Then they are stupid. I saw a few more mistakes in his last few games, but overall I agree he was easily in their top 4.
- landros 2

I agree. Andrae has made a significant impact since he was called up. He was their 3rd best defenseman since called up. If only Tortorella would or was capable of looking at simple data as part of his evaluation process, he would see that his biases are not accurate. With Drysdale showing some improvement and the addition of Andrae. The Flyers are moving ever so slowly to having a modern day NHL defense.

He actually played the next day in Lehigh…so I think it’s safe to assume he’s 100%.
- landros 2

the comment that was made makes zero sense to me.

I agree. Andrae has made a significant impact since he was called up. He was their 3rd best defenseman since called up. If only Tortorella would or was capable of looking at simple data as part of his evaluation process, he would see that his biases are not accurate. With Drysdale showing some improvement and the addition of Andrae. The Flyers are moving ever so slowly to having a modern day NHL defense.
- MJL

They don’t like his size. I don’t think it’s just Torts. The three geniuses worry that their D is too small with both Drysdale and Andrae in it. I think it’s just that simple. Doesn’t matter what the numbers say. The Flyers are too smart to be influenced by silly stats. To balance the pairs they need to move one of them out and it’s not going to be the guy Danny traded away Cutter for.

They don’t like his size. I don’t think it’s just Torts. The three geniuses worry that their D is too small with both Drysdale and Andrae in it. I think it’s just that simple. Doesn’t matter what the numbers say. The Flyers are too smart to be influenced by silly stats. To balance the pairs they need to move one of them out and it’s not going to be the guy Danny traded away Cutter for.
- Dkos

add in York as well. This is likely the main driver as to why. Next call up Hunter Mac. prototypical FLYER.

[quote=jd250]

Something wrong with the quotes here so I cut and pasted it. lol.

Ice time is earned, not given. Michkov has Sucked the past 6 or so games and IMO has not earned his ice time. He is a 20 year old kid that is struggling right now. He is not fighting for pucks like he was earlier in the season and he is horrible with defensive zone coverage. I think perhaps he has already taken too many hits and its possible the Flyers are trying to protect him. Either way, he is not playing well right now and is another young player that needs to regroup and regain his confidence.

I don’t disagree that ice time is earned and there must be accountability. However, it seems counterproductive to limit such a talented player when the team is going through a funk. If his head isn’t in the game he needs to sit. If he’s injured he needs to sit. If he’s just going through a rough patch he needs to play through it. The team needs goals and Michkov produces goals. I’m today’s game, coaching is much more than game day. It’s meetings and video review and directing and talking to linemates. Ooops does MM39 actually have consistent linemates? There is such a dearth of talent on this team, they can’t afford not to have him or TK out there. I say, let his “punishment” should be more ice time. Double shift the kid. Make him work hard in game and hard in practice. I suspect, although I’m speculating, that Torts just doesn’t have the temperament or ability to handle situations like this properly. Tippett who’s also young gets a million chances to work through his mistakes and work through games he even takes shifts off, especially in the defensive zone. But lowest time on ice on a team that’s desperate for positive momentum is not the answer.

ice time is earned not given is one of the biggest hockey clichés ever.

They don’t like his size. I don’t think it’s just Torts. The three geniuses worry that their D is too small with both Drysdale and Andrae in it. I think it’s just that simple. Doesn’t matter what the numbers say. The Flyers are too smart to be influenced by silly stats. To balance the pairs they need to move one of them out and it’s not going to be the guy Danny traded away Cutter for.
- Dkos

You may very well be right about that.

