Here is the thing. There are some very good things about the Provorov-Gostisbehere pairing. The bad thing is it takes the Flyers best defender away from the main role of playing against top lines. Still sees some time such as late in games but for the most part that responsibility has gone to MacDonald-Hagg. The best that pairing is going to do against top lines with heavy D zone starts is survive. It does free up Provorov and Gostisbehere to play in more offensive zone situaitons and more with Giroux and company. Over a larger sample we'll see if that strategy is what is best for this current team.
- MJL

How is putting Provorov - Ghost on the top line taking away Provorov from playing against top lines? This doesn't make any sense to me

How is putting Provorov - Ghost on the top line taking away Provorov from playing against top lines? This doesn't make any sense to me
- SimmerDown17

Hagg and AMac are the sacrificial lamb against the opponents top line. They were out against the Tavares line for over half of their TOI

He's fine playing 15-20. He's had a solid year and was missed while he was injured.

When he gets beyond playing 20 minutes a game consistently is when he starts getting exposed but he can handle even handle that in spot duty. He's not someone that needs to be sheltered which is pretty important with a young blue line.
- Baxter27

Not sure he's been solid all year...I think he has a solid start but has had some rough nights, since returning from injury. To be fair he is playing with some young D and that can be unpredictable for a vet, but I honestly think 20 minutes a night from him is far to much.

The coach has been leaning heavily on Hagg this year. Of course as a first year he’s going to have rough patches. A game off or two would likely be of benefit to Hagg but not sure the coach is ready to pull him. I think their team play declines if you give Sanheim the same minutes and match ups Hagg has been seeing.

My point about Ghost is not that he can become another Kimmo, but that he can use his hockey sense and speed to be a very effective defender.
- Marc D

I am hoping that Ghost (and other young players) will see how much Provy's conditioning aids him in all facets of play and he will add some additional strength that may help speed up the transition you are speaking of.

I want that Gary Roberts/Brindy impact where they get serious about it. Also think that would aid Patrick who is a little doughy....most of which is age related, but getting ultra focused on it would have impacts because he seems to gass in the middle of his shifts.

Leier missed a pretty critical shot block last night. Considering the PK is already a concern and a major part of his role, it would make sense.
- Baxter27

Leir has not been playing well, has missed several shot blocks that have wound up in the net. As far as the PK, I don't think he has been on the PK since Calgary scored three straight PP goals during the losing streak. We have seen a steady diet of Coots, Simmer, Fil, Raffl, G and Leighton. I don't remember the last time Leir played PK. Ghoul will be the new Leir. Not really sure what Leir brings. He has speed but no hands. Shot blocks seem to tick off him into the net. I was surprised he made the team out of camp. I think that stemmed from he and Leighton playing PK together in LHV. They look pretty together yet pucks keep winding up in the net. I've seen enough, have plenty of guys in LHV that are fast and can't score that can replace him.

Hogberg may develop just as well or better in the SHL next season, but the Flyers currently have no LHD prospects on ELCs who can play for the Phantoms in 18-19 without passing thru waivers. They do have three RHD prospects who will be waiver-exempt in 18-19.

Myers
Friedman
Willcox (RFA)

Leir has not been playing well, has missed several shot blocks that have wound up in the net. As far as the PK, I don't think he has been on the PK since Calgary scored three straight PP goals during the losing streak. We have seen a steady diet of Coots, Simmer, Fil, Raffl, G and Leighton. I don't remember the last time Leir played PK. Ghoul will be the new Leir. Not really sure what Leir brings. He has speed but no hands. Shot blocks seem to tick off him into the net. I was surprised he made the team out of camp. I think that stemmed from he and Leighton playing PK together in LHV. They look pretty together yet pucks keep winding up in the net. I've seen enough, have plenty of guys in LHV that are fast and can't score that can replace him.
- jaws1955

So essentially, he's a faster version of Lehtera.

Hogberg may develop just as well or better in the SHL next season, but the Flyers currently have no LHD prospects on ELCs who can play for the Phantoms in 18-19 without passing thru waivers. They do have three RHD prospects who will be waiver-exempt in 18-19.

Myers
Friedman
Willcox (RFA)
- Feanor

Can any one of the 3 play the left side effectively?

Hagg and AMac are the sacrificial lamb against the opponents top line. They were out against the Tavares line for over half of their TOI
- YuenglingJagr

How is that possible if Provorov and Ghost are on the top line? I just woke up and haven't had coffee yet. Sorry if I'm being dense here.

Hogberg may develop just as well or better in the SHL next season, but the Flyers currently have no LHD prospects on ELCs who can play for the Phantoms in 18-19 without passing thru waivers. They do have three RHD prospects who will be waiver-exempt in 18-19.

