You had a mis-spelling on that top pairing
- Tfaehner

Certainly could happen, right now the Yotes and Sabres are the only teams in the league with fewer points than the Flyers. If we end up with him or Svechnikov, all this suffering will have been worth it.

Certainly could happen, right now the Yotes and Sabres are the only teams in the league with fewer points than the Flyers. If we end up with him or Svechnikov, all this suffering will have been worth it.
- BiggE

I love the top 5 prospects this year. I would be more than ecstatic with any of them but especially dahlin or svechnikov. I've become content with losing this year #1moretopprospect

I love the top 5 prospects this year. I would be more than ecstatic with any of them but especially dahlin or svechnikov. I've become content with losing this year #1moretopprospect
- Tfaehner

Yeah, I wouldn't quite say I'm content with losing. It's been a frustrating few years. However coming away with a top 5 pick in this years draft would at least be a very nice consolation prize.

The only difference between the season that shall not be named and right now is we are where are because we already went young and started holding onto to draft picks and are playing the long game. The other time we had a roster full of trash that we had to figure out how to dismantle to accumulate picks and young players.

That being said, this sucks right now. Hopefully Bill is right and the second half is much better to watch and it all starts clicking.

The only difference between the season that shall not be named and right now is we are where are because we already went young and started holding onto to draft picks and are playing the long game. The other time we had a roster full of trash that we had to figure out how to dismantle to accumulate picks and young players.

That being said, this sucks right now. Hopefully Bill is right and the second half is much better to watch and it all starts clicking.
- funmaster18

True, and I remember thinking all season that they can't be this bad. They didn't show any signs of coming out of it yesterday. I keep wondering what rock bottom is.

Holmgren was able to use free agency or technically a trade to add Timonen and Hartnell.

True, and I remember thinking all season that they can't be this bad. They didn't show any signs of coming out of it yesterday. I keep wondering what rock bottom is.

Holmgren was able to use free agency or technically a trade to add Timonen and Hartnell.
- MJL

If they keep playing like they did the last 2 games, rock bottom may be when they come home from the west coast with a record of 8-14-7

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Blanked 3-0 by Bruins, Winless in 10
- bmeltzer

Hextall hand picked the Goalie and the Coach. I don't see us getting better with either guy.

I'm frustrated with the usage of Travis Sanheim. Not that I'm expecting him to play on Provorov's level but if he's not gonna be put in offensive situation at all, why is he here? Nolan Patrick was given offensive opportunities. Jordan Weal. Travis Konecny has struggled and has been brutal but still sees that second unit PP time. Nothing even changes on that second unit unless someone gets hurt. If you aren't gonna use Sanheim on the PP, he might as well be developing his offense in the minors and getting top ice time. I feel like Morin should be playing in Sanheim's place. This is on the coach.

The mismanagement of the Coach's Challenge. It's not just this year, he would throw it away last year with a bad decision. Some would call it genius so he had time to warm up the back up. Well he's not even pulling the goalie to light a fire under his team, so I don't even know.

Hakstol isn't getting mad, when it's probably time to throw a bench on the ice. A clear good goal gets over turned and Hakstol does nothing? Giroux and Simmonds have to fight for themselves? Having to look at this guy's face is bothering me. Show a pulse and act like you want it!!

I just feel like this team is washing itself out. Giroux is their best face off man, while Couturier is their best checking center. That line is creating most of the offense while facing Crosby, Tavares, Toews and all the other team's best. The other three lines are just here, bringing next to nothing. Can we get some creative change please?

Yeah, I wouldn't quite say I'm content with losing. It's been a frustrating few years. However coming away with a top 5 pick in this years draft would at least be a very nice consolation prize.
- BiggE

The entire top 5 this year could be better than the top 2 last year when it's all said and done. I'm very frustrated but other than the kids progression I won't get what I need from this team. The off season excites me potential high pick and hextall 2nd coaching decision

I still do not get the benching of TK. I thought he had a good first two periods. the Simmonds goalie interference after the one on Elliott a few games ago that was let go just has me

Lots of season to go but I never expected them to be staring at 3rd overall in the draft if the season ended today.

Hextall hand picked the Goalie and the Coach. I don't see us getting better with either guy.

