Looks like the Metro is going to be a beast of a division as some predicted. Not going to be easy to get into the top 3 at all. I have no idea how the Pens keep winning with half their lineup missing? They trounce the Leafs 7-1 last night without Crosby, Carter, Malkin and Letang. This baffles me and concerns me at the same time. Do they just plug anyone into their system and it works? WTF!! The Caps keep getting points and the Rags just keep on finding ways to win. And now the Isles have awakened to play their bore arse winning style and that's not even mentioning the Canes. It could get late real early in the hunt for the playoffs at this rate. The Flyers need to get at least 4 out of 6 points on this upcoming trip out west. Thanks!

Looks like the Metro is going to be a beast of a division as some predicted. Not going to be easy to get into the top 3 at all. I have no idea how the Pens keep winning with half their lineup missing? They trounce the Leafs 7-1 last night without Crosby, Carter, Malkin and Letang. This baffles me and concerns me at the same time. Do they just plug anyone into their system and it works? WTF!! The Caps keep getting points and the Rags just keep on finding ways to win. And now the Isles have awakened to play their bore arse winning style and that's not even mentioning the Canes. It could get late real early in the hunt for the playoffs at this rate. The Flyers need to get at least 4 out of 6 points on this upcoming trip out west. Thanks!
- Phillywhiteout

Need to win the division games more often than not

Who was Sanheim covering on that goal?
- ClaudeFather

On that play with Giroux having the off wing on the back check which is a part of their systems play, there was no net drive so Sanheim's responsibility is to do what he did and skate to the net. Sanheim played it correctly positionally but just missed getting the puck.

On that play with Giroux having the off wing on the back check which is a part of their systems play, there was no net drive so Sanheim's responsibility is to do what he did and skate to the net. Sanheim played it correctly positionally but just missed getting the puck.
- MJL

what systems play is that? Sanheim has been very underwhelming.

On that play with Giroux having the off wing on the back check which is a part of their systems play, there was no net drive so Sanheim's responsibility is to do what he did and skate to the net. Sanheim played it correctly positionally but just missed getting the puck.
- MJL

Panthers forward on his backhand pushed to the outside with Sanheim sitting in the middle covering no one, not saying G is blameless in the whole sequence but come on.

Panthers forward on his backhand pushed to the outside with Sanheim sitting in the middle covering no one, not saying G is blameless in the whole sequence but come on.
- ClaudeFather

The Panther in the middle of the ice that Sanheim originally marked curled up and stayed high which left no net drive player in the middle. Sanheim correctly drifted to the net to support his partner. You can place some blame of Sanheim for not stopping the cross goal mouth pass and Konecny for the bad centering pass but the biggest blame by far is on Giroux. It's not close. He stopped skating.

The Panther in the middle of the ice that Sanheim originally marked curled up and stayed high which left no net drive player in the middle. Sanheim correctly drifted to the net to support his partner. You can place some blame of Sanheim for not stopping the cross goal mouth pass and Konecny for the bad centering pass but the biggest blame by far is on Giroux. It's not close. He stopped skating.
- MJL

If there is no net drive how does someone score at the doorstep? He can only cover middle net drive? G was Initially with the wide guy and let up with Sanheim there. You can’t sit in front of the net, cover no one, miss the pass across, and then blame a system .

Really disappointed no one got back to prevent Jonathan Huberdeau from banking in his own rebound. Coots was chasing and I can't remember who else. To me that was a stoppable goal simply through hustle on the off chance that happens.
- therabbi

It was Yandle, he was going to get there but was picked off at the last second and not able to get there.

If there is no net drive how does someone score at the doorstep? He can only cover middle net drive? G was Initially with the wide guy and let up with Sanheim there. You can’t sit in front of the net, cover no one, miss the pass across, and then blame a system .
- ClaudeFather

You should watch the replay again. You don't have it right. Watch as the Panthers have the puck in the neutral zone and Huberdeau with the puck in the middles passes it to his left wing just before entering the Flyers zone. Huberdeau was Sanheim's man. He curls up and stays high. Sanheim's responsibility is then to support the puck to the net. Giroux has the Panther coming wide who is the goal scorer the entire time. Giroux stops skating.

That short handed goal at the end of the second is classic Flyers and has been their trade mark since I can remember. The future of the league is young speed - something which the Flyers refuse to embrace

That short handed goal at the end of the second is classic Flyers and has been their trade mark since I can remember. The future of the league is young speed - something which the Flyers refuse to embrace
- mr4tno

TK beats someone out in a foot race for a scoring change almost every game. Farabee stinks too

That short handed goal at the end of the second is classic Flyers and has been their trade mark since I can remember. The future of the league is young speed - something which the Flyers refuse to embrace
- mr4tno

That shorthanded goal had nothing to do with young speed. It was an errant pass by a veteran defenseman who has been really good with the puck this season.

