For those of you with ESPN+, you can catch the BU game against Cornell tonight at 8pm Est, in case you want to watch JOB in action for yourself.

For those of you with ESPN+, you can catch the BU game against Cornell tonight at 8pm Est, in case you want to watch JOB in action for yourself.
- jd250

i hope you dont think JOB is going to be our saviour....at the best he will probably take over for laughton

I turned the game on just in time to see the Canes' 5th goal. That was an epic embarrassment!! That kind of goal should NEVER be scored at the NHL level. This team plays with no structure, so either the coaches suck or the players aren't listening to the coaches. On another note, I looked at JVR's stat line cause I missed most of the game and I see it was his usual productive game. In 17 minutes of ice time(why is he getting 17 minutes) he was a minus 2 with ZERO hits along with a giveaway and one faceoff loss. Please sit his arse down for anyone!! Bring up howdy doody if you have too!!

How has NAK looked i Colorado.......Amazing they kept nate and brown over him.
- hello it's me 2050

5GP: 2G 0A +/-0 6PIM 1GWG

Quite simple actually:

1. Martin Jones - Has proven to be a more than capable backup, has stole games for this team already
2. Ryan Ellis - Top pairing defenseman, plays in all situations. We see how good he is every time he is on the ice, but unfortunately he has not been on the ice too frequently this season. But when he is, he clearly is our best defenseman
3. Risto - has played solid this year. Not perfect, but is a very good defender that adds a strong physical presence that this team sorely lacked last season.
4. Atkinson - started out of the gates strong but honestly has slid off and frankly I'm disappointed in him of late. But we got out from Jake's horrible contract, and his horrible 200 foot play, so in the end, its a win for the Flyers
5. Yandle - signed to help the PP which has been atrocious so far. Given Yandle's lack of defensive ability, this signing has not worked out.
6. Brassard/Thompson - depth forward signings which turned out to be very necessary given the injuries to Hayes and Allison. They are what they are, they have filled in admirably, Brassard in fact is 4th on the team in scoring, with more points that TK and Bee!
7. Seeler/Glendening - Depth signings for defense and Seeler has had to play pretty much all season. He is what he is, a decent depth defenseman that has been exposed because he has had to play a lot more than anyone intended him to.

So I conclude that CFs moves this off season were mostly positive, with the exception of Yandle. But even Yandle would be better if Ellis was back in the lineup and Yandle got Braun back as a partner. Injuries are not an excuse to loose 5 in a row, but they clearly are having a significant negative impact on this team that we can't simply ignore.
- jd250

All these are true…but in the end the team still is not playing well. They are still getting caved for big periods of time. I would suggest that AV and his staff are not the only ones on the hot seat. Fletch was brought in to take this team to the next level after Hextall’s plan appeared to have plateaued and in some cases was showing signs of regressing. Can anyone say we are tangibly closer to being a contender? Maybe slightly? I still see a team that back checks only intermittently, makes the same poor reads in their own end and still there doesn’t appear to be much accountability. Some oraganizations show a commitment to winning, guys buy in. That’s not the case in Philadelphia.

Giroux plays about 50% of the game at center.
- MJL

Serious question and I don't know how to look it up. How much time does he play away from Coots?

You maybe right. Look, I can't argue about this because at the end of the day the team record is the only stat or metric that matters. Yesterday's game was really disheartening for me. Yes as Farabee states the team has played a lot of games recently, and have been playing top teams as well, so we knew they were not going to win every game. But to get blown out at home last night and against Boston last weekend, get shutout in Tampa and have Jones steal you a point against Florida is downright disappointing. The team continues to lack discipline in their defensive structure, turnover pucks in the neutral zone, execute poorly timed line changes and not only can't score a PP goal, but gives the other team momentum in the process!
- jd250

Not sure why it's disappointing. It's expected to me. Look, despite how bad they are right now, there is still a lot of season left. They're missing a 2C and a top pairing defenseman. People can label that an excuse but losing that would hurt any team. Some teams can handle it better. The Flyers lack the team structure to weather it. Same as last year and you just hope the goaltending doesn't erode. Tremendous pressure on Hart game after game.

