Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 11/22/23 @ NYI; Phantoms Sweep Canada Trip

I wonder who is coming out of the lineup when Ristolanen is ready to play?

The defense has been playing quite well with this group, why the hel! does Marc staal need to be in the lineup right away? Does someone ask these questions to the coach?

Watching that LHV game last night, man the pace seemed so slow. Slower than usual. Now I didn't watch the whole game mind you. It was rather boring.

The defense has been playing quite well with this group, why the hel! does Marc staal need to be in the lineup right away? Does someone ask these questions to the coach?
- ClaudeFather

to showcase and increase trade value....



I kid of course.

I wonder who is coming out of the lineup when Ristolanen is ready to play?
- MJL

Sanheim. He needs a wake up call and has not been physical enough.

The defense has been playing quite well with this group, why the hel! does Marc staal need to be in the lineup right away? Does someone ask these questions to the coach?
- ClaudeFather

I was wondering that as well. No need to mess with the lineup unless you’re yo yo ing frost which is a coaching strategy meant just for him.

I don’t want rr back in either unless they start losing.

Sanheim. He needs a wake up call and has not been physical enough.
- Hextall271

I was wondering that as well. No need to mess with the lineup unless you’re yo yo ing frost which is a coaching strategy meant just for him.

I don’t want rr back in either unless they start losing.
- Hextall271

You can't change the lineup when winning! Oh wait!

- MJL

I should have added that I was being sarcastic but I think everyone would get my point.

After years of apathy, my interest in watching the Flyers has been rekindled.

I should have added that I was being sarcastic but I think everyone would get my point.
- Hextall271

Yea, it came through fine.

After years of apathy, my interest in watching the Flyers has been rekindled.
- FlyerGuy

Congrats! Mine has as well. We're well into the season and they are holding their own. I really want to see how they make out in the next 3 games against div opponents. Can they go toe to toe with the Rangers?

Yea, it came through fine.
- MJL

did you watch the LHV game last night?

I see folks are on suicide watch because they want to give a guy who has been out of the lineup some reps. Take a deep breath, it’s a long season 😂

I see folks are on suicide watch because they want to give a guy who has been out of the lineup some reps. Take a deep breath, it’s a long season 😂
- black_francis

You getting your torts fanboy pants on early today eh?

You can't change the lineup when winning! Oh wait!
- MJL

All coaches talk out of both sides of their mouths sometimes, Tortorella more than most.

Example: I can't even tell you how many times Torts has said, "I'm a big believer that you play like you practice."

On Friday, we asked Torts about what Brink (about to be scratched for the third straight time) could do in practice to get himself back in the lineup. The very same coach responded with, "I don't evaluate anyone based on practice. I go by games. Everyone nowadays practices well."

Which is it? Is practice a vital part of determining who should play or sit because it predicts game performance? Or is it largely irrelevant? It can't be both. And if it's irrelevant, why are the scratches basically obligated to take daily extra skating before/after practice?

When asked what Frost can do to STAY in the lineup, Tortorella has repeatedly said, if he's going to play, it has to be in the top six and, to do that, we need offense from him (note: he's been barely getting much more than fourth line ice time even in Carolina, where he was playing well and had a nice touch-pass assist). Then, after having a single bad game and also not recording a point after four points in the previous three games, the same coach who said it wasn't fair to change the lineup while on a winning streak, does just that.

Last year, around this time -- while he was buying Frost on the fourth line for nearly a month, Tortorella was saying "He's not scoring. I don't want to hear about chances. He's not producing." (Funny, though, that he often mentions all of Foerster's scoring chances and cited scoring chances with Poeling on the ice in the LA game and ignored that the Flyers got doubled up on chances by LA over those same shifts).

Tortorella also said of Frost last year about this time -- contradicting something Rocky Thompson said in saying Frost was playing decent defense but needed to use his feet more offensively -- "If you're not scoring, give me something defensively. He's not do that, either."

