The Flyers will be bad for awhile. Giroux is just playing ridiculously poor and could be the worst contract in the league in a year
- Just5

What you talkin' about Willis? 8.25 million. Hometown discount!

The problem is, far too often a good aggressive forecheck stymies the Flyers. The go from Laviolette's high wire act to Berube's more defense first system and they have the same troubles against teams that ape the Devils, and clog the neutral zone.

Certainly the forwards could be better in puck support, and yes the defensemen ARE capable of making simple outlet passes, but far too often opposing teams can simply press the Flyers defense and keep them from being able to get out of their end with any speed, prevent them from getting through center with speed and then prevent them from entering the zone with speed.

It would greatly help if they had a guy capable of simply being a threat to carry the puck out of the defensive zone and generate speed to counter attack a strong forecheck.
- Jsaquella

I don't think that "one guy" is going to fix all that...I believe it's an issue that is more systematic or team oriented in terms of how they deal with that kind of pressure.

They have their moments, for sure, as all groups do...but I also think they handle things ok most of the time...I think it's more determined by the extent to which the forwards are there to backcheck and support than it is the inadequacies of the D corps...again, they could be better, but they have guys that can play well enough to do their part just fine, so long as the forwards do theirs.
- exlund

I disagree with you. The forwards have been much better at offering support. I don't know what else you want them to do. They play below the circles and constantly keep one man very high in the offensive zone. They're forced to do these things because the defenseman cannot handle too much pressure.

I disagree with you. The forwards have been much better at offering support. I don't know what else you want them to do. They play below the circles and constantly keep one man very high in the offensive zone. They're forced to do these things because the defenseman cannot handle too much pressure.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think it has improved, for sure but I can see times when it slips and the forwards aren't back, leaving too much gap, or in the d zone but not in the right spots or not engaging strong enough on the backcheck. The D can be better at how they handle pressure, but so too can the forwards imo.

Edit:
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think that "one guy" is going to fix all that...I believe it's an issue that is more systematic or team oriented in terms of how they deal with that kind of pressure.
- exlund

No, one guy will not fix it, but it would definitely help, possibly to a great extent.

Execution remains a huge concern, because consistently executing those simple plays doesn't happen.

No, one guy will not fix it, but it would definitely help, possibly to a great extent.

Execution remains a huge concern, because consistently executing those simple plays doesn't happen.
- Jsaquella

Hey, it's not like I'm opposed to brigning in a dynamic puck mover (for the right price)...I just find the fixation on our D corps and what I see as a mischaracterization of their (lack of) abilities is bothersome. Can they be better? Sure, but that's true for all the skaters...execution, yes, at both ends needs to improve.

Hey, it's not like I'm opposed to brigning in a dynamic puck mover (for the right price)...I just find the fixation on our D corps and what I see as a mischaracterization of their (lack of) abilities is bothersome. Can they be better? Sure, but that's true for all the skaters...execution, yes, at both ends needs to improve.
- exlund

I just get tired of seeing the defense get beat off the rush. I think mobility and speed are as big in terms of needs as "puck moving" ability

Hey, it's not like I'm opposed to brigning in a dynamic puck mover (for the right price)...I just find the fixation on our D corps and what I see as a mischaracterization of their (lack of) abilities is bothersome. Can they be better? Sure, but that's true for all the skaters...execution, yes, at both ends needs to improve.
- exlund

I think mobile, puck moving defenseman is far and away the biggest need for this team. They could also use more speed in their top 9.

Our forwards haven't changed much since 2010-11. Our defenseman have gotten older, left or injured. The team didn't have trouble scoring with a different defense.

I think mobile, puck moving defenseman is far and away the biggest need for this team. They could also use more speed in their top 9.

Our forwards haven't changed much since 2010-11. Our defenseman have gotten older, left or injured. The team didn't have trouble scoring with a different defense.
- PhillySportsGuy

Who on the current d corps would you say is slow/immobile and cannot move the puck with effectiveness?

The Flyers will be bad for awhile. Giroux is just playing ridiculously poor and could be the worst contract in the league in a year
- Just5

I know he looks like he's struggling in game, but remember that he still has 11 points in his last 11 games, leads our team in scoring, and is the 6th highest ranked fantasy player over the past couple weeks.

