Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/6/24 @ FLA

Its good to have hockey again.

Would rather they move Laughton to LW on line 3 and let Cates center line 4 and fill in here and there. Might as well put Laughton in a position to succeed if you are considering trading him.

Of course, the time to trade him was last season’s deadline but that’s only something a rebuilding team would do.

Good teams don't lose 5 in a row. Playoffs appear to be out of reach. Not sure Ersson can handle being THE guy. Next!

Good teams don't lose 5 in a row. Playoffs appear to be out of reach. Not sure Ersson can handle being THE guy. Next!
- Phillywhiteout

Despite that 5 game losing streak, the Flyers are still in a solid playoff spot. Other teams don't seem to want to take advantage of that.

Would rather they move Laughton to LW on line 3 and let Cates center line 4 and fill in here and there. Might as well put Laughton in a position to succeed if you are considering trading him.

Of course, the time to trade him was last season’s deadline but that’s only something a rebuilding team would do.
- BiggE

Maybe an unpopular opinion but I'd prioritize getting Cates going ahead of trying to juice Laughts' trade value.

Teams trading for Laughts don't really care about his pop as much as they care about the stuff away from the puck and his intangibles -- he's a tertiary scorer on a contending team at best.

Noah Cates is probably here for the long haul so they need to get him feeling better about himself.

Despite that 5 game losing streak, the Flyers are still in a solid playoff spot. Other teams don't seem to want to take advantage of that.
- MJL

I think it gets real now. Too many teams that have more talent behind them with games in hand and Ersson concerns me. I sure hope I'm wrong, but I'm afraid the writing is on the wall.

Despite that 5 game losing streak, the Flyers are still in a solid playoff spot. Other teams don't seem to want to take advantage of that.
- MJL

They are 2 points from being out of playoff spot now. They will be out of playoff spot in a few days.

Despite that 5 game losing streak, the Flyers are still in a solid playoff spot. Other teams don't seem to want to take advantage of that.
- MJL

They will remain in the hunt for a bit. But they need to finish top 3 in the metro to make the playoffs in my opinion. The Wild Card spots chances seem to be fading. Good thing is the Flyers have a pretty healthy lead on Pens, Devils and the Caps. The Isles are only two points back but I do not think they are all that good. Pens have four games in hand. Devils and Caps have 3. I think the Caps fall off. Not sure how they were winning games to begin with. So Pens and Devils are the teams to worry about.

With a goaltending duo of Ersson/Peterson it is extremely doubtful that they stay in the playoff race. Now add the (hopefully) trades of Walker and Laughton for futures and it becomes a virtually impossibility.

By season’s end, I see them finishing 6th in the Metro and 11th in the East.

Maybe an unpopular opinion but I'd prioritize getting Cates going ahead of trying to juice Laughts' trade value.

Teams trading for Laughts don't really care about his pop as much as they care about the stuff away from the puck and his intangibles -- he's a tertiary scorer on a contending team at best.

Noah Cates is probably here for the long haul so they need to get him feeling better about himself.
- Tomahawk

I agree. Teams know what Laughton brings. A week or two of uptick in play is not going to change much. Cates missed time with the broken foot but moving him to center last season was a developmental mistake. Maybe it was out of need but it was not what was best for the the player.

They are 2 points from being out of playoff spot now. They will be out of playoff spot in a few days.
- hfc355

I don't think the Islanders are going to be consistent. NJ doesn't seem to want to put it together although they've had major injury issues.

looks like the ollie experiment is over. Trying to prop up RP continues.

Wonder why the coach has fallen out of love with Cates. Or it seems that way.

They will remain in the hunt for a bit. But they need to finish top 3 in the metro to make the playoffs in my opinion. The Wild Card spots chances seem to be fading. Good thing is the Flyers have a pretty healthy lead on Pens, Devils and the Caps. The Isles are only two points back but I do not think they are all that good. Pens have four games in hand. Devils and Caps have 3. I think the Caps fall off. Not sure how they were winning games to begin with. So Pens and Devils are the teams to worry about.
- mickel25

Flyers will finish above Caps and Columbus..all the other teams will pass them. They just dont have the talent to match up with Pens..Devs and even Isles with a real coach now. Going to be very interesting to see how Ersson holds up. Felt this team was a mid 80 point team before season started and dont think they will finish too much above that.

