the eagles are going to win. either way, the city will burn to the ground. get your steaks while you can.
- hammarby31

The only difference will be the mass suicides that will ensure should they lose.

No, he isn't. He's a poor possesion player, just like Hagg, and putting that combo out against top lines has predictably seen them struggle terribly to get the puck out of their own zone.
- Feanor

Of the current choices, yes he is. There is no doubt that together they're going to do a lot more defending than attacking but they do a solid job defensively.

The coach chose to stop playing Leier and Weise almost entirely in favor of Lehtera, and chose to give Lehtera twice as much SH TOI in the past month as Laughton. They were bad choices with bad results, and it's genuinely sad that you can't admit that.

For the record, I have defended Hakstol on many topics over the past three years, so no, I do not have a clear bias against him. You defend every single thing he does, so it's pretty obvious who is biased here.
- Feanor

When Weise was in the lineup he was the bad use of the roster that the fans were complaining about. When Laughton was on the PK rotation the PK was also poor. I consider the choices the coach has at his disposal and I don't blame him for the holes on the roster and for using the players he was given to use.

The fact that I have posted numerous times how big of an issue the PK is and that it needs to be fixed and have also endorsed not only a strategy change but an assistant coaching change for the PK flies directly in the face of the claim you make that I can't see that there are issues with the PK both in terms of coaching and personnel. I just don't choose to scapegoat any one player for a team issue.

The only difference will be the mass suicides that will ensure should they lose.
- jmatchett383

that's possible. but we survived 2005....so there's some hope that humanity can sustain another loss.

that's possible. but we survived 2005....so there's some hope that humanity can sustain another loss.
- hammarby31

People may survive I fear for their TV's

And for edp's well being

Bobby Ryan fears the Flyers

https://www.tsn.ca/ryan-m...test-hand-injury-1.986575

Everyone, myself included thought the Flyers were a playoff bubble team this season. Coming off the 10 game losing streak, the Flyers had one of the best records in the NHL over a significant period of time despite some obvious flaws. After that nice run the Flyers found themselves still a playoff bubble team that had themselves in decent position at the time. Now some recurring issues have crept back in, some that have been ever present such as the PK issue, had some individual player breakdowns, ad some poor goaltending resulting in a 3 game losing streak. Where we find the Flyers again, a playoff bubble team. So due to that 3 game losing streak we have to endure ranting and raving about the players chosen as scapegoats, some of the criticism certainly deserved, some over the top. The always fun appearance of posters who were MIA during the strong run to come back and throw personal insults around and call Hextall coma man. LOL
I personally choose to keep an even keel and recognize what has always been the case with this team. That they are a team that is developing young players and right now choosing what they feel is right for those players and using veteran fill in role players until they feel they're ready to be promoted. I'm not going to get wound up and blame a coach for not putting together the utopia lineup that right now does not exist. I will continue to remain objective with the big picture in focus and I don't care who doesn't like it. It's not personal for me, it's hockey. I'm open and available for any discussion or debate on any of my opinions. Go Flyers and go Eagles.

Having a good laugh at the Leafs getting hot when they move their skilled players in the lineup and sit older vets for young players with upside. Development!

I'm not disagreeing with this. That being said, he is still responsible for his actions on the ice despite his intent.
- jmatchett383

Of course he is, and he was penalized for 2 minutes.

I thought the non call on The Voracek hit was much more egregious.

Was waiting for Ek's Flyers goalie blog, and there it is!

@randyturner15
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Weird Groundhog Day in Winnipeg. Manitoba Merv stuck his head out of the ground. James Neal chopped it off. Now we've got 6 more weeks of female doging about goalie interference.

lol

lol
- YuenglingJagr

http://www.kcra.com/artic...g-day-prediction/16024233

This just seems creepy and wrong.

Having a good laugh at the Leafs getting hot when they move their skilled players in the lineup and sit older vets for young players with upside. Development!
- YuenglingJagr

Player development is different for each individual player and you know that.

I really hate to blame the goaltending but it was by far the Flyers biggest weakness last night.

