Gary Robert former NHL'er...

I would like to come back for just a few shifts against Brad Marchand
- wcorvette

Classic

AMAC has returned to his old passive, falling down ways. Flyers need the Amac of last year. Kind of the season, the fact AMACS play means so much when he should be a 5-7 D

Andrew MacDonald was at the end of a 1:01 shift when Monahan scored the game-tying goal. Standing in front of the crease, he watched Tkachuk’s shot from outside the circle and then proceeded to observe Monahan clean up the rebound in front of the crease, posing as an innocent bystander.
- wcorvette

Provorov had the coverage on the initial shot. MacDonald again, had to play half way between a player off the back side post and a player at the net to watch for the cross seam pass. MacDonald made one mistake. He got too deep into the net. Guess who failed to get back into the slot nor effectively cover his back door responsibilities on the play? If anyone watched on the play, it was that player. The Captain Claude Giroux. There was nothing passive about MacDonald's play. He didn't get any help. Even though it was 6 on 5, the Flyers weren't outnumbered at the net. Even so, MacDonald still had to try and cover two players.

Yeah, but I don’t think we are being negative when saying that good teams have better options than AMac and Weise to use in last minute/close game situations. It’s just fact.
- BiggE

I don't know after watching a few games last night I kept wondering how these other teams got so lucky with their players. How did they magically turn scraps and late round picks in to such gems. I kept asking would these players play the same on the Flyers? Would Flyer players play differently on other teams?

Even watching Lucic, one of the most over paid worst contracts in the league, I kept thinking wow he sucks, but he is always moving his feet, just constantly keeps moving.

Then I started to watch how others teams players moved around the ice and it is obvious the good teams played together, were all on the same page and it was fluid transition together. All the teams that had bad records this year looked closer to the Flyers, whether they were winning or losing. It looked like one side of the ice was trying to dump it in and the other side wanted to carry it and it was a mess. Then I realized not many other teams have been doing the slingshot as much as the Flyers and I noticed other teams do it, but not every (frank)ing time they move up the ice. Plus I realized the Flyers are the slowest (frank)ing team in the NHL executing the slingshot. When other teams execute it as soon as the puck is dropped another player is there within a second to grab it, where the Flyers drop it back 2 or 3 times a quarter down the ice.

The more and more I watch I realize if you put a lot of these Flyer players on other decent teams that play together they could be amazing. Like if you put someone like Voracek on Tampa, he could be crazy good.

Provorov had the coverage on the initial shot. MacDonald again, had to play half way between a player off the back side post and a player at the net to watch for the cross seam pass. MacDonald made one mistake. He got too deep into the net. Guess who failed to get back into the slot nor effectively cover his back door responsibilities on the play? If anyone watched on the play, it was that player. The Captain Claude Giroux. There was nothing passive about MacDonald's play. He didn't get any help.
- MJL

G was on the back hip of the player, could have came down down lower for sure but I also have to think G released to Amac. You also had Weise who didn’t execute but what is written on AMAC is spot on, as the D and last option he needs to make that play or just do something.

G was on the back hip of the player, could have came down down lower for sure but I also have to think G released to Amac. You also had Weise who didn’t execute but what is written on AMAC is spot on, as the D and last option he needs to make that play or just do something.
- wcorvette

There were two players at the net. Giroux is the player who stood and watched. What is written on MacDonald is not correct. It's a team game. There were many errors or failed plays on that sequence. Singling out MacDonald is complete bullpoop. Like I said previously, MacDonald got too low and then couldn't recover to get to Monahan. Giroux easily could've but made little effort.

