The team has been playing well and winning. No reason to change.
- MJL

agree, a loss tomorrow and AMAC probably finds his way back in.

Not now no, but at some point around Jan/Feb, I'd like to see Gudas moved and Myers here.
- BiggE

Gudas has played very well. I have no interest in trading him. Bring up Myers and scratch Folin before doing that not that I think Folin deserved to be scratched based on his current play.

Honestly, I just want the best team taking the ice. If AMac is better, I'd want him on the ice.
- RustyPipes

I'm with you.

For the record, I absolutely hate Scott Stevens as much as any hockey player. Part of my childhood died because of him in 2000.

But man oh man, I'd kill to have a guy like him on the Flyers right now. Much like Pronger, he was a guy who wouldn't let you off the hook, and he didn't have to do more than look at you to let you know it.

Honestly, I just want the best team taking the ice. If AMac is better, I'd want him on the ice.
- RustyPipes

The best team, or the best players?

Gudas has played very well. I have no interest in trading him. Bring up Myers and scratch Folin before doing that not that I think Folin deserved to be scratched based on his current play.
- nastyflyergirl

Folin has played well, or at least not poorly, over the last stretch. But the same thing happened with Manning a few years back when the blue line got crippled with injuries, too.

The best team, or the best players?
- jmatchett383

I suppose there is a difference. I want the best team on the ice.

Folin has played well, or at least not poorly, over the last stretch. But the same thing happened with Manning a few years back when the blue line got crippled with injuries, too.
- jmatchett383

Obviously, ideally, you want a better 6th dman on the ice but at this exact moment Folin has played well.

Anyone else feel that Hagg is getting top pair minutes as a way to showcase him for possible trade? He has played well and has developed nice chemistry with Provy but i don't think he is long term solution (IMO).

I suppose there is a difference. I want the best team on the ice.
- RustyPipes

Best team is with Folin, RH, size and physicality that the blueline needs.

As far as who's the better player, Folin or AMac, it's a push for me. To steal a line from Bill, both are "defenders in theory". Their tools look better on paper than they do on the ice.

Whereas a guy like Gudas looks like Denis Gauthier dogpoop on paper, but he's provides so much more than that.

Anyone else feel that Hagg is getting top pair minutes as a way to showcase him for possible trade? He has played well and has developed nice chemistry with Provy but i don't think he is long term solution (IMO).
- cdearth23

Not sure he is playing top pair for showcasing, I personally think it is more about evening out the pairings. Provorov with Hagg has allowed Provy to be more involved up the ice, but playing with Ghost tends to keep Provorov less involved.

Looking at the pairs, they all have that safety net, as in a defenseman who doesn't normally pinch or rush the puck.

Provorov with Hagg
Ghost with Folin
Sanheim with Gudas

some real bad trade proposals in here today

some real bad trade proposals in here today
- Mordecai

Call them out individually and humiliate the posters

Best team is with Folin, RH, size and physicality that the blueline needs.

As far as who's the better player, Folin or AMac, it's a push for me. To steal a line from Bill, both are "defenders in theory". Their tools look better on paper than they do on the ice.

Whereas a guy like Gudas looks like Denis Gauthier dogpoop on paper, but he's provides so much more than that.
- Tomahawk

You don't have the sample size to know that. Right now I like the way Folin is playing but he has to continue to play well. MacDonald is the better positional defender and shot blocker and he moves the puck better. Folin being RH helps and I do like the edge he brings but with Provorov, Hagg, and Gudas they have enough physicality. I'd bet money that MacDonald would've had his stick in the right spot and deflected that shot last night. Speculation I know, but MacDonald is an accomplished shot blocker.

Not sure he is playing top pair for showcasing, I personally think it is more about evening out the pairings. Provorov with Hagg has allowed Provy to be more involved up the ice, but playing with Ghost tends to keep Provorov less involved.

Looking at the pairs, they all have that safety net, as in a defenseman who doesn't normally pinch or rush the puck.

Provorov with Hagg
Ghost with Folin
Sanheim with Gudas
- Glak18

I don't know about that. Provorov was at his most dangerous offensively when he was paired with Gostisbehere last year. I'd like to see that pair reunited and Provorov used less against top lines.

Call them out individually and humiliate the posters
- Nucker101

C'mon, you know we can get Pietrangelo!

C'mon, you know we can get Pietrangelo!
- MJL

He's been holding the Blues back for years.

I got all excited when I saw something in my news feed saying the Flyers made a move then saw it was a one day contract for a 14 yr old fan.

I don't know about that. Provorov was at his most dangerous offensively when he was paired with Gostisbehere last year. I'd like to see that pair reunited and Provorov used less against top lines.
- MJL

Yes, they were...LAST year. Why that is different this year I don't know why. When factoring in expectation, prior performance and current team issues...Provorov and Ghost would be considered disappointments this year for me. They obviously have strengths and a skillset over other defensemen on the team, but they are making a lot of bonehead plays, which gets magnified due to the minutes they play. Things change, but right now that pair together is full cringe.

