So EDM is pretty much (frank)ed. I love how everyone defended Chiarelli saying he made all the tough moves to improve his team. Hey at least Lucic and Russell are signed for 3+ more years.

McDavid scored at an amazing pace this month and they have nothing to show for it. Do or die games start happening and their goalie goes down for multiple weeks. Stick a fork in them!

Also...the way they lost last night was hilarious
- YuenglingJagr

He's made some bad moves, but it's also compounded by losing a true top pairing dman in Sekera, and now Talbot.

For the Flyers, the MacDonald and Patrick injuries didn't help, but they've been pretty healthy overall. So that makes the team's struggles reflect more poorly on management.

San Jose game was flat out exhaustion. They looked like a team that was on their 2nd game of a b2b

Protecting the lead bit is experience related as well. Our Best Dman is a guy in his 2nd year. Other than AMac who has 9 years under his belt you are left with 2 rookies, Ghost who is in his 3rd year and Manning who is also in his 3rd year.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

There's exhaustion and there's lack of cohesion. Two unrelated, but not completely different, things. They looked like a bunch of guys playing shinny out there.

Yes, it is experience related. I get that. And yes, we have a young defense group, but I wouldn't consider Manning and Ghost "young D" as they have multiple NHL seasons under their belts. Also, the forwards, especially the vets, are all established NHL vets.

So while, yes, SOME of the blame can be laid on youth, the vast majority of their issues has little to do with said youth. In my opinion.

@Buccigross

Islanders are the only team without a regulation loss at home (8-0-2). Rookie Matthew Barzal led the team in November with 17 points in 12 games (3G, 14A).

You look at the roster from 15-16 and compare it to the roster of this season, or even last season, you dont see a huge difference in talent.

Some names have changed, infact you could argue that there is more talent on this year's roster then that team of 15-16, but the talent level is close to that team of 15-16.

The biggest difference...

Goaltending.

I know, no one on here likes to point at the goalies BUT it is the truth.

Mason and Neuvy were lights out that year, 15-16, and guess what, They won games and made the playoffs.

Everything looks better when your goaltending is above average.
- ggunky

True and for the most part I agree. There is one difference though. That team had a lot more experience on D which can be a big factor when holding a leadlate in games and on the PK. Also, they were determined, to get into the playoffs that year for Ed Snider. Giroux and Simmonds have spoke about that at length. They played every game down the stretch that year like it was game 7 of the Cup finals. I'm not sure they have it in them to play with that type of intensity with this younger and more inexperienced bunch.

I got to see first hand the Mason melt down against the Panthers two years ago. The Flyers started out with an OT loss to the Lightning 2 days before. Then Mase went sicko and the game was over before I got my first beer. It was 4-0, 8 minutes in. That was hard to watch and my wife wouldn't let me leave. (Well I could go but she was staying, semantics. SHRUG.)

Mason spent too much time inside his own head. For the most part, I think he played well. He always played starter number of games, yet whined about it. He female doged about last year and played I think 59 games. That's starter numbers, no whining!😝
- jaws1955

That particular game is a terrible example. Mason never should have played that game. There was an unfolding and ultimately heartbreaking family situation going on that would have made it virtually impossible for any human being to focus on a hockey game.

People need to realize that youth is not an immediate improvement. Look how long it took Schenn and Couturier to break out. There is not going to be much of an improvement this season, they are give or take at the same level as last season. The traded away a 60 point player in Schenn with no talent available to replace him even if he was a C playing the Wing. On Defence we lost a lot of experience replacing MDZ and Shultz with Sanheim and Hagg. While they are more skilled they are less experienced and you see that on a nightly basis with mistakes.

All of this will improve eventually but it is going to be a few seasons. These young guys are not generational talent. They cant just join the team and become top players. Like Schenn and Couturier, it is going to take a few years to break out. That being said the team has had some bad luck of late and should start winning more games but they are going to be a middle of the pack kind of team. They could make the wild card if they are lucky, which it doesnt appear so.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

You're conflating improvement with becoming top players. There is a whole lot of room between the two for young players. There is tons of room for improvement with this team. We'll have to see what happens but I don't know how you can say that there won't be much of an improvement this season. There better be or some changes need to be made.

