Bill Meltzer: Wrapup: Flyers Get Uninspiring Point as Winless Streak Hits Six Games

Bill, organizationally, management-wise, coaching-wise--what the hell is the next step with this team?

Bill, organizationally, management-wise, coaching-wise--what the hell is the next step with this team?
- KGBflyers10

Wish I knew, but I suspect the answer will be patience and an eye on the longer-term future than just this season and next.

I am actually moderately happy with the game. I know, but hear me out. They had the better of the play for the first time in a long time. The result is disappointing and the coaching was once again questionable. But this is a long term process not a win now team. Most of us knew this was a transition season. You want to hear something ridiculous? The Flyers are currently 9th from last right now, that is 2 spots above last year. And they are only 2-3 points outside the wildcard (somehow). This team isn't picking last and they probably aren't making the POs (as expected). If they compete, unlike the 5 games prior, then I am happy. In this game they competed and showed us what we expected. I'm fine with it.


In fact, in the bigger picture, it could be better then flirting with the POs and missing the chance to unload vets at the TDL/ drafting high. #silverlinning

Yeah I'm not so gloomy after this game either. I don't even care if they win or lose right now (well...I do of course, but I'm looking bigger picture). I care that they can put together a solid performance and are able to replicate it most nights. I think this was a solid performance after the first -- the second part of that statement remains to be seen. This was a step in the right direction game, however.

Minus the first, the Flyers did a good job controlling game flow. They were the team dominating the other possession wise. This losing streak has been one of being embarrassed by lopsided play against by weak competition. Flyers turned the tables with that this game, after a middling first with sloppy errors. It's a positive.

Coots flat out dominated. His main line looked like it was going on all cylinders: offensively generating while completely shutting down Calgary's top line. The way he was bodying people when he had the puck was nigh unstoppable -- only other person on the team that can hold the puck like that is Jake. His passing game was on point tonight too. I'd still love to see him with Jake tbh. They'd never lose the puck.

It's ridiculous to think their play of late was solely due to losing Coots. It's also becoming apparent it would be equally ridiculous to say that his presence on the team isn't massive, perhaps not far behind losing a G or Jake. After Vinny got benched, he resurrected that line too, with Schenn playing like a completely different player. There's chemistry there for sure. 2C? 3C? He was both. Simmer is also looking like the player of old lately -- simpler game, winning board battles. This is good news. Raffl played like the Raffl of old after scoring as well -- amazing what a bit of confidence can do. Really no one had a poor game once Vinny got deservedly benched. His linemates looked night and day better separated from his anchor.

Result wasn't great but it's a respectable performance, mainly the last 40 min coinciding with Coots playing work horse. It was more reminiscent of the earlier games this season. Now do it again or it's just a fluke. But there is a silver lining to be had after this one....don't get all the negativity after this game.

not for nothing but, this patience thing came to be way back when the rapture took place and we got, schenn, couturier, voracek and simmonds... all were relatively young and theme back then was "let the kids grow"... fast forward almost 5 years and this team is a now officially a bottom feeder with (I'm not exactly sure where we rank in terms of payroll) one of the most expensive rosters. this is beyond needing a tweak, this really is doomsday territory. no the blue line isn't the greatest but our corp of forwards should be able to win some of these games without a norris caliber defenseman. Come next offseason I expect serious turn over and some proven names injected into the lineup. you wanna draft and develop, great but as i warned a few years ago, don't become the edmonton oilers and now we can't even beat the likes of them.

(frank) this team. I am not oying oit money to make my annual 3 hour pilgrimage to either Nashville or Columbus to see this poop show.

Bill,

Thanks for the detailed summary as always. Wasn't able to watch the game - thankfully.

Glad someone liked my stoppable force / movable object line

And now we know the answer...the object doesn't move

So...because this is Philly...I'll give you guys the next developing story line. Hint. Two Words.

Goalie.


Controversy.


Doesn't matter if it's real or not. You know it is gonna come up in the next couple of weeks.

Because this is Philly.

Ugly. Sit Manning and Vinny. Gagner has actually be pretty solid on both sides of the puck, not sure why he got yanked in the first place, especially for VLC.

So...because this is Philly...I'll give you guys the next developing story line. Hint. Two Words.

Goalie.


Controversy.


Doesn't matter if it's real or not. You know it is gonna come up in the next couple of weeks.