As far as the off season moves are concerned. My first thought is that I hope you've learned that this idea of a culture change was a bunch of nonsense. You're either a good team or you aren't. Winning culture is built by one thing only. Winning.

As far as the off season moves are concerned. I spoke with you many times about the risk of an overcorrection. There is a classic standard applied to trades. If you fill a hole with a trade but create a hole somewhere else, then it's not a good trade. Unless you can fill the hole you created elsewhere. You made a bullet point post on the trades in a previous post. Now I'll give you mine.

The Ellis trade from a strictly hockey viewpoint was a good trade. Ellis is clearly the best player in the deal. This trade did not create a hole elsewhere because they had enough centers at the time of the deal and they upgraded defensively.
However why does Nashville make the deal? They make the deal because they know that Ellis is declining and it a huge risk with 6 more years left on his deal and his injury history. He is well on his way to being a future cap anchor. Hopefully he comes back and helps the team.


The Atkinson deal traded a playmaker/transition player for more of shoot first player who can play on the PK and is a better defensive forward. This trade created a big hole on the team that the GM didn't fill elsewhere. The Flyers desperately miss Voracek's puck carrying ability and playmaking. The miss his production on the PP. Atkinson's value to the team would be increased if they had a strong play making center to play with him. Until Frost gets to that level if he can, the Flyers don't have that unless they want to move Giroux to center full time. This is the same issue affecting Farabee.


Now on to out favorite subject. Rasmus Ristolainen. You claim that Ristolainen is playing really well. He's not. He's clearly not. You repeatedly label him one of the best defenseman in the NHL. We just saw him play against 3 top teams in the NHL as a measuring stick to the impact he can make. Here are the results from those 3 games.

In 55:39 of 5 on 5 ice time

CF% 39.32% xGF% 37.92% SCF% 34.92% HDSCF% 38.71%

Now to be fair, these numbers are not all about Ristolainen. It's a combination of the player and his linemates.

I read all the time how people reference that 7 GM's were willing to trade for him. The reason for that is when you watch him play, you see the raw physical skills that this player has. He has the raw skills to be Shea 'fricken" Weber! However he doesn't make anywhere near that kind of impact. Why? Because hockey sense wise, he is a Neanderthal. He doesn't think the game well or anticipate or read the play. His positioning is suspect. At his best, he is just mediocre. Capable of playing some solid games here or there. He routinely floats around the ice and reacts after the play instead of before it. He is far too focused on his hitting game. NHL GM's think they can harness those skills, make him better and hide him on a 2nd pairing. On a better structured and more disciplined team, that maybe true.
This player is clearly not only not a difference maker but he is the wrong kind of player for this team. Not a player you trade what they did or re-sign for what they'll have to.

See, that is why Florida was willing to do it!
- jd250

Even when given the facts it doesn't sink in. Florida did not play to trade chances. They dominated the game! They dominated the puck!

Serious question and I don't know how to look it up. How much time does he play away from Coots?
- rayc16

Majority of the times, not much.

i hope you dont think JOB is going to be our saviour....at the best he will probably take over for laughton
- bradster

I will say the same about JOB as I have about Frost. JOB is a 1st round pick that needs to pan out for the Flyers, its that simple. You see the lack of real talent and depth in the Flyers system, and its clearly killing them right now. We need Frost to succeed at center for this team and likewise we need JOB to succeed at center. This team cannot survive with missing on their picks, especially 1st round picks! Now I like what I have seen from Frost these past 2 games so hopefully he can continue to develop and make an impact. I have liked what I have seen from JOB at BU so far, he is making an impact every time he is on the ice. We need him to continue to develop and get on this team!

