Bill Meltzer: Wrapup:Flyers Lose Strange, Sloppy 5-4 Decision to Coyotes

MacDonald has got to sit. Schultz is every bit as bad when it comes to the little mistakes adding up. He's frustrating because he has low skills and always makes the safe, no reward plays. But he won't blow coverages or turn it over or be soft along the wall. He'll at least limit the damage. Then pray for MDZ's health.

Make it: 53-3 / 9-23 / 55-32

Ghost needs Gudas right now. He needs him bad. When he has a poor game, Mac sure as poop won't help him out and will just exacerbate it (as in tonight). When Ghost is having a strong game, which has been inconsistent so far, he still can't skate away from the weight chained to him.

Happy that PEB got demoted. He is no 3C -- I'd go even further. I've wanted Cousins in there since preseason, and he didn't disappoint, and neither did the line. Best 3rd line performance so far this season. It actually resembled a 3rd line.

Also, Lyubimov looked fantastic again. Like significantly better than his linemates in defensive play and in the skills department. They actually looked like they were dragging him down. And we know not even Voracek could do anything with VDV-PEB. Lyub looks like a legit bottom 6 NHL player. I'd like to see him keep getting ice time and more PK time. I'd argue that only Read has outplayed him in the bottom 6 this season.

Happy that PEB got demoted. He is no 3C -- I'd go even further. I've wanted Cousins in there since preseason, and he didn't disappoint, and neither did the line. Best 3rd line performance so far this season. It actually resembled a 3rd line.

Also, Lyubimov looked fantastic again. Like significantly better than his linemates in defensive play and in the skills department. They actually looked like they were dragging him down. And we know not even Voracek could do anything with VDV-PEB. Lyub looks like a legit bottom 6 NHL player. I'd like to see him keep getting ice time and more PK time. I'd argue that only Read has outplayed him in the bottom 6 this season.
- Mononoke

I dont see the word fantastic with Lyubimov, but I do think he appears to be a good 3rd/4th liner. He still misses on some plays with me. He clearly has the ability to be better than a good amount of the Flyers bottom 6 though

Man that Richardson goal just sucked all around

Happy that PEB got demoted. He is no 3C -- I'd go even further. I've wanted Cousins in there since preseason, and he didn't disappoint, and neither did the line. Best 3rd line performance so far this season. It actually resembled a 3rd line.

Also, Lyubimov looked fantastic again. Like significantly better than his linemates in defensive play and in the skills department. They actually looked like they were dragging him down. And we know not even Voracek could do anything with VDV-PEB. Lyub looks like a legit bottom 6 NHL player. I'd like to see him keep getting ice time and more PK time. I'd argue that only Read has outplayed him in the bottom 6 this season.
- Mononoke

I hope you are right long term about Cousins at 3rd line center but it is one game against a bad team with their back up in net...and we still lost. I don't expect Schenn to stay on the third line. Schenn was also the driving force of the third line tonight, which as much as I love Schenn, I don't expect him to lead the charge for any line on a nightly basis. Not a criticism, just an observation.

Nick Cousins to me is basically Max Talbot without the PK time. I've been proven wrong before. Hopefully I'm wrong now.

I love how Medvedev is clearly skilled but makes randomly bad plays that cause goals and gets scratched from the entire NHL. Andrew MacDonald does it, but there are still some good things he does occasionally. The double standard because the guy has a giant contract is ridiculous

I love how Medvedev is clearly skilled but makes randomly bad plays that cause goals but gets scratched from the entire NHL. Andrew MacDonald does it, but there are still some good things he does occasionally. The double standard because the guy has a giant contract is ridiculous
- YuenglingJagr

Was Medvedev deported after his brush with the law?

I dont see the word fantastic with Lyubimov, but I do think he appears to be a good 3rd/4th liner. He still misses on some plays with me. He clearly has the ability to be better than a good amount of the Flyers bottom 6 though
- YuenglingJagr

It's all relative. For a bottom 6 role he looked fantastic skating, stick handling through d men, good defensive reads on the PK. Like PEB the effort is always there, but he just seems smarter and more skilled. Every shift he impresses me.

