I see Briere’s kid got 15 months probation for throwing the wheelchair down the stairs. I also see that he’s going to be playing pro hockey in Slovenia. How does he fulfill his probation if he’s in Slovenia?

In reality, Boston is 2nd overall in the NHL. Despite losing their top two centers from the previous season. Really losing his grip.
- MJL

Trends dude, ya gotta learn how to read trends. They're trending down! If the Flyers even had a middling PP they would be ahead of both them and the Rags.

lol why do you force this word into every other post?

I’m getting you a thesaurus for Christmas.
- anti-lame

I love it. Haven’t heard the word “asinine” used in years. Brings me back to better times.

Trends dude, ya gotta learn how to read trends. They're trending down! If the Flyers even had a middling PP they would be ahead of both them and the Rags.
- Phillywhiteout

How embarrassing. It is a well established concept that in hockey, sample size is what gives the true picture of a team or a player. Not a small sample of games. How do you not know this? Here we go again with the IFS. There are a lot of teams that IF they had something would be a lot better than they are.

It’s fun to see when a guy like that exceeds everyone’s expectations.
- landros 2

I think last night was an example of what I want to see from the Flyers. Throw the broad street bullies 70’s idea out and maybe think more Scott Mellanby and Rick Tocchet. I didn’t start watching the Flyers until the mid 90s but hopefully some of the older guys can confirm. Did you guys have a face in 87? Does this team remind you more of that year?

Not a great game for Hart….but he settled in and allowed Flyers to get their footing as the night went on. Horrid goal to let in after Flyers had taken the lead, but he kept battling. Interesting the other day during the Snow the Goalie podcast Anthony Sanfilippo basically suggested he believes there are those in the organization that don’t want to give Hart that next big contract. He goes on to say that it has everything to do with Ersson and that many of the management view him as the future and already a starting goalie caliber. He believes that it will be Hart moved, but not this year.
- landros 2

Very interesting. And he's a pretty reliable reporter too.

Don’t even do this. A lot of people didn’t like Nick Seeler when he first got here.
- roenick97

He was another CF Minnesota retread, that was pretty much out of hockey, when CF picked him up. It was easy to dislike him. To his credit he worked hard and made himself a valuable player beyond fighting and big hits. I love the guy. He’s what I think CF was hoping ND would be on offense.

How embarrassing. It is a well established concept that in hockey, sample size is what gives the true picture of a team or a player. Not a small sample of games. How do you not know this? Here we go again with the IFS. There are a lot of teams that IF they had something would be a lot better than they are.
- MJL

Yes, but this IF would see the Flyers on top of a conference that they were picked to finish near the bottom in. That's newsworthy!!!

He was another CF Minnesota retread, that was pretty much out of hockey, when CF picked him up. It was easy to dislike him. To his credit he worked hard and made himself a valuable player beyond fighting and big hit. I love the guy. He’s what I think CF was hoping ND would be on offense.
- Dkos

This is exactly why people didn’t like Nick Seeler, myself included. One Minnesota player after another from Fletcher. Now I consider him one of ours.

I don’t know what you guys were able to see but Seeler was red hot after feeling like the player took a shot at his head and he handled business and gave it to the refs. Hathaway was hated by everyone in the building. Chariot and Konency were going at it between whips. It was great inspiring hockey. I felt like Torts leaned heavy on guys that I felt earned it. Maybe not enough on others. Still fun.

Yes, but this IF would see the Flyers on top of a conference that they were picked to finish near the bottom in. That's newsworthy!!!
- Phillywhiteout

What about IF the Devils had a better goalie and Hamilton didn't get hurt?

What about IF Bergeron didn't decide to retire.

I could go on and on. You're talking nonsense.

Very interesting. And he's a pretty reliable reporter too.
- Phillywhiteout

Him and Bundy have a lot of connections high up.

Losing in that shootout after the amazing comeback is like a direct kick in the "nads". The real issue isn't Harts tough 1st period, it's that weak 6th goal. Not the 1st time hes given one up like that. Poor concentration. Makes me wonder what type of goalie he will be if we ever get back to being a playoff contender
- DANCER

as boosh pointed out, thats the flaw with that technique....sometimes the puck finds that spot

What about IF the Devils had a better goalie and Hamilton didn't get hurt?

What about IF Bergeron didn't decide to retire.

