It's worse than I thought. First of all who determines who is a puck moving defenseman and who isn't?

Off the top of my head. Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin.
- MJL

Actually Muzzin's metrics show he was the one to stay back while Doughty (and McNabb) were puck movers for the Kings.

Actually Muzzin's metrics show he was the one to stay back while Doughty (and McNabb) were puck movers for the Kings.
- hockeyal

Actually there is no single metric that can show that.

How long do you think Goulbourne will stick around? He'll be gone tomorrow night.

Are you really trying to say that there is nobody on the Phantoms that could help the big club, but for room on the roster?
- hockeyal

I hope Ghoul sticks around for the rest of the season as I didnt see anything in his 1 game so far to make me say he isnt ready.

That is what Hextall has always preached right...when they think a player is ready they will bring him up.

That's two different kinds of players. In modern hockey systems wise offense is played with a 5 man attack. For example you erroneously think that MacDonald pinched because he is now designated the "offensive" defenseman of the pairing. That's not the case. Strong side pinches are a part of the Flyers systems play and it's the same for every defenseman on the team. It's a read and react decision.
- MJL

The issue is not whether anyone has been "designated". The issue is that nature abhors a vacuum. When he was playing with Ghost or Provy, he almost never pinched, and was not the primary person relied on for puck support. By contrast, its not uncommon for Ghost and Provoroy to both decide to pull up at the same time. Tendencies go a long way, especially if those tendencies describe your strengths. When coaches talk about chemistry with defensive pairings. they don;t worry so much about right side left side, or even stick sides. Chemistry is about "comfort" which comes from pairing players with complementary abilities. Its true in back rows of soccer, lacrosse and hockey.

Actually there is no single metric that can show that.
- MJL

Wrong. Several proprietary metrics. A few you could find if you bothered.

The way Voracek gets the puck to the net, I wonder if eventually Lindblom could make it to that line. I know he’s supposed to be good in front of the net. Not sure if he skates well enough to keep up on that line. Also would free up Raffl to play on what could be a very effective 4th line, so they could roll 4 solid lines.
- Marc D

I agree in that there is still is an open spot in the top 9. I want Raffl down to on the 4th line. Raffl didn’t score on that 4th line, but did it really matter? I don’t care if the 4th line scores or not the Raffl/Laughton/Leier line had the puck in the offensive zone constantly. Get back to it. Bench weise and Lehterä

The issue is not whether anyone has been "designated". The issue is that nature abhors a vacuum. When he was playing with Ghost or Provy, he almost never pinched, and was not the primary person relied on for puck support. By contrast, its not uncommon for Ghost and Provoroy to both decide to pull up at the same time. Tendencies go a long way, especially if those tendencies describe your strengths. When coaches talk about chemistry with defensive pairings. they don;t worry so much about right side left side, or even stick sides. Chemistry is about "comfort" which comes from pairing players with complementary abilities. Its true in back rows of soccer, lacrosse and hockey.
- hockeyal

Nature abhors a vaccuum? That's makes zero sense in the context of this conversation. You're wrong that he all most never pinched when paired with Gostisbehere or Provorov. You've created this idea in your head that there is a primary person for puck support or a primary offensive defenseman. Both partners in a pairing are free to play aggressively offensively and defensively within the team system. This is modern hockey and it's 2018 not 1985.

Chemistry is definitely important with pairings but that's a completely different issue.

I agree in that there is still is an open spot in the top 9. I want Raffl down to on the 4th line. Raffl didn’t score on that 4th line, but did it really matter? I don’t care if the 4th line scores or not the Raffl/Laughton/Leier line had the puck in the offensive zone constantly. Get back to it. Bench weise and Lehterä
- Just5

Raffl has played well this year despite the lack of production...he had that little run but for the most part his best value has been with that 4th line. Can’t disagree with your two scratches either.

Wrong. Several proprietary metrics. A few you could find if you bothered.
- hockeyal

I look at hockey metrics and analytics on a regular basis. There are no metrics that show that. Let's discuss them. Link to them and we'll look at them. Show me what metrics you're referring to.

Kind of incredible that they can have G, Coots & Jake on fire with Elliott playing well and still somehow not be in playoff position. Perfect example why you have to get everything you can out of every line.
- hereticpride

If the PK was decent they'd be in a playoff spot, even without one extra goal from another line.

