Let us know when you moneyballers are done talking about corsi so the rest of us that actually play the game can have an adult hockey conversation.
- Joe Nardone

How can you not realize how bad this comment makes you look?

Hart is the only reason AV still has a job right now. They are bad/terrible in almost every aspect of the game. CF must be getting nervous.
- Tomahawk

Unfortunately. Right now the hope is that they hold on, stay in the hunt and get some players back for the new year. Hopefully improve in a lot of areas. It's a long season.

So I'm guessing we can assume that Hayes reinjured his surgically repaired area and they are just keeping it hush hush cause they don't want their medical staff to look bad? Yes, that's a bad look if 2 guys coming back from injury get injured right away again.

So I'm guessing we can assume that Hayes reinjured his surgically repaired area and they are just keeping it hush hush cause they don't want their medical staff to look bad? Yes, that's a bad look if 2 guys coming back from injury get injured right away again.
- Phillywhiteout

Yea, that's it. It's a conspiracy to cover up for the medical staff.

Does anyone else think that there has been a lot of overthinking going on with the forward lines and PP set ups? Like why change something that was working with the PP initially but if things aren’t going well for a forward line at all, got to give that loads of time to fizzle.
Last season, JVR and Farabee had very good chemistry with Farabee on RW. I get that Farabee can play LW and on some lines that makes sense. However…
*Farabee is a better RW than JVR
*JVR is a better version of himself at LW
*All good line chemistry has happened with this JVR -center- Farabee

Don’t overthink this. It should not be…well, Farabee played LW to start and we don’t want to flop him and be confusing. He must have played more than half of his NHL career at RW and looked good doing it.

All the changes on the PP have me overthinking it, can’t imagine how the players feel. But please, someone screen the goalie and stay there.

Combined record of the next 3 opponents? 36-8-6!!! Yeah, good luck with that!

Does anyone else think that there has been a lot of overthinking going on with the forward lines and PP set ups? Like why change something that was working with the PP initially but if things aren’t going well for a forward line at all, got to give that loads of time to fizzle.
Last season, JVR and Farabee had very good chemistry with Farabee on RW. I get that Farabee can play LW and on some lines that makes sense. However…
*Farabee is a better RW than JVR
*JVR is a better version of himself at LW
*All good line chemistry has happened with this JVR -center- Farabee

Don’t overthink this. It should not be…well, Farabee played LW to start and we don’t want to flop him and be confusing. He must have played more than half of his NHL career at RW and looked good doing it.

All the changes on the PP have me overthinking it, can’t imagine how the players feel. But please, someone screen the goalie and stay there.
- NC Flyers Fan

I was at the game sitting behind the net on Saturday. Every PP was being heckled by the SHOOT crowd and for once, they were right. From my vantage point I saw them pass up shot after shot after shot, instead, holding the puck or just passing it back and forth, never attacking the net, never taking the available shot. They looked like a group that had no confidence and no idea what to do.

Fire the PP coach to start.

I was at the game sitting behind the net on Saturday. Every PP was being heckled by the SHOOT crowd and for once, they were right. From my vantage point I saw them pass up shot after shot after shot, instead, holding the puck or just passing it back and forth, never attacking the net, never taking the available shot. They looked like a group that had no confidence and no idea what to do.

Fire the PP coach to start.
- MBFlyerfan

Next game watch the PP and see how many players get the puck and never actually even look towards the net. Never even show that they're going to attack the net. Never give any reason to the opposition to think that they're going to attack the net. They're just looking for the next pass. Just as an example and not to single a player out but they have a rotation where Konecny is down low by the side of the net and he is passed the puck. Doesn't even look at the net. Why not a jam play or throw the puck at the net. Crash the net, get a loose puck. Actually make the defenders move.

Yea, that's it. It's a conspiracy to cover up for the medical staff.
- MJL

going strong on a Monday morning cliff.

