Smallish players make it in the modern NHL because they compensate by having above average straight line speed, are quick and sharp on their edges and by having a strong center of gravity. Brink will never be a fast straight line skater, but he has to get better on his edges and develop a stronger center of gravity. If he can do that then combined with his above average hockey IQ, he will make it in this league. Right now, it's painful to watch him try to keep up with the play and to see him constantly lose puck battles.
- jd250

Actually, Brink's straight line speed on average is above the 50 percentile in the NHL. Which means he has above average speed. What he is lacks is an explosive stride. It's so painful to watch him keep up with the play that he is scoring at an 18 goal, 29 assist pace for 47 points as an NHL rookie. It's so painful that he has decent underlying numbers across the board, including a team leading Goals for % of 63.64%. All of the data as well as watching the player play, does not support your opinion. This is just another fantasy in a long line of fantasy opinions offered on players by you.

Actually the huge difference between you and me is that one of us actually supports their position and one of us does not. For example, you made a paragraph long post without saying a dam thing. Without making a single statement that supports your opinion. All you did was to attempt to dismiss simple facts with the fallacy of having to watch the game. It's actually a combination of the two. What stats do is provide credibility to an opinion offered. Observation is subjective and it really depends on who is doing the watching. When we look at all the available data along with observation from an informed source. There is no legitimate reason to doubt that Brink is going to be a regular NHL player moving forward. Which is not the same as saying that there aren't areas of his game that need to grow and improve.

As far as the Eagles are concerned, that has nothing to do with Brink and is just a strawman.
- MJL

Why do you try to complicate everything to the point of stupidity? I made a simple observation while watching some of these Flyers games. Brink seems to struggle with his skating and keeping up with the game at times. He's a little guy that gets man handled at times due to his exhaustion. He has to work hard at skating as opposed to someone with a smoother skating stride and he gets worn down. Not sure if you've ever even skated in your life, but if you have a smooth stride you don't have to work as hard. He has choppy strides and looks like he struggles at times.

So I was thinking about injuries and man games lost to injury, as next to Cates, the Flyers this year have had next to nothing for injuries.

Last season, the Flyers lost 425 games to injury through out the year. We are nowhere close to hitting that this year. But that also had me thinking that how is it that a team that couldn't stay healthy last year and the year before, is staying healthy this year? Have they tried different training, and we are seeing the results? Or are we just being really fortunate to not be having injuries cost us this year like it has the last couple. Does this mean we are due? The groin and core injuries don't seem as rampant as prior years, or is that they are just labelling them ubi and lbi?

Fun couple of minutes in the 3rd today, but that Tippet blunder was huge. 4 losses in the last 5 games. Hopefully we fair better in Edmonton.
- TheFreak

Who is included in those man games lost to injury? Couturier, Atkinson and Ellis? That's 246 games right there.

Why do you try to complicate everything to the point of stupidity? I made a simple observation while watching some of these Flyers games. Brink seems to struggle with his skating and keeping up with the game at times. He's a little guy that gets man handled at times due to his exhaustion. He has to work hard at skating as opposed to someone with a smoother skating stride and he gets worn down. Not sure if you've ever even skated in your life, but if you have a smooth stride you don't have to work as hard. He has choppy strides and looks like he struggles at times.
- Phillywhiteout

Again, another fallacy. There is nothing complicated here. All of the available information does not support your opinion. If what you say is true, where is the data and facts to support that? It's simply not there.

Again, another fallacy. There is nothing complicated here. All of the available information does not support your opinion. If what you say is true, where is the data and facts to support that? It's simply not there.
- MJL

Back to my original post here. It's not a fallacy. It's my opinion. These games aren't played on paper. We shall see how it plays out (if Brink gets scratched again). I'll probably be right again cause I watch the games and understand what I'm watching. Just like I was right about the Eagles, but you kept throwing 10-1 in my face. 10-1 has turned to 11-5 and a team that is just lucky to be in the playoffs. Whoooooops!!

Who is included in those man games lost to injury? Couturier, Atkinson and Ellis? That's 246 games right there.
- MJL

Yes they would be included, but that is still close to a couple of hundred man games missed. Just for fun we can say the average was 2 games missed per game played (425-246=179) . Ellis is a wash both years, so then this time last year we had missed approx. 72 games, this year is is less than 30. Carry that over a full 82 games at .83 games missed per game played is only about 68 games missed this year at the current injury pace, compared to over 160 last year. Why such a difference? Luck? Training? Torts?

Back to my original post here. It's not a fallacy. It's my opinion. These games aren't played on paper. We shall see how it plays out (if Brink gets scratched again). I'll probably be right again cause I watch the games and understand what I'm watching. Just like I was right about the Eagles, but you kept throwing 10-1 in my face. 10-1 has turned to 11-5 and a team that is just lucky to be in the playoffs. Whoooooops!!
- Phillywhiteout

There was a play last night along the left boards in Calgary's end, where Brink was chasing the puck..he couldn't catch the puck, but got just creamed along the boards by Calgary's dman. I love his hands and his smarts, but he looked tiny, he did look off balance, and the Calgary dman looked like a monster next to him.
Sorry, but his skating is really bad...I just don't get why they can't work this out with a specialty coach.