I will say the same about JOB as I have about Frost. JOB is a 1st round pick that needs to pan out for the Flyers, its that simple. You see the lack of real talent and depth in the Flyers system, and its clearly killing them right now. We need Frost to succeed at center for this team and likewise we need JOB to succeed at center. This team cannot survive with missing on their picks, especially 1st round picks! Now I like what I have seen from Frost these past 2 games so hopefully he can continue to develop and make an impact. I have liked what I have seen from JOB at BU so far, he is making an impact every time he is on the ice. We need him to continue to develop and get on this team!
- jd250

Every NHL team misses on 1st round picks.

Even when given the facts it doesn't sink in. Florida did not play to trade chances. They dominated the game! They dominated the puck!
- MJL

Yes, in that game. I'm not talking about that. What I was referring to was the identity of the Florida Panthers, not how they played against the Flyers. In general, the Panthers are a team that likes to play offense and takes risks offensively, that is their identity. So far this season, it had paid off for them. Will that identify pay off in the playoffs, probably not. But what is the identity of the Flyers? Are they an offensive team that takes risks like Florida? Are they a defensive team like the Islanders? What are the Flyers? That is the question!

Yes, in that game. I'm not talking about that. What I was referring to was the identity of the Florida Panthers, not how they played against the Flyers. In general, the Panthers are a team that likes to play offense and takes risks offensively, that is their identity. So far this season, it had paid off for them. Will that identify pay off in the playoffs, probably not. But what is the identity of the Flyers? Are they an offensive team that takes risks like Florida? Are they a defensive team like the Islanders? What are the Flyers? That is the question!
- jd250

No, that's not correct at all. That is not their identity. Florida plays a very sound structured game with solid defensive play and they use their team speed to create transition play and offensive pressure. Along with a strong forecheck. They are not at all a team that takes risks.

Majority of the times, not much.
- MJL

While Hayes is out of the lineup, I'd like to see Coots and Giroux anchoring separate lines.

I really want all the players I like from this team to get traded away so I can stop watching completely.
- Tomahawk

There is a big disparity between Ghost's possession #s and his point total and +/-. In particular, to use your words, he has actually been a "possession drag" in ARI this year.

His ATOI is about 10% more than in Philly last few years(not so different). His sh% is about the same, as are shots per game. The difference is in his assist rate. They are much higher this year.

This would suggest it is his usage with better forwards and his transition game that is providing the difference. Or, he may be the beneficiary of some of the Coyote forwards either taking more shots or having a higher than average sh%.

Those are pretty much the only possibilities. If the former, your point will stand. If the latter, Ghost's #s will dip as the season goes on.

Serious question and I don't know how to look it up. How much time does he play away from Coots?
- rayc16

https://frozenpool.dobber...com/players/claude-giroux
(click on line combinations tab)

Seems like he plays with Couts almost 75% of the time

For those of us not cherry picking stats on Risto. He entered Fridays game as the the ONLY Flyer d man to be on the ice for more expected goals for then against. In fact the only d man over 50%. He grades out well in the RAPM at +0.101 which is designed to isolate individuals play…and is at 0.57 by Corsi. We all see his physical game he brings, his hustle, his puck moving ability.
I venture to guess the entire teams #s would suck if we only wanted to talk the last three games.
As most fans can agree Risto has gotten better after having a couple of un even games to start the season. Risto has never been a very good stat guy when it comes to the analytical world, but many GMs (you know guys with out hidden agenda’s) knew full well of the player. Despite all those fake 40 + point seasons that included pp points, they saw fit to meet Buffalo’s demand of at least a 1rst round pick. Low and behold being used in a proper role, not only does Risto pass the eye test he now has produced decent analytical numbers….in fact the best on the Flyers. Ahead of Provy!!!
The haters need to get a new shtick. Because even the analytics aren’t on their side.

There is a big disparity between Ghost's possession #s and his point total and +/-. In particular, to use your words, he has actually been a "possession drag" in ARI this year.

His ATOI is about 10% more than in Philly last few years(not so different). His sh% is about the same, as are shots per game. The difference is in his assist rate. They are much higher this year.

