Mdz is seeing the hardest minutes on the team behind the dynamic duo of Schultz and Streit...so he's not being given an armchair role. He could probably be given even more having said that. Zone starts are not as big a factor as you're making them when placed in context of QoC.

Watching the game and seeing MDZ and Medvedev drive possession, it's actually amazing they're not scoring more. But they're not scoring in spite of their play, not due to it. They are in the same category of Jake: driving possession, making plays, just not getting the points/goals. I think patience is the best thing for evaluating the points totals of those two right now. I didn't even know about the on ice shooting percentage of MDZ -- that's going to rocket up eventually.
- Mononoke

I've always felt that it's best not to look at stats til they are at least 20-25 games in.

Forwards just aren't burying their chances when he's on the ice, particularly that top-line.

Kind of the opposite of what happened to him last year... he and Schenn saw ridiculously low on-ice SV%'s for the first few games.

%'s will even out over the long-haul, nothing to worry about.
- Tomahawk

Luke has more points than MDZ and Mdv combined. How long do we honestly expect that to last? Did Luke contribute more offensively on any of his secondary assists than Medvedev slicing through the NZ, dangling around a defender, throwing a pinpoint cross crease to Simmer that he couldn't get good wood on...and not getting a point? Everyone needs to chillax

I've always felt that it's best not to look at stats til they are at least 20-25 games in.
- BiggE

Nope.

I'm using my "Jump to Conclusions" mat right now.

I've always felt that it's best not to look at stats til they are at least 20-25 games in.
- BiggE

It's best not to really judge until then, but goddamnit I'm gonna look!

I'm not casting any real judgments, but trends can start to develop this early. And some stats have nothing to do with that, like MDZ having a 1% team shooting percent when on ice. Helps explain his lack of ES points. I would wager to say that MDZ and Medvedev will continue to be two of our best possession puck movers.

Nope.

I'm using my "Jump to Conclusions" mat right now.


- johndewar

What am I jumping to conclusions about? I'm looking at the stats to PREVENT people from jumping to conclusions on MDZ. He's been absurdly unlucky, regression to mean, blah blah blah

Luke has more points than MDZ and Mdv combined. How long do we honestly expect that to last? Did Luke contribute more offensively on any of his secondary assists than Medvedev slicing through the NZ, dangling around a defender, throwing a pinpoint cross crease to Simmer that he couldn't get good wood on...and not getting a point? Everyone needs to chillax
- Mononoke

In order of concern for me:

1. Forward injuries

2. No. 6 defenseman too far below the bar

3. Ability to drive ES play still lacking as a whole

I've seen enough to know they are better, as a whole, than last season. Last night was ugly, but I am not jumping off the Walt Whitman

Nope.

I'm using my "Jump to Conclusions" mat right now.


- johndewar

LMAO

LMAO
- BiggE

"Loose" is a nice touch.

(At least I hope it was intentional. )

Forwards just aren't burying their chances when he's on the ice, particularly that top-line.

Kind of the opposite of what happened to him last year... he and Schenn saw ridiculously low on-ice SV%'s for the first few games, and ppl were freaking out.

%'s will even out over the long-haul, nothing to worry about.
- Tomahawk

Yeah. Plus, Streit had favorable ozone starts last year and MDZ actually had more dzone starts than ozone. MDZ ended up being slightly behind Streit in terms of possession.

Streit and Schultz certainly haven't seen favorable usage, but let's not act like they're holding their own either. That pair is getting pounded and they're wasting Streit's offensive ability in the process. If Hak wants to continue to roll with similar pairings, it might be better to balance things out a bit.

In order of concern for me:

1. Forward injuries

2. No. 6 defenseman too far below the bar

3. Ability to drive ES play still lacking as a whole

I've seen enough to know they are better, as a whole, than last season. Last night was ugly, but I am not jumping off the Walt Whitman
- AllInForFlyers

Ding ding ding. They're still not a good even strength team. The defense still is mediocre. Hakstol's system has them generating a lot of offense shots for....and a lot against because they still are mediocre. Many of the d men are not smart enough to pinch properly, and when the puck gets firmly established I expect hemorrhaging. It's likely that it will still take time to adjust to the system. Not likely it's a definite. Unfortunately he will be fired before then, because Benn scored goals

Yeah. Plus, Streit had favorable ozone starts last year and MDZ actually had more dzone starts than ozone. MDZ ended up being slightly behind Streit in terms of possession.

Streit and Schultz certainly haven't seen favorable usage, but let's not act like they're holding their own either. That pair is getting pounded and they're wasting Streit's offensive ability in the process. If Hak wants to continue to roll with similar pairings, it might be better to balance things out a bit.
- PhillySportsGuy

And again, because we all know they are limited in what they can do, so I am not blindly saying DO SOMETHING NOW NOW NOW: They really need another guy back there in that No. 6 hole who might be limited offensively but can eat punishing defensive starts

Manning and Schenn probably need to be upgraded. It really could be that simple, that neither of them are the answer and they need someone who can handle 15 harder minutes

Good win by Colorado last night.