Tortorella came around on Frost defensively by the end of last year although still questioning him offensively (even as he led the team in scoring over the final 2/3 of last year and then led the team in preseason scoring this year). I've said this before and will repeat it. Frost had a bad game overall against Vegas. BUT he did chip in four blocked shots -- something Torts gushes over endlessly for his golden boy players he'd sooner cut off his right hand over rather than scratch for any reason.

For Frost? No. After four points in three games and then four blocked shots in the next game, right back to the scratch list he goes. There is ZERO reason why Frost and Brink cannot both be in the lineup at the same time except that Torts has fallen in love with the idea that Ryan Poeling is a bonafide top nine player (relegating Noah Cates to the fourth line, while the coach utters words about trying to get him going again offensively -- with all due respect, that isn't going to happen with Deslauriers and Hathaway as his linemates).

I'm very happy the Flyers are winning -- it's fun to come to the rink when you're winning. There's not a forward that I individually dislike or would argue isn't a legitimate NHL player. i'll also give Tortorella credit for this: He seems to push the right buttons more often than the wrong ones in the context of a given night.

In the big picture, though, this is supposed to be year two of a rebuild. It's supposed to be a year where the rookies and under-25 player who took steps last year are put in position to take a bigger bite of the apple. Is that's what's happening with Frost scratched half the damn season, with Brink sitting for three, with Zamula still on the NHL roster mostly because he's waiver-eligible, with Cates related for five games now to the fourth line center spot because the coach won't consider even a temporary move back to a wing? With Foerster, a player with legit scoring upside, playing like a nice fourth-liner but also producing like one while on Line 1 and PP1, and the coach just fine and dandy with it?

Hell, Torts says over and over, "This is a young blueline." Is it? Because, when Ristolainen comes back within the next few days, Zamula likely sits again. That makes Cam York the ONLY D who could be classified as a young NHLer. The rest are either in their primes (mid-to-late 20s) or in their 30s (Seeler is 30, Staal is 36). It's actually a VETERAN blueline.

But, again, short-term picture of the 2023-24 season entering Nov. 22: there's plenty to be happy about. Playing from ahead. Playing faster. Forecheck looks improved. Transition game is better. No one in the locker room points fingers at others. Everyone is blocking shots, as asked. The goalie play has been great. The heavy emphasis on training camp conditioning skates has paid dividends so far. Those are positives.

I should have added that I was being sarcastic but I think everyone would get my point.
- Hextall271

No explanation needed. It was quite humorous and well-timed.

Congrats! Mine has as well. We're well into the season and they are holding their own. I really want to see how they make out in the next 3 games against div opponents. Can they go toe to toe with the Rangers?
- Hextall271

Hart’s been playing really well and that’s been fun. Despite the yo-yo with Frost, seeing Tippett, Bee, Brink, Foerester, Z and York play and for the most part play well, it’s been entertaining. Having Coots healthy (just gotta respect the guy) and seeing reclamation project like Walker playing so well has been encouraging. I still have my concerns about many things, but the product on the ice has been enjoyable.

All coaches talk out of both sides of their mouths sometimes, Tortorella more than most.

Example: I can't even tell you how many times Torts has said, "I'm a big believer that you play like you practice."

On Friday, we asked Torts about what Brink (about to be scratched for the third straight time) could do in practice to get himself back in the lineup. The very same coach responded with, "I don't evaluate anyone based on practice. I go by games. Everyone nowadays practices well."

Which is it? Is practice a vital part of determining who should play or sit because it predicts game performance? Or is it largely irrelevant? It can't be both. And if it's irrelevant, why are the scratches basically obligated to take daily extra skating before/after practice?

When asked what Frost can do to STAY in the lineup, Tortorella has repeatedly said, if he's going to play, it has to be in the top six and, to do that, we need offense from him (note: he's been barely getting much more than fourth line ice time even in Carolina, where he was playing well and had a nice touch-pass assist). Then, after having a single bad game and also not recording a point after four points in the previous three games, the same coach who said it wasn't fair to change the lineup while on a winning streak, does just that.

