It isn't just this season. I am a huge Giroux fan, and I am not saying this is necessarily his fault, but through multiple coaches, this playing down to the opponent issue has been a hallmark of the "Giroux era".
- Lexington Flyer

and the Simmonds era

I think long term they want Frost as the 3C so adding another center might help them next year but beyond creates quite the log jam.

I'm all for taking the best player available but man could they use some legit LW depth.
- hereticpride

That's why I said someone who could also play wing. I know Frost is likely the future. but i expect this team in the playoffs next year. So if Vorobreyv or Vecchione aren't there they need someone.

i prefer it someone who is young but can also play wing.

kind of see AMAC as the tell that the Flyers are ready...

once they can play him 3rd pair with Sanheim and Sanheim getting PP time, the flyers should be ready
- wcorvette

I'm expecting Sanheim to be far more than a 3rd pair player in the future but yes, when they need to rely on MacDonald less, they'll be a better team.

What I want to know from anyone who feels the coach didn't have the team focused and ready to play is how does the way the coaching staff prepares the team differ in games where they play well compared to games where they're flat and play down to a weaker opponent? Does the coach tell them "hey, it's the Islanders, we don't have to play hard or be ready, so just go out and take it easy, we don't want anyone to get hurt". How did the coach prepare them for the 3rd period when they came out and took over the game to tie the score? Did he make a "win one for the Gipper speech? Maybe he showed a clip of a Mike Eurizione inspirational speech?
Why do the players need to be focused by the coaching staff and made ready to play in a situation where a playoff berth and a crucial two points is up for grab? That's what I want to know from anyone who thinks the coach doesn't have them prepared to play.
- MJL

I can't totally agree with they weren't focus to start the game. They came out and dominated the 1st 4 minutes. I am not sure what changed. Really the Islanders getting that 1st PP seemed to change the game.

It isn't just this season. I am a huge Giroux fan, and I am not saying this is necessarily his fault, but through multiple coaches, this playing down to the opponent issue has been a hallmark of the "Giroux era".
- Lexington Flyer

I thought that was the hallmark of the Mike Richards era.

I'm expecting Sanheim to be far more than a 3rd pair player in the future but yes, when they need to rely on MacDonald less, they'll be a better team.
- MJL

If Sanheim can add 10 pounds he could be a second pair, his stick is much better, that continues i can see him be a step below a Hedman. Most folks will add weight naturally as they get a little older, so i do think he will bulk up just enough.

I can't totally agree with they weren't focus to start the game. They came out and dominated the 1st 4 minutes. I am not sure what changed. Really the Islanders getting that 1st PP seemed to change the game.
- J35Bacher

The first period they were okay overall. The second period was nauseating and inexcusable. What did they put 3 shots on net in the 2nd period against the worst defensive team in the league? It's all on the coach, oh and can't forget Manning and Lehtera. All on them.

If Sanheim can add 10 pounds he could be a second pair, his stick is much better, that continues i can see him be a step below a Hedman. Most folks will add weight naturally as they get a little older, so i do think he will bulk up just enough.
- wcorvette

I see Sanheim as having first pair potential.

I see Sanheim as having first pair potential.
- MJL

that would be the ceiling, cant miss second pair

that would be the ceiling, cant miss second pair
- wcorvette

Gotcha.

I like watching Ryan Pulock shoot, just not against the Flyers.

and the Simmonds era
- YuenglingJagr

Sure sure, if you want to keep Simmonds in the Luke Richardson/Randy Jones/Matt Carle "whipping-boy" slot then we can call it the Simmonds era.

Sure sure, if you want to keep Simmonds in the Luke Richardson/Randy Jones/Matt Carle "whipping-boy" slot then we can call it the Simmonds era.
- Lexington Flyer

I'm just glad that everything got better when we got rid of Richards and Carter and their partying ways. They were the reason the team wasn't always focused.

Edit: After a rough 1st half season, Luke Richardson was actually decent. I remember one fight about halfway through, and his face just looked extremely pissed off, and he took all of his aggression out on the guy. That seemed to get him going.

