They also need an infusion of grit. I noticed once again Giroux and Voracek seem to be avoiding the slot like the plague.
- MBFlyerfan

talked about chimera before...not a cure all, but a step in the right direction for 3rd line. discussion of G and Jake avoiding slot is dead on...WTF is going on w/ them?

I hate this league right now for that reason -- teams just won't deal. They'd rather just go down in flames for 82 freaking games than just take any risk.
- AllInForFlyers

Well if Holmgren is willing to overpay significantly (which terrifies me that he will) I'm sure they would deal.

Speaking of scoring into your own net....

Hi Matt Carle!

http://deadspin.com/light...ating-own-goal-1452021588
- johndewar

Nice!

I actually don't understand what happened there. and he is still not signed. I don't get that. I mean, no NHL team can use a solid 3rd line veteran who can kill penalties?
- nastyflyergirl

I agree. It's as if he has some stink on him or something.

I'm with Bill on that one, I thought Jake telegraphed pass the whole way. Makes is much easier for the goalie to cheat towards the pass.
- nastyflyergirl

Especially when the goalie is playing his first NHL game and so for some unknown reason, the Flyers weren't throwing everything at him from every angle with traffic in front. They approached this game as if they were facing Lundqvist instead of a call up from the Hartford Wolfpack.

When you execute a three on one by not getting off a shot, there are still some serious upper body issues these players still need to work out.

I actually don't understand what happened there. and he is still not signed. I don't get that. I mean, no NHL team can use a solid 3rd line veteran who can kill penalties?
- nastyflyergirl

Like Bryz, he probably just waiting for the right fit. I'm sure he doesn't want a repeat of his 4th-line/pressbox role in LA. I really hope he does get another shot, because it would be so sad to see him sit out the year and then unceremoniously retire in the summer at a relatively young age.

I thought BSchenn shot it right into Talbot.
- johndewar

Yes, the shot was into Talbot but he was square to Schenn in my opinion. You can't telegraph pass like that. it makes the save that much easier.

A win's a win.

It was great to see Read get on the board. He's been working his tail off all season long, and finally got rewarded.

Still have concerns. They keep trying to be too fancy. Keep things simple and drive the net, make the easy pass, don't force things and when it doubt blast it at the net.

Mason with another solid game. Really like how he is not letting a fluky goal turn into two or three goals.
- Jsaquella

I love your Brad Wesley avatar.

Especially when the goalie is playing his first NHL game and so for some unknown reason, the Flyers weren't throwing everything at him from every angle with traffic in front. They approached this game as if they were facing Lundqvist instead of a call up from the Hartford Wolfpack.

When you execute a three on one by not getting off a shot, there are still some serious upper body issues these players still need to work out.
- 77rams

He looked so shaky to me. I wanted to see them throw everything at the net and get traffin in front/crash the net. Hockey 101.

Flyers main focus -- to improve the team -- is to continually search for a top pairing defenseman.

I think the offense will come around on its own. Sure, I'd love to add a sniper. But they have talent up front. They just need to work harder to get into better scoring areas. I think Brayden Schenn is about to explode offensively. Been putting himself in good position to score on several occasions and just snake-bitten right now.
- bradleyc4

I agree about Schenn.. He has been our best forward (like you said.. offensively) so far this season. Kid has been hunting the puck very well.. he is bound to catch some breaks soon.

I hate this league right now for that reason -- teams just won't deal. They'd rather just go down in flames for 82 freaking games than just take any risk.
- AllInForFlyers

Margins are just too thin for 2/3 of the league... just the mere hint of tanking before the deadline could send some of these franchises into insolvency.

The standings are another problem... the Flyers (and Rangers, and Sabres) are still a winning streak or two away from being back in it.... which is absurd considering how bad they've looked.

Why won't he SHOOT THE PUCK!!!!???? He is making me crazy.
- bodiva88

Oh, so you've joined the "SHOOT!" crowd at the WFC...

Oh, so you've joined the "SHOOT!" crowd at the WFC...






- isaiah520

I hate those guys, but last night, I wanted them to just throw everything on the net early, get some guys absolutely sprinting to the front. Instead, they were throwing weak wristers to the net from the outside with no net-front presence. Also, on that 3-on-1, either Giroux has to shoot it initially or Timonen needs to shoot from the slot (better option). That was possibly the most horribly-executed NHL 3-on-1 I've ever seen.

I actually don't understand what happened there. and he is still not signed. I don't get that. I mean, no NHL team can use a solid 3rd line veteran who can kill penalties?
- nastyflyergirl

i think they wanted more grit and they were concerned that gags was glass...

I'm with Bill on that one, I thought Jake telegraphed pass the whole way. Makes is much easier for the goalie to cheat towards the pass.
- nastyflyergirl

It does a bit but a good play was still made if a Schenn can get the puck elevated its in. I don't have an issue with that play. It was the 3 on 1 that almost made me lose my mind.

i noticed this as well, especially last night. there was one sequence in the 3rd where they could have been scored on 2 or 3 times from that spot. it just didn't go in.
- hammarby31

I noticed this as well. There was a sequence where a Ranger was wide open in the slot. His shot was blocked/missed and went behind the net. 10 seconds later, he was WIDE OPEN IN THE SLOT AGAIN. Mason made the save and held on, which is awesome and all, but these are just basic defensive coverages. You can't have 3 guys down low at the goal line in your zone.

