But he shouldn't be in the lineup when the Flyers have players that replace and upgrade him
- YuenglingJagr

There are certainly more talented players available, but perhaps not players the coach trusts as much. I'm in agreement that the Flyers can upgrade that spot. Id personally rather see Lyubimov in that spot. I'm just simply offering an opinion on why Hakstol plays Vandevelde. While I may not agree with it, I understand it.

He needs to get some of Voraceks fire. He hasn't been the player we need him to be for awhile now.

I still wish we had Jagr, losing him really brought Giroux down point wise.
- MikesPillBottle

If we build a wall around Voracek and make the Sabres pay for it, he'll never get hit again

There are certainly more talented players available, but perhaps not players the coach trusts as much. I'm in agreement that the Flyers can upgrade that spot. Id personally rather see Lyubimov in that spot. I'm just simply offering an opinion on why Hakstol plays Vandevelde. While I may not agree with it, I understand it.
- MJL

Haksplainer

If we build a wall around Voracek and make the Sabres pay for it, he'll never get hit again
- Giroux_Is_God

If he didn't get hit last night we lose 3-1

There are certainly more talented players available, but perhaps not players the coach trusts as much. I'm in agreement that the Flyers can upgrade that spot. Id personally rather see Lyubimov in that spot. I'm just simply offering an opinion on why Hakstol plays Vandevelde. While I may not agree with it, I understand it.
- MJL

Fair enough, I just think everyone knows why Vandevelde gets played. It doesnt make the fact that he does any less frustrating

I thought Jagr was here for girouxs 90 point season. I was off just a few years..

Feels like just the other day Jags was here. Couldn't pay Jagr but we found a way to pay AMac. Makes me angry.
- MikesPillBottle

We paid AMac 2 years removed from Jagr. It was the Carle/Weber contract negotiations that blocked Jagr from signing right away.

Konecny gets only one shift in OT? that's silly imo.
- rinaldo

Buffalo controlled play in OT. Not surprising he got one shift.

We paid AMac 2 years removed from Jagr. It was the Carle/Weber contract negotiations that blocked Jagr from signing right away.
- jmatchett383

Stop changing the narrative!

There are certainly more talented players available, but perhaps not players the coach trusts as much. I'm in agreement that the Flyers can upgrade that spot. Id personally rather see Lyubimov in that spot. I'm just simply offering an opinion on why Hakstol plays Vandevelde. While I may not agree with it, I understand it.
- MJL

Absolutely. I think everyone understands why he plays, but that doesn't mean we have to like the decision.

Buffalo controlled play in OT. Not surprising he got one shift.
- dragonoffrost

Exactly why OT was incredibly boring

The hit on Girgensons? Meh.

If Giroux wanted to plaster him, he could have.
- johndewar

He could have let up more too. I don't know if that was a Flyer we'd be pissed.

Kind of a weird decision for him to go for that (rather not smart) hit to begin with.

The Voracek head shot was way nastier though. No doubt.

We paid AMac 2 years removed from Jagr. It was the Carle/Weber contract negotiations that blocked Jagr from signing right away.
- jmatchett383

We could have found a way.

If we build a wall around Voracek and make the Sabres pay for it, he'll never get hit again
- Giroux_Is_God

I loved Jake's postgame where he basically said "It's hockey, sometimes you get hit."

If he didn't get hit last night we lose 3-1
- MikesPillBottle

And if Giroux didn't lose Jagr he'd be a 214 pt player

We could have found a way.
- MikesPillBottle

Our cap allowance with the Weber O.S. (plus the fact we were trying to negotiate with Carle) did not allow us to match what NJ offered Jagr, and he didn't want to wait. It came down to $$ and he took it, which is fine by me.

I loved Jake's postgame where he basically said "It's hockey, sometimes you get hit."
- jmatchett383

Yeah the dude is tough as poop. Even after Kronwall put him in a coma a few years ago he was a man about it. Love his attitude with hockey.

I would buy a Voracek jersey but he would die shortly after. I can't live with that hovering over me.

Exactly why OT was incredibly boring
- YuenglingJagr

I think I counted 4 different times Buffalo passed it back to the goalie when they had the puck in the o-zone. Definitely played for the shootout.

Exactly why OT was incredibly boring
- YuenglingJagr

Buffalo fans probably loved it. It's how you really should play 3 on 3. Hold the puck and wait for the other team to make a mistake then pounce.

Fair enough, I just think everyone knows why Vandevelde gets played. It doesnt make the fact that he does any less frustrating
- YuenglingJagr

In my opinion, there are far bigger issues with this team right now than Vandevelde playing. With the state of the team right now, taking out Vandevelde for another player, likely wouldn't change much, without other issues being corrected. I'm far more frustrated with the inconsistent team play.

Buffalo controlled play in OT. Not surprising he got one shift.
- dragonoffrost

it is to me when you want your skilled guys out there. Maybe if he gets more than 1 shift they control the play more.

I think I counted 4 different times Buffalo passed it back to the goalie when they had the puck in the o-zone. Definitely played for the shootout.
- jmatchett383

My thought too.

They were not playing for the win in OT. They wanted to take it to the shootout. And it was probably do to the Flyers not being a good shootout team.

In my opinion, there are far bigger issues with this team right now than Vandevelde playing. With the state of the team right now, taking out Vandevelde for another player, likely wouldn't change much, without other issues being corrected. I'm far more frustrated with the inconsistent team play.
- MJL

Maybe playing better players makes the players play better

I think I counted 4 different times Buffalo passed it back to the goalie when they had the puck in the o-zone. Definitely played for the shootout.
- jmatchett383

I think that was far more about maintaining possession, during line changes in the 3 on 3, then it was about playing for the shootout. I think it's strategy that if you watch Buffalo play in OT on other occasions, you'd see them using it on a regular basis to maintain possession. I think other team might adopt.

Maybe playing better players makes the players play better
- YuenglingJagr

I don't think that inserting Lyubimov in for Vandevelde is going to make Wayne Simmonds play better.

I think that was far more about maintaining possession, during line changes in the 3 on 3, then it was about playing for the shootout. I think it's strategy that if you watch Buffalo play in OT on other occasions, you'd see them using it on a regular basis to maintain possession. I think other team might adopt.
- MJL

Bylsma