I hope Kevin comes to play tonight. He was very unnoticeable last game.

I hope we see NAK in there tonight. Bring the pain please.

And a couple of other adjustments. They seemed to Telegraph a lot of our passes. Especially on the p p.

I hope Kevin comes to play tonight. He was very unnoticeable last game.
- backfire

Been a lot longer than last game

For the right side I am on the Risto boat.
- Peter Richards

IMO, 20-25 mins of Risto per night is a big reason why BUF sucks.

Hi Bill,
Curious to get your opinion/insight on the NoPa at RW situation. Do you see it as a potential long term move, or do you view it as more of a short term try anything to get him going offensively type move?

At first I had no issue with it while so many regulars were out of the lineup. But now everyone is back, and they're still playing him at RW2, which bumps Jake & TK down in the lineup (and causes NAK to be scratched). Not sure that I can get on board with that long term... Yes it's important to get NoPa going, but IMO it's equally (or more) important to find a way to get TK producing.
I realize that it's possible TK is not 100% with conditioning yet, and they may just be sticking with this set up until he's ready. But I guess that's why I'm asking for your opinion. Thanks

I don't recall anyone saying he was a bust, or reading that anywhere. It is true that he had a tough transition to college hockey his first season, plus the injuries did not help. But he playing for a top program now and is really showing what he can do. And he also has the hockey east tournament to play before the season is over. I am just wondering if he makes the jump to the Flyers next year, as Farabee did after one season at BU, or if he stays another year in college. Note next year he will be 22 years old.
- jd250

IMO, 20-25 mins of Risto per night is a big reason why BUF sucks.
- Tomahawk

I more look at what they have done management wise. If not asked to do more than what his capabilities are. But just so limited on rhd.

If Seattle plucks away JvR or Jake, would it make any sense for the Flyers to go all-in on Dougie Hamilton in UFA with that all that new-found cap space?
- Tomahawk

Only if he would go by Doug on the Flyers

Anyone have an update on lines. Nhl has the same lines as last game.

I more look at what they have done management wise. If not asked to do more than what his capabilities are. But just so limited on rhd.
- Peter Richards

People see how big and strong he is, see him knock a few heads around... but don't realize just how bad he is defensively.

He has no business being put in that shutdown role.

Anyone have an update on lines. Nhl has the same lines as last game.
- Peter Richards

Honestly, I was really hoping they’d split to second line and someone bring NAK back. I also hate to say it but we misssd Gus on the power play.

If the Flyers lose tonight, do you think the hand is gently on top of the panic button ready to push?
- Buzzo

I don't think so, because another loss tonight will probably not tell us anything more about this team than we already know. When the Flyers lose, its typically because of the reasons we have been stating, just a lot of really dumb decisions out there and the inability to score on the PP when they need it.

Don’t think so. Had to know that the team would be motivated to beat them. Also, pens have a solid record at home. If we lose all 3, that’s not good but even then I don’t see abject panic.

Fantastic news about sams play. We need him at defence if he can keep this up and improve enough to get back to t he big squad. His snarl would be helpful vs the likes of Boston, wash and Nyi.
- Hextall271

About Sam, that is what I have been asking all along, why put the player at wing when you need a big tough defenseman, especially on the PK? At this point I would leave him on defense and if he can stay healthy and really hone his game, maybe he is option late in the season or the playoffs. If he gets hurt again, so be it at this point, you can't make decisions based on fear of injury.

The big issue here I feel, you can’t afford any kind of a losing streak this season.
Most teams seem to be going to Extra time and getting points. When you lose, your losing to an inter division team who either draws closer to you or pulls further away from you as you sit idle losing. A 3-4 game slide where you may pickup a point or two is not going to get it done.

Bruins/Isles/Caps and Pens are the teams were fighting with. Those all are good teams when healthy. We are healthy now and no excuses anymore. We go on a slide , I think we’re in big trouble.
- Buzzo

Last night's Boston vs Caps game was a perfect example. Game is tied 1-1 so its goes to overtime. The Caps clearly were playing keep away to get to a shoot out, because they knew they had a clear advantage. They hardly tried to get shots on goal, just focused on keeping the puck away from the Bruins. In the end, the Caps won but both teams got points.

