This team is good





April fools they still suck

What "excuses" am I making? Be specific. I push back at hyperbole on either side of the fence; I try to balance off blind optimism with factors that need to be accounted for the same as I push back at 24/7 doomsday negativity.

March was a disaster. Most of the criticism of their play was completely deserved.

As for a champion of team management, I believe that I stated very strongly and clearly that I was concerned about the D corps before the season even started; that I was skeptical that you could have Ghost and Gus within the same starting six group; that a big part of the hope of taking the next step as a team this year was tied into continued advancement from Sanheim and Myers and that was not guaranteed to happen.
- bmeltzer

I think you have always had good measured responses. (For 13 plus years now) I don’t agree with everything you say, but it’s always easy to figure out where you are coming from. You’ve changed my views on several occasions with insight and thoughtful comments....and that’s what this forum should always be about. I wouldn’t expect hyperbole, simply because your the professional of the bunch. Keep up the good work.

Get Allison up here before he gets hurt!!! Like someone said they are 23 years old. Physically they are mature. Few more AHL games cant hurt I suppose but this team is lifeless, boring, and not motivated.
- login

for sure but a few more games does a couple things. It gives them time to show they are ready. It also allows the poop show to continue with the Flyers. Either they continue to lose or they actually get a little better. if they lose by the time Allison and Tanner come the pressure will be off, the season will be gone. If they Flyers actually are a little better there is less of a chance they will demoralize Allison and Tanner.

I am rooting for this collapse to continue as that may be the only possible way you see massive changes. Be very curious what Holmgren and Clarke say behind closed doors; if anything at all.

Unfortunately the entire coaching staff needs to go. They are not adding any value and clearly have no answers. There are better options out there.

This entire lineup needs to be reconstructed. It is just a total joke at this point. Just an unlikeable lazy care free attitude group.

The major question is this GM the guy to do this type of overhaul?

At least I am entertained by this season. Management is lucky no fans allowed as the ones who would actually go would be booing these soft player off the ice.
- login

I am also rooting (that is wishing not cheering Landros 2) for the same.

However, the kind of changes you and I want, will absolutely not happen, and afaik, you and I are the only 2 dudes even here willing to go that far.

So is their silly experiment with Ghost over now so we can insert him back in the lineup and sit the $3million dollar horrible signing Gustafson now.
- Daceroni

My good yes....Flyer fans have been subjected enough to Gus...I’ve seen enough to know that his signing was a disaster....only good thing was the term...because he won’t be back next year.....I’d prefer he’s not back next week.

for sure but a few more games does a couple things. It gives them time to show they are ready. It also allows the poop show to continue with the Flyers. Either they continue to lose or they actually get a little better. if they lose by the time Allison and Tanner come the pressure will be off, the season will be gone. If they Flyers actually are a little better there is less of a chance they will demoralize Allison and Tanner.
- wcorvette

I don't buy the demoralize factor when a player I just called up. They are fighting for a roster spot. I don't think they they would let that effect their play; they would shy away from it. No right or wrong either way.

I am also rooting (that is wishing not cheering Landros 2) for the same.

However, the kind of changes you and I want, will absolutely not happen, and afaik, you and I are the only 2 dudes even here willing to go that far.
- PT21

Unlikely yes, I will not say wont just yet.

I am also rooting (that is wishing not cheering Landros 2) for the same.

However, the kind of changes you and I want, will absolutely not happen, and afaik, you and I are the only 2 dudes even here willing to go that far.
- PT21

I understand where you are coming from, but I’ve seen too many times that tanking doesn’t lead you to the promise land. You still have to draft well....you still have to have the right structures in place to develop those kids. Where we agree is the half ass measures haven’t worked for the last decade...and something has to change.

The more that I think about it, the more that I wish some team had claimed Ghost. I mean, the 4.5M (for two years yet) in cap space is worth more than he is in a flat cap world. Also, with Gustafsson coming off the books, thats 7.5M that the Flyers would have.

Granted, they would have to do something smart with it for it to have any meaning. But you can't do anything at all if you don't have the space.

