Bill Meltzer: Wrapup: Flyers Fall One Goal Short Again, Lose 3-2 to Boston

These L's suck bad. If it was over during the first or 2nd period it would at least give me a chance to watch something else.

Letting points go at the last minute,

Anyways this is what a team that will be yoyoing around the playoffs does. Im sure they'll surprise us with a 3 game winning streak soon giving people hope once again that they may actually make it.

Wednesday's game will be the one year anniversary of RJ Umberger's last goal.

I think Weal showed enough to stick in the line up, even if Couturier can play. I'd try something like this if Couts can play

93-28-17
21-14-10
12/24-19/12-24/19
76-78-25

If Couturier can't go, I'd put Gagner in on that 2nd line.

Taking a step back to look at it, I wish this team was in a place where debating umberger's effectiveness was one of our few, main concerns. This team needs to get better in more areas than umberger's role to take a step forward

Wednesday's game will be the one year anniversary of RJ Umberger's last goal.

I think Weal showed enough to stick in the line up, even if Couturier can play. I'd try something like this if Couts can play

93-28-17
21-14-10
12/24-19/12-24/19
76-78-25

If Couturier can't go, I'd put Gagner in on that 2nd line.
- Jsaquella

I like those lines, I just doubt 21 gets moved from center. Even though he's struggled in most every facet as a center, they seem committed to him there for his long term development. Though I think playing a less responsible wing role next to Coots, who makes everything easy as pie for his linemates, could help open up Laughton's offensive game that we know he has. He can learn 2-way play from the master.

In that case, just switch him with Raffl or Read. The only question is: does this lineup have enough structure?

Taking a step back to look at it, I wish this team was in a place where debating umberger's effectiveness was one of our few, main concerns. This team needs to get better in more areas than umberger's role to take a step forward
- funmaster18

Very true. But he's a definite symptom. He's giving them replacement level value on the 4th line. Same thing with VandeVelde and White on the 3rd line. I'd add Laughton, but he's a kid, not a vet.

Benching Umberger is a step away from icing a known ineffective piece. Question is, do they have anybody who can step in and really be a marked improvement? I'd rather see a kid like Weal or Cousins. They might not be much better, but Umberger is a known quantity.

I like those lines, I just doubt 21 gets moved from center. Even though he's struggled in most every facet as a center, they seem committed to him there for his long term development. Though I think playing a less responsible wing role next to Coots, who makes everything easy as pie for his linemates, could help open up Laughton's offensive game that we know he has.

In that case, just switch him with Raffl or Read. The only question is: does this lineup have enough structure?
- Mononoke

That's the million dollar question.

Very true. But he's a definite symptom. He's giving them replacement level value on the 4th line. Same thing with VandeVelde and White on the 3rd line. I'd add Laughton, but he's a kid, not a vet.

Benching Umberger is a step away from icing a known ineffective piece. Question is, do they have anybody who can step in and really be a marked improvement? I'd rather see a kid like Weal or Cousins. They might not be much better, but Umberger is a known quantity.
- Jsaquella

The key to solving the bottom six in my mind is to create a better third line, which can knock the PEB line down in ice time. If they are getting third line minutes, I question whether the team can hold together, even with Coots back. Is Umberger to blame for all the world's problems? No. Not most of them. But if they can replace Umberger, get that line to open up offensively, up its ice time, then yeah, scratching him goes a good way.

Tangential, but for a college coach who worked all his life with young kids, having to trust them and grow them, you'd think he'd be less painfully reliant on the reliable but mediocre veteran 4th line and Umberger. He's handled Ghost as well as possible though, so that confuses me even more. He's still a coach who I think can do good things for the little ones in the prospect pool. It's just

Hak....it doesnt matter how they compare because they are still lost games

I can't see them winning in DC. I guess Hexy will have plenty to talk about with other GMs over the All-Star break. I wonder what it would take to get Crouse out of FLD? The Panthers should be thinking about making a push for the Stanley Cup and he is one of their major trade chips.

I can't see them winning in DC. I guess Hexy will have plenty to talk about with other GMs over the All-Star break. I wonder what it would take to get Crouse out of FLD? The Panthers should be thinking about making a push for the Stanley Cup and he is one of their major trade chips.
- coffee junkie

I am sure the Panthers would want #17 and dont see Hexy moving him

Hak....it doesnt matter how they compare because they are still lost games
- vejim

I want a top 10pick, possibly 7 or 8. Then next year is when I would expect a serious playoff push. Some cap space cleaned out , a couple young promising players come into lineup, and who knows maybe Hextall makes a nice addition via trade or UFA

Taking a step back to look at it, I wish this team was in a place where debating umberger's effectiveness was one of our few, main concerns. This team needs to get better in more areas than umberger's role to take a step forward
- funmaster18

I agree that the Flyers are probably at least 6 pieces away from icing a contending team, but Umberger is a known (bad) commodity. At least with Weal/Cousins/Straka (injured), you have an unkown that could be good, or at least better than bad. It may not be a step towards a contender, but it's not a step in the wrong direction either. At worst, it's lateral.

