It is amazing to me how fans can pick and choose what's a big deal and what isn't, based on the excuse that the Coach's new. I don't care if your new or a ten year coach with 5 rings. Know the capability of your personnel.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree, Hakstol should've had his all star #1 defenseman out there against Seguin and Benn.

No sarcasm intended. I don't blame goalies for goals given up on breakaways.
- MJL

No you knuckle head lol.. The other poster who was blaming the goalie. I think he was being sarcastic.

No you knuckle head lol.. The other poster who was blaming the goalie. I think he was being sarcastic.
- jak521

I don't think he was being sarcastic either.

Schultz and Streit. Not ideal but both are vets. Manning is a rookie who took along time to work his way to the NHL and Del Zotto is more of an offensive defenseman who is prone to mistakes in his own end.
- SuperSchennBros

Del Zotto is our top d-man, and honestly it really isnt all that close any more. His own zone play has been tremendous, he has been picking his spots properly and is playing in all situations and times. Streit and Schultz have pretty much struggled together all season IMO.

My point is that you said he isnt the game changer Hitchcock and Laviolette were. Its 3 weeks into a season and we are 4-2-2... points in 6 of 8 games.. against really good overall teams.
- jak521

The thing there is. It's been no different than last year as far as outcomes and how they play these teams. Last years team is probably in the same position. The season is young, and we'll see how this week plays out. It's on the leadership of this team to get this team in the mind frame to compete at a high level regardless of the opponent

I don't think he was being sarcastic either.
- MJL

Yup, Im the knuckle head. Just realized. BTW I totally agree with you.

No you knuckle head lol.. The other poster who was blaming the goalie. I think he was being sarcastic.
- jak521

Nope. I think the OT goal was completely stoppable. Yes, it was a breakaway, but there were no fancy moves. Just a straight shot through a huge 5-hole.

As I said before, I'm not down on Mason. Ish happens. It's just unfortunate that the ish happened when it did.

[no sarcasm] I think Hakstol is doing a good job so far. [/no sarcasm]

I agree, Hakstol should've had his all star #1 defenseman out there against Seguin and Benn.
- MJL

Yeah maybe I don't know hakstol may have been trying to match speed with speed as crazy as it sounds. He's crazy doing that thinking it could work

No you knuckle head lol.. The other poster who was blaming the goalie. I think he was being sarcastic.
- jak521

Knucklehead and Bozo are terms we use for our beloved Homer

The thing there is. It's been no different than last year as far as outcomes and how they play these teams. Last years team is probably in the same position. The season is young, and we'll see how this week plays out. It's on the leadership of this team to get this team in the mind frame to compete at a high level regardless of the opponent
- Just5

I disagree. There has been one game where they entered the third and were not in the game. We have played one bad team.. and we did struggle last night, but that has been an anomaly so far this season. BUT, you are right.. the season is still young.

People do also have to temper expectations. This is probably how the whole season is gonna play out. Lots of close competitive games, with a few outliers on either side. Big wins and bad losses will probably be in the minority with lots of 1 goals wins or losses and lots of OT's be the majority.

How short sited can one person be? Your talking about game one, in a season where we not only dug ourselves a huge hole under John Stevens bit manage to climb out of it and get ti a Stanley Cup Final. Yeah but let's focus on the first game with little time to install a brand new system...
- SuperSchennBros

the flip side of that is how can you make any judgements on Hakstol after 8 games (4-2-2 to boot) to say he won't be a game changer. Only time will tell.

Yeah maybe I don't know hakstol may have been trying to match speed with speed as crazy as it sounds. He's crazy doing that thinking it could work
- Just5

It won't be long until the Flyers unleash their ace in the hole. A trump card will be played!

Del Zotto is our top d-man, and honestly it really isnt all that close any more. His own zone play has been tremendous, he has been picking his spots properly and is playing in all situations and times
- jak521

Can you believe he's still only 25?