You fired the first shot!
- MJL

where as I do disagree with one of you frequently, the one who pretends he has facts and it is just not an opinion, I do agree Hak is doing the best he can with the roster given. Hak pretty has to play Lethera and Manning and Gudas if they hope to have any value. Yes there is a case for Lindbolm and dare I say Sanheim to remain with LHV.

Needing to play Mcd over Gudas? When Gudas is playing well I think he is a better option for the 2nd pair. It is pretty obvious that the Gudas/Manning pair needs to be changed

Player development is different for each individual player and you know that.
- MJL

That has absolutely nothing to do with being trusted by a coach once a player's development reaches the NHL

http://www.kcra.com/article/watch-live-punxsutawney-phil-to-make-his-2018-groundhog-day-prediction/16024233

This just seems creepy and wrong.
- jmatchett383

and hes correct like 38% of the time or something like that? poor advanced stats

Tough back-to-back 3rd period collapses.
Not sure the team is ready for that next step.
Bring up Morin, Sanheim and Lindblom.

where as I do disagree with one of you frequently, the one who pretends he has facts and it is just not an opinion, I do agree Hak is doing the best he can with the roster given. Hak pretty has to play Lethera and Manning and Gudas if they hope to have any value. Yes there is a case for Lindbolm and dare I say Sanheim to remain with LHV.

Needing to play Mcd over Gudas? When Gudas is playing well I think he is a better option for the 2nd pair. It is pretty obvious that the Gudas/Manning pair needs to be changed
- wcorvette

Stating that someone pretends to have facts and it is not just an opinion, is an opinion and ironically not a fact. LOL To be clear I never claim to be offering anything as more than an opinion.

MacDonald has played better overall than Gudas has this season and while overall I think based on his time as a Flyer I would rate Gudas as better overall player than MacDonald that has not been the case this season. To be clear, this is my opinion.

Tough back-to-back 3rd period collapses.
Not sure the team is ready for that next step.
Bring up Morin, Sanheim and Lindblom.
- Pixote Andolini

Morin is still injured.

When Weise was in the lineup he was the bad use of the roster that the fans were complaining about. When Laughton was on the PK rotation the PK was also poor. I consider the choices the coach has at his disposal and I don't blame him for the holes on the roster and for using the players he was given to use.

The fact that I have posted numerous times how big of an issue the PK is and that it needs to be fixed and have also endorsed not only a strategy change but an assistant coaching change for the PK flies directly in the face of the claim you make that I can't see that there are issues with the PK both in terms of coaching and personnel. I just don't choose to scapegoat any one player for a team issue.
- MJL

The PK has been through both strategy and personnel changes. The results are the same. The only constant has been Lappy. I still think Hak or Lappy (not sure who decides) could do a better job than Lehtera. Slow guys shouldn't be on the PK period.

That has absolutely nothing to do with being trusted by a coach once a player's development reaches the NHL
- YuenglingJagr

This doesn't make any sense in my opinion. For example Babcock has demoted Marner to the 4th line this season. It's not a linear situation. Once a young player makes it to the NHL that doesn't mean that he doesn't have to keep earning ice time and a coached trust.

I don't find him to be ignorant or misinformed. I don't agree with his views on things, and I think that he's a been too blindly loyal at times, but I'd never label him as misinformed.
- jmatchett383

I would agree, not misinformed, like most of us he has an opinion, he just comes off like they are facts

When Weise was in the lineup he was the bad use of the roster that the fans were complaining about. When Laughton was on the PK rotation the PK was also poor. I consider the choices the coach has at his disposal and I don't blame him for the holes on the roster and for using the players he was given to use.
- MJL

It's not possible to have a serious conversation about this team with a person who cannot bring themselves to admit that the sudden introduction of Lehtera to the PK rotation was entirely unnecessary, and has resulted in significantly worse outcomes on the ice.

This doesn't make any sense in my opinion. For example Babcock has demoted Marner to the 4th line this season. It's not a linear situation. Once a young player makes it to the NHL that doesn't mean that he doesn't have to keep earning ice time and a coached trust.
- MJL

I'm telling you: Scissor activity e-books

Just let that sink in.