I just hate to see kids bounced in and out of the lineup when the best alternative you have is Umberger or VDV/White. On a rebuilding team, with more youth on the way being able to develop players is key. Hell its why I like he has given Manning a shot so many times.

Cousins and Laughton should play out the remainder of the year.
- flyer_nutter

But in the same breath doesn't it seem like whatever he has done has gotten this team to play with an identity. Laughton has looked better. Cousins is playing well. Read is playing better. Schenn is better.

Maybe there is a method to what Hakstol was trying to do.

I just hate to see kids bounced in and out of the lineup when the best alternative you have is Umberger or VDV/White. On a rebuilding team, with more youth on the way being able to develop players is key. Hell its why I like he has given Manning a shot so many times.

Cousins and Laughton should play out the remainder of the year.
- flyer_nutter

They'll have to make a roster move soon when Voracek and Weal healthy. Cousins may end up back in the AHL since he's waiver-exempt and Weal isn't.

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/flyers

But in the same breath doesn't it seem like whatever he has done has gotten this team to play with an identity. Laughton has looked better. Cousins is playing well. Read is playing better. Schenn is better.

Maybe there is a method to what Hakstol was trying to do.
- J35Bacher

Very true. I cant question the results. Just really hope those guys get a chance to finish out the season (Laughton and Cousins).

In terms of Brayden Schenn, say what you will splitting him from his brother will be a good career move. He is finding ways to contribute this year even if the goals dont always come. That was my biggest knock in the past, if he didnt score he was invisible. Good for Brayden, I would enjoy him on a 2nd line position with Coots.

They'll have to make a roster move soon when Voracek and Weal healthy. Cousins may end up back in the AHL since he's waiver-exempt and Weal isn't.

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/flyers
- Feanor

To me White or VDV should sit. We know it wont be VDV, should it be White. I want these kids to experience the final push. Playoffs or not.

They'll have to make a roster move soon when Voracek and Weal healthy. Cousins may end up back in the AHL since he's waiver-exempt and Weal isn't.

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/flyers
- Feanor

Cousins has played well. I wouldn't demote him. I'd send Weal down, and if he gets claimed so be it.

There is no way in hell I would sit Cousins right now when Voracek comes back. He's played feisty intelligent hockey and is contributing with points too (4 goals in 13 games I think, not bad considering limited ice time and 0 PP minutes).

I'd hate to take Gagner out. He's playing his best hockey of the season and is playing like his future career is on the line. It probably is! Not just scoring but he's winning puck battles along the boards and behind the net. He's not perfect but the effort has been there.

There is no way in hell I would sit Cousins right now when Voracek comes back. He's played feisty intelligent hockey and is contributing with points too (4 goals in 13 games I think, not bad considering limited ice time and 0 PP minutes).

I'd hate to take Gagner out. He's playing his best hockey of the season and is playing like his future career is on the line. It probably is! Not just scoring but he's winning puck battles along the boards and behind the net. He's not perfect but the effort has been there.
- Marc D

Right. If need be put Read on the fourth line, we know Hak will use them. Just keep the kids up for this run so they can experience it.

Laughton-Cousins-Gagner
VDV-Bellemare-Read

good thing we had ghost playing the point since he can skate backwards (SuperSB)

Cousins has played well. I wouldn't demote him. I'd send Weal down, and if he gets claimed so be it.
- PLindbergh31

Noooooo!!!!!!1 Not the super fantastic Weal!!!!!!!!1

Gostisbehere.

That is all.

I can't explain it but they have a different look. I think Manning knows the system well and doesn't try to do things he can't.


Yes. Medvedev is more dynamic. But also more erratic in his defensive zone and also is prone to just getting out of position in the neutral zone.

And how about Gostisbehere slipping over to the side boards like we said yesterday.
- J35Bacher

i'm with you. medvedev has a higher skill level but prone to more drastic mistakes, imo. manning seems to be more stable back there.

He has shown the ability to pull himself back, when he gets too carried away. Something guys like Gauthier, Carcillo or Rinaldo could never do.

