That was as easy as a shutout comes for a goalie. He stopped a breakaway
- Just5

He was completely opened up. The puck bounced over Hayes’ stick. The ice is not NHL quality anymore. But those conditions are for both teams and the Islanders managed it better.

Varlamov was beat a few times and kinda got the breaks. What worries me is the Isles weren’t good outside of the first 15 minutes and still won.

Again, no shame in losing a game, but constantly failing to be ready for puck-drop is a disgrace.

It's not that you want Couturier moved down/minutes cut. It's that you thought that moving Derek Grant to the top line would be a fine idea when it was obviously proposed as a joke.
- jmatchett383

I wouldn't be against any changes or shake up that could work. JVR has sat several games straight because of lack of effort. So if effort is rewarded put Pitlick up with some of the top guys. Having some jam in the top 6 is not that foreign a concept. Try it out for a period. Maybe it works...maybe it wakes up whoever was demoted.

He will forecheck every time the puck is down low and keep the puck pinned in a lot more than it is now. Maybe create some space for Giroux/Hayes.

Hasn't that been a theme to the playoffs for the Flyers to this point? With the exception of Voracek, top players aren't finishing their chances. That is death for a team in the playoffs. Has to happen.
- MJL

Absolutely. The Isles got a goal from their captain, their big forward acquisition, and it was supplemented by an unexpected depth player. It’s all moot if you’re scoring and winning.

Flyers showed they had another gear that they looked like they didn’t have against Montreal. I’ll take it. But if the big guns don’t start scoring, it won’t matter.

I wouldn't be against any changes or shake up that could work. JVR has sat several games straight because of lack of effort. So if effort is rewarded put Pitlick up with some of the top guys. Having some jam in the top 6 is not that foreign a concept. Try it out for a period. Maybe it works...maybe it wakes up whoever was demoted.

He will forecheck every time the puck is down low and keep the puck pinned in a lot more than it is now. Maybe create some space for Giroux/Hayes.
- kennygarcon

Sure. All makes total sense. Good stuff.

We need to score first if we are to beat the isles. Flyers play much better when they are in the lead. It’s like night and day.

The clock is ticking on the holy trinity. They have been the core of this team and cant get it done. Individually very good players. Combined cant accomplish much. Dont want to hear the excuses as t it inst their fault and what not. Many factors why they cant get it done. At least 1 needs to be removed from the equation.

The clock is ticking on the holy trinity. They have been the core of this team and cant get it done. Individually very good players. Combined cant accomplish much. Dont want to hear the excuses as t it inst their fault and what not. Many factors why they cant get it done. At least 1 needs to be removed from the equation.
- login

Who has been making excuses for them? I don't think anyone has said anything other than they need to be better. I also don't think anyone else refers to them as "the holy trinity."

The clock is ticking on the holy trinity. They have been the core of this team and cant get it done. Individually very good players. Combined cant accomplish much. Dont want to hear the excuses as t it inst their fault and what not. Many factors why they cant get it done. At least 1 needs to be removed from the equation.
- login

One may be moved strictly bc of the cap situation facing the team over the next few years. Sadly, the one that will be on the way out is the one who has played great.

Who has been making excuses for them? I don't think anyone has said anything other than they need to be better. I also don't think anyone else refers to them as "the holy trinity."
- jmatchett383

Been many excuses over the years. Bottom line is results and this group hasn't provided any.

One may be moved strictly bc of the cap situation facing the team over the next few years. Sadly, the one that will be on the way out is the one who has played great.
- Flyers1218

Who has played great? With a flat cap not sure Jake is movable right now in a straight up trade.

Been many excuses over the years. Bottom line is results and this group hasn't provided any.
- login

They've produced over the years. Coots is an annual Selke candidate, Giroux is a consistent 70-90 point player, (sans 16/17) and Jake is still the best playmaker on the team. They don't usually NEED excuses.

But as far as these playoffs are concerned, they haven't been playing well (Voracek has, actually) and I haven't seen anyone making excuses for them.

Who has played great? With a flat cap not sure Jake is movable right now in a straight up trade.
- login

Then who would you move, since you said 1 has to be moved? Couturier, while having a bad playoff, has been your best player the past 2 years and is regarded as one of the top 2-way players in the league. The others have similar cap hits. So please, share your wisdom on a proposed trade that makes the Flyers better.

They've produced over the years. Coots is an annual Selke candidate, Giroux is a consistent 70-90 point player, (sans 16/17) and Jake is still the best playmaker on the team. They don't usually NEED excuses.

But as far as these playoffs are concerned, they haven't been playing well (Voracek has, actually) and I haven't seen anyone making excuses for them.
- jmatchett383

So, you're satisfied with Giroux having 1 goal in his last 23 playoff games?

Again, no shame in losing a game, but constantly failing to be ready for puck-drop is a disgrace.
- matman31

matman31, hello.

So, you're satisfied with Giroux having 1 goal in his last 23 playoff games?
- Phillywhiteout

Yes...that's exactly what I said. Exactly. Good job.

"But as far as these playoffs are concerned, they haven't been playing well (Voracek has, actually) and I haven't seen anyone making excuses for them."