Regarding the Phantoms, they have an experienced and veteran lineup plus several of their rookies are performing well, so I would expect them to be higher in the standings and at least above hockey .500.

Regarding the coach, I have called out Rocky Thompson several times and have said the Flyers should bring in a consultant to work with the PP. Several teams around the league have done this already. Rocky has had 1.5 years now to get this PP going, and even though I know the elite talent is not there, they should be better than 10% or whatever the Flyers are at present.

With Zamula, to me a PP QB is someone who can play the top of the umbrella and make the right pass or get shots through to the goalie. Zamula has been the best at it for the Flyers this season IMO.

I gave Fletcher the benefit of the doubt his first two seasons but after that it was clear many of you were right and he was a moron.
- jd250

how has the phantoms goaltending been?

Zamula possibly being the best at on the flyers doesn't mean he is the answer. Flyers PP is all on the coaches and the GM. To not address it at this point is a total failure on both.

There was a play last night along the left boards in Calgary's end, where Brink was chasing the puck..he couldn't catch the puck, but got just creamed along the boards by Calgary's dman. I love his hands and his smarts, but he looked tiny, he did look off balance, and the Calgary dman looked like a monster next to him.
Sorry, but his skating is really bad...I just don't get why they can't work this out with a specialty coach.
- TheFreak

I think he looks pretty stout for a shorter guy and he seems to hold his own in the corners. His skating is ugly though. You expect little guys to be plus skaters. He does look a little worn down lately, but honestly so does the whole team. Speaking of little guys playing physical. How about Frost dishing out those big hits in the last couple of games? I’d rather see him generating goals, but it’s fun to see him assert himself physically too.

I think he looks pretty stout for a shorter guy and he seems to hold his own in the corners. His skating is ugly though. You expect little guys to be plus skaters. He does look a little worn down lately, but honestly so does the whole team. Speaking of little guys playing physical. How about Frost dishing out those big hits in the last couple of games? I’d rather see him generating goals, but it’s fun to see him assert himself physically too.
- Dkos

Also keep in mind Brink is also coming off serious surgery and only played 30 something games last year. Let’s see if any improvement in the 2nd half.

Back to my original post here. It's not a fallacy. It's my opinion. These games aren't played on paper. We shall see how it plays out (if Brink gets scratched again). I'll probably be right again cause I watch the games and understand what I'm watching. Just like I was right about the Eagles, but you kept throwing 10-1 in my face. 10-1 has turned to 11-5 and a team that is just lucky to be in the playoffs. Whoooooops!!
- Phillywhiteout

Attempting to dismiss facts that don't support your opinion with having to watch the games, is a fallacy. The Eagles don't have anything to do with this conversation. That is another fallacy.

Yes they would be included, but that is still close to a couple of hundred man games missed. Just for fun we can say the average was 2 games missed per game played (425-246=179) . Ellis is a wash both years, so then this time last year we had missed approx. 72 games, this year is is less than 30. Carry that over a full 82 games at .83 games missed per game played is only about 68 games missed this year at the current injury pace, compared to over 160 last year. Why such a difference? Luck? Training? Torts?
- TheFreak

It's definitely a factor in the Flyers success. I don't know why it's different. Maybe just plain old luck.

There was a play last night along the left boards in Calgary's end, where Brink was chasing the puck..he couldn't catch the puck, but got just creamed along the boards by Calgary's dman. I love his hands and his smarts, but he looked tiny, he did look off balance, and the Calgary dman looked like a monster next to him.
Sorry, but his skating is really bad...I just don't get why they can't work this out with a specialty coach.
- TheFreak

Last night, Frost chased down MacKenzie Weegar and knocked him on his ass. Can't just look at one play. Have to look at the players overall work. I don't see his skating as really bad. Both his play on the ice and the statistical evidence does not support your claim. If one wants to say that his lack of explosive speed or lack of high quality edge work will have a limit on how high of a level of player he can attain. I think that would be fair. To say that his skating is really bad, that's just not the case. He's an average skater. His level of skating is no where near awful, nor is it going to prevent him from being a good player.

According to the official NHL.com Flyers page, Brink is a 22 year old rookie, listed at 5’8” and 169 lbs. The man has 7 goals and 11 assists (with a +7) in 31 games this year. He’s the 6th highest scoring rookie (7th if you factor in Carlson’s PPG avg) thus far and has better PPG average than guys like Cooley, Evangelista, and Knies.

Obviously not a huge sample, but certainly enough early evidence that should preclude anyone from dismissing him as lacking NHL abilities, including an adequate combination of skating, hockey sense, and skill.