Hart is the only reason AV still has a job right now. They are bad/terrible in almost every aspect of the game. CF must be getting nervous.
- Tomahawk

Th GM made a huge mistake bringing back this coaching staff. Hopefully it gets the coaches and GM fired. Though the GM likely has a longer lease.

Just a bland boring average at best NHL team. No identity. No nothing. No star to look forward too in the future. Would love to know if the GM ever really considered Eichel.

Next game watch the PP and see how many players get the puck and never actually even look towards the net. Never even show that they're going to attack the net. Never give any reason to the opposition to think that they're going to attack the net. They're just looking for the next pass. Just as an example and not to single a player out but they have a rotation where Konecny is down low by the side of the net and he is passed the puck. Doesn't even look at the net. Why not a jam play or throw the puck at the net. Crash the net, get a loose puck. Actually make the defenders move.
- MJL

Yep, it was ridiculous how they never even tried it. I was screaming at Konecny to throw it at the goalies skates for some rebounds or something! Instead, back out to Giroux out to Provorov who more than once passed up an open one timer, instead electing to give the defender time to get in the way, pass back to Giroux who does the same thing, to Konecny, wash rinse repeat.

Yep, it was ridiculous how they never even tried it. I was screaming at Konecny to throw it at the goalies skates for some rebounds or something! Instead, back out to Giroux out to Provorov who more than once passed up an open one timer, instead electing to give the defender time to get in the way, pass back to Giroux who does the same thing, to Konecny, wash rinse repeat.
- MBFlyerfan

You can equate attacking on the PP to a lot of other sports. In basketball, drive the ball down the paint, draw defenders and pass to the open guy for the dunk. In football, use misdirection to draw defenders and then give the ball to the open guy going the other way. If you never attack the net, the PK doesn't have to react. Doesn't have to move and you don't create any openings. They have zero creativity. Their PP is basically give the puck to Giroux, have him try to pass the puck to someone standing still or pass it back to Provorov. He will skate laterally and everyone watching knows he's passing the puck back to Giroux. Including the penalty killers.

You can equate attacking on the PP to a lot of other sports. In basketball, drive the ball down the paint, draw defenders and pass to the open guy for the dunk. In football, use misdirection to draw defenders and then give the ball to the open guy going the other way. If you never attack the net, the PK doesn't have to react. Doesn't have to move and you don't create any openings.
- MJL

Hey, what do you know. We agree on something! One theme I've noticed during just about every game is the difference in the PPs. The opponent always seems to have passing lanes for cross ice passes while the Flyers NEVER have any open passing lanes during their PP. I'm thinking AV and his buddy Therrien are gone by the time Santa slides down the chimney unless they surprise us and start playing good sound hockey night after night(I'm not holding my breath).

Hey, what do you know. We agree on something! One theme I've noticed during just about every game is the difference in the PPs. The opponent always seems to have passing lanes for cross ice passes while the Flyers NEVER have any open passing lanes during their PP. I'm thinking AV and his buddy Therrien are gone by the time Santa slides down the chimney unless they surprise us and start playing good sound hockey night after night(I'm not holding my breath).
- Phillywhiteout

Keep in mind that the Flyers PK is one of the worst in the league at suppressing scoring chances.

I was at the game sitting behind the net on Saturday. Every PP was being heckled by the SHOOT crowd and for once, they were right. From my vantage point I saw them pass up shot after shot after shot, instead, holding the puck or just passing it back and forth, never attacking the net, never taking the available shot. They looked like a group that had no confidence and no idea what to do.

Fire the PP coach to start.
- MBFlyerfan

Next game watch the PP and see how many players get the puck and never actually even look towards the net. Never even show that they're going to attack the net. Never give any reason to the opposition to think that they're going to attack the net. They're just looking for the next pass. Just as an example and not to single a player out but they have a rotation where Konecny is down low by the side of the net and he is passed the puck. Doesn't even look at the net. Why not a jam play or throw the puck at the net. Crash the net, get a loose puck. Actually make the defenders move.
- MJL

I know AV said it is his decisions ultimately. They are passing it around on the PP and don’t appear to be looking to shoot, but the opposing goalie can see all that too, so I think they aren’t creating the holes by having a constant body out front to screen. Don’t let him see it coming and crash the net if it doesn’t go in on the initial shot and yes, SHOOT! From anywhere, sharp angle, bank it off the goalie’s backside or whatever! Make it ugly.

