Way too early but if the Flyers don't make the playoffs it's a colossal failure on the part of management however in my view. It won't be the worst thing in the world.
- MJL

I'd make the argument it's a colossal failure on the coaching staff and players. Management did its part to improve. Probably flopped on the backup goalie but I feel they tried their best to improve the team.

He’s a physical specimen, a Drago if you will.

His hockey IQ is very questionable (Rasmus), and Sanheim for all of his positives does tend to make memorable mistakes when he does make them.

That pair is going to be challenging but I really don’t see too many options. Braun has played well with Sanheim before but Fletcher is going to get torched for paying what he did for a 3rd pairing Ristolainen.

If this continues, and very true that it’s early. The mistake needs to be acknowledged and talks of extension be stopped.

The off season is often a mixed bag for most teams, although Florida with Zito is something commendable. The Flyers do look to have made some good moves in the summer. Curious how it all turns out.

I’ll maintain Hart is the most important player moving forward. Keep it up kid.
- FlyerFan3260

Fletcher had a clear case of tunnel visio when it came to Risto.

My biggest concern over the last couple of games is the play of the first line...
- Phillywhiteout

What do you do? On the one hand, I have no faith in Konecny. I see Coots and G doing good things, and I see TK as the drag on the line. On the other hand, if you drop TK, you never gave them a chance to form chemistry, a mistake AV is trying not to repeat. And who would go there anyway? Useless JvR? Laughs?

I'd make the argument it's a colossal failure on the coaching staff and players. Management did its part to improve. Probably flopped on the backup goalie but I feel they tried their best to improve the team.
- Pelle31Forever

The question is really about the manner in how they tried to improve the team. Honestly, I said a lot about this before the season started and that I felt they took the wrong approach. Right now, I think it's time to let it play out. I still think this team is what I thought it was. A playoff caliber team but not a contender.

What do you do? On the one hand, I have no faith in Konecny. I see Coots and G doing good things, and I see TK as the drag on the line. On the other hand, if you drop TK, you never gave them a chance to form chemistry, a mistake AV is trying not to repeat. And who would go there anyway? Useless JvR? Laughs?
- therabbi

They've had a couple of subpar games but Konecny has made as many plays as Giroux and Couturier have. Konecny is a pretty good player and not at all a drag.

Again, really too soon to make a definitive analysis but Ristolainen looks to be exactly what all the information said he was. Lets hope not because if this is the player they're getting, it's a fire-able offense for Fletcher.

- MJL

He's played two games so far, his first game he made 1 bad play and missed a weak side coverage in the slot area because he was gassed. However yesterday I thought he played well. What I want to see more is Risto on the PK, and less of Braun and Provey, because neither player can cover the slot area as well as Risto. Its not Risto's fault that the entire Flyers team is playing in their own end for most of these games and thus his metrics reflect that. What I have seen from Risto so far is a physical defenseman that wins battles and covers the slot area well.

He's played two games so far, his first game he made 1 bad play and missed a weak side coverage in the slot area because he was gassed. However yesterday I thought he played well. What I want to see more is Risto on the PK, and less of Braun and Provey, because neither player can cover the slot area as well as Risto. Its not Risto's fault that the entire Flyers team is playing in their own end for most of these games and thus his metrics reflect that. What I have seen from Risto so far is a physical defenseman that wins battles and covers the slot area well.
- jd250

The Flyers seem to be chasing the game more often than naught, and its most definitely by design.

Aside from what's looking like a small aberration from Vigneault, this team far too often chooses to willingly give pucks away by dumping them in and struggle in retrieving for possession.

On a similar note, the breakout scheme fears the middle of the ice, and opponents have caught on to this. The Flyers either try low percentage hail mary passes or trudge the puck along the boards leading to easy negation. There are a number of defensemen on the team that could do more to help move the puck.

These aren't new issues, they were present all of last season and there have been no adjustments. This has been a decent start to the year, but they are likely riding a somewhat unsustainable shooting %. Longstanding issues may come home to roost.

FYI Phantoms Vs Wilkes Barre on NHL channel.

The Flyers seem to be chasing the game more often than naught, and its most definitely by design.

Aside from what's looking like a small aberration from Vigneault, this team far too often chooses to willingly give pucks away by dumping them in and struggle in retrieving for possession.

On a similar note, the breakout scheme fears the middle of the ice, and opponents have caught on to this. The Flyers either try low percentage hail mary passes or trudge the puck along the boards leading to easy negation. There are a number of defensemen on the team that could do more to help move the puck.

These aren't new issues, they were present all of last season and there have been no adjustments.
- FlyerFan3260

Really?

