My main concern/storyline for the rest of this season is Carter Hart, and how he holds up the rest of the way. If this team's defense is this bad now, imagine what it could look like if guys start mailing it in. There's still half a season left. Hart is going to be facing a shooting gallery every night.
I was hoping that they would be able to move Jones at the TDL for anything. But now I'm thinking they almost have to keep him around to take a few bullets for Hart.

I don't anticipate any issues with the RFAs. Also, there will be contract slots freed up. I don't think Rubtsov will get a qualifying offer but, even if he does, won't necessarily be signed. Strome, since switching from wing to C, has found a regular role on the lower end of the Phantoms' lineup, but is iffy to doubtful for a QO. Not sure about plans for Sandin. There are also some pending UFAs on the Phantoms and Flyers that are doubtful to be re-signed. So the Flyers should be OK in terms of contract slots even with a couple guys on slides this year counting toward the limit next year.
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill.

Rightfully so. That was completely unacceptable.
- bmeltzer

What's crazy is I did not see it reported anywhere other than your blog/tweet. How long do you think they went with 4 skaters on the ice? Was it longer than 10 seconds? Was there any questions asked of Yeo about it post game?

I got out one of my precious 70s Mobil Oil Flyers glasses and put a spot of whiskey in it. I pull them out when luck has departed and there is only hope. I hate Detroit for personal reasons and we have beaten them ten straight or something.
So I got ready for some vicarious pummeling of that bunch of commies.
(Oh! Their different now?)
I then went to the pre-recorded game and stood, while processing the game, in its entirety.
It ended up at 4X.
Jeez.
That's what aimless retirees do who have long memories and nothing currently to cheer for.
This morning, the whiskey was half there.

2 and a half months left of going through the motions, but hey, at least we get to see Keith Yandle pretending to be an NHL player every night.

The whole “Yandle is a great guy” crap is such utter b.s. If he gave a damn about anything but his f’n streak, he’d show some actual class and retire immediately. He’s a total fraud, has no business playing in the NHL and worse he’s hogging a roster spot that should be York’s right now.

This team’s developmental philosophy is just criminal. York and for that matter, Frost and Zamula have no reason to be playing in the AHL right now. This is the PERFECT time to get all 3 valuable NHL minutes and all 3 should be playing in all situations. They will make mistakes, great, this is the time to make them and learn from them. But somehow, the clowns running this garbage dump, think it’s more beneficial to have them playing in LHV and getting the opportunity to watch AHL lifers play on the pp.

There is no defending any aspect of this organization, none, nada, nothing. Scott, Fletcher and Clarke all need to be sent packing!
- BiggE

They cant even put correct pictures into a tribute or spell the name of a player right
https://twitter.com/travi...5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

Also, if Mayhew can’t even pay enough attention to the game to realize that he’s supposed to be on the ice then send his worthless ass back to LHV.
- BiggE

They can't. See he is 29 years old and is a veteran. We have to keep the young players who are NHL ready down in the AHL so they can earn their way back to the NHL.

2 and a half months left of going through the motions, but hey, at least we get to see Keith Yandle pretending to be an NHL player every night.

The whole “Yandle is a great guy” crap is such utter b.s. If he gave a damn about anything but his f’n streak, he’d show some actual class and retire immediately. He’s a total fraud, has no business playing in the NHL and worse he’s hogging a roster spot that should be York’s right now.
- BiggE

Did you see his pathetic effort to stop the ENG last night? I don't even know why he is on the ice in that situation, or on the PP anymore. Sanheim would be a much better option.

The nose dive this organization took is simply incomprehensible. The way the brass approach this business, they will have no fans left by the end of the season. Things need to be done now before all of us reach the point of no return.
- missingmike

The first thing that needs to be done immediately is to fire Mike Yeo. This team is one of the most poorly coached teams I've seen in my time as a Flyers fan.

Any game where MacEwan is the standout player is a bad game.
- atibus

The thing that stood out to me about MacEwen was him celebrating his assist like it was a game winning goal, stealing a rookie's moment in the process.

And that he was scored on twice, lowering his ES GF% for the year to a sad 33.3% - 10 GF and 20 GA. The only players with a lower GF% are Yandle, Hayes, Bunnaman and Thompson.

http://www.naturalstattri...ines=single&draftteam=ALL

What's crazy is I did not see it reported anywhere other than your blog/tweet. How long do you think they went with 4 skaters on the ice? Was it longer than 10 seconds? Was there any questions asked of Yeo about it post game?
- PLindbergh31

It was longer than 10 seconds. Giroux put the puck around the boards but there was no one there. Wings had a 2-on-1 shorthanded rush. Hart made the save. Even beyond that, it took an additional 5 or 6 seconds.

