Still early but I feel that Patrick's injury ripples through the line up. We have 5 fourth line players on the 3rd and 4th lines. JvR is not being helped with Laughton as his center. Pitlick might be a 3rd liner but we are missing Patrick.
- cdearth23

Actually 4 NHL 4th liners and one AHL 4th liner would be more accurate

The Flyers 4th line is a train wreck just waiting to happen. The center is a guy who is much better on the wing. One winger is a rookie with limited skills and the other is a guy who has no business skating in an NHL lineup.

I have no problem with them sending Bunnaman down, but why not recall someone? Hell, even Andreoff would be a better option than Stewart.
- BiggE

good question. Perhaps it's because the Phantoms played last night and also play tonight. No idea.

good question. Perhaps it's because the Phantoms played last night and also play tonight. No idea.
- MJL

Yup, I would have just recalled someone yesterday. I truly have no idea what they see in Stewart. He might be a great guy, but he just can’t cut it on the ice anymore. Honestly, I’d rather they go 11F, 7D than put him in the lineup.

Wow Arthur Kaliyev has 13 goals in 11 OHL games
- bulet13

Who? Is that the Russian guy that just scores goals? Like a sniper? Yeah don’t need that
~sarcasm ~

I'm very eager to see how they come out and how hart reacts after a poor start last time.
- Hextall271

Hart has it mentally. Which is good because his patients gonna be tested this season for sure

Yup, I would have just recalled someone yesterday. I truly have no idea what they see in Stewart. He might be a great guy, but he just can’t cut it on the ice anymore. Honestly, I’d rather they go 11F, 7D than put him in the lineup.
- BiggE

I'm fine with Stewart as the 13th forward for a game here or there. I'm not fine with him in the lineup as a regular or for an extended time.

Although they're humans and not robots so the travel surely had an impact, I'm sure the coaches are preparing them properly. As I understand it, sometimes coming back after a long road trip can be a struggle as they have to take care of family things etc.

They don't use it as an excuse when talking to the press, but it makes sense to me. Again, I know they are pro athletes but they're not robots.
- Hextall271

Have you seen how they travel? It's not like they go through TSA, sit at gate 13 for 2 hours and then sit in the middle seat between a 385 lb dude named sparky and a hippie who hasn't showered since the '60s for a 5-hour flight

I dont think Twarinski has been all that bad honestly

The Flyers 4th line is a train wreck just waiting to happen. The center is a guy who is much better on the wing. One winger is a rookie with limited skills and the other is a guy who has no business skating in an NHL lineup.

I have no problem with them sending Bunnaman down, but why not recall someone? Hell, even Andreoff would be a better option than Stewart.
- BiggE

Chuckles likes his line-up to up look California while feeling Minnesota

Nice seeing Frost get 3 apples last night. Farabee w/ another goal as well.

I dont think Twarinski has been all that bad honestly
- bulet13

Play young guys! no, not that one! Seriously tho I think Twarinski has played well.

I like the idea of Stewart in the lineup tonight. The Dallas Stars are reeling right now and it will take a leader like Stewart to get the boys to play the right way tonight. Especially the youngins. They need that extra dose of a glue.

I predict a Flyers victory under the stewardship of Stewart.

Have you seen how they travel? It's not like they go through TSA, sit at gate 13 for 2 hours and then sit in the middle seat between a 385 lb dude named sparky and a hippie who hasn't showered since the '60s for a 5-hour flight
- corduroy

There have been scenes of the Flyers traveling on their chartered flights on Behind the Glass. Looks exhausting. That 50 minute flight from Calgary to Edmonton must of been hell.

Hart has it mentally. Which is good because his patients gonna be tested this season for sure
- SMS4016

does he? Didn't really seem to have it together in front of his home crowd in Edmonton.

does he? Didn't really seem to have it together in front of his home crowd in Edmonton.
- Dkos

Any goalie can have games like that. The true measure is how does he bounce back? Does he let it snowball into more?

does he? Didn't really seem to have it together in front of his home crowd in Edmonton.
- Dkos

He'll be fine. At his age and this level of games, everything is a learning experience.

Flint Mega Bowl
- hereticpride

“When they look back in the anal’s of history, they are going to talk about three things. The discovery of fire, the invention of the submarine, and the Flint, Michigan mega Bowl.”
Jackie Moon

“When they look back in the anal’s of history, they are going to talk about three things. The discovery of fire, the invention of the submarine, and the Flint, Michigan mega Bowl.”
Jackie Moon
- Shrike

You think Fletch will trade our washing machine this year?