He's played two games so far, his first game he made 1 bad play and missed a weak side coverage in the slot area because he was gassed. However yesterday I thought he played well. What I want to see more is Risto on the PK, and less of Braun and Provey, because neither player can cover the slot area as well as Risto. Its not Risto's fault that the entire Flyers team is playing in their own end for most of these games and thus his metrics reflect that. What I have seen from Risto so far is a physical defenseman that wins battles and covers the slot area well.
- jd250

Ristolainen has not played well and have to give some slack here because he is coming off of injury and may not be 100%. I don't know. All I know is if what he was in the last two games is what he is going to be moving forward, that's bad news for the Flyers. It's not just metrics. He has not been good in coverage or in transition. He's a player that so far in two games lacks hockey sense and lack anticipation of the play. He's slow to react and reading plays. That's what I've seen so far. I'm really hoping he's just not fully up to speed yet because what I see so far is scary. Here is an example if his coverage of the slot area.

https://www.nhl.com/video...nge/t-326161484/c-9218218

Really?

- MBFlyerfan

When a team so willingly gives up possession, or doubles down on a failed transition scheme.

I am not sure what else one would call it. Their infatuation with dumping the puck in, or the above mentioned breakout scheme is clearly by design.

Or do you believe they are choosing to play this way on their own for 2+ years. That's an interesting belief to have.

Edit: I am sure Therrien is also a dynamic PP architect and they simply ran out such asinine ideas last season on their own.

The Flyers seem to be chasing the game more often than naught, and its most definitely by design.

Aside from what's looking like a small aberration from Vigneault, this team far too often chooses to willingly give pucks away by dumping them in and struggle in retrieving for possession.

On a similar note, the breakout scheme fears the middle of the ice, and opponents have caught on to this. The Flyers either try low percentage hail mary passes or trudge the puck along the boards leading to easy negation. There are a number of defensemen on the team that could do more to help move the puck.

These aren't new issues, they were present all of last season and there have been no adjustments. This has been a decent start to the year, but they are likely riding a somewhat unsustainable shooting %. Longstanding issues may come home to roost.
- FlyerFan3260

You've lost me here. They can play better then they have the last two games but they're light years better than they were last season overall. No comparison. Right now they have a hole at center and the top line has struggled the last two games.

When a team so willingly gives up possession, or doubles down on a failed transition scheme.

I am not sure what else one would call it. Their infatuation with dumping the puck in, or the above mentioned breakout scheme is clearly by design.

Or do you believe they are choosing to play this way on their own for 2+ years. That's an interesting belief to have.

Edit: I am sure Therrien is also a dynamic PP architect and they simply ran out such asinine ideas last season on their own.
- FlyerFan3260

Dumping the puck in is situational and really part of puck management. One of the biggest issues is the amount of time they have spent in their own end defending. When you do that, you wind up with players who are gassed and need a change so they dump it in. Also a team like Florida is really good in the neutral zone so they force you to shoot it in and try to get in on the forecheck.
I like the PP look with Giroux on the point. I think it adds a good dynamic.

You've lost me here. They can play better then they have the last two games but they're light years better than they were last season overall. No comparison. Right now they have a hole at center and the top line has struggled the last two games.
- MJL

They are better, no doubt. Their shooting % however is helping this, and I am not sure that's going to remain.

I see very similar systemic issues that contributed to struggles last season. As mentioned, the dump-in and breakout schemes.

We tend to disagree at times, and that's alright. More talent will help, but I'll maintain there are deeper concerns with how they are coached to play that make things harder than they have to be. Alas, my crosshairs are predictably not pointed at the players themselves.

It's a decent start, hopefully they continue to find a way to find some success.

They are better, no doubt. Their shooting % however is helping this, and I am not sure that's going to remain.

I see very similar systemic issues that contributed to struggles last season. As mentioned, the dump-in and breakout schemes.

We tend to disagree at times, and that's alright. More talent will help, but I'll maintain there are deeper concerns with how they are coached to play that make things harder than they have to be. Alas, my crosshairs are predictably not pointed at the players themselves.

It's a decent start, hopefully they continue to find a way to find some success.
- FlyerFan3260

No doubt that the hot shooting is not going to last and I posted that previously. If they play that game against Boston again, they'll lose 9 out of 10 times. I don't see it as a coaching or a scheme issue currently.

Dumping the puck in is situational and really part of puck management. One of the biggest issues is the amount of time they have spent in their own end defending. When you do that, you wind up with players who are gassed and need a change so they dump it in. Also a team like Florida is really good in the neutral zone so they force you to shoot it in and try to get in on the forecheck.
I like the PP look with Giroux on the point. I think it adds a good dynamic.
- MJL

See here is where one needs to look deeper.

They partly spend so much time in their own zone (going back to last season), because even when they do regain control of the puck they far too often refuse to use the middle of the ice to breakout.

