Good win. Harter Cart was fantastic
- corduroy

It s been a fantastic start to his year. Considering he was probably the biggest question mark coming in that’s a big deal for the Flyers.

Plays a north south game…hits, will fight and doesn’t try to do to much. There is also some decent skill there as well….he looks like a keeper.
- landros 2

I don't know how hockey veterans like you can draw so many conclusions (in either direction:+ or -), from this part of the season. The style of play is so loose right now. Teams don't commit to Team D. Game changes so much in the last half or 1/3 of season.

Risto's shortcoming has always been poor positioning and hockey instincts. Giving up the neutral zone too easily. When the season matures, and the game becomes more cat-and-mouse and attritional, when single mistakes lead to changed outcomes, then you will see the true worth of Risto.

I am prepared to keep an open mind. I have my doubts, but we will see.

I put Farabee up there to get him going. Same can be said about Lindblom but I chose Farabee because he is the higher end offensive player.
- MJL

yeah I get it and we are splitting hairs. I think Lindblom because he has played well with Coots in the past, I think their games compliment each other. the other piece is I think Laughton, Bee and TK would make a really good skating line that should create trouble for other teams

I know what I am watching game in and game out. I NEVER said Risto was playing poorly, only that he was compensating for the poor play of his defensive partner. Now that Sanheim is playing better, you can see Risto is playing a much more free game, taking more risks like the play he made at the blue line setting up that Hayes goal. IMO, Risto not only plays physical, but he does consistently make the plays top defenseman make. He certainly was a key difference maker last night, and that was not the first time this season he has been a difference maker. You just refuse to admit it, even though the evidence is clearly mounting against you. Don't give into your hate and embrace the RISTO!!
- jd250

You keep making this claim that you know what you are watching game in and game out. That has proven to be not true by looking at the facts. Most recently by your comment that the Flyers PK has been excellent. While they are in the bottom of the league in scoring chances and high danger chances allowed.

As far as Ristolainen is concerned, there is no factual information that shows that Ristolainen is a difference maker. Provide the information!. You won't because you can't. Let's look at Ristolainen's best trait. Which is playing physical. Radko Gudas, Kyle Buroughs, Josh Brown, Connor Clifton and Mark Borowiecki all hit at a higher rate than Ristolainen does. None of them are dominant defenseman and none are difference makers in this league.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...sPer60&page=0&pageSize=50

If you want to look at the facts with defenseman who are actually difference makers, we can do that and show you the difference.

Again, you make another comment that Sanheim was the reason why Ristolainen did not play aggressively offensively. You offer no facts or proof to support that. Again, why isn't it the other way around? You can't answer.

Feel free to show me this mounting evidence.

I think the denizens on this board thrive on losses. and they are not representative of sports fans (philly or elsewhere) for that matter. most fans are happy supporting their team as it's entertainment.

I read Bill's articles, and much like slowing down at a car accident I may peruse the commentariat.
- OldBay

You mean you peruse the profiles?

I know this sounds crazy and I wouldn't have thought I would be concerned about this at the start of the season, but I am concerned about loosing Thompson and what impact that will have on the PK.
- jd250

Impact on a PK that is not very good? Why? Thompson is not the PK center that you think he is. He doesn't even take that many shorthanded faceoffs. A 4th line center that doesn't take PK draws? What would they be missing?

I believe the best news we've had to this point of the season is the play of Hart. He's looked very good the last while and I'm glad he's overcome last season as I thought he would.

The team Canada debate is another thing. If he keeps playing like this, I could see him making it as backup or 3rd string. Normally, I'd say Price is the shoe in starter, but with all he's been through, that may not happen this year. So then who do you have to consider? I would say possibly Fleury.. then you're down to Holtby. Best scenario for team canada would be a healthy Price backup up by Hart and Fleury i'd say.

One other aspect to consider in Hart's favour is that he's had a good track record with Hockey Canada. 2X WJ medals and a World Champ silver. I think that really solidifies him as a consideration to make the team.
- Hextall271

As Hart's single biggest cheerleader on this board last season, props are due to you. I had my doubts, but so far I have been delighted to be wrong. Even more delighted that Devonta Smith, all 165 lbs of him, is getting off the line of scrimmage so smoothly, but that's a different story.

You keep making this claim that you know what you are watching game in and game out. That has proven to be not true by looking at the facts. Most recently by your comment that the Flyers PK has been excellent. While they are in the bottom of the league in scoring chances and high danger chances allowed.

As far as Ristolainen is concerned, there is no factual information that shows that Ristolainen is a difference maker. Provide the information!. You won't because you can't. Let's look at Ristolainen's best trait. Which is playing physical. Radko Gudas, Kyle Buroughs, Josh Brown, Connor Clifton and Mark Borowiecki all hit at a higher rate than Ristolainen does. None of them are dominant defenseman and none are difference makers in this league.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...sPer60&page=0&pageSize=50

If you want to look at the facts with defenseman who are actually difference makers, we can do that and show you the difference.

Again, you make another comment that Sanheim was the reason why Ristolainen did not play aggressively offensively. You offer no facts or proof to support that. Again, why isn't it the other way around? You can't answer.

Feel free to show me this mounting evidence.
- MJL

I cant believe we want to bash Risto again after last nights game.....Can't even give it a rest for one day especially after how he played last night. He was great.....not facts, just my opinion. Not sure how you use facts to justify how someone is great or not as usually there can be facts that prove both ways good or bad, just cherry picking stats will do that.

Impact on a PK that is not very good? Why? Thompson is not the PK center that you think he is. He doesn't even take that many shorthanded faceoffs. A 4th line center that doesn't take PK draws? What would they be missing?
- MJL

Watch Nate out there on the pk He is slow and stands around. They have better players to utilize; yet they don't.