Conveniently it’s not going to happen with anyone paid by Comcast either. It’s not limited to Bill.

There’s a reason JJ and Jonesy got caught saying what they said on a hot mic and not on air.
- hereticpride

You have be professional. Jonesy has been critical of the team on air numerous times. Just as Bill has in his commentary.

I don't buy the demoralize factor when a player I just called up. They are fighting for a roster spot. I don't think they they would let that effect their play; they would shy away from it. No right or wrong either way.
- login

yeah I agree their excitement will propel them but we have a losing culture, at some point that bleeds into everyone. They both were injured, granted they are playing well but I would like more run way for them to build on their success so far.

Just my observation putting players in and out the line up doesn't do well with the Flyers. I get they need rest but with little practice and other factors, AV choose a lineup and Fly or die with it. So when they come up, I want them to have a real shot, not play 8 minutes and if you play well maybe play next game also.

I really like to listen to AV's pressers after the games to see if there are any insights or tidbits that can help me understand what is going on here. For example while watching the game I really had the impression that this was yet another game where the Flyers did not show up to play at the opening puck drop and was concerned AV has lost the team. But after listening to AVs presser, it was clear at least in his mind that the team was ready to play this game and work to improve, and he actually said he felt bad for them because the effort was once again there. So when asked what went wrong he mentioned once again the team was out of sync in the offensive zone and defensively they had opportunities to put sticks on pucks and squash chances and they didn't do it.

So what can I take away from these answers? Its that the players are not playing very good right now, its on them. The system is fine when executed properly but the players are not able to execute it consistently well. So does more practice fix this? At this point I would seriously doubt it. I think there needs to be a more honest assessment of the players on this roster by Fletcher and his staff, and changes have to be made. I feel good about Fletcher right now however, I think he earnestly wants to make moves to improve this team for next season and beyond, so I am anxious to see what he can pull off.

On a good note, I was bullish coming into this season about Tyson Foerster and it looks like he is settling in nicely with the Phantoms. Looking forward to seeing him next year potentially on the big club, we need a forward with a big shot that is not afraid to use it!

Alison and Laczynski are both 23. Older than Farabee and Patrick. SO if we are worried about the youth then I guess we needs to send Farabee and Patrick to the phantoms to avoid the dysfunction.

i think both players can fill roles on the NHL team without having the Flyers to make a trade. i am not asking them to solve the issues but I think they bring upgrades over Raffl, Twarynski, bunnamann and possibly over aube-kubal.
- J35Bacher

This is confusing age with NHL experience. It's a bad idea in my opinion. Leave them where they are and let them continue to succeed.

Laughton is a fine player but not some kind of keystone block. Perfect player to sell goodbye
- Just5

Perfect player to keep. Unless given an offer you can't turn down. It's a mistake to trade Laughton.

I am also rooting (that is wishing not cheering Landros 2) for the same.

However, the kind of changes you and I want, will absolutely not happen, and afaik, you and I are the only 2 dudes even here willing to go that far.
- PT21

Do you honestly think this is on the coaches and GM? That they need to go?

What needs to change is the mix of players. AV was getting everything he could out of this team pre-Covid. This team has not been the same since COVID, outside of the miracle on ice that lead us jumping from 4th to 1st before the real team showed up again...Hexy knew what this team was, and where it was at. He knew it was not ready to start bring some of these kids up and none of them were really ready to carry the load. The Niskinen swap was a steal and a huge band aid while the team need to wait to see what D men might be NHL worthy in the pipeline. Hayes signing was out of necessity and it worked out last year...this year he is not as consistent.

For me it is a bad mix of players and a team that has forgotten how to play the system and is disinterested in playing in this covid environment. All with some head scratching goalie play.

From yesterday's blob, about Lindblom's point producing 'pace' projections:

Love the “pace” argument.
- login

The funny thing is, even the pace argument about Lindblom is wrong. Throw away the relatively unflattering #s of his rookie season, and also the post-recovery #s of this season.

Then look closely at his sophomore season of 18-19 and the 30 games of last year. What do you see?