I asked Yeo about it post game. Asked him if there was some confusion or miscommunication about Mayhew replacing TK on the change or if no one on the bench subsequently yelled to get out there. He put it 100 percent on the player:

"That was just somebody not being ready for[replacing] their guy. As a coach, you’re sitting there watching and you’ve got a two on one in that situation, so I’m watching that play. But the communication was there on the bench that we had four guys, but still took another five seconds for the player to be ready. We have to be sharper. To me it was a prime example of where our heads were at. Assignments that we’ve drilled over and over again, shown on video over and over again, that we were missing right from the start of the game."

My main concern/storyline for the rest of this season is Carter Hart, and how he holds up the rest of the way. If this team's defense is this bad now, imagine what it could look like if guys start mailing it in. There's still half a season left. Hart is going to be facing a shooting gallery every night.
I was hoping that they would be able to move Jones at the TDL for anything. But now I'm thinking they almost have to keep him around to take a few bullets for Hart.
- Big_E_88

They are on their way to ruining a good quality young player. His game will start to erode if this keeps up. Guaranteed. It's too much weight for anyone player. The have to make a coaching change and bring in a temp coach who is actually going to improve something and get this team playing better and more sound in the fundamentals of the NHL game.

My main concern/storyline for the rest of this season is Carter Hart, and how he holds up the rest of the way. If this team's defense is this bad now, imagine what it could look like if guys start mailing it in. There's still half a season left. Hart is going to be facing a shooting gallery every night.
I was hoping that they would be able to move Jones at the TDL for anything. But now I'm thinking they almost have to keep him around to take a few bullets for Hart.
- Big_E_88

If you trade Jones maybe you take back the other teams backup. I can see jones to the pens for Desmith and a mid rd pick. Though what your saying def is possible.

They are on their way to ruining a good quality young player. His game will start to erode if this keeps up. Guaranteed. It's too much weight for anyone player. The have to make a coaching change and bring in a temp coach who is actually going to improve something and get this team playing better and more sound in the fundamentals of the NHL game.
- MJL

Who would you bring in? It is easy to say make a change. Give some potential coaches don't sit on the fence and just say it.

The thing that stood out to me about MacEwen was him celebrating his assist like it was a game winning goal, stealing a rookie's moment in the process.

And that he was scored on twice, lowering his ES GF% for the year to a sad 33.3% - 10 GF and 20 GA. The only players with a lower GF% are Yandle, Hayes, Bunnaman and Thomspn.

http://www.naturalstattri...ines=single&draftteam=ALL
- Feanor

To be fair, McEwen didn't know at that time that it deflected in off of Ratcliffe.

The first thing that needs to be done immediately is to fire Mike Yeo. This team is one of the most poorly coached teams I've seen in my time as a Flyers fan.
- MJL

Yes we definitely need ANOTHER new coach. That’s definitely the issue 😂

It was longer than 10 seconds. Giroux put the puck around the boards but there was no one there. Wings had a 2-on-1 shorthanded rush. Hart made the save. Even beyond that, it took an additional 5 or 6 seconds.

I asked Yeo about it post game. Asked him if there was some confusion or miscommunication about Mayhew replacing TK on the change or if no one on the bench subsequently yelled to get out there. He put it 100 percent on the player:

"That was just somebody not being ready for
- bmeltzer[replacing] their guy. As a coach, you’re sitting there watching and you’ve got a two on one in that situation, so I’m watching that play. But the communication was there on the bench that we had four guys, but still took another five seconds for the player to be ready. We have to be sharper. To me it was a prime example of where our heads were at. Assignments that we’ve drilled over and over again, shown on video over and over again, that we were missing right from the start of the game."

Wow. So most likely 20+ seconds. I agree it's on the player at first, but someone on the bench has to pick that up and get someone on the ice. Just inexcusable at the NHL level.

It was longer than 10 seconds. Giroux put the puck around the boards but there was no one there. Wings had a 2-on-1 shorthanded rush. Hart made the save. Even beyond that, it took an additional 5 or 6 seconds.