I'm frustrated with the usage of Travis Sanheim. Not that I'm expecting him to play on Provorov's level but if he's not gonna be put in offensive situation at all, why is he here? Nolan Patrick was given offensive opportunities. Jordan Weal. Travis Konecny has struggled and has been brutal but still sees that second unit PP time. Nothing even changes on that second unit unless someone gets hurt. If you aren't gonna use Sanheim on the PP, he might as well be developing his offense in the minors and getting top ice time. I feel like Morin should be playing in Sanheim's place. This is on the coach.

The mismanagement of the Coach's Challenge. It's not just this year, he would throw it away last year with a bad decision. Some would call it genius so he had time to watch up the back up. Well he's not even pulling the goalie to light a fire under his team, so I don't even know.

Hakstol isn't getting mad, when it's probably time to throw a bench on the ice. A clear good goal gets over turned and Hakstol does nothing? Giroux and Simmonds have to fight for themselves? Having to look at this guy's face is bothering me. Show a pulse and act like you want it!!

I just feel like this team is washing itself out. Giroux is their best face off man, while Couturier is their best checking center. That line is creating most of the offense while facing Crosby, Tavares, Toews and all the other team's best. The other three lines are just here, bringing next to nothing. Can we get some creative change please?
- SuperSchennBros

Creative change would require an innovative coach who is willing to take some risk. That's not Dave Hakstol. If it were up to me, I'd be begging the GM to let me have Martel for the road trip (they can waive Mr. Useless aka Dale Weise to make room on the roster) and I'd be going with these forward lines:

Giroux-Patrick-Voracek
TK-Couturier-Weal
Martel-Filppula-Simmonds
Leier-Laughton-Raffl

Also my 2nd pp unit would feature Provorov and Sanheim on the points with Patrick, Martel and Konecny as my forwards. They'd lack a true net front guy, but all 5 are skilled and they could open things up with good puck movement.

Sadly, you won't see any of this from the current coach.

The entire top 5 this year could be better than the top 2 last year when it's all said and done. I'm very frustrated but other than the kids progression I won't get what I need from this team. The off season excites me potential high pick and hextall 2nd coaching decision
- Tfaehner

I pretty much feel the same. If the end result is a top 5 pick and a new coach, it's all good.

I still do not get the benching of TK. I thought he had a good first two periods. the Simmonds goalie interference after the one on Elliott a few games ago that was let go just has me

Lots of season to go but I never expected them to be staring at 3rd overall in the draft if the season ended today.
- nastyflyergirl

The benching of Konecny was asinine. Sure the kid made a couple mistakes, big (frank)ing deal, that's what kids do. At least he was hustling and actually generating some shots and chances which is more than anyone else not on the top line was doing.

I'm sorry but there is no defending being in desperate need of a win, struggling to score goals and giving Dale (frank)ing Weise more ice time than Konecny. Go back to college, Hak.

The benching of Konecny was asinine. Sure the kid made a couple mistakes, big (frank)ing deal, that's what kids do. At least he was hustling and actually generating some shots and chances which is more than anyone else not on the top line was doing.

I'm sorry but there is no defending being in desperate need of a win, struggling to score goals and giving Dale (frank)ing Weise more ice time than Konecny. Go back to college, Hak.
- BiggE

We had to nullify the Bergeron line though

The more I think about it the more I want Dave Tippett coaching this team in the very near future.

Creative change would require an innovative coach who is willing to take some risk. That's not Dave Hakstol. If it were up to me, I'd be begging the GM to let me have Martel for the road trip (they can waive Mr. Useless aka Dale Weise to make room on the roster) and I'd be going with these forward lines:

Giroux-Patrick-Voracek
TK-Couturier-Weal
Martel-Filppula-Simmonds
Leier-Laughton-Raffl

Also my 2nd pp unit would feature Provorov and Sanheim on the points with Patrick, Martel and Konecny as my forwards. They'd lack a true net front guy, but all 5 are skilled and they could open things up with good puck movement.

Sadly, you won't see any of this from the current coach.
- BiggE

So moving Giroux to wing wasn't creative and taking a risk? If I was the GM, I'd leave Martel right where he is for now.

