in your view is the key word cliff. Bill said he was fighting it a bit. You are not there everyday so see what's going on. You have zero idea what has been said between the coaches and Brink. There is no down side to sitting a game here or there.

flyers are flawed in the drafting/development area. Doesn't mean everything they do is wrong.
- hello it's me 2050

It seems a lot of the world today is so black and white. It lends to arguments being flawed when your position doesn’t always make sense. Guys tie them selves up in knots trying to be poetic and right at the same time. You can only spin so much.
Hockey is a game of mistakes. Whom ever makes fewer and takes advantage of he other teams usually wins.
As most decent hockey people will tell you analytics tell us what we already know….it just an attempt to put the eye test into numbers.

So many head-scratching decisions by Torts and management.

DB should have known better than to give Torts Poehling as an option with so many young forwards vying for icetime and opportunity. What's happening to Frost, Brink, etc now is a direct result of that mistake.

Ditto bringing back Belpedio and signing Staal on the back end. You just knew Andrae and Zamula wouldn't be given time to work through any issues. And once Risto and Staal are healthy... York had better watch out.
- Tomhawk

What you say here does not make a lot of sense. First Poehling was signed to a 1 year deal and clearly earned a spot on this team based on his camp. What young Flyers prospect was ready for the 4C role on the Flyers? Frost? Brink? Desnoyers? Should Laughton play the 4C role on this team? The fact is the only Flyers that could play the 4C role were Laczynski and Desnoyers, and Poehling was clearly better than both of those players! So ... what .. we should give the spot to Laczynski or Desnoyers just because .. even though they didn't earn it? Is that how you build a winning culture in your book?

On defense, Andrae was given a chance to play and he clearly was not ready to play in the NHL. He clearly needed to play big minutes in the AHL to develop further and that is exactly what he is doing. Belpedio was called up as a stop gap because both Risto and Staal are hurt. As soon as one of those two are back in the lineup, Belpedio will be out of the lineup. When Staal signed with the Flyers, Briere made it clear to him he would not be playing a lot of minutes given the Flyers are in the rebuild and Staal was fine with that. Torts has already stated he is going to let York work through things this year, and so far he has been consistent with that premise. So in my opinion, you are just trying to fan flames here, nothing more.

Is it just Tortorella or is it the organization as a whole? Recall the debates we had on the Flyers ability to develop players?
- MJL

I recall that the so-called big time prospects that Hextall drafted never really panned out. Fletcher's draft picks had promise but they were not moving at light speed either. Then Torts came along and magically players, young and veteran, actually started playing significantly better. So yes, you're right .. Torts deserves a lot of credit for finally moving this organization forward in its player development! Thanks for asking the question.

Apparently risto is close to returning. Should be a party in our end.
- Hextall271

Staal is skating as well

No issue with sitting Brink down when he’s fighting it a bit. 1 or 2 games and then he needs to go back in and play for a while. This shouldn’t be something where a guy is in out in out. Let the kid watch, then play him. The issue here is are we scratching Brink because he hit a wall or is he scratched because torts thinks RP is going to give him a better chance to win the game. Maybe it is both and it lined up but it can’t be just the latter
- ClaudeFather

Brink was struggling for the past several games and clearly needed to take some time and reset. RP plays the right way and is a nice piece to add back into the lineup when needed. Given the Flyers are playing several younger player up front, RP is a luxury.

Sample size matters. To this point in the season, Cates P/60 has dropped even further from the pedestrian level he was at last season. From 1.37 to 1.05. That's not good. His defensive game has slipped, which I don't expect to last. All points to a current struggle.  
- MJL

And Cates may be the next to sit and reset. The Flyers have depth up front which is a good thing, and yet people are complaining?

What you say here does not make a lot of sense. First Poehling was signed to a 1 year deal and clearly earned a spot on this team based on his camp. What young Flyers prospect was ready for the 4C role on the Flyers? Frost? Brink? Desnoyers? Should Laughton play the 4C role on this team? The fact is the only Flyers that could play the 4C role were Laczynski and Desnoyers, and Poehling was clearly better than both of those players! So ... what .. we should give the spot to Laczynski or Desnoyers just because .. even though they didn't earn it? Is that how you build a winning culture in your book?