For all but about 15 games at the start of the last season (where he played on a line with TK centered by Hayes and scored at a high pace): Lindblom has exactly the same #s. About 18 odd goals a season, about 36 points.

That's a middle 6 forward.

So this entire projection of Lindblom as a solid 1st line winger is based on a sample set of 10% of his playing, and 5% if you include his first season and this one.

Even Sam Morin isnt really instigating or fighting and that's partially what he is there for. The team really doesnt hit hard anymore, nor intimidate anyone for any reason. Not with physicality nor with speed/skill. Maybe I have overestimated them since their winning streak at end of last year.
- biggbear77

He's not there to instigate or fight. He's there to play hockey.

This is confusing age with NHL experience. It's a bad idea in my opinion. Leave them where they are and let them continue to succeed.
- MJL

The AHL is still professional hockey right? These players are demonstrating that they can play at this level and have physically grown into their bodies at 23 years old. Why stop them from playing for the big club this year, after the tradeline? Its not like they will cost the Flyers any more points, and showcasing them at the NHL level might generate interest from other teams enough that maybe Fletchers' phone will start ringing.

yeah I agree their excitement will propel them but we have a losing culture, at some point that bleeds into everyone. They both were injured, granted they are playing well but I would like more run way for them to build on their success so far.

Just my observation putting players in and out the line up doesn't do well with the Flyers. I get they need rest but with little practice and other factors, AV choose a lineup and Fly or die with it. So when they come up, I want them to have a real shot, not play 8 minutes and if you play well maybe play next game also.
- wcorvette

Yes at some point I agree. They are too fresh imo to allow it to seep in; I would hope.

Av lineup choices have been subpar all year. Very little continuity.

Perfect player to keep. Unless given an offer you can't turn down. It's a mistake to trade Laughton.
- MJL

Even if you can resign him this offseason?

It’s super creepy and awkward. Who films a show from the side of a desk.
- hereticpride

The producers are maybe using social distancing as an excuse, but it poor camera angles and so hard to watch. Bad product but not the host or analyst’s fault. It has to be distracting for them also.

Hartnell strikes me as a big dufus. Nothing he says seems to have any analysis whatsoever. Not just that, he doesn't have his goofiness of playing days. Ergo: indistinguishable from Colby Cohen in substance.

Maybe I am missing something. I am usually in a hurry to shut the tv after the game.
- PT21

Hartnell is new at this. It's going to take time. I think he's still a little reluctant to call out friends/ former teammates. He'll improve over time and relax a bit more.

How could you not notice? They are making her dress in shorter skirts and stockings. Her dresses are often sleeveless. Who dresses like that even for the indoors in winter/early spring? When the man is wearing a suit and a tie?

Its very indicative of who Comcast thinks fans are, and they might not be wrong. Hockeybuzz is hardly the representative Flyers segment.
- PT21

she chooses her wardrobe and theyve been doing for a few years with the Sixers pregame and a pregnant Amy Fadool

If it was much more than that, why are our veterans having pretty much the same seasons they have had recently? Couturier, Hayes, Giroux, Voracek, JVR and even Laughton: none of them are on track to having seasons worse than their recent career averages and many are on track to doing much better.

If it was a team wide malaise, explain why nobody aged 25+ except Moose is afflicted with this malaise?
- PT21

This is not looking at it correctly. You're just looking at offensive totals. The team in the first part of the season was hot offensively. They were outscoring their deficiencies. The entire team has had long stretches of poor hockey. Lack of intensity and urgency in their play. To state that they're having similar seasons to the past is just not accurate. There is more to a players play that offensive stats.

How could you not notice? They are making her dress in shorter skirts and stockings. Her dresses are often sleeveless. Who dresses like that even for the indoors in winter/early spring? When the man is wearing a suit and a tie?

Its very indicative of who Comcast thinks fans are, and they might not be wrong. Hockeybuzz is hardly the representative Flyers segment.
- PT21

What information do you have that they are making her dress a certain way? Do you have any idea how insulting and inappropriate that is?