The one thing that is actually good about having cable for Flyers games is the ability to record and skip all the BS. Especially for afternoon games. Really this goes for about any sporting event or show on tv
- YuenglingJagr

Aside from the DVDs in the "10 Greatest Flyers Games" and 1980 U.S.A. vs USSR, I don't think I've ever watched a game after the fact.

The #NJDevils have acquired defenseman Sami Vatanen and a conditional third-round pick from Anaheim. New Jersey sends forwards Adam Henrique, Joseph Blandisi and a 2018 third-round pick to the Ducks.

Devils were robbed. Vatanen is worse than A-Mac.
- PLindbergh31

wow!

The #NJDevils have acquired defenseman Sami Vatanen and a conditional third-round pick from Anaheim. New Jersey sends forwards Adam Henrique, Joseph Blandisi and a 2018 third-round pick to the Ducks.
- PLindbergh31

Interesting trade for sure. I like Henrique and think he fits well in ANA

Oh didn't know they added that. I haven't used it since it switched from gamecenter and that was never a feature
- YuenglingJagr

I haven't had to use it until recently since someone kill nhlstreams. RIP

Even though you can get around the blackouts on nhl.tv with a vpn, its still really annoying.

Aside from the DVDs in the "10 Greatest Flyers Games" and 1980 U.S.A. vs USSR, I don't think I've ever watched a game after the fact.
- Scoob

1996 World Cup Finals Game 3 is a classic for me.

I would get an experienced head coach on a short term basis.

I really have no idea what Hextall is gonna say if the scores in these next four games are something like this:

Boston 3-4 OT (blowing a 3-1 lead)
Calgary 2-4
Edmonton 2-3 SO
Vancouver 0 -5
- Feanor

If that happens, you're right.....the conversation might change.

What do you think he'll say if the scores are something like this?

Boston 4-3 OT (erasing a 3-1 deficit)
Calgary 4-2
Edmonton 3-2 SO
Vancouver 5 -0
- Scoob

"MJL was right"

Aside from the DVDs in the "10 Greatest Flyers Games" and 1980 U.S.A. vs USSR, I don't think I've ever watched a game after the fact.
- Scoob

I usually don't start watching the games until 45-60 minutes after the start time. Allows you to fast forward through commercials and intermissions, and I usually catch up to the live game at during the latter half of the 3rd period.

1996 World Cup Finals Game 3 is a classic for me.
- jmatchett383

I didn't even watch that one live lol

I usually don't start watching the games until 45-60 minutes after the start time. Allows you to fast forward through commercials and intermissions, and I usually catch up to the live game at during the latter half of the 3rd period.
- JFlyers00

I'm assuming you disconnect from all internet devices during this time?

I didn't even watch that one live lol
- Scoob

I'm not surprised, communist.

Interesting trade for sure. I like Henrique and think he fits well in ANA
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah.

Not sure if i think one team really won or if this was just a good hockey trade.

I haven't had to use it until recently since someone kill nhlstreams. RIP

Even though you can get around the blackouts on nhl.tv with a vpn, its still really annoying.
- JFlyers00

Look up unlocator. Much preferred versus using VPN.

Aside from the DVDs in the "10 Greatest Flyers Games" and 1980 U.S.A. vs USSR, I don't think I've ever watched a game after the fact.
- Scoob

It isn't after the fact. You just start it like an hour late and then by the time the game ends you are usually caught up

Point 2 of today's blog and the first portion of the Flyer Buzz podcast go into detail about thw topic of how they've been playing and what needs to get better to play well in a non-fragmented way.
- bmeltzer

What a great blog. I certainly let fall into the category of a frustrated fan when they lose like this, but you've got to look at the whole development picture. Thank goodness hextall and Hak are able to navigate the pressure from the fan base and not make panic moves. I try to stay focused on hoping the young players improve in the new year. Really like tos we us not set any losing records as well!

Interesting trade for sure. I like Henrique and think he fits well in ANA
- YuenglingJagr

Really hope it weakens the Devils.

The reason I think there should be a coaching change now is not that I think the lineups or ice times would change much, or that the results would magically turn around. But in these recent two home games against Vancouver and San Jose the team was completely lacking in confidence and vigor, and they were as close as it gets to being must wins games in November. Missing the playoffs again is one thing, but right now this is not a good environment to develop young players in, and if Hextall can't see that he's just not being honest with himself.
- Feanor

I agree completely which is why I wanted a player like Martel sent back down. This team is extremely fragile right now. I'm not sure if a coaching change would automatically change the lack of confidence issue.

I agree completely which is why I wanted a player like Martel sent back down. This team is extremely fragile right now. I'm not sure if a coaching change would automatically change the lack of confidence issue.
- MJL

I sat back after yesterday and rethought some things.

With this little 3 day break I think Saturday you come back with the exact lineup you started the season except maybe Raffl on the 3rd line and Weise on the 4th.

But almost push the restart button.

There are a couple of other factors as to why Hextall probably wouldn't want to replace the coach, even if he wanted to:

1.) Hakstol is not even half way through his 5 year deal. They may not want to pay for half of the value of the contract just to go away.

2.) Who replaces Hakstol? I don't think Scott Gordon is the answer. I definitely don't think it's Kris Knoblauch (at least not yet). I realize Knoblauch is considered a rising star and a large number of Junior hockey wonks on this board fanboy hard on him. I'm not sure a rookie head coach to go along with our rookie-laden lineup is the way to go right now.
- johndewar

Here's my guess re a possible coaching change.

