They could switch Ghost and Jake as well. Ghost would create more gravity and it could open a little more room in the middle for Schenn.

I don't even think they need to change the formation. They can just move guys around. Give the PK more to think about instead of using the same formation with the same players in the same spots.
- PhillySportsGuy

They actually did swap Jake and Ghost last night during at least one PP. Ghost was over at the dot when G zipped a pass across to him. I swore that shot was going to be buried but alas it went slightly wide.

None of it really matters at this point. You can only judge expectations based on the evidence provided within the first 7 games.

Right now they'll be lucky as hell to make the playoffs.

I hate the Rangers, but they can win in the regular season. I'm more worried about the Devils, Senators, and Bruins.
- MikesPillBottle

If you are basing it on 7 games, the Flyers are in a 3-way tie for the last playoff spot. I don't think that indicates that they'll be "lucky as hell" to make it. I also think a 7-game sample at the beginning of the season where they've had key players suspended/injured is a good measuring stick.

Barring significant injuries, I agree. I think, when healthy, they are the 3rd best team in the Metro.
- BiggE

Yeah but you've been a heavy drinker for 46 years.

I can't help but laugh at how many bad teams there are in this league. Carolina and Columbus I think aren't close to the playoffs, so it really only leaves 6 teams in the division.

Where did they improve? The only team that made the playoffs last year that had less points than the Flyers was Detroit.

100 points would be a miracle. If they find ways to draw penalties consistently than perhaps they could hit 100, but if not they better learn to play better at even strength cause they won't make the playoffs if they don't.
- MikesPillBottle

Where did they improve? Are you even serious right now?

Last year's team carried RJ Umberger, Wheels and Luke Schenn for all or parts of the season -- are you kidding me? They got absolutely nothing from 2.5 roster slots last year totaling $9 million of cap hit!

I don't even love the Weise signing and I can tell you that he and Gordon, plus Konecny and Provorov, are more useful that Sam Gagner, Umberger, Wheels and Schenn -- I mean, come on. This isn't even a question.

None of it really matters at this point. You can only judge expectations based on the evidence provided within the first 7 games.

Right now they'll be lucky as hell to make the playoffs.

I hate the Rangers, but they can win in the regular season. I'm more worried about the Devils, Senators, and Bruins.
- MikesPillBottle

This Flyers team is literally the exact same team as the last 2-3 years just with more talent. Slow starts, even or less at even strength, good/great PP, solid/really good goaltending and a terrible PK. I believe the talent of this team has improved by at least 5%. Everything else remains a constant. Therefore they will have at least 5% more (4) points than last year totaling 100 points even.

Where did they improve? Are you even serious right now?

Last year's team carried RJ Umberger, Wheels and Luke Schenn for all or parts of the season -- are you kidding me? They got absolutely nothing from 2.5 roster slots last year totaling $9 million of cap hit!

I don't even love the Weise signing and I can tell you that he and Gordon, plus Konecny and Provorov, are more useful that Sam Gagner, Umberger, Wheels and Schenn -- I mean, come on. This isn't even a question.
- AllInForFlyers

Yes. However, the Rangers made the playoff last year despite a 12-point decline in the standings, which means they are a lock to make it this year as well. And don't forget Detroit's 426-year playoff streak, which guarantees them a spot as well.

Any word on a suspension for the head hit on Voracek? Or was he wearing orange thus it's all good? There is no way that if that play wasn't reversed they wouldn't be throwing the book at us at this point.
- FlyersGrace

Buffaslugs don't play until Thursday so no rush today to make the decision.

If you are basing it on 7 games, the Flyers are in a 3-way tie for the last playoff spot. I don't think that indicates that they'll be "lucky as hell" to make it. I also think a 7-game sample at the beginning of the season where they've had key players suspended/injured is a good measuring stick.
- jmatchett383

Using a previous year's team performance to gauge the new years projected performance is worse than the 7 game sample.

Too many new players.

The Flyers are capable of being top 3 in the conference, forget the division. They just can't find a way to get emotionally involved in games until they're losing or the other team comes at them like last night.

If i'm a coach playing the Flyers I play them simple. Collapse in the Dzone and block shooting lanes, ignore all chirping and play like robots to keep them uninterested, and wait until the refs decide to (frank) them and call a half dozen penalties.

And the Flyers fans screamed for a Too Many Men penalty which never came.
- dragonoffrost

it wasnt too much man

Using a previous year's team performance to gauge the new years projected performance is worse than the 7 game sample.
- MikesPillBottle

the Rangers had 101 points last year and 113 the year before. If we're a lock, they are a def lock.
- MikesPillBottle

Sooo....yeah.

