I don't think he's going to hurt the team too much from the press box. Lehtera as an everyday player and PK regular is a much bigger concern. Every PK he goes out for is closer to a 5 on 3 than a 5 on 4 for the opposition due to his extreme slowness.
- Feanor

Yeah, in all honesty I don't like any of their 4th line center options. Lehtera is slow that he can be timed with a sundial, Laughton is just better suited to play wing, and Weal is a matchup disaster against bigger opponents down low. It won't be an issue for long, as between Frost and Rubtsov or Vorobyev sliding down if Frost takes the 3C spot next season, they should be able to fill the spot from within for 19-20 and beyond.

That being said, I'd keep my eyes open for an upgrade on the last year of his contract and see if you can make a trade to improve the spot for this season. If they can find a good 4C, who can step up and play 3C when needed and win faceoffs, their forward group will really be solid from top to bottom.

Yeah, in all honesty I don't like any of their 4th line center options. Lehtera is slow that he can be timed with a sundial, Laughton is just better suited to play wing, and Weal is a matchup disaster against bigger opponents down low. It won't be an issue for long, as between Frost and Rubtsov or Vorobyev sliding down if Frost takes the 3C spot next season, they should be able to fill the spot from within for 19-20 and beyond.

That being said, I'd keep my eyes open for an upgrade on the last year of his contract and see if you can make a trade to improve the spot for this season. If they can find a good 4C, who can step up and play 3C when needed and win faceoffs, their forward group will really be solid from top to bottom.
- BiggE

Didn't Raffl play some center ealry when he first got to the Flyers? Just wondering if that might be a better option and add someone like Aube-Kubel to the wing.

FINALLY

Yeah, in all honesty I don't like any of their 4th line center options. Lehtera is slow that he can be timed with a sundial, Laughton is just better suited to play wing, and Weal is a matchup disaster against bigger opponents down low. It won't be an issue for long, as between Frost and Rubtsov or Vorobyev sliding down if Frost takes the 3C spot next season, they should be able to fill the spot from within for 19-20 and beyond.

That being said, I'd keep my eyes open for an upgrade on the last year of his contract and see if you can make a trade to improve the spot for this season. If they can find a good 4C, who can step up and play 3C when needed and win faceoffs, their forward group will really be solid from top to bottom.
- BiggE

If Lehtera can play as solid as he did in the last pre season game against Boston then I have no issues with him as the 4C. The question is can he keep that level of play up for a whole season. If not I'd insert Weal into the lineup and move Laughton or Raffl to center.

Apropos of nothing, I'm at the point with Brad Marchand where if someone cheap shotted him, I'd probably contribute to a kickstarter to pay off the perpetrator's fine.

Ten things I want to see this season, because they would seriously make me happy:

1. In his first game he plays this season against the Bruins, Tom Wilson collides knee on knee with Brad Marchand knocking them both out for the remainder of the season.

2. Toronto, after winning the division and having the best record in the conference, gets upset in the 1st round by the 2nd wilcard Florida Panthers. The series ends in OT in game 7 when John Tavares turns over a puck high in the D zone which leads directly to the series winning goal.

3. Gary Bettman pulls off his mask, revealing himself to actually be Dr. Evil.

4. Jay Greenberg decides he wants to go back to covering the Flyers on a regular basis and replaces John Boruk

5. The Pens trade whatever few picks and prospects they have left to make a Cup run and then get eliminated by the Flyers in the 1st round.

6. The Flyers then go on to beat the Tom Wilson less Caps in round 2, before finally going down in 6 tough games to Tampa in the conference final. Sorry, but that's as far as I can go even when I'm dreaming, LOL.

7. Mike Milbury chokes on his own stupidity and is removed from the TV studio for his own protection.

8. Pierre aka Regis Maguire, finally after letting us know where each and every player in the NHL went to Nursery school and at what age they were potty trained decides to retire and dedicate the rest of his life to kneeling in front of Sidney Crosby and teaching the world how to properly say Krist-OH-fur Letang.

9. The Sharks get to the finals, but cough up the puck for the Cup winning goal against when Burns trips over his own beard when defending a one on one against Kucherov.

10. We all get together for that late season game that was talked about a few months back, and someone brings me an 18 year old bottle of Macallan. Hey, I'll share....I promise...really, I will.