Having Allison and Mac with Nate potentially on the 4th line is a waste of the 2 wingers.

Impact on a PK that is not very good? Why? Thompson is not the PK center that you think he is. He doesn't even take that many shorthanded faceoffs. A 4th line center that doesn't take PK draws? What would they be missing?
- MJL

Tied for 11th. Ill take that all season.

I am much more concerned about the PP.

Hopefully the coaching staff saw some things last night with the multiple line combinations. Most importantly, they need to split up Atkinson and Farabee. It's just not working. Flyers played a solid game. Still over reliant on goaltending but they had a much better puck drive in the 2nd and 3rd period. The Flyers continue to be a good 3rd period team. I really want to see if some different line combinations can solve some of their issues.

Farabee/Couturier/JVR
Giroux/Hayes/Atkinson
Lindblom/Laughton/Konency
Brassard/Thompson/McEwen
- MJL

Can we call that third line the kill line?
KLL line?
If they start potting goals and playing well together I already love the name 🤷🏽‍♂️

I don't know how hockey veterans like you can draw so many conclusions (in either direction:+ or -), from this part of the season. The style of play is so loose right now. Teams don't commit to Team D. Game changes so much in the last half or 1/3 of season.

Risto's shortcoming has always been poor positioning and hockey instincts. Giving up the neutral zone too easily. When the season matures, and the game becomes more cat-and-mouse and attritional, when single mistakes lead to changed outcomes, then you will see the true worth of Risto.

I am prepared to keep an open mind. I have my doubts, but we will see.
- PT21

I’m just pointing out what I see in Risto so far….I would suggest he looks like a very solid 2nd pairing guy so far. Yes he has had some ups and downs in his career. As many like to point to some hideous analytics you also can’t ignore his considerable attributes. You simply can’t ignore his offensive numbers, you simply can’t ignore his well above average physical game or his skating. I will never suggest he’s elite or a true number one, but guys around here were running him out of town after 2 games…some questioned his hockey IQ, while not elite is still above average from what I’ve watched…
As you say , I to am keeping an open mind. But I do like what I’ve seen.

The D will need to be addressed at some point. Cant keep playing Seeler < 12 minutes a night. Yandle is toast it seems. Braun over 20 will catch up to him.

If/when Ellis comes back will he be in and out of the lineup? What move will the GM make?

As Hart's single biggest cheerleader on this board last season, props are due to you. I had my doubts, but so far I have been delighted to be wrong. Even more delighted that Devonta Smith, all 165 lbs of him, is getting off the line of scrimmage so smoothly, but that's a different story.



- PT21

I’m just happy he’s catching the ball…(for the most part).

I cant believe we want to bash Risto again after last nights game.....Can't even give it a rest for one day especially after how he played last night. He was great.....not facts, just my opinion. Not sure how you use facts to justify how someone is great or not as usually there can be facts that prove both ways good or bad, just cherry picking stats will do that.
- bradster

He was great last night.

The D will need to be addressed at some point. Cant keep playing Seeler < 12 minutes a night. Yandle is toast it seems. Braun over 20 will catch up to him.

If/when Ellis comes back will he be in and out of the lineup? What move will the GM make?
- hello it's me 2050

Agree on Seeler…although he played well last night. Yandl’s play has regressed, not sure he breaks the record if this continues….part of being in the lineup, healthy every night is also deserving to be there.

Agree on Seeler…although he played well last night. Yandl’s play has regressed, not sure he breaks the record if this continues….part of being in the lineup, healthy every night is also deserving to be there.
- landros 2

If healthy do you see AV benching him?

Seeler is fine a game here and there. That's it.

Watch Nate out there on the pk He is slow and stands around. They have better players to utilize; yet they don't.

Having Allison and Mac with Nate potentially on the 4th line is a waste of the 2 wingers.
- hello it's me 2050

Everyone keeps putting Allison on the 4th line….I think if that’s the case he won’t be there for long…

Tied for 11th. Ill take that all season.

I am much more concerned about the PP.
- MBFlyerfan

The PK is where it is because of goaltending. They allow scoring chances at the 2nd highest rate in the league and high danger chances at the highest rate in the league. The Flyers give up high danger chances at a rate of 29.85/60. For comparison, Calgary give up at a rate of 11.06/60

Agree on Seeler…although he played well last night. Yandl’s play has regressed, not sure he breaks the record if this continues….part of being in the lineup, healthy every night is also deserving to be there.
- landros 2

if one of York or Z was playing lights out there could be a chance Yandle would sit. Candidly, I think they will watch York and Z for at least another 10 games. All that said, I don't know what the big deal with the record is, Phil the Thrill is going to pass Yandle either way

Bill, when will you do an update on all of the injured players?

If healthy do you see AV benching him?

Seeler is fine a game here and there. That's it.
- hello it's me 2050

Yandl has shown he can play better then this….vets do get a longer leash, but a few more games like last night then it’s open for debate. The other side is who replaces him? Are York or Zamula ready….does Adam Clendening get a look…with injuries, Covid who knows what this roster could look like going forward.

Everyone keeps putting Allison on the 4th line….I think if that’s the case he won’t be there for long…
- landros 2

Either way it will he a player who has some skill. Nate will kill the skill right out of them. He will drag whoever the wingers are down.

if one of York or Z was playing lights out there could be a chance Yandle would sit. Candidly, I think they will watch York and Z for at least another 10 games. All that said, I don't know what the big deal with the record is, Phil the Thrill is going to pass Yandle either way
- wcorvette

define lights out?

There is zero chance he sits until he gets the record imo.

define lights out?

There is zero chance he sits until he gets the record imo.
- hello it's me 2050

I think the number is above zero.