Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Fall Short vs. Tampa, 5-2

That was the final nail.

Flyers didn't necessarily deserve to win but the refs made sure they didn't have a chance to

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Fall Short vs. Tampa, 5-2
- bmeltzer

Everyone but the Pitt lost tonight. We’re still safe. In two days the Sabers have the best team in the Lightning and we have the slumping Habs.

Habs won tonight

It’s a one game loss, nothing more. Now it’s all about winning in Montreal on Thursday.

I know Eklund is best to be ignored. But he says Tampa is the “favorite “ in the Simmonds trade rumors. I don’t see where Tampa needs him at all. The PP in #1 as is. They don’t lak a net front presence. Why Simmonds?

I know Eklund is best to be ignored. But he says Tampa is the “favorite “ in the Simmonds trade rumors. I don’t see where Tampa needs him at all. The PP in #1 as is. They don’t lak a net front presence. Why Simmonds?
- Djapana

to try and drive the price up for simmonds

Everyone but the Pitt lost tonight. We’re still safe. In two days the Sabers have the best team in the Lightning and we have the slumping Habs.
- SuperSchennBros

stop it

Tell me again how McDonald's veteran presence was more valuable than Myers presence last night...

Pissed off minds want to know. Macdonald has barely any trade value. Keep him off of the ice

Tell me again how McDonald's veteran presence was more valuable than Myers presence last night...

Pissed off minds want to know. Macdonald has barely any trade value. Keep him off of the ice
- sILKAsSINASALO

I think it was not that AMac played well. He definitely made mistakes. I think it was more the thought of who should sit for Myers. Looking at how badly Ghost struggled. It isn’t hard to understand wanting him to sit. If I had to count how many good plays Ghost made versus AMac last night, AMac won...Not that it was a bragging amount, it certainly was not.

It's one of those measuring stick games to show you just how far the Flyers have to go to be contenders.

T Bay is good hockey team...probably the most rounded team in the league. The Flyers can play with them for stretches but can't muster a 60 minute effort at this stage. The Flyers aren't good enough. I have liked Fletchers approach so far, he's gotten rid of the obvious guys. Now comes the hard part...evaluation period he talked about is coming to an end for some.

Tell me again how McDonald's veteran presence was more valuable than Myers presence last night...

Pissed off minds want to know. Macdonald has barely any trade value. Keep him off of the ice
- sILKAsSINASALO

Amac is what he is. A serviceable Bottom pairing guy on an average NHL team. Some argue he's better then that....well one guy does. Some argue he's a total liability. I think regardless of anyone's opinion about him, his days in Philly are coming to an end come this summer. Quite simply good NHL teams don't have guys like this and if Fletcher truly wants the Flyers to be a good NHL team next year, Amac will not be on the roster, that much is obvious.

So is Gudas getting suspended?

I think it was not that AMac played well. He definitely made mistakes. I think it was more the thought of who should sit for Myers. Looking at how badly Ghost struggled. It isn’t hard to understand wanting him to sit. If I had to count how many good plays Ghost made versus AMac last night, AMac won...Not that it was a bragging amount, it certainly was not.
- NC Flyers Fan

I'm all for sitting ghost for a game or two. He is slow. He had got to be hurt.
Amac is a flopping terd on the ice. I would have rather seen Myers in first either one of them
Playoff hopes are dead.....let the kids play.
Did anyone expect provorov to dominate the way he did during his first season? Why can't Myers have the same success?
Amac doesnt offer enough to change the outcome of a game, imo. I can't wait until he is gone or accepts his role as a 7th dman

Amac is what he is. A serviceable Bottom pairing guy on an average NHL team. Some argue he's better then that....well one guy does. Some argue he's a total liability. I think regardless of anyone's opinion about him, his days in Philly are coming to an end come this summer. Quite simply good NHL teams don't have guys like this and if Fletcher truly wants the Flyers to be a good NHL team next year, Amac will not be on the roster, that much is obvious.
- landros 2

For me, we either upgrade for next season or make AMac the 7th d-man.

For me, we either upgrade for next season or make AMac the 7th d-man.
- NC Flyers Fan

Better to just deal AMac this offseason which I think can be done with a retention of 30-40%. Hopefully Morin can stay healthy and then Hagg can be your 7th D.

For me, we either upgrade for next season or make AMac the 7th d-man.
- NC Flyers Fan

The best thing for the Flyers right now is to honestly realize they aren't going to make the playoffs. They need to try and trade whoever they feel is not part of the team moving forward. They need to use the rest of the season to build on developing the young players moving forward. I've changed my mind on what needs to be done with Gostisbehere. My original thoughts were to let him play through it but there aren't many signs of that. He was a deer in headlights in the defensive zone last night. Routinely hanging MacDonald out to dry. He refused to engage in puck battles and was a spectator far too often but hey, let's blame MacDonald. Sit Gostisbehere for a few and play Myers with MacDonald.

The best thing for the Flyers right now is to honestly realize they aren't going to make the playoffs. They need to try and trade whoever they feel is not part of the team moving forward. They need to use the rest of the season to build on developing the young players moving forward. I've changed my mind on what needs to be done with Gostisbehere. My original thoughts were to let him play through it but there aren't many signs of that. He was a deer in headlights in the defensive zone last night. Routinely hanging MacDonal out to dry. He refused to engage in puck battles and was a spectator far too often but hey, let's blame MacDonald. Sit Gostisbehere for a few and play Myers with MacDonald.
- MJL

I agree with the 2 bolded portions. We can still make the playoffs which would in fact be great for the development of our young players moving forward.

Better to just deal AMac this offseason which I think can be done with a retention of 30-40%. Hopefully Morin can stay healthy and then Hagg can be your 7th D.
- BiggE

I am hoping to see Morin play on Friday.

I agree with the 2 bolded portions. We can still make the playoffs which would in fact be great for the development of our young players moving forward.
- NC Flyers Fan

Theoretically they can. Realistically they aren't.

The best thing for the Flyers right now is to honestly realize they aren't going to make the playoffs. They need to try and trade whoever they feel is not part of the team moving forward. They need to use the rest of the season to build on developing the young players moving forward. I've changed my mind on what needs to be done with Gostisbehere. My original thoughts were to let him play through it but there aren't many signs of that. He was a deer in headlights in the defensive zone last night. Routinely hanging MacDonald out to dry. He refused to engage in puck battles and was a spectator far too often but hey, let's blame MacDonald. Sit Gostisbehere for a few and play Myers with MacDonald.
- MJL

First bold: I agree. I'm concerned because last week Fletcher said that the recent winning streak has changed his mind about how he's approaching the trade deadline.

Second bold: Yes! I also think we're eventually going to find out that Ghost has an injury that is compounding his mental issues.

Ghost needs to be sent home for a week or two, he needs some time off. I'm at the point that i'd rather play Meyers and whoever the Dman was we traded for Weise than look at Andy Mac and Ghost out there. Ghost with a wrap up the wall leading to Andy Mac spinning on his knees while a guy buries the puck, please make it stop.

Theoretically they can. Realistically they aren't.
- MJL

The team wants to win. I also want to win. They can do it. I can and will continue to believe. One loss doesn’t change the goal or the focus. One game...Thursday in Montreal. Win it.