It is bizarre. This vision Hakstol has seems more blinding.
- SuperSchennBros

I think the early signs are that he has the team heading in the right direction overall. I don't agree with everything he does, but the results are all that matters.

I don't understand the reluctance to have both Schenn and Gudas in the line up together.

I know they aren't terrific skaters but they need the right handed guys, and it would somewhat balance out the negatives from lack of foot speed.
- Marc D

Gudas to me is a lock at this point unless he gets injured. Has played very well overall.

I think he values manning more because of his ability to skate. As well as that popular word, potential. He might not pan out to be more than he is, but honestly Luke isn't more than a slow 3rd pairing dman in this league. You know what you have there.

Gudas to me is a lock at this point unless he gets injured. Has played very well overall.

I think he values manning more because of his ability to skate. As well as that popular word, potential. He might not pan out to be more than he is, but honestly Luke isn't more than a slow 3rd pairing dman in this league. You know what you have there.
- flyer_nutter

I value Luke Schenn more that that. He has some inconsistency to his game, but when he's playing at the level he's capable of, he's better than most give him credit for. On merit, he shouldn't be sitting. I like Gudas, plays a solid all around game, limits mistakes, and the price is right.

Say if Gagner continues his good play throughout the season, do you look to sign him or deal at deadline?

Say if Gagner continues his good play throughout the season, do you look to sign him or deal at deadline?
- arichardson22

Deal him at the deadline if the Flyers are out of a playoff spot. If they're in the running for the playoffs, worry about it later.

flyers have good prospects

I think the early signs are that he has the team heading in the right direction overall. I don't agree with everything he does, but the results are all that matters.
- MJL

I think he's bounced back in terms of match ups since the game against Dallas but his usage of players is awful (who's in/out and ice time). He has them playing as a unit for the most part.

I think he's bounced back in terms of match ups since the game against Dallas but his usage of players is awful (who's in/out and ice time). He has them playing as a unit for the most part.
- SuperSchennBros

Why is it awful?

Say if Gagner continues his good play throughout the season, do you look to sign him or deal at deadline?
- arichardson22

It is an interesting question.
It depends a lot on what they see the future make up of the team.

Right now they have a lot of decent NHL forwards but the mix seems off.

G and Jake are true great players but both are pass first players.

If Couts is going to be the 2nd line C, he really could use a playmaker on his wing.

Where does B Schenn and Simmonds fit in the overall picture, especially on 5 vs 5 play? I think their roles on the PP are well defined.

Right now Gagner has added an infusion of skill to the line up that they badly need. They have lots of grind it out, chip and chase types but not many that can make plays with the puck that he can. But he gets knocked off the puck fairly easily and is not a great defender. I give him credit though, so far he has been making a good enough effort in these areas to stay in the lineup.

Finally he may be expensive to try and resign before he hits UFA.

I don't see them re signing him if the price is equal or higher then his current deal, and it seems unlikely he would take less money before trying out free agency.

Why is it awful?
- MJL

I've seen more than I'd like to see of Manning in a game. I feel we don't see enough of Laughton and his entire line prior to Couturier going down. In terms of roster changes, Gagner either has to score or do what he did last night to stay in the line up, if that. We're down Couturier, so who knows. Schenn should be playing ahead of Manning, not only because he's better than Manning but with a player with one year left on his deal, it's only smart business to play Schenn to up his value.

Say if Gagner continues his good play throughout the season, do you look to sign him or deal at deadline?
- arichardson22

in a vacuum, i'd say sign him to a 2 year deal at most. if one of the kids like konecny (center) or na-k really impresses through the year and in camp maybe it makes it harder to find a spot for him, but they'd have to likely make up their minds before then.

they're so tight to the cap - and who knows what happens with injuries etc during the year. i assume if they really want him, they'll find a way. flyers tend to do that on the early side.

I've seen more than I'd like to see of Manning in a game. I feel we don't see enough of Laughton and his entire line prior to Couturier going down. In terms of roster changes, Gagner either has to score or do what he did last night to stay in the line up, if that. We're down Couturier, so who knows. Schenn should be playing ahead of Manning, not only because he's better than Manning but with a player with one year left on his deal, it's only smart business to play Schenn to up his value.
- SuperSchennBros

So it basically comes down to playing one player or another, Schenn versus Manning? The 4th line has been playing better than the Laughton line for the most part. Whether we agree or disagree about those player decisions, that certainly doesn't come remotely close to Hakstol's decisions on how to use players reaching the level of awful.

So it basically comes down to playing one player or another, Schenn versus Manning? The 4th line has been playing better than the Laughton line for the most part. Whether we agree or disagree about those player decisions, that certainly doesn't come remotely close to Hakstol's decisions on how to use players reaching the level of awful.
- MJL

So you've already overlooked Manning be on the ice and ay fault when being scored on by Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin? We're not far removed from that game and the Manning/Del Zotto pair should probably a lot of time away from top lines.

Also win or lose, Laughton and Couturier have had a revolving door of wingers.

So you've already overlooked Manning be on the ice and ay fault when being scored on by Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin? We're not far removed from that game and the Manning/Del Zotto pair should probably a lot of time away from top lines.

Also win or lose, Laughton and Couturier have had a revolving door of wingers.
- SuperSchennBros

Where did I say I overlooked anything? For the record, I do not agree with how Hakstol has used Manning. With that said, overall, Hakstol's use of players does not come within light years of being awful.

I have no issues with Hakstol trying to find the right line combinations to maximize Couturier and Laughton. Neither of those 2 players are worthy of being a first line center getting what would be most likely your best wingers so you try and do what you can until you find a good mix.

If Scotty Bowman was swapping players trying to find a good mix it's just a legend trying to find a good mix.

Dave Hakstol does it and it is poor usage of his players..

I have no issues with Hakstol trying to find the right line combinations to maximize Couturier and Laughton. Neither of those 2 players are worthy of being a first line center getting what would be most likely your best wingers so you try and do what you can until you find a good mix.

If Scotty Bowman was swapping players trying to find a good mix it's just a legend trying to find a good mix.

Dave Hakstol does it and it is poor usage of his players..
- opeth_pa

Manning and Lukey boy are the same age. That fact doesn't get mentioned often enough...

Manning and Lukey boy are the same age. That fact doesn't get mentioned often enough...
- Mononoke

they both stink too

yay eagles sucking already

bradford is such ass every week he sucks

Eagles bringing it!

yay eagles sucking already
- 2Real

Am I the only eagle fan that thinks jordan matthews sucks?

bradford is such ass every week he sucks
- 2Real

Thats sort of on Matthews I think..would be nice if an Eagles receiver would make a hard catch...

Thats sort of on Matthews I think..would be nice if an Eagles receiver would make a hard catch...
- opeth_pa

bradford threw it to a receiver with 2 men on him no?

Damn, what happened to Peters?
Missed the play and came back to him on the cart.