There's the buzzwords that you've been brainwashed by. Tortorella hasn't won squat in over 20 years. Speaking of talking out of both sides if your mouth. You talk about developing players then approve of overplaying vets and sitting the kids. Do you not understand that there is no fool proof method of team development? You keep bringing up the Sabres while ignoring all the other teams who have successfully done it. While you continue to rubber stamp the Flyers methods that have led to nothing 14 years and counting. Meanwhile teams like SJ, Chicago and others are preparing to soar past the Flyers. While the Flyers build a winning culture and suck up all the glory that comes with being a capped out, mediocre perennial bubble playoff team. LOL
- MJL

You keep spewing this same falsehood about the Flyers being a cap strapped team thats a perennial bubble team, but this is not the Hextall or Fletcher years, this is today. And today, the Flyers are not cap strapped. According to cap wages they have over $7M in cap space. They have also gone on record stating they are not signing any big free agents over the next two seasons so all the development has to come from within their system, thus they will have even more financial flexibility moving forward.

Now with that said, if Briere does not cut bait with some veteran's this deadline, Risto and Frost for sure, and hopefully Laughton also, so they can get into a better draft position then I will be the first to chew them out. Picking in the teens and 20s in a not so strong draft will not move the needle in this rebuild. But then again, if Briere uses the picks to make some saavy trades, then I might applaud him for it also. And if and when Chicago and SJ fly past the Flyers then you can say something. Until then, stop the misinformation.

I don’t disagree that ice time is earned and there must be accountability. However, it seems counterproductive to limit such a talented player when the team is going through a funk. If his head isn’t in the game he needs to sit. If he’s injured he needs to sit. If he’s just going through a rough patch he needs to play through it. The team needs goals and Michkov produces goals. I’m today’s game, coaching is much more than game day. It’s meetings and video review and directing and talking to linemates. Ooops does MM39 actually have consistent linemates? There is such a dearth of talent on this team, they can’t afford not to have him or TK out there. I say, let his “punishment” should be more ice time. Double shift the kid. Make him work hard in game and hard in practice. I suspect, although I’m speculating, that Torts just doesn’t have the temperament or ability to handle situations like this properly. Tippett who’s also young gets a million chances to work through his mistakes and work through games he even takes shifts off, especially in the defensive zone. But lowest time on ice on a team that’s desperate for positive momentum is not the answer.
- mikeyo27

You can see how much the PP has suffered without Michkov at the top of his game, where earlier in the season he was driving a lot of the offensive plays. I think the Flyers need to mamange his ice time this season, maybe even healthy scratch him a few more times. It's not punishment, it's simply helping the kid to not get overwhelmed and lose too much confidence. We already know he does not have great line mates also, and you don't hink the Flyers know that? This may also be the reason the Flyers are sheltering him a bit. He has taken some big hits this season already, a few of which made me cringe.

You keep spewing this same falsehood about the Flyers being a cap strapped team thats a perennial bubble team, but this is not the Hextall or Fletcher years, this is today. And today, the Flyers are not cap strapped. According to cap wages they have over $7M in cap space. They have also gone on record stating they are not signing any big free agents over the next two seasons so all the development has to come from within their system, thus they will have even more financial flexibility moving forward.

Now with that said, if Briere does not cut bait with some veteran's this deadline, Risto and Frost for sure, and hopefully Laughton also, so they can get into a better draft position then I will be the first to chew them out. Picking in the teens and 20s in a not so strong draft will not move the needle in this rebuild. But then again, if Briere uses the picks to make some saavy trades, then I might applaud him for it also. And if and when Chicago and SJ fly past the Flyers then you can say something. Until then, stop the misinformation.
- jd250

No need to wait until after the deadline. Go ahead and get a head start criticizing management because they aren’t going to move those players.

No need to wait until after the deadline. Go ahead and get a head start criticizing management because they aren’t going to move those players.
- StepfordSam

imagine flyers fans thinking Briere is gonna trade player while in the playoff race.

the negative effect it would have in the "room" would be devasting. it would damage the winning culture they have started to establish.

You keep spewing this same falsehood about the Flyers being a cap strapped team thats a perennial bubble team, but this is not the Hextall or Fletcher years, this is today. And today, the Flyers are not cap strapped. According to cap wages they have over $7M in cap space. They have also gone on record stating they are not signing any big free agents over the next two seasons so all the development has to come from within their system, thus they will have even more financial flexibility moving forward.


- jd250

Obviously it is about where the Flyers are headed as a team and what they're going to do. Wait for it.

