Mediocre maybe? How many times did they finish dead last last in the last 7 seasons? Typically the teams that suck finish at the bottom of the standings, but what do I know
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I guess it depends on expectations. They haven't been the worst team in the league over the last 7 years, ok... What does that get you?

The Penguins have won 2 Cups and 13 playoff series since the Flyers have won a playoff series.

On top of the rest of the lineup playing well enough to remain intact, I personally don't think Frost has been playing like he's ready for the NHL yet.

Maybe these scratches are just as much a message that he needs to consistently play at a higher level when he's re-inserted.

I guess it depends on expectations. They haven't been the worst team in the league over the last 7 years, ok... What does that get you?

The Penguins have won 2 Cups and 13 playoff series since the Flyers have won a playoff series.
- PLindbergh31

So your expectation was just for them to be the best team in a 30/31 team league? Shocking that they didn't live up to that.

@PLindbergh31

Pittsburgh didnt win cups because they finished last for 5-10 years, they won cups because they lucked out and finishjed last the years two generational talent players were available 1st overall. Not every draft has a Crosby, McDavid or Malkin.

Had we gotten Kane instead of JVR like we were supposed to, you would be looking at a completely different Flyers history.

I hope you win tonight.

Sincerely,

Leafs Nation

I hope you win tonight.

Sincerely,

Leafs Nation
- Atomic Wedgie

Sure We will win in OT. You didnt specify how

@PLindbergh31

Pittsburgh didnt win cups because they finished last for 5-10 years, they won cups because they lucked out and finishjed last the years two generational talent players were available 1st overall. Not every draft has a Crosby, McDavid or Malkin.

Had we gotten Kane instead of JVR like we were supposed to, you would be looking at a completely different Flyers history.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

You can still win without getting the # 1 pick and drafting generational talents. How are the Bruins doing? Was Pastrnak, Marchand, Bergeron lucking into generational talents?

You can still win without getting the # 1 pick and drafting generational talents. How are the Bruins doing? Was Pastrnak, Marchand, Bergeron lucking into generational talents?
- PLindbergh31

You absolutely can, but it certainly helps and increases your chances to win. But teams that win the Cup without these generational talents either have strong impacts from years of high - mid 1st round picks and/or stellar goaltending, like the Kings. Or you can be the Blackhawks and posses all 3.

You can still win without getting the # 1 pick and drafting generational talents. How are the Bruins doing? Was Pastrnak, Marchand, Bergeron lucking into generational talents?
- PLindbergh31

To start the Bruins absolutely fleeced Toronto, getting Rask for Raycroft. Another piece the Flyers never had and perhaps just got with Hart was a true #1 Goaltender.

To start the Bruins absolutely fleeced Toronto, getting Rask for Raycroft. Another piece the Flyers never had and perhaps just got with Hart was a true #1 Goaltender.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

At some point you have to stop making excuses. Why didn't the Flyers fleece Toronto? It's all nonsense.

At some point you have to stop making excuses. Why didn't the Flyers fleece Toronto? It's all nonsense.
- PLindbergh31

I wouldn't go as far as to say they are making excuses, but at the end of the day I'm with you. It's a results based driven league. The results since 2010 have been been pretty pedestrian to say the least.

At some point you have to stop making excuses. Why didn't the Flyers fleece Toronto? It's all nonsense.
- PLindbergh31

Why didnt 29 other teams fleece Toronto. Toronto wanted a goalie. Raycroft played well in Boston and was made available, who did the Flyers have available that a team like Toronto would want? Biron? Esche? Nitty? None of the these guys had as much success as Raycroft did

On top of the rest of the lineup playing well enough to remain intact, I personally don't think Frost has been playing like he's ready for the NHL yet.

Maybe these scratches are just as much a message that he needs to consistently play at a higher level when he's re-inserted.
- GrittySauce

Frost played fine in the Washington and Florida games.

Offensively, he played a part in two goals (although not credited with assists, because there were two touches in between), and easily could have a goal or two (hit crossbar late in Caps game, deflected shot barely wide in FLA game) and a primary assist (Myers breakaway).

Played with good pace in both games. Feet constantly moving. Was not an off-puck liability in either game.

Won 9 of 10 faceoffs in the Washington game.

He did have a bad PP2 play in Washington game, getting himself in trouble up high in the offensive zone (thankfully, Caps PK needed a line change, so they didn't counter after puck was poked past Frost). Had a turnover between the bluelines in his first shift vs. FLA, and lost a puck.

