I don't understand why the Flyers have struggled so much. I thought they would be in the playoffs and I was wrong.

As a former coach myself, in order to solve this type of problem, requires talent. In the case of dump & chase, two skills are missing. Speed / agility / stick handling and skating skills, to have more players who can play the possession game. Vigneault and Yeo had no other choice without those skills, have to dump & chase. You have to coach to what you have on the roster.

That being said, they have shown to be able to win despite losing the possession battle, being outshot & out chanced - as long as they played decent D with solid goaltending. But it's fool's gold. Can't survive a whole season chasing the game, wears everyone down. There's no replacement for possession time, control of the game, and out chancing the opponent.
- BluehorseShoe64

You make some really good points here in terms of talent. It's not so much what a coach wants a team to do but what they can create. You have to manage the puck. The way the Flyers have won some games is definitely fools gold. Some hot shooting and hot goaltending. Not sustainable.
However, here is where the coaching comes in. The Flyers have struggle since last year to play Vigneault's hybrid strong side overload/man to man system. They struggle in coverages and have a hard time sorting out who covers who. The coaching staff has also insisted on side breakouts and rims and refused to use the middle of the ice. This led to opposition teams easily tailoring their forecheck and choking off the walls. Leading to an endless cycle of defending and chipping out. Or a tired team skating to the red line and dumping in to change. Only to have the cycle repeat itself. The Flyers are also a team that repeatedly purposely gives the puck up. Makes bad line changes, etc. They refuse to regroup and hold onto the puck. You'll never be a good possession team playing that way. Coaching is a big part of that. It's not just a talent deficiency.

I don't understand why the Flyers have struggled so much. I thought they would be in the playoffs and I was wrong.
- Zezel

they dont have a championship or playoff capable leadership group

giroux has never even been invited to an olympic camp for team canada....speaks volumes

they dont have a championship or playoff capable leadership group

giroux has never even been invited to an olympic camp for team canada....speaks volumes
- watsonnostaw

Nah, it's not about leadership. Giroux is the last player that is a problem.

So Ek, what team signs E.Kane after he clears waivers and his contract is terminated??? Maybe he could save the season for some bubble team? Maybe he would put the "wild" back in the Wild! Or be the #1 predator on the Preds! Or be released on the Kracken! Or be the dumpster fire on the Flames! So many choices! (If only that were true)

So Ek, what team signs E.Kane after he clears waivers and his contract is terminated??? Maybe he could save the season for some bubble team? Maybe he would put the "wild" back in the Wild! Or be the #1 predator on the Preds! Or be released on the Kracken! Or be the dumpster fire on the Flames! So many choices! (If only that were true)
- HenryHockey

So Ek, what team signs E.Kane after he clears waivers and his contract is terminated??? Maybe he could save the season for some bubble team? Maybe he would put the "wild" back in the Wild! Or be the #1 predator on the Preds! Or be released on the Kracken! Or be the dumpster fire on the Flames! So many choices! (If only that were true)
- HenryHockey

With how the cap is for many teams and the difficulty they'll have in adding players. It wouldn't shock me to see a contending team sign him for the remainder of the season

Philly is shifting their focus from Khudobin to Kane.

With how the cap is for many teams and the difficulty they'll have in adding players. It wouldn't shock me to see a contending team sign him for the remainder of the season
- MJL

Every team out there should heed the familiar warning: Be careful what you wish for because you might get it. Kane and his agent and the NHLPA will file a grievance so that will take time to resolve. Beyond that Kane has demonstrated in his press conferences that he has learned nothing about himself and what causes him to self destruct. He's not the least bit contrite and that should worry any team that signs him..even if for $1mm prorated for the year. He won't get any breaks from the officials and in Playoff time that could spell disaster. It's too bad because he has a ton of talent and ability to be a Top 6 forward but beyond that there is a huge Caution! Danger Ahead sign fasting above his head

