Touché

It’s disgusting how bad Chicago and Anaheim are tho
- Wingdestroyer

I’m sure they will feel disgusted when they draft Bedard or Fantilli.

Thankfully Flyer fans will have the solace of picking 6th, knowing that they were harder to play against this season.

What’s weird is, I actually like this team more than certain teams we’ve had in the past. I didn’t like any of the Hakstol teams that featured RJ Umberger, Chris Vandevalde or Jori Lehtera. I didn’t like the last place 06-07 team until Homer made huge trades at the deadline. Something we’ll probably never ever see again. I like this team more than last season’s team. I don’t know about harder to play against but we’re not getting blown out or lying down.

Believe it or not, I’m not in love with anyone on this team. I stand up for Ristolainen or MacEwen in most cases because the criticism isn’t always deserved. I thought Ristolainen was brutal last night but it had nothing to do with accidentally being part of Hart’s injury. Goalies have players fall on them literally all the time. I just didn’t like Risto’s game. I thought Risto was stead in Toronto, bad last night. The reality for me though is, my favorite player is Ivan Provorov on this team. I feel Ristolainen has outplayed Provorov on the top pair most nights. That first goal allowed, that was on Provorov and Provy has been making bad plays like that a lot this season. Provy will look steady until he makes plays like that one, that leads to that first goal and a guy like Risto will just be there to take the minus.
- SuperSchennBros

I’m curious if your perception will change assuming Hart is out for a length of time.

It’s been Hart that’s given the illusion of better play this year more often than naught, although I’ll give them credit that they haven’t mailed it in yet like last season.

In the grand scheme I’m not sure why that really matters though. The Flyers love to fantasize over the importance of these kind of intangibles, equating them to actual talent that actually means something.

What’s weird is, I actually like this team more than certain teams we’ve had in the past. I didn’t like any of the Hakstol teams that featured RJ Umberger, Chris Vandevalde or Jori Lehtera. I didn’t like the last place 06-07 team until Homer made huge trades at the deadline. Something we’ll probably never ever see again. I like this team more than last season’s team. I don’t know about harder to play against but we’re not getting blown out or lying down.

Believe it or not, I’m not in love with anyone on this team. I stand up for Ristolainen or MacEwen in most cases because the criticism isn’t always deserved. I thought Ristolainen was brutal last night but it had nothing to do with accidentally being part of Hart’s injury. Goalies have players fall on them literally all the time. I just didn’t like Risto’s game. I thought Risto was stead in Toronto, bad last night. The reality for me though is, my favorite player is Ivan Provorov on this team. I feel Ristolainen has outplayed Provorov on the top pair most nights. That first goal allowed, that was on Provorov and Provy has been making bad plays like that a lot this season. Provy will look steady until he makes plays like that one, that leads to that first goal and a guy like Risto will just be there to take the minus.
- SuperSchennBros

A lot of this is spot on. Risto was brutal yesterday. Full stop. I thought last year he had some decent games where by he earned his new deal….but as the year went on I thought his game deteriorated. This year he’s been a bit more sound on the backend, but he is not offering any offence and he’s not as physical….it’s like they are trying to remake his game. Problem is he will never be a great defender….I’m sure they knew this when they dealt for him and before they committed to a long term deal. I agree sometimes the comments are not warranted at all, but after a game like last night that contract is looking a tad putrid.

Risto for the tank!!
- Just5

this everyone hates on him but he's going to get us bedard

this everyone hates on him but he's going to get us bedard
- 2Real

The Flyers had a very good chance at trying to maximize their odds for Bedard this season.

Instead they hired a coach who will most definitely squeeze as much water from this rock as likely possible. They decided to retain anyone of true value in a trade (Provorov/Sanheim).

The big picture is lost on this team, but they sure are trying harder. That’s somehow more important than actually having a top player in the league to market.

For a corporation that’s supposed to be good at understanding things like that, I’m pretty surprised.

It’s frustrating that, as bad and dismal as this team is, I don’t see us finishing in the bottom 4….we’ll still get a useful and impactful player in a strong draft, from 5-7….but unless we win the lottery this team isn’t getting a franchise altering player in the near future.

Part of me hopes we have the opportunity to draft Michkov. An extra 2 years (on top of what you’d expect to wait on any of the other non top 3 picks) is worth it for a potential high end impact player IMO.
- Wingdestroyer

I agree with your opinion on Michkov. The only prospects I would prefer over him are Bedard, Fantilli, and Carlsson. I sure hope Hart does not have a concussion. Whatever the injury, there is no need to rush him back. This team is not in playoff contention. The most games Hart has played was 45 games in a season. He is currently at 27. I don't believe Sandstrom can reach the sustained level of Hart over a stretch of games. Ersson is a complete unknown. Hart's ability to play closer to 60+ games as opppsed to his career high of 45 will determine whether the Flyers are top 3 or around 7.