I thought that was the hallmark of the Mike Richards era.
- jmatchett383

Nope, that hallmark was booze and girls.

The first period they were okay overall. The second period was nauseating and inexcusable. What did they put 3 shots on net in the 2nd period against the worst defensive team in the league? It's all on the coach, oh and can't forget Manning and Lehtera. All on them.
- MJL

Funny thing is out of all the guys on the team, even with the goals, Simmonds drives me nuts most nights. And Gudas has been pretty bad this year. For all the hate Manning gets I feel Gudas has really been the worst defender this year.

Dare I say Simmonds is now making Hartnell type plays that Hartnell started to making at the end of his Flyers time. Just my opinion.

I'm just glad that everything got better when we got rid of Richards and Carter and their partying ways. They were the reason the team wasn't always focused.
- jmatchett383

Tag-team effort on that one. Nice synergy.

Funny thing is out of all the guys on the team, even with the goals, Simmonds drives me nuts most nights. And Gudas has been pretty bad this year. For all the hate Manning gets I feel Gudas has really been the worst defender this year.

Dare I say Simmonds is now making Hartnell type plays that Hartnell started to making at the end of his Flyers time. Just my opinion.
- J35Bacher

I never found Hartnell to be lazy. Last night, Simmonds was just plain lazy, which is why he was removed from the PP.

What I'd like to see the roster look like next season:

G-Coots-TK
Lindblom-Patrick-Jake
?1-?2-Weal
Raffl-Laughton-NAK
spares: Lehtera & Leier
bought out/waived or shot: Weise

Provorov-Ghost/Hagg
Sanheim-AMac/Hagg
Morin-Ghost/AMac/Hagg
spare: ?3

Elliott
?4

?1-could be someone acquired in a Simmonds trade or could be Weal if a RW is acquired in a Simmonds trade or if a guy like NAK looks like he can flourish on the 3rd line.

?2-Could be Vecchione or Vorobyev, or it could be a trade acquisition or a UFA

?3- could be Manning if the price is right, or an inexpensive 6/7 older veteran type

?4- Sadly, due to his being pretty much untradeable, it could be Neuvirth, at least to start the season. Could also be one of Lyon/Stolarz or a veteran free agent.

xxx

They made the right call. The puck was under Luongo's pads and only popped back out because the guy spun him around. The whistle should've been blown before that ever happened, you know, when the ref lost sight of it.
- Ratsreign

Not if the refs feel it was loose. Which it was. Luongo thought it was in his glove and it wasn’t, it was between his pads, thus causing him to look over his shoulder. Whether the ref should have blown his whistle is irrelevant, because for a change there was no intent to blow it. He felt it was loose too.

On the bright side the Flyers notoriously play to the level of their competition. IF they do make it into the playoffs against better teams they should play better!

Additionally their tendency to be either 1 goal better or 1 goal worse than other teams is the perfect practice for playoff games.

Looks like they have the league right where they want it.

until players like Lehtera, Manning and Filppula are replaced and guys like Simmonds start getting it together, our fourth and third lines are going to continue to be a huge liability. Giroux and the kids are great but they can't do it by themselves every night.

Takes a full team of NHL caliber players and we just don't have it right now
- Mordecai

agreed. I would love to see them ride Patrick more. his play from game 1 til now is like night and day.

Sure sure, if you want to keep Simmonds in the Luke Richardson/Randy Jones/Matt Carle "whipping-boy" slot then we can call it the Simmonds era.
- Lexington Flyer

I am just being jocular. Him and his irreplaceable intangibles are part of the leadership group

On the bright side the Flyers notoriously play to the level of their competition. IF they do make it into the playoffs against better teams they should play better!

Additionally their tendency to be either 1 goal better or 1 goal worse than other teams is the perfect practice for playoff games.

Looks like they have the league right where they want it.
- shekkie

You can take your semi-sarcastic optimism and leave, no room for it here.