Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/7/21 vs. WSH

Good morning Flyers fans.

Braun and Prosser in your top 4 is a sight to see. Ghost should be with Ivan. He is the best option. Gus such a waste; didn't see that coming at all.

At least we don’t have to deal with Wilson thank god.

Off topic but I invested in some good cash into Lafreniere rookie cards. Guess I need to start rooting for the Rags now

Another game, another loss because the Flyers shoot themselves in the foot with bad mistakes. Lost puck battles, lots and lots of turnovers, failed d zone clearing attempts, horrible PK, too much passing on the PP, soft goal tending and bad line changes. This is a game the Flyers had in hand and they throw up all over themselves. You can blame coaching if you want, but these are the same issues we have seen for quite a while, with multiple coaches!

You look at this team on paper and you think, wow, they have tremendous depth and a nice balance of veterans and younger players. But when you watch each game, you see a lot more flaws. If the Flyers are going to have a shot this year, they need a top 4 D and a shoot first forward, otherwise I think there is a real chance they are not even going to make the playoffs!

Another game, another loss because the Flyers shoot themselves in the foot with bad mistakes. Lost puck battles, lots and lots of turnovers, failed d zone clearing attempts, horrible PK, too much passing on the PP, soft goal tending and bad line changes. This is a game the Flyers had in hand and they throw up all over themselves. You can blame coaching if you want, but these are the same issues we have seen for quite a while, with multiple coaches!

You look at this team on paper and you think, wow, they have tremendous depth and a nice balance of veterans and younger players. But when you watch each game, you see a lot more flaws. If the Flyers are going to have a shot this year, they need a top 4 D and a shoot first forward, otherwise I think there is a real chance they are not even going to make the playoffs!
- jd250

They are a terrible team defensively. They have lazy forwards. Not a good combination. Maybe this team just isnt as good as Flyers fans think.

Special teams should not be this bad. For that blame coaching 100%

I think it’s going to be an ugly loss...along the lines of a 6-2 Caps’ win.

I really hope Fletch addresses the need for a top-4 dman, without mortgaging the future. Also hoping he adds some grit to the forward corps. Wouldn’t mind seeing Zac Rinaldo picked up from the Flames.

I think the Isles are the best team in the east now. Maybe always have been this year. Great coaching and solid top to bottom. Not a ton of star power, but they work hard and play as a team.
That’s on coaching IMO

I think it’s going to be an ugly loss...along the lines of a 6-2 Caps’ win.

I really hope Fletch addresses the need for a top-4 dman, without mortgaging the future. Also hoping he adds some grit to the forward corps. Wouldn’t mind seeing Zac Rinaldo picked up from the Flames.
- BroadSTmayhem

How do you accomplish that? Give up scraps?

Another game, another loss because the Flyers shoot themselves in the foot with bad mistakes. Lost puck battles, lots and lots of turnovers, failed d zone clearing attempts, horrible PK, too much passing on the PP, soft goal tending and bad line changes. This is a game the Flyers had in hand and they throw up all over themselves. You can blame coaching if you want, but these are the same issues we have seen for quite a while, with multiple coaches!

You look at this team on paper and you think, wow, they have tremendous depth and a nice balance of veterans and younger players. But when you watch each game, you see a lot more flaws. If the Flyers are going to have a shot this year, they need a top 4 D and a shoot first forward, otherwise I think there is a real chance they are not even going to make the playoffs!
- jd250

I feel like we’ve been saying this for a decade now. Sigh

At least we don’t have to deal with Wilson thank god.

Off topic but I invested in some good cash into Lafreniere rookie cards. Guess I need to start rooting for the Rags now
- hereticpride

Wilson will still be suspended 2-3 games for glaring at the Flyers bench during warmups.

They are a terrible team defensively. They have lazy forwards. Not a good combination. Maybe this team just isnt as good as Flyers fans think.
- login

Sounds like the Caps.

Please explain how fletcher acquires a top 4 dman without giving up anything? If he isn’t trading a roster player he is giving up some future.

The playoffs last year showed this team needed more scoring, and severe work on special teams. Some grit wouldn't hurt either

They loose a top Dman , and don't replace him . Hart is also suffering for this.
Management didn't address Niskanen loss, kept their special teams coaches in place.
I wouldn't be surprised if a loss today results in a trade. Current roster will not go anywhere in the playoffs

I think it's a bit presumptuous to think they make the playoffs. 5 teams battling for 4 spots and I feel the Flyers are the worst defensively out of all. Add to that how pedestrian the special teams have been and it looks bleaker and bleaker.

