Seattle's new arena doesn't seem that close.
- Feanor

It could work in Seattle but the peeps here won't want a big bond tax to finance it and the old arena won't fly with the league

so difficult but not impossible

Burlap jerseys with a logo of Cosmo Kramer, a team requirement to grow a beard all season and then shave it when the postseason begins. I could dig it.
- Mononoke

they have to bike to the arena on a fixed gear too...and they would drink from powerade bottles on the bench

putting our two best defensemen up against the oppositions best would be a mistake?

im fine with sheltering Ghost to give him offensive chances...but I wouldnt say it is a mistake
- YuenglingJagr

I would, Gostisbehere is not a player who should be put in that role. He's an offensive puck mover, who is at a physical disadvantage down low. He should be kept away from top lines as much as possible, his entire career, and as much as possible played in offensive situations, to take advantage of his skill set.

It really depends on who is going.to be on the roster, but if MacDonald is in the top 6, I'd keep him and Gostisbehere together. They compliment each other well, and MacDonald is the perfect kind of defense partner for him.
- MJL

Agreed, I'm hoping for Streit to be moved and something along these lines, depending if Streit is moved. Obviously Provorov has to have a strong camp which all signs point to.

MDZ-Gudas
Macdonald-Ghost
Streit/Schultz-Provorov
Manning

I would, Gostisbehere is not a player who should be put in that role. He's an offensive puck mover, who is at a physical disadvantage down low. He should be kept away from top lines as much as possible, his entire career, and as much as possible played in offensive situations, to take advantage of his skill set.
- MJL

in the interest of scoring the most points...it makes sense to shelter him and let him play against weaker competition

in the interest of winning games...our best players should go up against their best players

if hes creating chances and possessing the puck against their best players...they have to rely on others to create chances

Burlap jerseys with a logo of Cosmo Kramer, a team requirement to grow a beard all season and then shave it when the postseason begins. I could dig it.
- Mononoke

Third jersey front: DUFUS

It could work in Seattle but the peeps here won't want a big bond tax to finance it and the old arena won't fly with the league

so difficult but not impossible
- Marc D

smart peeps

putting our two best defensemen up against the oppositions best would be a mistake?

im fine with sheltering Ghost to give him offensive chances...but I wouldnt say it is a mistake
- YuenglingJagr

Funny how MDZ went from being an offensive d man who is a disaster defensively....to our most reliable 2-way player. Huh. I do like how Gudas is now viewed as some sort of defensive wizard. He's pretty damn adventurous in his own zone.

Ideally both pairings in the top 4 see good competition and neither much more than the other. Teams with good d corps do that, not throw the weight of the world on one pairing's shoulders. I like the balance more with MDZ and Gudas split. I'm kind of in love with the idea of Provorov-Ghost, but not sure it's the best thing to do at this point in time in their careers. Each could still use a helping hand.

Agreed, I'm hoping for Streit to be moved and something along these lines, depending if Streit is moved. Obviously Provorov has to have a strong camp which all signs point to.

MDZ-Gudas
Macdonald-Ghost
Streit/Schultz-Provorov
Manning
- Baxter27

That pairing was flat out god awful in the playoffs.

Im hoping for
MDZ-Striet
Gudas-Ghost
Provorov-Schultz
Manning

Funny how MDZ went from being an offensive d man who is a disaster defensively....to our most reliable 2-way player. Huh. I do like how Gudas is now viewed as some sort of defensive wizard. He's pretty damn adventurous in his own zone.

Ideally both pairings in the top 4 see good competition and neither much more than the other. Teams with good d corps do that, not throw the weight of the world on one pairing's shoulders. I like the balance more with MDZ and Gudas split. I'm kind of in love with the idea of Provorov-Ghost, but not sure it's the best thing to do at this point in time in their careers. Each could still use a helping hand.
- Mononoke

or in ghosts case...a non anchor

smart peeps
- Scoob

too bad the days of Ed Snider doing the financing himself are over

what a great man

in the interest of scoring the most points...it makes sense to shelter him and let him play against weaker competition

in the interest of winning games...our best players should go up against their best players

if hes creating chances and possessing the puck against their best players...they have to rely on others to create chances
- YuenglingJagr

In terms of defensive play, as a defenseman, Gostisbehere is not one of the best players, which is why he should be kept away from that matchup as much as possible, and not paired with the player that you expect to matchup against top lines. I would play Gostisbehere in offensive situations, away from top lines, and with Giroux and Voracek as much as possible. In the same way that Chicago uses Hjamarlsson for most of the heavy lifting, to free up Duncan Keith for better offensive opportunities. It's the NHL and they're not always going to be able to get the matchups they want, so Gostisbehere will have to play in those situation some, and he can hold his own, but I would not be purposely putting him in that role, and in those situations.