- jd250

I'll clue you in. Center options on the current roster. Couturier, Frost, Cates, Laughton, Poehling. Frost has sat out 7 games. See if you can put 2 and 2 together.

On defense, Andrae was given a chance to play and he clearly was not ready to play in the NHL. He clearly needed to play big minutes in the AHL to develop further and that is exactly what he is doing. Belpedio was called up as a stop gap because both Risto and Staal are hurt. As soon as one of those two are back in the lineup, Belpedio will be out of the lineup. When Staal signed with the Flyers, Briere made it clear to him he would not be playing a lot of minutes given the Flyers are in the rebuild and Staal was fine with that. Torts has already stated he is going to let York work through things this year, and so far he has been consistent with that premise. So in my opinion, you are just trying to fan flames here, nothing more.
- jd250

Staal has played 3 full games so far as a Flyer. His ice time in those games were 20:14, 16:01 and 18:37. If he hadn't been injured it's a bet that would've continued. If Staal and Ristolainen had been healthy all year, which defenseman do you think that would've affected the most in terms of playing time? See if you can put that 2 and 2 together

What Tomahawk posted is absolutely correct. The more veteran options you give Tortorella. The more grinders you give him. The more options he has to choose with his biases. He's not fanning the flames. He's speaking the truth and I'll use one of your lines. You're just going to have to accept it.

Apparently risto is close to returning. Should be a party in our end.
- Hextall271

Yeah baby!!

Brink was struggling for the past several games and clearly needed to take some time and reset. RP plays the right way and is a nice piece to add back into the lineup when needed. Given the Flyers are playing several younger player up front, RP is a luxury.
- jd250

RP is not a luxury in any sense, nor does his “playing the right way” show up anywhere

I recall that the so-called big time prospects that Hextall drafted never really panned out. Fletcher's draft picks had promise but they were not moving at light speed either. Then Torts came along and magically players, young and veteran, actually started playing significantly better. So yes, you're right .. Torts deserves a lot of credit for finally moving this organization forward in its player development! Thanks for asking the question.
- jd250

Tortorella had very little to do with it. As you conveniently forget, Tortorella had to be talked to by management to play the younger players more. While he was playing stiffs like McEwen 15 minutes a game. If it wasn't for major injuries to players such as Couturier and Atkinson. Young players would've played far less. Tortorella is about the worst coach you could have for future team and young player development. You come around to that conclusion at some point.

I'll clue you in. Center options on the current roster. Couturier, Frost, Cates, Laughton, Poehling. Frost has sat out 7 games. See if you can put 2 and 2 together.
- MJL

4! Oh .. wait ... "22" ... arrgghh .. is this a trick question?

Staal has played 3 full games so far as a Flyer. His ice time in those games were 20:14, 16:01 and 18:37. If he hadn't been injured it's a bet that would've continued. If Staal and Ristolainen had been healthy all year, which defenseman do you think that would've affected the most in terms of playing time? See if you can put that 2 and 2 together

What Tomahawk posted is absolutely correct. The more veteran options you give Tortorella. The more grinders you give him. The more options he has to choose with his biases. He's not fanning the flames. He's speaking the truth and I'll use one of your lines. You're just going to have to accept it.
- MJL

It's early in the season, perhaps Torts is doing what all good coaches do, letting the younger players ease into the lineup and let them take on a bigger role when he thinks they are ready to? BTW, I charge 25 cents royalty each time you use one of my lines, where can I send the bill?

Tortorella had very little to do with it. As you conveniently forget, Tortorella had to be talked to by management to play the younger players more. While he was playing stiffs like McEwen 15 minutes a game. If it wasn't for major injuries to players such as Couturier and Atkinson. Young players would've played far less. Tortorella is about the worst coach you could have for future team and young player development. You come around to that conclusion at some point.
- MJL

I may, but so far the evidence points to the complete opposite in that the Flyers players 25 years of age or less are playing significantly better under Torts, including your boy Frost.