I could go on and on. You're talking nonsense.
- MJL

That’s hockey though. What if we didn’t lose Ray Emery in 2010? What if we don’t lose Pronger in 2012? What if we don’t get crippled by injuries in 2004? Every team goes through it. Great players retire every year.

as boosh pointed out, thats the flaw with that technique....sometimes the puck finds that spot
- THE BLACK HAND

Every NHL goalie, including hall of famers have let in bad goals in their careers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PoIWzd__uA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIjp_pwvF5Q

I think last night was an example of what I want to see from the Flyers. Throw the broad street bullies 70’s idea out and maybe think more Scott Mellanby and Rick Tocchet. I didn’t start watching the Flyers until the mid 90s but hopefully some of the older guys can confirm. Did you guys have a face in 87? Does this team remind you more of that year?
- roenick97

Same here not until the mid 90s. But I was also thinking about this group and resembling those 80s teams with everything I heard about them. I think it’s the tyrannical coach and the feistiness of the team

as boosh pointed out, thats the flaw with that technique....sometimes the puck finds that spot
- THE BLACK HAND

Right. It's hard to say it's soft. He's playing the proper technique, in the right place to push off if there is a pass across, and didn't cheat off the post. There's just a hole there if you're a good shooter or really lucky, it will go in. 99 out of 100 of those are stopped.

Definitely not Leighton-like softness there.

Not a great game for Hart….but he settled in and allowed Flyers to get their footing as the night went on. Horrid goal to let in after Flyers had taken the lead, but he kept battling. Interesting the other day during the Snow the Goalie podcast Anthony Sanfilippo basically suggested he believes there are those in the organization that don’t want to give Hart that next big contract. He goes on to say that it has everything to do with Ersson and that many of the management view him as the future and already a starting goalie caliber. He believes that it will be Hart moved, but not this year.
- landros 2

They would be foolish to just give the keys to ersson after this year. He might have 50 games under his belt? The right thing to do is to extend hart.

Right. It's hard to say it's soft. He's playing the proper technique, in the right place to push off if there is a pass across, and didn't cheat off the post. There's just a hole there if you're a good shooter or really lucky, it will go in. 99 out of 100 of those are stopped.

Definitely not Leighton-like softness there.
- atibus

They would be foolish to just give the keys to ersson after this year. He might have 50 games under his belt? The right thing to do is to extend hart.
- Just5

It could be the right thing to do. Your ridiculous suggestion of 8 x 8 would not be the right thing to do though.

They would be foolish to just give the keys to ersson after this year. He might have 50 games under his belt? The right thing to do is to extend hart.
- Just5

We’ll see what the future holds… I’m a fan of Hart’s but understand there’s a lot that will go in to that decision. 8 x 8 seems excessive on both term and $… I’d be more towards 5x 5.5…

They would be foolish to just give the keys to ersson after this year. He might have 50 games under his belt? The right thing to do is to extend hart.
- Just5

Let him go to arbitration for the year if you don’t trust Ersson yet.

Do the Flyers have the patience not rush to any long term extensions?

Let him go to arbitration for the year if you don’t trust Ersson yet.
- psuhockey

Arbitration would result in a one or two year deal. Which in the long run could actually increase the cost of a long term extension. The Flyers have to decide this year, what they want to do. If you view him as a key player moving forward, then re-sign him to a fair deal. If so, I think a 5 year deal for around a 6M AAV is fair and reasonable. If they don't view him as that player and have faith in Ersson, then try and trade Hart in the right deal.

The big holes are still there. They've just gotten away with a lot to this point in the season by playing strong team defense. Water finds its mark eventually.

Owen Tippett, the teams best goal scorer who has net driving wheels. Sees one shift in OT. He's a player that should be double shifted. Don't play not to lose in OT. Play to win.
- MJL

That's because Tippets shift in OT was a long one. Really, your criticism of Torts is just so off-base, you continually embarrass yourself on this forum. Why do you even do this to yourself? Tort's reportedly read his team the riot act between periods and they came out and responded in a big way. Frost and Tippet got minutes in the OT, you are just looking for anything to complain about. Most teams, including your beloved Montgomery or Tocchet teams, would have wilted after the first period giving the Christmas break coming up but not this team, because Torts has built a standard and that standard does not tolerate quitting. This team is showing they are a playoff team and frankly I wouldn't want to play them in the first round. Torts is the Jack Adams award winner, just lick your wounds and accept your fate! You are wrong.

Now, if it were me, the player I don't want to see 3 on 3 is Couturier, at least not right now as he is fighting through some issues. He just can't skate and take advantage of the open ice. I would have York, Tippet and Frost as my starters and then follow up with Walker, Atkinson and TK with Couturier out there for the draw and then immediately to the bench.

Arbitration would result in a one or two year deal. Which in the long run could actually increase the cost of a long term extension. The Flyers have to decide this year, what they want to do. If you view him as a key player moving forward, then re-sign him to a fair deal. If so, I think a 5 year deal for around a 6M AAV is fair and reasonable. If they don't view him as that player and have faith in Ersson, then try and trade Hart in the right deal.
- MJL

It can only be a 1 year deal for Hart. It’s doubtful the hockey Canada investigation doesn’t get resolved any time soon.