I don't think the Islanders are going to be consistent. NJ doesn't seem to want to put it together although they've had major injury issues.
- MJL

Isles are inconsistent but think ROY will help that a bit and they have the stud goalie. Just cant see DEVS not putting it together that last third of the year when some guys get back from injury. Plus Devs and Pens have number games in hand. . Its actually better they fall out of playoff contention sooner rather than later to keep this front office from being buyers vs full-fledged sellers

Isles are inconsistent but think ROY will help that a bit and they have the stud goalie. Just cant see DEVS not putting it together that last third of the year when some guys get back from injury. Plus Devs and Pens have number games in hand. . Its actually better they fall out of playoff contention sooner rather than later to keep this front office from being buyers vs full-fledged sellers
- hfc355

I've been waiting for the Devils to turn it on. They're pretty poor defensively this year, goaltending has been an issue and the injuries. They really miss Hamilton and Hughes has missed a bunch of time. Sooner or later the mirage is going to disappear with the Flyers.

Isles are inconsistent but think ROY will help that a bit and they have the stud goalie. Just cant see DEVS not putting it together that last third of the year when some guys get back from injury. Plus Devs and Pens have number games in hand. . Its actually better they fall out of playoff contention sooner rather than later to keep this front office from being buyers vs full-fledged sellers
- hfc355

I don’t think the Flyers are buyers regardless of where they are in the standings come the trade deadline.

Maybe an unpopular opinion but I'd prioritize getting Cates going ahead of trying to juice Laughts' trade value.

Teams trading for Laughts don't really care about his pop as much as they care about the stuff away from the puck and his intangibles -- he's a tertiary scorer on a contending team at best.

Noah Cates is probably here for the long haul so they need to get him feeling better about himself.
- Tomahawk

It’s Cates I’d get to the wing. I’m a fan of Laughton on wing but Cates isn’t doing anything special at center this season.

I don’t think the Flyers are buyers regardless of where they are in the standings come the trade deadline.
- roenick97

They shouldnt be but just dont trust this front office

I've been waiting for the Devils to turn it on. They're pretty poor defensively this year, goaltending has been an issue and the injuries. They really miss Hamilton and Hughes has missed a bunch of time. Sooner or later the mirage is going to disappear with the Flyers.
- MJL

Yeah Devils defense is putrid..young but bad and their goaltending is nothing to write home about either. Even so I think they make a run and make some additions at TDL

Good to finally have some real hockey back.

This 7 D thing has got to end soon. It's becoming ridiculous. And it's unsustainable. Why have OL sitting when he could be getting minutes in LHV, and they could use him? Trade Walker FFS and get it over with. Then move back to a regular lineup.

Good to finally have some real hockey back.

This 7 D thing has got to end soon. It's becoming ridiculous. And it's unsustainable. Why have OL sitting when he could be getting minutes in LHV, and they could use him? Trade Walker FFS and get it over with. Then move back to a regular lineup.
- Letterkenney

And it's actually 8 D on the roster.

Carchidi did an article about how they need to get Staal back in the lineup for his trade value to go up. I almost forgot he was on the team.

And it's actually 8 D on the roster.

Carchidi did an article about how they need to get Staal back in the lineup for his trade value to go up. I almost forgot he was on the team.
- MBFlyerfan

Carchidi is an idiot. Staal’s value is what it is. He’ll bring back a late draft pick from a team looking to add depth for a playoff run.

And it's actually 8 D on the roster.

Carchidi did an article about how they need to get Staal back in the lineup for his trade value to go up. I almost forgot he was on the team.
- MBFlyerfan

Staal who??? I have a sinking feeling that the bloom has come off this Flyers rose and we're going to be watching boring hockey like last season. I hope I'm wrong about the "boring hockey" prediction, though.

Yeah Devils defense is putrid..young but bad and their goaltending is nothing to write home about either. Even so I think they make a run and make some additions at TDL
- hfc355

Devils defense has been plagued with injuries, Hamilton on LTIR, he has only played 20 games. Smith on IR , played 34 games. Siegenthaler on IR, played 38 games.

Lost Foote, because of you know. He played 19 games.

The also just lost their top faceoff center.

Injuries, lack of depth, goal tending and lack of production from Meier is just killing them.