Afraid wins will stop showing up?
- NickTheKid87

I don't want to unfairly characterize wins here. I just want to take it slow and see if we really have something.

Disagree completely. L. Schenn was fine last night.
- MJL

I'm gonna disagree. For a big, stay-at-home defensive defenseman, his defense was not fine. I don't know how it came across on the TV, but he was pretty bad last night.

These Florida road trips have often been ugly for the Flyers.
I would love to see them win in Tampa but it seems like a brutal match up for them.


I guess when VLC is back he goes between 10 and 17 again and takes a spot on the #1 power play. Is this a given though?
- Marc D

Maybe not immediately (on the PP) but that's one of the best ways to utlilize him. He's a goal-scoring, offensive-minded player who will have to outscore his shortcomings defensively to a degree. Putting him in a position to succeed is paramount to him helping the team win.

Overall, a very nice game. They absolutely dominated LA in the first period, and I thought they carried the play a bit more in the 3rd. The second period was a but of a letdown, but against this LA team, I'll take it. My notes:

The Good:
- Voracek was a flat-out superstar last night. The play that stands out most for me was when he pulled the puck around Doughty and split 3 LA players to get an in-tight shot against Quick. It wasn't a goal, but it showed how dominating he can be even against superstar players.

- Simmonds was probably the Flyers second-best skater. He was all over the place (a bit too much on his first-period penalty). He just narrowly missed a slam-dunk PP goal. Was very active and creating havoc all over the ice.

- Couturier has a monster of a game. Defensively, he was very strong on the puck carrier and broke up some very nice passes. Would have preferred him to shoot on his 2-on-1, but he led the way defensively and had some good offensive pressure.

The Bad:
- Shayne Gostisbehere had a largely forgettable game. Aside from giving me a heart attacks skating the puck directly in front of Emery through 2 Kings (good job, NEVER DO IT AGAIN, he made some very bad reads, didn't win a single board battle, and made some gaffes with the puck. All of these things are correctable, but he showed, to me, why he needs more time in the AHL. In the NHL, even the smallest mistake will be exploited, and he had more than a few of them. I still love the kid and think he can be a difference-maker, but he needs time.

- Matt Read also may want to forget last night. His forced, low-percentage pass to MDZ on the PP was about as bad of a decision as you can make. I'd rather you eat it or throw it down low (although there was no support). He didn't do much with the puck and he wasn't doing much without it. He seems to have lost a bit this season so far.

- Zac Rinaldo. This is a bit unfair, because he actually played a largely solid if unspectacular game. But the play on the Richards goal is about as bad as can be. He was playing with the puck facing the wrong way high in the zone with pressure. Instead of playing it back to a D or shifting to his backhand and chipping it deep, he was knocked down, and coverage was never able to be established. A pretty unforgiveable play.
- jmatchett383

While I agree that Simmonds did a lot of good things in last night's game. He was terrible with the puck, and failed to get the puck deep, and turned it over in bad spots on the ice a number of times.

Overall, a very nice game. They absolutely dominated LA in the first period, and I thought they carried the play a bit more in the 3rd. The second period was a but of a letdown, but against this LA team, I'll take it. My notes:

The Good:
- Voracek was a flat-out superstar last night. The play that stands out most for me was when he pulled the puck around Doughty and split 3 LA players to get an in-tight shot against Quick. It wasn't a goal, but it showed how dominating he can be even against superstar players.

- Simmonds was probably the Flyers second-best skater. He was all over the place (a bit too much on his first-period penalty). He just narrowly missed a slam-dunk PP goal. Was very active and creating havoc all over the ice.

- Couturier has a monster of a game. Defensively, he was very strong on the puck carrier and broke up some very nice passes. Would have preferred him to shoot on his 2-on-1, but he led the way defensively and had some good offensive pressure.

The Bad:
- Shayne Gostisbehere had a largely forgettable game. Aside from giving me a heart attacks skating the puck directly in front of Emery through 2 Kings (good job, NEVER DO IT AGAIN, he made some very bad reads, didn't win a single board battle, and made some gaffes with the puck. All of these things are correctable, but he showed, to me, why he needs more time in the AHL. In the NHL, even the smallest mistake will be exploited, and he had more than a few of them. I still love the kid and think he can be a difference-maker, but he needs time.