Funny how MDZ went from being an offensive d man who is a disaster defensively....to our most reliable 2-way player. Huh. I do like how Gudas is now viewed as some sort of defensive wizard. He's pretty damn adventurous in his own zone.

Ideally both pairings in the top 4 see good competition and neither much more than the other. Teams with good d corps do that, not throw the weight of the world on one pairing's shoulders. I like the balance more with MDZ and Gudas split. I'm kind of in love with the idea of Provorov-Ghost, but not sure it's the best thing to do at this point in time in their careers. Each could still use a helping hand.
- Mononoke

It's not about looking at players as individuals, such as Gudas and calling him a defensive wizard. It's looking at the makeup of the team, the players you have, and putting them in the best role to succeed.

In terms of defensive play, as a defenseman, Gostisbehere is not one of the best players, which is why he should be kept away from that matchup as much as possible, and not paired with the player that you expect to matchup against top lines. I would play Gostisbehere in offensive situations, away from top lines, and with Giroux and Voracek as much as possible. In the same way that Chicago uses Hjamarlsson for most of the heavy lifting, to free up Duncan Keith for better offensive opportunities. It's the NHL and they're not always going to be able to get the matchups they want, so Gostisbehere will have to play in those situation some, and he can hold his own, but I would not be purposely putting him in that role, and in those situations.
- MJL

Keith and Hjammer played together on a pairing pretty much all season.

It's not about looking at players as individuals, such as Gudas and calling him a defensive wizard. It's looking at the makeup of the team, the players you have, and putting them in the best role to succeed.
- MJL

the goal is making the flyers succeed and it doesnt matter if you think hes not the best defensive defenseman...the point is that when he is on the ice the flyers are a better team...so until that is no longer the case...the flyers are better off playing him

That pairing was flat out god awful in the playoffs.

Im hoping for
MDZ-Striet
Gudas-Ghost
Provorov-Schultz
Manning
- jak521

The Macdonald-Ghost pairing was critical to getting the Flyers into playoffs. Why do you think it was so god awful in playoffs? Was it the even plus minus rating against the biggest offensive juggernaut in the league?

The Macdonald-Ghost pairing was critical to getting the Flyers into playoffs. Why do you think it was so god awful in playoffs? Was it the even plus minus rating against the biggest offensive juggernaut in the league?
- Baxter27

No.

The Macdonald-Ghost pairing was critical to getting the Flyers into playoffs
- Baxter27

point total and scoring rates are unequal

also giroux stirs the drink...ghost is the jerk that you let try your drink and he/she takes the biggest sip ever
- YuenglingJagr

i know that G is the master of the half wall, but honestly, its ghost who skates up the puck now, either looking for the slingshot or a zone entry. hes the QB at the top, and hes the main target now to get the shot in OT to win. I dont remember this team ever so intently looking for one guy in OT than they do for Ghost. i think the mantle in just one short year has changed from G to ghost.

now if only voracek can get that S% up, it will be impossible for guys to overload on the right side, or Jake makes them pay. That or the the umbrella as we know it ceases to exist, possible along with Mullen

i know that G is the master of the half wall, but honestly, its ghost who skates up the puck now, either looking for the slingshot or a zone entry. hes the QB at the top, and hes the main target now to get the shot in OT to win. I dont remember this team ever so intently looking for one guy in OT than they do for Ghost. i think the mantle in just one short year has changed from G to ghost.

now if only voracek can get that S% up, it will be impossible for guys to overload on the right side, or Jake makes them pay. That or the the umbrella as we know it ceases to exist, possible along with Mullen
- sjk540

I think our understanding of straws is different

- Mononoke

lol

Urkel ruled

No.
- jak521

The Flyers lost in playoffs because of injuries and special teams. Their even strength play was pretty solid aside from a lack of offense. All of their defensemen performed pretty admirably for what could've been expected.

the goal is making the flyers succeed and it doesnt matter if you think hes not the best defensive defenseman...the point is that when he is on the ice the flyers are a better team...so until that is no longer the case...the flyers are better off playing him
- YuenglingJagr

Where did I suggest not playing him? I'm suggesting playing him in the best spot and role to succeed. I'd play the crap out of Gostisbehere, in offensive situations, as much as possible.

The Flyers lost in playoffs because of injuries and special teams. Their even strength play was pretty solid aside from a lack of offense. All of their defensemen performed pretty admirably for what could've been expected.
- Baxter27

My eye test disagrees. I felt they were in "hang on for dear life and hope for a break" mode most of the time when in even strength.

Keith and Hjammer played together on a pairing pretty much all season.
- Mononoke

I didn't catch much of Chicago this season, but it's just an example of how I think Gostisbehere should be used.