Good post. When was the last time they drafted a top 6 center? Clode?

There is this misconception imo that they have a lot of "depth".

They miss the playoffs imo.
- hello it's me 2050

Mediocre depth when compared to other top NHL clubs.

You don’t win poop with a bunch of secondary players. Which is exactly why they retool failed.

Good post. When was the last time they drafted a top 6 center? Clode?

There is this misconception imo that they have a lot of "depth".

They miss the playoffs imo.
- hello it's me 2050

Couturier

Couturier
- MBFlyerfan

well over a decade ago. poop they haven't even drafted a 3rd lien center....guess one can make an argument for Laughton. His "success" has come on the wing.

What is the status of Brian Zanetti? His name seems to have slipped through the cracks of the two lists of names (the reassigned list and the roster list).

Metropolitan Division

Teams ranked in the top 10: Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins#

Coaches: 1. Mike Sullivan, Penguins; 2. Barry Trotz, Islanders; 3. Peter Laviolette, Flyers ; 4. Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes; 5. Gerard Gallant, Rangers; 6. Lindy Ruff, Devils; 7. Alain Vigneault, Flyers; 8. Brad Larsen, Blue Jackets

Goalies: 1. Semyon Varlamov, Islanders; 2. Igor Shesterkin, Rangers; 3. Carter Hart, Flyers; 4. Ilya Samsonov/Vitek Vanecek, Capitals; 5. Freddie Andersen, Hurricanes, 6. MacKenzie Blackwood, Devils; 7. Elvis Merzlikins, Blue Jackets; 8. Tristan Jarry, Penguins

No. 1 center: 1. Sidney Crosby, Penguins; 2. Nicklas Backstrom, Capitals; 3. Mika Zibanejad, Rangers; 4. Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes; 5. Sean Couturier, Flyers; 6. Mathew Barzal, Islanders; 7. Jack Hughes, Devils; 8. Jack Roslovic/Cole Sillinger.

No. 1 defensemen; 1. Adam Fox, Rangers; 2. Jaccob Slavin, Hurricanes; 3. John Carlson, Capitals; 4. Ivan Provorov, Flyers; 5.Kris Letang, Penguins; 6. Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets; 7. Dougie Hamilton, Devils; 8. Ryan Pulock, Islanders

Teams not in contention to make playoffs: Columbus Blue Jackets

Bill, this to me is going to be the biggest problem for the Flyers this year. As I posted last night, this Flyers team has to work really, really hard for their goals compared to other, more skilled teams; this takes a toll and is not sustainable. Farabee in really the only player in this lineup so far that has demonstrated he can snipe and that is just not enough. G historically has shown he can do it, but he has got to go back to shooting the puck and being the culmination of plays instead of a catalyst. This is why the PP has not been good for the past few years and why we as fans watch game after game where the Flyers cycle and tilt the ice, but never cash in while the other team skates down and score seemingly with little effort. Its something to keep an eye out for this year.
- jd250

how many 20 goal scorers do you predict they will have?

Couturier
- MBFlyerfan

He's a 3rd line bottom 6 player don't you know? haha

Preseason games have not made me believe that this team will not make the playoffs. I want them to have a good start to the season and believe that is important but it may take them 10-20 games to gel.

Am concerned about Hayes having two abdominal muscle surgieres in less than a calendar year; not sure how effective he'll be when he gets back.

Bill - regarding Hayes, I am concerned that Hayes will return to play too soon... not exactly rushing him back, but before he's healed enough to be effective, assuming that is possible.

In general, it seems like it happens a fair amount - not just with the Flyers - that a player returns from an injury and is sufficiently less than 100% that the quality of their play is affected. Then they wind up playing the bulk of a season that way, and I wind up wondering if it wouldn't have been better for both the player and team for him to have sit out / healed longer, so that they could be more effective when they did return.

Bill - regarding Hayes, I am concerned that Hayes will return to play too soon... not exactly rushing him back, but before he's healed enough to be effective, assuming that is possible.