Now with that said, if Briere does not cut bait with some veteran's this deadline, Risto and Frost for sure, and hopefully Laughton also, so they can get into a better draft position then I will be the first to chew them out. Picking in the teens and 20s in a not so strong draft will not move the needle in this rebuild. But then again, if Briere uses the picks to make some saavy trades, then I might applaud him for it also. And if and when Chicago and SJ fly past the Flyers then you can say something. Until then, stop the misinformation.
- jd250

I guarantee that you won't chew them out. There is also the issue of being able to recognize what a savvy trade is.
Both of those teams are already ahead of the Flyers in a rebuild. There is no misinformation. Only your inability to recognize reality.

You can see how much the PP has suffered without Michkov at the top of his game, where earlier in the season he was driving a lot of the offensive plays. I think the Flyers need to mamange his ice time this season, maybe even healthy scratch him a few more times. It's not punishment, it's simply helping the kid to not get overwhelmed and lose too much confidence. We already know he does not have great line mates also, and you don't hink the Flyers know that? This may also be the reason the Flyers are sheltering him a bit. He has taken some big hits this season already, a few of which made me cringe.
- jd250

It's hockey. Every player is going to take hits. There hasn't been anything that has happened to Michkov to be concerned about. Limiting ice time when a player has inevitable struggles or scratching a player as if it is some miracle cure, is not coaching. It is the absence of coaching.

They don’t like his size. I don’t think it’s just Torts. The three geniuses worry that their D is too small with both Drysdale and Andrae in it. I think it’s just that simple. Doesn’t matter what the numbers say. The Flyers are too smart to be influenced by silly stats. To balance the pairs they need to move one of them out and it’s not going to be the guy Danny traded away Cutter for.
- Dkos

yea was coming on to post about the same thing, and they have to let Drysdale play, he has the most upside, they need York to play and finish the year strong. If York can turn it around, would they move him later on, for a position of need, another young player with his potential lid.

It's hockey. Every player is going to take hits. There hasn't been anything that has happened to Michkov to be concerned about. Limiting ice time when a player has inevitable struggles or scratching a player as if it is some miracle cure, is not coaching. It is the absence of coaching.
- MJL

lots of issues with Torts but not with the last game with MM, he just looked slow. So, for one game, all good, two games then it is Torts being Torts.

lots of issues with Torts but not with the last game with MM, he just looked slow. So, for one game, all good, two games then it is Torts being Torts.
- wcorvette

The Flyers were behind in the game and chasing the game for pretty much all of it. To not play your second best offensive player and arguably your most talented offensive player more is negligent.

They don’t like his size. I don’t think it’s just Torts. The three geniuses worry that their D is too small with both Drysdale and Andrae in it. I think it’s just that simple. Doesn’t matter what the numbers say. The Flyers are too smart to be influenced by silly stats. To balance the pairs they need to move one of them out and it’s not going to be the guy Danny traded away Cutter for.
- Dkos

Its not so much that the Flyers do not like his size. Its more to do with how he has to play with his size if he wants to survive in the NHL. To be honest, I think Andrae initiated to much contact for his own good, and larger players are going to make him pay for it. That is what happened to him several games ago where he left the game after that big hit and missed a few games after that. I think he got a concussion from that hit, and has not been the same since. Torts even mentioned it in the presser after that happened, saying it was Andrae's responsbility to learn how to avoid the contact and use his positioning and stick better to defend. It's a tough think to ask of a player to do all the time, but that is the handi-cap Andrae is going to have to learn to over come if he wants to be a viable NHL defenseman. He has the skating, vision and skill, but his size is a detriment.

The Flyers were behind in the game and chasing the game for pretty much all of it. To not play your second best offensive player and arguably your most talented offensive player more is negligent.
- MJL

By the stats Michkov is the Flyers' second best offensive player. But in the past 6 or so games, Michkov has been no where close to that.

