I think this team as constructed will have a difficult time making the playoffs. Hope I am wrong. The Isles..Canes and Caps I see as locks....Pens with their injuries open up the 4th spot..Will it be Pens..Rags or Flyers???..Pens always seem to find a way...Rangers have a better team then Flyers on paper but we know what paper means.....and dont sleep on the Devils. Flyers need a lot to go right starting with Hart carrying the team. Cant wait to get started
- hfc355

rangers goaltending may mask some of their issues.

My replies are valid. The entire off season, you were lauding Fletcher's moves. Labeling this team as a team that can contend. That made all of the right moves. Filled all of the weaknesses. Now after a hand full of pre season games, most of which played with a B level lineup, you have all of these concerns. You don't need a 40 goal player in the lineup to win a Stanley Cup.
- MJL

your replies might be valid, but that has nothing to do with you just looking to argue and poke holes in other people thoughts. Very seldom do you start with your own thoughts, just like to just jump on others

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

His stupidity on the ice sometimes is astounding. After watching last nights game it really appears AV is not getting through. I like his north south game when he gets in on the forcheck….but I don’t see what else he brings….the dumb penalties make him a liability.

His stupidity on the ice sometimes is astounding. After watching last nights game it really appears AV is not getting through. I like his north south game when he gets in on the forcheck….but I don’t see what else he brings….the dumb penalties make him a liability.
- landros 2

I really hope he can figure that out, because he can be effective when the nonsense isnt involved.

I really hope he can figure that out, because he can be effective when the nonsense isnt involved.
- bradster

If he could figure it out he will have a good career. Guessing last night he was just in over his head. Or so I hope.

The offense can be an issue when they play tight fore-checking physical teams. This team will go offensively as the PP goes imo.
- hello it's me 2050

all teams typically follow the PP. Unless you have a perfection line or a star most teams score 5V5 with depth. If the starting group can have a decent season then the Flyers should be able to roll a good 3 lines, 5v5 that should produce goals. They do need to show they can score on teams like the Isles. My guess is it is going to be a tight season for most all teams

I think that a better way to evaluate the kids, hard to tell how if they can perform if they are playing other B team rosters
- bradster

It's not just about the opposition, tho. You wanna see how a kid performs alongside legit NHL players against NHL competition.

We already know that for L5 the best possible outcome in a battle with the Barzal line is a stalemate.

His stupidity on the ice sometimes is astounding. After watching last nights game it really appears AV is not getting through. I like his north south game when he gets in on the forcheck….but I don’t see what else he brings….the dumb penalties make him a liability.
- landros 2

Don’t disagree. But what are the other options? Bunnaman? Just don’t think they really have any. Or don’t after the injuries. Otherwise it should be he or Nate sitting.

I really hope he can figure that out, because he can be effective when the nonsense isnt involved.
- bradster

unlikely he does. Cant fix stupid.

all teams typically follow the PP. Unless you have a perfection line or a star most teams score 5V5 with depth. If the starting group can have a decent season then the Flyers should be able to roll a good 3 lines, 5v5 that should produce goals. They do need to show they can score on teams like the Isles. My guess is it is going to be a tight season for most all teams
- wcorvette

I think they will struggle to score 5 on 5. They seem to wilt in tight checking games.

Don’t disagree. But what are the other options? Bunnaman? Just don’t think they really have any. Or don’t after the injuries. Otherwise it should be he or Nate sitting.
- Peter Richards

that's why I look on the waiver wire.

It's crazy fans completely dismiss the Giroux-Couts-Konecny line was one of the most productive lines in all of hockey just 2 seasons ago....Sure Giroux is 2 years older. But this line looked very good when together in pre-season. I'll also give TK the benefit of the doubt because he just didn't look like himself after getting Covid (last season).
- arichardson22

Not dismissing. Last year jvr coots and bee were great together for a bit. Coots imo makes other players better. I would have no problem moving g and tk off his line to balance other lines. But it’s not up to us. Shame really. I’m sure the coaches have, but there are a couple other line combos I’d be interested in seeing.

Sam Bennett has to be one of the dumber guys in the league, he costs his team a chance to win a playoff series because he can’t stay on the ice and then in a pre season game he runs a goalie. Some guys will never get it.

Bill,

In recent years you’ve offered a run down of where the prospects are playing. Are you planning on doing a prospect list and over view prior to the start of the season? I always really enjoy that column.

I see the Flyers as having more forward scoring depth than all 3 of those teams.
- MJL

Politely disagree not even close IMO..maybe Pens with Malkin and Crosby out but not when they are back....I would trade Flyers top 3 lines for any of those teams top 3 lines except maybe Pens due to their age

I see the Flyers as having more forward scoring depth than all 3 of those teams.
- MJL

Politely disagree not even close IMO..maybe Pens with Malkin and Crosby out but not when they are back....I would trade Flyers top 3 lines for any of those teams top 3 lines except maybe Pens due to their age

Don’t disagree. But what are the other options? Bunnaman? Just don’t think they really have any. Or don’t after the injuries. Otherwise it should be he or Nate sitting.
- Peter Richards

The options might not be currently in the organization.

FWIW. TSN has their Top 50 list out. Couts comes in at #49. These lists are what they are. But I think it does say something about the lack of top end talent on the Flyers.

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 dont think Hayes sniffs 20 goals

I think other teams have a steeper drop off. The rangers Zib and Panarin are great but what’s after that? They traded away their next best guy in buchnevich. Isles have Barzal and lee, wouldn’t say whatever their top 4 forwards are better. Carolina has a strong group. Pitt with Malkin Crosby (both not starting the seasons) Guentzel and then who?
- ClaudeFather

Rangers have Strome ( more points then Couts over last 2 yrs)...Kreider...Lafraniere..Kakko..Goodrow to name a few...The difference between Zib and Panarin compared to Flyers top 2 is huge also

Rangers have Strome ( probably as many pts as Couts last year without looking up...Kreider...Lafraniere..Kakko..Goodrow to name a few...The difference between Zib and panarin compared to Flyers top 2 is huge also
- hfc355

Yea they were excellent last year huh

Don't look now but here are the 3 finalists for this year's Flyers goal song:

Tarzan Boy by Baltimora
Beer by Reel Big Fish
This Girl by Kungs and Cookin on 3 Burners

Start practicing your jungle calls folks
- jd250

I hope they get shutout every home game....now Joe Nardone can cry about the money he spends on season tickets

I dont think Hayes sniffs 20 goals
- THE BLACK HAND

Not this year anyway and dont see Lindblom with 20 either. think Atkinson will be a 25 goal guy with good PP time

Unless the PP proves to be very very potent, I have a hard time seeing anybody scoring 30-goals this year. If they aren't terrible offensively, it's because a bunch of guys scored 10-20, not because a few guys were leading with 30+.
- Tomahawk

I think they need the bunch of 20 goal guys, yeah maybe and JVR, TK or Bee hit 30 but if they have 6 plus 20 goal guys, it should be a good year. Yes, you need a good PP for that to happen. I like Yandle so far, G needs to shoot more and for the love of God find a high tip play and open up the 1 timer in the slot somehow. The PP became to predictable.

It's not just about the opposition, tho. You wanna see how a kid performs alongside legit NHL players against NHL competition.

We already know that for L5 the best possible outcome in a battle with the Barzal line is a stalemate.
- Tomahawk

Its also seeing how they battle them, not just the outcome