This would suggest it is his usage with better forwards and his transition game that is providing the difference. Or, he may be the beneficiary of some of the Coyote forwards either taking more shots or having a higher than average sh%.

Those are pretty much the only possibilities. If the former, your point will stand. If the latter, Ghost's #s will dip as the season goes on.
- PT21

One player can't be a possession drag when the entire team is a poor possession team. The Coyotes as a team are 5th from the bottom in the league in CF%. What it suggests is that Gostisbehere is making plays and producing in a really poor overall team situation. It suggests that the player still has the skills to be a point producing NHL defenseman.

There is a big disparity between Ghost's possession #s and his point total and +/-. In particular, to use your words, he has actually been a "possession drag" in ARI this year.

His ATOI is about 10% more than in Philly last few years(not so different). His sh% is about the same, as are shots per game. The difference is in his assist rate. They are much higher this year.

This would suggest it is his usage with better forwards and his transition game that is providing the difference. Or, he may be the beneficiary of some of the Coyote forwards either taking more shots or having a higher than average sh%.

Those are pretty much the only possibilities. If the former, your point will stand. If the latter, Ghost's #s will dip as the season goes on.
- PT21

Flyers placed ghost on waivers. No one wanted him. I think 31 gms aligning on something probably tells you something.

Let’s not act like we were any good w ghost and Jake in the lineup last year.

Please spare us the analytics nonsense w Jake as well.

Flyers placed ghost on waivers. No one wanted him. I think 31 gms aligning on something probably tells you something.

Let’s not act like we were any good w ghost and Jake in the lineup last year.

Please spare us the analytics nonsense w Jake as well.
- Joe Nardone

At the time, a team would have to take on the contract. It was about the cap, not about nobody wanting him. Many GM's who did have the cap space, made a mistake.

In 55:39 of 5 on 5 ice time

CF% 39.32% xGF% 37.92% SCF% 34.92% HDSCF% 38.71%

Now to be fair, these numbers are not all about Ristolainen. It's a combination of the player and his linemates.


- MJL

He is 4th among our defencemen in pretty much all these categories for those 3 games:

One player can't be a possession drag when the entire team is a poor possession team. The Coyotes as a team are 5th from the bottom in the league in CF%. What it suggests is that Gostisbehere is making plays and producing in a really poor overall team situation. It suggests that the player still has the skills to be a point producing NHL defenseman.
- MJL

Possession drag is just another term for relative Corsi. The overall team's possession numbers are not relevant.

Possession drag is just another term for relative Corsi. The overall team's possession numbers are not relevant.
- PT21

LOL, what do you think it's relative to? You're completely wrong. The overall team's possession numbers are completely relevant.

At the time, a team would have to take on the contract. It was about the cap, not about nobody wanting him. Many GM's who did have the cap space, made a mistake.
- MJL

Can we please stop with the Jakey and Ghost worship. Yes, there are aspects of their games that the Flyers miss, but there were also many aspects of their games that the Flyers absolutely don't miss. Ghost is thriving on a terrible team in a market where no one cares about hockey. Guess there was too much pressure on him here? The Flyers do miss Jake's ability to carry the puck and there's no doubt about that, but it's not like Jake wasn't given a chance to succeed in Philly. Buh bye to both!

Can we please stop with the Jakey and Ghost worship. Yes, there are aspects of their games that the Flyers miss, but there were also many aspects of their games that the Flyers absolutely don't miss. Ghost is thriving on a terrible team in a market where no one cares about hockey. Guess there was too much pressure on him here? The Flyers do miss Jake's ability to carry the puck and there's no doubt about that, but it's not like Jake wasn't given a chance to succeed in Philly. Buh bye to both!
- Phillywhiteout

I wouldn't say that Gostisbehere is thriving. He's simply making some plays with the puck. It's going to be difficult for him to continue doing that on that team. Jake Voracek succeeded to the point of being what, top 5 in franchise history in assists? If we want to look at team success when he was here, can we not say the same for Couturier and Giroux? Have they not succeeded also?