Any goalie can have games like that. The true measure is how does he bounce back? Does he let it snowball into more?
- MJL

Exactly

You didn't answer my question. You don't have any evidence to support your opinion that travel was a factor. You're ignoring the obvious evidence that it did not. Your premise is simply based on an assumption of what you think should happen because they're human. Analyze the game. That's where the evidence is. Bill in his blog said the travel excuse doesn't wash. Why do you think he has that opinion?

How does a team that is road weary turn it on late in the game of a back to back at the end of a road trip and all those miles?
- MJL

I respect bills opinion for sure but I maintain that travel of this nature may have an effect. You don't touch on whether or not there is anything to the idea that home teams retuning from road trips have struggled in the first game back.

Also, if note, just because someone disagrees with you on something that is difficult to empirically prove doesn't mean their opinion is BS.

Maybe the oilers took their foot off the pedal. Maybe this team is not affected by travel and will respond well to the ominous schedule they will now be required to play in November. Maybe they won't.

Maybe hart was affected by playing in front of his family. Maybe teams aren't affected by external factors when they come home from a long road trip. Maybe they are.

Point is that they are human and it might have affected them. Maybe it didn't, but in my view the schedule isn't doing them any favours as at the very least they are going to need to catch up in games at some point.

He'll be fine. At his age and this level of games, everything is a learning experience.
- DaveofYork

I agree. Just think it’s a little early in his career to expect too much from him. The Oilers game illustrated how affected he can be by things outside of the game. It was just a year ago that he was having a hard time trying to figure out how to feed himself and pay his rent while playing pro hockey. Now everyone expects him to be the backbone of the team.

Still early but I feel that Patrick's injury ripples through the line up. We have 5 fourth line players on the 3rd and 4th lines. JvR is not being helped with Laughton as his center. Pitlick might be a 3rd liner but we are missing Patrick.
- cdearth23

I'm worried about Patrick tbh. Can't mess with these types of things and I'm wondering how long he might be out here. It certainly does put a wrench in the plan that Fletch had.

I agree. Just think it’s a little early in his career to expect too much from him. The Oilers game illustrated how affected he can be by things outside of the game. It was just a year ago that he was having a hard time trying to figure out how to feed himself and pay his rent while playing pro hockey. Now everyone expects him to be the backbone of the team.
- Dkos

He reminds me a lot of price. People forget prices early career had some real ups and downs. I want them to be really patient with hart. I think he's the answer but it's not going to be linear progression to stardom. This might take a few years and I want the org to support and stick with him which I believe they will. We do have to temper our expections as you say.

I respect bills opinion for sure but I maintain that travel of this nature may have an effect. You don't touch on whether or not there is anything to the idea that home teams retuning from road trips have struggled in the first game back.


- Hextall271

Home teams struggling in the first home game back is not a part of my premise. This where there seems to be a difference in my opinion and yours. I'm not looking at cliches, or what is supposed to happen, or what might happen. I'm looking at what did actually happen.

Also, if note, just because someone disagrees with you on something that is difficult to empirically prove doesn't mean their opinion is BS.


- Hextall271

There is zero evidence that the travel affected the team. Looking at all the evidence, no offense but it's BS.

Maybe the oilers took their foot off the pedal. Maybe this team is not affected by travel and will respond well to the ominous schedule they will now be required to play in November. Maybe they won't.


- Hextall271

A team sitting back protecting a lead and changing strategy is not going to affect the opposition's energy level. The Flyers didn't sag as the game went on. In fact they got stronger. Again, I'm not dealing in maybe's. I'm dealing in what happened.

Maybe hart was affected by playing in front of his family. Maybe teams aren't affected by external factors when they come home from a long road trip. Maybe they are.


- Hextall271

What does feeling pressure from playing for the first time in front of your hometown game have to due with the team being affected by the travel?

Point is that they are human and it might have affected them. Maybe it didn't, but in my view the schedule isn't doing them any favours as at the very least they are going to need to catch up in games at some point.
- Hextall271

Making my point for me. Your opinion is based on an assumption rather than analyzing and looking at what actually happened. It might or did it actually?

I agree. Just think it’s a little early in his career to expect too much from him. The Oilers game illustrated how affected he can be by things outside of the game. It was just a year ago that he was having a hard time trying to figure out how to feed himself and pay his rent while playing pro hockey. Now everyone expects him to be the backbone of the team.
- Dkos

Well said. A kid that young looking to be the savior of the team is bound to experience some growing pains. The Edmonton game was one of those.