Touché

It’s disgusting how bad Chicago and Anaheim are tho
- Wingdestroyer

Chicago will get 100% worse when they trade Kane and Toews.

Chicago will get 100% worse when they trade Kane and Toews.
- hfc355

imagine if we put hart on IR or trade provy or sanheim

I’m curious if your perception will change assuming Hart is out for a length of time.

It’s been Hart that’s given the illusion of better play this year more often than naught, although I’ll give them credit that they haven’t mailed it in yet like last season.

In the grand scheme I’m not sure why that really matters though. The Flyers love to fantasize over the importance of these kind of intangibles, equating them to actual talent that actually means something.
- FlyerFan3260

No, my feelings won’t change. I once watched Jeremy Roenick go for a big hit along the boards that took out Eric Desjardins. I nagging injury I believe had something to do with taking Rico out for that season including the playoffs. I didn’t hate on Roenick, nor did the fanbase and we absolutely missed Desjardins from that point forward.

A lot of this is spot on. Risto was brutal yesterday. Full stop. I thought last year he had some decent games where by he earned his new deal….but as the year went on I thought his game deteriorated. This year he’s been a bit more sound on the backend, but he is not offering any offence and he’s not as physical….it’s like they are trying to remake his game. Problem is he will never be a great defender….I’m sure they knew this when they dealt for him and before they committed to a long term deal. I agree sometimes the comments are not warranted at all, but after a game like last night that contract is looking a tad putrid.
- landros 2

I think the Flyers are very much trying to remake Risto’s game and to be honest, not a lot of great options to play next to Provorov, which may need reinventing himself.

Chicago will get 100% worse when they trade Kane and Toews.
- hfc355

Trading Toews will make them better, and Kane isn't half what he used to be.

Trading Toews will make them better, and Kane isn't half what he used to be.
- BINGO!

yup like how we got better without giroux

I’m curious if your perception will change assuming Hart is out for a length of time.

It’s been Hart that’s given the illusion of better play this year more often than naught, although I’ll give them credit that they haven’t mailed it in yet like last season.

In the grand scheme I’m not sure why that really matters though. The Flyers love to fantasize over the importance of these kind of intangibles, equating them to actual talent that actually means something.
- FlyerFan3260

It's extremely difficult to keep the enthusiasm up every game over 82 games when you're losing and losing. I agree about Hart. I'm told that they're so much better because there haven't been any 7-1 or 8-1 losses. There easily could've been if Hart wasn't as good as he was in games early.

The Flyers had a very good chance at trying to maximize their odds for Bedard this season.

Instead they hired a coach who will most definitely squeeze as much water from this rock as likely possible. They decided to retain anyone of true value in a trade (Provorov/Sanheim).

The big picture is lost on this team, but they sure are trying harder. That’s somehow more important than actually having a top player in the league to market.

For a corporation that’s supposed to be good at understanding things like that, I’m pretty surprised.
- FlyerFan3260

Out of curiosity, what would you have liked them to do regarding a coach? Stick with Yeo? Lappy? Bring in a college football coach? People here seem to hate Torts because he’s an awful dinosaur of a coach while also blaming him for elevating the play of this horrible team so much that they’ll be out of the running for a top pick. It’s very confusing.

Out of curiosity, what would you have liked them to do regarding a coach? Stick with Yeo? Lappy? Bring in a college football coach? People here seem to hate Torts because he’s an awful dinosaur of a coach while also blaming him for elevating the play of this horrible team so much that they’ll be out of the running for a top pick. It’s very confusing.
- Dkos

That's really not the case in my opinion. The majority of Tortorella detractors, myself included don't believe that he has elevated the team. The only person who has elevated the team at times is Carter Hart

Out of curiosity, what would you have liked them to do regarding a coach? Stick with Yeo? Lappy? Bring in a college football coach? People here seem to hate Torts because he’s an awful dinosaur of a coach while also blaming him for elevating the play of this horrible team so much that they’ll be out of the running for a top pick. It’s very confusing.
- Dkos

I think Torts is a poor development coach, especially for a team that really needs someone to focus on extracting offensive talent. I think he’s a poor coach for where the game is heading stylistically, and the 2022 young athlete.

I do think his style can benefit a veteran team in a short win now scenario. With the Flyers it will be something to watch to see how quickly his brash style is tuned out.