There were two players at the net. Giroux is the player who stood and watched. What is written on MacDonald is not correct. It's a team game. There were many errors or failed plays on that sequence. Singling out MacDonald is complete bullpoop. Like I said previously, MacDonald got too low and then couldn't recover to get to Monahan. Giroux easily could've but made little effort.
- MJL

You are welcome to your opinion, I watched it again. In my opinion to call what was written about AMAC BP is not correct, he clearly covered no one and was the closest player to the most dangerous player on the ice, he was between the player and Stollie

You are welcome to your opinion, I watched it again. In my opinion to call what was written about AMAC BP is not correct, he clearly covered no one and was the closest player to the most dangerous player on the ice, he was between the player and Stollie
- wcorvette

If you looked at the replay you'd know that MacDonald was positioned because there was a player at the near post, who could've received a pass from the wing and then made a goal mouth play, and there was also a player off the back side post with a potential seam pass. look at MacDonald's stick and how it is positioned? He had to play between two players because Giroux didn't do his job. Like I said multiple times, MacDonald got too deep, I think he went back in case a puck leaked through. There were numerous mistakes on the play. What I ultimately object to is singling out MacDonald. Have to see the complete details of the play including stick position, lack of pressure on the wall. Beaten even though they weren't outnumbered. Didn't stop the entry pass.

If you looked at the replay you'd know that MacDonald was positioned because there was a player at the near post, who could've received a pass from the wing and then made a goal mouth play, and there was also a player off the back side post with a potential seam pass. look at MacDonald's stick and how it is positioned? He had to play between two players because Giroux didn't do his job. Like I said multiple times, MacDonald got too deep, I think he went back in case a puck leaked through. There were numerous mistakes on the play. What I ultimately object to is singling out MacDonald. Have to see the complete details of the play including stick position, lack of pressure on the wall. Beaten even though they weren't outnumbered. Didn't stop the entry pass.
- MJL

I said there were multiple players at fault, I even added Weise. I am not emotionally about it, you seem to be. Yes there was a guy at the post but the right cover for AMAC was in the slot, he ended up covering no one, that I think is a fact. Nor did G

There were two players at the net. Giroux is the player who stood and watched. What is written on MacDonald is not correct. It's a team game. There were many errors or failed plays on that sequence. Singling out MacDonald is complete bullpoop. Like I said previously, MacDonald got too low and then couldn't recover to get to Monahan. Giroux easily could've but made little effort.
- MJL

Im not blaming amac. Was provorov where he was supposed to be? To me he’s in no mans land.

I said there were multiple players at fault, I even added Weise. I am not emotionally about it, you seem to be. Yes there was a guy at the post but the right cover for AMAC was in the slot, he ended up covering no one, that I think is a fact. Nor did G
- wcorvette

Nothing to do with emotion and everything to do with what happened on the play. I'm just calling out the comments of MacDonald being passive for what they are. I'm fine including MacDonald in the criticism. Not fine with your initial post
.

Im not blaming amac. Was provorov where he was supposed to be? To me he’s in no mans land.
- Just5

Great example of all 5 doing nothing for sure. I also said yesterday flyers need Amac of last year, he has been horrible, just speaking of him. If he is here to help the young players, if he settle them down, didnt people opinion that in the last couple days ? Then he needs to help them out of it.

What coach would coach a D to play that play like AMAC did? Guess only Flyer coaches. He need to cheat more to the most dangerous player on the play.

If they really think they can win it this year, we shouldn’t have to take back squat. The Flyers can retain half of Simmonds deal since it’s about to expire and they can easily afford to retain one million on Gudas too. This would leave Toronto with Gudas at 2.45 million going into 19-20 which they can afford.
- BiggE

If they are really going for it they are not trading elc players for gudas and simmer. Their desperate need is defense. They'll go after a better hall. Especially for liljegren or the others. But I dont think Toronto is looking at this year in a vacuum. They are trying to build the next 10 years with tavares Matthew's marner leading the charge.

Im not blaming amac. Was provorov where he was supposed to be? To me he’s in no mans land.
- Just5

Provorov was because there was no pressure from the high side on the wall. If there was, he could've stayed at the net.

Great example of all 5 doing nothing for sure. I also said yesterday flyers need Amac of last year, he has been horrible, just speaking of him. If he is here to help the young players, if he settle them down, didnt people opinion that in the last couple days ? Then he needs to help them out of it.

What coach would coach a D to play that play like AMAC did? Guess only Flyer coaches. He need to cheat more to the most dangerous player on the play.
- wcorvette

He did cheat to the most dangerous player on the play. He had to do that because Giroux did nothing. Provorov also had to cheat. There are other factors on the play that you aren't seeing.

