I assume so. Many LHD are asked to play right side. I only mentioned LHD because there seems to be a premium on RHD.
- cdearth23

Any player can play over there. The question can they play effectively. An example is that Provorov only plays the left side.

Any player can play over there. The question can they play effectively. An example is that Provorov only plays the left side.
- MJL

If they could slap any old lefty on the right side and make it work, RH top-4 D wouldn't be one of the most valuable things in the league.

There are guys who can make the transition, but they tend to be skilled guys who are very good on their backhands and move very well. Ekholm never struck me as that type.

With Scott Laughton playing so well and connecting on the third line, it’s hard to argue not putting Patrick on the fourth line in Konency’s return. With this said, Laughton would make the fourth line center, for four balanced lines.

JvR-Couturier-Farabee
Giroux-Hayes-Konency
Lindblom-Patrick-Voracek
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Very much looking forward to the next 3 games. Best of three. Keep Gus sitting. Maybe start Elliott.
- SuperSchennBros

Why would you want to break up the obvious chemistry of the 4th line, and what has Patrick done to warrant pushing Bunnaman out of the lineup?

I understand why Boston is a concern for everyone. But we don’t even know what the playoff matchups will be. If we don’t have them in the first round who’s to say they make the second round?
- Peter Richards

They will make it to the 2nd round unless they play the Islanders, who seem to have their number so far.

I'm puzzled by the comment that Devils, Rangers and other young teams are getting better while the Flyers are waiting. Why aren't the Flyers getting better in the same time frame? Are the Flyers young player done growing and developing?
- MJL

of course their young players will get better. My point being that the other teams will also get better, while we are waiting for the Yorks and Zamula's. Then G's and Jake's age out more. It could be, by the time we wait to be a contender we just stay in the pack as other teams got better, which is where we are now. Just examples, The Devils appear to have a good, young squad with higher end young talent. The Rangers already have Panarin, plus they are young and got lucky with the lottery to get potential high end talent. If you wait for York and Zamula that will be at least 2 years, assuming next year on the big club, 1 year of experience and the second year making an impact on a contending team. That is best case, more likely to take longer. What I don't see is waiting for Zamula and York making the Flyers contender, even if TK, Lindblom, Patrick and Farabee step forward.

We both know Fletcher needs to make a push in the next 24 months to win the cup, Comcast is not waiting longer. IF the Flyers are playing well, you have to try and add pieces to win now. It's either now or this offseason. While I agree to keep drafting and building that is not going to help with a cup in the next 24 months even with current players getting better and York and Zamula coming in. They will have to make a trade. I prefer the off-season but if they add one piece now that actually helps this season and one more in the off-season I would be ok with that. Yes, I think if Hart plays well, the current team plays up to potential the Flyers are 1 top 4 D and maybe one piece to the O from contending. They could catch lighting in a bottle and go far this season. As usual if they make a deal it needs to be reasonable. I wasn't last year but now I would be ok losing a Patrick or a Lindblom for the right deal.

If they could slap any old lefty on the right side and make it work, RH top-4 D wouldn't be one of the most valuable things in the league.

There are guys who can make the transition, but they tend to be skilled guys who are very good on their backhands and move very well. Ekholm never struck me as that type.
- Tomahawk

https://broadstreetbuzz.c...defense/amp/%7B%7B%20url/

So, which team from the East gets left out of playoffs. Clearly there are 5 teams for 4 spots. I thought Pens were not going to make a push but you never count them out. Isles have been playing better. Caps and Bruins I have to believe are in. Flyers need to start to get some separation in the standings.

Why would you want to break up the obvious chemistry of the 4th line, and what has Patrick done to warrant pushing Bunnaman out of the lineup?
- jd250

What chemistry. Raf and NAK have done the same job no matter who the center is. Started the season with Scott there. They were best with laught s but his line with Oscar and v have been excellent. Bunnaman has 1 point. He is effective on the forecheck but is limited. Patty is responsible two way player and can provide more offense and move up the lineup easier. Look at pitlick last year. Started slow after injury and adjusting. Took off after about 20 games. Patty first two years started slower then better the second half.

https://broadstreetbuzz.com/2021/02/23/mattias-ekholm-answer-flyers-defense/amp/%7B%7B%20url/
- jd250

Love how they try to paint him as mean and tough b/c he once got in a tilt w/ Blake Wheeler lol.

Bill who does the flyers stats on their official website? Bunnaman is not included

So, which team from the East gets left out of playoffs. Clearly there are 5 teams for 4 spots. I thought Pens were not going to make a push but you never count them out. Isles have been playing better. Caps and Bruins I have to believe are in. Flyers need to start to get some separation in the standings.
- cdearth23

I still think the Penguins miss. Bruins, Flyers, Capitals, Islanders. I also thought the Rangers were going to be better than they have been so far.

of course their young players will get better. My point being that the other teams will also get better, while we are waiting for the Yorks and Zamula's. Then G's and Jake's age out more. It could be, by the time we wait to be a contender we just stay in the pack as other teams got better, which is where we are now. Just examples, The Devils appear to have a good, young squad with higher end young talent. The Rangers already have Panarin, plus they are young and got lucky with the lottery to get potential high end talent. If you wait for York and Zamula that will be at least 2 years, assuming next year on the big club, 1 year of experience and the second year making an impact on a contending team. That is best case, more likely to take longer. What I don't see is waiting for Zamula and York making the Flyers contender, even if TK, Lindblom, Patrick and Farabee step forward.

