Ottawa, New Jersey, Chicago and LA. These are the only teams with a worse goal differential than the Flyers. St Louis, Chicago, LA and New Jersey; these are the only teams with fewer points than the Flyers.

Face it, the Flyers are not a good team and there is no one magic move that will make them one. However, bringing a new, experienced head coach, a quality, durable #1 goalie, a solid, top 4 veteran Dman and either one more good center or one more good LW, would go a long way towards making them a much better team in 19-20.

Saying they are only 4 points out of a playoff spot is kind of disingenuous. The team to watch is Pittsburgh. They have 32 points, a positive goal differential and 2 hall of fame centers. They are better than they’ve shown and will almost certainly end up with at least 92 points. Montreal, Buffalo and Boston, along with Columbus also will all almost certainly finish with 92+ points too.

Can you honestly see this team going 30-19-4 from here on out? That’s probably the minimum it will take to get this team into the playoffs. It’s not impossible, but it’s extremely unlikely. At this point, moves need to be made with 19-20 in mind.

That was pure Titanic level. Women and children first!

There's got to be a big roster shake up soon. Say what you will about a coach having to have them ready. Games don't unravel like that because of coaching. The parade of penalties in the third was 100% player stupidity.
- dragonoffrost

Did you watch the same game? He threw out WEISE AND AMAC in the last minute up by a goal AFTER A TIMEOUT TO THINK ABOUT PERSONEL TO USE

Claude Giroux is the best player on the Flyers, he was not on the ice. And no, at the moment Provorov is not on my best players list.
- ClaudeFather

So you're saying the coach should not rely on Provorov and Couturier in key situations? Which defenseman should the coach use as his #1 defenseman, if not Provorov?

He hustled back but I put it more on Couturier and Konency.
- MJL

Provorov made the right play all through overtime. He went for the kill and the goalie stopped him. Then he hurries back to the danger area. Konecny on the other hand .

Did you watch the same game? He threw out WEISE AND AMAC in the last minute up by a goal AFTER A TIMEOUT TO THINK ABOUT PERSONEL TO USE
- Richieattack18

I said it during the (frank)ing game. Tried and true Old School coaching play. Get scored on put out the "grinders".

How did that work out though?


You think Coots, TK and Provy are the right choice to start OT.
I think Giroux, Jake and Ghost are the right choice.

Neither one is wrong, they just bring different elements to the game.
- opeth_pa

That's fine, neither is wrong. I'll go with that. So lets not blame the coach for who started in OT. His decision making was fine there.

Did you watch the same game? He threw out WEISE AND AMAC in the last minute up by a goal AFTER A TIMEOUT TO THINK ABOUT PERSONEL TO USE
- Richieattack18

This is true, but no matter who they used may not have mattered.
Calgary looked like an 80's team coming at them.

Did you watch the same game? He threw out WEISE AND AMAC in the last minute up by a goal AFTER A TIMEOUT TO THINK ABOUT PERSONEL TO USE
- Richieattack18

Weise and MacDonald are veterans and are two of the better defensive players on the team.

So you're saying the coach should not rely on Provorov and Couturier in key situations? Which defenseman should the coach use as his #1 defenseman, if not Provorov?
- MJL

He should start the best OFFENSIVE OT trio in Jake, Ghost, and G. Cooter and Provy can go out second, these games can end in ONE possession as they have in the past two games. Our best unit did not even touch the ice but the group you are defending did. How did we do?

Provorov made the right play all through overtime. He went for the kill and the goalie stopped him. Then he hurries back to the danger area. Konecny on the other hand .
- dragonoffrost

Absolutely. Provorov didn't do anything wrong. Soft around the net.

Was it as good for you as it was for me?

That would be pretty funny if the game goes to OT Friday in Edmonton and that's who he throws out....because you know 97 is on the ice for Edmonton for sure...100%

- landros 2

Coach doesn't even have to tell him, he knows hes out. Or should they start Nugent Hopkins

That's fine, neither is wrong. I'll go with that. So lets not blame the coach for who started in OT. His decision making was fine there.
- MJL

I'm not caught up on the trio that started OT, personal preference would have rather seen the Giroux trio to start, but as I said I just don't see that being a wrong choice, just a different choice.



Giving up two goals at the end of the game.
Have a slot where the other team has no fear about being in the crease..

Yah.. I'm annoyed at those two things.

Ottawa, New Jersey, Chicago and LA. These are the only teams with a worse goal differential than the Flyers. St Louis, Chicago, LA and New Jersey; these are the only teams with fewer points than the Flyers.

Face it, the Flyers are not a good team and there is no one magic move that will make them one. However, bringing a new, experienced head coach, a quality, durable #1 goalie, a solid, top 4 veteran Dman and either one more good center or one more good LW, would go a long way towards making them a much better team in 19-20.

Saying they are only 4 points out of a playoff spot is kind of disingenuous. The team to watch is Pittsburgh. They have 32 points, a positive goal differential and 2 hall of fame centers. They are better than they’ve shown and will almost certainly end up with at least 92 points. Montreal, Buffalo and Boston, along with Columbus also will all almost certainly finish with 92+ points too.

