The Canes definitely aren't clicking on all cylinders yet. There are things you can see in how they play and how they generate speed to attack. They routinely would hit a player in the neutral zone with a pass and then have a "gunner" shoot up through the neutral zone in a give and go to generate speed to attack the opposition blue line with speed. They also play with a tight gap both offensively and defensively, which is why they appear to be on an opposition player as soon as he has the puck. Just a really well coached team. I envy them.

The Canes definitely aren't clicking on all cylinders yet. There are things you can see in how they play and how they generate speed to attack. They routinely would hit a player in the neutral zone with a pass and then have a "gunner" shoot up through the neutral zone in a give and go to generate speed to attack the opposition blue line with speed. They also play with a tight gap both offensively and defensively, which is why they appear to be on an opposition player as soon as he has the puck. Just a really well coached team. I envy them.
- MJL

A good regular season team ... what have they won when it matters though?

A good regular season team ... what have they won when it matters though?
- jd250

Well there you go then, forget everything I posted.

Still don't understand sample size. How many NHL games had Couturier played by the time he was 22 versus Frost? How about at 24?
- MJL

HAHAHAHA , AHL games dont count. You have to put in NHL games. Age doesnt count, pro games dont count .Only what fits your narrative lol

Why are we concerned about Frost's ability to take faceoffs at this stage of his career? Especially, after sitting 6 or 7 games. I was at the game last night and sat up high watching him. he looked like anyone would look in the first period and a half and then by the 3rd was playing exactly the way we need him to. Last night in general was fine. Great goaltending. We just did not bury our chances. I can't imagine anyone watching last night and thinking Frost doesnt play the next game. The only other players on this roster that can create like him are selke and brink.
- 26912 PP1

No one posted Frost should not be playing, in fact I have posted several times that benching Frost was not the right move and he should be playing. But it's a fact that Frost has to improve on faceoffs. God forbid anyone criticizes the sacred cow around here!

Well there you go then, forget everything I posted.

- MJL

You can laugh it off, but its a legitimate question. The Bruins had the best regular season in NHL history last year and a 3-1 series lead in the first round, and lost! (Wait, I have to pause because I am getting giddy ...). OK. It does not matter what a team does in the regular season if it does not translate to deep playoff runs and eventually a Cup. In the past 4 playoffs the Hurricanes have have won a few playoff series but have never been able to take that next step; a step that Vegas, Tampa and Colorado all have taken. Maybe this year is their year, but I don't see it. They are a good team, but a team that is missing something. Last night after the first 8 or 9 minutes of the game, the Hurricanes were outplayed and outplayed by a wide margin, especially in the 3rd period. They weathered the storm against a middling team, but it will not be the case when they play the good teams when it matters the most.

You can laugh it off, but its a legitimate question. The Bruins had the best regular season in NHL history last year and a 3-1 series lead in the first round, and lost! (Wait, I have to pause because I am getting giddy ...). OK. It does not matter what a team does in the regular season if it does not translate to deep playoff runs and eventually a Cup. In the past 4 playoffs the Hurricanes have have won a few playoff series but have never been able to take that next step; a step that Vegas, Tampa and Colorado all have taken. Maybe this year is their year, but I don't see it. They are a good team, but a team that is missing something. Last night after the first 8 or 9 minutes of the game, the Hurricanes were outplayed and outplayed by a wide margin, especially in the 3rd period. They weathered the storm against a middling team, but it will not be the case when they play the good teams when it matters the most.
- jd250

Does a team have to win the Stanley Cup in order for the coach of a team to be considered a very good coach? Does a team have to win a Stanley Cup in order to look at elements of their system play and point out what it does and how effective it is? If you read Bill Meltzer's write up of the game, does he suggest that the Flyers outplayed the Canes by a wide margin after the first ten minutes of the game? Early season hockey is early season hockey.

What you've done is placed a ridiculous standard out there to meet to dismiss the premise of my post. To basically say well they haven't won the cup so anything they do is irrelevant. It's just not an intelligent way to reply.

Foerster was a lot better last night. It's coming. He's been just OK from camp onward but he had three good scoring chances last night and a couple in the immediately preceding two games.
- bmeltzer

coul



could it be his skating? he seems to get there ok, but is a 1/2 stride off or seems like it took all he had to get there and is off balance. He is feet seem to be not set.

coul



could it be his skating? he seems to get there ok, but is a 1/2 stride off or seems like it took all he had to get there and is off balance. He is feet seem to be not set.
- wcorvette

I noticed his skating last year when he was with the Phantoms. I saw him play in WBS and he just seemed unsettled on his skates. Not much speed and just looked like he had a lot of work to do on his stride/skating ability. It stood out to me.

