28th ranked PP
30th ranked PK

Somehow none of the coaches are on the hot seat.
- Feanor

I had reservations about including Knoblauch if they were to make coaching changes. He really hasnt warranted that consideration. In the pipe dream they do land Quenneville eventually...let him choose his own staff.

28th ranked PP
30th ranked PK

Somehow none of the coaches are on the hot seat.
- Feanor

we're beating some trash teams and losing to others so it's ok

The roster is better than the past three years, but the performances are somehow worse.

Raise the bar? It's time to swing the axe.
- Feanor

The bar needs to be raised by the young players struggling in key roles. Konecny, Provorov and Ghost are still no where near where they need to be. Couturier just got going. Patrick and Lindblom did but not long before him. They need a much better 3rd line Center.

If Quenneville is ready to come here I am all for the upgrade but the team has played well enough to avoid a coaching change for the sake of change.

So LA just gifted Tanner Pearson to Pittsburgh for Haeglin (spelling?) straight up.

28th ranked PP
30th ranked PK

Somehow none of the coaches are on the hot seat.
- Feanor

These two rankings are among the reasons why people's patience is at "E" right now.

Especially since the PP was, once upon a time, actually good.

These two rankings are among the reasons why people's patience is at "E" right now.

Especially since the PP was, once upon a time, actually good.
- johndewar

#BringBackJagr

So LA just gifted Tanner Pearson to Pittsburgh for Haeglin (spelling?) straight up.
- jmatchett383

Would you do MacDonald for Phaneuf straight up?

Haglin has been awful this year. How does Blake make this deal? And doesn't Haglin carry a bigger cap hit and is older?

Had plenty of chances in the 3rd. G has to bury that one timer. Shame Voracek, right after his goal, and Lindblom were denied.

Would you do MacDonald for Phaneuf straight up?
- J35Bacher

No, not down with being tied to Phaneuf.

So LA just gifted Tanner Pearson to Pittsburgh for Haeglin (spelling?) straight up.
- jmatchett383

Likely influenced by playing the leafs last night. LA looking for speed, even on the wrong side of a trade.

That being said, Pearson hasnt been anything to write home about the last couple seasons.

Re: Lehtera

I don’t get involved in player bashing. So earlier this year, I attempted to avoid discussions regarding Lehtera. I can see his value and at the beginning of this season, he seemed to be hustling and giving it his all. I was perfectly fine with his usage.

Last night, I kept noticing him or rather his absence on his line. It may be rough for him to be with 2 swift skaters, but it was a problem for the line. It was like....great they got the puck deep, okay fight for it....where is his support? 1, 2 ....where is the other forward?

He maybe sitting on Thursday. The break may do him some good.

I think we should be honest and realize that adding a top pairing defenseman via trade isn't very likely.
- MJL

agreed but as the season moves on you might find a legit 2nd pair guy, still tough but more likely.

Im starting to wonder what is wrong with Provorov.

Long term I don't think its an issue, but right now it seems as if his game has taken a noticeable step backwards. Either he is injured or his playoff injury got in his head somehow.

IMO we don't need another top pair level defenseman to play with him, but what he does need is a Chris Therien type vet/player to run shotgun. A guy who will be Robin to his Batman.

Perhaps Morin can be that guy. Perhaps it needs to be a vet.

IMO after it all shakes out we will have three pairs anchored by Provorov, Sanheim, and Ghost, paired with players who compliment them. Myers, Morin, and Hagg can be those types of players in the future I hope.


This talk about getting a top pair guy via trade is always something to look at, but the cost will be WAY more than what most people realize. Both in assets and cap hit.

Any news about Morin? Any chance he will be cleared sometime this year? Or is it more realistic to expect him to finally be ready from his MCL until next year?

Im starting to wonder what is wrong with Provorov.

Long term I don't think its an issue, but right now it seems as if his game has taken a noticeable step backwards. Either he is injured or his playoff injury got in his head somehow.

IMO we don't need another top pair level defenseman to play with him, but what he does need is a Chris Therien type vet/player to run shotgun. A guy who will be Robin to his Batman.

Perhaps Morin can be that guy. Perhaps it needs to be a vet.

IMO after it all shakes out we will have three pairs anchored by Provorov, Sanheim, and Ghost, paired with players who compliment them. Myers, Morin, and Hagg can be those types of players in the future I hope.


This talk about getting a top pair guy via trade is always something to look at, but the cost will be WAY more than what most people realize. Both in assets and cap hit.
- MBFlyerfan

I have a hunch he is playing hurt. We all know what his attitude is towards injuries and that if his limbs are still properly attached he will play.