In general, it seems like it happens a fair amount - not just with the Flyers - that a player returns from an injury and is sufficiently less than 100% that the quality of their play is affected. Then they wind up playing the bulk of a season that way, and I wind up wondering if it wouldn't have been better for both the player and team for him to have sit out / healed longer, so that they could be more effective when they did return.
- copelal

hoping the Flyers can play some good hockey where Hayes can feel comfortable and take his time

Don't see Bunnaman playing over Thompson. Frost is not ready for 2C but he's ready for the NHL. Not that going to the Phantoms is going to be bad for him and may help him regain his offensive touch.
-MJL

Good point, Thompson will play over Bunnaman.

They have more than several. We don't need a 40 goal scorer to be a quality scoring team. You've been panicking the entire pre season as opposed to raving about the team before camp opened. Where was the complaint about not having a 40 goal scorer or a "sniper" before the pre season started? Remember, Fletcher made all the right moves. Changed the culture.
- MJL

I have made this observation since before last season started, I still think its a hole on the team. Tampa for example does not have even 5 - 20 goal scorers, but they have 3 40+ goal scorers. It matters!

you are waiting to pounce on the culture eh? lol If they dont make the playoffs, is that going to be a culture issue? The culture part is giving up in games, and no push back, we shall see how this plays out
- bradster

Exactly, MJL just likes to throw things in people's faces to start an argument, not to have a substantive conversation. Fletcher had a great off season, and did substantially change the mix on this club which by his own admission was the point of all the moves. I am not talking about that, I am talking about getting elite scoring into the lineup, something the Flyers have lacked for several years now. There are many facets to a championship team, having good a culture and good depth are two of them. However another is the ability to score a big goal when you are being outplayed or in a tied game late. That is what separates the contenders from the pretenders. As Bradster mentioned, 40+ goal scorers do not grown on trees, they need to be drafted and developed because teams for the most part will not give them up. Hextall wasn't able to do this in his time here, we'll see if Fletcher has any better luck at it.

BiggE mentions this in his scree.

NAK and his freaking penalities.
Two PK goals were scored against us due to his misbehavior.
If he does this five times this year, how many games will he cost?
For just being STUPID.

It's not like he's a scoring machine that will bang a few in as needed to repair his damages

Since I am an ancient white guy, I have few methods for dealing with this.
I mentioned a shock collar before and it still is my favorite 'cure'.
Seriously? I'd take him to an alley and show him some bums and ask where he wanted to squat. Then I'd say, 'I'm out of patience.'
THen I would leave him there with twenty bucks and a simple request, 'Let me know when you are able to square up. You might be able to reclaim your job.'

Exactly, MJL just likes to throw things in people's faces to start an argument, not to have a substantive conversation. Fletcher had a great off season, and did substantially change the mix on this club which by his own admission was the point of all the moves. I am not talking about that, I am talking about getting elite scoring into the lineup, something the Flyers have lacked for several years now. There are many facets to a championship team, having good a culture and depth are two of them. However another is the ability to score a big when you are being outplayed or in a tied game late. That is what separates the contenders from the pretenders. As Bradster mentioned, 40+ goal scorers do not grown on trees, they need to be drafted and developed because teams for the most part will not give them up. Hextall wasn't able to do this in his time here, we'll see if Fletcher has any better luck at it.
- jd250

GTFOH

how many 20 goal scorers do you predict they will have?
- wcorvette

I think on paper the Flyers could have 3 - 30 goal scorers: Couts, TK
& Farabee, And several 20 goal scorers: G, JVR, Atkinson, Hayes & Lindblom.

BiggE mentions this in his scree.

NAK and his freaking penalities.
Two PK goals were scored against us due to his misbehavior.
If he does this five times this year, how many games will he cost?
For just being STUPID.

It's not like he's a scoring machine that will bang a few in as needed to repair his damages

Since I am an ancient white guy, I have few methods for dealing with this.
I mentioned a shock collar before and it still is my favorite 'cure'.
Seriously? I'd take him to an alley and show him some bums and ask where he wanted to squat. Then I'd say, 'I'm out of patience.'
THen I would leave him there with twenty bucks and a simple request, 'Let me know when you are able to square up. You might be able to reclaim your job.'
- Pompous

Sad thing is he’s looked strong this pre season but the penalties are such a problem.

