...I have more faith in Voracek & Read rebounding and being better than I do White & Manning, and I have more faith in Umberger & Schenn replacing them & being more effective.
- Jsaquella

Idk, I think trying to have faith in umby is stretching it for me

I don't mind the extended look at Manning given that it is a good year to try players out, but also think Luke and unfortunately even amac may be better players right now

i keep saying 2019...and while i don't think they'll be horrible until then, in fact, i think they'll be a decent/bubble team...but man, it's going to be a long wait. games like tonight just (frank)ing infuriate me.
- hammarby31

6 days off and they were completely out of sync

their puck skills at best are below most teams even on good nights

Idk, I think trying to have faith in umby is stretching it for me

I don't mind the extended look at Manning given that it is a good year to try players out, but also think Luke and unfortunately even amac may be better players right now
- Marc D

Compared to White, I'd take Umberger-as long as he's healthy

i keep saying 2019...and while i don't think they'll be horrible until then, in fact, i think they'll be a decent/bubble team...but man, it's going to be a long wait. games like tonight just (frank)ing infuriate me.
- hammarby31

My expectations are very low for this year from the get go, sure they may have some stretches where everyone gets excited, but its a 30-35 win team. What's infuriating for me is watching the predictable patterns the Flyers show year after year.

Compared to White, I'd take Umberger-as long as he's healthy
- Jsaquella

there's the rub though

he played at half speed all last season

now he's hurt again after 2 games

I guess on the 4th line, it can't hurt to try him, even if hakstol is really playing that line a ton, relatively speaking

had hopes Bellemere would start out hot but he's been Nodl-esque so far

Unfortunately I wish it was just a matter of once Voracek gets his first goal of season, but I guess I saw more issues then just that. He could of scored twice tonight and I would still be worried of his play so far.
- Glak18

That's fine, I just disagree. Not saying Voracek was great, but he did generate chances and had opportunity. I just didn't see anything worth a benching. If anything I think he's pressing too hard.

My biggest negative from tonight was the relative ease with which Ruff got his big line out against the Flyers 4th line and the Del Zotto-Manning pair. I understand some guys aren't match up guys, but having home ice and not doing a better job of keeping them away from that line is an issue

there's the rub though

he played at half speed all last season

now he's hurt again after 2 games

I guess on the 4th line, it can't hurt to try him, even if hakstol is really playing that line a ton, relatively speaking

had hopes Bellemere would start out hot but he's been Nodl-esque so far
- Marc D

I'm hoping that you can ice a 4th line tha doesn't hurt you. Right now, I have more confidence in Umberger than White. I don't think White's had a good game yet.

That's fine, I just disagree. Not saying Voracek was great, but he did generate chances and had opportunity. I just didn't see anything worth a benching. If anything I think he's pressing too hard.

My biggest negative from tonight was the relative ease with which Ruff got his big line out against the Flyers 4th line and the Del Zotto-Manning pair. I understand some guys aren't match up guys, but having home ice and not doing a better job of keeping them away from that line is an issue
- Jsaquella

this

also why split up Schenn and Couts?

they were developing some real chemistry

I'm hoping that you can ice a 4th line tha doesn't hurt you. Right now, I have more confidence in Umberger than White. I don't think White's had a good game yet.
- Jsaquella

tonight to me is a throw away game like the mason debacle vs florida

6 days off, they all had stone hands and heavy legs and ran into one of the elite #1 lines in the league, plus a stellar goaltending performance from auntie

this

also why split up Schenn and Couts?

they were developing some real chemistry
- Marc D

Yeah, bummed at that, too.

Got to remember Hakstol is on a learning curve, too.

tonight to me is a throw away game like the mason debacle vs florida

6 days off, they all had stone hands and heavy legs and ran into one of the elite #1 lines in the league, plus a stellar goaltending performance from auntie
- Marc D

There's a bit of that, sure. Lot of potential issues, and still dropped a one goal game to a talented and red hot team. Stings a bit, because it was winnable. But I saw enough encouraging things to not be too down.

Especially in a retooling season. I'll take tonight's effort, hope for better execution and roll.

Oh, new blog, too

Yeah, bummed at that, too.

Got to remember Hakstol is on a learning curve, too.
- Jsaquella

I like Hak so far and think he is going to work out fine

That's fine, I just disagree. Not saying Voracek was great, but he did generate chances and had opportunity. I just didn't see anything worth a benching. If anything I think he's pressing too hard.

My biggest negative from tonight was the relative ease with which Ruff got his big line out against the Flyers 4th line and the Del Zotto-Manning pair. I understand some guys aren't match up guys, but having home ice and not doing a better job of keeping them away from that line is an issue
- Jsaquella

I know what your saying, but I just don't put that much stock into dime a dozen players like...everyone but Giroux and Voracek. Put White and/or Umberger on a top team's 4th line and they would look like new players. Top teams win when their top players perform, never seen a team win on the shoulders of their 4th line ever.

I know what your saying, but I just don't put that much stock into dime a dozen players like...everyone but Giroux and Voracek. Put White and/or Umberger on a top team's 4th line and they would look like new players. Top teams win when their top players perform, never seen a team win on the shoulders of their 4th line ever.
- Glak18

Not disagreeing on that point, best players do have to get it done, but both Dallas goals came on mistakes or poor play by the weakest D pair.

Plus I'm confident that the top guys will start producing soon.

I like Hak so far and think he is going to work out fine
- Marc D

I'm impressed. Stuff like tonight is to be expected, and it's minor stuff that can be fixed and learned from. If I was expecting them to contend for the division, tonight might have had me pissed off.

But all things considered, I'm more encouraged than upset

I know what your saying, but I just don't put that much stock into dime a dozen players like...everyone but Giroux and Voracek. Put White and/or Umberger on a top team's 4th line and they would look like new players. Top teams win when their top players perform, never seen a team win on the shoulders of their 4th line ever.
- Glak18

yup

and Benn, Seguin and Nieme were better tonight then Giroux, Jake and Mase

The Flyers organization needs to start changing their policy, do the Flyers ever extend players where they actually produce when they should?

Voracek looks horrible, how about we don't have another year where an extended player doesn't take 15-20 games into the year before they warm up.

Oddly B. Schenn looks like he has a bit of a fire...I wonder why.

First time for the year to see if Hakstol accountability is just a word thrown around or action is actually taken.
- Glak18

B Schenn didn't look like he had a bit of fire last night. Did he even play?

He had 8 shots on goal and Voracek had 6. I know people are on them but I mean come on. A combined 14 shots? They keep playing like this and the goals will start coming. Voracek's shooting percentage isn't going to be 0 all year.
- TobyFlenderson

I can't remember a dangerous shot either one took

I can't remember a dangerous shot either one took
- Just5

They have worked hard in every game but they can't break teams checking and hardly get open. They don't create any turnovers to get a odd-man rush. Their play dating back from the end of last season is concerning. Also the 1st PP looks pretty bad with Raffl on it. I say put Schenn back up there.