Yeah.

I think they will be right around the same though. Looking at next year they look to have about the same mix of vets and youth(trying to project youth who make the roster)
- J35Bacher

That's what Carolina did this year. Got a hell of a lot younger but are in almost exactly the same spot they were at this point last year as far as points go.

Results-wise it looks the same, but it feels WAY more positive when you only have one defenseman on the roster older than 25.

That's what the real discussion should be. Not what MacDonald is and has been, but what he should be on this team moving forward.
- MJL

I want Vegas to take him. I don't want him on the the first pair. With this said, regardless of money, I'm sour on Manning. I don't want him to play another minute here.

I agree even though it may be the best game I've ever played.

The Switch is a cool concept though, and works rather well. I move around a lot, and taking the xbox or PC is a pain in the nuts so I was sold on this concept rather easily. Being able to bang out 10 minutes here and there also does wonders. It basically gives you time to play games that you never knew you had.

I'd probably still wait until the end of the year though. New Mario should be out by then, and you could probably grab a discounted Switch + Zelda bundle on Black Friday.

If Rocket Leagues gets made for this thing, it would be worth it 10x over. One of the few multiplayer games I always come back to.
- JFlyers00

From what I understand, it's not if Rocket League gets made for the Switch, it's when. Rocket League is low key the best competitive game, period.

especially with Hakstol in charge
- Flyers Time

there's only room for one young player to be saddles with pierre and chris at a time

especially with Hakstol in charge
- Flyers Time

Yeah because he is just ruining Provorov.

The expansion draft is a wrinkle in the offseason that is going to lead to some different things happening. The Flyers signed Neuvirth to meet exposure requirements. That wasn't confirmed, but I think it is the only thing that makes sense.

Honestly, from here there are only 2 scenarios that will tell us what the two sides truly feel about each other. 1. They protect Neuvirth and/or 2. Steve Mason signs elsewhere without reports of contract negotiations

I don't think Mason has much of a reason to want to be back, but it wouldn't surprise me if he did come back, especially if Neuvirth were to get picked for some reason

But you have to do that at the right time.

Have you seen the FA class next season? Not much that really helps. Filppula is like our FA for next season.

Now the year after could be a different story
- J35Bacher

No doubt. The Flyers should not be involved in signing any free agents to a significant deal come this July. Improve internally.

Yeah because he is just ruining Provorov.
- J35Bacher

Traffic cone could coach Ivan Provorov and he would be just fine. If you look at advanced stats Andrew MacDonald is hurting everybody on the team even Provorov. Ivan is just amazing and would be even better with a solid partner.

how can Dave Hakstol justify demoting Travis Konecny to fourth line duties?
- Flyers Time

Went to a Frat party...

I mean it was laughable like 3 months ago that every single thing would be tried on this team except move VDV and PEB. It was sad like 1 month ago. I am not sure what I would even call it at this point. Expected maybe. Stockholm syndrome has set in

No doubt. The Flyers should not be involved in signing any free agents to a significant deal come this July. Improve internally.
- MJL

Term will be the bigger issue than cap space, especially if Read, Neuvirth or Raffl go to Vegas. Which is why Hextall was happy to add Filppula.

I mean it was laughable like 3 months ago that every single thing would be tried on this team except move VDV and PEB. It was sad like 1 month ago. I am not sure what I would even call it at this point. Expected maybe. Stockholm syndrome has set in
- YuenglingJagr

So moving two guys who play about 10 minutes will provide the spark the Flyers need?

How about Voracek do something other then skate fast and to the outside? Maybe Gostisbehere be a little better in his won zone. Filppula play better. Giroux have more impact at 5v5.

Term will be the bigger issue than cap space, especially if Read, Neuvirth or Raffl go to Vegas. Which is why Hextall was happy to add Filppula.
- Feanor

Yes, I have no problem with any signing for one year deals. Honestly though, the Flyers have plenty of depth forwards as well as a number of young forwards that could compete for a spot.

This Konecny on the 4th line thing is ridiculous and baffling, but I understand how Hakstol probably sees it.