Where did they improve? Are you even serious right now?

Last year's team carried RJ Umberger, Wheels and Luke Schenn for all or parts of the season -- are you kidding me? They got absolutely nothing from 2.5 roster slots last year totaling $9 million of cap hit!

I don't even love the Weise signing and I can tell you that he and Gordon, plus Konecny and Provorov, are more useful that Sam Gagner, Umberger, Wheels and Schenn -- I mean, come on. This isn't even a question.
- AllInForFlyers

None of which was really the issue.

The issue was defense and even strength scoring.

What are the issues this year? Defense and even strength scoring.

it wasnt too much man
- YuenglingJagr

Guy came on ice, no one leaves ice and guy who just came on touches puck was too many men for years until I believe it was Roy who had his guys fire the puck at the guy who just came on to draw the call. Then they changed the rule to be has to make a play for the puck.

Sooo....yeah.
- jmatchett383

We're talking about predicting playoff spots. Using the logic that they had 96 points last year that they are a lock to make the playoffs would also mean other teams are a lock to make the playoffs.

That was the point I was making.

I know it's hard for you, but do keep up.

Yes. However, the Rangers made the playoff last year despite a 12-point decline in the standings, which means they are a lock to make it this year as well. And don't forget Detroit's 426-year playoff streak, which guarantees them a spot as well.
- jmatchett383

It's not that we can't even discuss the flaws of this team -- there are some. We can all see them, and we should talk about them like fans do.

But FFS. Damn. Sometimes when you read this board, you'd think that Boston didn't lose Loui Eriksson, the Rags didn't lose Keith Yandle and Rick Nash wasn't now a third-liner, that the Islanders didn't lose Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo -- I mean, come on. Some people act like the Flyers are up against the '87 Oilers every damn night

None of which was really the issue.

The issue was defense and even strength scoring.

What are the issues this year? Defense and even strength scoring.
- MikesPillBottle

You do realize that the Flyers rank 6th is 5v5 goals for this season, right?

You do realize that the Flyers rank 6th is 5v5 goals for this season, right?
- jmatchett383

Don't trouble him with facts like that -- the Flyers are DOOMED! DOOMED, I tell you!

You do realize that the Flyers rank 6th is 5v5 goals for this season, right?
- jmatchett383

So now we can use the 7 game sample?

Make up your minddddddddd

I know it's all conversation for conversation's sake, but putting sarcasms aside for a second it's pretty early to prognosticate chances. For reference, at the nine game mark last season the Habs were a lock for the cup. Things will change, some teams that should be better will hit snags.

We're talking about predicting playoff spots. Using the logic that they had 96 points last year that they are a lock to make the playoffs would also mean other teams are a lock to make the playoffs.

That was the point I was making.

I know it's hard for you, but do keep up.
- MikesPillBottle

I never said that, other people did. But the fact is that the Rangers are trending down, as is Detroit, while the Flyers are trending up.

So now we can use the 7 game sample?

Make up your minddddddddd
- MikesPillBottle

That's what you told me.

Which direction do you want to spin it now? I'm sure you'll eventually find some way to convince us all how horrible the Flyers are and how it will take a miracle for them to make it.

Jmatchett posted it a while back...it was the blue line
- YuenglingJagr

lol

Don't trouble him with facts like that -- the Flyers are DOOMED! DOOMED, I tell you!
- AllInForFlyers

8th worst penalty kill.

4th in total goals against.

9th worst face off team.

Want to use these facts too?

I know it's all conversation for conversation's sake, but putting sarcasms aside for a second it's pretty early to prognosticate chances. For reference, at the nine game mark last season the Habs were a lock for the cup. Things will change, some teams that should be better will hit snags.
- BulliesPhan87

I usually get worried around US Thanksgiving about standings. Until then it's just "ok how do they look" which right now is down right a roller coaster ride. Some good, followed by a poop show, followed by last night's comeback and shootout win... yeah fun times.

Don't trouble him with facts like that -- the Flyers are DOOMED! DOOMED, I tell you!
- AllInForFlyers

You know what? (frank) it, he wins. The Flyers are awful. They won't make the playoffs. Trade everyone, fire Hakstol!

I just don't care about this any more. Moving on.

I usually get worried around US Thanksgiving about standings. Until then it's just "ok how do they look" which right now is down right a roller coaster ride. Some good, followed by a poop show, followed by last night's comeback and shootout win... yeah fun times.
- dragonoffrost

They're inconsistent as hell, that's for sure. It's like they need a kickstart to get going. The best sign for me so far is that Jake (a.k.a. Jason Vorachec) is looking like his old self.