Nisky really has so much Timonen in him, Poise, Grit, Smarts He had to be good for the Philly crowd to like him after playing for Pittsburgh and Washington (and he had some good hits against us in that Caps playoff series), I cant think of another more attainable player to be a better fit for Provy, The salary cap hit is worth it and although I loved Gudas he wasnt likely to be here after this season anyway.
- GPerogie

Definitely some Timonen like qualities to his game. He's not as good as Timonen but he calms the game down. Distributes and moves the puck well. Doesn't make many mistakes.

Great game to travel and watch live. Crowd was stupendous in cheering the Flyers and booing the bad Hayes penalty and Tkachuk.

Niskanen came up big with that save (blocked shot) with Hart out of position. He also had that big hit response on Tkachuk after TK got run over. It looked like three Flyers were looking for a fight before Vorachek finally got a Senator to answer. Niskanen played a heck of a game.

Ottawa learned that we are not Carolina. We'll respond with fists to protect our teammates.

Nisky really has so much Timonen in him, Poise, Grit, Smarts He had to be good for the Philly crowd to like him after playing for Pittsburgh and Washington (and he had some good hits against us in that Caps playoff series), I cant think of another more attainable player to be a better fit for Provy, The salary cap hit is worth it and although I loved Gudas he wasnt likely to be here after this season anyway.
- GPerogie

Niskanen has done a great job helping stabilize the d. They really needed to add some experience back there. As well, while I don’t think Braun’s numbers are great he has quietly gone about his business in a simple fashion. The d as a whole are becoming more consistent which bodes well going forward.

I’ll add to the Nisk trade, Gudas was good for his role, the role Nisk can play is a better fit for what the young Flyers D core needed. Give Fletcher props for finding the right fit and for only 2 years

I think that Coots has been underappreciated in the limited amount of communications about yesterday's game.
In the machinery of this club he is the Loctite.
Admittedly I watch him the most intensely. He is damn near flawless in defense and promotes the offense as necessary. He plays a 215 foot game, corner to corner. I recommend that you pay attention to him and consider what this team would be without his presence.
He personally clubbed the Senators into submission.
Now if he could fight really well.....em, em, em EMMM.
I'd canonize right now.

So the coaching staff and GM are better than last year?
- Dkos

I'd make a case the coach staff is the team MVP this thus far. I know the PPB had hit a rough patch recently, but those 3 have done a much better job.

I hope their is retaliation against #7 next time these two square off.

I think that Coots has been underappreciated in the limited amount of communications about yesterday's game.
In the machinery of this club he is the Loctite.
Admittedly I watch him the most intensely. He is damn near flawless in defense and promotes the offense as necessary. He plays a 215 foot game, corner to corner. I recommend that you pay attention to him and consider what this team would be without his presence.
He personally clubbed the Senators into submission.
Now if he could fight really well.....em, em, em EMMM.
I'd canonize right now.
- Pompous

Well said. Coots is THE man for this team. Even when he doesn't get on the score sheet he is still making an impact game in and game out. He is criminally under rated in this town.

Maybe I read The Athletic too often and have been influenced. They canonized him long ago.

I hope their is retaliation against #7 next time these two square off.
- Pelle31Forever

I’m fine with throwing Stewart in there for that game.

I’m fine with throwing Stewart in there for that game.
- arichardson22

Retaliation is much better than icing a lineup that can actually put away ateam with less talent. Makes sense

Retaliation is much better than icing a lineup that can actually put away ateam with less talent. Makes sense
- corduroy

it'd be nice if stewart was in so our talented players aren't targets

The shorty in my opinion is the reason why Ghost gets scratched. He needs to prove to be sharp all game. He slowed down and allowed to get DuClair to get around him first.
- SuperSchennBros

So Ghost should have gone full speed at crashed into Hart as he stood there holding the puck??? That's mostly, if not entirely, on Hart in my opinion.

it'd be nice if stewart was in so our talented players aren't targets
- 2Real

Let's play an AHL lineup so none of our good players get hurt and just piss away 2 points for OMGZ FIGHTS!

Retaliation is much better than icing a lineup that can actually put away ateam with less talent. Makes sense
- corduroy

Because putting Stewart in for someone definetly means they won't be a me to beat a team with less talent.

You make Chuckles happy.

What did Hart do? It’s up to Ghost to come and get the puck. Ghost slowed down and allowed DuClair to go right around him. Ghost totally hot dogged there.
- SuperSchennBros

Hart was very indecisive on that play and basically contributed to the goal.

They both share the blame.

Because putting Stewart in for someone definetly means they won't be a me to beat a team with less talent.

You make Chuckles happy.
- opeth_pa

They have already lost once to the struggling Senators. They barely held on to win yesterday. So please explain to me in detail what makes you think inserting the "glue" guy into the lineup will lead to better results? I do not think there is a single thing in life where people would say, let's make ourselves worse, not better by doing this action.

But, hey, you are a hockey board genius, and I am just me.

How is Stewart always the big concern on these message boards, I figure we replaced Tyrell Goul with Stewart, Same contract, same cap, Just alot more experience and knows the route needed - A few mentors for the young guys coming up is not a bad thing, Again if that's the teams biggest problem were on darn good shape.

Beating the snot out of Tkachuk doesn't necessarily mean you have to ice Stewart. I'm perfectly fine with Laughton taking the matters into his own hands.

They have already lost once to the struggling Senators. They barely held on to win yesterday. So please explain to me in detail what makes you think inserting the "glue" guy into the lineup will lead to better results? I do not think there is a single thing in life where people would say, let's make ourselves worse, not better by doing this action.

But, hey, you are a hockey board genius, and I am just me.
- corduroy

I dont think anyone here claims to be a hockey board genius. I know I dont and when people have said things that made sense to me I owned statements I said incorrectly.

I simply dont think playing Stewart is the end of the world you think it is.

Well said. Coots is THE man for this team. Even when he doesn't get on the score sheet he is still making an impact game in and game out. He is criminally under rated in this town.

Maybe I read The Athletic too often and have been influenced. They canonized him long ago.
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed and just a few years ago I wasnt the biggest Coots fan..
I think losing him for an extended period of time would really hurt this team.
Sadly we possibly get to find out now if losing TK slows things down.

Beating the snot out of Tkachuk doesn't necessarily mean you have to ice Stewart. I'm perfectly fine with Laughton taking the matters into his own hands.
- Pelle31Forever

Agreed, but Laughts didn’t do so yesterday because his hand is still healing. Last thing we need is for him to be out again for some time.

if you were drafting right now would you take Ertz or Kittle

if you were drafting right now would you take Ertz or Kittle
- 2Real

Given the fact that Ertz caught the game winning Superbowl TD I take him 100% of the time unless you are saying you are ignoring all past actions

I was as annoyed with the Stewart signing as anyone but if you feel like a team is going to goon it up you certainly consider dressing him. It's basically the biggest argument for having the guy after all.

Ultimately it's not worth arguing over now. For all we know he might have to play if we have injuries going into that game.

I think the best remedy is to outplay the lesser team and let Tkchuck or whoever skate around and be off their game.

There will be some bad blood the next time the Flyers play the Senators. This reminds me of the same situation on 3/5/2004 when the Sens came into Philly after injuring Recchi in Ottawa in their previous meeting. The Sens then went after Recchi in Philly and it turned in a brawl that set the NHL record of 419 penalty minutes in one game. The Flyers beat the crap out of Ottawa in the fights and won the game 5-3. The whole building shook during the fights. I'm sure somebody will be looking to go after Brady Tkachuk in the next game.