They won last night because Ersson is playing at an elite level. Last night in the 3rd period, shot attempts were 31-13 Winnipeg. Scoring chances 16-4 Winnipeg.
Can this team continue to grind like this for a full season? They're struggling to score. Will the PP keep producing? Tortorella and Shaw deserve credit for getting this team playing defensively as a team and for what really is the league's best PK. The question is as always. Is this the path to building towards becoming a top cup contender?
- MJL

There aren’t many teams in the league that would be able to carry the play for 60 minutes going against the top team in the league, a less than 24 hour turnaround. 4 games in 6 nights. That third period was expected, that’s not any deficiency in the team, that’s hockey.

Can they survive the way they’re playing? I think they can get themselves into the playoffs playing this brand of hockey, however the buck stops quickly in the playoffs I think.

Like that answer. It is odd that Hart's contract has not been extended yet. The longer it takes the more expensive it will be.
- WhiskeyMan

Don’t think it is odd. Takes 2 to close and make a deal. Who knows what each side is thinking at this time.

Both are probably a little reluctant on a long term deal.

"Is Ersson as good or better than Hart?" The question I'm asking myself is if Ersson could be the next Henrik Lundquist.
- backfire

After this year Hart will have his new contract, which most likely will be both an overpay and over term, given that is what the Flyer do. They will have Ersson for 2 years at $1.5 so someone has to go, probably Ersson.

After this season, ersson will have about 50 games played in the nhl. While he’s been outstanding, I wouldn’t be so quick to move on from hart. If the flyers can bring hart back on a shorter term deal, 3 or 4 years, I think they should explore that. Term is much more important than the $$ here.
- Just5

Anything above 2 yr extension and the Flyers would be buying UFA years from Hart. He is being paid 3.9 million right now. I do consider the cap hit important. I'm not sure how it is not important especially if the goalie is being paid as a #1, but at best is in a platoon. Not to mention, if Ersson continues to out play over the next 2 seasons, his contract extension starts at a number above Hart. Briere has a very interesting decision to make.

After this year Hart will have his new contract, which most likely will be both an overpay and over term, given that is what the Flyer do. They will have Ersson for 2 years at $1.5 so someone has to go, probably Ersson.
- mr4tno

Maybe some kudos for DB to getting Ersson on a cheap 2 year deal.

After this year Hart will have his new contract, which most likely will be both an overpay and over term, given that is what the Flyer do. They will have Ersson for 2 years at $1.5 so someone has to go, probably Ersson.
- mr4tno

The way torts talks about ersson I don’t think there’s a chance they move on from him, if he keeps this play up. He sounds like a torts favorite

There aren’t many teams in the league that would be able to carry the play for 60 minutes going against the top team in the league, a less than 24 hour turnaround. 4 games in 6 nights. That third period was expected, that’s not any deficiency in the team, that’s hockey.

Can they survive the way they’re playing? I think they can get themselves into the playoffs playing this brand of hockey, however the buck stops quickly in the playoffs I think.
- Just5

I agree to a certain extent. Score effect are definitely a factor. Have to look at the overall picture. Winning a lot of tight games. Having to play a very tight high energy game to compete. It's mainly a function of talent but it's also a style of play. Hard to keep playing that way. Which is why Tortorella teams normally follow a pattern. Improvement followed by regression. They're in the playoff hunt.

They won last night because Ersson is playing at an elite level. Last night in the 3rd period, shot attempts were 31-13 Winnipeg. Scoring chances 16-4 Winnipeg.
Can this team continue to grind like this for a full season? They're struggling to score. Will the PP keep producing? Tortorella and Shaw deserve credit for getting this team playing defensively as a team and for what really is the league's best PK. The question is as always. Is this the path to building towards becoming a top cup contender?
- MJL

Your numbers seem to be skewed a bit here? What about the numbers for the first and second periods? I'm guessing that the numbers were much better for those periods, but you seemed to only bring up the third period when the Flyers were obviously just holding on.

Given the Flyers history of "honestly" around injuries, is anyone else nervous when they describe Couturier's injury as minor, or if it is even a lower body?

Today @ 9:23 AM ET

I would not pay Hart 6M.
- MJL

I wonder what some recent comparable deals would be. Would he take another 3 year contract? Maybe
- Just5

The question to me is why would Hart take a 3-4 year deal. He is mid 20's in his prime, posting good numbers, and multiple teams need goalies. If I were him I would not take anything under 6 years.

I would not give him a 6 year contract myself. And Ersson also would want to be the #1 and also get paid in 2 and half years. I don't see how keeping Hart is the best idea.

These guys and Jorts deserve a ton of credit, attention and accolades for what they have been doing this season. Last night was a testament to what Jorts can do with lesser talent and superb goal-tending when his team buys into his message

I do not like Jorts and I dont think this is the correct road to becoming the Cup contending team we all desire but I can acknowledge when someone deserves praise even if i disagree with results

Given the Flyers history of "honestly" around injuries, is anyone else nervous when they describe Couturier's injury as minor, or if it is even a lower body?
- mr4tno

He’ll be fine. Probably just a minor body injury.

(Funeral services scheduled for this Friday)

I think the game has changed as far as goalies are concerned. Look at many of the better teams. They have two good goalies. I don't trade Hart unless someone throws me a serious bone of a deal! Oh, by the way, tremendous win last night! I'm starting to believe that this team has a legit shot at the playoffs (Torts for the Jack) for maybe the first time all season. Granted the Peg was without Conners and Shiefle, but still impressive!