There isn't enough creativity on those breakout schemes. How many times have we seen a skilled, good skating defenseman rim the puck up the boards and the team lose possession near the blue line in a 1:1 battle. It's easy to negate this when scouting the Flyers, and does indeed contribute to excessive time defending.

See here is where one needs to look deeper.

They partly spend so much time in their own zone (going back to last season), because even when they do regain control of the puck they far too often refuse to use the middle of the ice to breakout.

There isn't enough creativity on those breakout schemes. How many times have we seen a skilled, good skating defenseman rim the puck up the boards and the team lose possession near the blue line in a 1:1 battle. It's easy to negate this when scouting the Flyers, and does indeed contribute to excessive time defending.
- FlyerFan3260

This was a huge issue last year but I don't see it as the same this year.

Through 4 games how many goals has the 4th line produced? Can't wait for the answer
- PLindbergh31

if you know the answer why you asking

Way too early but if the Flyers don't make the playoffs it's a colossal failure on the part of management however in my view. It won't be the worst thing in the world.
- MJL

what would the failure be, they shouldve traded for eichel? Should be on the players, management has done everything to make this team better. If they are 10 12 points better but miss the playoffs, is that a failure? Or you just trying to blame Chuck again...Still bitter the flyers axed Ronnie...get over it already, its been years

Again, really too soon to make a definitive analysis but Ristolainen looks to be exactly what all the information said he was. Lets hope not because if this is the player they're getting, it's a fire-able offense for Fletcher.

- MJL

ahahahaha, thats hilarious. Fired for getting a physical RHD which we needed. Maybe Sandheim needs to play better.

He's played two games so far, his first game he made 1 bad play and missed a weak side coverage in the slot area because he was gassed. However yesterday I thought he played well. What I want to see more is Risto on the PK, and less of Braun and Provey, because neither player can cover the slot area as well as Risto. Its not Risto's fault that the entire Flyers team is playing in their own end for most of these games and thus his metrics reflect that. What I have seen from Risto so far is a physical defenseman that wins battles and covers the slot area well.
- jd250

I agree he’s played two games and some already see him as a failure….lol…really shows how little some actually know about the sport…it’s laughable. Funny the same guys who didn’t like the trade are nit picking every little detail about Risto’s game….two games in!!! I’m not 100% sure he’s going to work out. There are things he doesn’t do very well, but there are things he does do very well and things he brings that the Flyers lack….was it a reach with what Fletcher paid ? Maybe ? It’s a new team for the guy, a new system, a new partner (one who we’ve all seen comes with his own set of issues). Perhaps giving the guy 10-15 games before you run a guy out of town….i think he’s a clear top 4…but not a top pairing like he was in Buffalo…. in the end the detractors might be right, but there’s no need to rush to judgement because their bias’s are a really bad look.

Ristolainen has not played well and have to give some slack here because he is coming off of injury and may not be 100%. I don't know. All I know is if what he was in the last two games is what he is going to be moving forward, that's bad news for the Flyers. It's not just metrics. He has not been good in coverage or in transition. He's a player that so far in two games lacks hockey sense and lack anticipation of the play. He's slow to react and reading plays. That's what I've seen so far. I'm really hoping he's just not fully up to speed yet because what I see so far is scary. Here is an example if his coverage of the slot area.

https://www.nhl.com/video...nge/t-326161484/c-9218218
- MJL

thanks for this video, I mentioned this very play in my post, I think Risto was gassed and was caught puck watching instead of tying up Marchant stick. I too expect and hope he plays better as he gets more comfortable, because if not it was a bad move by Fletcher. One thing a GM should every do is fall in love with any one player. Right now I am not worried, I think he will be fine on the second pair I think Sanheim has to play much better also.

The question is really about the manner in how they tried to improve the team. Honestly, I said a lot about this before the season started and that I felt they took the wrong approach. Right now, I think it's time to let it play out. I still think this team is what I thought it was. A playoff caliber team but not a contender.
- MJL

I hear ya. I just don't know if there were moves to be made to make them a contender. At least not for this season

ahahahaha, thats hilarious. Fired for getting a physical RHD which we needed. Maybe Sandheim needs to play better.
- bradster

The last guy wasted a # 2 pick on Patrick …drafted O’Brien, Rubstov an a struggling Morgan Frost….but ya let’s fire a GM for trading to upgrade the teams biggest need. I think he should have been fired if he wasn’t proactive in the off season….there was absolutely “ZERO’ reason to bring back the same team that sucked last year…that to me would have gotten him fired for dereliction of duty.

Through 4 games how many goals has the 4th line produced? Can't wait for the answer
- PLindbergh31

4?