- Matt Read also may want to forget last night. His forced, low-percentage pass to MDZ on the PP was about as bad of a decision as you can make. I'd rather you eat it or throw it down low (although there was no support). He didn't do much with the puck and he wasn't doing much without it. He seems to have lost a bit this season so far.

- Zac Rinaldo. This is a bit unfair, because he actually played a largely solid if unspectacular game. But the play on the Richards goal is about as bad as can be. He was playing with the puck facing the wrong way high in the zone with pressure. Instead of playing it back to a D or shifting to his backhand and chipping it deep, he was knocked down, and coverage was never able to be established. A pretty unforgiveable play.
- jmatchett383

Voracek in my opinion was our best skater. Simmonds always deserves credit for his hard work but Voracek is overshadowing his centerman, which is often hard to do.

On the Richards goal, I black Vandevelde. He had a chance to even up the odds but he chose the unsafe route over the safe route, which ended up becoming an odd man rush. Vandevelde didn't even deserve the spot duty he was getting later in the game. Vandevelde made a bad read.

Speaking of Read, I agree on that pass. He tried to go for the same play later in the game.

Either way, solid win. I still believe whether or not we lost last night that Emery should get the mod tomorrow. Not matter the result of tomorrow, get Mason in Saturday.

Bill, " An easily overlooked part of the goal was the hockey sense Claude Giroux showed by not touching the puck as defenseman Nick Schultz sent around the walls." Great observation. I noticed that too. However having you including this little nuisance in the article clearly shows your understanding and appreciation of the little things in hockey. Write On!

Disagree completely. L. Schenn was fine last night.
- MJL

Even in a solid win Luke Schenn still gets discredited. Did Ray Emery not face any quality shots last night, so let's rush Mason back in?

While I agree that Simmonds did a lot of good things in last night's game. He was terrible with the puck, and failed to get the puck deep, and turned it over in bad spots on the ice a number of times.
- MJL

He did have one bad turnover on a potential 3-on-2. I think he made a small pass to MDZ, who gave him a pass that Simmonds picked up coming down the left side. Instead of passing it off (the other winger was a bit too close, in his defense), he tried to skate it through and it ended in a quick transition the other way. But he was driving the net hard and was more than willing to go after the puck anywhere on the ice.

By the way, what happened to Umberger when he went down?

I don't want to unfairly characterize wins here. I just want to take it slow and see if we really have something.
- BulliesPhan87

As long as you never settle for ties. You're too good for that.

Maybe not immediately (on the PP) but that's one of the best ways to utlilize him. He's a goal-scoring, offensive-minded player who will have to outscore his shortcomings defensively to a degree. Putting him in a position to succeed is paramount to him helping the team win.
- jmatchett383

Also when Vinny comes back then the 4th line gets better as PEB slides into that role again. And even if Vinny slides into the top PP you can move Schenn to 2nd PP and take Umberger off then. Would add anoter skill player

Even in a solid win Luke Schenn still gets discredited. Did Ray Emery not face any quality shots last night, so let's rush Mason back in?
- SuperSchennBros

Just because a team wins doesn't mean a player can play bad. Based on what I saw, both he and Ghost had shakey, at best, games.

Who's been clamoring to "rush Mason back" so far today? Defensive much?

Also when Vinny comes back then the 4th line gets better as PEB slides into that role again. And even if Vinny slides into the top PP you can move Schenn to 2nd PP and take Umberger off then. Would add anoter skill player
- J35Bacher

Absolutely. No problem with have more skill at the 4C spot.

I'm gonna disagree. For a big, stay-at-home defensive defenseman, his defense was not fine. I don't know how it came across on the TV, but he was pretty bad last night.
- jmatchett383

I don't think he was great, but he was far from bad. TV has zero to do with it.

