Pack it up. Disappointing after the 1st period.
- Just5

Couturier absolutely clowned by Bozak. That was pathetic.

A hot motivated goalie playing his a$$ off, and he's back on the bench after a day off?

I don't understand this coach, and his decisions

It's really not hard to understand. Mason looked tired against Buffalo and gave up a lot of juicy rebounds as well as three goals on medium range wrist shots (although one was deflected). Hakstol didn't want him playing eight straight games in 16 days when he had a healthy and rested Neuvirth on the bench.

As the commentators mentioned at the time, MDZ screened him on the 2nd goal while trying to block the shot.
- Feanor

The first goal was not really stoppable.
The other two were very much so. Let's just say Leaf nation was glad Mason didn't get the start.
The way you dominated us in the first period, we were lucky to get the win.

It's really not hard to understand. Mason looked tired against Buffalo and gave up a lot of juicy rebounds as well as three goals on medium range wrist shots (although one was deflected). Hakstol didn't want him playing eight straight games in 16 days when he had a healthy and rested Neuvirth on the bench.
- Feanor

I think this time of year guys have to play when they are tired and banged up

The Flyers don't have a Matthews, Nylander and Marner to bring up right now. And I'm not sure I want them to be what the Leafs were to get those three.

Last night probably saved me $450. I'm not disappointed in this year as we all knew coming in that this is what they were. For them to have the problems scoring at even strength this year and still be around the chase until last night was good.

Next year I hope to see at least 2 more kids on D and 1 or 2 forwards. We also should expect either Lyon or Stolarz around. Help should be coming and things should be looking up,

Can we just be honest and stop calling a chase for the playoffs...The team will provide some entertainment for a couple a games, but that is about it. It is really time to look at what potential some of these young guys have and give them a cup of coffee with the big club...They also need to play Mason...you need to see if he can put it back together because I would prefer to see him and Stolarz next year, not Neuvy.
- JW98FlyerFan

Haven't the Flyers pretty much already decided that Neuvirth is coming back, and Mason isn't?

Couturier absolutely clowned by Bozak. That was pathetic.
- PLindbergh31

Speaking of clown and pathetic...

It's really not hard to understand. Mason looked tired against Buffalo and gave up a lot of juicy rebounds as well as three goals on medium range wrist shots (although one was deflected). Hakstol didn't want him playing eight straight games in 16 days when he had a healthy and rested Neuvirth on the bench.
- Feanor

I think you're right about this, but then I think Hakstol should of rested Mason and played Neuvirth against Buffalo, and then Mason last night. Mason has been the better goalie lately, and he should've played in the more important head to head matchup with Toronto.

Speaking of clown and pathetic...
- dragonoffrost

But what would this site be without his excessive and repetitive negativity.

I think you're right about this, but then I think Hakstol should of rested Mason and played Neuvirth against Buffalo, and then Mason last night. Mason has been the better goalie lately, and he should've played in the more important head to head matchup with Toronto.
- MJL

For reasons beyond comprehension, Hak seems to prefer Neuvirth over Mason. It has been that way since the very beginning.

Giving Neuvy the opening day start after Mason clearly outplayed him in preseason told us all we needed to know.

For reasons beyond comprehension, Hak seems to prefer Neuvirth over Mason. It has been that way since the very beginning.

Giving Neuvy the opening day start after Mason clearly outplayed him in preseason told us all we needed to know.
- MBFlyerfan

Could it have to do with them not wanting to deal with Mason and his probable mental block anymore?

For reasons beyond comprehension, Hak seems to prefer Neuvirth over Mason. It has been that way since the very beginning.

Giving Neuvy the opening day start after Mason clearly outplayed him in preseason told us all we needed to know.
- MBFlyerfan

The organization as a whole seems to favor Neuvirth over Mason, which I don't agree with, or understand. That they didn't even have contract talks with Mason is puzzling. What do they know that we don't?

with 7 rookies.....I keep hearing how great the prospects are in Philly....Nice to see a team actually give the kids a platform to preform.
- landros 2

7 rookies, including a 23 year old Russian forward who's doing no better than our 25 year old rookie Russian forward, and a 25 year old Russian dman, the only dman on that list. Their youngest dman is older than Hagg, Morin or Sanheim.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=76

The Flyers made a 19 year old who was the 7th overall pick their #1 dman this season, and made a 19 year old who was the 24th overall pick a top 6 forward. Last year they gave a 22 year old 3rd round pick with only 23 pro games of experience behind him, the platform to finish second in Calder trophy voting. That takes a lot more faith in young players than making the obvious decision to put elite lottery picks like Matthews and Marner on the team.