Yes, they were...LAST year. Why that is different this year I don't know why. When factoring in expectation, prior performance and current team issues...Provorov and Ghost would be considered disappointments this year for me. They obviously have strengths and a skillset over other defensemen on the team, but they are making a lot of bonehead plays, which gets magnified due to the minutes they play. Things change, but right now that pair together is full cringe.
- Glak18

Last year the Flyers were able to use Filppula and MacDonald, Hagg, etc. to take some of the hard minutes off of that pairing. They were able to play more in offensive situations and more with Giroux and Couturier. That led to more attack time. The dynamic of the team has now changed. They were able to push play and attack as a 5 man unit. Last season Provorov was in the top 10 in the NHL among defenseman in ES points. He's still doing okay this season in that area but he has a tougher road to run. Last game he spent 16 minutes going against Barkov and his line and saw 2 offensive zone starts the entire game. The Flyers now have to shelter their 3rd line. Last nights game, Folin saw the most offensive zone starts out of all the defenseman. Giroux had the most defensive zone starts among forwards along with Couturier.

Last year the Flyers were able to use Filppula and MacDonald, Hagg, etc. to take some of the hard minutes off of that pairing. They were able to play more in offensive situations and more with Giroux and Couturier. That led to more attack time. The dynamic of the team has now changed. They were able to push play and attack as a 5 man unit. Last season Provorov was in the top 10 in the NHL among defenseman in ES points. He's still doing okay this season in that area but he has a tougher road to run. Last game he spent 16 minutes going against Barkov and his line and saw 2 offensive zone starts the entire game. The Flyers now have to shelter their 3rd line.
- MJL

I want to make sure I understand you correctly. How do I word this...

Basically Provorov and Ghost can not be used the same way because they lack the players to match up against top players on other teams so they must utilize Provorov and Ghost in those roles?

So the loss of Filppula and changing of roles of other players have dramatically changed the team that much?

Not trying to put words in your mouth, but am I understanding and saying it right?

I want to make sure I understand you correctly. How do I word this...

Basically Provorov and Ghost can not be used the same way because they lack the players to match up against top players on other teams so they must utilize Provorov and Ghost in those roles?

So the loss of Filppula and changing of roles of other players have dramatically changed the team that much?

Not trying to put words in your mouth, but am I understanding and saying it right?
- Glak18

I don't think that is all of it but it's a big part of it. I've made the statement many times that the Flyers wouldn't have made the playoffs last season without Filppula. His role was a part of Couturier blossoming offensively. Filppula got ripped by many but he took on a lot of heavy lifting so others didn't have to. They're having to do things differently now. Think about it, you're the home coach playing Florida, wouldn't you try to get the Couturier line away from the Barkov line? Both in terms of Barkov's defensive two way ability as well as having to defend against that line. They don't have a choice though. Patrick is not really ready for that. Weal can't do it and you don't want your 4th line playing that much. A big part of it is also Provorov and Gostisbehere aren't playing as well as they can.

I don't think that is all of it but it's a big part of it. I've made the statement many times that the Flyers wouldn't have made the playoffs last season without Filppula. His role was a part of Couturier blossoming offensively. Filppula got ripped by many but he took on a lot of heavy lifting so others didn't have to. They're having to do things differently now. Think about it, you're the home coach playing Florida, wouldn't you try to get the Couturier line away from the Barkov line? Both in terms of Barkov's defensive two way ability as well as having to defend against that line. They don't have a choice though. Patrick is not really ready for that. Weal can't do it and you don't want your 4th line playing that much. A big part of it is also Provorov and Gostisbehere aren't playing as well as they can.
- MJL

Do you remember who Filppula played with mostly last year? Do you think the Flyers would be stronger if they re-signed Filppula to play between Weise/JvR and Simmonds?

I got all excited when I saw something in my news feed saying the Flyers made a move then saw it was a one day contract for a 14 yr old fan.
- hereticpride

Lol I did the same exact thing

Do you remember who Filppula played with mostly last year? Do you think the Flyers would be stronger if they re-signed Filppula to play between Weise/JvR and Simmonds?
- Glak18

I don't see JvR and Simmonds as the best choices as wingers for a line to match up against other teams top lines.

It comes down to this. The best way to play is to attack rather than defend. The more you can attack versus defend, the better you'll be as a team. The best unit the Flyers can put on the ice to attack is the Couturier line with Provorov and Gostisbehere.

You look at defenseman such as Duncan Keith, winning Norris trophies and Cups. Keith wasn't taking all the heavy lifting. Hjalmarsson was. Freed Keith up to attack. Same with San Jose. Vlasic takes a lot of heavy lifting while Burns attacks.

Really good teams and players can still carry their share of the play while playing against top lines. Such as the Bergeron line in Boston. Those players are special.

Even while Filppula was taking on the role, they marginalized keeping the puck out of the net but they were on the negative side of the possession game. Harder to win that way.

Flyers last went to finals they had a pairing of Pronger and Carle who were dominant at 5 on 5. They controlled the puck and the game the entire time. Another pairing was Timonen and Coburn.

The best thing the Flyers can do to get better is attack more with their skill players and get more players who can attack. That's Provorov and Gostisbehere on the back end. The more they have to spend defending, the less effective they'll be.