He is one of the few that brings a consistent physical element that is truly punishing. Seems like a good team guy, you could tell how the guys reacted in the Columbus game. A good skater.

Cheap contract and the ability to play more minutes if need be. If injuries dont arise, I want him long term.
- flyer_nutter

i have no issue with them keeping him around awhile longer. he brings more good than bad, and yes, he's shown the ability to reel in his game after getting off track with the dangerous hits and bad penalties.

he also has the ability to get himself out of trouble with the puck - which he displayed last night, eluding 2 TB forecheckers near the net and danced away moving it up ice. i was surprised by it.

Gostisbehere.

That is all.
- MidnightMarauder

He has been fun to watch. You can see teams now realise he is a threat, he was a target physically in the Columbus game and he is getting less space.

Giroux went through the same thing early in his career and will be interesting to see how Ghost overcomes the extra attention. I am always scared someone is going to lay him out but the kid is very shifty.

Once Voracek comes back I think the lines will be like this:

Schenn - Giroux - Simmonds
Raffl - Couturier - Voracek
Laughton - Cousins - Read
Vandevelde - Bellemare - White

Gagner has played well but I don't see it lasting. Last night he was lazy on both goals in recovering on his man.

As much as I hate Vandevelde and White that line is doing it's job. And the Cousins line is adding some speed and grit while also getting chances. Gagner would be the most logical in that sense.

Really fun, really exciting game. If the Flyers put forth that effort every night, I won't be upset if they do or don't make the playoffs. Ghost continues to impress and, much like the rest of the team, keeps on battling even when pucks aren't going in. Mason had little to no chance on either goal and made several nice saves in limited chances.

One thing that I did notice, however, is the play on both sides of the puck in the neutral zone. Especially in the first last night, the Flyers would receive a pass near the red line to a stationary player. Against Tampa Bay, all you can do is dump it because they will be all over you. They had trouble gaining the blue line with speed (especially on the PP). On the other side, they let TB come at them uncontested through the neutral zone. Their d-zone coverage was great, but I'd like to see more of a challenge before it gets there.

Edit: The offensive forecheck was tremendous last night. The forwards were hard on the defense all night long and were coming away with a majority of 50/50 pucks. The Giroux goal was a creation of Simmonds and Schenn just wanting the puck more.

Quotes not working, had to copy/paste...

I was at the game, first this year for me. What a difference in the scope of vision from sitting in the second level, being able to see the entire ice surface, rather than just following the camera. Two things stood out to me, one good and one not so good:

1. As mentioned previously, after a lackluster 1st period, the Flyers came out determined in the second to get pressure. And even though as many as 7 of the 22 shots in that period were obvious dump-ins meant to get a stoppage of play, the rest were all legit chances and their young goaltender was outstanding. However, the Flyers kept ratcheting up the pressure. It was crazy to see them work so hard for that one goal when you saw how lucky Tampa was on theirs. And then they just dominated from there. Not sure if it was Tampa playing soft or us really being that desperate but you wouldn't know Tampa had the record that had by watching that game. Which leads to my next obstervation...

2. I was shocked at the lack of physicality from both teams. WOW! It felt like I was watching a game from a Euro League. I saw 2 hard checks from our D, in the first by Gudas just to right of our net and in the third also by Gudas where he stood someone up at the blue line. That was it, for BOTH teams. I can't imagine the Flyers were any worse for the wear after that game as they weren't hit at all. WTF? I'm not looking for 1970's hockey, but come on... Did anyone notice around the 16 min mark of the third, a Tampa winger went by Manning at the blue line like he was a turnstile. All he had to do was step to his left and take the body, instead he watched him breeze by... AMAC made 2 huge gaffs, one in the first that kept Tampa in the zone for an extra 2 minutes and another in the second. I shudder to think we're stuck with him for how many more years? Please, don't answer... (Maybe Howie can trade him to Miami or Tennessee too )
The forecheck was good. Simmonds followed up his checks, as did others but most of them were missed, very few connected. Give some credit to Tampa for being so maneuverable too. But overall, our D was soft. It was all stick checking, that's it. Especially the way Tampa played, if we had played more physical on D, I think the game would not have been that close. It seemed as though we played their game, free flowing, instead of us trying to slow them down with hard checks. I wonder if it's just the way of the league these days or an anomaly of this game, but the overall lack of physical play was noticeable

3. One more, now that I think about it. Jake was definitely missed. We really need more speed on the wings. Not sure if it's just seeing some of these rookies, like McJesus, but we looked slow in that regard, real slow.