The organization as a whole seems to favor Neuvirth over Mason, which I don't agree with, or understand. That they didn't even have contract talks with Mason is puzzling. What do they know that we don't?
- MJL

Probably related to those "personal reasons" he left the team for a while back.

He is never going to be that 70 game a year #1, but when used correctly he is quite productive, and has been since he came here.

It's really not hard to understand. Mason looked tired against Buffalo and gave up a lot of juicy rebounds as well as three goals on medium range wrist shots (although one was deflected). Hakstol didn't want him playing eight straight games in 16 days when he had a healthy and rested Neuvirth on the bench.
- Feanor

Sabres were deliberately shooting for rebounds and most were in areas he could handle. Two of the goals were heavily screened and one was deflected. It was a strong game for Mason. As for fatigue, the team has not a heavy schedule lately. They even had a total off-day on Sunday.

Plain and simple, Hakstol played a hunch last night that Neuvirth would crank out a gem with a vote of confidence in a crucial game.

7 rookies, including a 23 year old Russian forward who's doing no better than our 25 year old rookie Russian forward, and a 25 year old Russian dman, the only dman on that list. Their youngest dman is older than Hagg, Morin or Sanheim.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=76

The Flyers made a 19 year old who was the 7th overall pick their #1 dman this season, and made a 19 year old who was the 24th overall pick a top 6 forward. Last year they gave a 22 year old 3rd round pick with only 23 pro games of experience behind him, the platform to finish second in Calder trophy voting. That takes a lot more faith in young players than making the obvious decision to put elite lottery picks like Matthews and Marner on the team.
- Feanor

Don't bring facts into an emotional discussion!

Probably related to those "personal reasons" he left the team for a while back.

He is never going to be that 70 game a year #1, but when used correctly he is quite productive, and has been since he came here.
- MBFlyerfan

That's what I would speculate also. I think in the off season we will hear about something that explains it.

Probably related to those "personal reasons" he left the team for a while back.
- MBFlyerfan

Yup, Hextall doesn't like Mason because he had difficulty focusing on hockey when his fiancee had a miscarriage. That's definitely it.

Refusing to fully rebuild.

Welcome to mediocrity land where drafting 12th gets you the stars of the future.

(frank)ing poopshow.

Refusing to fully rebuild.

Welcome to mediocrity land where drafting 12th gets you the stars of the future.

(frank)ing poopshow.
- flyer_nutter

What specifically should the Flyers do in your opinion?

Refusing to fully rebuild.

Welcome to mediocrity land where drafting 12th gets you the stars of the future.

(frank)ing poopshow.
- flyer_nutter

Again who are you tanking for? Nolan Patrick? Nico Hischier?

Edmonton has been in the lottery for years and only showing to be a competent team because they were able to land McDavid.

Same with the Leafs in getting Matthews.

Where's Buffalo? They have been acquiring assets for a couple years now. Are they any better then Philadelphia?

What specifically should the Flyers do in your opinion?
- MJL

Rebuild. For one damn time to it fully. Accept your forward core is not good enough and the main piece is in decline.

Stop being too proud as an organization to accept you need to have some down years. This 'make the playoffs and win every game at all cost' philosophy is still around sadly.

I look to trade Simmonds and Schenn.

Or.... let's stay on the Leafs 2.0 path where mediocrity is the name of the game.

My thoughts on Varsity are well know. I think HC stays, but his decisions are more and more questionable.

Haven't the Flyers pretty much already decided that Neuvirth is coming back, and Mason isn't?
- MJL

I don' t think so, I think they ensured they meet the goalie requirements for the waiver draft..I don't think they are settled on one over the other...They could more likely move in another direction as well and pick up a guy like Miller...but I do not think they signed Neuvy because they think he is the guy over Mason.

What specifically should the Flyers do in your opinion?
- MJL

Trade Read/Schenn
Let Vandevelde go to FA
Trade Del Zotto
Resign Schultz on the cheap
Trade/sign a true top line left winger
Trade/sign Bishop/Fleury

Rebuild. For one damn time to it fully. Accept your forward core is not good enough and the main piece is in decline.

Stop being too proud as an organization to accept you need to have some down years. This 'make the playoffs and win every game at all cost' philosophy is still around sadly.

I look to trade Simmonds and Schenn.

Or.... let's stay on the Leafs 2.0 path where mediocrity is the name of the game.

My thoughts on Varsity are well know. I think HC stays, but his decisions are more and more questionable.
- flyer_nutter

They are doing a rebuild.

Next year they will probably have 2 new defenseman and also new forward depth.

Not every rebuild needs to be a strip it down to bare bones.

Who's to say they don't look to move a couple guys this offseason and make a change in the core.