Ten things I want to see this season, because they would seriously make me happy:

1. In his first game he plays this season against the Bruins, Tom Wilson collides knee on knee with Brad Marchand knocking them both out for the remainder of the season.

2. Toronto, after winning the division and having the best record in the conference, gets upset in the 1st round by the 2nd wilcard Florida Panthers. The series ends in OT in game 7 when John Tavares turns over a puck high in the D zone which leads directly to the series winning goal.

3. Gary Bettman pulls off his mask, revealing himself to actually be Dr. Evil.

4. Jay Greenberg decides he wants to go back to covering the Flyers on a regular basis and replaces John Boruk

5. The Pens trade whatever few picks and prospects they have left to make a Cup run and then get eliminated by the Flyers in the 1st round.

6. The Flyers then go on to beat the Tom Wilson less Caps in round 2, before finally going down in 6 tough games to Tampa in the conference final. Sorry, but that's as far as I can go even when I'm dreaming, LOL.

7. Mike Milbury chokes on his own stupidity and is removed from the TV studio for his own protection.

8. Pierre aka Regis Maguire, finally after letting us know where each and every player in the NHL went to Nursery school and at what age they were potty trained decides to retire and dedicate the rest of his life to kneeling in front of Sidney Crosby and teaching the world how to properly say Krist-OH-fur Letang.

9. The Sharks get to the finals, but cough up the puck for the Cup winning goal against when Burns trips over his own beard when defending a one on one against Kucherov.

10. We all get together for that late season game that was talked about a few months back, and someone brings me an 18 year old bottle of Macallan. Hey, I'll share....I promise...really, I will.
- BiggE

I would LOVE a new Austin Powers movie

Didn't Raffl play some center ealry when he first got to the Flyers? Just wondering if that might be a better option and add someone like Aube-Kubel to the wing.
- J35Bacher

He did for a bit, but he's really much better on the wing too. He's ok on faceoffs, but he has no offense creativity or any decent playmaking skills which you'd like to see in a center. I really think the best option is a trade at some point this season. I mean we are talking about upgrading at 4C, it's not going to cost a 1st or a top prospect.

I would LOVE a new Austin Powers movie
- YuenglingJagr

This is long down the list of things I would criticize Hak for because I think most coaches would do keep the team's overall #1 dman there, but Sanheim is a better PP QB than Provorov.
- Feanor

I agree he has the tools but Id wait til he has some more NHLpower play time under his belt before making that statement. That being said, id prefer him next to Provy instead of Vorobyev. Not overly upset about it but Knoblauch runs the pp IIRC so the gripe is with him.

Apropos of nothing, I'm at the point with Brad Marchand where if someone cheap shotted him, I'd probably contribute to a kickstarter to pay off the perpetrator's fine.
- johndewar

Would certainly help,but at most, you really don't want Elliott starting more than 50 games. Someone, be it Pickard, Neuvirth, Lyon etc., will have to step up and give them at least solid goaltending in the other 32 or so games.-BiggE

Games started: Elliott 40-45, Pickard 10-12, Lyon 20-25

Apropos of nothing, I'm at the point with Brad Marchand where if someone cheap shotted him, I'd probably contribute to a kickstarter to pay off the perpetrator's fine.
- johndewar

It is never ok to donate to a kickstarter. Why not just contribute to a political campaign? Or flush it down the toilet?

It is never ok to donate to a kickstarter. Why not just contribute to a political campaign? Or flush it down the toilet?
- StepfordSam

Hmmm.....I could just send the fine money directly to the NHL on behalf of whoever injures Marchand.

I wonder if the league has venmo?

He did for a bit, but he's really much better on the wing too. He's ok on faceoffs, but he has no offense creativity or any decent playmaking skills which you'd like to see in a center. I really think the best option is a trade at some point this season. I mean we are talking about upgrading at 4C, it's not going to cost a 1st or a top prospect.
- BiggE

I wonder how much rope Lehtara will have as a vet? The one thing they do have is some depth that could fill that role if needed. Off the top of my head I would say Cole Bardreau, Mike Vecchione, Corbin Knight(when healthy).