Konecny did well on that 4th line when he came back and they won a couple games......so it'll work again because it worked last time. Hakstol has done this type of thing before. Despite it working because of him doing everything on that line, alongside 2 of the worst scorers in the entire league. And it is the smart move again despite him actually being one of the best Flyers of late in the top 9. So, instead of putting him with Giroux or Couturier, stick him with Hak's two sons to get LESS minutes with two players who might as well not use hockey sticks. That's his logic. Guaranteed.

So moving two guys who play about 10 minutes will provide the spark the Flyers need?

How about Voracek do something other then skate fast and to the outside? Maybe Gostisbehere be a little better in his won zone. Filppula play better. Giroux have more impact at 5v5.
- J35Bacher

Replacing VdV with Lyubimov would be unlikely to make much difference. Other than showing the coach isn't completely divorced from reality when it comes to his UND chum.

From what I understand, it's not if Rocket League gets made for the Switch, it's when. Rocket League is low key the best competitive game, period.
- BulliesPhan87

That would be amazing. My one concern would be the lack of analog triggers on the switch.

It may be the best 20 dollars I've spent, and time flies while playing unless you're on tilt.

Replacing VdV with Lyubimov would be unlikely to make much difference. Other than showing the coach isn't completely divorced from reality when it comes to his UND chum.
- Feanor

People have to move on from this. One has nothing to do with the other.

As much as I want an upgrade from Vandevelde next season he isn't the issue. He does his role. And before people point out the PK is bad with him and Bellemare. Let me point out it is a 4 man unit.

This Konecny on the 4th line thing is ridiculous and baffling, but I understand how Hakstol probably sees it.

Konecny did well on that 4th line when he came back and they won a couple games......so it'll work again because it worked last time. Hakstol has done this type of thing before. Despite it working because of him doing everything on that line, alongside 2 of the worst scorers in the entire league. And it is the smart move again despite him actually being one of the best Flyers of late in the top 9. So, instead of putting him with Giroux or Couturier, stick him with Hak's two sons to get LESS minutes with two players who might as well not use hockey sticks. That's his logic. Guaranteed.
- Mononoke

Let's keep one thing in mind. We've read many times the beats reporting line combos, leading to complaints, only to have different lines during the actual game.

People have to move on from this. One has nothing to do with the other.
- J35Bacher

You say that, but VdV would not be an 82 game player on any other team in the league. Bellemare could be.

Replacing VdV with Lyubimov would be unlikely to make much difference. Other than showing the coach isn't completely divorced from reality when it comes to his UND chum.
- Feanor

With a team that has been poor defensively at ES pretty much all season, why isn't the defensive side of the puck given any merit in the coaches decisions on who to play?

With a team that has been poor defensively at ES pretty much all season, why isn't the defensive side of the puck given any merit in the coaches decisions on who to play?
- MJL

VdV is bad at defense. It's why the team is outscored so heavily 5 on 5 when he's on the ice over the past three years, and a big reason why the PK is 3rd worst in the league over the same period.

Hextall has to figure out free agency. These European stiffs he's signing the Medvedev's Lyubimov's Bellemare's are a waste of time.
- PLindbergh31

Maybe he should try searching in Sweeden or Finland. You can't forget the North American stiff.. Mr Weise

So moving two guys who play about 10 minutes will provide the spark the Flyers need?

How about Voracek do something other then skate fast and to the outside? Maybe Gostisbehere be a little better in his won zone. Filppula play better. Giroux have more impact at 5v5.
- J35Bacher

Would it kill us to get rid of two guys who have been possession black holes their entire career? There's a reason the Oilers didn't want VandeVelde or Pleb wasn't picked up by anyone in the league. They're garbage. You stuck on those combined 19 points?

Sorry to say but they will be a bubble team next year.

It's comical that people are calling for total change and yet the GM before the season even started had stated he could see a step back this season.
- J35Bacher

hey no need to apologize to me. i thoroughly enjoy this. just as im sure you all will when crosby/malkin eventually retire and the pens are pathetic again. its all cyclical. which is why it blows my mind when teams get good and then fans suddenly forget what its like to suck. it happens.

VdV is bad at defense. It's why the team is outscored so heavily 5 on 5 when he's on the ice over the past three years
- Feanor

That's not true. Vandevelde in the last 3 seasons has been -7, -7, and -6.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...oals&sort=A60&sortdir=ASC