Remember how there were certain players we ( or at least I did) wished would medically retire and free up cap space and collect their insurance...I feel like Ellis is the combination of a glass jawed fighter and a senior citizen with osteoporosis,,, brittle

Hayes? I think there is more afoot than we are seeing. Not a conspiracy. He has not been right for over a year, multiple surgeries with lingering problems/re-done and the emotional damage of his brothers passing....

These 2 guys and JVR= 20 million of zilch....Dont hate them as people, but man does Fletcher look bad with Ellis. Looked good with Hayes at first given Patrick being a flop for whatever reasons discussed ad nauseum

Next game watch the PP and see how many players get the puck and never actually even look towards the net. Never even show that they're going to attack the net. Never give any reason to the opposition to think that they're going to attack the net. They're just looking for the next pass. Just as an example and not to single a player out but they have a rotation where Konecny is down low by the side of the net and he is passed the puck. Doesn't even look at the net. Why not a jam play or throw the puck at the net. Crash the net, get a loose puck. Actually make the defenders move.
- MJL

Look at all the top PPs in the league, they all do the same thing, attack the slot! Its not about having the most highly skilled players, its about not settling for perimeter movement and shots!

Remember how there were certain players we ( or at least I did) wished would medically retire and free up cap space and collect their insurance...I feel like Ellis is the combination of a glass jawed fighter and a senior citizen with osteoporosis,,, brittle

Hayes? I think there is more afoot than we are seeing. Not a conspiracy. He has not been right for over a year, multiple surgeries with lingering problems/re-done and the emotional damage of his brothers passing....

These 2 guys and JVR= 20 million of zilch....Dont hate them as people, but man does Fletcher look bad with Ellis. Looked good with Hayes at first given Patrick being a flop for whatever reasons discussed ad nauseum
- RajaAmpat

I keep going back to asking why Nashville traded Ellis.

Look at all the top PPs in the league, they all do the same thing, attack the slot! Its not about having the most highly skilled players, its about not settling for perimeter movement and shots!
- jd250

Yes, it is about having the most highly skilled players. Do you honestly believe that the Flyers are passing up opportunities in the slot for a point shot? The Flyers as a team are not creating the opening.

You're right about a lot of this but the reality is that there are many warning signs. This team is being propped up by goaltending. What you saw in the Boston game wasn't anything different from the majority of the season. The goaltending didn't bail them out and they got thoroughly beaten. They are in the bottom of the league in scoring chances against and scoring chances for at 5 on 5. The PP isn't good. It's the same with the PK.
What do we want, a team that might get hot and make a one season run at it? Or a team that is a true contender and will be in the mix over a significant period of seasons? Goaltending only holds up for so long. Brassard has put up points but he is not the solution and is part of the reason why this team doesn't carry play more. Same with the defense. Ristolainen was the wrong player to add. Will Ellis be able to stay healthy? Will Hayes come back strong? Core injuries have a tendency to degrade players. If they can come back, that will be a big boost. Right now, numerous players need to step up. Get those players back hopefully and then go from there. No more quick fixes.
- MJL

See folks, there it is .. once again. MJL can't make a point without taking a shot at Risto! Its beyond comical at this stage, its simply embarrassing! Risto is THE BEST DEFENSEMAN on this team, PERIOD! You are talking about the PK and scoring chances against. Can you imagine what it would be like without Risto on this team right now?? Get a clue!!

It doesn't make sense at all.
- MJL

Yes, because Hextall drafted TK so we have to keep him, right?

Some guy at the Athletic did a comparison of two teams comprised of the best players available and the worst players available who play the most minutes.