Because this is Philly.
- TheGreat28

Yup, you know it is going to happen...hit more, punch something , shoot on power play and trade Mason cause that other guy is better.

Set your clock to October 2017 and then sit back and relax.

Ugly. Sit Manning and Vinny. Gagner has actually be pretty solid on both sides of the puck, not sure why he got yanked in the first place, especially for VLC.
- wolfie

Seeing 40 and 23 both on the right side of PP2 was bad enough, but when Vinny's pass got by Manning and led to that scoring chance in the 1st, I damn near lost it.

Two struggling guys anchoring the wall. Great idea.

Manning and vinny lol...2 things the coach can control he he can't get that right

This team is just not that good and players need to be moved out ...hexstall has been here long enough to see what he has.

I encourage people to stay away and don't spend money to. See this slop

So Vinny was dressed cause he's big??

Yeah, that makes sense. He did lay the nastiest hit of the night, too bad it was on Brayden Schenn.

So Vinny was dressed cause he's big??

Yeah, that makes sense. He did lay the nastiest hit of the night, too bad it was on Brayden Schenn.
- BiggE

Yeah, great awareness and stickwork.

It's funny how things seem to happen, whey you're struggling, a shot you take bounces off the goalie, past traffic to set the other team up on a break, where they take a shot, and it bounces off the traffic into your net. Although I wonder because Calgary is a struggling team also.

Lecavalier has been given another chance. Be done with it. He can't play. Gagner wasn't the only player who hasn't played well lately. Play the better player, especially when you're struggling to score goals.

Many months ago during the Berube debate, I questioned the cultures of losing and Berube poisoning young players with his lineups and perhaps the "vibe" in the locker room- think I had some back & forth with JSAQ on this.

A year later, I question this again, and to an extent the coaches decisions.

Many times teams come out of the gate enthused, fresh and with real zip in their step and doing things right. This lasted a few weeks.

VLC and Manning, PUKE....

We call up a guy with wheels- has he dressed yet? How did the Flames beat the Flyers... with a guy named Johnny Hockey who is undersized and fast and the resultant bounce off a body on a rush. The guy called up may not have all the skills , but in a speed game, speed kills sloth...

Yeah I am questioning the coach, his ability to motivate and prepare players at the NHL level, his lineup choices etc. If this guy is so much more a thinking mans game and responsibility coach than Berube, shouldnt there be better results.

Hextall and the whole organization should open the doors, let people in first come for free and have unlimited free Yuengling for this load of poop they are putting out as an NHL team

Not letting Giroux or Voracheck off the hook either

Essentially this team has unacceptable performance on the following salaries/cap hits
Giroux
Voracheck
LeCavalier
Umberger
McDonald ( even with the 950K cap hit credit)

Add in the lack of performance from other players and half the cap is spent on zero performance versus expectations.

If that locker room wasnt poisoned last year, I think it will be this year.

Oh great they played 2 good periods against a team as bad as they are and got a consolation point in the loss...

Lecavalier has been given another chance. Be done with it. He can't play. Gagner wasn't the only player who hasn't played well lately. Play the better player, especially when you're struggling to score goals.
- MJL

I think they are trying to lead the horse to the water. In this case the water is the realization that he's done. I don't think he's willing to drink just yet.

The team really needs him to retire. This year is shot anyway. I'd keep doing what they are doing. Set the policy that you play the best players and let him sit the majority of the time. Mix him in periodically so you can claim it's not a form of punishment. Limit his minutes when he does play.

He's got to think he's been given a fair shake, which he obviously didn't think under Berube. Hopefully he drinks the water sometime this year or off-season.

One goal again. Exciting. What a complete pile of poop product being put on the ice.
Embarrassing.

So Vinny was dressed cause he's big??

Yeah, that makes sense. He did lay the nastiest hit of the night, too bad it was on Brayden Schenn.
- BiggE

A big piece of steaming poop

(frank) this team. I am not oying oit money to make my annual 3 hour pilgrimage to either Nashville or Columbus to see this poop show.
- Lexington Flyer

Lecavalier has been given another chance. Be done with it. He can't play. Gagner wasn't the only player who hasn't played well lately. Play the better player, especially when you're struggling to score goals.
- MJL

Let's hope the coach can realize this.

Anyone who questioned the hire of Hakstool looks like an utter fool.