I missed the past few games but like what I'm hearing about Frosty. I'm not a Frost hater but admit I've had my doubts. I just hope Torts sticks to giving him top minutes and like you say, stop with the mind games. I also agree with what you and others said about Cates. I think he'll be fine long term, but I'd like to see more from him.
- Don Nachbaur

Cates is not a center. He doesn't have the puck skills. Isn't adept at carrying and distributing the puck. His best asset is getting on the puck as F1 on the forecheck. Winning puck battles and crashing the net. Tortorella is completely misusing him because it's more important for him to win than to develop the player for the future.

Cates is not a center. He doesn't have the puck skills. Isn't adept at carrying and distributing the puck. His best asset is getting on the puck as F1 on the forecheck. Winning puck battles and crashing the net. Tortorella is completely misusing him because it's more important for him to win than to develop the player for the future.
- MJL

Cates is a gaping hole between two skilled wingers. He’s offering Konency and Farabee nothing. In fact Cates is hurting them.

I just saw a coaching detail in the Ottawa game against the Capitals which might be an example of why Ottawa is on the road to nowhere.

You’ve got Tim Stützle at center, Brady Tkachuk at left wing and Claude Giroux at right wing. I guess Stützle hasn’t been up to taking draws. Whether this is the effect or a nagging injury or whatever, you still have one of the best in the game at draws the past decade on the ice with you and for whatever reason you have Brady Tkachuk taking draws.

Brady Tkachuk is a LH shot and Giroux is a RH shot.

Brady Tkachuk is a LH shot and Giroux is a RH shot.
- MJL

The draw was in the neutral zone and regardless of the player’s hand, it’s never been an issue for Giroux before. Either way, they lost the faceoff.

I'm unfortunately not great with tech stuff and have been trying to post a pic of a beer by Yards - Big Haysey Double IPA. Not sure if anyone else has posted before but cracks me up a beer named after Hayes. Google it and you'll see the pic of the can with Hayesy and his tilted helmet.

I'm unfortunately not great with tech stuff and have been trying to post a pic of a beer by Yards - Big Haysey Double IPA. Not sure if anyone else has posted before but cracks me up a beer named after Hayes. Google it and you'll see the pic of the can with Hayesy and his tilted helmet.
- Don Nachbaur

I think they came out with it during or shortly after his first season here. The shine hadnt worn off him yet. I’ve never had it. Not really an IPA fan, but do like their Brawler.

I think they came out with it during or shortly after his first season here. The shine hadnt worn off him yet. I’ve never had it. Not really an IPA fan, but do like their Brawler.
- Dkos

Yes! I saw it last year. I'm not a big IPA fan either but yes, Brawler is great! I also recommend Long Jawns which is a lager. So good!

Yes! I saw it last year. I'm not a big IPA fan either but yes, Brawler is great! I also recommend Long Jawns which is a lager. So good!
- Don Nachbaur

Just looked it up on their site. Sounds good. A darker lager. Says it’s a “winter lager”. Does it have spices in it? Ginger or cinnamon or something? I’m not a usually fan of “flavored” beers.

The Flyers made it interesting, but they were never "in it ". I was nodding off and came to when the goal horn sounded for Marner's goal.

For all the senseless pro tankers. Your current nhl point leaders
3. Thompson 26th overall
4. Kucherov 58th overall
5. Robertson 39th overall
6. Pastrnak 25th overall
7. Karlsson 15th overall
7. Kaprizov 135th overall
- Fopa21

Connor McDavid 65 points
Tage Thompson 50 points

thanks for proving we should tank for 1st overall

Connor McDavid 65 points
Tage Thompson 50 points

thanks for proving we should tank for 1st overall
- 2Real

What are you doing bringing up facts like that on here?!? Only group thinking is allowed here!

For all the senseless pro tankers. Your current nhl point leaders
3. Thompson 26th overall
4. Kucherov 58th overall
5. Robertson 39th overall
6. Pastrnak 25th overall
7. Karlsson 15th overall
7. Kaprizov 135th overall
- Fopa21

That's interesting... but then you have:

1. Connor McDavid (1st-overall)
2. Leon Draisaitl (3rd-overall)

9. Sidney Crosby (1st-overall)
10. RNH (1st-overall)

12. Rantanen (10th-overall)
13. Marner (4th-overall)
14. Pettersson (5th-overall)
15. Tkachuk (6th-overall)

17. Matthews (1st-overall)
18. Nylander (8th-overall)
19. Stamkos (1st-overall)
20. Hughes (1st-overall)

22. Zibanejad (6th-overall)
23. Ovechkin (1st-overall)
24. B Tkatchuk (4th-overall)
25. Dahlin (1st-overall)
26. Dubois (3rd-overall)

No offense, but most people would take their chances with a top 10 pick over pick #135 any day lol

That's interesting... but then you have:

1. Connor McDavid (1st-overall)
2. Leon Draisaitl (3rd-overall)

9. Sidney Crosby (1st-overall)
10. RNH (1st-overall)

12. Rantanen (10th-overall)
13. Marner (4th-overall)
14. Pettersson (5th-overall)
15. Tkachuk (6th-overall)

17. Matthews (1st-overall)
18. Nylander (8th-overall)
19. Stamkos (1st-overall)
20. Hughes (1st-overall)

22. Zibanejad (6th-overall)
23. Ovechkin (1st-overall)
24. B Tkatchuk (4th-overall)
25. Dahlin (1st-overall)
26. Dubois (3rd-overall)

No offense, but I'll take my chances with a top 10 pick over pick #135 any day lol
- Tomahawk

I'd personally like a top 10 pick and then score on someone like Robertson or Kucherov in the 2nd round. Wait, do we have a 2nd round pick?