Brink was struggling for the past several games and clearly needed to take some time and reset. RP plays the right way and is a nice piece to add back into the lineup when needed. Given the Flyers are playing several younger player up front, RP is a luxury.
- jd250

Brink did not need to be sat down. He needed to keep playing and be allowed to work through it.

What luxury is Poehling! What evidence can you offer that he plays the right way? He is mediocre even as a 13th forward.

I may, but so far the evidence points to the complete opposite in that the Flyers players 25 years of age or less are playing significantly better under Torts, including your boy Frost.
- jd250

Provide the evidence. You're a walking contradiction. Frost doesn't move his feet, doesn't get to the dirty areas. Isn't consistent. You don't like the way he plays. He should've been scratched and that's why he's not playing. Now it's your boy Frost is playing significantly better under Tortorella. Its hysterical. Impossible to make up!

4! Oh .. wait ... "22" ... arrgghh .. is this a trick question?


- jd250

There was no question and apparently the reality escapes you. Not to mention that 2 and 2 equals 4.

It's early in the season, perhaps Torts is doing what all good coaches do, letting the younger players ease into the lineup and let them take on a bigger role when he thinks they are ready to? BTW, I charge 25 cents royalty each time you use one of my lines, where can I send the bill?
- jd250

Tortorella is not a good coach. Good coaches show patience and actually work with young players and keep them playing. Bad coaches scratch players when that is the only play they have

BTW, I have a charge for every time I have to point out how you're wrong. You owe me a fortune.

I recall that the so-called big time prospects that Hextall drafted never really panned out. Fletcher's draft picks had promise but they were not moving at light speed either. Then Torts came along and magically players, young and veteran, actually started playing significantly better. So yes, you're right .. Torts deserves a lot of credit for finally moving this organization forward in its player development! Thanks for asking the question.
- jd250

what has torts done to move the organization forward in player development?

Brink was struggling for the past several games and clearly needed to take some time and reset. RP plays the right way and is a nice piece to add back into the lineup when needed. Given the Flyers are playing several younger player up front, RP is a luxury.
- jd250

love the plays the right way buzzword

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Schedule, Prospects, Brink, Poehling, and More
- bmeltzer

I am sure gmdb is drawing u[ a 3 yr at 3m AAV contract for rp as we type

Brink did not need to be sat down. He needed to keep playing and be allowed to work through it.

What luxury is Poehling! What evidence can you offer that he plays the right way? He is mediocre even as a 13th forward.
- MJL

The Flyers will be resurrecting Poehling's career just as they are trying to do with Mete. Oh wait, he just got sent back to the AHL.

RP is not a luxury in any sense, nor does his “playing the right way” show up anywhere
- ClaudeFather

He's only here due to most of our draft picks ended up as misses or AHL tweeners

I am sure gmdb is drawing u
- corduroy[ a 3 yr at 3m AAV contract for rp as we type

What does the incoming Sean Walker extension come in at? I'll say 6 years at $4.85mil

And Cates may be the next to sit and reset. The Flyers have depth up front which is a good thing, and yet people are complaining?
- jd250

You're stuck back in kumbaya just like you were with Fletcher. The Flyers have 4 full time NHL centers on the roster. That's it. Poehling isn't one of them.

Brink did not need to be sat down. He needed to keep playing and be allowed to work through it.

What luxury is Poehling! What evidence can you offer that he plays the right way? He is mediocre even as a 13th forward.
- MJL

that is not a fact and your opinion cliff.

The Flyers will be resurrecting Poehling's career just as they are trying to do with Mete. Oh wait, he just got sent back to the AHL.
- TobyFlenderson

Flyers have a big bottle of holy water.

What does the incoming Sean Walker extension come in at? I'll say 6 years at $4.85mil
- TobyFlenderson

nah 3 years. though flyers will do 4