He's made some bad moves, but it's also compounded by losing a true top pairing dman in Sekera, and now Talbot.

For the Flyers, the MacDonald and Patrick injuries didn't help, but they've been pretty healthy overall. So that makes the team's struggles reflect more poorly on management.
- Feanor

They just lost Talbot...which speaks to my point about them now being (frank)ed.

He was unreal last year and hasn't been able to replicate that.

I was glad to see Steve Mason revive his career here. I've read before he was pretty much ready to walk away from the game when the trade to Philly was made.

I was fairly ambivalent on whether or not he came back here or not. I certainly never thought the Flyers owed him a contract.

Talent-wise, I don't think Elliot is as good as Mason, but I guess the Flyers felt there is an intangible part of Mason's game that is missing.

He shouldn't have started, but without knowing how aware the coach was about the situation Mason's family was experiencing I wouldn't be comfortable assuming it was all the coach's fault.
- Feanor

Player blunder letting himself be put in the game?

He shouldn't have started, but without knowing how aware the coach was about the situation Mason's family was experiencing I wouldn't be comfortable assuming it was all the coach's fault.
- Feanor

I don't know what happened other than a family emergency. The coach can't know how badly it is affecting Mase until he coughs up 4 goals in 8 minutes. However, Mase knew how (frank)ed up his head was and should have said something before costing them a game. Cant pin it on the coach though. It was game 2 in Haks first year. He didnt know Mase yet.

I've got to say that Coots has surprised me with his skating this year. Both his speed and skating with the puck. I have always been a Coots fan since he made the team at 18. He seems to have it all together this year. He is more of a force on the ice and has started to shoot more from all angles. Taking a few slappers too. But I do think his skating has improved. He is not quick, but give him 2 or 3 strides and he is eating up a lot of ground. Patrick reminds me of him a bit but with better hands.
Speaking of NP, I think he is starting to settle in. Seems to be on the puck a lot and he has that sneaky back hand, between the feet pass once or twice a game to spring someone for a good chance. Great head and eye, soft hands. Think he will be a good one.
Could be interesting to see him with Mattel and Lindblom instead of Veccs at least by next year.
Or maybe with Lindblom and Rubstov, or Radcliff.
It is hard to watch this years product today. We are seeing rookie mistakes and veteran brain farts. All at the worst possible time. We are seeing a lot of kids and we have more great kids on the way. Now is not the time for panic. I want to see better play and we will as the kids grow and the vets relax their grip on their sticks. Looking forward to see how Weal plays and if TK's goal off his stomach gets him to score with a shot.
- jaws1955

What I see from Coots is that he has that rare ability to always know where to be on the ice. You can make up some of your skating deficiencies, by using smart positioning and he's really good at that. And yes, it's really awesome to see him shooting more and finally playing with confidence in the O zone. You knew the talent was there, it just needed to come out.

Patrick is going to be fine and he's going to be a very good player. It takes a lot of time to fully recover from the type of surgery he had last spring and dealing with an early season concussion did him no favors as well. I think a lot of people are going to be pleasantly surprised when they see a big improvement in his first step jump and overall skating next season.

Last time the Flyers had a 10 game losing streak they made the playoffs

They got 2 out of 20 points during the losing streak

I don't know what happened other than a family emergency. The coach can't know how badly it is affecting Mase until he coughs up 4 goals in 8 minutes. However, Mase knew how (frank)ed up his head was and should have said something before costing them a game. Cant pin it on the coach though. It was game 2 in Haks first year. He didnt know Mase yet.
- jaws1955

I agree he should have spoken, but I think he was hoping that the game would serve as a distraction. That wasn't the case.

Last time the Flyers had a 10 game losing streak they made the playoffs
- YuenglingJagr

So a loss Saturday and we're in!

