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.
- ggunky

I'd love to have a better goalie than either of the 2 we currently have. But, unless you were going to move youth or picks in a trade, I'm not sure that there was much better out there to get. I don't think they'd be doing any better with Mason and there really wasn't much to get exited about when it came to FA goalies this past off season. It is what it is. They were a bubble team at best this season if everything broke their way. Factor in AMac's injury, Patrick's injury, Simmonds not being at 100% and Gudas being an idiot, and you get what are seeing now. They just aren't deep enough or experienced enough on D, to overcome any real adversity right now.

They are pretty much right where I expect them to be once you factor in the injuries and other stuff.

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
- YuenglingJagr

They are going to come out of this and I think it starts Saturday. Playoffs or not they need to play with more effort and less recklessness. I do think they heat up soon.

Jake drives me nuts at 3 vs 3. You watch him and hes puck watching on 3 vs 3 losing his man. He is a lost cause in his own end.

They are going to come out of this and I think it starts Saturday. Playoffs or not they need to play with more effort and less recklessness. I do think they heat up soon.

Jake drives me nuts at 3 vs 3. You watch him and hes puck watching on 3 vs 3 losing his man. He is a lost cause in his own end.
- Just5

Jake drives me nuts with his overall defensive play. It's inexcusable to see from a guy who is supposed to be a veteran leader on this team. He needs to start focusing on his D play with the same intensity that he shows when the puck is on his stick in the O zone.

My take on the goalies is they've been under siege since around the 10th game mark.

This team just bleeds an insane amount of quality chances

They are going to come out of this and I think it starts Saturday. Playoffs or not they need to play with more effort and less recklessness. I do think they heat up soon.

Jake drives me nuts at 3 vs 3. You watch him and hes puck watching on 3 vs 3 losing his man. He is a lost cause in his own end.
- Just5

I think he will be fine. He goes through stretches where it appears his brain isn't connected to his body. Then he will Jagr the puck away from the entire team and win in OT. I am not worried about him.

Jake drives me nuts with his overall defensive play. It's inexcusable to see from a guy who is supposed to be a veteran leader on this team. He needs to start focusing on his D play with the same intensity that he shows when the puck is on his stick in the O zone.
- BiggE

I dont get why it's so hard. Defense is just effort...that's all it is. He is like a blonde bimbo in his own end.

I dont get why it's so hard. Defense is just effort...that's all it is. He is like a blonde bimbo in his own end.
- Just5

Yup, pretty much. JFC, all he has to do is watch the way his current center plays if he needs a "how to" example.

I'd love to have a better goalie than either of the 2 we currently have. But, unless you were going to move youth or picks in a trade, I'm not sure that there was much better out there to get. I don't think they'd be doing any better with Mason and there really wasn't much to get exited about when it came to FA goalies this past off season. It is what it is. They were a bubble team at best this season if everything broke their way. Factor in AMac's injury, Patrick's injury, Simmonds not being at 100% and Gudas being an idiot, and you get what are seeing now. They just aren't deep enough or experienced enough on D, to overcome any real adversity right now.

They are pretty much right where I expect them to be once you factor in the injuries and other stuff.
- BiggE

We all hoped things would break in the Flyers favor and of course they have not.
I hope it is a case when things turn around they are able to use this experience to go on a nice long run and start winning all these close games. At least more than they lose. I hate the over all end results but I enjoyed seeing Sammy and Martel up here for a few. Sam could have played in place of Alt in all those games if he wasnt hurt too. I love watching the young guys and the first line is something special to see. Over all about what I expected with the injuries.

Yup, pretty much. JFC, all he has to do is watch the way his current center plays if he needs a "how to" example.
- BiggE

It always annoys me when a player with top skill and talent can't (or won't) play defense.

IMO opinion they are the ones who should be the best defensive players simply because they are better than everyone else. Where is the pride?

I know it is a different sport, but Michael Jordan was the best offensive AND defensive player in the league for how many years? He should be the example for players in EVERY sport where you play both ways.

Pavel Datyuk, Zetterberg, Bergeron?

Jake has the skating ability, speed, size, and skill to be a tremendous defensive player. And what maddens me more is there have been times where he was.

I'd love to have a better goalie than either of the 2 we currently have. But, unless you were going to move youth or picks in a trade, I'm not sure that there was much better out there to get. I don't think they'd be doing any better with Mason and there really wasn't much to get exited about when it came to FA goalies this past off season. It is what it is. They were a bubble team at best this season if everything broke their way. Factor in AMac's injury, Patrick's injury, Simmonds not being at 100% and Gudas being an idiot, and you get what are seeing now. They just aren't deep enough or experienced enough on D, to overcome any real adversity right now.

They are pretty much right where I expect them to be once you factor in the injuries and other stuff.
- BiggE

That i agree with!

That is why, the other day, i wasn't calling for a trade or screaming fire Hak.

I do think this team is about where i expected them to be. I don't expect 9 game losing streaks but i also don't expect .650 hockey either.

That i agree with!

That is why, the other day, i wasn't calling for a trade or screaming fire Hak.

