That and their coverage of the expansion draft was embarrassingly awful. I think I'll have no choice but to give them the money for ESPN+ because I can't find any info on NHL Center Ice. I wonder if it is no longer a product because of the ESPN deal.
- Scoob

Cox cable still offers center ice. I just got an email in the last 10 days or so that I had a month to cancel if I wanted to

So true regarding the PP, it seemed like the entire PP strategy was to get the puck to the points and shoot it. The PP last year never attacked the center of the ice in the high slot area. The great PPs do that consistently. The other problem the Flyers had on the PP was their zone entry; they complicated it far too much IMO with that stupid sling shot play which also became far too predictable and easy to defend. I am hoping this year the players are allowed more autonomy to create and above all else, they must get the puck to high danger areas and then shoot the F***ing thing! I want to see JVR shooting more and deflecting less, because that means the Flyers are doing exactly this.
- jd250

With our new look on D. I have no problem with JVR in front for deflections. It's not ghost quarterbacking anymore. JVR is the best or second best at deflecting. Work on passes quickly and accurately. Just look at Boston, Tampa, or washington's PP. tic tact toe passes going side to side with a quick shot.

Highly unlikely.
- MJL

With Allison out, they could run Forrestor for a few games on RW until Allison is healed up and ready....provided he shows up well in the pre-season as he has in all the camp's. Not saying it's likely but it could be done.

Agree 100%. The thing is imo there was no need to sign Nate. You let what you have in house battle it out. If they show they cant handle it then you adjust and go get your 4th line vet. They are always available 24/7 is all I am saying. By signing Nate you are not giving those in house guys a true look. Not putting them with other guys who will be in the lineup to see what they can do. Then if you are hell bent on that 4th line vet there were better options than Nate. AV wanted Nate imo so here we are.

Frost is a diff case as he hasn't played much hockey in the last 18 months.
- hello it's me 2050

I’m not a big fan of the Thompson signing either, I agree it looks like a AV ask…but that’s the way this league works…coaches like AV are respected enough that GM’s try and give them what they feel will help win.

That and their coverage of the expansion draft was embarrassingly awful. That was an opportunity for them to shine and they fell flat on their face. I think I'll have no choice but to give them the money for ESPN+ because I can't find any info on NHL Center Ice. I wonder if it is no longer a product because of the ESPN deal.
- Scoob

That's correct, the NHL.tv is one now, in fact if you go to that web page, it redirects to ESPN+, so that's the only game in town it seems for out of market viewers.

That and their coverage of the expansion draft was embarrassingly awful. That was an opportunity for them to shine and they fell flat on their face. I think I'll have no choice but to give them the money for ESPN+ because I can't find any info on NHL Center Ice. I wonder if it is no longer a product because of the ESPN deal.
- Scoob

Interesting. I'll have to look into this. Have comcast but am considered out of market.

All are on one year almost at league minimum deals. They were signed to add to the depth and as insurance against last year’s debacle…we’re young guys didn’t play well for the most part. So I respectfully disagree. Nothing is given in the NHL, the young guys have to show they belong.
- landros 2

This is where I disagree. They were not signed for depth. They were signed to be in the everyday lineup. Time will tell...

With Allison out, they could run Forrestor for a few games on RW until Allison is healed up and ready....provided he shows up well in the pre-season as he has in all the camp's. Not saying it's likely but it could be done.
- juiced

would this count against a year for his contract? I don't think if he plays in the ahl solely this year it counts, but could be wrong. If so i wouldn't just to save a year unless i was certain he had a chance to stick.

anyone know for certain?

I’m not a big fan of the Thompson signing either, I agree it looks like a AV ask…but that’s the way this league works…coaches like AV are respected enough that GM’s try and give them what they feel will help win.
- landros 2

yep the good ole boy club that keeps getting recycled.

Me too. I am most interested in seeing how the d corp looks/has improved and the follow on effect of Hart's play.

I expect the PK to be improved, but really don't know how the goal scoring will shake down. Will losing Jake be a big impact in goals scored? Maybe. Atkinson has some skill and O ability, but our main guys will need to drive the bus, G, Coots, TK, JVR Cam, hayes a bit and maybe Oskar.

The easiest goal you score however is the one you don't allow.
- Hextall271

Likewise. I just want to see good fundamentally sound defense. Sometimes you'll the opposition just execute better offense, but for ne it's the attention to detail. Definitely focusing on defense tonight.

