stolarz is ready
- Crimsoninja

I wouldn't subject the kid to the poop show that is the 14-15 Flyers. Better to let him play the whole season in the AHL.

I don't think that it is a lack of caring or heart. Rather it's a simple lack of talent (especially on D) along with size and strength (especially up front).

And some very questionable lineup and coaching decisions:

Their only Dman who has both skill AND speed is routinely scratched.

They continue to play RJ Umberger in their top nine even though anyone with eyes can see that he has no business playing there.

If you are going to play VLC, putting him on a line with Rinaldo is just asinine


However, even Scotty Bowman would not be able to make this a good team. They just don't have the horses. Without a legit #1 and #2 dman and without a legit 2nd line scoring center they just aren't going to able to get it done. Their lack of size and strength on the wings also really limits their ability to play dump and chase successfully but, other than Giroux and Voracek, they don't have the players with skill to succeed any other way.

Their D is just a mess. Yes, all 8 are legit NHL players, but none are top pair guys and way too many are just so one dimensional. Streit is a nice PP QB, but other than that he is a liability. Grossmann can be effective on the PK, but other than that he brings nothing to the lineup. Schenn, Schultz and CC are just generic 3rd pair guys. MDZ apparently keeps peeing in Berube's coffee so he can't even get a shot and AMac is what he is, an average #4 dman. Coburn is at least a 2/3, but he is being asked to play WAY over his head as the team's #1 guy and, no surprise whatsoever, he's failing miserably at it.

And, as the cherry on top of the poop sundae, our starting goalie is now injured.
- BiggE

Pretty much sums it up here. The team altogether is about as effective as a poopy flavored lollipop

Pretty much sums it up here. The team altogether is about as effective as a poopy flavored lollipop
- Just5

Yup.

Really glad I have a gig tonight. Watching this team is just no fun anymore.

stolarz is ready
- Crimsoninja

Masons hurt, emery blows, we had a goalie of the future but the jackets stolarz right out from underneath holmer.

Go flyers

Lets have some fun here today. If the flyers win the lottery and get the number one pick. Who should they select? Ive been thinking mcdavid but ive been reading up on Eichel and I really like his ability to possibly play wing. We need that more then center. Thoughts? Also who goes top 4?

I don't think that it is a lack of caring or heart. Rather it's a simple lack of talent (especially on D) along with size and strength (especially up front).

And some very questionable lineup and coaching decisions:

Their only Dman who has both skill AND speed is routinely scratched.

They continue to play RJ Umberger in their top nine even though anyone with eyes can see that he has no business playing there.

If you are going to play VLC, putting him on a line with Rinaldo is just asinine


However, even Scotty Bowman would not be able to make this a good team. They just don't have the horses. Without a legit #1 and #2 dman and without a legit 2nd line scoring center they just aren't going to able to get it done. Their lack of size and strength on the wings also really limits their ability to play dump and chase successfully but, other than Giroux and Voracek, they don't have the players with skill to succeed any other way.

Their D is just a mess. Yes, all 8 are legit NHL players, but none are top pair guys and way too many are just so one dimensional. Streit is a nice PP QB, but other than that he is a liability. Grossmann can be effective on the PK, but other than that he brings nothing to the lineup. Schenn, Schultz and CC are just generic 3rd pair guys. MDZ apparently keeps peeing in Berube's coffee so he can't even get a shot and AMac is what he is, an average #4 dman. Coburn is at least a 2/3, but he is being asked to play WAY over his head as the team's #1 guy and, no surprise whatsoever, he's failing miserably at it.

And, as the cherry on top of the poop sundae, our starting goalie is now injured.
- BiggE

What confuses me is this team is essentially the same as last years 92 point team, minus of course Hartnell, Downie, and Hall on offense, and Timo on D (a big hurt, but who was nowhere nearly effective as he was in past years, nor who would have been asked to carry close to the load he previously had if he wasn't sidelined).

Now you can point earlier on to the banged up D but there hasn't been much of a drop off in effectiveness when they were replaced with Schultz, Del Zotto, and even Cola for a brief stint.

Mason has been as good or better.

What am I missing? More importantly, what are they missing?

What confuses me is this team is essentially the same as last years 92 point team, minus of course Hartnell, Downie, and Hall on offense, and Timo on D (a big hurt, but who was nowhere nearly effective as he was in past years, nor who would have been asked to carry close to the load he previously had if he wasn't sidelined).

Now you can point earlier on to the banged up D but there hasn't been much of a drop off in effectiveness when they were replaced with Schultz, Del Zotto, and even Cola for a brief stint.

Mason has been as good or better.

What am I missing? More importantly, what are they missing?
- 77rams

A coach they want to play for? Too many players have stated they are afraid to make a mistake because it would lead to a scratch. Or make too many penalities could lead to the same. It took the snarl out of this team completly. You cant have your younger players afraid to make plays on the ice. They make mistakes put them right back out after a quick talking too.

I don't think that it is a lack of caring or heart. Rather it's a simple lack of talent (especially on D) along with size and strength (especially up front).
And some very questionable lineup and coaching decisions:

Their only Dman who has both skill AND speed is routinely scratched.

They continue to play RJ Umberger in their top nine even though anyone with eyes can see that he has no business playing there.

If you are going to play VLC, putting him on a line with Rinaldo is just asinine


However, even Scotty Bowman would not be able to make this a good team. They just don't have the horses. Without a legit #1 and #2 dman and without a legit 2nd line scoring center they just aren't going to able to get it done. Their lack of size and strength on the wings also really limits their ability to play dump and chase successfully but, other than Giroux and Voracek, they don't have the players with skill to succeed any other way.