I do think this team is about where i expected them to be. I don't expect 9 game losing streaks but i also don't expect .650 hockey either.
- ggunky

I want to see a better team at the end of the year than we had at the beginning. Simply due to the kids having improved during the course of the season.

I want to see a better team at the end of the year than we had at the beginning. Simply due to the kids having improved during the course of the season.
- MBFlyerfan

No doubt. I do believe we will.

It is always darkest before the dawn and I do think that is where the Flyers are at, or so i want to believe that!

Koneckny will start scoring. Sanheim will begin to hold the blue line. Hagg will return to form now that he is back with Ghost.

Laughton and Leier will continue to use their speed and find a few goals.

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
- YuenglingJagr

Didn't they make it to the conference finals?

Didn't they make it to the conference finals?
- SimmerDown17

Yep. One of our top players was the beloved RJ Umberger.

Didn't they make it to the conference finals?
- SimmerDown17

Yeah they lost 4-1 to the Pens

It always annoys me when a player with top skill and talent can't (or won't) play defense.

IMO opinion they are the ones who should be the best defensive players simply because they are better than everyone else. Where is the pride?

I know it is a different sport, but Michael Jordan was the best offensive AND defensive player in the league for how many years? He should be the example for players in EVERY sport where you play both ways.

Pavel Datyuk, Zetterberg, Bergeron?

Jake has the skating ability, speed, size, and skill to be a tremendous defensive player. And what maddens me more is there have been times where he was.
- MBFlyerfan

Agree 100%

Past Flyers star forwards like Clarke, Barber, Propp, Brindamour, Roenick, Gagne, Forsberg etc.. all played their asses off in all 3 zones. And even guys who sometimes lapsed on D like a Rick Macleish or Giroux, still were at least solid defensively and they would always turn it up in a big game situation. Jake needs to be better with his combo of speed, size and strength there is absolutely no excuse for him to be such a poor defensive player.

As far as I'm concerned its laziness and it shows a lack of commitment to winning. I really wish the next time he dogs it on D, the coach will have the balls to staple his ass to the bench for at least a period or so.

I want to see a better team at the end of the year than we had at the beginning. Simply due to the kids having improved during the course of the season.
- MBFlyerfan

Me too. The kids development is crucial. Obviously, it's not a linear process, there will certainly be ups and downs. However if most of the rookies and sophs are generally playing a better more rounded game in March than they were in October, I would hope to see a coaching change.

Me too. The kids development is crucial. Obviously, it's not a linear process, there will certainly be ups and downs. However if most of the rookies and sophs are generally playing a better more rounded game in March than they were in October, I would hope to see a coaching change.
- BiggE

That is where the rubber meets the road. This is supposedly why Hak was brought here. His experience with younger players. So lets hope it all works out.

It always annoys me when a player with top skill and talent can't (or won't) play defense.

IMO opinion they are the ones who should be the best defensive players simply because they are better than everyone else. Where is the pride?

I know it is a different sport, but Michael Jordan was the best offensive AND defensive player in the league for how many years? He should be the example for players in EVERY sport where you play both ways.

Pavel Datyuk, Zetterberg, Bergeron?

Jake has the skating ability, speed, size, and skill to be a tremendous defensive player. And what maddens me more is there have been times where he was.
- MBFlyerfan

Sidney Crosby is a perfect example. World class offensive player who didn't have to do anything but keep on scoring to be considered the best player in the league. He was criticized for his faceoff ability. Became a top faceoff guy. Has worked to become a strong defensive forward.

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

We are getting too many points in this stretch. We're (frank)ed.

Jake drives me nuts with his overall defensive play. It's inexcusable to see from a guy who is supposed to be a veteran leader on this team. He needs to start focusing on his D play with the same intensity that he shows when the puck is on his stick in the O zone.
- BiggE

Agree 100%. Voracek doesn't get a pass because he is a very good offensive player. That doesn't fly in today's NHL. His mistakes have been egregious and have cost the team opportunities to get points in the standings. I don't see the same intensity away from the puck that he has with it a lot of times.

xx

The only thing that really worries me about Elliott is he still seems to get small and sit back in the net when the play is in close to him.




I agree. The tandem is fine for the team as it is currently constructed and where it is on the learning/progression curve.
- Scoob

there have been several goals where it was so noticible

Yeah, it's a long term project though. His skating is just awful, he makes Coots look like Pavel Bure


However, if he really dedicates himself every summer to power skating lessons, and agility/conditioning/core strength drills, he could be a very good player. If he can just get to where he's a mediocre NHL skater, he has all the other tools in enough abundance to be a productive top 6 forward and a beast on the pp.
- BiggE

I thought it was so overstated until I went to the rookie game and he just looked like he was standing still. Obviously I always want the Flyers kids to do well but the kid really seems like a good kid.

I thought it was so overstated until I went to the rookie game and he just looked like he was standing still. Obviously I always want the Flyers kids to do well but the kid really seems like a good kid.
- nastyflyergirl

I really noticed how slow Strome was when he dogged it during a drill at development camp. He was almost 1/2 a zone behind the rest of the guys doing the drill at the same time. And those guys weren't burners.