I would have stuck with Yeo because Monty wasn’t coming here after being offered the bruins job.

The pick for the next 2-3 seasons is priority. Everything else is secondary.

Not sure the Yotes are the team they want to emulate.
- Pelle31Forever

Well, they do have one thing in common. About 5,000 at each home game.

I think Torts is a poor development coach, especially for a team that really needs someone to focus on extracting offensive talent. I think he’s a poor coach for where the game is heading stylistically, and the 2022 young athlete.

I do think his style can benefit a veteran team in a short win now scenario. With the Flyers it will be something to watch to see how quickly his brash style is tuned out.

I would have stuck with Yeo because Monty wasn’t coming here after being offered the bruins job.

The pick for the next 2-3 seasons is priority. Everything else is secondary.
- FlyerFan3260

I agree. Watching the Flyers defend, especially on the PK is really sad. As they sit back is an ultra-conservative low zone collapse and let the opposition move the puck easily to create shooting lanes. It would be one thing if it was effective in limiting scoring chances but it's not.
I think a really talented team could compete under him, but his style of play is really not conducive to the modern-day style of play in the NHL.

I agree. Watching the Flyers defend, especially on the PK is really sad. As they sit back is an ultra-conservative low zone collapse and let the opposition move the puck easily to create shooting lanes. It would be one thing if it was effective in limiting scoring chances but it's not.
I think a really talented team could compete under him, but his style of play is really not conducive to the modern-day style of play in the NHL.
- MJL

The conservative element applies to the complete aversion to east/west play.

I don't see how a coach that justifies setting a standard, and growing a team can defend that. Developing a young player's creativity, and offensive game is such an afterthought.

Sure they would likely give up some more goals, but when we talk about setting an identity or future style of play it's incredibly limiting. He's trying the strategy he thinks will give him the best chance at winning, nothing more.

Snake oil salesman, as I've mentioned before.

The conservative element applies to the complete aversion to east/west play.

I don't see how a coach that justifies setting a standard, and growing a team can defend that. Developing a young player's creativity, and offensive game is such an afterthought.

Sure they would likely give up some more goals, but when we talk about setting an identity or future style of play it's incredibly limiting. He's trying the strategy he thinks will give him the best chance at winning, nothing more.

Snake oil salesman, as I've mentioned before.
- FlyerFan3260

As I said many times, he is coaching for his legacy rather than for the Flyers future.

As I said many times, he is coaching for his legacy rather than for the Flyers future.
- MJL

Very much so. The team was so eager to make him the face of the franchise, as there was a need to market something.

That he is going to gain more influence with someone like Briere is alarming. More John Tortorella style of hockey, or hockey player in this current NHL is not only a boring product but just a poor decision if a team cares about winning.

To carry on your point this team is not being managed in the aim of success, it is being managed to try to maintain an outdated legacy many years in the past.

Very much so. The team was so eager to make him the face of the franchise, as there was a need to market something.

That he is going to gain more influence with someone like Briere is alarming. More John Tortorella style of hockey, or hockey player in this current NHL is not only a boring product but just a poor decision if a team cares about winning.

To carry on your point this team is not being managed in the aim of success, it is being managed to try to maintain an outdated legacy many years in the past.
- FlyerFan3260

My other issue of development is that the Flyers aren't doing anything in terms of developing future coaches. Many of the top coaches today were younger guys developed in the AHL or as assistants. The Flyers have old heads as assistants that were linked to Tortorella in the past or who are also stuck in the past. I don't see Lappariere as a future NHL head coach,

My other issue of development is that the Flyers aren't doing anything in terms of developing future coaches. Many of the top coaches today were younger guys developed in the AHL or as assistants. The Flyers have old heads as assistants that were linked to Tortorella in the past or who are also stuck in the past. I don't see Lappariere as a future NHL head coach,
- MJL

I really didn’t appreciate John Stevens at the time when we had him. I thought he was too soft on the players and I do believe Laviolette was exactly what we needed at the time we had him but Stevens would have been a good coach to keep in the system.

I think the Flyers are very much trying to remake Risto’s game and to be honest, not a lot of great options to play next to Provorov, which may need reinventing himself.
- SuperSchennBros

What would it cost to get Clarke from LA? He might be a great RH to go along with Provy. York and TDA as a pair.

Well, they do have one thing in common. About 5,000 at each home game.
- mikeyo27

Last home game from Sportsnets boxscore.

Venue
Wells Fargo Center-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
REFEREES
Chris Lee, Reid Anderson
LINESMEN
Mark Shewchyk, Jonathan Deschamps
ATTENDANCE
19,432