Barring an absolute disaster, say they go on to lose 4 or 5 more in a row and something like 15 of the next 20 after that, I don't think there is any way Hextall makes a mid season change.

If the team doesn't show at least reasonable improvement as the season goes on and/or many of the kids seem to be regressing, a change may be made following the season, even if that means eating the last 2 years of Hak's deal.

If not, and Hak goes into 18-19 as head coach, he will certainly be under more pressure to start winning than at any other time in his tenure and, if the team gets off to a bad start, or has a long mid season losing streak, a change could absolutely be made during 18-19. Also, should they miss the playoffs, I think he definitely gets fired after the season. They won't want to give him an extension, nor will they want to bring him back after 3 straight missed playoffs and as a lame duck coach.

I sat back after yesterday and rethought some things.

With this little 3 day break I think Saturday you come back with the exact lineup you started the season except maybe Raffl on the 3rd line and Weise on the 4th.

But almost push the restart button.
- J35Bacher

And Sanheim in for Gudas.

I'm assuming you disconnect from all internet devices during this time?
- jmatchett383

Not exactly. Most of the time I'm busy anyways, but all you really have to avoid are social media and hockey related content. Not hard to do for 45 minutes to an hour.

Maybe disable push notifications for certain apps on your phone too if you get one for score updates and etc.

I wouldn't do it for a playoff game, but even if it gets spoiled someway, its not the end of the world to have a regular season period spoiled.

Here's my guess re a possible coaching change.

Barring an absolute disaster, say they go on to lose 4 or 5 more in a row and something like 15 of the next 20 after that, I don't think there is any way Hextall makes a mid season change.

If the team doesn't show at least reasonable improvement as the season goes on and/or many of the kids seem to be regressing, a change may be made following the season, even if that means eating the last 2 years of Hak's deal.

If not, and Hak goes into 18-19 as head coach, he will certainly be under more pressure to start winning than at any other time in his tenure and, if the team gets off to a bad start, or has a long mid season losing streak, a change could absolutely be made during 18-19. Also, should they miss the playoffs, I think he definitely gets fired after the season. They won't want to give him an extension, nor will they want to bring him back after 3 straight missed playoffs and as a lame duck coach.
- BiggE

I think the team needs to show improvement as the season goes along. You want to see a young team (and we are a very young team) start to grow as they get more and more acclimated to the NHL level. If they can show marked improvement in the second half, he's probably safe. If they stagnate, he should be worried.

All of that aside, the performance against SJ was 100% unacceptable. I get the schedule and all, but that was absolutely horrendous. A lot of that is on the players on the ice, all 19 of them, but Hakstol isn't absolved by any stretch, either.

I will be surprised if Hakstol is the one who is coaching this team when they hopefully make the turn to being a contender. While I definitely support that Hextal is building from the draft as opposed to the prior GMs tact of trying to do it through free agency I am also thinking that the best way is through a combination of all the tools available which includes draft free agents trades signing college players and players from Europe/ Russia. I think Hextal is doing well in the draft (but time will tell. Those players need to develop). He is not doing so well in other areas. It looks like Shero in NJ has turned that team around quickly. Seems like he is using more of the tools at his disposal in productive ways as compared to Hextall.

I know someone in St Louis. He watches all the blues games. Says Schen is fantastic there. Can't believe we traded him. It is a bad on the flyers that they were not able to get out of the flyers what St. Louis is. Maybe it was the coach. Maybe the fact that a few years ago during preseason they started playing him on the fifth line. Whatever. It is up to the entire flyers organization to create an environment for the players to be able to reach their max potential. That did not happen for Schen. The flyers or any organization can not afford for that to happen to their players.

As for me I would appreciate it if Hextall did a little more to commiserate with the fans of the Flyers. He is very secretive. Also seems a bit out of touch that at the end of the day sports are entertainment. The team over the last few years outside of some short stretches including the first eight or so games this season are in general hard to watch. Obviously games against rivals like the Pitt game are usually good. That San Jose game literally put me to sleep. Hextal should be concerned about what I heard was a poor turnout at the stadium. I have heard that some local docs are prescribing flyers games for their patients with insomnia......

I agree completely which is why I wanted a player like Martel sent back down. This team is extremely fragile right now. I'm not sure if a coaching change would automatically change the lack of confidence issue.
- MJL

It might, it might not. Depends on the coach. When Holmgren was fired during the 91-92 season, the team was a mess. Bill Dineen came in, got them settled down and actually had them playing pretty well by seasons end. He then had to basically start over from scratch after the Lindros deal and, with a ridiculous lack of depth on the roster (hell half that team belonged in the AHL!), and mediocre goalies, he still had them playing pretty well by the end of the season.

In fact, I've always felt that if Farwell hadn't replaced him with Terry Simpson in 93-94, that team might have done a lot better and the whole history of the franchise might have been changed.

It might, it might not. Depends on the coach. When Holmgren was fired during the 91-92 season, the team was a mess. Bill Dineen came in, got them settled down and actually had them playing pretty well by seasons end. He then had to basically start over from scratch after the Lindros deal and, with a ridiculous lack of depth on the roster (hell half that team belonged in the AHL!), and mediocre goalies, he still had them playing pretty well by the end of the season.

In fact, I've always felt that if Farwell hadn't replaced him with Terry Simpson in 93-94, that team might have done a lot better and the whole history of the franchise might have been changed.
- BiggE

"Simpson Must Go!