Last year, around this time -- while he was buying Frost on the fourth line for nearly a month, Tortorella was saying "He's not scoring. I don't want to hear about chances. He's not producing." (Funny, though, that he often mentions all of Foerster's scoring chances and cited scoring chances with Poeling on the ice in the LA game and ignored that the Flyers got doubled up on chances by LA over those same shifts).

Tortorella also said of Frost last year about this time -- contradicting something Rocky Thompson said in saying Frost was playing decent defense but needed to use his feet more offensively -- "If you're not scoring, give me something defensively. He's not do that, either."

Tortorella came around on Frost defensively by the end of last year although still questioning him offensively (even as he led the team in scoring over the final 2/3 of last year and then led the team in preseason scoring this year). I've said this before and will repeat it. Frost had a bad game overall against Vegas. BUT he did chip in four blocked shots -- something Torts gushes over endlessly for his golden boy players he'd sooner cut off his right hand over rather than scratch for any reason.

For Frost? No. After four points in three games and then four blocked shots in the next game, right back to the scratch list he goes. There is ZERO reason why Frost and Brink cannot both be in the lineup at the same time except that Torts has fallen in love with the idea that Ryan Poeling is a bonafide top nine player (relegating Noah Cates to the fourth line, while the coach utters words about trying to get him going again offensively -- with all due respect, that isn't going to happen with Deslauriers and Hathaway as his linemates).

I'm very happy the Flyers are winning -- it's fun to come to the rink when you're winning. There's not a forward that I individually dislike or would argue isn't a legitimate NHL player. i'll also give Tortorella credit for this: He seems to push the right buttons more often than the wrong ones in the context of a given night.

In the big picture, though, this is supposed to be year two of a rebuild. It's supposed to be a year where the rookies and under-25 player who took steps last year are put in position to take a bigger bite of the apple. Is that's what's happening with Frost scratched half the damn season, with Brink sitting for three, with Zamula still on the NHL roster mostly because he's waiver-eligible, with Cates related for five games now to the fourth line center spot because the coach won't consider even a temporary move back to a wing? With Foerster, a player with legit scoring upside, playing like a nice fourth-liner but also producing like one while on Line 1 and PP1, and the coach just fine and dandy with it?

Hell, Torts says over and over, "This is a young blueline." Is it? Because, when Ristolainen comes back within the next few days, Zamula likely sits again. That makes Noah Cates the ONLY D who could be classified as a young NHLer. The rest are either in their primes (mid-to-late 20s) or in their 30s (Seeler is 30, Staal is 36). It's actually a VETERAN blueline.

But, again, short-term picture of the 2023-24 season entering Nov. 22: there's plenty to be happy about. Playing from ahead. Playing faster. Forecheck looks improved. Transition game is better. No one in the locker room points fingers at others. Everyone is blocking shots, as asked. The goalie play has been great. The heavy emphasis on training camp conditioning skates has paid dividends so far. Those are positives.
- bmeltzer

Thank you for that, Bill. Very insightful and educating. That’s why we love your blog!

All coaches talk out of both sides of their mouths sometimes, Tortorella more than most.

Example: I can't even tell you how many times Torts has said, "I'm a big believer that you play like you practice."

On Friday, we asked Torts about what Brink (about to be scratched for the third straight time) could do in practice to get himself back in the lineup. The very same coach responded with, "I don't evaluate anyone based on practice. I go by games. Everyone nowadays practices well."

Which is it? Is practice a vital part of determining who should play or sit because it predicts game performance? Or is it largely irrelevant? It can't be both. And if it's irrelevant, why are the scratches basically obligated to take daily extra skating before/after practice?

When asked what Frost can do to STAY in the lineup, Tortorella has repeatedly said, if he's going to play, it has to be in the top six and, to do that, we need offense from him (note: he's been barely getting much more than fourth line ice time even in Carolina, where he was playing well and had a nice touch-pass assist). Then, after having a single bad game and also not recording a point after four points in the previous three games, the same coach who said it wasn't fair to change the lineup while on a winning streak, does just that.

