It really does suck seeing the team have such a seemingly listless attitude far too often this season, however I do wonder how COVID has impacted the players. I've seen reports that players from other leagues that had it are now using inhalers every day when they never had any breathing trouble in their lives. Hockey players are notorious for playing through all sorts of injuries and ailments; the same would most likely hold true for COVID side effects. Is it an excuse/justification for poor play? Yes, but it may be a legitimate one.

As much as losing Niskanen, Pitlick, Thompson, et.al. was, I'm not sure it is the main culprit behind the major downturn the team has experienced.
- aantny88

The schedule has been brutal on everybody. The amount of games they're putting in week in and week out, all the back to backs... I don't think the league and the players really considered the toll that would take on everybody. Add Covid outbreaks and the residual effects from that... yikes.

The Canucks are more or less boned. 19 games in next 30 days or something. They're gonna ask Quinn Hughes to play w/ an IV sticking out of his arm or something.

What's the over/under for Jeff Carter goals tonight?
- Doc_Sarcasm

Hat trick, 6 points. Zibanejad style

It really does suck seeing the team have such a seemingly listless attitude far too often this season, however I do wonder how COVID has impacted the players. I've seen reports that players from other leagues that had it are now using inhalers every day when they never had any breathing trouble in their lives. Hockey players are notorious for playing through all sorts of injuries and ailments; the same would most likely hold true for COVID side effects. Is it an excuse/justification for poor play? Yes, but it may be a legitimate one.

As much as losing Niskanen, Pitlick, Thompson, et.al. was, I'm not sure it is the main culprit behind the major downturn the team has experienced.
- aantny88

Yes, losing Pitlick and Thompson would be a dagger to any team

Hat trick, 6 points. Zibanejad style
- Tomahawk

and if there is anyone on the Pens roster who hasnt scored in.. i dunno.. 50 games... they're getting one too.

Can you direct me to any such source? Muchas gracias.
- PT21

Jayson Tatum from the Celtics is one example that I know of. Here's an article:

https://nba.nbcsports.com...en-lungs-up-before-games/

Ive been firmly against blaming Giroux or calling for taking away the Captaincy or anything related to that.

That is until I started seeing former players such as Keith Jones and Bundy flat out saying that it is the leadership group that is the only common thread through all these coaches. Basically pointing directly at Voracek and Giroux. And saying pretty vehemently that this is what needs to change.

I would not be surprised to hear rumors that the team asks Giroux for a list of teams he would accept a trade to this off season.

We already know that there is no way Voracek or JVR is protected.

Its time to clean house. This veteran group is dysfunctional. The leadership group is ineffectual. Something needs to be done soon before it permanently takes down the young players on this squad.

Yes, losing Pitlick and Thompson would be a dagger to any team
- jd250

I wasn't upset about Thompson or Grant leaving, but I liked what Pitlick brought to the lineup most nights.

Ive been firmly against blaming Giroux or calling for taking away the Captaincy or anything related to that.

That is until I started seeing former players such as Keith Jones and Bundy flat out saying that it is the leadership group that is the only common thread through all these coaches. Basically pointing directly at Voracek and Giroux. And saying pretty vehemently that this is what needs to change.

I would not be surprised to hear rumors that the team asks Giroux for a list of teams he would accept a trade to this off season.

We already know that there is no way Voracek or JVR is protected.

Its time to clean house. This veteran group is dysfunctional. The leadership group is ineffectual. Something needs to be done soon before it permanently takes down the young players on this squad.
- MBFlyerfan

Dale Weise was on SC and he said the team had an accountability problem while he was here. Also said Hak was way in over his head. Didn't know how to coach adults. He also sang the praises of Jake Voracek as a competitor.

Just some random semi-related insights.

Edit: apparently not happy w/ how Fletch treated him, too.

