I was impressed with his puck handling too. Usually Russian goalies really struggled in that department for the first few years. He seems adequate.

How do you see the goalie situation working out between Bishop and Vasilevskiy?
- PhillySportsGuy

Once Bishop returns, Vasilevskiy he will go back to the AHL for most of this season (could return during the playoffs or if there's another injury ). However, I do see him as bishops back up for the coming season 15-16 and 16-17 because after that Bishop is the UFA.

The versatile RJ Umberger played more minutes than either Simmonds or Brayden Schenn last night (including somehow on the powerplay again) and rewarded his coach's and GM's confidence with another impressive zero shot, -1 performance. I can see why Chief likes his lines so much that Vinny can't get another shot in the lineup. RJ not at the optional skate today after that grueling performance, well earned rest.

Yeah that too. IMO, Hextall doesn't make that deal or sign him to a contract like that. Not to bash Homer either, AMac just happened before what seems to be a long term plan was put into place (by Hextall with blessings from above ie Snider).
- NickTheKid87

Hextall was assistant GM when the deal was made, so I would think he had some input.

I don't hate you now!
- BiggE

I don't think MacDonald is bad. I think he is average to maybe above average at times. For what he is being paid though, right or wrong, he is just not good enough. I would have much rather let maybe Alt, or Morin or some low risk high reward type like Del Zotto fill that need on the third pair. I think the Flyers needed to do a better job of reading the market. I think lots of people knew del zotto was going to be available.
- J35Bacher

If the Flyers had a deeper blueline and a #1 dman, I think AMac would be a great fit but he's relied upon too much, like all of our dmen, and gets exposed. I would not want him with that contract though.

What do you mean "declining production?" He sits out as a healthy scratch better than any player I've ever seen.
- jmatchett383

He is quite accomplished that it isn't he?

Anybody watch Epix last night?

Lol I would love Carle back. I wish they would have kept him honestly but oh well. He's wouldn't really have been part of the future either.
- NickTheKid87

What I want to know is what happened to Carle's offensive game? It's not as if he plays on an offensively challenged team. It seems as though his playmaking ability has vanished.

Thanks for dropping by, if last night wasn't entertaining enough, drop by capgeek and take a look at the flyers financials. We'll be here for you guys the next 3 years.
- Just5

I'm sure you can find a team on the cusp of the playoffs that is in the lower end cap Hell but needs to keep up the numbers or you can trade some of those players too.

Lol…Just to add to the MacDonald debate. Since arriving, he's scored 7 ES points in 38 games. That equates to about 15 ES points per 82 games. To put that in perspective, Grossmann has the exact same average over the last 2 seasons (108 games).

MacDonald only has 3 PP points in 38 games despite seeing regular time on the second unit.

Those really aren't numbers of a puck moving Dman. His numbers were inflated in NY because he played 25+ minutes each night and was on the top PP unit.

His offensive play is all about relativity. When you compare him to the Flyers defenseman, he's a solid offensive player. When you look at him compared to the 179 other starting defenseman in the NHL, he's probably average. That might be generous too.
- PhillySportsGuy

There's a difference between a puck moving defenseman, and an offensive defenseman. Doesn't always translate to points. However, I think there is more to his game then he has shown. He needs to be more aggressive overall, and offensively that means using his skating to jump up on the play more. I think his cautiousness is partially a product of his past with the Islanders.

The versatile RJ Umberger played more minutes than either Simmonds or Brayden Schenn last night (including somehow on the powerplay again) and rewarded his coach's and GM's confidence with another impressive zero shot, -1 performance. I can see why Chief likes his lines so much that Vinny can't get another shot in the lineup. RJ not at the optional skate today after that grueling performance, well earned rest.
- MFC

It really is a great mystery. The Zombie is cooked and continues to prove it every night. However our beloved coach rolls him out there every franking night. I didn't realize he had more ice than those two. We needed a goal and yet RJ gets more ice?
I am convinced he has blackmailed Chief and Hextall. There is no other explanation

What I want to know is what happened to Carle's offensive game? It's not as if he plays on an offensively challenged team. It seems as though his playmaking ability has vanished.
- MJL

He's put up around his career average in points per game while in TB except this year where is drastically lower. He'll probably regress to the mean but he's gotten off to a very slow start offensively.