I don't recall anyone saying he was a bust, or reading that anywhere. It is true that he had a tough transition to college hockey his first season, plus the injuries did not help. But he playing for a top program now and is really showing what he can do. And he also has the hockey east tournament to play before the season is over. I am just wondering if he makes the jump to the Flyers next year, as Farabee did after one season at BU, or if he stays another year in college. Note next year he will be 22 years old.
- jd250

FWIW. Pronman in the Athletic did a prospect analysis early this season. He had O’BRIEN and Rubtsov in the lowest category. “Unlikely to be an NHL player” I think he is right about Rubtsov but the book is still out on O’Brien. I’m pretty certain he returns to BU even at age 22. Throughout his career he as always chosen the least aggressive path for his development.

Honestly, I was really hoping they’d split to second line and someone bring NAK back. I also hate to say it but we misssd Gus on the power play.
- SuperSchennBros

Looks like TK on second line, and its either Patrick or Bunnaman playing 4C. Gust not in the lineup currently.

FWIW. Pronman in the Athletic did a prospect analysis early this season. He had O’BRIEN and Rubtsov in the lowest category. “Unlikely to be an NHL player” I think he is right about Rubtsov but the book is still out on O’Brien. I’m pretty certain he returns to BU even at age 22. Throughout his career he as always chosen the least aggressive path for his development.
- Djapana

I think Pronman's analysis was done before O'Brien's season got underway, which at the time would have been fair analysis. But right now O'Brien is one of the best players on BU, and really showing some dynamic play. I also wouldn't make the leap that he will choose the least aggressive path. I think the Flyers scouts and brass will have a lot to say about where he plays next season, either they believe he needs more seasoning at BU or he is ready to make the jump. I will say physically speaking, he is ready to take the jump, but if he plays next season at BU and continues to progress as he is, he will be one of the best forwards in college hockey.

Honestly, I was really hoping they’d split to second line and someone bring NAK back. I also hate to say it but we misssd Gus on the power play.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree with most above but don’t think Gus would’ve helped much. They picked enough of our passes off. An area he has struggled with.

He's an introverted bookworm, not your regular beers with the boys, chasing tail after the game kinda guy. IIRC, he got poop in Calgary for going to museums lol.

Does that make him a bad teammate?
- Tomahawk

Imho it makes him a good guy.

If the Flyers lose tonight, do you think the hand is gently on top of the panic button ready to push?
- Buzzo

The panic button is still safely stored away in the drawer.

Here are the Flyers lines tonight, source is Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

James Van Riemsdyk Sean Couturier Joel Farabee
Claude Giroux Kevin Hayes Travis Konecny
Oskar Lindblom Nolan Patrick Jakub Voracek
Scott Laughton Connor Bunnaman Michael Raffl

Defense the same, Hart in goal again tonight!

Here are the Flyers lines tonight, source is Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

James Van Riemsdyk Sean Couturier Joel Farabee
Claude Giroux Kevin Hayes Travis Konecny
Oskar Lindblom Nolan Patrick Jakub Voracek
Scott Laughton Connor Bunnaman Michael Raffl

Defense the same, Hart in goal again tonight!
- jd250

Thanks. Not what I expected.

Here are the Flyers lines tonight, source is Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

James Van Riemsdyk Sean Couturier Joel Farabee
Claude Giroux Kevin Hayes Travis Konecny
Oskar Lindblom Nolan Patrick Jakub Voracek
Scott Laughton Connor Bunnaman Michael Raffl

Defense the same, Hart in goal again tonight!
- jd250

Interesting, IMO NAK has not played himself out of the lineup. Perhaps he is tweaked and nursing an injury.

Also, yahoo has Elliott confirmed for tonight, as does Daily Faceoff.

So not sure how accurate that site is.

Interesting, IMO NAK has not played himself out of the lineup. Perhaps he is tweaked and nursing an injury.
- MBFlyerfan

Yeah...i dont see how Bunny gets Center there. Id rather have Laughts center line 4 and run Raffl and NAK as wings

Here are the Flyers lines tonight, source is Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

James Van Riemsdyk Sean Couturier Joel Farabee
Claude Giroux Kevin Hayes Travis Konecny
Oskar Lindblom Nolan Patrick Jakub Voracek
Scott Laughton Connor Bunnaman Michael Raffl

Defense the same, Hart in goal again tonight!
- jd250

Elliot hurt?