I'd personally like a top 10 pick and then score on someone like Robertson or Kucherov in the 2nd round. Wait, do we have a 2nd round pick?

- MJL

What's a 2nd round pick?

It was comical watching Ristolainen run around like he was drunk and confused on the Bunting goal. Thank goodness Torts and Shaw fixed him.

Frost had the assist taken away from him on the Farabee goal but that is an example of the subtle plays that he makes. He bunted the Leafs players stick which pushed the puck to Konecny. Technically not an assist but instrumental in the goal.
- MJL

You are just too much! Thank God I am in the Christmas spirit! Honestly, what game are you watching??? Risto had a good game .. AGAIN! On that Bunting goal, the puck came down the boards behind the net and Risto rightly went to intercept it on his side, however at the same time Provorov also went behind the net to pursue the puck. The two had to switch sides and come out from behind the net. The puck went to Nylander in the vacated right slot. Risto engaged but too late as Nylander went across to Bunting who was left open in the middle by Cates for the put away. How can you possibly blame Risto for that goal?? Your embarrassing yourself again. I don't think that line in general handled that goal well.

And Frost had a brutal game, both by my eyes and the exact words of the coach after the game. Bad turnovers, bad penalty in the 2nd because he, ONCE AGAIN, was lazy and not moving his feet, giving the Toronto PP another shot. The Flyers as a team did not play a good game, but this was the bad Frost for sure in this game. And it just so happened to be against a top team. Oh .. wait .. that's right, its not fair that Frost had a bad match-up in this game, right? Poor Frost ... what a victim!

That's interesting... but then you have:

1. Connor McDavid (1st-overall)
2. Leon Draisaitl (3rd-overall)

9. Sidney Crosby (1st-overall)
10. RNH (1st-overall)

12. Rantanen (10th-overall)
13. Marner (4th-overall)
14. Pettersson (5th-overall)
15. Tkachuk (6th-overall)

17. Matthews (1st-overall)
18. Nylander (8th-overall)
19. Stamkos (1st-overall)
20. Hughes (1st-overall)

22. Zibanejad (6th-overall)
23. Ovechkin (1st-overall)
24. B Tkatchuk (4th-overall)
25. Dahlin (1st-overall)
26. Dubois (3rd-overall)

No offense, but most people would take their chances with a top 10 pick over pick #135 any day lol
- Tomahawk

I want a top 5 pick again. the Flyers need a player that will be ready to play next season, not 3 years from now.

You are just too much! Thank God I am in the Christmas spirit! Honestly, what game are you watching??? Risto had a good game .. AGAIN! On that Bunting goal, it was neither defenseman's fault. The puck came down the boards behind the net and Risto rightly went to intercept it on his side, however at the same time Provorov also went behind the net to pursue the puck. The two then had to switch sides and come out from behind the net. The puck went to Bunting who was left open in the high slot by Cates who I think went a little too low there for the one timer. Risto was trying his best to get up on him and block the shot. How can you possibly blame Risto for that goal?? Its embarrassing.

And Frost had a brutal game, both by my eyes and the exact words of the coach after the game. Bad turnovers, bad penalty in the 2nd because he, ONCE AGAIN, was lazy and not moving his feet, giving the Toronto PP another shot. The Flyers as a team did not play a good game, but this was the bad Frost for sure in this game. And it just so happened to be against a top team. Oh .. wait .. that's right, its not fair that Frost has bad match-ups in this game, right? Poor Frost ... what a victim!
- jd250

Ristolainen's play on that goal was laughable. It would be a waste of time for me to explain it.

On Frost, he was one of only two forwards who were 50% or better in Corsi and he was even in scoring chances. He scored a goal and was on the ice for 3 goals for and zero against. He was 50% on faceoffs. He did that and came up positive while matched up for the most part against Marner and Taveras. Also had some shifts against Matthews. What evidence do you have that Frost had a bad game?
The hyperbole at the end does not help you.

By the way what I really want to know is if you still believe that Frost is an AHL player?

