Solid effort, even if they had won the shootout I still wouldnt be a fan of it. Im just happy they actually had decent scoring chances and had a respectable number of shots
- Trainfellow

Yup, I hate the breakaway competition. I would love to see the league just go to 10 minutes of 3 on 3 and if it's still tied at that point, and that will likely be a rare occurrence, just call it a (frank)ing tie, give both teams a point, and move on.

Was at a concert so I didnt get to watch the game, but I do agree that Read has been one of the better players this year. Maybe not score 20 goals matt read, but at possession and making plays in all 3 zones he has been great
- YuenglingJagr

Possession's great and all, but offensive output is even better. Not saying that goal scoring is all that maters, but at some point, you need to turn possession into goals.

the ceremony may be the highlite of the night
- vejim

without a doubt.

Possession's great and all, but offensive output is even better. Not saying that goal scoring is all that maters, but at some point, you need to turn possession into goals.
- jmatchett383

Agreed. At 3.625 million per season, you need a bit more from Matt Read than good possession numbers. Three goals, five points and a -6 after 18 games is simply not good enough.

Possession's great and all, but offensive output is even better. Not saying that goal scoring is all that maters, but at some point, you need to turn possession into goals.
- jmatchett383

I agree with that, but it is predicting future success. At least that is what the nerds tell us. He shot 15% his first 3 seasons here and is at 10% now (5% last year). We havent played the islanders yet

The point is, he hasn't been bad. He just hasn't scored as much as someone getting 2nd line ice time probably should.

They better play well on Brindy's night this Monday, it's the only game this season that I have tickets for!!

- BiggE

Just a fun little Brindy story:
There was a set of hockey cards in the 90s licensed by the NHLPA but not the NHL, so they had either candid shots of players or players with team logos removed. This was Rod's card:



Upon seeing it, my mom asked for one and went out and bought a Brind'Amour jersey. She then took a sharpie and colored over his face so she wouldn't have to look at anything but his body.

Agreed. At 3.625 million per season, you need a bit more from Matt Read than good possession numbers. Three goals, five points and a -6 after 18 games is simply not good enough.
- BiggE

looks to be a case diminishing returns.

Was at the game and have no complaints really. Was a great exciting game and Jake and G looked great. I thought Raffl played well on the 4th line. Schenn had a strong game. Ghost was just great to watch in person. That was a snipe! Only head scratching moment I had is when 3 on 3 our line was Bellemare, Simmonds, and Gudas. Wish G or Del Zotto scored on their OT fast breaks, almost wish Giroux didn't feed Zotto the pass and took it himself for that rush but hey we got a point.

I agree with that, but it is predicting future success. At least that is what the nerds tell us. He shot 15% his first 3 seasons here and is at 10% now (5% last year). We havent played the islanders yet

The point is, he hasn't been bad. He just hasn't scored as much as someone getting 2nd line ice time probably should.
- YuenglingJagr

Well, that's my issue. Were he a player making $1.75M and playing 3rd/4th line time, then sure, I have no issue. For a guy making over $3.65M and getting 2nd line time, I want more results than just good possession.

Also, possession metrics show a trend, they do not predict future success. There is a distinct difference.

Well, that's my issue. Were he a player making $1.75M and playing 3rd/4th line time, then sure, I have no issue. For a guy making over $3.65M and getting 2nd line time, I want more results than just good possession.

Also, possession metrics show a trend, they do not predict future success. There is a distinct difference.
- jmatchett383

Sorta wish we could replace Read with Hagelin

Was at the game and have no complaints really. Was a great exciting game and Jake and G looked great. I thought Raffl played well on the 4th line. Schenn had a strong game. Ghost was just great to watch in person. That was a snipe! Only head scratching moment I had is when 3 on 3 our line was Bellemare, Simmonds, and Gudas. Wish G or Del Zotto scored on their OT fast breaks, almost wish Giroux didn't feed Zotto the pass and took it himself for that rush but hey we got a point.
- arichardson22

Giroux was dominating last night, but I do have a question: When was the last time where he just shot the puck on a breakaway/shootout? Was it the Ranger's shootout in 2010? The guy has great hands, especially in close, but I think more goalies are going to go for the poke check on his. I'd like to see him just pick a shot and shoot every now and then.

Agreed. At 3.625 million per season, you need a bit more from Matt Read than good possession numbers. Three goals, five points and a -6 after 18 games is simply not good enough.
- BiggE

It's true. But I think the only players producing at an acceptable level so far this season are Streit and (weird as it sounds) Luke Schenn. Even Giroux is below the production level we need from him, despite the fact he has played at an extremely high level.

