WOW what a save on Gionta by Lindback.
- justahockeyguy2

I hate Gionta. He'll always be a Devil

Nice pace so far in the Bolts/Habs game.

Good thing I didn't say "physically make hits" at the blueline.

Because we all know what out and out hitting machines Kimmo Timonen & Braydon Coburn are. I'm talking about simply stepping up and challenging at the blue line, and fore opposing players to either dump the puck in and chase it or force them to have to get around the defenseman, rather than simply skate into the zone.

Nice attempt to change the wording and to make it sound as if I'm using the stats, because I'm not. It's a comment based on watching the games, and seeing that Timonen and Coburn are far more active at challenging opposing players at the Flyers blueline than MacDonald, Streit, Grossmann or Schenn.

So save your opinion of stats for instances where somebody actually uses them to make a point, mmmKay?
- Jsaquella

I didn't state that you did say physically make hits. That is my statement. I think that MacDonald is a solid top 4 defenseman, that has made this team a better team. In order for a defenseman to step up and challenge at the blueline, regardless of how it is done, there has to be forward support. And it has to be in the right situation. A defenseman is obviously not going to step up and challenge on a 3 on 2. Each player is different, and the situations that they face are different. Shift to shift. And there's a lot of ways to play defense effectively. Some players are aggressive, and step up. Some keep good positioning and keep the opposition to the outside. Both can be effective.

Nice pace so far in the Bolts/Habs game.
- BiggE

Two teams with tremendous speed.

Thats another area I'd like to see the Flyers address. Replacing Grossmann or Schenn with Stralman and Hall with Laughton will help a bit.

out of curiosity, what's the deal with Downie? Still concussed ... or healthy scratch?

I hate Gionta. He'll always be a Devil
- PhillySportsGuy

Damn those Devils.. oldest team in the league... should have just kept him lol

out of curiosity, what's the deal with Downie? Still concussed ... or healthy scratch?
- FlyerGuy

they say he is "injured" but I doubt you see him play for the rest of the year. Just not in the Flyers plans.

out of curiosity, what's the deal with Downie? Still concussed ... or healthy scratch?
- FlyerGuy

Hush hush, but I think its a concussion. I think he's had a lingering concussion for a while. I don't think he plays for the rest of this season. If he does have one, I hope he doesn't play.

I didn't state that you did say physically make hits. That is my statement. I think that MacDonald is a solid top 4 defenseman, that has made this team a better team. In order for a defenseman to step up and challenge at the blueline, regardless of how it is done, there has to be forward support. And it has to be in the right situation. A defenseman is obviously not going to step up and challenge on a 3 on 2. Each player is different, and the situations that they face are different. Shift to shift. And there's a lot of ways to play defense effectively. Some players are aggressive, and step up. Some keep good positioning and keep the opposition to the outside. Both can be effective.
- MJL

Good thing I never said he has to become over aggressive in it, either. Just saying I'd like him to be more assertive in challenging opposing wingers at the line.

Obviously the situation will dictate it, Socrates. Not saying he should blindly challenge all the time. Others seemed to grasp that without turning it into some sort of half-assed Richard swinging contest...In my opinion, at least

I didn't state that you did say physically make hits. That is my statement. I think that MacDonald is a solid top 4 defenseman, that has made this team a better team. In order for a defenseman to step up and challenge at the blueline, regardless of how it is done, there has to be forward support. And it has to be in the right situation. A defenseman is obviously not going to step up and challenge on a 3 on 2. Each player is different, and the situations that they face are different. Shift to shift. And there's a lot of ways to play defense effectively. Some players are aggressive, and step up. Some keep good positioning and keep the opposition to the outside. Both can be effective.
- MJL

agreed, he's made Schenn a better player, he improves our top 4.

Good thing I never said he has to become over aggressive in it, either. Just saying I'd like him to be more assertive in challenging opposing wingers at the line.

Obviously the situation will dictate it, Socrates. Not saying he should blindly challenge all the time. Others seemed to grasp that without turning it into some sort of half-assed Richard swinging contest
- Jsaquella

out of curiosity, what's the deal with Downie? Still concussed ... or healthy scratch?
- FlyerGuy

UBI.

He hasn't been the same since getting clipped in late December. I'd be surprised if it's not a concussion or PCS related.

Thank you

can't understand why people bash him, he's only made our defense better.

No one said he's Weber, but he's very solid, not spectacular, but very steady.
- puckhead17

I agree. Just that some of the advanced stats just as Corsi, and Zone entries don't favor him.

Nice pace so far in the Bolts/Habs game.
- BiggE

Is that game televised?

Is that game televised?
- Giroux_Is_God

Lol yeah CNBC

Ghost is with Manning and saw time on the 2nd unit power play

Hush hush, but I think its a concussion. I think he's had a lingering concussion for a while. I don't think he plays for the rest of this season. If he does have one, I hope he doesn't play.
- PhillySportsGuy

yeah, that's what I thought.

I think he had a couple this year, if I remember. They say each subsequent one is easier to get, so he can definitely use a few months off.

I agree. Just that some of the advanced stats just as Corsi, and Zone entries don't favor him.
- MJL

The reason Corsi doesn't favor him is because of zone entries. The numbers say he's a very competent player in the offensive and defensive zone. He just allows players to enter the zone at a much higher rate than any other Flyers defenseman. If he improved in that area, his numbers would likely see a significant bump.

Hedman makes it look so easy

Two teams with tremendous speed.

Thats another area I'd like to see the Flyers address. Replacing Grossmann or Schenn with Stralman and Hall with Laughton will help a bit.
- PhillySportsGuy

Absolutely

Stralman would be a nice pickup, should cost less than Niskanen. I would try to convince Kimmo to come back, trade Grossmann and go into next year with:

Coburn-Timonen
AMac-Stralman
Streit-Schenn

The 3rd pair is slow and scares me a bit, but you could shield them from top lines.

Absolutely

Stralman would be a nice pickup, should cost less than Niskanen. I would try to convince Kimmo to come back, trade Grossmann and go into next year with:

Coburn-Timonen
AMac-Stralman
Streit-Schenn

The 3rd pair is slow and scares me a bit, but you could shield them from top lines.
- BiggE

what if Timo retires?

Is that game televised?
- Giroux_Is_God

CNBC

Ghost is with Manning and saw time on the 2nd unit power play
- ob18

Good to see he is getting PP time.. think Homer is there taking this in?

yeah, that's what I thought.

I think he had a couple this year, if I remember. They say each subsequent one is easier to get, so he can definitely use a few months off.
- FlyerGuy

Ive had one. I wouldn't wish them on anybody. They are just awful. The only time you feel comfortable is when you're alone in a dark room without noise.

Thankfully, mine lasted only a few days. The doctors wouldn't let me play sports for 2 months. They even recorded themselves while giving me directions. That gave me an idea of how serious this poop is. And this was 10 years ago.

what if Timo retires?
- FlyerGuy

Someone with good puck mobility will have to take his place. Ghost, Hagg or Morin? You know how ancy the Flyers like to get lol