Like you said. Talk about point inflation - back when I was growing up, if a team got 100 points, it usually won the division, and 85 points was usually good enough to make the playoffs. My how the loser-point has changed things.
- copelal

Yes, but at the same time, the gap in talent between the top-5 and bottom-5 teams isn't as drastic any more, and the teams in the middle are just a half-step behind the top teams. Not saying you're wrong, just that the league dynamic is different as well

Regarding the playoffs:

It was all a Dream, read about in nhl magazines...
- corduroy

That's a juicy take

In my opinion it is fair and accurate to say that under Hextall and Hakstol, the Flyers were for the most part conservative in the development of young players overall but it was also different for each player. What is also fair and accurate to say is that they did a great job in developing players. That includes Hextall, Hakstol, Gordon and the assistants. I'd much rather have a player hit the NHL running and playing well, the way that Gostisbehere did when he first came up and now Myers than struggle the way that Sanheim did when he first came up. Overcooking a player is always preferable to rushing a player.
- MJL

I like the phrase "hit the ground running". Ghost truly blew up the moment he hit the ice as a Flyer, but his background is key to that. He was older and played against men in college and was also delayed a year because he got injured the year before, would he of done the same thing if he didn't miss the prior year? Probably not.

Provorov was eased in a bit more, but for the most part started to receive more responsibility than most 19/20 year old kids do. Developed while in the NHL and continued to show progression his second year.

Sanheim and Myers took the opposite approach, more AHL development and sheltered more when inserted into the lineup then gradually was given more ice time and responsibility later in the year.

Obviously there is still lots of time before true judgement can take place for all 4 defenseman, but currently you can still see a slight difference between the groups:

Group A:
Provorov and Ghost

Group B:
Sanheim and Myers

The biggest thing that stands out is Provorov and Ghost's struggles later in their development. Provorov regressed back to making mistakes even a lot of rookies don't even make in his 3rd year. Ghost has now struggled in 2 out of his 4 NHL years and if someone wants to blame injuries for his 2nd year then that is ok, but the fact is he still played poorly that year.

Next year will be huge to see if Provy and Ghost can bounce back because playing like this year again no matter who the coach is will be unacceptable. Hopefully the emergence of Sanheim and Myers will lighten the load for them as well.

Only 1 team since the NHL went to this playoff format has made the playoffs when out of the playoffs at the trade deadline by 6 or more points.

I find this to be ridiculous. And all because of the extra point. Every game should be worth the same amount of points.

I knew it was bad but didn't realize it was THIS bad. The NHL need to fix it. The outcry needs to get louder.

To go 16-3-2 and have to finish out the year 28-7-2 and NOT make the playoffs (which is what the Flyers would finish at if they go 12-4 in their final 16 games) is ridiculous.

You cant make up any ground when teams are losing and still getting a point.

And its not just about the Flyers.

You mean the same way Provorov was used? Or Erik Karlsson? Or Josi or Ellis? Or just about every single defenseman in the league?

But Flyers so it is different? Hakstol has been fired, why does it matter what he did? Didn't Provorov and Ghost blossom under Hak, but then he all of sudden misused them when they happen to play bad. It could be a giant conspiracy.

I didn't like Hak one bit, but the Hak agenda is over done now. Just like if the Flyers bring in a new coach, the fans will still blame them when they don't do what they want. Repeat, Rinse and Recycle.
- Glak18

Sanheim, Hagg and Myers played (many) more games under Gordon (PHI and LHV combined), so I have a feeling he does have more of a hand in their dev/success.

Prov and Ghost were basically turnkey.

I find this to be ridiculous. And all because of the extra point. Every game should be worth the same amount of points.

I knew it was bad but didn't realize it was THIS bad. The NHL need to fix it. The outcry needs to get louder.

To go 16-3-2 and have to finish out the year 28-7-2 and NOT make the playoffs (which is what the Flyers would finish at if they go 12-4 in their final 16 games) is ridiculous.

You cant make up any ground when teams are losing and still getting a point.

And its not just about the Flyers.
- MBFlyerfan

Best way to make up ground, don't be a dumpster fire the first half of the year and expect a solid second to be the reason the team made the playoffs.

Games in October mean just as much as games in March.

I like the phrase "hit the ground running". Ghost truly blew up the moment he hit the ice as a Flyer, but his background is key to that. He was older and played against men in college and was also delayed a year because he got injured the year before, would he of done the same thing if he didn't miss the prior year? Probably not.

Provorov was eased in a bit more, but for the most part started to receive more responsibility than most 19/20 year old kids do. Developed while in the NHL and continued to show progression his second year.

Sanheim and Myers took the opposite approach, more AHL development and sheltered more when inserted into the lineup then gradually was given more ice time and responsibility later in the year.

Obviously there is still lots of time before true judgement can take place for all 4 defenseman, but currently you can still see a slight difference between the groups:

Group A:
Provorov and Ghost

Group B:
Sanheim and Myers

The biggest thing that stands out is Provorov and Ghost's struggles later in their development. Provorov regressed back to making mistakes even a lot of rookies don't even make in his 3rd year. Ghost has now struggled in 2 out of his 4 NHL years and if someone wants to blame injuries for his 2nd year then that is ok, but the fact is he still played poorly that year.

Next year will be huge to see if Provy and Ghost can bounce back because playing like this year again no matter who the coach is will be unacceptable. Hopefully the emergence of Sanheim and Myers will lighten the load for them as well.
- Glak18

I think that goes to show that it's different for every player and that it is rarely linear. It's ups and downs. Stuff we already know. The only player that really concerns me is Gostisbehere due to the extreme up and down nature of his seasons. It's in his head but we know the ability that he has. With Provorov, I think it's a case of the pressure and responsibilities that he was burdened with as a very young player catching up to him a little bit. He would've been much better off playing a lesser role earlier in his career but the Flyers didn't have much choice.