That slap shot goal by Ghost last night was an absolute bullet. In am so excited to be getting a glimpse of the future.

It is very exciting to think that Provorov and Sanheim are both considered even BETTER than Ghost. And with Morin getting close......

Keep drafting snipers Hexy.

Now that I've come down from my high on the Ghost goal, that was actually a very fun, entertaining game. I still don't get why they can't bring an effort like that (or the TB game) more consistently. They just got beat by a better team last night, but had they played like this against the likes on Buffalo/NJ/Edmonton/Calgary, etc. they'd be in a much better spot. I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, but it's really mind boggling.

On Ghost: Without a doubt their best defenseman last night. When the Flyers are scrambling in their zone, once he gets the puck things calm down. He's able to skate it out on his own, he moves it well, and if need be, he makes generally safe clears. His defensive woes aren't as bad as I'd expected. Dude deserves to stay, and is just fun to watch.

On Manning: Best game I've seen him play. Was good with the puck, made a lot of good reads, and was a pretty quiet game (a la what you want from Grossmann). Far from perfect, but also far from, well, the usual.

Overall, a fun game that the Flyers could have (probably should have) won but LA was just a hair better last night. Will take 82 games played like that gladly.
- jmatchett383

I thought the flyers were the better team last night, bad bounce on that last goal.

https://pbs.twimg.com/twe...video/CTtSbukUYAE04XG.mp4

LOL I cannot wait for the Konecny era

Just a fun little Brindy story:
There was a set of hockey cards in the 90s licensed by the NHLPA but not the NHL, so they had either candid shots of players or players with team logos removed. This was Rod's card:



Upon seeing it, my mom asked for one and went out and bought a Brind'Amour jersey. She then took a sharpie and colored over his face so she wouldn't have to look at anything but his body.
- jmatchett383

That slap shot goal by Ghost last night was an absolute bullet. In am so excited to be getting a glimpse of the future.

It is very exciting to think that Provorov and Sanheim are both considered even BETTER than Ghost. And with Morin getting close......

Keep drafting snipers Hexy.
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed. At 3.625 million per season, you need a bit more from Matt Read than good possession numbers. Three goals, five points and a -6 after 18 games is simply not good enough.
- BiggE

In terms of offensive output, the same can be said for pretty much every player on the team, except those that aren't expected to, such as Schultz, Gudas, and L. Schenn.

It's true. But I think the only players producing at an acceptable level so far this season are Streit and (weird as it sounds) Luke Schenn. Even Giroux is below the production level we need from him, despite the fact he has played at an extremely high level.
- Feanor

It can be difficult to judge Giroux based on his point production. As a guy who is primarily an elite playmaker more than a goal scorer, if the guys he sets up aren't finishing, is that on him?

Well, that's my issue. Were he a player making $1.75M and playing 3rd/4th line time, then sure, I have no issue. For a guy making over $3.65M and getting 2nd line time, I want more results than just good possession.

Also, possession metrics show a trend, they do not predict future success. There is a distinct difference.
- jmatchett383

They show a trend that a guy is playing well/poorly. It's the process instead of the result.

Like Feanor said...the entire team is pretty much below the level of production that they should be. No need to pick on Matt Read here or say he is bad.

It can be difficult to judge Giroux based on his point production. As a guy who is primarily an elite playmaker more than a goal scorer, if the guys he sets up aren't finishing, is that on him?
- BiggE

Giroux has been good. Works hard every night. While not a Selke candidate he is responsible defensively, wins a ton of faceoffs, plays PP & PK. He can't do it all alone. Nice to see Voracek wake up and look like his old self again.

They show a trend that a guy is playing well/poorly. It's the process instead of the result.

Like Feanor said...the entire team is pretty much below the level of production that they should be. No need to pick on Matt Read here or say he is bad.
- YuenglingJagr

Agreed, it's a trend. Will not argue that, as it's firm raw data that you can plot (and manipulate) as you see fit. And yes, it's an indicator that the player, all things equal, will most likely continue to play well. Not a crystal ball showing the future.

I wasn't picking on him, the OP listed that he wanted Read, Gagner, and VdV gone, which is why I have my take on those 3. Had he mentioned other players, I would have given my take on them instead.

It can be difficult to judge Giroux based on his point production. As a guy who is primarily an elite playmaker more than a goal scorer, if the guys he sets up aren't finishing, is that on him?
- BiggE

I think any center will suffer when their wingers are stone cold.

I think any center will suffer when their wingers are stone cold.
- Feanor

Pretty much.

Pretty much.
- BiggE

FWIW, Giroux currently has more goals, points, and a better +/- than Sidney Crosby.