Maybe he's playing hurt. He had that neck injury in Germany.
- PLindbergh31

This team just looks very slow.

Giroux is supposed to be in the highest tier of player. Regardless of his intent offensively, he's not getting the job done. He's supposed to make players around him better.
- eayost

He has to play better.

I just think its not right to single him out when you see the lineup the Flyers have.

Compare to other top teams in the league. The Flyers record shouldnt be as bad as it is. It's also not by some fluke. They are where they are for a reason. Other teams are better.

Hell even Hartnell. He is a crash and bang guy.

Look at the lineup. From top to bottom, including D.

Who scares you on there if you are another team? A handful of guys.

I give Coots a break because I do see him trying. Schenn on the other hand is driving me insane. Flyers need changes in the summer. Keep some of the youth, but dont build mediocrity.
- flyer_nutter

I'm with you. Something is missing. A few areas are lacking. Special teams, faceoffs, the D core when healthy is adequate, losing Meszaros really hurts.

Maybe the problem is that the roster of players just aren't very good. I'm not willing to say that after 7 games though.

The real shame of it is, the Flyers defensively in 5 on 5 play, are actually pretty good this year. A lot of credit goes to Bryzgalov, who has played so well. But the rest of their game, not so good. Two of the biggest question marks surrounding the team before the Season. Team defense and goaltending. Been replaced by special teams and lack of offense.

Maybe he's playing hurt. He had that neck injury in Germany.
- PLindbergh31

He played alright with broken wrists, but I don't know.

I'll try some sort of defense now. He did play most of last year with two players: Hartnall and Jagr. He clearly had some sort of innate mojo with Jagr; and Hartnall just goes to dirty areas. Now he has neither guy. Maybe him and the guys he's out there with just aren't on the same page at all, and he's thinking zig when the other guy zags. Never in sync.

If the Flyers have a bad weekend, there will probably be some kind of changes.
- PLindbergh31

Yea. Disappointing, but we do have a goalie it seems and that's something I am happy about. If this is what the season brings so be it.

It won't be long Joe, if this keeps up. This fanbase will turn on Giroux and there will be some stupidity written in the media. And it will be deja vue and just like old times.

- MJL

Drafting Jason Bowen-like d-men in the first round?

Hell even Hartnell. He is a crash and bang guy.

Look at the lineup. From top to bottom, including D.

Who scares you on there if you are another team? A handful of guys.

I give Coots a break because I do see him trying. Schenn on the other hand is driving me insane. Flyers need changes in the summer. Keep some of the youth, but dont build mediocrity.
- flyer_nutter

Hartnell scored 37 goals last year and was one of the League leaders in PP goals. What exactly is building mediocrity?

I'm serious.

Someone get on the "calm down" and the amazing save at the end gifs.

Do it upppppp!

Hate to be cliche here but it is still early.

Some things to remember, first and foremost, Bryzgalov picked up where he left off in march before the foot injury.

Briere IMO looked close to getting his game back, thought he was a bright spot despite not scoring.

The injuries to Hartnell and meszaros are hurting, especially meszaros.

Kimo is flat footed which can be understood but he still has a wicked shot.

Not saying this will get turned around but it can especially if guys like Giroux, can get it going. Team has players not playing their best hockey. They need to start.

This team just looks very slow.
- stveshdy

The D is slow in transition.

Forwards dont really have the creativity. There was a play at the end there where Briere was on the rush.

3 forwards in the zone, all on one side of the ice. That kind of play in the past would have a guy rushing to the net on the other side looking for a tap in.

There arent enough guys on the offense to initiate plays. Thats my biggest thing I am seeing. That creativity, and good decision making. Same goes for the D.

This team just looks very slow.
- stveshdy

Some guys do. Others don't. Not a lot of offense is being generated, and as everyone has pointed out the PK, and PP are miserable.

Even though it's frustrating to watch the team as a whole, it's very refreshing to see quality goaltending on a nightly basis.

The real shame of it is, the Flyers defensively in 5 on 5 play, are actually pretty good this year. A lot of credit goes to Bryzgalov, who has played so well. But the rest of their game, not so good. Two of the biggest question marks surrounding the team before the Season. Team defense and goaltending. Been replaced by special teams and lack of offense.
- MJL

Yup. Agree with all of this.

Hartnell scored 37 goals last year and was one of the League leaders in PP goals. What exactly is building mediocrity?
- MJL

Not playing sorry.

You will entrench yourself to no avail.

Blind homerism is a sickness.

The real shame of it is, the Flyers defensively in 5 on 5 play, are actually pretty good this year. A lot of credit goes to Bryzgalov, who has played so well. But the rest of their game, not so good. Two of the biggest question marks surrounding the team before the Season. Team defense and goaltending. Been replaced by special teams and lack of offense.
- MJL

I think special teams and offense can be fixed easier than the latter problems.

any player on this team could probably be scratched for a game or two, and I wouldn't be surprised.

Seeing that clip of Bryz talking after the game, with Tim Dramaccio on the screen, makes me think Tim will be writing another fantastic article soon.

Hartnell scored 37 goals last year and was one of the League leaders in PP goals. What exactly is building mediocrity?
- MJL

lololololololololololol

This team stole a loss tonight.

Not playing sorry.

You will entrench yourself to no avail.

Blind homerism is a sickness.
- flyer_nutter

Why can't you just elaborate a little further? He asked a question because your statement was ambiguous at best. It's just simple conversation etiquette.

He played alright with broken wrists, but I don't know.

I'll try some sort of defense now. He did play most of last year with two players: Hartnall and Jagr. He clearly had some sort of innate mojo with Jagr; and Hartnall just goes to dirty areas. Now he has neither guy. Maybe him and the guys he's out there with just aren't on the same page at all, and he's thinking zig when the other guy zags. Never in sync.
- eayost

Missing Hartnell hurts. Take the leading goal scorer off a team having trouble scoring and it's not good. Giroux just looks out of sorts in all aspects.

I think special teams and offense can be fixed easier than the latter problems.
- JoeRussomanno

Really there is such a lack of confidence with this team with the puck offensively, and it has snowballed throughout the team. Some of the PP rushes up the ice bordered on comical. Errant passes to the one lone forechecker on the PK for the opposition. Hesitancy with players. Voracek gets the puck and has no idea what to do with it right now. Someone needs to step and make some plays. Briere tried to do it, but he just couldn't bury one. And again, the PP cost the team the game.

I'm with you. Something is missing. A few areas are lacking. Special teams, faceoffs, the D core when healthy is adequate, losing Meszaros really hurts.

Maybe the problem is that the roster of players just aren't very good. I'm not willing to say that after 7 games though.
- PLindbergh31

The D is exactly what they should be, adequate defensively. They are all defensive D except Kimmo. (When Mez is out)

You need more from them than that though. How helpful would it be to have a D-man actually create a play instead of just dumping it in, or shooting it down the boards. Find an open lane. Be a threat on the PP.

The roster players are okay. Exactly where they would fall realistically compared to the rest of the league. Too many complimentary pieces.

He has to play better.

I just think its not right to single him out when you see the lineup the Flyers have.

Compare to other top teams in the league. The Flyers record shouldnt be as bad as it is. It's also not by some fluke. They are where they are for a reason. Other teams are better.
- flyer_nutter

I'd be far from singling him out. He's been bad. So has Voracek. Brayden Schenn. Couturier. Timonen. Coburn. The list is long and all encompassing.

Why can't you just elaborate a little further? He asked a question because your statement was ambiguous at best. It's just simple conversation etiquette.
- JoeRussomanno

Simple answer? Some posters I dont waste time with.