@AviFriedlander: What’s the highest win probability you can get by constructing two teams made of NHL players (one good, one bad)?
Okay so here’s the good team, which is apparently worth 64 wins above replacement? That would put them over 82 wins in a single season, so … this is an extreme edge case.

Leon Draisaitl – Connor McDavid – Auston Matthews

Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak

Artemi Panarin – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen

Mark Stone – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov

Roman Josi – Adam Fox

Victor Hedman – Charlie McAvoy

Cale Makar – Dougie Hamilton

Connor Hellebuyck

And here’s the bad team, with the worst players getting the most minutes … obviously. Why make the worst team ever if Kurtis MacDermid isn’t on the top pair? They’re worth minus-23 wins above replacement which is … below zero wins over an 82-game season. Again, an extreme edge case.

Brendan Perlini – Jake Leschyshyn – Jesper Boqvist

Lane Pederson – Jay Beagle – Ryan Reaves

Kyle Turris – Juho Lammikko – Zack MacEwen

Trent Frederic – Nate Thompson – Greg McKegg

Kurtis MacDermid – Josh Brown

Ben Harpur – Nick Seeler

Jarred Tinordi – Slater Koekkoek

Sam Montembeault

My model literally broke from this question. It has the best team with an expected win percentage of 1.041 and the worst team at minus-0.019? I literally don’t know what to do with that. It’s like the best team is getting extra credit somehow while the bad team is getting put in detention. For argument’s sake, let’s say it’s 0.950 vs. 0.050 instead — the win probability between the two is 99.7 percent. Good enough.

A little lopsided to say the least! I kind of want to see this game, have the underdog win, and have Tommy Bunch Of Numbers tell me I’m an idiot for not knowing the team led by Beagle and MacDermid would beat McDavid and co. Something about how the Monstars had no heart or something.

Nothing like having three players on a list of the worst players getting the most minutes.

I don't see that it's about you having confidence in him. It's about seeing what happens. Playing Frost is the first step before giving up young players for another older player. You don't have confidence in Frost but you rave about O'Brien.
- MJL

Yes, because I have seen Frost play against NHL players and he is not good. I am willing to give him another shot at it because I really do want him to succeed for the sake of the Flyers, but right now I am not all that confident Frost will succeed.

As far as O'Brien, I get to watch him play in Hockey East, which is very good competition. MANY players from BU and teams from this league have stepped right into the NHL and became impact players, Joel Farabee is a recent example. Therefore, when I watch O'Brien rack up points and be a threat every single time he is on the ice, I get excited about his potential. But in the end, O'Brien has to stay healthy, finish this year at BU strong, then be willing to sign with the Flyers and maybe get some games with the Phantoms before we will know if his game translates to the next level. Right now I am optimistic, and I try to add some facts to the posts that declare O'Brien a bust, because clearly he is no where near a bust right now.

Yes, it is about having the most highly skilled players. Do you honestly believe that the Flyers are passing up opportunities in the slot for a point shot? The Flyers as a team are not creating the opening.
- MJL

Currently these are the top 6 PPs in the league:

1. Edmonton 39.6
2. Nashville 28.9
3. St. Louis 28.0
4. Anaheim 26.8
5. Dallas 26.7
6. Calgary 24.6

Now obviously Edmonton's skill level is off the charts. But what about the rest of the teams in the top 6? I don't believe their skill level is that much better or better at all compared to the Flyers. So therefore, it must be something else.

See folks, there it is .. once again. MJL can't make a point without taking a shot at Risto! Its beyond comical at this stage, its simply embarrassing! Risto is THE BEST DEFENSEMAN on this team, PERIOD! You are talking about the PK and scoring chances against. Can you imagine what it would be like without Risto on this team right now?? Get a clue!!
- jd250

I addressed the issues I see with the team and I named 4 players in the post. The Flyers aren't good defensively at 5 on 5 or on the PK.

You calling Ristolainen the best defenseman on the team was well as calling him one of the best defenseman in the league is embarrassing yourself.