And you say you've been away from math too long.

But yes...you'd be surprised how long it took some engineers to figure that out.
- jmatchett383

Divide what by (a - b)?

I mean, I guess it doesn't matter, but still
- BulliesPhan87

Divide both sides of the equation, (a - b) * (a + b) = a * (a - b)

Because (a+b)(a-b) isn't equal to a*(a-b)

It's equal to a(squared)-b(squared), due to the rules of polynomials

a*(a-b) is equal to a(squared)-ab, due to the rules of distrbution
- AllInForFlyers

a = b thus they're equal

I now feel like this is the smartest board in the United States.

Divide both sides of the equation, (a - b) * (a + b) = a * (a - b)
- jmatchett383

But there's three sides of the equation (see: note 1.1), that's more than a both can handle

Note 1.1, The original equation: a^2 - b^2 = (a + b) * (a - b) = a * (a-b)

But there's three sides of the equation, that's more than a both can handle
- BulliesPhan87

Okay. I should have clarified, my mistake.

Okay, math brain teaser: I can prove that a number is equal to 2 times itself:


Take : a^2 - b^2, and assume that a = b

a^2 - b^2 = (a + b) * (a - b) = a * (a-b)

Divide by (a - b)

(a + b) = a

Why is this not possible?
- jmatchett383

you divide by 0

I now feel like this is the smartest board in the United States.
- jmatchett383

Just wait until the old heads get here and get all angry

"Why the (frank) are we doing math in a Flyers thread!?"

Okay. I should have clarified, my mistake.
- jmatchett383

apology accepted

You're banking on intangibles and the right things happening at the right time. Building a team that can possess the puck and create chances can make these things happen. That's what a lot traditionalists don't get.
- NickTheKid87

Yes, every team banks on them. That's the difference between winning and losing. When two top teams play, what do you think separates them a lot of times? I think traditionalists know that having the puck more is better. That's a fallacy of the stats heads. They think that possession is something new. It's not. Certainly having the puck more can make things happen. They're smart enough to know what really truly matters in a hockey game. And that you can lose the possession battle and still win the hockey game.
But I do believe for sure that making those clutch plays, and momentum swinging plays, while also controlling possession, gives you a better chance of winning then not controlling possession, and still having those plays in your favor. But controlling possession, and being on the losing end of those clutch plays, isn't very good. It's a quality versus quantity issue. And each game has to be taken on it's own merits.
For instance, in the Montreal game. Even though they got swamped in possession in the 3rd period. If the Flyers had made one clutch play such as scored a goal on one chance, or made one key blocked shot, and not allowed the Markov shot to get through. Or if Emery could've made one more key clutch save, then even though the FLyers lost the possession battle, they could've won the game. Now with that being said, obviously spending the entire 3rd period in your own end, doesn't help matters much. And spending more time in the Montreal end could've made a difference. And that's why possession is important. Because it puts you in better position to make a key play, or not have to make one to win. But in the end, it's what happens on those key plays that matter the most.

Does anyone else get the feeling that Victor Hedman is going to make yet another jump this year to Super Star d-man? He was probably the best d-man for the 2nd half of last season (really pushed himself towards a Norris). I just have a feeling he is the next big time d-man. Gonna really make a big jump. Incredible to think of how good he is and how young he is.

Just wait until the old heads get here and get all angry

"Why the (frank) are we doing math in a Flyers thread!?"
- PhillySportsGuy

Carle sucks at math, trade him!

Does anyone else get the feeling that Victor Hedman is going to make yet another jump this year to Super Star d-man? He was probably the best d-man for the 2nd half of last season (really pushed himself towards a Norris). I just have a feeling he is the next big time d-man. Gonna really make a big jump. Incredible to think of how good he is and how young he is.
- jak521

I think he's already there. Perfect example of being paitient. He's only 23, but yet he is in his 6th NHL season. Lot's of ups and downs there.