Who on the current d corps would you say is slow/immobile and cannot move the puck with effectiveness?
- exlund

Slow: Grossmann, Schenn

Average or below average speed: Timo, Mez, Streit

Slightly above average speed: Coburn, Gus

Well above average speed: No one

Below average puck skills: Grossmann, Schenn, Coburn, Mez

Average puck skills: Streit, Timo

Who on the current d corps would you say is slow/immobile and cannot move the puck with effectiveness?
- exlund

Grossmann and LSchenn, to start. Timonen is slow. Mezaros and Streit aren't slow, but aren't really fast enough, either. Coburn and Gustafsson are our only real fast Dmen, and we've been scratching Gus.

I know he looks like he's struggling in game, but remember that he still has 11 points in his last 11 games, leads our team in scoring, and is the 6th highest ranked fantasy player over the past couple weeks.
- JAKEw1234

Oh, well, then, there you have it.

Who on the current d corps would you say is slow/immobile and cannot move the puck with effectiveness?
- exlund

The more pointed question would be: who on the current d corps would you say is mobile and can move the puck w/ effectiveness?

*sound of crickets chirping*

I just get tired of seeing the defense get beat off the rush. I think mobility and speed are as big in terms of needs as "puck moving" ability
- Jsaquella

This is so true. Right now we have guys that are average at best at moving the puck, and just plain bad at skating. They are good defenseman, just not the right mix. Thier lack of puck mobillty gets them caught in the zone too much, and thier lack of mobility with being caught for exteended times will eventually lead to a defensman being out of position and a puck going in the net.

We need a better mix of players.

No offense to anyone who defends them...

However the current D core is the highest paid in the league. Has nobody in it that can carry the puck up with any creativity, or speed other than maybe Coburn.

Has nobody who is a consistent threat to score a goal, or let alone consistently get a good shot on net.

There offer zero in terms of creativity and speed to the transition game.

As individuals they aren't terrible, but as a group its a horrific mix.

This is so true. Right now we have guys that are average at best at moving the puck, and just plain bad at skating. They are good defenseman, just not the right mix. Thier lack of puck mobillty gets them caught in the zone too much, and thier lack of mobility with being caught for exteended times will eventually lead to a defensman being out of position and a puck going in the net.

We need a better mix of players.
- youarewrong

I hate when people use this term unless it's average. Do you really think the Flyers D is the 15th best D in hockey at moving the puck? Just say it. They're below average or BAD

This is so true. Right now we have guys that are average at best at moving the puck, and just plain bad at skating. They are good defenseman, just not the right mix. Thier lack of puck mobillty gets them caught in the zone too much, and thier lack of mobility with being caught for exteended times will eventually lead to a defensman being out of position and a puck going in the net.

We need a better mix of players.
- youarewrong

Its not even moving the puck imo. Its being able to skate it out, make some creative plays and handle the puck well.

They have nobody who can do that consistently. Maybe Coburn. People often forget they are the highest paid d-core in the league. For being one dimensional, and not exactly all stars in their own end to begin with.

Oh, well, then, there you have it.


- Scoob

Idk that usually shows that a player is hot.

Who on the current d corps would you say is slow/immobile and cannot move the puck with effectiveness?
- exlund

Grossmann is slow and not a good puck mover. (great shot blocker and great defensively
Meszaros is slow and not a good puck mover. (used to have a great shot and some speed before injury)
Schenn is slow and not a good puck mover. (Great hitter and can be good defensively)

Timonen is slow and is pass is declining.
Streit is slow but his passing is still good.
Coburn is fast for his size, but average when compaired to most players and his passing isnt great.
Gusteffsson is fast, but is prone to rookie turnovers and being out of position.

They are all good-decent defensman, but as a unit they just dont work.

I just get tired of seeing the defense get beat off the rush. I think mobility and speed are as big in terms of needs as "puck moving" ability
- Jsaquella

Yup, it's likely you'll have to pick which one you want, those that have all of those are hard to find & expensive to trade for & keep.

Its not even moving the puck imo. Its being able to skate it out, make some creative plays and handle the puck well.

They have nobody who can do that consistently. Maybe Coburn.
- flyer_nutter

They don't have either. They don't have someone to skate it up ice or someone to make the stretch pass. Pronger couldn't skate it up ice thru people, but he could really make the two line pass.

The Flyers will be bad for awhile. Giroux is just playing ridiculously poor and could be the worst contract in the league in a year
- Just5

Giroux has not been playing ridiculously poor since he got his first goal. But he's not big enough or talented enough to turn straw into gold. Hartnell and Voracek have been far worse than their center this season.

Giroux has not been playing ridiculously poor since he got his first goal. But he's not big enough or talented enough to turn straw into gold. Hartnell and Voracek have been far worse than their center this season.
- Feanor

He's also hit the post something like 10 times this year. You expect those bad breaks to even out eventually.