Once Bishop returns, Vasilevskiy he will go back to the AHL for most of this season (could return during the playoffs or if there's another injury ). However, I do see him as bishops back up for the coming season 15-16 and 16-17 because after that Bishop is the UFA.
- Artyukhin76

That seems to work out perfectly. If he plays well enough, you could even think about trading Bishop after next season.

It's crazy that you guys got him for Conacher

There's a difference between a puck moving defenseman, and an offensive defenseman.
- MJL

ORLY?

The versatile RJ Umberger played more minutes than either Simmonds or Brayden Schenn last night (including somehow on the powerplay again) and rewarded his coach's and GM's confidence with another impressive zero shot, -1 performance. I can see why Chief likes his lines so much that Vinny can't get another shot in the lineup. RJ not at the optional skate today after that grueling performance, well earned rest.
- MFC

If we look at ES icetime, he played less then Schenn or Simmonds. And he also played less minutes on the PP. So where is the difference? It's that neither Simmonds or Schenn play on the PK. So that's where the 5 second overall difference with Simmonds, and the 34 second difference for Schenn is.

ORLY?
- Tomahawk

What I want to know is what happened to Carle's offensive game? It's not as if he plays on an offensively challenged team. It seems as though his playmaking ability has vanished.
- MJL

Hedman, Stralman and Garrison are eating up offensive so Carle has been relegated to a more defensive roll.

If the Flyers had a deeper blueline and a #1 dman, I think AMac would be a great fit but he's relied upon too much, like all of our dmen, and gets exposed. I would not want him with that contract though.
- NickTheKid87

Having a top defensive pair would change everything obviously.

Lol…Just to add to the MacDonald debate. Since arriving, he's scored 7 ES points in 38 games. That equates to about 15 ES points per 82 games. To put that in perspective, Grossmann has the exact same average over the last 2 seasons (108 games).

MacDonald only has 3 PP points in 38 games despite seeing regular time on the second unit.

Those really aren't numbers of a puck moving Dman. His numbers were inflated in NY because he played 25+ minutes each night and was on the top PP unit.

His offensive play is all about relativity. When you compare him to the Flyers defenseman, he's a solid offensive player. When you look at him compared to the 179 other starting defenseman in the NHL, he's probably average. That might be generous too.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm not one to defend MacDonald, but since his departure from the Island, the Fishsticks have really gone in the tank.

Having a top defensive pair would change everything obviously.
- MJL

I still wouldn't want AMac for 6 years/$30 million tho

If we look at ES icetime, he played less then Schenn or Simmonds. And he also played less minutes on the PP. So where is the difference? It's that neither Simmonds or Schenn play on the PK. So that's where the 5 second overall difference with Simmonds, and the 34 second difference for Schenn is.
- MJL

Bottom line RJ should NOT be on power play. I also preferred the Raffl/ Laughton combo killing penalties. RJ is an over paid 4th line player at best.

It really is a great mystery. The Zombie is cooked and continues to prove it every night. However our beloved coach rolls him out there every franking night. I didn't realize he had more ice than those two. We needed a goal and yet RJ gets more ice?
I am convinced he has blackmailed Chief and Hextall. There is no other explanation
- 3flyerkids[/quote

Its amazing, he plays in all situations: 5 v5, man up, man down, shut down, and scoring roles

he is cooked but very versatile for a piece of toast

That seems to work out perfectly. If he plays well enough, you could even think about trading Bishop after next season.

It's crazy that you guys got him for Conacher
- PhillySportsGuy

This article was written by the Winnipeg Jets blogger when the trade went down:
http://www.arcticicehocke...s-trades-cory-conacher-to

It really is a great mystery. The Zombie is cooked and continues to prove it every night. However our beloved coach rolls him out there every franking night. I didn't realize he had more ice than those two. We needed a goal and yet RJ gets more ice?
I am convinced he has blackmailed Chief and Hextall. There is no other explanation
- 3flyerkids

Doesn't there come a point where as a decent human being you realize, "hey, I suck and can't do this anymore.. hey coach, sit me for a few games and play someone who deserves it.."??

Guess not.. The guy just keeps taking his TOI like a champ...