I'll admit I overrated these guys. I thought they'd be a lock to get in. They still very well could, but they won't get any further than they did last year if changes aren't made.

The fact that Gus is still a healthy scratch now proves how bad of a signing this was by Chuckie. It's like he threw poop against the wall to see if it would stick. You lose a defenseman like Niskanen and you sign a guy that is comparable to Ghost, but even worse defensively. Very bad signing and they HAVE to replace Niskanen with a viable top 2 defender as soon as possible or this season is going right down the toilet.

I think it's a bit presumptuous to think they make the playoffs. 5 teams battling for 4 spots and I feel the Flyers are the worst defensively out of all. Add to that how pedestrian the special teams have been and it looks bleaker and bleaker.

I'll admit I overrated these guys. I thought they'd be a lock to get in. They still very well could, but they won't get any further than they did last year if changes aren't made.
- Pelle31Forever

You could almost say 6 teams for 4 spots as the Rags are now heating up and they could be a factor as well.

Niskanen was only on the ice for xx minutes a game. I blame coaching at the assistant level for the other 40 minutes of D zone dumpster fire, Yeo and Therrien..terrible below the dots always allowing opposing player to get behind them/between them and the goalie.

Niskanen was only on the ice for xx minutes a game. I blame coaching at the assistant level for the other 40 minutes of D zone dumpster fire, Yeo and Therrien..terrible below the dots always allowing opposing player to get behind them/between them and the goalie.
- RajaAmpat

Niskanen not being replaced has put others in positions they did not play last year.
How many partners has Provorov had ? His game has not been as good as last year.
Needs a stable partner.
If your team progresses like it did last year, and you loose a top Dman ( not their fault), and he is not replaced. Don't you think there will be a drop off? I am sure Homer would have rolled the dice by now.

Please explain how fletcher acquires a top 4 dman without giving up anything? If he isn’t trading a roster player he is giving up some future.
- Keyser soze

Overpay for a guy at the end of his career like we always do lol

Seriously tho, if they wanna go all in with G and Jake while they’re still effective we’re getting to the point where I wouldn’t mind moving picks for established players (on there right of 30 of course).

Yeah. Not what I expected.

Niskanen not being replaced has put others in positions they did not play last year.
How many partners has Provorov had ? His game has not been as good as last year.
Needs a stable partner.
If your team progresses like it did last year, and you loose a top Dman ( not their fault), and he is not replaced. Don't you think there will be a drop off? I am sure Homer would have rolled the dice by now.
- 3flyerkids

I agree, but there are the same errors being constantly repeated..If the players are in panic mode .. the kind where they get an adrenaline panic rush to their brain and forget everything they learned and are overplaying a situation or multiple players taking one guys assignment, that is coaching..

Overpay for a guy at the end of his career like we always do lol

Seriously tho, if they wanna go all in with G and Jake while they’re still effective we’re getting to the point where I wouldn’t mind moving picks for established players (on there right of 30 of course).
- hereticpride

Yes I’m with you here. I really like Ristoleinen from Buffalo. He struggled early in his career but this year and last year he is coming into his own. He will cost you but it’s something the flyers desperately need. Ekholm for me is a nice player but isn’t physical and is already 30. Risto is a younger version of Ekholm with a mean streak that this team needs back there.

Yes I’m with you here. I really like Ristoleinen from Buffalo. He struggled early in his career but this year and last year he is coming into his own. He will cost you but it’s something the flyers desperately need. Ekholm for me is a nice player but isn’t physical and is already 30. Risto is a younger version of Ekholm with a mean streak that this team needs back there.
- Keyser soze

Why would Buffalo part with their best dman, and especially one who has the biggest upside?

Another game, another loss because the Flyers shoot themselves in the foot with bad mistakes. Lost puck battles, lots and lots of turnovers, failed d zone clearing attempts, horrible PK, too much passing on the PP, soft goal tending and bad line changes. This is a game the Flyers had in hand and they throw up all over themselves. You can blame coaching if you want, but these are the same issues we have seen for quite a while, with multiple coaches!

You look at this team on paper and you think, wow, they have tremendous depth and a nice balance of veterans and younger players. But when you watch each game, you see a lot more flaws. If the Flyers are going to have a shot this year, they need a top 4 D and a shoot first forward, otherwise I think there is a real chance they are not even going to make the playoffs!
- jd250

only thing I can add is lack of overall speed

Why would Buffalo part with their best dman, and especially one who has the biggest upside?
- BroadSTmayhem

i mean they could shop eichel so maybe they rebuild?