It's Lehtera's fault that MacDonald's clearing attempt hit him!

- MJL

So you're saying it was MacDonald's fault a goal was conceded in the final minute? That would be first time in HB history for you to admit that.

The Flyers have lost every game this year in which Matt Read has scored a goal. He's obviously trash.

It's Lehtera's fault that MacDonald's clearing attempt hit him!

- MJL

thought Lethera was the only one who was truly pushing the play out of the zone, he tired to rescue Simmonds and was there to support, bad bounce off of him. He did make that soft clear on the PK but again a solid game by him, not worth 4 mil but hey

I wanted him gone for his salary. I thought he was a good choice for 13th forward. I still think that's the case, at 13th forward money.
- jmatchett383

I do agree the main issue with him is his salary but that said i would rather see young players in that role.

The Flyers have lost every game this year in which Matt Read has scored a goal. He's obviously trash.
- jmatchett383

why he is not scoring, sacrificing for the team

My point is more about how fickle we fans can be
- nastyflyergirl

well that's true. but i'm not fickle about him. i get annoyed when he's had golden opps to finish and doesn't...but that's not going to sink or swim the team. he's good in his role, and besides, i just like calling him Meat Read.

Be nice to see G get to 30 goals on the year against the Isles...and 35 against the Rags

I do agree the main issue with him is his salary but that said i would rather see young players in that role.
- nastyflyergirl

Exactly. He's overpaid and not ideal (I'd prefer that a guy like Bardreau or Vecchione have his spot), but he's better than the other roster options they have.

So you're saying it was MacDonald's fault a goal was conceded in the final minute? That would be first time in HB history for you to admit that.
- Feanor

that play is on Simmonds. he had a clear path to just dump it out and for whatever reason he was indecisive then tried to skate it out. after that it just sent everything in panic mode to clear the zone under pressure. thankfully they got the extra point anyway

I do agree the main issue with him is his salary but that said i would rather see young players in that role.
- nastyflyergirl

yeah I think he can slide back to LHV if needed but late season could be the call up. i would rather Hak fixate on playing Read as the Vet than some others

well that's true. but i'm not fickle about him. i get annoyed when he's had golden opps to finish and doesn't...but that's not going to sink or swim the team. he's good in his role, and besides, i just like calling him Meat Read.
- hammarby31

Pierre is happy that he's back with the team, otherwise he couldn't wow us with his incredible knowledge by telling us what college Read attended.

Giroux was obviously hindered by the hip surgery last season, the way he rebounded is beyond my expectations.

I've already gone on hockeypoopshoot.com and tore posters there a new @$$hole.
- drunkberg

😂 well played! I didn’t expect him to bounce back this much either so it’s been a pleasant surprise. He just didn’t look like himself. One thing that I also thought when the season ended: Giroux has always been his own biggest critic. He won’t allow himself to have a bad season.

Can't really say I agree that changing the PK coach wouldn't make a difference, I think the power play didn't change much percentage wise because it's practically the same PP setup. A new PK coach could possibly implement a more aggressive style of PK instead of the extremely passive diamond one we use now. There's no reason a team that can have a PK Unit with the likes of Couturier, Giroux, and Provorov should be one of the worst in the league.
- Discourse_

Lack of speed and too many failed clears lead to having to play a passive PK. Note how much less aggressive certain portions of PK units look than others.

Nobody will. It will just be comical when the NHL throws the book at the player who does it.
- MJL

i'm incredibly disappointed by the league's actions, especially juxtaposed to their public message of protecting its players. it's a joke.

thought Lethera was the only one who was truly pushing the play out of the zone, he tired to rescue Simmonds and was there to support, bad bounce off of him. He did make that soft clear on the PK but again a solid game by him, not worth 4 mil but hey
- wcorvette

Before he was hit by MacDonald's clearing attempt, Lehtera had two chances to clear the zone and failed on both of them.