I asked Yeo about it post game. Asked him if there was some confusion or miscommunication about Mayhew replacing TK on the change or if no one on the bench subsequently yelled to get out there. He put it 100 percent on the player:

"That was just somebody not being ready for
- bmeltzer[replacing] their guy. As a coach, you’re sitting there watching and you’ve got a two on one in that situation, so I’m watching that play. But the communication was there on the bench that we had four guys, but still took another five seconds for the player to be ready. We have to be sharper. To me it was a prime example of where our heads were at. Assignments that we’ve drilled over and over again, shown on video over and over again, that we were missing right from the start of the game."

I would like to know after video review how many goals or high quality scoring chances this team has given up due in part to bad line changes. They've been doing that all season. It has not been corrected.

Tale of two hockey teams. Not a huge difference in standings but the Red Wings let their kids play and have two legitimate Calder candidates. Flyers send two of their best prospects to the AHL, while 7th D-man and waiver pickups get playing time. I’m sure the Wings fans have a much more positive outlook of their team’s future than Flyers fans do. Why can’t York get top 4 minutes in the NHL to see what he can do and learn? It’s not like Ray Bourque and Bobby Orr are holding those spots. Beyond annoying.

I would like to know after video review how many goals or high quality scoring chances this team has given up due in part to bad line changes. They've been doing that all season. It has not been corrected.
- MJL

I agree. An inordinate number.

Wow. So most likely 20+ seconds. I agree it's on the player at first, but someone on the bench has to pick that up and get someone on the ice. Just inexcusable at the NHL level.
- PLindbergh31

Since it was a pp, I assume it had to be that specific missing person on the unit (Mayhew).

Weird he was tuned out like that though.

It was longer than 10 seconds. Giroux put the puck around the boards but there was no one there. Wings had a 2-on-1 shorthanded rush. Hart made the save. Even beyond that, it took an additional 5 or 6 seconds.

I asked Yeo about it post game. Asked him if there was some confusion or miscommunication about Mayhew replacing TK on the change or if no one on the bench subsequently yelled to get out there. He put it 100 percent on the player:

"That was just somebody not being ready for
- bmeltzer[replacing] their guy. As a coach, you’re sitting there watching and you’ve got a two on one in that situation, so I’m watching that play. But the communication was there on the bench that we had four guys, but still took another five seconds for the player to be ready. We have to be sharper. To me it was a prime example of where our heads were at. Assignments that we’ve drilled over and over again, shown on video over and over again, that we were missing right from the start of the game."

Purge the Saint Ronnie players as soon as you can. How many coaches have siad this? Are they all wrong or lying?

Start over

I don't anticipate any issues with the RFAs. Also, there will be contract slots freed up. I don't think Rubtsov will get a qualifying offer but, even if he does, won't necessarily be signed. Strome, since switching from wing to C, has found a regular role on the lower end of the Phantoms' lineup, but is iffy to doubtful for a QO. Not sure about plans for Sandin. There are also some pending UFAs on the Phantoms and Flyers that are doubtful to be re-signed. So the Flyers should be OK in terms of contract slots even with a couple guys on slides this year counting toward the limit next year.
- bmeltzer

Bill, I agree and I think they should add Sushko, Morin and probably Laczynski to the RFA’s that they let go. The Flyers routinely extend to many prospects that have no shot at being impact players at the NHL level IMO. They are always near 50 contracts which limits their ability to make certain moves should the opportunity occur. I mentioned here that they should have pursued Pius Suter when the Hawks failed to QO him last summer. Last night he was better than all of the above players.

I agree. An inordinate number.
- bmeltzer

They teach you when/when not to make line changes when you’re a mite. If these bumms are doing it in the NHL the coaching is the least of their issues. No professional hockey team has to teach or talk about line changes. The players are a joke & it starts w cc & not holding any of his peers accountable. Cc & the invisible power forward that is jvr probably laugh everyday about rhe money they make for the effort they put out there

No, it’s on him too. If he was such a classy guy, he’d stop embarrassing himself and retire. Of course, the garbage franchise is to blame as well, but some of this is on Yandle.
- BiggE

Some plays you can actually see him thinking F that...Im not going to chase that guy. Most of those are when he half heartedly Ole defends when he's rushed at the offensive blue line.

Its like he doesnt want to pull a hammy and miss the next game. It is sad at this point.

Since it was a pp, I assume it had to be that specific missing person on the unit (Mayhew).

Weird he was tuned out like that though.
- PT21

Yes, but after a few seconds a coach has to realize there is only 4 players on the ice and get someone out there. Come on.