These guys could drop their gear mid game and take a steaming curry dump on the logo at center ice and there'd be guys here getting their ticket stub from the game tattooed on their firstborn.
- hereticpride

Our society is boolean based. Can only be color tinted glasses or team negative, amirite?

I guess that means Hagg just flops in the corner and chips pucks out like grenades. My argument isn't over the ability of Sanheim, it is what you choose to see and remember from Hagg and it seems it is only his mistakes, but I could do the same thing with Sanheim mistakes.
- Glak18

Hagg is fine, for the most part. I don't even mind him riding shotgun for Prov or Ghost. I prefer him to Nik Grossmann with two bad knees. Maybe he can become the Chris Therien for Provorov, I wouldn't be surprised, even though that idea of pairing puck-movers with big bodies is pretty dated.

Folin, tho.... he's replacement-level at best. If Hak is dead-set on keeping Sanheim/Gudas together, then he shouldn't be simultaneously experimenting with breaking up Prov/Ghost. Folin just isn't up to it -- he's worse than Amac.

I guess that means Hagg just flops in the corner and chips pucks out like grenades. My argument isn't over the ability of Sanheim, it is what you choose to see and remember from Hagg and it seems it is only his mistakes, but I could do the same thing with Sanheim mistakes.
- Glak18

To a lesser extent, that's kinda what Hagg does under pressure, just tries to chip the puck up the boards. It's not a bad option, to get the puck out of the zone, but there are better options.

Earlier I stated that Hagg has been better this year, but he is still limited based on his skill set. He's not going to continue scoring at this rate he is.

Hagg has done some better things this year. His one goal was great, he activated and went to the middle of the slot, found a loose puck and jammed it home. His assists have been no different then his normal play tho. He skates to the top of the circle and shoots a popgun shot at the goalie. TK and Simmonds were in front those times.

He's defending okay, but he still has issues defending the rush and high skilled players, because that's the area he lacks.

Our society is boolean based. Can only be color tinted glasses or team negative, amirite?
- Glak18

I think I'm pretty even keel between the two. I've been pretty thrilled with our last few drafts in their entireties fwiw.

I'm not in love with the coach however and seeing some of the same players struggle with the same issues year after year is enough to drive any non orange sunglass wearing fan nuts.

Ultimately they need to get it together and win a series otherwise it's only going to get worse.

To a lesser extent, that's kinda what Hagg does under pressure, just tries to chip the puck up the boards. It's not a bad option, to get the puck out of the zone, but there are better options.

Earlier I stated that Hagg has been better this year, but he is still limited based on his skill set. He's not going to continue scoring at this rate he is.

Hagg has done some better things this year. His one goal was great, he activated and went to the middle of the slot, found a loose puck and jammed it home. His assists have been no different then his normal play tho. He skates to the top of the circle and shoots a popgun shot at the goalie. TK and Simmonds were in front those times.

He's defending okay, but he still has issues defending the rush and high skilled players, because that's the area he lacks.
- VladDrag

I suspect Hagg has more to offer, but they've pretty much hammered it into his head to play it really safe/physical, and to accept that role.

I don't see him really being talent-limited. The few glimpses we've seen of him jumping into the play, or flinging long stretch passes, kinda suggests he's capable.

I suspect Hagg has more to offer, but they've pretty much hammered it into his head to play it really safe/physical, and to accept that role.

I don't see him really being talent-limited. The few glimpses we've seen of him jumping into the play, or flinging long stretch passes, kinda suggests he's capable.
- Tomahawk

I don't know. I think Hagg had the ability when he was younger, but never developed it once he got into the SHL and the AHL. The Flyers seem to do that with their players..Laughton and NAK come to mind. He was drafted as a guy who had some offensive success and maybe be able to develop that side, but he was always thought of as a d-first dman as his professional role.

His lack of mobility really hurts him, and he doesn't do much in the offensive zone. I will agree, every once in a while (and more so this season) you think to yourself, did Hagg just do that? But more so, I see him in the offensive zone and he get the puck, head down, shoots the puck right into the goalies chest and either a) turns into a frozen puck or b) turns into a turnover. Now, he's doing it with some traffic, which is an improvement, and that's good. But lack of mobility in the D-zone and his propensity to get caught watching really hurt him from taking the next step in my opinion. I would love for him to prove me wrong.

One thing that's great is the fact that he's showing some aggression, something that was a serious concern during his time in the SHL and AHL.

I suspect Hagg has more to offer, but they've pretty much hammered it into his head to play it really safe/physical, and to accept that role.

I don't see him really being talent-limited. The few glimpses we've seen of him jumping into the play, or flinging long stretch passes, kinda suggests he's capable.
- Tomahawk

Ok at least someone else has seen it, I am not calling Hagg some superstar, but geezus some people are dead set on calling him trash. I forget the few, but remember during preseason when multiple people called Hagg "An AHL Defenseman at best".

No different with Folin. Do I want him off the team or in the press box...I DO, but it's funny how no one mentions the good plays he made last game against the Devils.

Who has been the worst defender for the Flyers this year so far?

Hint: His name starts with Ivan...but I am sure he gets a pass.

I don't know. I think Hagg had the ability when he was younger, but never developed it once he got into the SHL and the AHL. The Flyers seem to do that with their players..Laughton and NAK come to mind. He was drafted as a guy who had some offensive success and maybe be able to develop that side, but he was always thought of as a d-first dman as his professional role.

