The Flyers have about 20 games in the next week, so they have to play their AHL depth guys over the course of the next few days just to ensure our regular guys don't die in the preseason.
- johndewar

I hear you -- the Flyers are doing it the right way. Tougher to evaluate those fourth-line spots, but really, 10 of the forwards and the entire defense is set, especially if Grossmann is healthy.

Really, the MacDonald situation is not complicated. He's not strong enough or savvy enough to deal with other teams best forwards, and he's not going to generate a lot of shots on his own. So if you want to improve his Corsi stats you put him on a pairing that doesn't have to play against other teams best players, and where the other defensman is a strong offensive presence at ES and takes lots of shots.

no problem sweetcheeks
- rinaldo

when gus signs with another team next year all the flyers really missed the boat on him, never gave him a chance, and all the other stuff that follows talk will be good reading. then i will be happy.

let me guess. your a brandon manning fan as well?
- rinaldo

The only way that can happen is if the Flyers decline to qualify him again, or if they do, and Gustafsson is offered an Offer sheet and signs it. What are the odds of that happening?

The Flyers control the player.

Looking a bit like Sportsnet.ca now... but a bit less pretty and functional.

I'm glad they finally did something though... that old layout was impossible to use on mobile.


edit: Jake at #1! http://www.tsn.ca/yost-po...bags-of-analytics-1.90956
- Tomahawk

...almost made it through the day...

- Giroux_Is_God

Let him keep going -- clearly he feels he's got something to get off his chest over the internet

#3 was interesting
- Giroux_Is_God

Yeah. He really didn't have a great season last year. He's a clutch performer though. Seems to always come up with the all important momentum save.

Really, the MacDonald situation is not complicated. He's not strong enough or savvy enough to deal with other teams best forwards, and he's not going to generate a lot of shots on his own. So if you want to improve his Corsi stats you put him on a pairing that doesn't have to play against other teams best players, and where the other defensman is a strong offensive presence at ES and takes lots of shots.


- Feanor

Yes and no. I agree that he's not a player that you want ideally playing against top lines game in and game out. When a team plays a #3 defenseman like a #1, and that player plays on a poor possession team, well the numbers aren't going to be pretty. It's more about the situation, and how the player was used, then the player itself.

If MDZ could carry his swagger from preseason forward, they could conceivable end up with:

15-5
8-32
47-22
- Tomahawk

That might be good for the team, but if MacDonald's most common teammates are LSchenn and Vinny again then his Corsi stats are not going to be close to 50%, no matter how well he plays.

The general analytics people will still use that as evidence that he sucks because it's too juicy a narrative to let go of, but I hope Flyers fans will be able to take a more nuanced view.

Let him keep going -- clearly he feels he's got something to get off his chest over the internet
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah. He really didn't have a great season last year. He's a clutch performer though. Seems to always come up with the all important momentum save.
- PhillySportsGuy

Jesus. Ain't that the truth.

Was he a little bit banged up last season? I seem to remember him missing time. Groin maybe?

- Tomahawk

I enjoy your continuation of the theme.

- Tomahawk

lmao

- Tomahawk

Little does anyone realize that since I have a toned arse, I like being called Sweetcheeks...what?

Little does anyone realize that since I have a toned arse, I like being called Sweetcheeks...what?

- AllInForFlyers

The only thing I can think of when I see that is Sweetfeet....

Jesus. Ain't that the truth.

Was he a little bit banged up last season? I seem to remember him missing time. Groin maybe?
- Giroux_Is_God

I think he was banged up. He's still a young guy, but I worry about his ability to play well as he gets older. He relies very heavily on his athleticism. He overplays shooters a lot and uses his elite athleticism to get back into position.

That might be good for the team, but if MacDonald's most common teammates are LSchenn and Vinny again then his Corsi stats are not going to be close to 50%, no matter how well he plays.

The general analytics people will still use that as evidence that he sucks because it's too juicy a narrative to let go of, but I hope Flyers fans will be able to take a more nuanced view.
- Feanor

If you're talking about maxing stats, play him w G's line and put a shock collar around his neck and have Chief zap him if his gaps ever get wider than 3ft.

I think he was banged up. He's still a young guy, but I worry about his ability to play well as he gets older. He relies very heavily on his athleticism. He overplays shooters a lot and uses his elite athleticism to get back into position.
- PhillySportsGuy

He certainly does. I can see him breaking down, or at the very least, changing his approach to the position within the next handful of years.

If he takes the second route...it'll be interesting to see if it does more harm than good.

All of the Flyers suck because numbers and arbitrarily weighted equations.

Edit: (frank) Travis Yost

The only thing I can think of when I see that is Sweetfeet....


- Giroux_Is_God

HA! I had forgotten all about that!

All of the Flyers suck because numbers and equations.
- jmatchett383

No, silly, ONE of them is good!

Little does anyone realize that since I have a toned arse, I like being called Sweetcheeks...what?

- AllInForFlyers

You know henceforth that will stick as your nickname on here, right?

No, silly, ONE of them is good!
- Giroux_Is_God

Oh, right. How could I ever forget Jay Rosehill?

First home game vs. Columbus
- jmatchett383

Interesting. I'm four hours from Columbus and I made the trip just before Christmas last season. Small but cute fan base. You don't even have to reserve a ticket, there was a line up outside. I saw Hartnell walk into nation wide arena with Tim Hortans. He looked pissed, so I didn't approach him. 30 seconds later I saw Lappy, who is a Prince! Anyway in February, there is a game on a Friday in Columbus, so I assume I'll be there. Also I've never missed a Flyers game in Detroit since 2006.

You know henceforth that will stick as your nickname on here, right?
- Tomahawk

Ha! I'm not that sensitive -- after seeing how quickly "Bunny" and "Wheels" got started, I knew the risks