Their D is just a mess. Yes, all 8 are legit NHL players, but none are top pair guys and way too many are just so one dimensional. Streit is a nice PP QB, but other than that he is a liability. Grossmann can be effective on the PK, but other than that he brings nothing to the lineup. Schenn, Schultz and CC are just generic 3rd pair guys. MDZ apparently keeps peeing in Berube's coffee so he can't even get a shot and AMac is what he is, an average #4 dman. Coburn is at least a 2/3, but he is being asked to play WAY over his head as the team's #1 guy and, no surprise whatsoever, he's failing miserably at it.

And, as the cherry on top of the poop sundae, our starting goalie is now injured.

I agree with almost all of this. The way I see it, other teams have played with little talent but work so hard that they make themselves tough to play against. I don't see this team being tough to play against. Maybe it is speed/talent limiting their ability to gain the zone with the puck or make consistent exits from their own zone. They seem lost most of the time.

What confuses me is this team is essentially the same as last years 92 point team, minus of course Hartnell, Downie, and Hall on offense, and Timo on D (a big hurt, but who was nowhere nearly effective as he was in past years, nor who would have been asked to carry close to the load he previously had if he wasn't sidelined).

Now you can point earlier on to the banged up D but there hasn't been much of a drop off in effectiveness when they were replaced with Schultz, Del Zotto, and even Cola for a brief stint.

Mason has been as good or better.

What am I missing? More importantly, what are they missing?
- 77rams

The loss of Timonen on the Pk is huge and has likely cost them a few games by itself. When you also factor in the loss of his leadership and Hartnell's ability to keep things loose that's really all you need. In today's NHL, it doesn 't take that much to make a 90 point club into a 70 point club.

A coach they want to play for? Too many players have stated they are afraid to make a mistake because it would lead to a scratch. Or make too many penalities could lead to the same. It took the snarl out of this team completly. You cant have your younger players afraid to make plays on the ice. They make mistakes put them right back out after a quick talking too.
- jmdodgeser4

I think this may be part of their problems. Not having Hartnell and Timo has taken a big part of the heart out of this team as well.

I have a hard time rooting for the Flyers to lose. This team has been challenging that this season. They are just tough to watch. I used to always adjust my schedule to watch games. The past month or so I have just not cared that much. They are not physical, the don't skate particularly well, and they don't seem to care. On top of that I am not sure Berube is the right coach for them. All of this and they have one of the highest payrolls. If it weren't for Voracek, Giroux, and Mason (ouch) there would be no reason to watch this mess. I almost wish they'd bring up Rosehill just to see someone give a crap and at least stage a fight.
- fnmjoe13

The other day I voluntarily chose not to watch Flyers hockey for the first time I can remember. It's come to that. Mind you it was only one period but still

Masons hurt, emery blows, we had a goalie of the future but the jackets stolarz right out from underneath holmer.

Go flyers
- Just5

Had to read this twice

The other day I voluntarily chose not to watch Flyers hockey for the first time I can remember. It's come to that. Mind you it was only one period but still
- wilsonecho91

I watch them but all the time still...i just know they are not good enough to win consistently and will not make playoffs so Id rather see them get a better drafting spot.

The Leafs are a bad matchup for the Flyers, particularly when Emery is in net. JVR is a guarantee for at least 1 tonight.
- PhillySportsGuy

Has Luke schenn really been that bad?

Has Luke schenn really been that bad?
- Santo_44

Like Heinz ketchup

Like Heinz ketchup
- vejim

Ouch. Good trade for us

Ouch. Good trade for us
- Santo_44

Yeah
You have no idea

What confuses me is this team is essentially the same as last years 92 point team, minus of course Hartnell, Downie, and Hall on offense, and Timo on D (a big hurt, but who was nowhere nearly effective as he was in past years, nor who would have been asked to carry close to the load he previously had if he wasn't sidelined).

Now you can point earlier on to the banged up D but there hasn't been much of a drop off in effectiveness when they were replaced with Schultz, Del Zotto, and even Cola for a brief stint.

Mason has been as good or better.

What am I missing? More importantly, what are they missing?
- 77rams

Other teams got better, Flyers didnt.

not sure what mdz did to get in the doghouse, but he sure seems stuck there. what does that say about him if he can't crack this poop show of d corps? is it because they need a more physical stay at home type in the mix? is it because the coach is an idiot? is it because he really sucks? what's the deal here?
- hammarby31

This makes me really sad.

That they have a guy with pretty good puck skills which they sorely need, but he is too much of a mess (really?) in his own end to play.

I mean have the shut down types been much better?

There was a play in the early part of the last game, G line attacking, a shot bounces off Luongo from the right side, rebound to the backside/left side circle.

Schultz moves in for the puck and for a second or two, the back door of the net is wide open. Schultz though takes more then a second or two to get there, and skates the puck around the back of the net, rather then get a shot.

If MDZ was on the ice there is a good chance of a goal right there, and maybe the difference in a 1-1 game.

Also they really can't find anyone better to play 3rd line wing than RJ?

I am not talking about a top pairing defenseman. A third line wing should be obtainable, and would help. Fix the fixable things, Hexy.

Has Luke schenn really been that bad?
- Santo_44

he hasn't been that bad just the rest of the team sucks

Has Luke schenn really been that bad?
- Santo_44

he's been amazing

we don't even miss Pronger now that Luke is here

he's been amazing

we don't even miss Pronger now that Luke is here
- Marc D

If anyone wants to see Morin in action:

http://www.tsn.ca/video/w...canada-vs-russia-1.164512

This upcoming draft I hope the Flyers focus on drafting good skaters. Flyers already have too many young guys that are average to below average, need to counterbalance those players in order to keep up with the wings and isles of the world.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 12/20/14 @ TOR
- bmeltzer

Good job