The more I think about it the more I want Dave Tippett coaching this team in the very near future.
- hereticpride

The guy who got fired for not playing young guys and refusing to adapt his system to today's game ? Pass.

So moving Giroux to wing wasn't creative and taking a risk? If I was the GM, I'd leave Martel right where he is for now.
- MJL

Please break up the top line, way beyond due. Really liked the move of giroux to the wing and would hope they’d move him back when the time is right, but they need to really rethink the bottom three lines and it’s the only option I see, barring a trade that they could effectively disperse some high end talent throughout the top two lines, which would trickle down to the 3rd and 4th lines.

The guy who got fired for not playing young guys and refusing to adapt his system to today's game ? Pass.
- Tfaehner

He won the Jack Adams in 2010. I'm not sure how different the game is now from then. And let's face it, he was never given anything to work with in Arizona aside from OEL.

The benching of Konecny was asinine. Sure the kid made a couple mistakes, big (frank)ing deal, that's what kids do. At least he was hustling and actually generating some shots and chances which is more than anyone else not on the top line was doing.

I'm sorry but there is no defending being in desperate need of a win, struggling to score goals and giving Dale (frank)ing Weise more ice time than Konecny. Go back to college, Hak.
- BiggE

I personally did not see anything in Konecny's game yesterday that warranted benching. I thought he was one of their better players in the game. I don't know why he benched Konecny. However Hakstol follows a consistent pattern in terms of how he handles things. I would guess that it had to do with something that is cumulative and repeated in what Konecny did that led to the benching. Konecny is still young and still needs lots of growth in his game. So if that is the case then I don't have a problem with it.

Please break up the top line, way beyond due. Really liked the move of giroux to the wing and would hope they’d move him back when the time is right, but they need to really rethink the bottom three lines and it’s the only option I see, barring a trade that they could effectively disperse some high end talent throughout the top two lines, which would trickle down to the 3rd and 4th lines.
- funmaster18

I agree. That should've been done yesterday pretty early in the game to try and off set the Bergeron/Chara matchup. I'd still leave Giroux on the wing though.

So moving Giroux to wing wasn't creative and taking a risk? If I was the GM, I'd leave Martel right where he is for now.
- MJL

I'm sure the GM will. He's perfectly happy getting his high pick in the upcoming draft. And yes, kudos to Hak for moving Giroux and putting Coots on the top line. It's not enough.

Please break up the top line, way beyond due. Really liked the move of giroux to the wing and would hope they’d move him back when the time is right, but they need to really rethink the bottom three lines and it’s the only option I see, barring a trade that they could effectively disperse some high end talent throughout the top two lines, which would trickle down to the 3rd and 4th lines.
- funmaster18

They're kind of stuck with G at wing though. Their LW situation is absolute garbage. I'd try something like:

Weal Coots Voracek
G Patrick Konecny
Leier Filppula Simmonds
Raffl Laughton tweedle dee/tweedle dumb

The guy who got fired for not playing young guys and refusing to adapt his system to today's game ? Pass.
- Tfaehner

I like the idea of the young coach that can grow with the team. It seems like it might have been a good idea to bring in a veteran coach for 1-3 years ahead of a guy like Haktol and then bring in the Hakstol type this year/next year when the players started trickling in. Might not have been a bad idea to have hire Hak for the Phantoms during that period.

My opinion isn’t based on whether or not hakstol could “hak” it in the nhl straight from college, but it would have spared the calls for his job when he really doesn’t have a solid roster to work with for 3 years. Not dismissing the decisions he’s made because he definitely makes some head scratchers and his inability to adapt to this losing streak.

Hindsight thought. Always easier to call a bad decision what it is down the road. And I know some didn’t like it from the start.

I'm sure the GM will. He's perfectly happy getting his high pick in the upcoming draft. And yes, kudos to Hak for moving Giroux and putting Coots on the top line. It's not enough.
- BiggE

Sometimes I think people want Hakstol to create a Rembrandt with water color paints. It's about what is best for Martel right now, not about getting a high draft pick.

He won the Jack Adams in 2010. I'm not sure how different the game is now from then. And let's face it, he was never given anything to work with in Arizona aside from OEL.
- hereticpride

Very different. I liked tippet in the mid 2000s. I think the game passed him by. 2010 was a mirage season for them as much as it was for us.