Last year, around this time -- while he was buying Frost on the fourth line for nearly a month, Tortorella was saying "He's not scoring. I don't want to hear about chances. He's not producing." (Funny, though, that he often mentions all of Foerster's scoring chances and cited scoring chances with Poeling on the ice in the LA game and ignored that the Flyers got doubled up on chances by LA over those same shifts).

Tortorella also said of Frost last year about this time -- contradicting something Rocky Thompson said in saying Frost was playing decent defense but needed to use his feet more offensively -- "If you're not scoring, give me something defensively. He's not do that, either."

Tortorella came around on Frost defensively by the end of last year although still questioning him offensively (even as he led the team in scoring over the final 2/3 of last year and then led the team in preseason scoring this year). I've said this before and will repeat it. Frost had a bad game overall against Vegas. BUT he did chip in four blocked shots -- something Torts gushes over endlessly for his golden boy players he'd sooner cut off his right hand over rather than scratch for any reason.

For Frost? No. After four points in three games and then four blocked shots in the next game, right back to the scratch list he goes. There is ZERO reason why Frost and Brink cannot both be in the lineup at the same time except that Torts has fallen in love with the idea that Ryan Poeling is a bonafide top nine player (relegating Noah Cates to the fourth line, while the coach utters words about trying to get him going again offensively -- with all due respect, that isn't going to happen with Deslauriers and Hathaway as his linemates).

I'm very happy the Flyers are winning -- it's fun to come to the rink when you're winning. There's not a forward that I individually dislike or would argue isn't a legitimate NHL player. i'll also give Tortorella credit for this: He seems to push the right buttons more often than the wrong ones in the context of a given night.

In the big picture, though, this is supposed to be year two of a rebuild. It's supposed to be a year where the rookies and under-25 player who took steps last year are put in position to take a bigger bite of the apple. Is that's what's happening with Frost scratched half the damn season, with Brink sitting for three, with Zamula still on the NHL roster mostly because he's waiver-eligible, with Cates related for five games now to the fourth line center spot because the coach won't consider even a temporary move back to a wing? With Foerster, a player with legit scoring upside, playing like a nice fourth-liner but also producing like one while on Line 1 and PP1, and the coach just fine and dandy with it?

Hell, Torts says over and over, "This is a young blueline." Is it? Because, when Ristolainen comes back within the next few days, Zamula likely sits again. That makes Noah Cates the ONLY D who could be classified as a young NHLer. The rest are either in their primes (mid-to-late 20s) or in their 30s (Seeler is 30, Staal is 36). It's actually a VETERAN blueline.

But, again, short-term picture of the 2023-24 season entering Nov. 22: there's plenty to be happy about. Playing from ahead. Playing faster. Forecheck looks improved. Transition game is better. No one in the locker room points fingers at others. Everyone is blocking shots, as asked. The goalie play has been great. The heavy emphasis on training camp conditioning skates has paid dividends so far. Those are positives.
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill. I assume in the 2nd last para that you meant to say York not Cates right?

You getting your torts fanboy pants on early today eh?
- ClaudeFather

Are you really going to implode because Marc Staal is playing a game?

All coaches talk out of both sides of their mouths sometimes, Tortorella more than most.

Example: I can't even tell you how many times Torts has said, "I'm a big believer that you play like you practice."

On Friday, we asked Torts about what Brink (about to be scratched for the third straight time) could do in practice to get himself back in the lineup. The very same coach responded with, "I don't evaluate anyone based on practice. I go by games. Everyone nowadays practices well."

Which is it? Is practice a vital part of determining who should play or sit because it predicts game performance? Or is it largely irrelevant? It can't be both. And if it's irrelevant, why are the scratches basically obligated to take daily extra skating before/after practice?