So a loss Saturday and we're in!
- MJL

It is science

I don't know what happened other than a family emergency. The coach can't know how badly it is affecting Mase until he coughs up 4 goals in 8 minutes. However, Mase knew how (frank)ed up his head was and should have said something before costing them a game. Cant pin it on the coach though. It was game 2 in Haks first year. He didnt know Mase yet.
- jaws1955

He should have said something right away, yes. Everyone would have understood, just as they understood a few days later when took a leave of absence for about a week. I can't go into the specifics because Steve has always kept it private and asked those who cover the team (all of us knew what happened) to let it stay that way. We've honored that request, and will continue to unless Mase himself ever wants to discuss it publicly.

What I will say is that during the all-star break that year, Steve got a tattoo that reflected what happened and subsequently added to it for much happier reasons.

That particular game is a terrible example. Mason never should have played that game. There was an unfolding and ultimately heartbreaking family situation going on that would have made it virtually impossible for any human being to focus on a hockey game.
- bmeltzer

Perhaps I didn't word it all correctly. I think Mason did a good job here for the most part. He should never have been playing in that game. But Mase had to make that call. Still, it was just ONE game. He played well that year especially down the stretch. Would never have made the playoffs without him.

- YuenglingJagr

He was last year.

I feel the same about Mason

He should have said something right away, yes. Everyone would have understood, just as they understood a few days later when took a leave of absence for about a week. I can't go into the specifics because Steve has always kept it private and asked those who cover the team (all of us knew what happened) to let it stay that way. We've honored that request, and will continue to unless Mase himself ever wants to discuss it publicly.

What I will say is that during the all-star break that year, Steve got a tattoo that reflected what happened and subsequently added to it for much happier reasons.
- bmeltzer

I don't know exactly what happened, but I do hope he talks about it some day because a) it happens a lot and b) people seem very afraid to talk about it

I agree he should have spoken, but I think he was hoping that the game would serve as a distraction. That wasn't the case.
- jmatchett383

I tried to use hockey to distract me when my father was fighting cancer. Sometimes it worked and sometimes It popped into my head at the face off circle.
I can't imagine what the stress level is at the NHL level. Didn't matter if I won or lost, both teams got beer after the game.

I hope Mase gets healthy and turns in a good season.

True and for the most part I agree. There is one difference though. That team had a lot more experience on D which can be a big factor when holding a leadlate in games and on the PK. Also, they were determined, to get into the playoffs that year for Ed Snider. Giroux and Simmonds have spoke about that at length. They played every game down the stretch that year like it was game 7 of the Cup finals. I'm not sure they have it in them to play with that type of intensity with this younger and more inexperienced bunch.
- BiggE

I do agree, the emotion of that season played a part.

I also agree that the youth of the current team hurts when adversity hits.

To me that is were an even bigger emphasis should be put on the play of the goalies. With the youth and inexperience the ideal situation would be to have a guy back there who can bail out a Sanheim or Hagg.

It should would make for a better environment when a kid can make a mistake turn around and see the guy between the pipes has saved his bacon.

Mike Smith shutout causes a massive leap from incredibly last to just barely last for (frank) You Fight Me

this post was also meant as a way of letting you know your other goalie is out for multiple weeks

Mike Smith shutout causes a massive leap from incredibly last to just barely last for (frank) You Fight Me

this post was also meant as a way of letting you know your other goalie is out for multiple weeks
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah, I've been lapsing on that. Don't worry, I'm counting on McDavid to lead the league (I mean more than every other player in the league) in goals, assists, points, and finished 8th in PIM.

He should have said something right away, yes. Everyone would have understood, just as they understood a few days later when took a leave of absence for about a week. I can't go into the specifics because Steve has always kept it private and asked those who cover the team (all of us knew what happened) to let it stay that way. We've honored that request, and will continue to unless Mase himself ever wants to discuss it publicly.

What I will say is that during the all-star break that year, Steve got a tattoo that reflected what happened and subsequently added to it for much happier reasons.
- bmeltzer

First, I said it before and I'll say it again, kudos to all involved for not leaking the reason. Sad to say but in this day it's quite impressive that nobody leaked it.

That said, if it's what I now think it is (and I hope it's not), then I wouldn't wish that on anyone and am glad for him that happier times followed.