Cox cable still offers center ice. I just got an email in the last 10 days or so that I had a month to cancel if I wanted to
- corduroy

xfinity still has a message to "check back in the fall for info." I'll give them a couple more weeks before I go with ESPN.

Yes, its unlikely, but the point is still the same, this forward group needs a sniper or two still.
- jd250

He might be closer then guys think….he is very, very close, although I think another year in the “A” or even the OHL wouldn’t hurt him. The coach’s have said his skating is no longer an issue. That’s huge, because he does other things at a very high level.

That's correct, the NHL.tv is one now, in fact if you go to that web page, it redirects to ESPN+, so that's the only game in town it seems for out of market viewers.
- jd250

NHL.tv and NHL Center Ice are/were different products.

NHL.tv will cease to exist in the United States and be folded into ESPN+. There will be 75 exclusive games streamed on ESPN+ and Hulu that are produced by ESPN. This deal doesn't impact the NHL Center Ice out-of-market television package sold by providers. theathletic.com/news Mar 10, 2021

Do some research and look at his ES point production. He is a 3rd line player and a very solid one.
- MJL

I did, hence why i asked about the "High Rate". He is your typical third liner at best who commits stupid penalties at the worst moments. Second on the team in penalties only behind useless NAK. Consistently a leader in penalties.

This is where I disagree. They were not signed for depth. They were signed to be in the everyday lineup. Time will tell...
- hello it's me 2050

Yup. Like most fans I hope the young guys take jobs, because with them there’s room to grow…..but after last year Fletch wasn’t going to sit back and let that happen again. Can’t blame him one bit.

This is where I disagree. They were not signed for depth. They were signed to be in the everyday lineup. Time will tell...
- hello it's me 2050

I figured the new additions are all roster players for sure. I hoped that Thompson could serve as the 13th forward, but with the injuries to Hayes and Allison, it seems likely he will be in the opening lineup and a regular to start. Some had NAK as 13th.

I heard they rotated Thompson and Laughton between C and LW at practices. I guess if Thompson is 13th, he will play wing unless there are more injuries.

I did, hence why i asked about the "High Rate". He is your typical third liner at best who commits stupid penalties at the worst moments. Second on the team in penalties only behind useless NAK. Consistently a leader in penalties.
- WhiskeyMan

A simple 2 minute internet search shows this to be demonstrably false.

https://twitter.com/JHall...5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

would this count against a year for his contract? I don't think if he plays in the ahl solely this year it counts, but could be wrong. If so i wouldn't just to save a year unless i was certain he had a chance to stick.

anyone know for certain?
- Peter Richards

10 game slide rule.

Anyone else think this will be a big year for ratcliffe.

That's correct, the NHL.tv is one now, in fact if you go to that web page, it redirects to ESPN+, so that's the only game in town it seems for out of market viewers.
- jd250

Wrong -- center ice is still available in certain markets. nhl,tv is no more, that has been replaced by espn+

Jake was great, don't get me wrong. But always feel he did better with G. G will still produce. Cam may score some more goals and will help with the PK and shorthanded goals. Our PP was predictable. I think removing him may help this improve as well, as weird as that sounds. I have other reasons why i was glad to move on from Jake. With Cam in town, what's really the difference in points being produced? Couple that with better defense and the cap savings...win win win.
- Peter Richards

Yeah. I was most happy with that trade. I’m sure that everyone in here was sick of me saying how I thought trading Jake was the way to go so change the chemistry of the forwards and team. I just hope I was right with with that opinion.

https://www.cox.com/resid...orts-and-tv-packages.html

I always see people overrating Laughton. On a true contending team he is the perfect 4th line center. That's really all he is. Hayes is really a perfect third line center and Coots is a perfect second line center. Now they just need to go out and steal someone's first line center!!
- Phillywhiteout

I like Laughton, but don't think my opinion is overrating him. I believe he is more than a 4th line center. IMO, ideally he is a 3rd line LW on a good team. Problem is, this team has a log jam at LW and now a need a center due to injuries.
I'm glad the Flyers extended Laughton. I'm not thrilled with $3M AAV for 5 years, but I am okay with it. With him, you're paying for the versatility. Can slot in as a bottom 6 LW or C. Capable of playing in the top 6 short term if necessary. Solid on the PK, and I would consider him a plus skater on this team.
If the Flyers agree with you, and see him as nothing more than a 4C, then that extension was a huge mistake. No way can you lock up $3M for 5 years in a 4C.

Did Laczynski have hip surgery in April? Why is there talk about him needing hip surgery again?