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%
- login

I don't if I can blame the coaching. I mean the coach tells them to over pass the puck? To over-complicate zone entries? To try to make the perfect play vs. simply getting shots through traffic? It is true there a fine line between enabling creativity and stifling creativity and a coach that is too strict or too lenient can cause either to occur, but given this has been happening for years, even before AV and his current staff, I have to put this on the players 100%.

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
- Buzzo

The Islanders have a great coach and GM, no doubt about it, but they also have a lot of speed, skill and tenacity throughout their lineup!

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

Of course he is going to give up something, that is how a trade works, you give something and you get something back.

I don't if I can blame the coaching. I mean the coach tells them to over pass the puck? To over-complicate zone entries? To try to make the perfect play vs. simply getting shots through traffic? It is true there a fine line between enabling creativity and stifling creativity and a coach that is too strict or too lenient can cause either to occur, but given this has been happening for years, even before AV and his current staff, I have to put this on the players 100%.
- jd250

Agreed. The 'core' needs to be changed. I'm not saying the core players are bad, it just doesn't seem to work. It is year after year, without next-level results

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

If Buffalo has a feeling he won’t want to resign. They’d get more for him this year than next year as a pure rental

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

He has been rumoured to be available for a trade the last 2 years. Buffalo gm on the record saying nobody is safe. Btw he isn’t considered buffalo’s best dman.

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

Good special teams makes up for a lot of gaps and mistakes on a team, but the Flyers don't have good special teams. They often lose their structure on the PK which results in odd man disadvantages in the slot area, and on the PP they spend entirely too much time on the boards and not attacking the middle of the ice. I have no confidence with the current roster that this will be fixed. It wasn't fixed before AV came in with essentially the same players and it will not be fixed now. The Flyers need a trade badly IMO, otherwise they will be on the outside looking in. And look out for the Rangers, before the season ends they will get their stuff together and make a run. There is entirely too much talent on their roster to be where they are currently.

only thing I can add is lack of overall speed
- DaveofYork

I agree but there are some that feel we aren't a slow team and that we simply don't move the puck quickly. I don't think that's true. We have a few speedy/quick forwards (TK, Farabee, Jake) but our main play makers are average at best. (G, Coots, Hayes)
We seem to lose so many puck races.

While our defensive play and defense in general is our biggest weakness, we certainly aren't fast/quick enough either.

If you are talking about Buffalo I would look at Montour. I watched him when Philly played the Sabres and he played a ton of minutes. Not overly offensive but moves and passes well. Not sure of salary however.

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

I hope they don't get smoked

If you are talking about Buffalo I would look at Montour. I watched him when Philly played the Sabres and he played a ton of minutes. Not overly offensive but moves and passes well. Not sure of salary however.
- Daceroni

He is 3.85 million and a UFA next year..Any deal would require the agreement to extend

He is 3.85 million and a UFA next year..Any deal would require the agreement to extend
- RajaAmpat

Thanx something to think about though, Gus for him!!

Team Negative out in full force today.....

Team Negative out in full force today.....
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Lol. It’s Washington. They will win 6-2 just to play with our emotions.

Wyatt Kalynuk makes his hawks debut.

Thanx something to think about though, Gus for him!!
- Daceroni

The Flyers would have to give Buffalo something for taking Gus for the rest of the year as his hockey value is meh..but it could be workable in salary..

Flyers fans going to raise the roof! I expect to hear the chants, feel the energy and maybe even catch some “shoot” yells thru on the broadcast. No excuses with smaller numbers, folks!

Need the 2 points tonight.

Let’s go Flyers!

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.

I say bring Timonen back.

I miss him, and God were we robbed of Prongs.

I agree but there are some that feel we aren't a slow team and that we simply don't move the puck quickly. I don't think that's true. We have a few speedy/quick forwards (TK, Farabee, Jake) but our main play makers are average at best. (G, Coots, Hayes)
We seem to lose so many puck races.

While our defensive play and defense in general is our biggest weakness, we certainly aren't fast/quick enough either.
- fishbulb

G has gotten slow for sure, but hayes surprises me by how often he beats others, though I expect he'll slow down as his contract continues.
I am of the camp that says we have enough speed but we are ridiculously prone to stay stationary, hold on to the puck way too long, and wait for forwards like Jake to come back from waiting for their stretch passes.
I've been pleasantly surprised by Jake this year, that said, but if there is any player I would sell high on, it is he. Damn can that guy just disappear and dog it at the stage of his career. 4 years ago or whatever when he and g were just on fire together, it was a sight to behold. But those days are over, and if another team notices he's having a decent year and wanted to take his contract and maybe give us a prospect in return, I'm all for it.

All this leg and elbow room on the bandwagon is nice.

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

He's not even close to their best d-man. Did you forget about Dahlin?

i mean they could shop eichel so maybe they rebuild?
- 2Real

They missed the playoffs 10 straight seasons. Last series win 2007. Even HEX think that is a very slow rebuild

Cute glasses Taryn Kent)

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

Risto is awful. No hockey sense. He gets beat all over the ice. Buffalo is horrible defensively because they depend on Risto to play the "shut down" role.