The key to solving the bottom six in my mind is to create a better third line, which can knock the PEB line down in ice time. If they are getting third line minutes, I question whether the team can hold together, even with Coots back. Is Umberger to blame for all the world's problems? No. Not most of them. But if they can replace Umberger, get that line to open up offensively, up its ice time, then yeah, scratching him goes a good way.

Tangential, but for a college coach who worked all his life with young kids, having to trust them and grow them, you'd think he'd be less painfully reliant on the reliable but mediocre veteran 4th line and Umberger. He's handled Ghost as well as possible though, so that confuses me even more. He's still a coach who I think can do good things for the little ones in the prospect pool. It's just
- Mononoke

I wonder if he's deferring to the assistants a bit more than he should, or if Hextall is asking him to keep Umberger in for whatever reason.

But the bottom six is really a symptom of the depth issue-they're not a deep enough team to ice guys who bring nothing to the table and then make the post season.

I agree that the Flyers are probably at least 6 pieces away from icing a contending team, but Umberger is a known (bad) commodity. At least with Weal/Cousins/Straka (injured), you have an unkown that could be good, or at least better than bad. It may not be a step towards a contender, but it's not a step in the wrong direction either. At worst, it's lateral.
- jmatchett383

Does what's best for young players such as Cousins and Straka come into play. Considering game situations, where if the Flyers have the lead in the 3rd period, that line probably wouldn't play much, and the same if they're behind. They'd wind up with 7-8 minutes if ice time per game. Maybe a little more depending on PP time.

Can someone in the media please grill Hakstol on why he keeps using White to kill penalties? He's objectively terrible at it, and the Flyers PK is 26th in the league now. How does Lappy still have a job after two straight years of god-awful penalty killing under his watch?

Nice comeback effort,couldn't catch the first and most the 2nd so didn't see those goals. How'd Weal look? I thought Umberger was heading to IR when Seidenberg drilled him. Wishful thinking I suppose

Can someone in the media please grill Hakstol on why he keeps using White to kill penalties? He's objectively terrible at it, and the Flyers PK is 26th in the league now. How does Lappy still have a job after two straight years of god-awful penalty killing under his watch?
- Feanor

I was positive he was going to get fired with Berube

I agree.

Not just with White but the whole PK. I think both assistants contracts are up after this season. I would has to think about bringing any back the way the special teams seem to have stagnated.

Also I would love for someone in the media to ask why the PK is so passive. They allow so much time. Is this a strategy as to be more shot blockers? Would like to know.

Can someone in the media please grill Hakstol on why he keeps using White to kill penalties?
- Feanor

PP is the perfect time to head shot Malkin/Crosby/OV/et al when they're least expecting it?

Sellers

Can someone in the media please grill Hakstol on why he keeps using White to kill penalties? He's objectively terrible at it, and the Flyers PK is 26th in the league now. How does Lappy still have a job after two straight years of god-awful penalty killing under his watch?
- Feanor

I brought up the inept PK last night. I guess in fairness the failures on the pk are probably as much about personnel, as they are coaching. But Lappy hasn't done a good job at all.

Does what's best for young players such as Cousins and Straka come into play. Considering game situations, where if the Flyers have the lead in the 3rd period, that line probably wouldn't play much, and the same if they're behind. They'd wind up with 7-8 minutes if ice time per game. Maybe a little more depending on PP time.
- MJL

Maybe they could take away some of the ES TOI allotted to superstars Van de Velde and White.

Can someone in the media please grill Hakstol on why he keeps using White to kill penalties? He's objectively terrible at it, and the Flyers PK is 26th in the league now. How does Lappy still have a job after two straight years of god-awful penalty killing under his watch?
- Feanor

They continue to get burned by the same things on the PK. Guys get running around, over pursue and then there's a wide open guy with a slam dunk. Or a guy slides in, stands on the door step and gets left all alone-that's been a regular feature of the PK this year.

Maybe they could take away some of the ES TOI allotted to superstars Van de Velde and White.
- jmatchett383

Those two and Umberger have become my most hated players. I cringe when I see them on the ice.