I find this to be ridiculous. And all because of the extra point. Every game should be worth the same amount of points.

I knew it was bad but didn't realize it was THIS bad. The NHL need to fix it. The outcry needs to get louder.

To go 16-3-2 and have to finish out the year 28-7-2 and NOT make the playoffs (which is what the Flyers would finish at if they go 12-4 in their final 16 games) is ridiculous.

You cant make up any ground when teams are losing and still getting a point.

And its not just about the Flyers.
- MBFlyerfan

This is how it should be:

Best way to make up ground, don't be a dumpster fire the first half of the year and expect a solid second to be the reason the team made the playoffs.

Games in October mean just as much as games in March.
- Glak18

Yup - and three point games suck just as much in October as they do in March

Sanheim, Hagg and Myers played (many) more games under Gordon (PHI and LHV combined), so I have a feeling he does have more of a hand in their dev/success.

Prov and Ghost were basically turnkey.
- Tomahawk

Of course he has a lot to do with their development. I remember the days when there were a few posters who claimed that Gordon had no idea how to handle and develop young players and he had no system. The good ole days.

I do think that Hakstol favored vets over kids, but I don't think he was sheltering him either. In the 4 games preceding Hakstol getting canned, Sanheim had one game of 19+ minutes and one game of 23+ minutes.

Also, right around that time (even a few times before Hakstol was fired) was when the Flyers went with the Provorov-Sanheim pairing. So yes, simply by being on Provorov's pair, Sanehim was bound to have an increase in ATOI.
- jmatchett383

Lets remember that Wilson was hired before Hak was fired. I attribute the better defensive play from Provorov, Sanheim, and Myers to him. He seems to have been the difference maker.

I think that goes to show that it's different for every player and that it is rarely linear. It's ups and downs. Stuff we already know. The only player that really concerns me is Gostisbehere due to the extreme up and down nature of his seasons. It's in his head but we know the ability that he has. With Provorov, I think it's a case of the pressure and responsibilities that he was burdened with as a very young player catching up to him a little bit. He would've been much better off playing a lesser role earlier in his career but the Flyers didn't have much choice.
- MJL

I will agree with most of what you said, but that mental game is just as important as skill.

I will agree with most of what you said, but that mental game is just as important as skill.
- Glak18

No doubt but young players can get in mental funks.

Best way to make up ground, don't be a dumpster fire the first half of the year and expect a solid second to be the reason the team made the playoffs.

Games in October mean just as much as games in March.
- Glak18

This is what makes me so mad about this team. This has happened the last 3 or 4 years. I hope they do basically win out the season and still miss the playoffs. Unfortunately for us fans, it is what these players deserve. As much as the coaches needed changing, and I believe Fletcher is doing a good job, these players have had the ability to play like this all season, and could easily be the best team in the division had they not decided to lose to get rid of the coaches.

Did the injury happen Friday/Saturday? (sorry, was away for the weekend and out of touch)
- Scoob

all I heard was LBI and he was getting a MRI

Those same coaches who did an outstanding job developing Sanheim as a player?
- MJL

Benching Sanheim so much he had to be sent to the AHL and playing Manning and Hagg ahead of him in the lineup was truly a genius development move by former NHL coach Dave Hakstol.

Sanheim's 18-19 ATOI has jumped from a shamefully low 16:07 under Hak, to 21:22 under Gordon, and the team has benefited accordingly.

Of course he has a lot to do with their development. I remember the days when there were a few posters who claimed that Gordon had no idea how to handle and develop young players and he had no system. The good ole days.
- MJL

Almost as good as the days when you defended Hak giving Manning, MacDonald and Hagg more ice time than Sanheim.

There really wasn't a single thing Hak did that you thought deserved criticism. Not even using Lehtera as a regular player when he was clearly cooked.

all I heard was LBI and he was getting a MRI
- nastyflyergirl

same...it's very mysterious

Lets remember that Wilson was hired before Hak was fired. I attribute the better defensive play from Provorov, Sanheim, and Myers to him. He seems to have been the difference maker.
- youarewrong

For Sanheim, this is a definite factor. I’m sure his ice time would have continued to rise without Wilson. But Wilson wanted to give a fresh look at different pairings and settled on Provy-Sanheim which has worked well for both. Wilson deserves some credit for the continued development for sure. In Sanheim, it is most noticeable.

all I heard was LBI and he was getting a MRI
- nastyflyergirl

I did see a tweet that said Flyers would give an injury update tomorrow.

I think people are overestimating the cutoff. I do not believe for a second it will be the high 90s. For the most part all the teams above us would have to have the same record minus a win or 2 to hit high 90s. Aside from Carolina, none of the other teams are hot enough to pull that off. Cutoff will be the low 90s possibly high 80s if lucky.

Is it possible the Sanheim turns into our best defenseman?

Is it possible the Sanheim turns into our best defenseman?
- bulet13

Well, I would say doubtful. He doesn’t have an all-around game...not very physical, doesn’t initiate contact, not a big shot blocker. He could easily be our best offensive defenseman and can play big minutes. Times change but I see the best as having more of an all-around game.

Is it possible the Sanheim turns into our best defenseman?
- bulet13

Sure. Many trade rumors had other teams wanting Sanheim in deals so he has made positive impressions on visiting scouts. That says something to me.

But Provy is a stud and will be fine. He's playing better but this season has been poor overall.

I really think Myers is a dark horse. Undrafted with decent speed and great size. He seems to always make the right read and good play. I'm excited about those 3 and Big Sam. Although Sam is most likely bottom 4 pairing.

Provy’s Skating is noticeably better, it could be confidence or maybe he was nursing an injury, either way it is good to see