That 3v3 lineup Hak put out there had the feeling of a manager using his worst reliever in extra innings against the middle of the lineup, so he could save his closer for later.
- PhillySportsGuy

If Ghost with G and Jake is an option, I think he goes for the kill with them. He created his own issue there because he was forced to use Provy with his top guys. First time I can recall those 3 forming a unit all season. Regardless even though it almost worked(Provy had a glorious chance), Provy should've been out there to start with coots and simmer. lT was a questionable decision spawned from his original questionable decision to keep Ghost out of the line up.

Not having Ghost creates problems for them in OT.

Also, I don't understand why teams feel the need to always have a defenseman on the ice in OT. There really are no positions, so you're probably better off just icing the three best players. It never mattered that much when Ghost was in the lineup because he's almost like a 3rd forward anyway, but without him they're really thin on the back end. Provorov is really the only one with the skill and skating that stands out.
- PhillySportsGuy

Not having Ghost creates problems for them in OT.

Also, I don't understand why teams feel the need to always have a defenseman on the ice in OT. There really are no positions, so you're probably better off just icing the three best players. It never mattered that much when Ghost was in the lineup because he's almost like a 3rd forward anyway, but without him they're really thin on the back end. Provorov is really the only one with the skill and skating that stands out.
- PhillySportsGuy

Not that it's always necessary but you typically want a defenseman on the ice for one on one and odd man situAtions. Manning proved not to be one you'd want on the ice last night.

Bill do you feel G and or possibly Ghost are still feeling the effects from summer hip/abdominal surgery?

Giroux has no power in his stride
- Just5

Giroux is exiting his prime. He's still very good, buoyed up by being a top PP guy, and his 5v5 numbers won't be this bad again probably because it's a team issue as well, but he's not looking like THE guy anymore to be the best forward on a Cup team, based on recent Cup teams. It's just reality.

Ghost is fine. He's moving the same. I seem to remember him leading the World Cup d men in points all the way back in September immediately after recovery.

Giroux is exiting his prime. He's still very good, buoyed up by being a top PP guy, and his 5v5 numbers won't be this bad again probably because it's a team issue as well, but he's not looking like THE guy anymore to be the best forward on a Cup team, based on recent Cup teams. It's just reality.

Ghost is fine. He's moving the same. I seem to remember him leading the World Cup d men in points all the way back in September immediately after recovery.
- Mononoke

I'm still completely confident in both players. I've posted before that Giroux is no longer a player who can put a team on his back and carry them. I do believe however that he can still be a real good player on a top team. I don't think there is any question that Giroux has been worn down to the point where he doesn't have the same explosiveness he once had. The hip surgery is undoubtedly a part of that. Maybe there will be some improvement, but I wouldn't count on it.

I have no doubt that Gostisbehere will turn his play around. Times like this can be a valuable learning experience.

Giroux is exiting his prime. He's still very good, buoyed up by being a top PP guy, and his 5v5 numbers won't be this bad again probably because it's a team issue as well, but he's not looking like THE guy anymore to be the best forward on a Cup team, based on recent Cup teams. It's just reality.

Ghost is fine. He's moving the same. I seem to remember him leading the World Cup d men in points all the way back in September immediately after recovery.
- Mononoke

It's not like they need to find the next McDavid (though it would be nice), they just need a center who can drive possession at ES and put up 20+ goals and 50+ points. Rubtsov may be that guy, the question is can he get here soon enough, say by mid season 18-19 or the start of 19-20 at the latest.

Not that it's always necessary but you typically want a defenseman on the ice for one on one and odd man situAtions. Manning proved not to be one you'd want on the ice last night.
- Baxter27

Positions end up not really mattering though. There is so much movement and guys pretty much venture all over the ice. Is the team really better off defensively with a guy like Manning over a guy like Read?

Another thing I'd like to see change a bit is subbing offense for defense when they have the puck. If you have a more defensive group on the ice and they gain control, it might be better to switch out a guy like Read for a guy like Konecny or Simmonds.

Giroux is exiting his prime. He's still very good, buoyed up by being a top PP guy, and his 5v5 numbers won't be this bad again probably because it's a team issue as well, but he's not looking like THE guy anymore to be the best forward on a Cup team, based on recent Cup teams. It's just reality.

Ghost is fine. He's moving the same. I seem to remember him leading the World Cup d men in points all the way back in September immediately after recovery.
- Mononoke

Agreed on both points..
Give me a lineup of X at 1C, Giroux as your 2C and Coots as your 3C..Would take that in a second.

The Kings are a playoff bubble team in the Western Conf. playing without one of the top goaltenders in the sport.

1.76 goals per game over the last 21 games worst in the NHL. "Team Negative" stat.
- PLindbergh31

Kings were a modest scoring playoff bubble team when they won the damn Cup the first time, down 3-0 in a series the second. Their offense comes and goes but that doesn't make them any easier to play against. Also, Budaj has tremendous numbers this year because they play such tight D in front of him.