Does anyone else get the feeling that Victor Hedman is going to make yet another jump this year to Super Star d-man? He was probably the best d-man for the 2nd half of last season (really pushed himself towards a Norris). I just have a feeling he is the next big time d-man. Gonna really make a big jump. Incredible to think of how good he is and how young he is.
- jak521

There are a few analysts who believe he will be this decade's Pronger.

you divide by 0
- 2Real

But dividing by zero is undefined; there would be no answer

I think he's already there. Perfect example of being paitient. He's only 23, but yet he is in his 6th NHL season. Lot's of ups and downs there.
- MJL

A lot of his concerns were health related though.. He scored at nearly a 40 point pace since his 3rd season. Bringing it all together and staying healthy have taken him to that level.

Ill be surprised if he doesnt win a Norris in the next few season. Unreal combination of size, speed, skill and and smarts.

A lot of his concerns were health related though.. He scored at nearly a 40 point pace since his 3rd season. Bringing it all together and staying healthy have taken him to that level.

Ill be surprised if he doesnt win a Norris in the next few season. Unreal combination of size, speed, skill and and smarts.
- jak521

I have to admit, I was surprised at just how strong that dude was. He is strong like bull

There are a few analysts who believe he will be this decade's Pronger.
- JFlyers00

I dont know who to compare him to, but I do know that he is a freak. I'd take him over Weber. Hell, I think I would take him over any d-man in the game right now. He is just gonna keep getting better. Total package there.

But dividing by zero is undefined; there would be no answer
- AllInForFlyers

Exactly. That's why you can't do it.

By the way, the equation ends up becoming 0 / 0 = 0 / 0

I dont know who to compare him to, but I do know that he is a freak. I'd take him over Weber. Hell, I think I would take him over any d-man in the game right now. He is just gonna keep getting better. Total package there.
- jak521

I still wouldn't take him over Weber. I think I'd put him right behind Weber and Doughty.

I have to admit, I was surprised at just how strong that dude was. He is strong like bull
- AllInForFlyers

Incredible. 6'6 240. Fantastic skater... Hell, I think I love him.

Yes, every team banks on them. That's the difference between winning and losing. When two top teams play, what do you think separates them a lot of times? I think traditionalists know that having the puck more is better. That's a fallacy of the stats heads. They think that possession is something new. It's not. Certainly having the puck more can make things happen. They're smart enough to know what really truly matters in a hockey game. And that you can lose the possession battle and still win the hockey game.
But I do believe for sure that making those clutch plays, and momentum swinging plays, while also controlling possession, gives you a better chance of winning then not controlling possession, and still having those plays in your favor. But controlling possession, and being on the losing end of those clutch plays, isn't very good. It's a quality versus quantity issue. And each game has to be taken on it's own merits.
For instance, in the Montreal game. Even though they got swamped in possession in the 3rd period. If the Flyers had made one clutch play such as scored a goal on one chance, or made one key blocked shot, and not allowed the Markov shot to get through. Or if Emery could've made one more key clutch save, then even though the FLyers lost the possession battle, they could've won the game. Now with that being said, obviously spending the entire 3rd period in your own end, doesn't help matters much. And spending more time in the Montreal end could've made a difference. And that's why possession is important. Because it puts you in better position to make a key play, or not have to make one to win. But in the end, it's what happens on those key plays that matter the most.
- MJL

I agree to an extent. Analytics can't be applied to a single game in any sport, which has to do with sample size. Over the course of an 82 game season, you want to be a good possession team as well as have more scoring chances. More scoring chances = more quality scoring chances. Clutch plays and such can win some games but they can't be the driving factor in determining how good a team is or how to build a team to win games. There's no way of knowing when these things will happen.

you found a way to make it sound extremely uninteresting
- -davies-

A lot of his concerns were health related though.. He scored at nearly a 40 point pace since his 3rd season. Bringing it all together and staying healthy have taken him to that level.

Ill be surprised if he doesnt win a Norris in the next few season. Unreal combination of size, speed, skill and and smarts.
- jak521

He is exactly the player that I'm envious of. They have a 23 year old stud on the backend, that they can build around forever it seems. Pisses me off. But I'm hoping that in time, Morin or Sanheim can be that player for the Flyers.

I still wouldn't take him over Weber. I think I'd put him right behind Weber and Doughty.
- jmatchett383

I take him over Weber and Doughty. He has Weber's size and Doughty's skill. I really believe he is turning into a serious monster. I love watching him play. Still cant fathom that he is 23.