I agree in that there is still is an open spot in the top 9. I want Raffl down to on the 4th line. Raffl didn’t score on that 4th line, but did it really matter? I don’t care if the 4th line scores or not the Raffl/Laughton/Leier line had the puck in the offensive zone constantly. Get back to it. Bench weise and Lehterä
- Just5

No way. Not with the current roster. Raffl has been far too productive. That's a really poorly thought out decision. In the last 15 games, Raffl has 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points. That's scoring at a 27 goal, 27 assist pace for 54 points over the course of a season. Not to mention his strong 2 way play. For a team starved for secondary scoring that would make no sense. He belongs right where he is.

No way. Not with the current roster. Raffl has been far too productive. That's a really poorly thought out decision. In the last 15 games, Raffl has 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points. That's scoring at a 27 goal, 27 assist pace for 54 points over the course of a season. Not to mention his strong 2 way play. For a team starved for secondary scoring that would make no sense. He belongs right where he is.
- MJL

Then put Filppula on the 4th line instead.

Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
Raffl-Weal-Voracek
Lindblom-Patrick-Simmonds
Filppula-Laughton-Goulbourne
Leier, Weise

Waive Lehtera

Then put Filppula on the 4th line instead.

Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
Raffl-Weal-Voracek
Lindblom-Patrick-Simmonds
Filppula-Laughton-Goulbourne
Leier, Weise

Waive Lehtera
- Feanor

I wouldn't move Filppula either on this current team. If Lindblom comes up and can make in impact then I can see moving Raffl down even though I like him better than Weal.

Typical Reid and PO

As pointed out, this narrative makes no sense. BUT, there are two weaknesses in the way Hextall manages players:
1) He is risk averse when it comes to sending players through waivers. He has said many times that it is never a good thing to lose an "asset" to another team for nothing, and he sees players as assets, even when we don't.
2) He has a weak spot for Laughton, like many fans do, protecting him in the expansion draft, and plugging away with him no matter what.

I would like to see:
Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
Weal-Filppula-Voracek
Lindblom-Patrick-Simmonds
Raffl-Lehtera-Goulbourne

or Raffl-Vecchione-Lehtera

or at least Raffl-Laughton-Lehtera and Lehtera takes all of the faceoffs.
- hockeyal

um what... you think lehtera is better than laughton? in what world...

Boston laying a beating on Carolina, big game tomorrow against Buffalo. Need to win that game bottom line. With Canes loss and if Rangers lose tonight with a win tomorrow things look pretty good all of a sudden.

No way. Not with the current roster. Raffl has been far too productive. That's a really poorly thought out decision. In the last 15 games, Raffl has 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points. That's scoring at a 27 goal, 27 assist pace for 54 points over the course of a season. Not to mention his strong 2 way play. For a team starved for secondary scoring that would make no sense. He belongs right where he is.
- MJL

Moving Raffl down only after Lindblom comes up

Then put Filppula on the 4th line instead.

Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
Raffl-Weal-Voracek
Lindblom-Patrick-Simmonds
Filppula-Laughton-Goulbourne
Leier, Weise

Waive Lehtera
- Feanor

would not want simmer and lindblom on the same line

Boston laying a beating on Carolina, big game tomorrow against Buffalo. Need to win that game bottom line. With Canes loss and if Rangers lose tonight with a win tomorrow things look pretty good all of a sudden.
- Buzzo

Boston is on fire. Good mix of vets and they’re kids are producing

Boston laying a beating on Carolina, big game tomorrow against Buffalo. Need to win that game bottom line. With Canes loss and if Rangers lose tonight with a win tomorrow things look pretty good all of a sudden.
- Buzzo

jesus bergeron has 4 goals tonight

jesus bergeron has 4 goals tonight
- bulet13

it's an off night

would not want simmer and lindblom on the same line
- bulet13

You should watch Lindblom play sometime. He can play with anyone and be successful.

I just traded Patrick Kane for Marchand in my fantasy league. Lord help me.

You should watch Lindblom play sometime. He can play with anyone and be successful.
- Feanor

im more worried about who simmer needs to be succesful

I just traded Patrick Kane for Marchand in my fantasy league. Lord help me.
- hereticpride

riské