Despite that though it was great to see them fight through it all and keep on fighting for the win. I give a lot of credit to Hak for the team's tenacity. Even if they don't make the playoffs, he has my respect as does this team.

Cousins has played well. I wouldn't demote him. I'd send Weal down, and if he gets claimed so be it.
- PLindbergh31

yep. it just opens up another contract slot.

It amazes me Ghost single handily (one can argue) won the game last night, tied and broke a franchise record, and had 2 goal night yet NHL.com doesn't make it a headlining article for their alternating image at the top. Instead an overtime win and shootout win is more important.

i have no issue with them keeping him around awhile longer. he brings more good than bad, and yes, he's shown the ability to reel in his game after getting off track with the dangerous hits and bad penalties.

he also has the ability to get himself out of trouble with the puck - which he displayed last night, eluding 2 TB forecheckers near the net and danced away moving it up ice. i was surprised by it.
- hammarby31

He would be a pain in the ass to play against in a longer playoff series.

Not since Pronger, Hatcher and J Smith has the team had a guy who brings that punishing level of play.

He has been fun to watch. You can see teams now realise he is a threat, he was a target physically in the Columbus game and he is getting less space.

Giroux went through the same thing early in his career and will be interesting to see how Ghost overcomes the extra attention. I am always scared someone is going to lay him out but the kid is very shifty.
- flyer_nutter

He has top flight offensive instincts. He will get keyed on, going forward, by the opposition's better checkers but I don't think he will be denied from posting really strong offensive numbers. With reinforcements on the way, especially on the blueline, Gostisbehere looks like he is on his way to being one of the best offensive defensemen, in the entire league, for the next ten years.

Ghost for lyfe 2016 represent

He has top flight offensive instincts. He will get keyed on, going forward, by the opposition's better checkers but I don't think he will be denied from posting really strong offensive numbers. With reinforcements on the way, especially on the blueline, Gostisbehere looks like he is on his way to being one of the best offensive defensemen, in the entire league, for the next ten years.
- MidnightMarauder

What I am perhaps most pleased with is his defensive game. He doesnt do well when they get hemmed in and the other team is able to impose their will physically.

He does however do wonderfully well at preventing any sort of extended zone time for the other team. Quick feet, and smart outlet passes.

Small sample window, and with d-men its ups/downs so we will see next year. I am happy to have him.

i have no issue with them keeping him around awhile longer. he brings more good than bad, and yes, he's shown the ability to reel in his game after getting off track with the dangerous hits and bad penalties.

he also has the ability to get himself out of trouble with the puck - which he displayed last night, eluding 2 TB forecheckers near the net and danced away moving it up ice. i was surprised by it.
- hammarby31

He's played well, but still has the propensity for taking himself out of the play for a big hit. But overall, more good than bad since he seemed to get his head screwed on.

Anyone else writing in Shayne Gostisbehere this November?

He's played well, but still has the propensity for taking himself out of the play for a big hit. But overall, more good than bad since he seemed to get his head screwed on.
- jmatchett383

Thing is, he has a chance to get himself back into the play and recover.

With a guy like Luke, if he takes the chance to go for a hit and he doesnt deliver... You might as well be a man down because its taking him forever to get back.

Too positive today for me. Sickening.

What I am perhaps most pleased with is his defensive game. He doesnt do well when they get hemmed in and the other team is able to impose their will physically.

He does however do wonderfully well at preventing any sort of extended zone time for the other team. Quick feet, and smart outlet passes.

Small sample window, and with d-men its ups/downs so we will see next year. I am happy to have him.
- flyer_nutter

He attacks the puck instead of letting the puck come to him. He knows he won't win most of the board battles (not that he doesn't scrap/hit) so instead, he goes after the puck before it comes a battle.