Myers
Friedman
Willcox (RFA)
- Feanor

David Drake to the rescue!

Drake's a real long shot, but perhaps Amorosa might actually get an ELC.

https://www.capfriendly.c...teams/flyers/reserve-list

Can any one of the 3 play the left side effectively?
- jmatchett383

I think Willcox and Friedman have played the left side at times this season but it's not ideal since there's almost no chance they would be doing that if they ever make it to the NHL.

How is that possible if Provorov and Ghost are on the top line? I just woke up and haven't had coffee yet. Sorry if I'm being dense here.
- SimmerDown17

All depends what you define as top line (pair). AMac/Hagg saw more ES ice time than the Provy/Ghost pair, so technically they were the top pair

Time to give Elliott a rest

Isles 4.07 GAA .871%
Pitt 6.00 GAA ,714%
TB 3.00 GAA .889%
Fla 3.14 GAA .889%

How is putting Provorov - Ghost on the top line taking away Provorov from playing against top lines? This doesn't make any sense to me
- SimmerDown17

Look at the game stats and the ice time usage against opponents. The MacDonald-Hagg pairing is playing the most minutes against top lines and getting the lions share of D zone starts.

So essentially, he's a faster version of Lehtera.
- jmatchett383

Not at all, Lehtera a is a big guy and Leir is a freaking midget. If he can't use his speed to get in the way, he is just a honeybee that buzzes around but never lands on anything.

Time to give Elliott a rest

Isles 4.07 GAA .871%
Pitt 6.00 GAA ,714%
TB 3.00 GAA .889%
Fla 3.14 GAA .889%
- SimmerDown17

He really should have started against Pittsburgh.

Drake's a real long shot, but perhaps Amorosa might actually get an ELC.

https://www.capfriendly.c...teams/flyers/reserve-list



I think Willcox and Friedman have played the left side at times this season but it's not ideal since there's almost no chance they would be doing that if they ever make it to the NHL.
- Feanor

I don't know what % of time he has played right or left, but I have seen him play LD and he seemed comfortable. I didnt watch BGSU much at all, but a majority of the time he was LD (from my viewing)

edit: and david drake was a joke...maybe some daniel brickley though

Hogberg may develop just as well or better in the SHL next season, but the Flyers currently have no LHD prospects on ELCs who can play for the Phantoms in 18-19 without passing thru waivers. They do have three RHD prospects who will be waiver-exempt in 18-19.

Myers
Friedman
Willcox (RFA)
- Feanor

This is very cool
I mean the part about R handed D prospect for them

Not at all, Lehtera a is a big guy and Leir is a freaking midget. If he can't use his speed to get in the way, he is just a honeybee that buzzes around but never lands on anything.
- jaws1955

Yeah, Lehtera's big buy he doesn't really use his size. He's slow, doesn't really hit, and doesn't have hands. If Leier is a honeybee, Lehtera's a carpenter bee.

Yes, Hägg came over at 19 (so early that he was slide-rule eligible despite playing the year in the AHL). That's not typical.
- bmeltzer

Thanks, Bill.

Yeah, Lehtera's big buy he doesn't really use his size. He's slow, doesn't really hit, and doesn't have hands. If Leier is a honeybee, Lehtera's a carpenter bee.
- jmatchett383

Not saying Lehtera is a wizard with the puck, but he does have at least average playmaking skills and on-ice vision. I think you're slightly underrating Lehtera....not that it's that big of a deal.

Not saying Lehtera is a wizard with the puck, but he does have at least average playmaking skills and on-ice vision. I think you're slightly underrating Lehtera....not that it's that big of a deal.
- VladDrag

He's certainly not a speedster but his skating is overblown also. He skates well enough to play in the NHL.

Hagg's game has been deteriorating in the last few weeks. I disagree about MacDonald. He has been playing solidly all season and the defense corps stabilized when he returned from injury. Manning right now is a better player than Sanheim is. I don't want Sanheim continuing to sit though.
- MJL

i know ive been one of the biggest Hagg detractors and im beating my own dead horse but he's been playing very badly the last few weeks. bad pinches, missed coverages, turnovers. time for him to sit a few games

i know ive been one of the biggest Hagg detractors and im beating my own dead horse but he's been playing very badly the last few weeks. bad pinches, missed coverages, turnovers. time for him to sit a few games
- bulet13

#teamfancy

He's certainly not a speedster but his skating is overblown also. He skates well enough to play in the NHL.
- MJL

His level of skating is poor, but you're right in that if he was better in other facets of his game, skating wouldn't be an issue. See Couts.

That's his overall problem with his game, he doesn't excel in one area. Okay puck skills, not great; sense isn't terrible, but not very good; has good size, but doesn't use it effectively or consistently; not a great skater.

Just overall not good enough for the NHL.