Like I said, VDV and PEB are possession and scoring black holes. Voracek, a superstar, could've even drag them along last season. I think Lyub could gel well with actual good players. Read or Weise will be on the 4th soon enough.

I love how Medvedev is clearly skilled but makes randomly bad plays that cause goals and gets scratched from the entire NHL. Andrew MacDonald does it, but there are still some good things he does occasionally. The double standard because the guy has a giant contract is ridiculous
- YuenglingJagr

And the thing is, Meddy actually made up for his. He made glaring defensive mistakes just like AMac, but he really did fantastic in the possession AND scoring chance % game.

10 points and 5 goals in 7 games on his pittance of a 750k, 2 year contract. I'm so proud of my boy. Should have been a Flyer.

I'm so proud.
- Mononoke

Good possession numbers/production and a great name too

Good possession numbers/production and a great name too
- Nucker101

But being 5'9" can't make up for consistently doing good things on the ice to help your team win

10 points and 5 goals in 7 games on his pittance of a 750k, 2 year contract. I'm so proud of my boy. Should have been a Flyer.
- Mononoke

Should of kept

5'9"
- Mononoke

Heightism

It's all relative. For a bottom 6 role he looked fantastic skating, stick handling through d men, good defensive reads on the PK. Like PEB the effort is always there, but he just seems smarter and more skilled. Every shift he impresses me.

Like I said, VDV and PEB are possession and scoring black holes. Voracek, a superstar, could've even drag them along to respectability last season. I think Lyub could gel well with actual good players. Read or Weise will be on the 4th soon enough.
- Mononoke

I understand and that's what I'm getting at. Offense and defense I like but the neutral zone, specifically transition to offense. Since he is a 4th liner playing primarily defense there are times I wish he would just get the puck deep and he doesn't seem to. I think it will come with time

I understand and that's what I'm getting at. Offense and defense I like but the neutral zone, specifically transition to offense. Since he is a 4th liner playing primarily defense there are times I wish he would just get the puck deep and he doesn't seem to. I think it will come with time
- YuenglingJagr

Because again, he's more skilled and wants to and can do things with the puck. He doesn't just have to or want to dump it in 100% of the time like the Dynamic Duo. Here's a typical shift from VDV and PEB: get puck, dump it in, eat some time boards battling and generating no offense in the process, retreat back to own zone, get hemmed in (but hustle!) until stoppage or lucky clear. Repeat as needed. There's a reason they primarily play defense, and you know what it is. I don't want them primarily playing D.

Surprise, surprise Lyubimov has actually been one of the best Flyers possession players in his limited ice time this year too. And he's still adjusting. Learning the little things will come.

Has anyone read this?

http://www.tsn.ca/lebrun-...t-on-free-agency-1.594178

Has anyone read this?

http://www.tsn.ca/lebrun-...t-on-free-agency-1.594178
- mayorofangrytown

They'll "win" the lottery too!

Has anyone read this?

http://www.tsn.ca/lebrun-...t-on-free-agency-1.594178
- mayorofangrytown

It's why I've been saying they could select one of our NHL goalies, whoever we don't sign. Provided Neuvy gets back on track, it's possible they take him and then try to sign him. McPhee drafted him too. It's a possibility.

Has anyone read this?

http://www.tsn.ca/lebrun-...t-on-free-agency-1.594178
- mayorofangrytown

Mixed feelings about this but also excited to both add a new team in the league and I have a little excitement as to who could get picked up from us. I think who we protect is pretty obvious and we have a lot of junk to give up. If we lose one of Raffl, Read or Weise, I don't think it will be the worst thing in the world. Laughton could be a candidate to be scooped up. What's interesting to me is whether we try to sign Mason and Del Zotto in season or after Vegas gets to talk to UFAs first. If Vegas is interest in either guy, it could be lose, lose. No pending UFA wants to be put on the back burner without insensitive to wait. Either way I'm excited to possibly getting cap relief from a player we might not even need. I really don't like the mix of the bottom six and the defense is still suspect.

Wtf is it with these guys?