For some reason this is viewed as a virtue.

Here are the issues as I see beyond the obvious, which is poor play on special teams. The Flyers two best defenseman, Provorov and Gostisbehere are not playing at the level we're accustom to. They also have a hole at 3C. Last night, Giroux was matched up head to head against Barkov for almost 16 minutes at 5 on 5. Everyone complained last year about Filppula but having him allowed them to get the Giroux line away from top lines more, especially at home. Now they're having to regularly go with power against power more frequently. That's a big factor. They've also had to split up the Provorov/Gostisbehere pairing. Until the younger players are ready to take a bigger bite and take on more responsibility, this is going to be an issue. However there are still plenty of ways they can better this season internally. Mainly special teams.
Long term, they don't need to trade for a top pairing defenseman. They already have two of them. They just need to continue to develop players. Sanheim is coming along nicely but he is still essentially a rookie.

I have a hunch he is playing hurt. We all know what his attitude is towards injuries and that if his limbs are still properly attached he will play.

For some reason this is viewed as a virtue.
- StepfordSam

It used to be. But in a cap world with the amount of money these guys make, personally my view has changed on it.

Wayne Simmonds being a perfect example.

The roster is better than the past three years, but the performances are somehow worse.

Raise the bar? It's time to swing the axe.
- Feanor

How is it worse? They have a winning record. Flyers were 8-8-3 at this exact moment last year. They are 9-8-1. That is improvement and as long as they dont lose 10 straight it will continue to improve. You have to also account for the team being younger. It takes more than just skill to b good in the NHL. The young guys have to grow as players, that takes time as well

The roster is better than the past three years, but the performances are somehow worse.

Raise the bar? It's time to swing the axe.
- Feanor

I'm guessing you are just talking the PK and PP vs overall right?

It used to be. But in a cap world with the amount of money these guys make, personally my view has changed on it.

Wayne Simmonds being a perfect example.
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed.

As talented as Dougie is, no thanks. Guy seems like a real tool based on his antics with Boston and Calgary. It’s odd how often he comes up in the rumor mill. Makes me think he isn’t a great locker room guy
- arichardson22

not a fan of trading Jake, he is one part of the team that is actually physical

Here are the issues as I see beyond the obvious, which is poor play on special teams. The Flyers two best defenseman, Provorov and Gostisbehere are not playing at the level we're accustom to. They also have a hole at 3C. Last night, Giroux was matched up head to head against Barkov for almost 16 minutes at 5 on 5. Everyone complained last year about Filppula but having him allowed them to get the Giroux line away from top lines more, especially at home. Now they're having to regularly go with power against power more frequently. That's a big factor. They've also had to split up the Provorov/Gostisbehere pairing. Until the younger players are ready to take a bigger bite and take on more responsibility, this is going to be an issue. However there are still plenty of ways they can better this season internally. Mainly special teams.
Long term, they don't need to trade for a top pairing defenseman. They already have two of them. They just need to continue to develop players. Sanheim is coming along nicely but he is still essentially a rookie.
- MJL

You hit on a major reason they lost last night. Hagg and Folin were carrying the mail on their respective pairings. Good to see them turn in strong performances but you need Provorov and Ghost to be on thier game.

not a fan of trading Jake, he is one part of the team that is actually physical
- wcorvette

I have zero interest in trading Jake as well. He’s too important. He may have his mistakes, but his playmaking and skill are irreplaceable

Here are the issues as I see beyond the obvious, which is poor play on special teams. The Flyers two best defenseman, Provorov and Gostisbehere are not playing at the level we're accustom to. They also have a hole at 3C. Last night, Giroux was matched up head to head against Barkov for almost 16 minutes at 5 on 5. Everyone complained last year about Filppula but having him allowed them to get the Giroux line away from top lines more, especially at home. Now they're having to regularly go with power against power more frequently. That's a big factor. They've also had to split up the Provorov/Gostisbehere pairing. Until the younger players are ready to take a bigger bite and take on more responsibility, this is going to be an issue. However there are still plenty of ways they can better this season internally. Mainly special teams.
Long term, they don't need to trade for a top pairing defenseman. They already have two of them. They just need to continue to develop players. Sanheim is coming along nicely but he is still essentially a rookie.
- MJL

But isn't that what Laughton was supposed to do. Finally take a bigger bite of responsibility?

Didn't they also take 3 penalties that period too?

The penalties kill this team because i feel they have this sense of something bad's going to happen. There is just no confidence they will kill it off. Just my opinion
- J35Bacher

actually 3 good kills and one shxt bounce for a goal