Every team out there should heed the familiar warning: Be careful what you wish for because you might get it. Kane and his agent and the NHLPA will file a grievance so that will take time to resolve. Beyond that Kane has demonstrated in his press conferences that he has learned nothing about himself and what causes him to self destruct. He's not the least bit contrite and that should worry any team that signs him..even if for $1mm prorated for the year. He won't get any breaks from the officials and in Playoff time that could spell disaster. It's too bad because he has a ton of talent and ability to be a Top 6 forward but beyond that there is a huge Caution! Danger Ahead sign fasting above his head
- hockeygm

Of course that goes without saying. Teams want to win. We'll see what happens.

they dont have a championship or playoff capable leadership group

giroux has never even been invited to an olympic camp for team canada....speaks volumes
- watsonnostaw

I’ve been saying this for 10 years. Glad someone else finally recognizes it

Kane may enjoy some home cooking ?

I wonder if EK is familiar with the Pens' cap situation.
- Rinosaur

Are you familiar with their situation? They have the freedom to do pretty much whatever they want after this year. Letang isn't getting a raise, Malkin could be gone and isn't getting a monster contract if he stays. Giroux's made over $76 million in salary. Money's not going to be his number one concern. It's reasonable to think Giroux could fit in Pittsburgh next year, especially if he's taking Malkin's spot.

Are you familiar with their situation? They have the freedom to do pretty much whatever they want after this year. Letang isn't getting a raise, Malkin could be gone and isn't getting a monster contract if he stays. Giroux's made over $76 million in salary. Money's not going to be his number one concern. It's reasonable to think Giroux could fit in Pittsburgh next year, especially if he's taking Malkin's spot.
- Squeaky

Malkin is going to the Caps to play with Ovie. But Gallagher is an E4 to the Pens so they might not have space for Giroux.

Giroux never got invited to a Team Canada camp?
Didn't he play for them atleast once

(frank)ing trade giroux had enough of his poop

Are you familiar with their situation? They have the freedom to do pretty much whatever they want after this year. Letang isn't getting a raise, Malkin could be gone and isn't getting a monster contract if he stays. Giroux's made over $76 million in salary. Money's not going to be his number one concern. It's reasonable to think Giroux could fit in Pittsburgh next year, especially if he's taking Malkin's spot.
- Squeaky

I think Tanger does get a raise. Malkin stays to win yet another cup. So do Rusty and perhaps even ERod.

Malkin is going to the Caps to play with Ovie. But Gallagher is an E4 to the Pens so they might not have space for Giroux.
- HockeyBuzzed

I guess you didn’t listen to his recent press conference? Pretty clear that he wants to stay.

I guess you didn’t listen to his recent press conference? Pretty clear that he wants to stay.
- iamscore2day

What's he supposed to say in a press conference? Ek has him going to the Caps. Get ready.

No one really cares what pens fans think
Sorry..

Flyers suck for a reason…

Goalie woes forever
GM’s make Benning look a genius
-that takes a lot to do
Drafting has been pretty meh
Cronies ala the Oil

I think Tanger does get a raise. Malkin stays to win yet another cup. So do Rusty and perhaps even ERod.
- iamscore2day

He'll be 35 when next season starts and has played in 70+ games just twice in the past 10 seasons. Do you really think he's going to get another huge contract?

He's also already made his money and probably doesn't really want to move. 3-5 more seasons around 4-5 million is probably a fair number to finish his career in Pittsburgh.

….and then they made some moves that looked really strong to address the need to win now bringing in Ellis, Ristolain

------------------------

A bit of revisionist history there. Many flyers fans on this board viewed these as questionable trades. An injury prone dman with 6 years left on an immovable contract and another with a horrible career but he was a high pick. Let's throw all our resources at them because the Flyers will turn their careers around. Turns out their careers have stayed the same. Ellis is out with injury (same as with Nashville which is why they traded him) and Risto is never going to be the dman he was drafted to be.

How is Provorov a veteran and Konecney a youngster when they were drafted the same year, made the NHL the same year and have played nearly the same amount of games