When asked what Frost can do to STAY in the lineup, Tortorella has repeatedly said, if he's going to play, it has to be in the top six and, to do that, we need offense from him (note: he's been barely getting much more than fourth line ice time even in Carolina, where he was playing well and had a nice touch-pass assist). Then, after having a single bad game and also not recording a point after four points in the previous three games, the same coach who said it wasn't fair to change the lineup while on a winning streak, does just that.

Last year, around this time -- while he was buying Frost on the fourth line for nearly a month, Tortorella was saying "He's not scoring. I don't want to hear about chances. He's not producing." (Funny, though, that he often mentions all of Foerster's scoring chances and cited scoring chances with Poeling on the ice in the LA game and ignored that the Flyers got doubled up on chances by LA over those same shifts).

Tortorella also said of Frost last year about this time -- contradicting something Rocky Thompson said in saying Frost was playing decent defense but needed to use his feet more offensively -- "If you're not scoring, give me something defensively. He's not do that, either."

Tortorella came around on Frost defensively by the end of last year although still questioning him offensively (even as he led the team in scoring over the final 2/3 of last year and then led the team in preseason scoring this year). I've said this before and will repeat it. Frost had a bad game overall against Vegas. BUT he did chip in four blocked shots -- something Torts gushes over endlessly for his golden boy players he'd sooner cut off his right hand over rather than scratch for any reason.

For Frost? No. After four points in three games and then four blocked shots in the next game, right back to the scratch list he goes. There is ZERO reason why Frost and Brink cannot both be in the lineup at the same time except that Torts has fallen in love with the idea that Ryan Poeling is a bonafide top nine player (relegating Noah Cates to the fourth line, while the coach utters words about trying to get him going again offensively -- with all due respect, that isn't going to happen with Deslauriers and Hathaway as his linemates).

I'm very happy the Flyers are winning -- it's fun to come to the rink when you're winning. There's not a forward that I individually dislike or would argue isn't a legitimate NHL player. i'll also give Tortorella credit for this: He seems to push the right buttons more often than the wrong ones in the context of a given night.

In the big picture, though, this is supposed to be year two of a rebuild. It's supposed to be a year where the rookies and under-25 player who took steps last year are put in position to take a bigger bite of the apple. Is that's what's happening with Frost scratched half the damn season, with Brink sitting for three, with Zamula still on the NHL roster mostly because he's waiver-eligible, with Cates related for five games now to the fourth line center spot because the coach won't consider even a temporary move back to a wing? With Foerster, a player with legit scoring upside, playing like a nice fourth-liner but also producing like one while on Line 1 and PP1, and the coach just fine and dandy with it?

Hell, Torts says over and over, "This is a young blueline." Is it? Because, when Ristolainen comes back within the next few days, Zamula likely sits again. That makes Noah Cates the ONLY D who could be classified as a young NHLer. The rest are either in their primes (mid-to-late 20s) or in their 30s (Seeler is 30, Staal is 36). It's actually a VETERAN blueline.

But, again, short-term picture of the 2023-24 season entering Nov. 22: there's plenty to be happy about. Playing from ahead. Playing faster. Forecheck looks improved. Transition game is better. No one in the locker room points fingers at others. Everyone is blocking shots, as asked. The goalie play has been great. The heavy emphasis on training camp conditioning skates has paid dividends so far. Those are positives.
- bmeltzer

All very well said. Overall, this coach is a major issue. The Flyers aren't rebuilding. No matter how many times they say they are. Actions speak louder.

As far as Staal coming back in for Belpedio. I have no issue with that. Belpedio was not part of the roster until injury and was a call up. If Staal is ready to play, he should go in for Belpedio. Shouldn't lose your spot due to injury.

All coaches talk out of both sides of their mouths sometimes, Tortorella more than most.

Example: I can't even tell you how many times Torts has said, "I'm a big believer that you play like you practice."

On Friday, we asked Torts about what Brink (about to be scratched for the third straight time) could do in practice to get himself back in the lineup. The very same coach responded with, "I don't evaluate anyone based on practice. I go by games. Everyone nowadays practices well."