It's hockey. Every player is going to take hits. There hasn't been anything that has happened to Michkov to be concerned about. Limiting ice time when a player has inevitable struggles or scratching a player as if it is some miracle cure, is not coaching. It is the absence of coaching.
- MJL

Is Michkov playing well right now? Does he look like a fast player? Is he antocipating well? Is he battling for pucks and making plays like he did earlier in the season? He is not close to the level he was at earlier. When a very young player is showing these signs, the answer is not to throw him out there and play him 20 minutes a game. He is struggling to keep up right now. I think the Flyers need to be patient and just get the kid through the season relatively healthy. Then give him the off season to get stronger and faster, since then he would have a year under his belt and know what to expect and where he needs to improve. Its absolutely good coaching to see the signs and give the kid a break when he needs it.

lots of issues with Torts but not with the last game with MM, he just looked slow. So, for one game, all good, two games then it is Torts being Torts.
- wcorvette

Michkov has been fighting it for a bit now

Its not so much that the Flyers do not like his size. Its more to do with how he has to play with his size if he wants to survive in the NHL. To be honest, I think Andrae initiated to much contact for his own good, and larger players are going to make him pay for it. That is what happened to him several games ago where he left the game after that big hit and missed a few games after that. I think he got a concussion from that hit, and has not been the same since. Torts even mentioned it in the presser after that happened, saying it was Andrae's responsbility to learn how to avoid the contact and use his positioning and stick better to defend. It's a tough think to ask of a player to do all the time, but that is the handi-cap Andrae is going to have to learn to over come if he wants to be a viable NHL defenseman. He has the skating, vision and skill, but his size is a detriment.
- jd250

who is Andrae replacing in the current lineup for playing time?

Its not so much that the Flyers do not like his size. Its more to do with how he has to play with his size if he wants to survive in the NHL. To be honest, I think Andrae initiated to much contact for his own good, and larger players are going to make him pay for it. That is what happened to him several games ago where he left the game after that big hit and missed a few games after that. I think he got a concussion from that hit, and has not been the same since. Torts even mentioned it in the presser after that happened, saying it was Andrae's responsbility to learn how to avoid the contact and use his positioning and stick better to defend. It's a tough think to ask of a player to do all the time, but that is the handi-cap Andrae is going to have to learn to over come if he wants to be a viable NHL defenseman. He has the skating, vision and skill, but his size is a detriment.
- jd250

Andrae does not have to change his game to be effective in the NHL. He has already shown that he can. Not only that but he has been very effective since his call up. If they are asking him to change his game, then the Flyers are incompetent. They've been developing him for how long? He is already a viable NHL defenseman. It was just an unfortunate play where his head hit the glass. An NHL defenseman is not going to be able to avoid physical play. Andrae's ability to quickly and efficiently move the puck as well as his ability on puck retrievals made the Flyers a better team. He has not shown to be physically overmatched despite his size disadvantage The only thing he has to do is to keep on playing and improving. He should've been with the Flyers the entire season

By the stats Michkov is the Flyers' second best offensive player. But in the past 6 or so games, Michkov has been no where close to that.
- jd250

Doesn't matter. A player like that only needs the puck on his stick once to make a difference.

Is Michkov playing well right now? Does he look like a fast player? Is he antocipating well? Is he battling for pucks and making plays like he did earlier in the season? He is not close to the level he was at earlier. When a very young player is showing these signs, the answer is not to throw him out there and play him 20 minutes a game. He is struggling to keep up right now. I think the Flyers need to be patient and just get the kid through the season relatively healthy. Then give him the off season to get stronger and faster, since then he would have a year under his belt and know what to expect and where he needs to improve. Its absolutely good coaching to see the signs and give the kid a break when he needs it.
- jd250

Who said anything about playing him 20 minutes a game. All you do is post cliches. Struggling to keep up, not battling for the puck and on and on. He doesn't need a break, he just needs to keep playing and work through the expected growing pains.

Andrae does not have to change his game to be effective in the NHL. He has already shown that he can. Not only that but he has been very effective since his call up. If they are asking him to change his game, then the Flyers are incompetent. They've been developing him for how long? He is already a viable NHL defenseman
- MJL

where did he say he had to change his game?