Tony D > RR

I don't change anything until Hayes comes back, because that will impact the 2-4 lines. I would have a hard time telling TK he deserves a demotion at this point in the season. I would feel differently if Lindblom was showing he would bury some chances but he just hasn't. I understand you like Braun, but if you are going to move him up to the top 4, the player to move down is Sanheim.
- jd250

No, it would not impact the 4th line. Why would changing up the other lines be a bad thing? The Flyers are not playing well enough to be a sustainable good team. The 2nd line is being caved in and the 3rd line needs to score. They need to change it up.

As far as your comment about moving Sanheim down. Are you aware that Ristolainen plays the right side and Sanheim the left side. If you moved Sanheim down that would make the 2nd pairing Yandle and Ristolainen. Very, very scary. Braun is a better player right now that Ristolainen is and is also right handed so playing Braun with Sanheim is what makes the most sense.

If you think Gudas is better than Risto, then I just don't think there is any more we can discuss on this topic. We are just oceans a part which is fine, at the end of the year we will see who was ultimately right.
- jd250

There is no question that Gudas is a better player than Ristolainen. Right now Braun is a better player than Ristolainen is. We are oceans apart. You think Ristolainen checks all the boxes as a defenseman and you have labeled his play as great this season multiple times. All the proof that is needed.

defensively what is the diff between Hagg and RR in your opinion?
- hello it's me 2050

Hagg is not strong on the puck, not great in slot coverage and is ok in battles below the goal line. RR is much stronger in these areas.

There is no question that Gudas is a better player than Ristolainen. Right now Braun is a better player than Ristolainen is. We are oceans apart. You think Ristolainen checks all the boxes as a defenseman and you have labeled his play as great this season multiple times. All the proof that is needed.
- MJL

Yes, I like the way Risto has played in the 5 games so far. You would rather have Braun and Gudas. Enough said!

No, it would not impact the 4th line. Why would changing up the other lines be a bad thing? The Flyers are not playing well enough to be a sustainable good team. The 2nd line is being caved in and the 3rd line needs to score. They need to change it up.

As far as your comment about moving Sanheim down. Are you aware that Ristolainen plays the right side and Sanheim the left side. If you moved Sanheim down that would make the 2nd pairing Yandle and Ristolainen. Very, very scary. Braun is a better player right now that Ristolainen is and is also right handed so playing Braun with Sanheim is what makes the most sense.
- MJL

All I was pointing out is if you want to move Braun up to the top 4, I would rather see Sanheim moved down. I was not considering the rightie, leftie matchups, which is a good point. Even so, I would keep things the same on the D once Ellis comes back. Just sitting Seeler will be a big improvement in and of itself!

Edit: Regarding the forwards, so far this season in 7 games, Cam has 7 points and +9, Bee has 6 points, +9 and Brassard has 6 points, +7. I'm not sure they deserve to be split up at this point either.

All I was pointing out is if you want to move Braun up to the top 4, I would rather see Sanheim moved down. I was not considering the rightie, leftie matchups, which is a good point. Even so, I would keep things the same on the D once Ellis comes back. Just sitting Seeler will be a big improvement in and of itself!

Edit: Regarding the forwards, so far this season in 7 games, Cam has 7 points and +9, Bee has 6 points, +9 and Brassard has 6 points, +7. I'm not sure they deserve to be split up at this point either.
- jd250

I am fine with Seeler being a third pair fill in when an injury occurs. Brassard is coming back to earth over the last two games. I would consider swapping Laughton and Brassard at this point. I am also fine with waiting three games until Hayes is back before moving Brassard to 4th line center.

I am fine with Seeler being a third pair fill in when an injury occurs. Brassard is coming back to earth over the last two games. I would consider swapping Laughton and Brassard at this point. I am also fine with waiting three games until Hayes is back before moving Brassard to 4th line center.
- mickel25

Yeah, Brassard hasn’t been good since Wednesday, time to mix it up. Atkinson hasn’t scored since Wednesday also. I say healthy scratch him.

Yeah, Brassard hasn’t been good since Wednesday, time to mix it up. Atkinson hasn’t scored since Wednesday also. I say healthy scratch him.
- SuperSchennBros

lol harsh

You must have never competed in the higher rungs of sport to think that the emotional component is insignificant.
Think Gymnastics and the GOAT.
I would urge caution if you get a competent someone's ass up in the air.
They come down hard and they hurt what is crushed.

Yeah, Brassard hasn’t been good since Wednesday, time to mix it up. Atkinson hasn’t scored since Wednesday also. I say healthy scratch him.
- SuperSchennBros

Yep that is what I said. Maybe we should just execute the players that don't score from game to game? They have scored two goals in the last two games. Can we at least examine the lines?

Maybe the other paid professionals on the other teams have discovered some tendencies for the Flyers? Just maybe.

Yes, I like the way Risto has played in the 5 games so far. You would rather have Braun and Gudas. Enough said!
- jd250

Absolutely. Both are better players than Ristolainen is.

All I was pointing out is if you want to move Braun up to the top 4, I would rather see Sanheim moved down. I was not considering the rightie, leftie matchups, which is a good point. Even so, I would keep things the same on the D once Ellis comes back. Just sitting Seeler will be a big improvement in and of itself!

Edit: Regarding the forwards, so far this season in 7 games, Cam has 7 points and +9, Bee has 6 points, +9 and Brassard has 6 points, +7. I'm not sure they deserve to be split up at this point either.
- jd250

Yes, I know you weren't considering the right and left hand factor but you do watch the games, correct? Have you not noticed that?
How can you just keep the defense pairings the same? The 2nd pairing is a disaster.

Again, hot shooting is not sustainable. That line is routinely getting out shot and out chanced. Once the shooting percentages come down, it could become a problem. The 3rd line is generating chances but not scoring. Things need to change.

I really think your eye testometer is on the fritz. Consider putting it in for diagnostics and repair.

I still agree with Jonesy, at least on this one. Myers was/is a good player, he just got paired with the wrong partners during his developmental years on this club. They finally got it right with these off season moves, by combining a younger d man with a veteran on each pair where applicable. During Hextall's tenure, there were too many young players with not enough vets to pair up, and the result, they were too young on the back end. Mistakes were made, lessons weren't learned. I hope he isn't ruined long term, think he's got talent.
Bigger problem is how long is this mess going to go on with the Phantoms? Can't have a dumpster fire burn for too long. The nest is full with developing players.

I still agree with Jonesy, at least on this one. Myers was/is a good player, he just got paired with the wrong partners during his developmental years on this club. They finally got it right with these off season moves, by combining a younger d man with a veteran on each pair where applicable. During Hextall's tenure, there were too many young players with not enough vets to pair up, and the result, they were too young on the back end. Mistakes were made, lessons weren't learned. I hope he isn't ruined long term, think he's got talent.
Bigger problem is how long is this mess going to go on with the Phantoms? Can't have a dumpster fire burn for too long. The nest is full with developing players.
- BluehorseShoe64

There really is only one pairing where that is true and that's the first pairing. Ristolainen is only a few years older than Sanheim. Braun is 34 and Yandle is 35.
I agree though, Myers should've been breaking on the 3rd pair with a veteran.