No, but it is the main cog in the wheel. IM a firm believer that winning starts from the net out. You get solid goaltending, the defense starts to relax and make better plays, and then the forwards start to be better etc etc.

I see less panic when they get hemmed in because they believe the goalie will have their backs. And as a result they don't get hemmed in as often because the panic isn't there.

Dont get me wrong, I like that the kids are taking bigger bites. That is partly a trust thing with the coach and partly because they are ready for it.

We can rip Hakstol for that a bit, but we have to remember that Gordon also had a say and an opinion on whether some of these kids were ready earlier in the season and he concurred with the organization that maybe they weren't.

There is definitely more talent, and that helps a lot.
- MBFlyerfan

Most of the hard work and tough decisions on developing the young players was done under Hakstol. We're starting to see more and more of the benefits of that.

Most of the hard work and tough decisions on developing the young players was done under Hakstol. We're starting to see more and more of the benefits of that.
- MJL

Well Gordon had a hand in developing those that came through the AHL, like lindblom, Myers, and Sanheim

Well Gordon had a hand in developing those that came through the AHL, like lindblom, Myers, and Sanheim
- bulet13

Absolutely.

They got the win that they should have. It's going to be a tough stretch coming up to try and grab points. Especially these next 4.

This makes me wonder how many other players with his skill set go undrafted. He is a top 4 Dman... and we got him for nothing. Moves like signing Myers and drsfting lindblom in the 5th round really push this franchise ahead of schedule.
After a horrible start to the season I am happy to say I look forward to next season
- sILKAsSINASALO

Zamula.

Zamula.
- youarewrong

I cringed at first.... reminded me of Mike Mamula

Tough final 13 games. We need CBJ, Montreal, and/or Carolina to falter down stretch. I have a suspicion that it all comes down to the final game against Carolina. They have a tough schedule as well and it just feels like their goalies need to come back to earth a little bit. Sitting in 3rd right now but I think Pitts turns it on to close out season.

Carolina is currently playing well while CBJ and Montreal are struggling a bit. CBJ added too much to NOT make playoffs. Heads will roll.

Bottom line, we need a collapse or two!!

Bill,

Has Elliott played himself back into being resigned by the Flyers in the offseason? I thought when they traded for Talbot that Elliott's days with the Flyers were over. Yet, with Hart as the backup last night, Elliott got the start and Talbot was scratched.

Mentoring aside, Elliott seems like a good guy and good vet to pair with Hart. I like his game and just wonder if he could get a good look to be resigned at a reasonable price tag.

I personally would like to see it.

Bill,

Has Elliott played himself back into being resigned by the Flyers in the offseason? I thought when they traded for Talbot that Elliott's days with the Flyers were over. Yet, with Hart as the backup last night, Elliott got the start.

Mentoring aside, Elliott seems like a good guy and good vet to pair with Hart. I like his game and just wonder if he could get a good look to be resigned at a reasonable price tag.

I personally would like to see it.
- hockeylover

As much as I like the guy, and think he plays well when he's healthy, you have to pass due to his injury history.

Tough final 13 games. We need CBJ, Montreal, and/or Carolina to falter down stretch. I have a suspicion that it all comes down to the final game against Carolina. They have a tough schedule as well and it just feels like their goalies need to come back to earth a little bit. Sitting in 3rd right now but I think Pitts turns it on to close out season.

Carolina is currently playing well while CBJ and Montreal are struggling a bit. CBJ added too much to NOT make playoffs. Heads will roll.

Bottom line, we need a collapse or two!!
- cdearth23

Columbus and Montreal are faltering and the flyers are 7 behind Carolina and Pitt.

Tough final 13 games. We need CBJ, Montreal, and/or Carolina to falter down stretch. I have a suspicion that it all comes down to the final game against Carolina. They have a tough schedule as well and it just feels like their goalies need to come back to earth a little bit. Sitting in 3rd right now but I think Pitts turns it on to close out season.

Carolina is currently playing well while CBJ and Montreal are struggling a bit. CBJ added too much to NOT make playoffs. Heads will roll.

Bottom line, we need a collapse or two!!
- cdearth23

Weeks ago we needed a collapse or two, now we need 4 more points over the final 13. I believed then and i believe now.

Well Gordon had a hand in developing those that came through the AHL, like lindblom, Myers, and Sanheim
- bulet13

I would still go after a big fish on the offseason but I wonder if Gordon would accept an assistant job because of how familiar he is with the kids. Gordon has done a good job but there are some areas we lack that I think can easily be fixed if he paid a attention to detail. The PP for example.