Giving up too much space between the legs certainly can be technique problem, and Mason has been beaten there on both OT losses this season. Of course, if Laughton could have finished on golden chances we win both of those games before the team gave up breakaways...

On the positive side, I really liked the play Laughton made to set up BSchenn's 1st goal.

Giving up too much space between the legs certainly can be technique problem, and Mason has been beaten there on both OT losses this season. Of course, if Laughton could have finished on golden chances we win both of those games before the team gave up breakaways...

On the positive side, I really liked the play Laughton made to set up BSchenn's 1st goal.
- Feanor

Mason liked the way Reese worked with him between the legs

Del Zotto is our top d-man, and honestly it really isnt all that close any more. His own zone play has been tremendous, he has been picking his spots properly and is playing in all situations and times. Streit and Schultz have pretty much struggled together all season IMO.
- jak521

Del Zotto's own zone play last night on the PP goal wasn't tremendous. I think Del Zotto has played pretty well, but I don't think he own zone defensive play reaches the level of tremendous. Certainly improved.

Giving up too much space between the legs certainly can be technique problem, and Mason has been beaten there on both OT losses this season. Of course, if Laughton could have finished on golden chances we win both of those games before the team gave up breakaways...

On the positive side, I really liked the play Laughton made to set up BSchenn's 1st goal.
- Feanor

Laughton has a lot more speed than I though he did.

The thing there is. It's been no different than last year as far as outcomes and how they play these teams. Last years team is probably in the same position. The season is young, and we'll see how this week plays out. It's on the leadership of this team to get this team in the mind frame to compete at a high level regardless of the opponent
- Just5

They have to get over that hurdle. Have to play every game with urgency, if they hope to make the playoffs.

Del Zotto's own zone play last night on the PP goal wasn't tremendous. I think Del Zotto has played pretty well, but I don't think he own zone defensive play reaches the level of tremendous. Certainly improved.
- MJL

the Flyers have six #6 dmen who are very capable

Can you believe he's still only 25?
- Tomahawk

I'm actually concerned that he's eating a lot of ice time but getting 60% OZ starts and producing no ES offense leaving him at -4. Last season he was given harder minutes but produced more... hopefully it's just the small sample size with him and Jake because we're dead in the water if those guys don't start producing at 5 on 5.

Streit is still our best defenseman.

I think your point is, a new Coach is above criticism. I've gone into great detail with my views and frankly no Coach is above criticism.
- SuperSchennBros

Of course no one, player, coaches, executives, are above criticism. But its a tad early to say Hakstol isn't a game changer or isn't a good coach. All coaches, including the best, make decisions that make you scratch your head sometimes. ALL of them. Time will tell on Hakstol, I just think its way too early after 8 games to make that kind of judgement. This was the 7th worse team last year and is basically the same squad minus a few additions and right now they are 4-2-2 after playing against some pretty good teams so far this year. I'll take it

Del Zotto's own zone play last night on the PP goal wasn't tremendous. I think Del Zotto has played pretty well, but I don't think he own zone defensive play reaches the level of tremendous. Certainly improved.
- MJL

Yea I noticed that play.. He tried to tie up the player in front and left the stick down. Stuff like that will happen from time to time, but on a whole, he has been very good on the back end.

I'm actually concerned that he's eating a lot of ice time but getting 60% OZ starts and producing no ES offense leaving him at -4. Last season he was given harder minutes but produced more... hopefully it's just the small sample size with him and Jake because we're dead in the water if those guys don't start producing at 5 on 5.

Streit is still our best defenseman.
- Feanor

I disagree.. I think Streit has struggled quite a bit actually. He looks a bit slower. I think MDZ and Medvedev have both been better.

MDZ and Medvedev have gotten much easier matchups and zone starts and have zero ES points, and 1 PP point each. That's not good enough for two guys who are supposed to provide offense from the back.

It won't be long until the Flyers unleash their ace in the hole. A trump card will be played!


- PLindbergh31

Speaking of defensmen who can eat a lot of minutes with OZ starts near 60% without providing much offensively.