We're talking about players taking direction from their coach. As a whole, this is not a group of impressionable teens. The group who should have the most influence on younger impressionable players are the veterans such as Giroux and Couturier. So unless anyone thinks the leaders of the team are telling younger impressionable players not to listen to the coach, then it does not relate. A professional hockey team is a completely different dynamic.
- MJL

I hate myself for replying when I should just ignore it but you assuming this is just starting now. It isnt, they have always played the same way this didnt just happen over the last year or two. This development would have been over the course of when they were younger as amateurs and young pros. There is a saying, if you hear something over and over again you start to believe it. People care more about what the people close to them think rather than a boss or supervisor.

That being said most these guys get 25-30 goals. Only one who isnt is Voracek who is still in the 20s. Maybe they should all shoot more but you can probably say the same thing about every player in the league. No one complains about all the passing when it works.

I hate myself for replying when I should just ignore it but you assuming this is just starting now. It isnt, they have always played the same way this didnt just happen over the last year or two. This development would have been over the course of when they were younger as amateurs and young pros. There is a saying, if you hear something over and over again you start to believe it. People care more about what the people close to them think rather than a boss or supervisor.


- xShoot4WarAmpsx

This ignorantly assumes that NHL players don't grow and change as players in the course of their development as a player. That they don't work to correct their flaws and improve. Hockey players certainly change the way they play over the course of their development as players. If those players during their development cared more about what the people close to them think rather than their coaches, they wouldn't be where they are today in the NHL. Granted those close to them can also be a positive influence. A perfect example is Ho Sang of the Islanders who is readily perceived as un-coachable. Where is he at?

Huberdeau picks the Flyers to win the cup this year

https://www.nhl.com/news/...-cup-champion/c-309643378

Listen to Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau. He was stumping for the Philadelphia Flyers, who missed the postseason by 16 points last season.

The Flyers added Alain Vigneault as coach, signed forward Kevin Hayes, traded for defensemen Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun and will have goalie Carter Hart for his first full NHL season.

"I think Philadelphia has a pretty good team, a good chance," Huberdeau said. "I think they added some good players and new coaches. I know Alain. He's pretty good. I think if they put everything together, they can surprise. I mean, you saw it with St. Louis last year. That would be a good pick."


- Coburns_Nose

The Flyers haven't exactly shown many deadly or creative offensive chances throughout the entire preseason. I know some veterans can flip a switch once the regular season starts but it's definitely a tad concerning.
- Pixote Andolini

Every one of them should come out with a fire under their ass every time they hit the ice. Especially after last year, and oh hell even the last 5 years before that.

Every one of them should come out with a fire under their ass every time they hit the ice. Especially after last year, and oh hell even the last 5 years before that.
- hereticpride

I'll be concerned if they come out flat or slow during games. I'm expecting some early struggles until they get more cohesiveness in their game.

If we do start slow I hope it doesn't take that long. The Blues notwithstanding, I think a slow start buries us again.

If they can tread water than so be it. But I hope it is closer to 10 games than 15......
- MBFlyerfan

This team is an enigma. Gonna take the new staff some time to piece everything together. I'm not feeling like a strong start is in the cards either.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Set Opening-Night Roster: Inside the Numbers and Cap Implications
- bmeltzer

The numbers game was always going robbery an issue the second the Justin Braunn deal was made. Some liked the deal, for me, it just cost us Myers in the opening line up.

as did you...Kurtis Foster
- Peter Richards

Thank you!

This team is an enigma. Gonna take the new staff some time to piece everything together. I'm not feeling like a strong start is in the cards either.


- Tomahawk

I agree but the key will be a proper determination of why there is a slow start if there is one.

The numbers game was always going robbery an issue the second the Justin Braunn deal was made. Some liked the deal, for me, it just cost us Myers in the opening line up.
- SuperSchennBros

I think Myers isn't in the opening lineup because currently he isn't as good as the others in the opening lineup. Now if Braun was the odd man out, then that would have been a waste.

Every one of them should come out with a fire under their ass every time they hit the ice. Especially after last year, and oh hell even the last 5 years before that.
- hereticpride

This is exactly what I've been waiting for the past 5 seasons. A little freaking fire. Come out pissed off and take care of business. We should be the better team (on paper) for most of the schedule. We need to play like it. I'm tired of this BS and the preseason did not convinced me that anything has changed.

I really like AV and his message. It will take time, I'll give you that, but show some GD effort and fire. Be a f*cking Flyer!

I think Myers isn't in the opening lineup because currently he isn't as good as the others in the opening lineup. Now if Braun was the odd man out, then that would have been a waste.
- RustyPipes

Sam Morin's been that good? I don't think so. It's all about waiver-exemption.

Sam Morin's been that good? I don't think so. It's all about waiver-exemption.
- Tomahawk

That too - but I think that Braun has been good so far on defense and he is currently an upgrade to help our defense. I don't think the trade to bring him in hurts the team, it helps the team.

Sam Morin's been that good? I don't think so. It's all about waiver-exemption.
- Tomahawk

In terms of who the 7th defender is going to be yes. If Myers is not going to be a regular in the top 6, why keep him in that spot? It's better that he plays as much as possible. It's the same for Morin but they don't want to risk losing him so that makes Morin the better choice as a 7th. As well as the cap issues.