Which is it? Is practice a vital part of determining who should play or sit because it predicts game performance? Or is it largely irrelevant? It can't be both. And if it's irrelevant, why are the scratches basically obligated to take daily extra skating before/after practice?

When asked what Frost can do to STAY in the lineup, Tortorella has repeatedly said, if he's going to play, it has to be in the top six and, to do that, we need offense from him (note: he's been barely getting much more than fourth line ice time even in Carolina, where he was playing well and had a nice touch-pass assist). Then, after having a single bad game and also not recording a point after four points in the previous three games, the same coach who said it wasn't fair to change the lineup while on a winning streak, does just that.

Last year, around this time -- while he was buying Frost on the fourth line for nearly a month, Tortorella was saying "He's not scoring. I don't want to hear about chances. He's not producing." (Funny, though, that he often mentions all of Foerster's scoring chances and cited scoring chances with Poeling on the ice in the LA game and ignored that the Flyers got doubled up on chances by LA over those same shifts).

Tortorella also said of Frost last year about this time -- contradicting something Rocky Thompson said in saying Frost was playing decent defense but needed to use his feet more offensively -- "If you're not scoring, give me something defensively. He's not do that, either."

Tortorella came around on Frost defensively by the end of last year although still questioning him offensively (even as he led the team in scoring over the final 2/3 of last year and then led the team in preseason scoring this year). I've said this before and will repeat it. Frost had a bad game overall against Vegas. BUT he did chip in four blocked shots -- something Torts gushes over endlessly for his golden boy players he'd sooner cut off his right hand over rather than scratch for any reason.

For Frost? No. After four points in three games and then four blocked shots in the next game, right back to the scratch list he goes. There is ZERO reason why Frost and Brink cannot both be in the lineup at the same time except that Torts has fallen in love with the idea that Ryan Poeling is a bonafide top nine player (relegating Noah Cates to the fourth line, while the coach utters words about trying to get him going again offensively -- with all due respect, that isn't going to happen with Deslauriers and Hathaway as his linemates).

I'm very happy the Flyers are winning -- it's fun to come to the rink when you're winning. There's not a forward that I individually dislike or would argue isn't a legitimate NHL player. i'll also give Tortorella credit for this: He seems to push the right buttons more often than the wrong ones in the context of a given night.

In the big picture, though, this is supposed to be year two of a rebuild. It's supposed to be a year where the rookies and under-25 player who took steps last year are put in position to take a bigger bite of the apple. Is that's what's happening with Frost scratched half the damn season, with Brink sitting for three, with Zamula still on the NHL roster mostly because he's waiver-eligible, with Cates related for five games now to the fourth line center spot because the coach won't consider even a temporary move back to a wing? With Foerster, a player with legit scoring upside, playing like a nice fourth-liner but also producing like one while on Line 1 and PP1, and the coach just fine and dandy with it?

Hell, Torts says over and over, "This is a young blueline." Is it? Because, when Ristolainen comes back within the next few days, Zamula likely sits again. That makes Noah Cates the ONLY D who could be classified as a young NHLer. The rest are either in their primes (mid-to-late 20s) or in their 30s (Seeler is 30, Staal is 36). It's actually a VETERAN blueline.

But, again, short-term picture of the 2023-24 season entering Nov. 22: there's plenty to be happy about. Playing from ahead. Playing faster. Forecheck looks improved. Transition game is better. No one in the locker room points fingers at others. Everyone is blocking shots, as asked. The goalie play has been great. The heavy emphasis on training camp conditioning skates has paid dividends so far. Those are positives.
- bmeltzer

it is no rebuild. Yes it is vet defense and anyone can see that despite the nonsense they spew. Little shocked he kept Zamula in over Belpedio.

Just not the right coach for where the flyers should be at.

Bill can you see the flyers being "buyers" in 2 months if they are still in the playoff mix? If so what kind of buyers would they be more than likely in your opinion.

All coaches talk out of both sides of their mouths sometimes, Tortorella more than most.

Example: I can't even tell you how many times Torts has said, "I'm a big believer that you play like you practice."