Flyers tied for 5th worst record with games in hand they have some work to do. They deserve the first pick for a change. Make it happen Gary.

I'm not sure they're running him down and this is just my take, but if you're going to be intractable about draft and develop then you better hit on your picks or a good portion of them in the first round. I'm still shocked he got fired and Hakstol is still here.

Kypreos mentioned Patrick and Pettersson specifically today while walking back the fact that everyone thought Patrick was the pick when Hextall made it. Basically something like "Patrick may have some good seasons ahead of him but he'll never be Pettersson. That kid's special and when that happens don't think that the people above you don't notice. Don't think for a minute that didn't have something to do with Ron Hextall being fired." He went on to discuss the number of teams that actually had Pettersson as the number one overall pick which he said was about a handful.
- mayorofangrytown

Patrick was the consensus #1 since he was 15, and the only reason that changed was due to his injury. The talk was Nolan or Nico, I never saw one report that it should have been Pettersson.

Hell, Petterson wasn't even the #1 ranked CSS skater.

Flyers tied for 5th worst record with games in hand they have some work to do. They deserve the first pick for a change. Make it happen Gary.
- bird_dog_pa

They’re making the playoffs. I’m convinced it will happen. They’re going to sell off picks/prospects for some vet help which will be enough to bolster them into the metro race. It’s between them and Pitt

They’re making the playoffs. I’m convinced it will happen. They’re going to sell off picks/prospects for some vet help which will be enough to bolster them into the metro race. It’s between them and Pitt
- Just5

I'll pass just don't see it.

He did cheat to the most dangerous player on the play. He had to do that because Giroux did nothing. Provorov also had to cheat. There are other factors on the play that you aren't seeing.
- MJL

Your opinion, no way he shouldn’t have the guy in the slot marked #1, basic hockey in my opinion

Your opinion, no way he shouldn’t have the guy in the slot marked #1, basic hockey in my opinion
- wcorvette

Ignoring the bunch of basic hockey that should've happened on that play.

Details matter. It's not pee-wee hockey where player in the slot uncovered, it's on the defenseman. I'm going to show you how a lack of forward support leads to defenseman having to play differently and how they get unfairly blamed.

Defense is a team game. The first breakdown is the failure to stop the cross ice pass by Weise that was right at him. Further compounded by his failure to pressure the puck on the half way from the top. He was probably concerned about the point, but Couturier was available for that rotation. The failure to pressure the half wall leads to Provorov having to defend that shooting lane instead of the player at the near post. The lack of forward support on the back side by Giroux and what Provorov had to do, leads to MacDonald having to play half way between the player on the near post and the back side. Remember when I said details matter and to pay attention to stick position? MacDonald has his stick positioned to defend the cross ice pass lane for a potential one timer with a goalie moving side to side. That play was the most dangerous option on the sequence.
Once the shot was taken, a routine shot, MacDonald makes a poor decision ultimately. There shouldn't be a rebound into the dead slot on that shot. That's a shot that the goaltender needs to swallow with no rebound. MacDonald went behind the goalie in case the puck leaked through, not expecting a rebound. Giroux fails to do anything on the play, before the shot or after the shot. Once the puck goes to the net, he has to drop down to the net. He watched the play. That's the player that was passive on the play. Calling MacDonald out and passive on the play was complete nonsense.

Now the coach is often blamed for player deployment. Lets examine who he has out there. He has his two best defensive coverage defenseman out in Provorov and MacDonald. He has two centerman out for the potential of a D zone draw. The last player is a veteran player with size and physical ability for puck battles. The coach was let down on what should've been a one goal win.

Patrick was the consensus #1 since he was 15, and the only reason that changed was due to his injury. The talk was Nolan or Nico, I never saw one report that it should have been Pettersson.

Hell, Petterson wasn't even the #1 ranked CSS skater.
- jmatchett383

Actually Petterson was picked higher than what most people expected. I was hoping for Petterson before the Flyers won the lotto.