Sam Morin's been that good? I don't think so. It's all about waiver-exemption.
- Tomahawk

Yes, I think he is that good. Top 6 defender. His preseason was quietly good as he is getting his game back. He isn’t flashy. I noticed him all the time in a good way, very little risk in his game, efficient, physical. Great reach and good skater. He and Myers have really good chemistry. I thought they made each other better. Myers was very up and down, but much more consistent playing with Morin.

In terms of who the 7th defender is going to be yes. If Myers is not going to be a regular in the top 6, why keep him in that spot? It's better that he plays as much as possible. It's the same for Morin but they don't want to risk losing him so that makes Morin the better choice as a 7th. As well as the cap issues.
- MJL

Morin is barely in game shape. If any of the top-six get nicked up, and he's thrust in there... yikes (especially if paired w/ Hagg).

Yes, I think he is that good. Top 6 defender. His preseason was quietly good as he is getting his game back. He isn’t flashy. I noticed him all the time in a good way, very little risk in his game, efficient, physical. Great reach and good skater. He and Myers have really good chemistry. I thought they made each other better. Myers was very up and down, but much more consistent playing with Morin.
- NC Flyers Fan

I agee Morin was quiet and quiet was good, he also brings what this does not have, physicality. It was only pre-season but the D still needs an identity. You can do that by having a pure #1 or having the right combination in the top 6. I don't think they have a pure #1, If Morin can play to his strengths and play well the D as a whole might have an identity.

It is going to be highly disappointing if they are a bubble team this year. Yeah, they were terrible last year, but everything that could go wrong, went wrong. They had mostly the same roster as the 2017-2018 season. If after adding Hayes and the defensemen, a full year of Hart and expecting a bounce back year from Provorov, if this team isn't better than the 2017-2018 team it will be time to blow up the core.
- FlyerFan16

Completely agree,

Morin is barely in game shape. If any of the top-six get nicked up, and he's thrust in there... yikes (especially if paired w/ Hagg).
- Tomahawk

I dont agree with that. His skills may certainly be rusty but no reason that he isn't at the same level of fitness as others coming off of the off season.

Yes, I think he is that good. Top 6 defender. His preseason was quietly good as he is getting his game back. He isn’t flashy. I noticed him all the time in a good way, very little risk in his game, efficient, physical. Great reach and good skater. He and Myers have really good chemistry. I thought they made each other better. Myers was very up and down, but much more consistent playing with Morin.
- NC Flyers Fan

Morin struggled mightily the first half of camp-- so much so that he was the lone healthy player (except TK, who had reported one day earlier) to practice on a total off-day for the rest of the team. Sam himself said he knows there is a higher level to his game. About all AV could muster when asked about Sam was that he is a very nice young man with a great attitude and then to mention all the time he missed due to injury. But he got better in the latter part of camp and had a good game at MSG before the team left for Europe.

This is exactly what I've been waiting for the past 5 seasons. A little freaking fire. Come out pissed off and take care of business. We should be the better team (on paper) for most of the schedule. We need to play like it. I'm tired of this BS and the preseason did not convinced me that anything has changed.

I really like AV and his message. It will take time, I'll give you that, but show some GD effort and fire. Be a f*cking Flyer!
- cdearth23

I've been happy with AV and his approach so far as well. No nonsense. He noticed some problems WRT preseason urgency and basically said we're cutting the roster down early to get to business with the starters. Sends the message, we need to start strong and enough of the BS. Performance is now on the players. I am glad AV is dropping the hammer, and I think that's what is needed.

Morin struggled mightily the first half of camp-- so much so that he was the lone healthy player (except TK, who had reported one day earlier) to practice on a total off-day for the rest of the team. Sam himself said he knows there is a higher level to his game. About all AV could muster when asked about Sam was that he is a very nice young man with a great attitude and then to mention all the time he missed due to injury. But he got better in the latter part of camp and had a good game at MSG before the team left for Europe.
- bmeltzer

Bill, would you mind giving your opinion on what happens Friday with the roster, and how do you feel about Pitlick jumping right in with no camp or pre-season which seems to be a likely option?

As long as Hart doesn't get a long term injury.....
- FlyerFan16

Damn you to Pittsburgh! Damn you

The roster is marginally better if that. Is it 8 wins better? I do not think we've seen that so far this preseason. Hart is going to be tested early and often this year.
- corduroy

wait. Marginally?

2018:
G, Coots, TK
JVR, Patrick, Voracek
Simmer, Lehtera, Weal/Lindblom
Raffl, Laughton, Weise

Provorov, Ghost
Sanheim, Hagg
MacDonald, Gudas
Folin

2019:

G, Coots, TK
JVR, Hayes, Voracek
Lindblom, Patrick/Bunnaman, Farabee/Twarynski?
Raffl, Laughton, Pitlick

Provorov, Niskanen
Sanheim, Hagg/Morin
Ghost, Braun
Meyers

I don't think that's marginal at all.

I've been happy with AV and his approach so far as well. No nonsense. He noticed some problems WRT preseason urgency and basically said we're cutting the roster down early to get to business with the starters. Sends the message, we need to start strong and enough of the BS. Performance is now on the players. I am glad AV is dropping the hammer, and I think that's what is needed.
- Hextall271

I've really enjoyed him on BTG NHL Network. These guys need this kick in the ass. WE have a good mix of vet and young players and his voice is needed.

I loved when they asked him if his track record and background makes it easier for the players to accept the fact that he was speeding up the process and he smiled and said, they don;t have a choice. That's the way it is. F*ck yeah!

Be a f*cking Flyer. That's all I've been asking since 2012. He summed it up beautifully.