All in all, those were 2 good games. On merit, he deserved to stay in the lineup. But he made the most sense to remove based on reasons I described earlier.

You can still win without getting the # 1 pick and drafting generational talents. How are the Bruins doing? Was Pastrnak, Marchand, Bergeron lucking into generational talents?
- PLindbergh31

There was a lot of luck, yes.

Pastrnak was thought to be a future 25-goal potential player with some defensive issues to sort out. Has rapidly turned out to be 35+ goal guy.

Marchand was anticipated to be a future top-9 speedy agitator. No one saw him as a future 1st line stape.

Bergeron, who was not ranked in many top 100s the first half of his draft year and still was outside of many Top 50s, was coveted by Flyers Quebec-based scout Simon Nolet and would 100 percent have been the Flyers next pick after Carter and Richards had he not been snapped up first by Boston at number 45.

Is Patrick still traveling with the team? Any word on whether we see him soon? I can't wait to watch these games. I'm a recent florida resident, and its been hard not having the Flyers on every night.

Is Patrick still traveling with the team? Any word on whether we see him soon? I can't wait to watch these games. I'm a recent florida resident, and its been hard not having the Flyers on every night.
- youarewrong

Yes. He's been making the trips. No updates at all on him. Even when he's in the locker room, he's off limits to all reporters. He won't talk if approached and management has made clear they won't make him available right now.

AV has said that he approaches it as if Patrick will not be available, and he focuses on those who are available. If and when that changes, AV will adjust accordingly.

It's definitely a hopeful sign that he's on the ice every day now and even stayed on the ice at practice (albeit only an "8th defenseman") last Friday.

I agree. But consider the following:

1) Giroux is back at LW where he, too, is more effective.

2) The Raffl-Bunnaman-NAK line has been really good of late. Hard to justify breaking them up to move Laughton on that line.

3) Farabee, pre-illness, was surging in the LW2 spot.

4) JVR has been productive over the least week at LW3.

5) Hayes, quite honestly, has not been at his best the last two games. Yes, there were some good shifts here and there (including a breakaway opportunity and one dynamite pass that he made) but not to the level of the games leading up to it. He's earned the 2C spot, and really is the only viable option as long as Giroux is playing a wing and on Couturier's line.

6) Laughton is too important to the bottom six to scratch. As long LW 1, 2, 3 are Giroux, Farabee and JVR and the 4th line is playing well, it's either Laughton or Frost at 3C.
- bmeltzer

Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
JvR-Frost-Voracek
Laughton-Hayes-Farabee
NAK-Bunnaman-Pitlick

Yes. He's been making the trips. No updates at all on him. Even when he's in the locker room, he's off limits to all reporters. He won't talk if approached and management has made clear they won't make him available right now.

AV has said that he approaches it as if Patrick will not be available, and he focuses on those who are available. If and when that changes, AV will adjust accordingly.

It's definitely a hopeful sign that he's on the ice every day now and even stayed on the ice at practice (albeit only an "8th defenseman") last Friday.
- bmeltzer

Bill, is the fact that he's traveling also an encouraging sign of progress? I don't want to assume, but was he not traveling previously as the high altitude from flying could trigger migraines?

Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
JvR-Frost-Voracek
Laughton-Hayes-Farabee
NAK-Bunnaman-Pitlick
- SuperSchennBros

They aren't scratching Raffl.

They aren't scratching Raffl.
- bmeltzer

What if he gets itchy

What if he gets itchy
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

We are playing the Panthers tonight. He could get scratched mid-game

At some point you have to stop making excuses. Why didn't the Flyers fleece Toronto? It's all nonsense.
- PLindbergh31

They have. Twice. In 1971 and 1973.

I'd rather see Frost at 3C than Laughton. Leave Laughton on the wing.
- Feanor

Frost OR Raffl >> Laughton at 3C. One of AV's more mystifying coaching decisions. Laughton isn't an NHL 4C.

Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
JvR-Frost-Voracek
Laughton-Hayes-Farabee
NAK-Bunnaman-Pitlick
- SuperSchennBros

Giroux-Couturier-Farabee
JVR-Hayes-Voracek
Raffl-Frost-Pitlick
Laughton-Bunnaman-NAK

They aren't scratching Raffl.
- bmeltzer

I actually just forgot about him

Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
JvR-Frost-Voracek
Laughton-Hayes-Farabee
NAK-Raffl-Pitlick