They're learning so much in the press box
- PhillySportsGuy

Konecny: I could learn more from watching the intermission game with the 8 year olds than these idiots.

Konecny and Ghost laugh

Konecny: No, really....I'm being serious right now.

For the record, I think G has played very well since being place back with Jake.

Positions end up not really mattering though. There is so much movement and guys pretty much venture all over the ice. Is the team really better off defensively with a guy like Manning over a guy like Read?

Another thing I'd like to see change a bit is subbing offense for defense when they have the puck. If you have a more defensive group on the ice and they gain control, it might be better to switch out a guy like Read for a guy like Konecny or Simmonds.
- PhillySportsGuy

I understand what you're saying but the defenseman still provides value if they're conscious of their responsibility to be the prime in defensive situations. There is a ton of movement but they're still positioning themselves to attack and defend with some purpose.

Konecny: I could learn more from watching the intermission game with the 8 year olds than these idiots.

Konecny and Ghost laugh

Konecny: No, really....I'm being serious right now.
- Mononoke

10POINTS!!!

For the record, I think G has played very well since being place back with Jake.
- SuperSchennBros

Hope you mean

It's not like they need to find the next McDavid (though it would be nice), they just need a center who can drive possession at ES and put up 20+ goals and 50+ points. Rubtsov may be that guy, the question is can he get here soon enough, say by mid season 18-19 or the start of 19-20 at the latest.
- BiggE

No center is regularly going to put up 50+ without PP1 time. It's too lofty. I can't think of anyone in the league who does that regularly who isn't a 1C. You'd have to have 40+ points at ES, and that's top 15-20 in the league production.....and surprise, those guys usually play on the PP1.

Rubtsov could be 2+ years away. Vorobyov might be here a year sooner, but he's lower ceiling, even though I like him a ton. And Rubtsov isn't coming in Day 1 and being a top 6 center. If he does become one, it may take a few years still even then. I don't think he'll be a 1C in his prime either. They could be important players for us one day, but I'm skeptical they'll be elite Cup talent material. Say in 3 seasons both Rubtsov and Vorobyov are on the Flyers, presumably with some NHL experience already. They still will not be in their primes yet, and Giroux is now 32, and time moves in one direction. Simmonds may not even be here, unless he's signed at age 31 to a 6 year deal or something. Jake is 30 (I don't worry about him tbh). All of our d will still be in their early 20s besides Ghost, and they may not even be in their primes yet (Provorov perhaps). Is our window STILL not even open at that point, yet?

I don't see this team being a few rookie and sophomore defensive prospects and a "REAL" second line center away from being a Cup type team. Even the kids will filter in and need time. Personally, I look at the top forward group right now and question whether that's a Cup core looking at recent teams (Voracek could probably be the 2nd best player on a Cup team). Very good, yes. Important pieces, yes. But the engine of a team? But right now doesn't even matter because we may be 3-5 years away still. See, I don't worry about the prospects or the middle/bottom 6 depth. I worry about the top. You don't need McDavid. But you need among league best talent.

Kings were a modest scoring playoff bubble team when they won the damn Cup the first time, down 3-0 in a series the second. Their offense comes and goes but that doesn't make them any easier to play against. Also, Budaj has tremendous numbers this year because they play such tight D in front of him.
- bmeltzer

They did a great job against OVIE today but wash is a little deeper than the flyers

Although other teams get scored in OT by former players.
I think it's great that carter can score against us for game winners.

No center is regularly going to put up 50+ without PP1 time. It's too lofty. I can't think of anyone in the league who does that regularly who isn't a 1C. You'd have to have 40+ points at ES, and that's top 15-20 in the league production.....and surprise, those guys usually play on the PP1.

Rubtsov could be 2+ years away. Vorobyov might be here a year sooner, but he's lower ceiling, even though I like him a ton. And Rubtsov isn't coming in Day 1 and being a top 6 center. If he does become one, it may take a few years still even then. I don't think he'll be a 1C in his prime either. They could be important players for us one day, but I'm skeptical they'll be elite Cup talent material. Say in 3 seasons both Rubtsov and Vorobyov are on the Flyers, presumably with some NHL experience already. They still will not be in their primes yet, and Giroux is now 32, and time moves in one direction. Simmonds may not even be here, unless he's signed at age 31 to a 6 year deal or something. Jake is 30 (I don't worry about him tbh). All of our d will still be in their early 20s besides Ghost, and they may not even be in their primes yet (Provorov perhaps). Is our window STILL not even open at that point, yet?