Not gods but that Russian hockey god I’m guessing.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 4/15/21 @ PIT
- bmeltzer

Wonder what the over/under is for this game. Is it possible that they lose by 5 or more goals again tonight? I mean, they are going to be tired; this is what 7 games in 11 days. I mean, Washington destroyed us with this same situation, so I totally expect the Flyers to get smoked.

The schedule has been brutal on everybody. The amount of games they're putting in week in and week out, all the back to backs... I don't think the league and the players really considered the toll that would take on everybody. Add Covid outbreaks and the residual effects from that... yikes.

The Canucks are more or less boned. 19 games in next 30 days or something. They're gonna ask Quinn Hughes to play w/ an IV sticking out of his arm or something.
- Tomahawk

Totally agree and I think this is exactly what AV and CF were stating when they indicated how they need to be careful when judging this season. We aren't privy to which players have had lasting effects from COVID and how it's affected them physically and mentally.

What's the over/under for Jeff Carter goals tonight?
- Doc_Sarcasm

2.5

Dale Weise was on SC and he said the team had an accountability problem while he was here. Also said Hak was way in over his head. Didn't know how to coach adults. He also sang the praises of Jake Voracek as a competitor.

Just some random semi-related insights.
- Tomahawk

so.. bring back Mike Keenan?

Dale Weise was on SC and he said the team had an accountability problem while he was here. Also said Hak was way in over his head. Didn't know how to coach adults. He also sang the praises of Jake Voracek as a competitor.

Just some random semi-related insights.

Edit: apparently not happy w/ how Fletch treated him, too.
- Tomahawk

And yet they still made the playoffs 2 out of the 3 full seasons he coached, and with lesser talent.....

Dale Wiess, lol

And yet they still made the playoffs 2 out of the 3 full seasons he coached, and with lesser talent.....

Dale Wiess, lol
- Lawless18

So glad Dale took the bull by the horns when he was here despite all that

And yet they still made the playoffs 2 out of the 3 full seasons he coached, and with lesser talent.....

Dale Wiess, lol
- Lawless18

That's pretty debateable. And Hak was here 4-seasons. They missed the PO's the year he was fired too.

So glad Dale took the bull by the horns when he was here despite all that
- Just5

Face it (hahahahah) Dale won at life

Hey Bill,
Pretty on the nose summation of the decline and fall of the Flyers season.
It will be interesting to learn how badly Covid effected some of the Flyers. I know that the Rangers had players who were cleared to play who simply were shells of themselves for a long time...Not that that is an excuse for the teams effort, just a thought.

Do you think it is time to A) shut down Couturier if he is risking a more permanent injury? He is a gamer, we all know, but if the team isn't going anywhere, why risk his future? B) Start revolving more of the younger players into top 6 roles and PP1 roles? I know Farabee and TK and Patrick have been getting time, but...It might work to also wake up some of the vets that their spots are not guaranteed.

Just my thoughts. I think that this was a season that could have gone to either a very good extreme or very bad...and we are going to end up somewhere on the bad side of the middle, which isn't great, but at least we got hockey.

Thanks for your great coverage as always.
- wbon22

Wouldve much rather have had no hockey than this trash.

It really does suck seeing the team have such a seemingly listless attitude far too often this season, however I do wonder how COVID has impacted the players. I've seen reports that players from other leagues that had it are now using inhalers every day when they never had any breathing trouble in their lives. Hockey players are notorious for playing through all sorts of injuries and ailments; the same would most likely hold true for COVID side effects. Is it an excuse/justification for poor play? Yes, but it may be a legitimate one.

As much as losing Niskanen, Pitlick, Thompson, et.al. was, I'm not sure it is the main culprit behind the major downturn the team has experienced.
- aantny88

If their play was about lingering covid effects believe me this club would be talking about it. They love excuses and this one would be legitimate...if true...highly doubtful it has any truth at all given this line of thinking.

Face it (hahahahah) Dale won at life
- EROTIC JESUS

Chicks dig the chin.