Weeks ago we needed a collapse or two, now we need 4 more points over the final 13. I believed then and i believe now.
- Hughjass

Remember though, those games with 3 points being given out, especially how we all seem to be playing one another, need to be kept at a minimum of minimums. They said it last night when we went into the 3rd up 3-1 as in our last game vs the Sens we lost, we hope those lost points don't come back and bite us at the end....

I would still go after a big fish on the offseason but I wonder if Gordon would accept an assistant job because of how familiar he is with the kids. Gordon has done a good job but there are some areas we lack that I think can easily be fixed if he paid a attention to detail. The PP for example.
- SuperSchennBros

With the work he has done in such a small sample size, of course with his experience as a coach in the past, as well as his longevity as a head coach in the AHL as well, I wouldn't doubt he gets a chance at a HC job again, or at least being a part of a team's coaching staff of perhaps a team that will maybe be in transition. Becoming an assistant on a new coach's staff is basically like starting his wait all over again to get back behind the bench as a HC. Also wouldn't surprise me if he does make it into the playoffs and perhaps wins a series that Homer would remove the interim tag.

Weeks ago we needed a collapse or two, now we need 4 more points over the final 13. I believed then and i believe now.
- Hughjass

This week will tell a lot. Tough sched. If we can somehow get 5 pts out of the next 3 games it will be massive, and I think we can make it. Not sure how feasible that is however.

As much as I like the guy, and think he plays well when he's healthy, you have to pass due to his injury history.
- feelingkettle

I have been impressed with how well he's played. Maybe he's finally healthy. To me the plan is to go with Talbot and Hart, and there I'd like to see hart get 60% of the games next year.

Most of the hard work and tough decisions on developing the young players was done under Hakstol. We're starting to see more and more of the benefits of that.
- MJL

while I agree and do think Hak did a good job with the kids, Gordon seems to be as responsible. He had SanHeim, Myers, Lindblom and I believe Laughton down in the AHL. I think he played a pretty sizable role in their development. In my opinion Gordon knowing them so well has translated into success now that the group of them are in the NHL with Gordon as the coach.

don't dare to hope

miss by 5

This makes me wonder how many other players with his skill set go undrafted. He is a top 4 Dman... and we got him for nothing. Moves like signing Myers and drsfting lindblom in the 5th round really push this franchise ahead of schedule.
After a horrible start to the season I am happy to say I look forward to next season
- sILKAsSINASALO

what schedule are they ahead of exactly?

Bill,

Has Elliott played himself back into being resigned by the Flyers in the offseason? I thought when they traded for Talbot that Elliott's days with the Flyers were over. Yet, with Hart as the backup last night, Elliott got the start and Talbot was scratched.

Mentoring aside, Elliott seems like a good guy and good vet to pair with Hart. I like his game and just wonder if he could get a good look to be resigned at a reasonable price tag.

I personally would like to see it.
- hockeylover

not bill but i dont think it is a slam dunk talbot is resigned. Personally i offer both the same deal. 2 years(maybe 1) 1.5 mill per. Whoever signs it first is your backup.

not bill but i dont think it is a slam dunk talbot is resigned. Personally i offer both the same deal. 2 years(maybe 1) 1.5 mill per. Whoever signs it first is your backup.
- daryl stanley

It seems they trust Elliott more then Talbot even after coming back from injury, id assume Elliott would be the favourite if both would resign for 1 yr/1.5

It seems they trust Elliott more then Talbot even after coming back from injury, id assume Elliott would be the favourite if both would resign for 1 yr/1.5
- Hughjass

Could also be an element of showcasing him to trade his rights before the draft. If he looks great and helps push Flyers on a run then there could be some teams that want to jump the line to start negotiations with him.

Not saying that is 100% the motivation here but it sure as heck isn't hurting.

Could also be an element of showcasing him to trade his rights before the draft. If he looks great and helps push Flyers on a run then there could be some teams that want to jump the line to start negotiations with him.

Not saying that is 100% the motivation here but it sure as heck isn't hurting.
- juiced

he will be a highly sought after commodity. probably get at least a 3rd.....

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Skate Past Sens, 3-2
- bmeltzer

Does anyone know what time Jake's appeal is ?

what schedule are they ahead of exactly?
- daryl stanley

I was thinking the same thing...
I'm stoked that they've been playing well lately, and am really hoping they manage to sneak into the playoffs. But this 20-25 game stretch doesn't erase the past 5-6 seasons for me.
I knew the process wasn't gonna happen overnight when Hexy was hired. I know about the mess of a cap situation he inherited. I get all of that. But for a team that basically needs a miracle to squeak into the playoffs in a league where more than half the teams make it, they're certainly not ahead of schedule in my book. On schedule at best.