Apropos of nothing, I'm at the point with Brad Marchand where if someone cheap shotted him, I'd probably contribute to a kickstarter to pay off the perpetrator's fine.
- johndewar

-Bigg E
- NC Flyers Fan

It's really hard to predict at this point. I think, if Elliott stays healthy and Pickard plays well, they will be the tandem for the remainder of the season. Once Lyon gets healthy, I think either he or Stolarz gets moved and the other backs up Hart at LHV.

When it comes to Neuvirth, as long as Pickard is playing well and Elliott is doing the same and is healthy, I think he gets waived, and, if he clears waivers, he may end up riding the pine in LHV as a 3rd goalie until after the deadline when the rosters can be expanded and he gets brought up to be the Flyers 3rd goalie. It would suck for him, but with his injury history, I wouldn't blame the Flyers one bit.

Well I've waited a long time for a game day blog, hopefully Coots is healthy and JVR starts scoring PP goals tonight.

I wonder how much rope Lehtara will have as a vet? The one thing they do have is some depth that could fill that role if needed. Off the top of my head I would say Cole Bardreau, Mike Vecchione, Corbin Knight(when healthy).
- J35Bacher

Bardreau is not an NHL player in my opinion and Vecchione isn't going to come in and kill penalties and in all honesty, he was pretty disappointing in camp and he also may just not be an NHL player. Knight perhaps could fill the role, but lets face it, there is a reason he's 28 and has never been an NHL regular. The Flyers are loaded with prospects and have 2 picks in the 3rd round this upcoming draft. I'd have no problem whatsoever if they moved one of those picks, or perhaps packaged their 4th with a guy like Stolarz to upgrade at center and give themselves a better chance to succeed in the playoffs.

Today @ 8:33 AM ET
LET"S GET GRITTY!!!!

Not going to be surprised if the Knight slays Gritty in the pre-game show.

On Paper, the Knights’ line up looks better then last season. Seems like this might be a lot to ask but play a full 60 minutes.

Ten things I want to see this season, because they would seriously make me happy:

1. In his first game he plays this season against the Bruins, Tom Wilson collides knee on knee with Brad Marchand knocking them both out for the remainder of the season.

2. Toronto, after winning the division and having the best record in the conference, gets upset in the 1st round by the 2nd wilcard Florida Panthers. The series ends in OT in game 7 when John Tavares turns over a puck high in the D zone which leads directly to the series winning goal.

3. Gary Bettman pulls off his mask, revealing himself to actually be Dr. Evil.

4. Jay Greenberg decides he wants to go back to covering the Flyers on a regular basis and replaces John Boruk

5. The Pens trade whatever few picks and prospects they have left to make a Cup run and then get eliminated by the Flyers in the 1st round.

6. The Flyers then go on to beat the Tom Wilson less Caps in round 2, before finally going down in 6 tough games to Tampa in the conference final. Sorry, but that's as far as I can go even when I'm dreaming, LOL.

7. Mike Milbury chokes on his own stupidity and is removed from the TV studio for his own protection.

8. Pierre aka Regis Maguire, finally after letting us know where each and every player in the NHL went to Nursery school and at what age they were potty trained decides to retire and dedicate the rest of his life to kneeling in front of Sidney Crosby and teaching the world how to properly say Krist-OH-fur Letang.

9. The Sharks get to the finals, but cough up the puck for the Cup winning goal against when Burns trips over his own beard when defending a one on one against Kucherov.

10. We all get together for that late season game that was talked about a few months back, and someone brings me an 18 year old bottle of Macallan. Hey, I'll share....I promise...really, I will.
- BiggE

11. Jack Edwards gets hit in the mouth with a wayward puck from a Chara slap shot. He is ok but has to retire from announcing hockey.

If the tailgate works out and the heavens align and I can come, I’ll bring the scotch.

I’m going to be very disappointed if the first unit PP doesn’t feature Giroux, Voracek, Gostisbehere, Simmonds in his regular spot and JvR in the Hartnell/Schenn spot.

I’m going to be very disappointed if the first unit PP doesn’t feature Giroux, Voracek, Gostisbehere, Simmonds in his regular spot and JvR in the Hartnell/Schenn spot.
- SuperSchennBros

Get used to disappointment - Dread Pirate Roberts

Get used to disappointment - Dread Pirate Roberts
- MBFlyerfan

I do think that will be the first change to the PP as long as guys are healthy. I am surprised Coots is there over JVR.