forward he is, well he is playing with Hayes and Giroux, pretty good skilled players for a few games and has 0 to show for it. I know we want to believe Patrick is better than this, but again I ask, what has he given you this year that warrants him staying in the lineup?
- jd250

Your obsessed with bunny over patty. Why? What has bunny done that Patrick hasn’t. Bunnaman should be first to sit. Going to 4c is a demotion prove it for patty.

Thoughts on Provy?

is he a legit #1 or a top pair D who thrives with a solid partner? Obviously having a solid partner helps but can Provy carry a D pair? or does he need that really good partner to make him a #1 D?
- wcorvette

Right now I think he really needs that solid partner to shine. I’ve heard many mention how much better Ghost has looked these last few games, but by the same degree, Provy looks more confident. Pens will be a great test for that pair.

Your obsessed with bunny over patty. Why? What has bunny done that Patrick hasn’t. Bunnaman should be first to sit. Going to 4c is a demotion prove it for patty.
- Peter Richards

Is TK in the lineup tomorrow night?

Is TK in the lineup tomorrow night?
- NC Flyers Fan

Game time decision I read. He is traveling with the team.

Game time decision I read. He is traveling with the team.
- Ftown19125

Yeah. That’s the last update I saw. I expect he’ll play. Hope he comes back and gets on a roll again. We need last year reg season tk.

Right now I think he really needs that solid partner to shine. I’ve heard many mention how much better Ghost has looked these last few games, but by the same degree, Provy looks more confident. Pens will be a great test for that pair.
- NC Flyers Fan

agree but Provy was fighting the puck saturday, little better yesterday, I will say he was wheeling more, which is a sign of confidence for him. Yes, hope Provy and Ghost outplay the pens

Your obsessed with bunny over patty. Why? What has bunny done that Patrick hasn’t. Bunnaman should be first to sit. Going to 4c is a demotion prove it for patty.
- Peter Richards

Patty

So you think not playing is better for Patrick's development than playing on the 4th line?
- MJL

Yes I do and here is why, 1. On the 4th line Patrick would get 10-12 minutes a night, not much time to make a difference, 2. the role of a 4th line forward is much different than the role of a top 6 forward, and 3. Sitting Patrick out will I hope give him time to review video, get coaching and figure out how to improve and should motivate him to work harder to get back into the lineup.

I am not saying this should be permanent or even a long stretch, since there are always injuries that come up which will give Patrick an opportunity to get back into the lineup and show what he can do. Its just that right now I don't think he is earning his ice time.

Thoughts on Provy?

is he a legit #1 or a top pair D who thrives with a solid partner? Obviously having a solid partner helps but can Provy carry a D pair? or does he need that really good partner to make him a #1 D?
- wcorvette

I like Provorov, I think he is a solid defenseman, but unfortunately not a top pairing defenseman, and its showing this year.

Your obsessed with bunny over patty. Why? What has bunny done that Patrick hasn’t. Bunnaman should be first to sit. Going to 4c is a demotion prove it for patty.
- Peter Richards

The 4th line role is one the requires a lot of energy. You needs guys on that line that are a pain to play against, have high energy and are capable of creating positive momentum swings. Patrick does not seem to me like the type of player for this role.

Yes I do and here is why, 1. On the 4th line Patrick would get 10-12 minutes a night, not much time to make a difference, 2. the role of a 4th line forward is much different than the role of a top 6 forward, and 3. Sitting Patrick out will I hope give him time to review video, get coaching and figure out how to improve and should motivate him to work harder to get back into the lineup.

I am not saying this should be permanent or even a long stretch, since there are always injuries that come up which will give Patrick an opportunity to get back into the lineup and show what he can do. Its just that right now I don't think he is earning his ice time.
- jd250

Last few games the 4 th line has played over 12 min. Patty has been getting 13-14 min. So two less shifts is part of your argument. He has probably watched hours of not days of film over the past year. Playing is what he needs.

So what offense has bunny provided?

Yes I do and here is why, 1. On the 4th line Patrick would get 10-12 minutes a night, not much time to make a difference, 2. the role of a 4th line forward is much different than the role of a top 6 forward, and 3. Sitting Patrick out will I hope give him time to review video, get coaching and figure out how to improve and should motivate him to work harder to get back into the lineup.

I am not saying this should be permanent or even a long stretch, since there are always injuries that come up which will give Patrick an opportunity to get back into the lineup and show what he can do. Its just that right now I don't think he is earning his ice time.
- jd250

You've been preaching Bunnaman and his play for a while. That they can't break that line up. So what are you advocating for? Sitting Patrick for a few games for a reset, or making him a regular healthy scratch? You're all over the place.

Here is the bottom line as I see. First, you over value Bunnaman's play and his role on that line. Raffle and Aube-Kubel are the players who are driving that line. Bunnaman plays well off the puck and is decent on the forecheck but he has little offensive ability. Patrick is the better player of the two.

I like Provorov, I think he is a solid defenseman, but unfortunately not a top pairing defenseman, and its showing this year.
- jd250

Provorov is no doubt a top pairing NHL defenseman. He is not in the class of the top defenseman in the league but he is top pairing. Provorov is really not able to be properly used to best take advantage of his skill set.

Okay enough ekholm talk, hes the wrong defenseman we need.

Josh Manson
Brandon Montour


these are the types of defenseman we need, RIGHT HANDED puck movers, and in Manson's case he would pair up nicely with provorov.

I like Provorov, I think he is a solid defenseman, but unfortunately not a top pairing defenseman, and its showing this year.
- jd250

You honestly believe this?

Okay enough ekholm talk, hes the wrong defenseman we need.

Josh Manson
Brandon Montour


these are the types of defenseman we need, RIGHT HANDED puck movers, and in Manson's case he would pair up nicely with provorov.
- michaelputt

"“Your wife doesn’t love you as much as the Ducks love him,” a rival general manager told Elliotte Friedman of Canada’s Sportsnet last season, speaking to the value GM Bob Murray believes Manson brings to the franchise and why it’s unlikely he would be traded on Murray’s watch."