Can you honestly see this team going 30-19-4 from here on out? That’s probably the minimum it will take to get this team into the playoffs. It’s not impossible, but it’s extremely unlikely. At this point, moves need to be made with 19-20 in mind.
- BiggE

I hold off on the goalie until off season. I wait and see what Hart does in Lehigh post Christmas and in playoffs, if they make it. Gordon better ride him like a true number one.

The other moves I am all for as soon as possible. And the coach move better be bringing in the next guy who will be here a long time. No interim coach.

This team has improved since Hextall's firing however last night was just player stupidity.

1) Players are forcing plays that arent there. NoPa is honestly the worst for this. I cant count the number of times he has thrown the puck blindly right to an opposing player in the offensive zone and have that team score on the resulting rush. He isnt the only one but he is the one that does it the most.

2) Penalties. The barrage of penalties in the 3rd killed this team. You cant play on the PK for an entire period and expect to win games.

3) D really needs a leader. Young Dmen seem to be looking lost at times in their own zone with coverages. The Comcast crew brought up a good point as well, the puck is in the slot there and they arent doing anything to try and stop guys from popping in rebounds. With 7 seconds left, take that penalty and cont let Monahan score that goal

4) These guys need to just get shots. Too many opportunities to score wasted because theyse guys are trying to make the perfect play. Take some shots.

5) PP entry is awful. Stop trying to carry it in. Teams know you are going to do it, dump and chase. I am not saying to abandon the carry in all together but you have to mix it up, you cant just use the same move every time and expect it to work.

He should start the best OFFENSIVE OT trio in Jake, Ghost, and G. Cooter and Provy can go out second, these games can end in ONE possession as they have in the past two games. Our best unit did not even touch the ice but the group you are defending did. How did we do?
- ClaudeFather

The trio that he started has ended games in OT. Blaming the coach for who started in OT is ridiculous. He started his best two center in Couturier and his best overall defenseman in Provorov along with a dangerous offensive player in Konecny. Remember the days when Hakstol got criticized for not using Konecny in OT?

Coach doesn't even have to tell him, he knows hes out. Or should they start Nugent Hopkins
- ClaudeFather

Along with 4 point, $7m Lucic.

Honestly the OT personnel can be debated, but the whole 3rd period was the main concern.

I'm not caught up on the trio that started OT, personal preference would have rather seen the Giroux trio to start, but as I said I just don't see that being a wrong choice, just a different choice.



Giving up two goals at the end of the game.
Have a slot where the other team has no fear about being in the crease..

Yah.. I'm annoyed at those two things.
- opeth_pa

How do you blow that game

Absolutely. Provorov didn't do anything wrong. Soft around the net.
- MJL

This is wrong. Yes that play was the right one but after that he regained possession and he gave it away. That is on him. I dont know who he was passing to because no one was there.

I'm not caught up on the trio that started OT, personal preference would have rather seen the Giroux trio to start, but as I said I just don't see that being a wrong choice, just a different choice.



Giving up two goals at the end of the game.
Have a slot where the other team has no fear about being in the crease..

Yah.. I'm annoyed at those two things.
- opeth_pa

Exactly!
Most of the 3rd period wasn't the issue.
If they made it out of OT then everyone is screaming about which players are taking the free throws in the shootout.

The trio that he started has ended games in OT. Blaming the coach for who started in OT is ridiculous. He started his best two center in Couturier and his best overall defenseman in Provorov along with a dangerous offensive player in Konecny. Remember the days when Hakstol got criticized for not using Konecny in OT?
- MJL

There is just no getting through to you, the trio has lost in the first shift two games in a row, meaning our BEST player, the guy that leads the team in points, did not touch the ice in a 3 on 3 pond hockey gimmick overtime. I'm done with this subject.

I hold off on the goalie until off season. I wait and see what Hart does in Lehigh post Christmas and in playoffs, if they make it. Gordon better ride him like a true number one.

The other moves I am all for as soon as possible. And the coach move better be bringing in the next guy who will be here a long time. No interim coach.
- dragonoffrost

I have no doubt that the next coach will be expected to be here for a while. If they wanted to go the interim route, Hak would already be gone. I’m guessing most of the personnel moves get made in the offseason. The exception being a likely trade of Simmonds at or near the deadline. This season is pretty much done, all moves need to be made with 19-20 in mind.

This is wrong. Yes that play was the right one but after that he regained possession and he gave it away. That is on him. I dont know who he was passing to because no one was there.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I'll have to re-watch the replay.

I have no doubt that the next coach will be expected to be here for a while. If they wanted to go the interim route, Hak would already be gone. I’m guessing most of the personnel moves get made in the offseason. The exception being a likely trade of Simmonds at or near the deadline. This season is pretty much done, all moves need to be made with 19-20 in mind.
- BiggE

I agree, tough pill to swallow but there is a chance we just have to wait out this season until some significant changes are made.

There is just no getting through to you, the trio has lost in the first shift two games in a row, meaning our BEST player, the guy that leads the team in points, did not touch the ice in a 3 on 3 pond hockey gimmick overtime. I'm done with this subject.
- ClaudeFather

You're not going to get through because it's wrong to blame the coach for who started OT. That simple.