Maybe not immediately (on the PP) but that's one of the best ways to utlilize him. He's a goal-scoring, offensive-minded player who will have to outscore his shortcomings defensively to a degree. Putting him in a position to succeed is paramount to him helping the team win.
- jmatchett383

He'll be on one or the other PP units for sure.

I wondering about 5 v 5.

I thought he had something going with Umberger early on.

And I'm not a huge fan of him Schenn and Simmonds.

Easiest thing I suppose is let him take Bellemares spot and put Bellemare with Akeson and Rinaldo.

I don't want to unfairly characterize wins here. I just want to take it slow and see if we really have something.
- BulliesPhan87

Wins have a way of being fairly commitment phobic when pressed on the matter.

You're right in taking it slow.

Maybe see if "taking joy in seeing positive strides in player development" is a short term option?

Sometimes, a goaltender is on his game and Wins blossom out of nowhere.

/my Dear Abby audition

As long as you never settle for ties. You're too good for that.
- NickTheKid87

Agreed. Never let ties be the option, when wins should be the priority.

/my Dear Abby audition
//Part deux

Just because a team wins doesn't mean a player can play bad. Based on what I saw, both he and Ghost had shakey, at best, games.

Who's been clamoring to "rush Mason back" so far today? Defensive much?
- jmatchett383

This response speaks volumes of who is dedensive. My post had nothing to do with you.

If Luke was so bad, further elaborate.

I don't think he was great, but he was far from bad. TV has zero to do with it.
- MJL

He had a lot of times where he lost one-on-one board battles, had a number of plays where the puck seemed to slide off his stick, didn't move the puck especially well, had some pretty horrendous coverage issues, and was able to be knocked off the puck with seeing ease. Not saying every shift was a nightmare, but he had far from even an adequate game in my opinion.

Whatever, not gonna sit here and have circular arguments all day long.

Absolutely. No problem with have more skill at the 4C spot.
- jmatchett383

I have been happy with what PEB brings. Has taken minutes on PK for Giroux. He seems to win board battles and after getting his first goal seems to be going to net and getting shots off. Getting him back with Rinaldo and Akeson/Vandevelde will allow that line to be used a little more and take some minutes off your top guys if possible.

This response speaks volumes of who is dedensive. My post had nothing to do with you.

If Luke was so bad, further elaborate.
- SuperSchennBros

See my post 2 spots above about Schenn. I'm more than happy to give my take.

As for Mason, you just seemed to jump on the Emery-Mason thing without anyone (that I saw) bringing it up. Was just wondering why. I never once thought it had "anything to do with me." How exactly did I imply it was personal in any way?

While I agree that Simmonds did a lot of good things in last night's game. He was terrible with the puck, and failed to get the puck deep, and turned it over in bad spots on the ice a number of times.
- MJL

Agreed. He was too cute with the puck and it cost him multiple times.

See my post above.

As for Mason, you just seemed to jump on the Emery-Mason thing without anyone (that I saw) bringing it up. Was just wondering why.
- jmatchett383

I guess I could counter and ask why it matters to you at all?

Wins have a way of being fairly commitment phobic when pressed on the matter.

You're right in taking it slow.

Maybe see if "taking joy in seeing positive strides in player development" is a short term option?

Sometimes, a goaltender is on his game and Wins blossom out of nowhere.

/my Dear Abby audition
- johndewar

now we just need somebody to do the hockey horoscopes

Agreed. Never let ties be the option, when wins should be the priority.

/my Dear Abby audition
//Part deux
- johndewar

I have a friend who always gets involved with shootout losses. He loves getting his heart ripped out. I told him as much and he said "You just don't get it. They're still 1 point!" Poor guy.

More to it then that. There is the cost involved. Both players would cost more then just B Schenn. And hoe do you know that Laughton would not be much of a drop off from B Schenn? What is that based on?
- MJL

I know the cap numbers would not match, but if Hextall had a deal for one of those guys and wanted to do to it. I am sure he could make other minor moves to make it cap friendly.
I said IMO I think Laughton would not be much of a drop off from B Schenn.
Could Laughton score 15 goals on that second line, and play a solid all round game? I think that is feasible, therefore that is not much of a drop off.