I think on paper the Flyers could have 3 - 30 goal scorers: Couts, TK
& Farabee, And several 20 goal scorers: G, JVR, Atkinson, Hayes & Lindblom.
- jd250

Didn’t you just complain about lacking finishing? And then you agree we have a bunch of guys that can score goals. Doesn’t matter if it’s a snipe or a rebound grinding goal, a goals a goal.

I think on paper the Flyers could have 3 - 30 goal scorers: Couts, TK
& Farabee, And several 20 goal scorers: G, JVR, Atkinson, Hayes & Lindblom.
- jd250

I just don't see O being the problem, clutch goals from a sniper sure but that is not easy to find. Hopes for Allison to bring that element is fading, love him and been waiting for him to get better but he is a magnet for injuries. TK, Farabee, Cam and G need to have a good year shooting % wise, if they do a sniper will be a non-factor. Add in dirty goals win playoff games

how many 20 goal scorers do you predict they will have?
- wcorvette

18 - easily

Didn’t you just complain about lacking finishing? And then you agree we have a bunch of guys that can score goals. Doesn’t matter if it’s a snipe or a rebound grinding goal, a goals a goal.
- ClaudeFather

Note I said on paper. If this actually happens, I have already posted that I think the Flyers will be in good shape. Just saying its something to watch for, i.e. do we have enough finishers in this lineup?

I will have offensive concerns when we ice a full team and they consistently can't put the puck in the net. Any worrying right now is just wasted effort on your own end.

We really haven't rolled 4 lines in a single pre-season game. What was one of the main reasons why the puck ended up in our net last year? Failed cleared attempts and turnovers in our own end, which came from strong pressure and forechecking from the opposition. Countless times guys were overworking shifts because we couldn't get the puck out. Tons of goals are scored from simply wearing the other team out with sustained pressure and forecheck; we did this fairly well in 19-20 and I'm confident we can return to this. I see us as a stronger forechecking team this year with the additions of Atkinson, Brassard and a healthy Oskar. These guys tend to rub off on their line/team mates as well.

If they don't already, coaches of each team need to coordinate their lineups in preseason with each other beforehand. This B-team vs full NHL roster business is kinda messed up.

What could AV really take away from this game? That his kids and spare parts were capable of white knuckling for 60mins to prevent a blowout?

I will have offensive concerns when we ice a full team and they consistently can't put the puck in the net. Any worrying right now is just wasted effort on your own end.

We really haven't rolled 4 lines in a single pre-season game. What was one of the main reasons why the puck ended up in our net last year? Failed cleared attempts and turnovers in our own end, which came from strong pressure and forechecking from the opposition. Countless times guys were overworking shifts because we couldn't get the puck out. Tons of goals are scored from simply wearing the other team out with sustained pressure and forecheck; we did this fairly well in 19-20 and I'm confident we can return to this. I see us a stronger forechecking team this year with the additions of Atkinson, Brassard and a healthy Oskar. These guys tend to rub off on their line/team mates as well.
- arichardson22

Goals were never going to be the problem for this team.

Mediocre depth when compared to other top NHL clubs.

You don’t win poop with a bunch of secondary players. Which is exactly why they retool failed.
- FlyerFan3260

Giroux, Couturier, Farabee and Konecny are all top line level talents. Can Atkinson regain his goal scoring touch?

If they don't already, coaches of each team need to coordinate their lineups in preseason with each other beforehand. This B-team vs full NHL roster business is kinda messed up.

What could AV really take away from this game? That his kids and spare parts were capable of white knuckling for 60mins to prevent a blowout?


- Tomahawk

Agreed, it’s at a point where no one is getting anything from these games. Unfortunately it’s probably due to them having to play X amount of pre season games and you aren’t making your vets play that many. Maybe set it up like the NFL, play the bums, dwindle down the roster and by pre season game 3/4 it should be mostly all nhl guys minus a line or whatnot.