Looks like the Metro is going to be a beast of a division as some predicted. Not going to be easy to get into the top 3 at all. I have no idea how the Pens keep winning with half their lineup missing? They trounce the Leafs 7-1 last night without Crosby, Carter, Malkin and Letang. This baffles me and concerns me at the same time. Do they just plug anyone into their system and it works? WTF!! The Caps keep getting points and the Rags just keep on finding ways to win. And now the Isles have awakened to play their bore arse winning style and that's not even mentioning the Canes. It could get late real early in the hunt for the playoffs at this rate. The Flyers need to get at least 4 out of 6 points on this upcoming trip out west. Thanks!
- Phillywhiteout

Regarding Pens its good coaching and winning tradition. They get the most and more from their players. Every year we write them off and every year they are there. You are right Caps keep winning.. Rags lose 2 of their top 6 guys and win 4 in row on road..Canes and Isles will be there. Flyers will be much better but will that be enough? Cant wait to see Met teams start playing each other.

Regarding Pens its good coaching and winning tradition. They get the most and more from their players. Every year we write them off and every year they are there. You are right Caps keep winning.. Rags lose 2 of their top 6 guys and win 4 in row on road..Canes and Isles will be there. Flyers will be much better but will that be enough? Cant wait to see Met teams start playing each other.
- hfc355

This was always the question imo. I do not see it being enough.

This was always the question imo. I do not see it being enough.
- hello it's me 2050

Glad you have your assessment complete 4 games in.

Glad you have your assessment complete 4 games in.
- ClaudeFather

There are multiple teams in the division better than the flyers. Accept it. You disagree great.

Where would you rank AV in terms of coaches in the division?

Glad you have your assessment complete 4 games in.
- ClaudeFather

Way too early but if the Flyers don't make the playoffs it's a colossal failure on the part of management however in my view. It won't be the worst thing in the world.

Way too early but if the Flyers don't make the playoffs it's a colossal failure on the part of management however in my view. It won't be the worst thing in the world.
- MJL

Agreed, if this doesn’t work out I’m not really sure there’s a direction out of this. Hayes Coots Ellis All guys that are a little older on the back 9 of their careers signed long term.

First off, really nice to see Hart for the most part looking better. He’s so important for the team going forward.

That 2nd defensive pairing however, is likely to be a problem and I am not sure how one fixes that.

Sanheim is likely to get some unwarranted blame for Ristolainen’s poor play, and the questions about Rasmus were valid when the Flyers traded for him.

Way too early but if the Flyers don't make the playoffs it's a colossal failure on the part of management however in my view. It won't be the worst thing in the world.
- MJL

The flyers can be a much improved team and still not make the playoffs.

First off, really nice to see Hart for the most part looking better. He’s so important for the team going forward.

That 2nd defensive pairing however, is likely to be a problem and I am not sure how one fixes that.

Sanheim is likely to get some unwarranted blame for Ristolainen’s poor play, and the questions about Rasmus were valid when the Flyers traded for him.
- FlyerFan3260

Wonder if any of those other 7 or 8 teams that were interested in Risto still are....get that 1st back baby.

First off, really nice to see Hart for the most part looking better. He’s so important for the team going forward.

That 2nd defensive pairing however, is likely to be a problem and I am not sure how one fixes that.

Sanheim is likely to get some unwarranted blame for Ristolainen’s poor play, and the questions about Rasmus were valid when the Flyers traded for him.
- FlyerFan3260

Again, really too soon to make a definitive analysis but Ristolainen looks to be exactly what all the information said he was. Lets hope not because if this is the player they're getting, it's a fire-able offense for Fletcher.

Also I know I harp on the developmental concerns I have with the team, but three goals in three games for the Phantoms? I don’t have much chance at viewing them full time but try and catch glimpses when I can.

This isn’t just the kids that seemingly so often seem to stagnate on the Phantoms, there are some veterans on the current team that should not look so lost.

Lappy is already putting the blame on himself for not getting the team ready, which is admirable but at some point this guys time with the organization needs to end.

Again, really too soon to make a definitive analysis but Ristolainen looks to be exactly what all the information said he was. Lets hope not because if this is the player they're getting, it's a fire-able offense for Fletcher.

- MJL

He’s a physical specimen, a Drago if you will.

His hockey IQ is very questionable (Rasmus), and Sanheim for all of his positives does tend to make memorable mistakes when he does make them.

That pair is going to be challenging but I really don’t see too many options. Braun has played well with Sanheim before but Fletcher is going to get torched for paying what he did for a 3rd pairing Ristolainen.

If this continues, and very true that it’s early. The mistake needs to be acknowledged and talks of extension be stopped.

The off season is often a mixed bag for most teams, although Florida with Zito is something commendable. The Flyers do look to have made some good moves in the summer. Curious how it all turns out.

I’ll maintain Hart is the most important player moving forward. Keep it up kid.

First off, really nice to see Hart for the most part looking better. He’s so important for the team going forward...
- FlyerFan3260

And I think about Provorov the same: much better than last year, and a big reason for our more solid play.