#stirring the pot

Yeah. Plus, Streit had favorable ozone starts last year and MDZ actually had more dzone starts than ozone. MDZ ended up being slightly behind Streit in terms of possession.

Streit and Schultz certainly haven't seen favorable usage, but let's not act like they're holding their own either. That pair is getting pounded and they're wasting Streit's offensive ability in the process. If Hak wants to continue to roll with similar pairings, it might be better to balance things out a bit.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agreed. We aren't just looking at Schultz's stats and saying they're worse in a vacuum. We understand context, and context says he should have the worst possession numbers. Anyone would. The question is how much worse? He's not losing the possession battles in a respectable and understandable fashion. It's an out and out blitzkrieg

I think Mason for the most part has done a good job limiting soft goals. I'm not sure if he's elite, I think surrounded with a solid cast, he's plenty good enough to win.
- PLindbergh31

He has not been at his best overall this October -- although he played very well on opening night and against the Rangers -- but he'll be fine.

Agreed. We aren't just looking at Schultz's stats and saying they're worse in a vacuum. We understand context, and context says he should have the worst possession numbers. Anyone would. The question is how much worse? He's not losing the possession battles in a respectable and understandable fashion. It's an out and out blitzkrieg
- Mononoke

In my opinion there is no solution involving changing the defense pairings, or even balance out usage. The solution is to get Couturier back in the lineup, and saddle him with D zone situations. The question is do they want to do that to improve the team, or are they more concerned with putting Couturier is better situations to develop offensively. Up to this point, Laughton is not ready to take on that role yet.

And again, because we all know they are limited in what they can do, so I am not blindly saying DO SOMETHING NOW NOW NOW: They really need another guy back there in that No. 6 hole who might be limited offensively but can eat punishing defensive starts

Manning and Schenn probably need to be upgraded. It really could be that simple, that neither of them are the answer and they need someone who can handle 15 harder minutes
- AllInForFlyers

I think Luke is fine as #6. He does a lot of good things on the ice, but always seems to have a gaffe or two. I'd like to see them stay with him for an extended stretch with MDZ or Medvedev.

I remember his one good season here was with Timonen. I know Timonen can make anyone look better, but I thought Luke really did have a decent season. Put him with a puck mover and see how he does.

Agreed. We aren't just looking at Schultz's stats and saying they're worse in a vacuum. We understand context, and context says he should have the worst possession numbers. Anyone would. The question is how much worse? He's not losing the possession battles in a respectable and understandable fashion. It's an out and out blitzkrieg
- Mononoke

That's the thing -- it's harder for me to quantify, because I know Schultz is eating minutes that he shouldn't. So how bad is too much?

I'm still comfortable with him, as a whole, because there is no else. MDZ and Streit are already eating 23-27 minutes a night, and somebody has to get out there with them

But certainly, we all should be able to acknowledge that the world would be a better place if Schultz was that No. 5/6 defenseman instead of a default Top 4

Anyone live close to Lancaster County?
There is an unmanned military blimp floating aimlessly. It's being tracked by a couple of F-16's. Anyone see this?

I think Luke is fine as #6. He does a lot of good things on the ice, but always seems to have a gaffe or two. I'd like to see them stay with him for an extended stretch with MDZ or Medvedev.

I remember his one good season here was with Timonen. I know Timonen can make anyone look better, but I thought Luke really did have a decent season. Put him with a puck mover and see how he does.
- PhillySportsGuy

Luke has a less severe case of Matt Carle Syndrome. Give him your well wishes

Nope.

I'm using my "Jump to Conclusions" mat right now.


- johndewar

That movie is severely underrated. One of my favorites.

I think Luke is fine as #6. He does a lot of good things on the ice, but always seems to have a gaffe or two. I'd like to see them stay with him for an extended stretch with MDZ or Medvedev.

I remember his one good season here was with Timonen. I know Timonen can make anyone look better, but I thought Luke really did have a decent season. Put him with a puck mover and see how he does.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd love it if Schenn was set-and-forget, and I will admit he is moving better than last season, but I just don't know that he reads the game well enough to overcome his limitations

Anyone live close to Lancaster County?
There is an unmanned military blimp floating aimlessly. It's being tracked by a couple of F-16's. Anyone see this?


- PLindbergh31

The helium-filled balloon is 243 feet long. It is part of the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Netted Sensor System

Gotta love military division names.

The Flyers have one ace in the hole, waiting to be deployed that could help usage:

Luke has a less severe case of Matt Carle Syndrome. Give him your well wishes
- Mononoke

I know Carle had his share of detractors, but I'd kill for a guy with his hockey sense in that No. 6 hole

The Flyers have one ace in the hole, waiting to be deployed that could help usage:


- Mononoke

The Flyers have a roided-up Dolph Lundgren?