Drive by?
- flyer_nutter

LOL. Just watching the Pats kill the Colts and checking up on the Sixers, Flyers, Phillies and Eagles. Doesn't take long, LOL.

I agree on the impactful part. I think MacDonald needs to become more aggressive offensively, and produce more points offensively. He has the skating ability and the hands to do it. I think the way he has been used and the role he has been in, in the past has made him cautious. I have seen signs of him making progress in that area.

The PK has destroyed their season.
- MJL

The PK has absolutely (frank)ed this season. We wouldn't even be having these conversations if they were just bad on the PK. They are flat-out tragic on it, and it absolutely has to get fixed

This PK is ridiculous and to me, it is a huge reason they won't make the playoffs

MacDonald is going to need to be paired with a tough defender with size and good hockey sense

It can't be an average guy. Gotta be a good player who can cover for his weaknesses
- AllInForFlyers

LOL. Just watching the Pats kill the Colts and checking up on the Sixers, Flyers, Phillies and Eagles. Doesn't take long, LOL.
- jstross

At least we know Holmgren isn't the getaway driver.

Nah. He's soft as a marshmallow. He wouldn't help the PK.
- PLindbergh31

The PK is pathetic. I'd sit some players on it even if it means I put a marshmallow out there. Seems the benched players have at least responded some like VL, DZ..

The PK has absolutely (frank)ed this season. We wouldn't even be having these conversations if they were just bad on the PK. They are flat-out tragic on it, and it absolutely has to get fixed

This PK is ridiculous and to me, it is a huge reason they won't make the playoffs
- AllInForFlyers

what makes this tough is that it's essentially the same group that was so successful previously. can they just lose it like that? does a different style of coaching help this at all?

i'm not here to deliver the answers, i'm just here to ask the obvious questions that have been asked already.

At least we know Holmgren isn't the getaway driver.
- flyer_nutter

The one hope is that Hextall has shown he's not a quick fix GM (yet), like Clark and Homey. The old days were great, just over sign all the FA's and deal them for picks. We can't do that with a cap and it finally caught up. Next few years will be interesting.

I keep reading that MacDonald is a 3rd pair defenseman. I don't know many 3rd pair defenseman that averaged 20-25 minutes of ice time per game for 6 straight seasons.

what makes this tough is that it's essentially the same group that was so successful previously. can they just lose it like that? does a different style of coaching help this at all?

i'm not here to deliver the answers, i'm just here to ask the obvious questions that have been asked already.
- black_francis

The effect of losing Timonen on the PK can NOT be over stated.

The PK is pathetic. I'd sit some players on it even if it means I put a marshmallow out there. Seems the benched players have at least responded some like VL, DZ..
- jstross

Schultz and Coburn certainly isn't working, not that they deserve all the blame. it's really been a team wide issue.

what makes this tough is that it's essentially the same group that was so successful previously. can they just lose it like that? does a different style of coaching help this at all?

i'm not here to deliver the answers, i'm just here to ask the obvious questions that have been asked already.
- black_francis

Just find a philosophy of how you want to build them and stick to it. Don't go from d-first with Stevens/Hitch to offense heavy under Lava and back to d-first under Berube.

I'd like them to build an aggressive offense heavy team, but that's just personal. Many ways to screw.

The PK is pathetic. I'd sit some players on it even if it means I put a marshmallow out there. Seems the benched players have at least responded some like VL, DZ..
- jstross

I'd play MacDonald on the PK, myself, it lends itself to his strengths-containment defense in the zone, clogging lanes and blocking shots.

what makes this tough is that it's essentially the same group that was so successful previously. can they just lose it like that? does a different style of coaching help this at all?

i'm not here to deliver the answers, i'm just here to ask the obvious questions that have been asked already.
- black_francis

Timonen was a big loss in that area. One of the biggest issues is that the Flyers don't have a legitimate top defense pair.

I keep reading that MacDonald is a 3rd pair defenseman. I don't know many 3rd pair defenseman that averaged 20-25 minutes of ice time per game for 6 straight seasons.
- MJL

On losing teams they do..

The PK is pathetic. I'd sit some players on it even if it means I put a marshmallow out there. Seems the benched players have at least responded some like VL, DZ..
- jstross

It's the worst PK in the last two decades in the NHL. Hard to fathom. Not sure what the answer is, and obviously neither does the coaching staff.

I'd play MacDonald on the PK, myself, it lends itself to his strengths-containment defense in the zone, clogging lanes and blocking shots.
- Jsaquella

They really have to try something. Let him sink or swim. Tough to go down from here.

what makes this tough is that it's essentially the same group that was so successful previously. can they just lose it like that? does a different style of coaching help this at all?

i'm not here to deliver the answers, i'm just here to ask the obvious questions that have been asked already.
- black_francis

Man, I truly wish I could answer this. I honestly don't know.

Adam Hall was a good PKer, and Timonen is missed, but JFC, these guys look like they have never killed a damn penalty before. It is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen

I'd play MacDonald on the PK, myself, it lends itself to his strengths-containment defense in the zone, clogging lanes and blocking shots.
- Jsaquella

I agree with that, but the weakness he would have is down low and clearing the crease.

On losing teams they do..
- flyer_nutter

Name one other then MacDonald.

Name one other then MacDonald.
- MJL

Ohhh god I have no idea. Are you asking what 3rd pair defense guy plays over 20 minutes a game on another team?

That would be subjective to the skill level the team employs no? Where would happy be playing on the top 5-10 defense cores in the league? Of course he is a top 4 guy for the Flyers, the defense core blows ass.

I'd play MacDonald on the PK, myself, it lends itself to his strengths-containment defense in the zone, clogging lanes and blocking shots.
- Jsaquella

I thought shot blocking was the one metric MacDonald excelled in. He's currently 125th in the NHL. I guess once he put that Flyers sweater on the shot blocking lead to broken bones.

I'd play MacDonald on the PK, myself, it lends itself to his strengths-containment defense in the zone, clogging lanes and blocking shots.
- Jsaquella

i would try him there too. physicality doesnt have to be a required tool to succeed there.

Ohhh god I have no idea. Are you asking what 3rd pair defense guy plays over 20 minutes a game on another team?

That would be subjective to the skill level the team employs no? Where would happy be playing on the top 5-10 defense cores in the league? Of course he is a top 4 guy for the Flyers, the defense core blows ass.
- flyer_nutter

Didn't answer the question. You said they do on bad teams. Name one other NHL defenseman that you deem a 3rd pair defenseman that has averaged 20-25 minutes a game for 6 seasons?

I keep reading that MacDonald is a 3rd pair defenseman. I don't know many 3rd pair defenseman that averaged 20-25 minutes of ice time per game for 6 straight seasons.
- MJL

Look at the defense corps he's played on though.

The Isles, then post Pronger Flyers.

Now, put him on a league average defense corps. He'd see 15-17 minutes.