His lack of mobility really hurts him, and he doesn't do much in the offensive zone. I will agree, every once in a while (and more so this season) you think to yourself, did Hagg just do that? But more so, I see him in the offensive zone and he get the puck, head down, shoots the puck right into the goalies chest and either a) turns into a frozen puck or b) turns into a turnover. Now, he's doing it with some traffic, which is an improvement, and that's good. But lack of mobility in the D-zone and his propensity to get caught watching really hurt him from taking the next step in my opinion. I would love for him to prove me wrong.

One thing that's great is the fact that he's showing some aggression, something that was a serious concern during his time in the SHL and AHL.
- VladDrag

How old do you think Hagg is? You do realize he is slightly older than Sanheim?

Again you keep mentioning mobility, I get it that mobility is great asset to have, but you keep talking like Hagg skates like Couturier or Simmonds. The two players are different types of roles. Maybe you remember a play Hagg got beat by someone, but players have done that to Sanheim as well....actually it happened in the Vegas game where he got beat and looked like a turnstile.

You know how sometimes you don't what you had until it's gone? Folin makes me miss Mandog

You know how sometimes you don't what you had until it's gone? Folin makes me miss Mandog
- Doctor DOOM

As soon as Amac is healthy enough to play Folin will be back in the Cote suite.

You know how sometimes you don't what you had until it's gone? Folin makes me miss Mandog
- Doctor DOOM

Nope.

It’s going to be like returning to an ex girlfriend and remembering why you weren’t happy in the first place.

Geez, Simmonds' speech is still messed up from all that dental work.

Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas in Philly for tonight's Flyers-Avalanche game. Politely declines comment, other than to say he just enjoys getting out to watch games. Leafs don't play again until Wednesday

— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) October 22, 2018

Any thoughts?

How old do you think Hagg is? You do realize he is slightly older than Sanheim?

Again you keep mentioning mobility, I get it that mobility is great asset to have, but you keep talking like Hagg skates like Couturier or Simmonds. The two players are different types of roles. Maybe you remember a play Hagg got beat by someone, but players have done that to Sanheim as well....actually it happened in the Vegas game where he got beat and looked like a turnstile.
- Glak18

When it comes to Hagg, it's not as if Hagg showed he was a plus offensive player in the SHL or in the AHL. He kept his game simple and easy. It's not likely that he develops significant puck skills now playing against the best in the world.

Couts has a hockey IQ greater than 90% of the players in the NHL. He knows where to be before the puck gets there. His lack of mobility is negated by his high hockey IQ. Not to say Hagg's is super low, but it's not a strong suit of his. He gets caught looking, or during the PK sequences, he gets pulled out of position, is not in passing lanes etc.

I remember multiple plays where Hagg has been beat by a speedster, or where his lack of mobility has hindered his ability to make a play.

Maybe Hagg has more to his offensive game, I'm not betting on it..

Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas in Philly for tonight's Flyers-Avalanche game. Politely declines comment, other than to say he just enjoys getting out to watch games. Leafs don't play again until Wednesday

— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) October 22, 2018

Any thoughts?
- GorgeousDave

I'll take Kapanen.

When it comes to Hagg, it's not as if Hagg showed he was a plus offensive player in the SHL or in the AHL. He kept his game simple and easy. It's not likely that he develops significant puck skills now playing against the best in the world.

Couts has a hockey IQ greater than 90% of the players in the NHL. He knows where to be before the puck gets there. His lack of mobility is negated by his high hockey IQ. Not to say Hagg's is super low, but it's not a strong suit of his. He gets caught looking, or during the PK sequences, he gets pulled out of position, is not in passing lanes etc.

I remember multiple plays where Hagg has been beat by a speedster, or where his lack of mobility has hindered his ability to make a play.


Maybe Hagg has more to his offensive game, I'm not betting on it..
- VladDrag

That's the thing, Hagg's offensive game means nothing. If he gets 10 assists a year Everything is bonus.

You would have to be missing both eyes to claim giving Sanheim more than 14 and change at ES is jumping the gun, when Hagg is on the top pairing and Folin has gone from healthy scratch to the 2nd pairing.
- Feanor

Clearly I've stated that Sanheim is playing well. All of those players are more experienced than Sanheim.

That's the thing, Hagg's offensive game means nothing. If he gets 10 assists a year Everything is bonus.
- Glak18

I don't disagree with that.

One of my points is that Sanheim has shown at lower levels a unique ability, tall, long, smooth skating and an ability to move pucks really well. It's only a matter of time he does it in the NHL. He should be playing more minutes, the coach knows his pedigree, and he's performed as one of the better dmen this season..

Flyers time!

Folin outlet pass to Laughton...

Make sure you watch the good with the bad.

Only on HockeyBuzz will you find people vociferously defending the defensive deployment of the league's 2nd worst defensive team.
- Feanor

Only on hockeybuzz will you find people vociferously criticizing the coach and ignoring the players role in the teams defensive play to this point.

Sanheim shot on net, no screen.

I'll take Kapanen.
- hereticpride

Me too

Bad call

Sanheim shot on net, no screen.
- Glak18

Actually, there was. He also moved his feet to the center of the ice prior to recieving the pass to get a better shooting lane.

Hagg is fine, for the most part. I don't even mind him riding shotgun for Prov or Ghost. I prefer him to Nik Grossmann with two bad knees. Maybe he can become the Chris Therien for Provorov, I wouldn't be surprised, even though that idea of pairing puck-movers with big bodies is pretty dated.

Folin, tho.... he's replacement-level at best. If Hak is dead-set on keeping Sanheim/Gudas together, then he shouldn't be simultaneously experimenting with breaking up Prov/Ghost. Folin just isn't up to it -- he's worse than Amac.
- Tomahawk

When MacDonald comes back healthy, he will greatly help stabilize the defense. The continued ignorance of some fans towards MacDonald continues to be astounding.