Agreed.

What are you thinking, 4.5 to 5?
- WhiskeyMan

$4.5 only gives Hart a half million dollar raise. That puts him below Korpisalo and Husso. He is a better goalie than both of them.

His play puts him at around $6-$6.5, his age would put the contract at 6-8 years.

A trade would bring a piece to the long term puzzle.

Your numbers seem to be skewed a bit here? What about the numbers for the first and second periods? I'm guessing that the numbers were much better for those periods, but you seemed to only bring up the third period when the Flyers were obviously just holding on.
- Phillywhiteout

Nothing is skewed. The first two period were more evenly played with the Flyers having an edge. The point was made to show that the Flyers didn't play a great game. Ersson played a great game. That's why they won because Ersson played at an elite level in the game.

I think the game has changed as far as goalies are concerned. Look at many of the better teams. They have two good goalies. I don't trade Hart unless someone throws me a serious bone of a deal! Oh, by the way, tremendous win last night! I'm starting to believe that this team has a legit shot at the playoffs (Torts for the Jack) for maybe the first time all season. Granted the Peg was without Conners and Shiefle, but still impressive!
- Phillywhiteout

Bowness & Tocchet are in his way.

Don’t think it is odd. Takes 2 to close and make a deal. Who knows what each side is thinking at this time.

Both are probably a little reluctant on a long term deal.
- furio16

I don’t know much about the Hockey Canada stuff but I do know that giving anyone on that team (that was at the event) a long term deal right now is a bad idea (from both a PR and a cap perspective). I hate to be a downer but until that is resolved he has low value in a trade and a deal is unlikely to occur. The police and then the league should have moved on this over the summer. Until it is resolved I believe we are looking at an impasse.

$4.5 only gives Hart a half million dollar raise. That puts him below Korpisalo and Husso. He is a better goalie than both of them.

His play puts him at around $6-$6.5, his age would put the contract at 6-8 years.

A trade would bring a piece to the long term puzzle.
- TheFreak

I think he is worth a second rounder right now. Nothing more. See above for why. Could you sweeten the pot to bring in a different asset- yes.

I don’t know much about the hockey Canada stuff but I do know that giving anyone on that team (that was at the event) a long term deal right now is a bad idea (from both a PR and a cap perspective). I hate to be a downer but until that is resolved he has low value in a trade and a deal is unlikely to occur. The police and then the league should have moved on this over the summer. Until it is resolved I believe we are looking at an impasse.
- coffee junkie

Is it actually ever going to be resolved? It was a long time ago.

Is it actually ever going to be resolved? It was a long time ago.
- MJL

Uncertainty is bad for business. The point I’m making is, I don’t know, you don’t know, no one knows. But would you trade for him knowing he could be suspended from ever playing in the league again tomorrow? Obviously, again, I don’t know anything nor am I implying anything about the guys involvement. But that is the situation right now.

I think he is worth a second rounder right now. Nothing more. See above for why. Could you sweeten the pot to bring in a different asset- yes.
- coffee junkie

I would tend to agree. He's really right now just an average goalie.

Uncertainty is bad for business. The point I’m making is, I don’t know, you don’t know, no one knows. But would you trade for him knowing he could be suspended from ever playing in the league again tomorrow? Obviously, again, I don’t know anything nor am I implying anything about the guys involvement. But that is the situation right now.
- coffee junkie

My reply wasn't in terms of questioning that but in just what it says. Is it ever going to be resolved. If there are innocent people caught up in this, which may very well be the case with Hart, it's hanging over their heads. It needs to be resolved one way or the other.

They won last night because Ersson is playing at an elite level. Last night in the 3rd period, shot attempts were 31-13 Winnipeg. Scoring chances 16-4 Winnipeg.
Can this team continue to grind like this for a full season? They're struggling to score. Will the PP keep producing? Tortorella and Shaw deserve credit for getting this team playing defensively as a team and for what really is the league's best PK. The question is as always. Is this the path to building towards becoming a top cup contender?
- MJL

All of which you stated is true. It’s not conducive for long term success. But, I think we have to look beyond this season with this team. We’re all looking long term for a gradual increase in talent as we progress along. We know this season is not going to end well as far as a deep playoff run. Right now this is our best way to win games, keeping it close and hopefully grind out a W. If we keep adding talent, we should be able to win the way everyone wants us to, with speed, skill, and creativity.

All of which you stated is true. It’s not conducive for long term success. But, I think we have to look beyond this season with this team. We’re all looking long term for a gradual increase in talent as we progress along. We know this season is not going to end well as far as a deep playoff run. Right now this is our best way to win games, keeping it close and hopefully grind out a W. If we keep adding talent, we should be able to win the way everyone wants us to, with speed, skill, and creativity.
- Laceemup88

Shouldn't a team that is rebuilding be playing in a manner that is more conducive to long term success. To build playing in a manner that they would play if they had more talent? Even if it means less wins now? That is what is meant when I call it a mirage and others use terms like fools gold. Also begs the question of how is team management going to approach this now? Are they going to put winning above rebuilding? I keep hearing reports of rumors of potential things the team might be doing or looking to do. Obviously rumors are just rumors and it remains to be seen. A lot of the fans seem to be buying in.

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