I don't see this team being a few rookie and sophomore defensive prospects and a "REAL" second line center away from being a Cup type team. Even the kids will filter in and need time. Personally, I look at the top forward group right now and question whether that's a Cup core looking at recent teams (Voracek could probably be the 2nd best player on a Cup team). Very good, yes. Important pieces, yes. But the engine of a team? But right now doesn't even matter because we may be 3-5 years away still. See, I don't worry about the prospects or the middle/bottom 6 depth. I worry about the top.
- Mononoke

A #1 center. You basically don't win cups without one of the top #1 centers in the league. Same with the Dman. Need one of the best #1 dmen in the league.

Would you just (frank) off already
- PhillySportsGuy

chill

They did a great job against OVIE today but wash is a little deeper than the flyers
- Landsbergfan

The Caps are the best team in the league for a reason...

So is Hak hitting a sophomore slump just like Ghost. Can we bench him for a game?

No center is regularly going to put up 50+ without PP1 time. It's too lofty. I can't think of anyone in the league who does that regularly who isn't a 1C. You'd have to have 40+ points at ES, and that's top 15-20 in the league production.....and surprise, those guys usually play on the PP1.

Rubtsov could be 2+ years away. Vorobyov might be here a year sooner, but he's lower ceiling, even though I like him a ton. And Rubtsov isn't coming in Day 1 and being a top 6 center. If he does become one, it may take a few years still even then. I don't think he'll be a 1C in his prime either. They could be important players for us one day, but I'm skeptical they'll be elite Cup talent material. Say in 3 seasons both Rubtsov and Vorobyov are on the Flyers, presumably with some NHL experience already. They still will not be in their primes yet, and Giroux is now 32, and time moves in one direction. Simmonds may not even be here, unless he's signed at age 31 to a 6 year deal or something. Jake is 30 (I don't worry about him tbh). All of our d will still be in their early 20s besides Ghost, and they may not even be in their primes yet (Provorov perhaps). Is our window STILL not even open at that point, yet?

I don't see this team being a few rookie and sophomore defensive prospects and a "REAL" second line center away from being a Cup type team. Even the kids will filter in and need time. Personally, I look at the top forward group right now and question whether that's a Cup core looking at recent teams (Voracek could probably be the 2nd best player on a Cup team). Very good, yes. Important pieces, yes. But the engine of a team? But right now doesn't even matter because we may be 3-5 years away still. See, I don't worry about the prospects or the middle/bottom 6 depth. I worry about the top. You don't need McDavid. But you need among league best talent.
- Mononoke

Yeah, I hear ya. Considering that forwards in general develop faster than Dmen, I have to wonder if Hexy isnt really expecting this teams window to open before the early 2020's. If so, it could be that Konecny along with perhaps Coots & Jake are the only current forwards still on the roster then along with Provorov and maybe Ghost on D

No center is regularly going to put up 50+ without PP1 time. It's too lofty. I can't think of anyone in the league who does that regularly who isn't a 1C. You'd have to have 40+ points at ES, and that's top 15-20 in the league production.....and surprise, those guys usually play on the PP1.

Rubtsov could be 2+ years away. Vorobyov might be here a year sooner, but he's lower ceiling, even though I like him a ton. And Rubtsov isn't coming in Day 1 and being a top 6 center. If he does become one, it may take a few years still even then. I don't think he'll be a 1C in his prime either. They could be important players for us one day, but I'm skeptical they'll be elite Cup talent material. Say in 3 seasons both Rubtsov and Vorobyov are on the Flyers, presumably with some NHL experience already. They still will not be in their primes yet, and Giroux is now 32, and time moves in one direction. Simmonds may not even be here, unless he's signed at age 31 to a 6 year deal or something. Jake is 30 (I don't worry about him tbh). All of our d will still be in their early 20s besides Ghost, and they may not even be in their primes yet (Provorov perhaps). Is our window STILL not even open at that point, yet?

I don't see this team being a few rookie and sophomore defensive prospects and a "REAL" second line center away from being a Cup type team. Even the kids will filter in and need time. Personally, I look at the top forward group right now and question whether that's a Cup core looking at recent teams (Voracek could probably be the 2nd best player on a Cup team). Very good, yes. Important pieces, yes. But the engine of a team? But right now doesn't even matter because we may be 3-5 years away still. See, I don't worry about the prospects or the middle/bottom 6 depth. I worry about the top. You don't need McDavid. But you need among league best talent.
- Mononoke

Yeah at some point Hextall is gonna have to take a chance imo.. If the big defense prospects pan out, recent history trade wise should go well for them. I don't expect a hall for Larsson trade but even a Johansen for Jones would suit them well. Gotta get there first.

I'm gonna be irate if ghost and TK sit again tomorrow. For the life of me, I don't get how it's acceptable to disrupt both power play units on a team that relies so heavily on the pp. But vdv and PEB have their spots in the lineup up written in pen every night because they're staples on our poop pk.

chill
- Nucker101

Bro, I got no chill

WoW Grabner with his 23 goal how is his salary vs Weise