According to the official NHL.com Flyers page, Brink is a 22 year old rookie, listed at 5’8” and 169 lbs. The man has 7 goals and 11 assists (with a +7) in 31 games this year. He’s the 6th highest scoring rookie (7th if you factor in Carlson’s PPG avg) thus far and has better PPG average than guys like Cooley, Evangelista, and Knies.

Obviously not a huge sample, but certainly enough early evidence that should preclude anyone from dismissing him as lacking NHL abilities, including an adequate combination of skating, hockey sense, and skill.
- mikeyo27

No doubt. If you watch him skate, it's not pretty esthetically but he gets there. Statistically, speed wise he is above average. Production and underlying numbers all suggest that he is an NHL player.

Actually, Brink's straight line speed on average is above the 50 percentile in the NHL. Which means he has above average speed. What he is lacks is an explosive stride. It's so painful to watch him keep up with the play that he is scoring at an 18 goal, 29 assist pace for 47 points as an NHL rookie. It's so painful that he has decent underlying numbers across the board, including a team leading Goals for % of 63.64%. All of the data as well as watching the player play, does not support your opinion. This is just another fantasy in a long line of fantasy opinions offered on players by you.
- MJL

Can you provide this data?

Can you provide this data?
- anti-lame

https://edge.nhl.com/en/skater/8481553

It's a NEW Year and it doesn't come with guarantees.
This year's team is better than last year's.
I expect continued developments across all fronts. The eventual outcome is one that I hope to see, banners.
I also want to say it is a privilege to be amongst this informed and sometimes off balance, fanbase. I'm glad that Meltzer gives us continued guidance and information to fuel our passions.
Happy New Year!

https://edge.nhl.com/en/skater/8481553
- MBFlyerfan

This data would point to his top speed being decent but he’s not there often and he’s usually slower than his peers.

https://edge.nhl.com/en/skater/8481553
- MBFlyerfan

I see a young player who needs experience and nothing more to be successful.

Truthfully he reminds me of a Patrick Sharp or Justin Wiliams type. Develop him on ice and we will have a solid middle 6 winger.

Last night, Frost chased down MacKenzie Weegar and knocked him on his ass. Can't just look at one play. Have to look at the players overall work. I don't see his skating as really bad. Both his play on the ice and the statistical evidence does not support your claim. If one wants to say that his lack of explosive speed or lack of high quality edge work will have a limit on how high of a level of player he can attain. I think that would be fair. To say that his skating is really bad, that's just not the case. He's an average skater. His level of skating is no where near awful, nor is it going to prevent him from being a good player.
- MJL

Oh, he can get from point a to point b, and uses his smarts to be positionally good...he just looks a little bit off balance or out of control. I am not knocking his hockey sense, hands, points or anything, just agreeing with some here that his stride looks awkward and off kilter.
His skating has stood out the last couple of games to me..it just has. I am not judging Brink by the one play, and yes, Frost has laid a couple of nice hits out lately. The play I was trying to describe seemed to show his stride and balance are not what we are used to seeing for an NHL'er, that is all my example was trying to convey.
FFS, he is playing in the NHL, and is a better player than I ever was, so I am not saying he is no good...just his skating and stride is not what you would want.

According to the official NHL.com Flyers page, Brink is a 22 year old rookie, listed at 5’8” and 169 lbs. The man has 7 goals and 11 assists (with a +7) in 31 games this year. He’s the 6th highest scoring rookie (7th if you factor in Carlson’s PPG avg) thus far and has better PPG average than guys like Cooley, Evangelista, and Knies.

Obviously not a huge sample, but certainly enough early evidence that should preclude anyone from dismissing him as lacking NHL abilities, including an adequate combination of skating, hockey sense, and skill.
- mikeyo27

For those keeping track Colefield has only 26 points..10g, 16a, -2. Brink is not far off of that considering the difference in experience.

This data would point to his top speed being decent but he’s not there often and he’s usually slower than his peers.
- ClaudeFather

No, that's not true. The most recorded skating speed in the NHL among players. Is the 18-20 mph range. In that range, which is the average skating speed. Brink is in the 59 percentile. Which means he is above average. What it shows is that his average skating speed is above NHL average but that he lacks explosiveness to his skating and that high speed quick burst.

Back to my original post here. It's not a fallacy. It's my opinion. These games aren't played on paper. We shall see how it plays out (if Brink gets scratched again). I'll probably be right again cause I watch the games and understand what I'm watching. Just like I was right about the Eagles, but you kept throwing 10-1 in my face. 10-1 has turned to 11-5 and a team that is just lucky to be in the playoffs. Whoooooops!!
- Phillywhiteout

It would be a mistake to scratch Brink IMO. He deserves to keep playing and developing. It should be obvious to anyone watching that the weak link on this team is Deslauriers, especially in the 3rd period of tight games. He has got to be the guy that sits when Cates comes back, though if it were up to me, I would bring up a Phantom player and insert that player into the lineup right now.

https://edge.nhl.com/en/skater/8481553
- MBFlyerfan

any idea how they compile the data for the skate speeds?