On Friday, we asked Torts about what Brink (about to be scratched for the third straight time) could do in practice to get himself back in the lineup. The very same coach responded with, "I don't evaluate anyone based on practice. I go by games. Everyone nowadays practices well."

Which is it? Is practice a vital part of determining who should play or sit because it predicts game performance? Or is it largely irrelevant? It can't be both. And if it's irrelevant, why are the scratches basically obligated to take daily extra skating before/after practice?

When asked what Frost can do to STAY in the lineup, Tortorella has repeatedly said, if he's going to play, it has to be in the top six and, to do that, we need offense from him (note: he's been barely getting much more than fourth line ice time even in Carolina, where he was playing well and had a nice touch-pass assist). Then, after having a single bad game and also not recording a point after four points in the previous three games, the same coach who said it wasn't fair to change the lineup while on a winning streak, does just that.

Last year, around this time -- while he was buying Frost on the fourth line for nearly a month, Tortorella was saying "He's not scoring. I don't want to hear about chances. He's not producing." (Funny, though, that he often mentions all of Foerster's scoring chances and cited scoring chances with Poeling on the ice in the LA game and ignored that the Flyers got doubled up on chances by LA over those same shifts).

Tortorella also said of Frost last year about this time -- contradicting something Rocky Thompson said in saying Frost was playing decent defense but needed to use his feet more offensively -- "If you're not scoring, give me something defensively. He's not do that, either."

Tortorella came around on Frost defensively by the end of last year although still questioning him offensively (even as he led the team in scoring over the final 2/3 of last year and then led the team in preseason scoring this year). I've said this before and will repeat it. Frost had a bad game overall against Vegas. BUT he did chip in four blocked shots -- something Torts gushes over endlessly for his golden boy players he'd sooner cut off his right hand over rather than scratch for any reason.

For Frost? No. After four points in three games and then four blocked shots in the next game, right back to the scratch list he goes. There is ZERO reason why Frost and Brink cannot both be in the lineup at the same time except that Torts has fallen in love with the idea that Ryan Poeling is a bonafide top nine player (relegating Noah Cates to the fourth line, while the coach utters words about trying to get him going again offensively -- with all due respect, that isn't going to happen with Deslauriers and Hathaway as his linemates).

I'm very happy the Flyers are winning -- it's fun to come to the rink when you're winning. There's not a forward that I individually dislike or would argue isn't a legitimate NHL player. i'll also give Tortorella credit for this: He seems to push the right buttons more often than the wrong ones in the context of a given night.

In the big picture, though, this is supposed to be year two of a rebuild. It's supposed to be a year where the rookies and under-25 player who took steps last year are put in position to take a bigger bite of the apple. Is that's what's happening with Frost scratched half the damn season, with Brink sitting for three, with Zamula still on the NHL roster mostly because he's waiver-eligible, with Cates related for five games now to the fourth line center spot because the coach won't consider even a temporary move back to a wing? With Foerster, a player with legit scoring upside, playing like a nice fourth-liner but also producing like one while on Line 1 and PP1, and the coach just fine and dandy with it?

Hell, Torts says over and over, "This is a young blueline." Is it? Because, when Ristolainen comes back within the next few days, Zamula likely sits again. That makes Noah Cates the ONLY D who could be classified as a young NHLer. The rest are either in their primes (mid-to-late 20s) or in their 30s (Seeler is 30, Staal is 36). It's actually a VETERAN blueline.

But, again, short-term picture of the 2023-24 season entering Nov. 22: there's plenty to be happy about. Playing from ahead. Playing faster. Forecheck looks improved. Transition game is better. No one in the locker room points fingers at others. Everyone is blocking shots, as asked. The goalie play has been great. The heavy emphasis on training camp conditioning skates has paid dividends so far. Those are positives.
- bmeltzer

Did torts ignore you at a presser or something? Are you really going to have a meltdown over this coach? Because they aren’t doing it the way you want?

“(frank)ing embarrassing” - that’s another quote