Of course, we all know that IF Giroux was constantly sprinting towards the goal line, Kesler wouldn't have scored on a fluke empty netter in the Vancouver game. So I guess it's the center's duty to play directly in front of his goalie.

It does a bit but a good play was still made if a Schenn can get the puck elevated its in. I don't have an issue with that play. It was the 3 on 1 that almost made me lose my mind.
- Hextall271

worse team in the league executing odd man breaks

worse team in the league executing odd man breaks
- nastyflyergirl

That's definitely true. I was half expecting Read to throw on the breaks and force a pass to Couturier.

Flyers main focus -- to improve the team -- is to continually search for a top pairing defenseman.

I think the offense will come around on its own. Sure, I'd love to add a sniper. But they have talent up front. They just need to work harder to get into better scoring areas. I think Brayden Schenn is about to explode offensively. Been putting himself in good position to score on several occasions and just snake-bitten right now.
- bradleyc4

they're at such a premium, they'd have to trade G for one and w/ the way he's playing...but in the real world, Buf is the only guy who i think might be on their radar and that's a huge risk in so many ways w/ his issues and the prospect of watching the compensation, like schenn, developing in WPG...

He looked so shaky to me. I wanted to see them throw everything at the net and get traffin in front/crash the net. Hockey 101.
- nastyflyergirl

If they get traffic in front of the net, the d core aka the gang that can't shoot straight will start breaking feet again.

So happy I got to watch a win tonight, but IMO it was not enough. This team is woeful on offense. How many games is it going to take for people to realize this isn't just about a couple players slumping offensively? 9 games in and not even 1 game can they score more then 2 goals. A game that the other team is playing a rookie goalie in his first game and missing 3 very important forwards....

There needs to be a move made for a top line scorer. Whether its Vanek, or Yakupov. We need someone that can put the puck in the net. I know Yakupov is struggling also this year, but there is no doubt he will be a top notch scorer.

I'm not so worried about the defense. It is what it is this year. In the near future we can hopefully count on at least 3 of the following to become NHL players: Morin, Hagg, Alt, Konan, Gostisbere, & Laurdisen.

I'm very disapointed in Voracek's play, however I am disgusted with Simmonds. Everytime he touches the puck, it ends up on the other teams stick. He is rarely in position defensively. He is a liability offensively beacuse any cycle game will end with him. When it comes to who to trade to get a top line scorer or a Number 1 D-man, It would be Simmonds over Voracek in my book.

Why won't he SHOOT THE PUCK!!!!???? He is making me crazy.
- bodiva88

Claude is having a lot to deal with....a finger and 8 mill a year

I agree about Schenn.. He has been our best forward (like you said.. offensively) so far this season. Kid has been hunting the puck very well.. he is bound to catch some breaks soon.
- jak521

that puts him behind the org slogan by a few seasons, though....

So happy I got to watch a win tonight, but IMO it was not enough. This team is woeful on offense. How many games is it going to take for people to realize this isn't just about a couple players slumping offensively? 9 games in and not even 1 game can they score more then 2 goals. A game that the other team is playing a rookie goalie in his first game and missing 3 very important forwards....

There needs to be a move made for a top line scorer. Whether its Vanek, or Yakupov. We need someone that can put the puck in the net. I know Yakupov is struggling also this year, but there is no doubt he will be a top notch scorer.

I'm not so worried about the defense. It is what it is this year. In the near future we can hopefully count on at least 3 of the following to become NHL players: Morin, Hagg, Alt, Konan, Gostisbere, & Laurdisen.

I'm very disapointed in Voracek's play, however I am disgusted with Simmonds. Everytime he touches the puck, it ends up on the other teams stick. He is rarely in position defensively. He is a liability offensively beacuse any cycle game will end with him. When it comes to who to trade to get a top line scorer or a Number 1 D-man, It would be Simmonds over Voracek in my book.
- youarewrong

Who else are you planning to trade with Simmonds for a number 1 dman?

So happy I got to watch a win tonight, but IMO it was not enough. This team is woeful on offense. How many games is it going to take for people to realize this isn't just about a couple players slumping offensively? 9 games in and not even 1 game can they score more then 2 goals. A game that the other team is playing a rookie goalie in his first game and missing 3 very important forwards....

There needs to be a move made for a top line scorer. Whether its Vanek, or Yakupov. We need someone that can put the puck in the net. I know Yakupov is struggling also this year, but there is no doubt he will be a top notch scorer.

I'm not so worried about the defense. It is what it is this year. In the near future we can hopefully count on at least 3 of the following to become NHL players: Morin, Hagg, Alt, Konan, Gostisbere, & Laurdisen.

I'm very disapointed in Voracek's play, however I am disgusted with Simmonds. Everytime he touches the puck, it ends up on the other teams stick. He is rarely in position defensively. He is a liability offensively beacuse any cycle game will end with him. When it comes to who to trade to get a top line scorer or a Number 1 D-man, It would be Simmonds over Voracek in my book.
- youarewrong

I'm still not on the "trade for a top scorer" wagon, but if one's available, I'm not opposed to moving Simmonds. Coming back and winning that fight was the best thing he's done all year. He just looks awful. Of all of the disappointments this year, he's my #1.