We both know Fletcher needs to make a push in the next 24 months to win the cup, Comcast is not waiting longer. IF the Flyers are playing well, you have to try and add pieces to win now. It's either now or this offseason. While I agree to keep drafting and building that is not going to help with a cup in the next 24 months even with current players getting better and York and Zamula coming in. They will have to make a trade. I prefer the off-season but if they add one piece now that actually helps this season and one more in the off-season I would be ok with that. Yes, I think if Hart plays well, the current team plays up to potential the Flyers are 1 top 4 D and maybe one piece to the O from contending. They could catch lighting in a bottle and go far this season. As usual if they make a deal it needs to be reasonable. I wasn't last year but now I would be ok losing a Patrick or a Lindblom for the right deal.
- wcorvette

I don't agree that they're in a better situation than the Flyers are. They're waiting also. No different than the Flyers.Make the right moves, not just a move. This is getting the Flyers right back to the Holmgren days. Let Comcast push. Fletcher should stand his ground and run the hockey side as he sees fit. If you're going to pay a high price, do it for a difference maker. Not a player who just makes you marginally better. That's the point.

So, which team from the East gets left out of playoffs. Clearly there are 5 teams for 4 spots. I thought Pens were not going to make a push but you never count them out. Isles have been playing better. Caps and Bruins I have to believe are in. Flyers need to start to get some separation in the standings.
- cdearth23

Flyers are first in the East. Point percentage reigns in a Covid league

I will be very surprised if Couturier leaves town. I think the Flyers will pay him, and I think he wants to play his entire career for the Flyers similar to Bergeron for Boston. Just a feeling, no hard proof.
- jd250

Not about $ imo as he will get paid. About wanting to win.

Not about $ imo as he will get paid. About wanting to win.
- login

Then he is with the right organization, one thing you can never say about the Flyers is they don't want to win.

So, which team from the East gets left out of playoffs. Clearly there are 5 teams for 4 spots. I thought Pens were not going to make a push but you never count them out. Isles have been playing better. Caps and Bruins I have to believe are in. Flyers need to start to get some separation in the standings.
- cdearth23

pens play sabres 8 x and devils 8x

Then he is with the right organization, one thing you can never say about the Flyers is they don't want to win.
- jd250

wanting to win and actual results 2 diff things. No way i don't test free agency if I was him.

Re-signing Couturier when the time comes is not going to be difficult. He won't reach free agency.

From the Athletic:

6. The Patrick-to-wing experiment maybe not the “big” move it seemed
Nolan Patrick isn’t going to stay on the wing forever. Vigneault made that abundantly clear last Tuesday, after Patrick’s first day practicing at the position. But so far, the experiment has lasted three games, with Patrick skating on a line with Kevin Hayes and Claude Giroux.

The early returns? Well, he’s yet to score a goal (or even a point) after the position change, but his play-driving metrics at even strength are through the roof: a 62.43 percent Corsi-for percentage and a 63.91 percent expected-goals-for percentage. Sure, the whole team has been controlling play during this stretch, but clearly the shift to the wing hasn’t fazed Patrick.


Nolan Patrick has looked good on a line with Kevin Hayes and Claude Giroux. (Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today)
Perhaps that shouldn’t be a surprise, and not just because Patrick is a very talented young forward. As Vigneault pointed out, the distinction between center and wing in his system is blurred, as is the case for most systems in the modern NHL.

“Obviously as a centerman, you take faceoffs, but the way we play, it’s more about F1, F2, F3 and the different responsibilities depending on where you are on the forecheck, depending on where you are on the backcheck,” Vigneault explained.

In other words, the center isn’t always the “low forward” in the defensive zone or the high man (F3) in the offensive zone. The roles are interchangeable, even if wingers do generally spend more time along the boards on breakouts and less time in down-low support. But Patrick surely has spent shifts taking on duties more befitting a traditional winger than a center, even before the “position change.”

“Yeah, he’s obviously dead-on,” Patrick confirmed. “Whoever is back first in the D-zone is the low forward. G’s played a lot of center. Hayesy is a centerman obviously. So I think we just kinda read off each other and just fill lanes. It wasn’t too tough a transition.”

https://theathletic.com/2...tisbehere-march-schedule/

pens play sabres 8 x and devils 8x
- login

Yes. This is the set up this year. I would add the rangers bruins caps flyers and isles as well. Lol

From the Athletic:



https://theathletic.com/2...tisbehere-march-schedule/
- MBFlyerfan

I think those metrics need to be taken with a grain of salt. He's a bit of a passenger.

Re-signing Couturier when the time comes is not going to be difficult. He won't reach free agency.
- MJL

Thanks for offering your opinion on the matter. Since it wont be difficult what will the numbers look like term and $ wise.

Yes. This is the set up this year. I would add the rangers bruins caps flyers and isles as well. Lol
- Peter Richards

Meaning they play them the rest of the way you dope. That is easier than what the flyer have going forward.

Meaning they play them the rest of the way you dope. That is easier than what the flyer have going forward.
- login

We’ve already played the bruins 5x, so who cares.

Re-signing Couturier when the time comes is not going to be difficult. He won't reach free agency.
- MJL

I don't think he will either. Term worries me a bit though as he'll be 30 during the 22-23 season. Flyers will probably be eating a few bad years on the end of his contract, as they likely already will be with the Hayes deal.