Couturier had a horrid night, but so did most of the team, especially in the 1st and 3rd. A lot of this teams problems though will go away if they can figure out how to start a game the way they came out in the 2nd period. There is no magic lineup fix that will solve their problems, rather they need to be focused and intense right off the opening draw.

These teams are relatively equally matched. The series will be decided by who wants it more. It’s on the players.

Then who would you move, since you said 1 has to be moved? Couturier, while having a bad playoff, has been your best player the past 2 years and is regarded as one of the top 2-way players in the league. The others have similar cap hits. So please, share your wisdom on a proposed trade that makes the Flyers better.
- jmatchett383

I would listen on all 3. None are untouchable. 2 will need contracts in 2 years. I have zero interest in giving Couterier a 8 year deal for 9/10 million. He will have lots of heavy mileage on his body. Dont want to pay for past performance. What do you do with the face of the franchise? I dont see him moving as if he wanted to leave he would have dealt by now. At age 33 what type of deal do you give him? How much? As for proposed trades dont have any. All 3 are good players and if you look to move them you will find a partner. M

The GM is in a tough spot really. So does he decide to go for broke and go for it within the next 2 years? Looking at the farm system there isn’t much high end talent there forward with the exception of Frost. So really don’t see much help there to help this team get over the hump. Cant count on Patrick or Oscar at this time
They look to be a playoff team stuck in the middle. That is not a good spot to be in. So what does or should he do?


I realize I don't have as much wisdom when it comes to hockey like yourself. You are very knowledgeable. I am just learning about the game so please bare with me.

Couturier had a horrid night, but so did most of the team, especially in the 1st and 3rd. A lot of this teams problems though will go away if they can figure out how to start a game the way they came out in the 2nd period. There is no magic lineup fix that will solve their problems, rather they need to be focused and intense right off the opening draw.

These teams are relatively equally matched. The series will be decided by who wants it more. It’s on the players.
- BiggE

So you're saying don't move Grant top the top line and trade everyone?

They've produced over the years. Coots is an annual Selke candidate, Giroux is a consistent 70-90 point player, (sans 16/17) and Jake is still the best playmaker on the team. They don't usually NEED excuses.

But as far as these playoffs are concerned, they haven't been playing well (Voracek has, actually) and I haven't seen anyone making excuses for them.
- jmatchett383

They have produced what exactly as a team? As i said good individual players. Team wise they have failed so far.

I would listen on all 3. None are untouchable. 2 will need contracts in 2 years. I have zero interest in giving Couterier a 8 year deal for 9/10 million. He will have lots of heavy mileage on his body. Dont want to pay for past performance. What do you do with the face of the franchise? I dont see him moving as if he wanted to leave he would have dealt by now. At age 33 what type of deal do you give him? How much? As for proposed trades dont have any. All 3 are good players and if you look to move them you will find a partner. M

The GM is in a tough spot really. So does he decide to go for broke and go for it within the next 2 years? Looking at the farm system there isn’t much high end talent there forward with the exception of Frost. So really don’t see much help there to help this team get over the hump. Cant count on Patrick or Oscar at this time
They look to be a playoff team stuck in the middle. That is not a good spot to be in. So what does or should he do?


I realize I don't have as much wisdom when it comes to hockey like yourself. You are very knowledgeable. I am just learning about the game so please bare with me.
- login

Did you just say like 5 minutes ago that Jake wasn't moveable due to his contract???

I don't know what to do with Giroux and Coots in 2 years; that's an issue for 2 years from now (or close to it). No one is arguing with Giroux's lack of playoff success past 2012, and no one's saying he and Coots are playing well right now. But those are the only 2 vets that I wouldn't move. I know they have to be the team's best players, and they're not. But they've been broken up, sifted, etc. and it's still not working. I don't know what the answer us, but I don't think trading them just for a different look is a good idea, either.

They have produced what exactly as a team? As i said good individual players. Team wise they have failed so far.
- login

Edit: You're right, (frank) it, this team sucks, can't win jack poop. They should trade Coots and Giroux because they obviously can't win.

In fact, no reason to even play the next 3 games, just forfeit because no team this (frank)ing terrible could ever win.

Better?

I knew the Flyers weren't good enough to make it far. They had trouble with a non-playoff team...so what did you think was going to happen? Not trolling here..but the Flyers are just missing a couple of pieces to really be contenders. That said, they could easily get back in it if the so-called stars start to produce.

I knew the Flyers weren't good enough to make it far. They had trouble with a non-playoff team...so what did you think was going to happen? Not trolling here..but the Flyers are just missing a couple of pieces to really be contenders. That said, they could easily get back in it if the so-called stars start to produce.
- Good On Paper

So, to clarify; they're not good enough to make it far; but if their best players start acting like their best players, they can make it far?

I knew the Flyers weren't good enough to make it far. They had trouble with a non-playoff team...so what did you think was going to happen? Not trolling here..but the Flyers are just missing a couple of pieces to really be contenders. That said, they could easily get back in it if the so-called stars start to produce.
- Good On Paper

"not trolling here" said the obvious troll. Go back to your hole. The Flyers beat the Canadiens without getting a goal from the top 5 regular season goal scorers. That's how far away your team is.