For all the senseless pro tankers. Your current nhl point leaders
3. Thompson 26th overall
4. Kucherov 58th overall
5. Robertson 39th overall
6. Pastrnak 25th overall
7. Karlsson 15th overall
7. Kaprizov 135th overall
- Fopa21

Regarding Thompson, that was yet another blunder by the great Hextall. Instead of trading up in 2016 and maybe grabbing Charlie McAvoy at 14, Hextall trades down a few picks and picks up a 2nd. Not only does the dufas draft Rubtsov (out of the league) instead of Thompson (who Buffalo grabbed a few picks later), with the 2nd round pick he selects Laberge (out of the league) while Chicago grabs DeBrincat a few picks later. How would the Flyers look today with DeBrincat and Thompson in their lineup!?!

Another great draft year by the all-knowing, every wise Ron "the smartest guy in the room" Hextall! Thanks Ron! Merry Christmas!

Ristolainen's play on that goal was laughable. It would be a waste of time for me to explain it.

On Frost, he was one of only two forwards who were 50% or better in Corsi and he was even in scoring chances. He scored a goal and was on the ice for 3 goals for and zero against. He was 50% on faceoffs. He did that and came up positive while matched up for the most part against Marner and Taveras. Also had some shifts against Matthews. What evidence do you have that Frost had a bad game?
The hyperbole at the end does not help you.

By the way what I really want to know is if you still believe that Frost is an AHL player?
- MJL

Yes, as of now I still believe Frost will not be a steady top 6 player in the NHL and will most likely end up a top AHL player. If you actually watched the game, you would have clearly seen Frost had a brutal game.

You are just too much! Thank God I am in the Christmas spirit! Honestly, what game are you watching??? Risto had a good game .. AGAIN! On that Bunting goal, it was neither defenseman's fault. The puck came down the boards behind the net and Risto rightly went to intercept it on his side, however at the same time Provorov also went behind the net to pursue the puck. The two then had to switch sides and come out from behind the net. The puck went to Bunting who was left open in the high slot by Cates who I think went a little too low there for the one timer. Risto was trying his best to get up on him and block the shot. How can you possibly blame Risto for that goal?? Its embarrassing.
- jd250

1) Nobody had a good game. Maybe you could make an argument for Hart, but that's about it.

2) Risto was fine until he misjudged the speed of the puck coming down the boards. He thought it was coming fast and that he'd be the first one to it. Instead, he chased a slow puck into no-man's land, getting stuck on the wrong side of the ice. Provy then had to skate across since the guy that RR left open ended up with the puck.

1) Nobody had a good game. Maybe you could make an argument for Hart, but that's about it.

2) Risto was fine until he misjudged the speed of the puck coming down the boards. He thought it was coming fast and that he'd be the first one to it. Instead, he chased a slow puck into no-man's land, getting stuck on the wrong side of the ice. Provy then had to skate across since the guy that RR left open ended up with the puck.
- Tomahawk

Yes no one had a good game in this one. A couple of weak garbage time goals was not enough to get anyone off the hook.

Yes I believe Risto thought the puck was coming through and wanted to cut it off, but once Provorov also went behind the net, the two had to switch sides and the puck went to Nylander in the right slot which is where Provorov was. Provorov ended up at right D where Risto was.

Yes I believe Risto thought the puck was coming through and wanted to cut it off, but once Provorov also went behind the net, the two had to switch sides and the puck went to Nylander in the right slot which is where Provorov was. Provorov ended up at right D where Risto was.
- jd250

Provy going behind and cutting across was a reaction to what RR did tho.

If RR was a bit more patient and just maintained his positioning, the entire sequence likely would have been harmless.

But that's why teams do those high-low kind of plays... to force the D to make reads and hopefully catch them in a miscue like that.

1) Nobody had a good game. Maybe you could make an argument for Hart, but that's about it.

2) Risto was fine until he misjudged the speed of the puck coming down the boards. He thought it was coming fast and that he'd be the first one to it. Instead, he chased a slow puck into no-man's land, getting stuck on the wrong side of the ice. Provy then had to skate across since the guy that RR left open ended up with the puck.
- Tomahawk

Frost was one of the best players on the ice for the Flyers

Ristolainen casually chased after the puck carrier in the corner with lazy stick waves instead of moving his feet and eliminating the play physically. Once the puck goes back to the point and is dumped back in. He then goes across the back of the net on a bad read to Provorov's check. Leaving his check wide open leaving Provorov to have to cross the back of the net to check Ristolainen's man. Ristolainen is then caught puck watching behind and the net and stationary as his man jumps out in front, receives a pass and moves the puck to the goal scorer. Cates also lost his check. It was like a 3 stooges level of defending by Ristolainen. Hysterical but hey, Tortorella and Shaw have fixed him.

Yes no one had a good game in this one. A couple of weak garbage time goals was not enough to get anyone off the hook.

Yes I believe Risto thought the puck was coming through and wanted to cut it off, but once Provorov also went behind the net, the two had to switch sides and the puck went to Nylander in the right slot which is where Provorov was. Provorov ended up at right D where Risto was.
- jd250

No, they didn't have to switch sides. Ristolainen's bonehead play caused Provorov to have to cover Ristolainen's man. Ristolainen then compounded it by puck watching behind the net.