Lack of speed and too many failed clears lead to having to play a passive PK. Note how much less aggressive certain portions of PK units look than others.
- bmeltzer

it's painful to watch, and continue to be amazed by how bad NHL players can be at this basic aspect of the game.

https://www.tsn.ca/bruins-marchand-fined-5k-for-cross-check-1.1044232

NHL Player Safety
✔
@NHLPlayerSafety
Boston’s Brad Marchand fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for cross-checking Philadelphia’s Andrew MacDonald.

10:02 AM - Apr 2, 2018
- Pixote Andolini

Total piece of garbage, clean hit by MacDonald doesn't like it so retaliates like he always does with no regard for the league rules and gets a slap on the wrist again. When does it end, just off a suspension and fine and does it again? He doesn't care about the money.

So you're saying it was MacDonald's fault a goal was conceded in the final minute? That would be first time in HB history for you to admit that.
- Feanor

Nope, not at all. What I was clearly saying is that it wasn't Lehtera's fault.

I'll elaborate further. It wasn't MacDonald's fault, it wasn't Manning's fault, it wasn't Mzarek's fault and most of all it wasn't Hakstol's fault. It was Wayne Simmonds fault. A routine chip out into center ice and the game is over! That simple.

I'm so glad we have a coach with the courage to bench clueless young players like Hagg and Laughton, and play gritty veterans like Lehtera and Manning in their place. Without Lehtera's clutch block of MacDonald's clearing attempt and Manning's on the tape pass directly to Bergeron, Giroux wouldn't have set a new record in goals yesterday. That's the kind of reliability a team needs on the ice in the final minute. Otherwise, you risk winning the game in regulation.
- Feanor

Pierre is happy that he's back with the team, otherwise he couldn't wow us with his incredible knowledge by telling us what college Read attended.
- jmatchett383

Tell us all about Matthew Read, Pierre!!

Nope, not at all. What I was clearly saying is that it wasn't Lehtera's fault.

I'll elaborate further. It wasn't MacDonald's fault, it wasn't Manning's fault, it wasn't Mzarek's fault and most of all it wasn't Hakstol's fault. It was Wayne Simmonds fault. A routine chip out into center ice and the game is over! That simple.
- MJL

It wouldn't have mattered who was on the ice, I agree.

i'm incredibly disappointed by the league's actions, especially juxtaposed to their public message of protecting its players. it's a joke.
- hammarby31

I'm pretty sure that's the first use of the word "juxtaposed" by anyone in these parts not named Bill Meltzer.

Nope, not at all. What I was clearly saying is that it wasn't Lehtera's fault.

I'll elaborate further. It wasn't MacDonald's fault, it wasn't Manning's fault, it wasn't Mzarek's fault and most of all it wasn't Hakstol's fault. It was Wayne Simmonds fault. A routine chip out into center ice and the game is over! That simple.
- MJL

Simmonds can't clear the zone and the tire fire starts. But let's not worry about him when everyone else on the ice can be blamed as the usual suspect. Funny that Wayne is out there with them most of the time these issues occur late in periods.

I'm pretty sure that's the first use of the word "juxtaposed" by anyone in these parts not named Bill Meltzer.


- johndewar

Isn't it just a posed?

A little off-topic off-season discussion:

Chicago is once again going to be screwed with their cap and like most off-seasons they will have to move someone just to get by...Brandon Saad.

The Flyers will be in great shape this off-season with their cap and the following year signing Provorov/Konecny. Obviously it all depends on cost, but I wonder if the Flyers could poach Saad for a reasonable price. What that price is, I don't know. Maybe a 1st, maybe a Myers or Rubtsov or maybe something totally else.

Saad can score goals, but would be a great addition to the PK. A bit pricey for his down year (6M), but is only 25 with 3 years remaining.

Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
Lindblom-Patrick-Voracek
Saad-?-Simmonds
Weal-Laughton-Raffl

Lehtera
Weise

Pretty solid top 9 to compete with the big boys. Who could center the 3rd? Depends on the camp from Frost or Vecchione or players get moved around. Plus Simmonds could be moved in the off-season for some assets, which I highly doubt. Expectations will be higher next year and soon the team will have to spend to build a winner.