Hey Bill,
Pretty on the nose summation of the decline and fall of the Flyers season.
It will be interesting to learn how badly Covid effected some of the Flyers. I know that the Rangers had players who were cleared to play who simply were shells of themselves for a long time...Not that that is an excuse for the teams effort, just a thought.

Do you think it is time to A) shut down Couturier if he is risking a more permanent injury? He is a gamer, we all know, but if the team isn't going anywhere, why risk his future? B) Start revolving more of the younger players into top 6 roles and PP1 roles? I know Farabee and TK and Patrick have been getting time, but...It might work to also wake up some of the vets that their spots are not guaranteed.

Just my thoughts. I think that this was a season that could have gone to either a very good extreme or very bad...and we are going to end up somewhere on the bad side of the middle, which isn't great, but at least we got hockey.

Thanks for your great coverage as always.
- wbon22

Couturier does visually seem to be playing through something, with the suspicion being the hip issue that kept him out a game and required an MRI. He said that he'd taken treatment on it and was feeling better -- cortisone shot, perhaps? -- but he seems to be laboring at times despite maintaining a point-per-game pace offensively.

If this is something that will require an after-season clean out, since it's apparently related to scar tissue from an old injury per what was said after the MRI, then I would be in favor of shutting him down early and getting it taken care of sooner than later to allow for as full of an offseason as possible.

But I don't know if that's the actual case: It's sheer speculation.

Dale Weise was on SC and he said the team had an accountability problem while he was here. Also said Hak was way in over his head. Didn't know how to coach adults. He also sang the praises of Jake Voracek as a competitor.

Just some random semi-related insights.

Edit: apparently not happy w/ how Fletch treated him, too.
- Tomahawk

Weise and Nolan Patrick are close friends, too.

If their play was about lingering covid effects believe me this club would be talking about it. They love excuses and this one would be legitimate...if true...highly doubtful it has any truth at all given this line of thinking.
- eabrenner

Is their play 100% indicative of COVID side effects? I didn't state that and I don't believe it is! Therefore, what line of thinking leads you to believe there isn't any truth to it having any negative impact on the players that were affected by it? We know several players tested positive, games were postponed and that's about it.

Dale Weise was on SC and he said the team had an accountability problem while he was here. Also said Hak was way in over his head. Didn't know how to coach adults. He also sang the praises of Jake Voracek as a competitor.

Just some random semi-related insights.

Edit: apparently not happy w/ how Fletch treated him, too.
- Tomahawk

So who does that point to though, Giroux or just the team in general lacked that type of individual, or even management? I think it’s clear that G and Jake are competitors but maybe the room just seriously lacks that Pronger like presence.

Ive been firmly against blaming Giroux or calling for taking away the Captaincy or anything related to that.

That is until I started seeing former players such as Keith Jones and Bundy flat out saying that it is the leadership group that is the only common thread through all these coaches. Basically pointing directly at Voracek and Giroux. And saying pretty vehemently that this is what needs to change.

I would not be surprised to hear rumors that the team asks Giroux for a list of teams he would accept a trade to this off season.

We already know that there is no way Voracek or JVR is protected.

Its time to clean house. This veteran group is dysfunctional. The leadership group is ineffectual. Something needs to be done soon before it permanently takes down the young players on this squad.
- MBFlyerfan

Yes, this is what I have been saying for quite some time and getting killed on this forum in the process. So its nice to have it validated from smarter people than myself that have actually played the game at this level. Jones spoke very calmly when he stated this, but you could tell underneath he was seething, not just disappointed but angry with how this team is playing. As a pretty much lifelong fan of this team, I too am very angry at the players, not just disappointed. Though I have stated I don't think they are that good, or at least good enough to be a contender, they should be a lot better than this! I hate my home town team the Bruins, but I can tell you this about them, their leadership would never allow what has happened to the Flyers to happen to their team. Much pride on the Bruins, but not nearly enough on the Flyers!