Why are we concerned about Frost's ability to take faceoffs at this stage of his career? Especially, after sitting 6 or 7 games. I was at the game last night and sat up high watching him. he looked like anyone would look in the first period and a half and then by the 3rd was playing exactly the way we need him to. Last night in general was fine. Great goaltending. We just did not bury our chances. I can't imagine anyone watching last night and thinking Frost doesnt play the next game. The only other players on this roster that can create like him are selke and brink.
- 26912 PP1

yea, maybe even Torts now, wont be able to sit Frost again. If Foerster can be a 1/2 step quicker, get one goal that line might actually be hard to play against.

I noticed his skating last year when he was with the Phantoms. I saw him play in WBS and he just seemed unsettled on his skates. Not much speed and just looked like he had a lot of work to do on his stride/skating ability. It stood out to me.
- cdearth23

unsettled is a good word, I think he makes the right read, he is seems to be quicker getting there than in the past, but if your feet are unsettled it effects the pace and accuracy of your shot.

on the bright side the Pens lose was glorious and their board is fun... Win all the Pen games and lose the rest, I am good.


What is clear to me, the 2024 draft will likely be the last draft the Flyers will pick in the top 10.

unsettled is a good word, I think he makes the right read, he is seems to be quicker getting there than in the past, but if your feet are unsettled it effects the pace and accuracy of your shot.
- wcorvette

Yes, like a baby horse:-)

He should continue to develop his skating. He does have a good shot. Just needs to get himself time to get it off. That's where the skating ability comes in.

Good puck possession teams are skilled enough to get the puck back when they lose a draw. Faceoffs matter. But when you win them matters more. Last minute of the game down a goal, tied or up a goal or on the PP and PK magnifies them. Maybe with all the data analysis, the NHL will come up with a formula for measuring who wins more critical faceoffs.
- Minnyhock

Not arguing the importance of winning face off (especially in the critical times of the game). As important as FO% stat is, it's not the one that determines success of the player or a team.

Andersen made a ton of huge saves. Hart as well. Flyers could have scored a bunch more goals. Back to back games where they're right in it against an actual contender and left with no points. Remember this is a rebuild. So it's actually better they're losing some of these games. Appreciating the hustle overall from the Flyers. The last thing the Flyers want to do is finish outside of a playoff spot and outside of a top 10 draft pick.
- Pixote Andolini

This!

What is clear to me, the 2024 draft will likely be the last draft the Flyers will pick in the top 10.
- wcorvette

The Flyers blue line isn’t getting fixed anytime soon. It could very well be worse next season.

The Flyers blue line isn’t getting fixed anytime soon. It could very well be worse next season.
- psuhockey

unless they play 2 more rookies, it will actually be a little better.

How much does leverage matter? I get some but Claude is not a huge man, yet he dominates. Patrice b as well. Yes bigger than g but not a big center.
- Peter Richards

size/leverage is a clear advantage. Frost is not getting bigger so that will always be there. He just has to figure out a way to neutralize it, which I am sure Giroux and Bergeron had done when they were starting out.....

The Flyers blue line isn’t getting fixed anytime soon. It could very well be worse next season.
- psuhockey

As d take longer to get ready. It should be focused on first. In drafting if it’s close I’d go with d. But don’t over reach.

HAHAHAHA , AHL games dont count. You have to put in NHL games. Age doesnt count, pro games dont count .Only what fits your narrative lol
- bradster

Frost has only played 65 AHL games, so it doesn't change the point at all.

on the bright side the Pens lose was glorious and their board is fun... Win all the Pen games and lose the rest, I am good.


What is clear to me, the 2024 draft will likely be the last draft the Flyers will pick in the top 10.
- wcorvette

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Frost has only played 65 AHL games, so it doesn't change the point at all.
- Feanor

Take Coots at 161 career games + 65 and he's still under 47% at the dot. Right where Frost is right now.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
- Pelle31Forever

not saying they will be playoff bound, just to good to finish in the bottom 10, back on the bubble but not in. They need at least one more season picking high, top 5 preferably. An 8 this season and a 14 ish from the Panthers would be nice.

Frost has only played 65 AHL games, so it doesn't change the point at all.
- Feanor

It's too difficult apparently.

Take Coots at 161 career games + 65 and he's still under 47% at the dot. Right where Frost is right now.



- Tomahawk

when the whole team gets trucked on the draw, really funny to see one get called out. When you take a draw vs a big strong guy, who is good at it, best of luck. Plus it looked like they let Staal not get his stick down a good bit, just savvy on this part.