Why doesn't Briere demote Lycksell (who Torts doesn't want to play) and bring up a more 4th line friendly forward like Allison or Laczynski?
- Feanor

Because Torts if the Coach and GM also

Tortorella is overachieving with this roster. He’s got to be in the conversation for the Jack Adams.

How can Brink not crack this lineup especially with Forester down.
- PLindbergh31

Tocchet is the runaway favorite. Canucks missed the playoffs last year and the year before that. When Tocch took over from Boudreau on Jan 21st last year, the team had only 39 points. They finished with 83; not enough to make the playoffs but trending the right way. This season, Vancouver has the best record in the NHL.

Tortorella is in the mix for a runner-up spot with the likes of Paul Maurice (Florida), Rick Bowness (Winnipeg) and, maybe, Derek Lalonde (if Detroit makes the playoffs).

that is a putrid hawks lineup. No Connor Murphy?

hakws +160 tonight
- hello it's me 2050

Murphy is on IR still.

Allison is a player I would like to see again. When healthy he seemed like a good 4th liner.
- mickel25

I kinda think the issue is, he’s NOT a good “fourth liner”. He’s got a good shot and loves to attack the net and score. He’s def more net front on PP than he is cycling the puck and playing conservative 4th line hockey.

THAT, and apparently his attitude when he got sent to the Phantoms was shockingly wretched.

I always liked the guys toolkit, warts and all. A Hartnell - Lite (caffeine free and zero sugar). But he honestly couldn’t stay healthy and he was a piss baby when he got sent down.

I’m sure he’ll annoy people on another team next year. Maybe we can get some assets for his RFA rights at the deadline

Allison is a player I would like to see again. When healthy he seemed like a good 4th liner.
- mickel25

I don't know what it was -- lack of motivation, feeling sorry for himself or a simple slow start. But the day in late October that Lappy publicly called out Allison by saying he'd seen nothing positive from him since being sent down -- and challenged him to "be like Laz" in his handling of the demotion -- I suspected Wade would face a major uphill climb to get back in organizational good graces.

Since then, Allison has genuinely played better -- unfortunately there was another injury to deal with -- but there's been no chatter around a return to the NHL roster. It's unfortunate, but seems to be the case.

Tocchet is the runaway favorite. Canucks missed the playoffs last year and the year before that. When Tocch took over from Boudreau on Jan 21st last year, the team had only 39 points. They finished with 83; not enough to make the playoffs but trending the right way. This season, Vancouver has the best record in the NHL.

Tortorella is in the mix for a runner-up spot with the likes of Paul Maurice (Florida), Rick Bowness (Winnipeg) and, maybe, Derek Lalonde (if Detroit makes the playoffs).
- bmeltzer

Vancouver has a much better roster. Not even close. Tortorella has beaten Vancouver twice as well. Things that should be taken into consideration.

Laczynski has been dealing with injuries for two months and Torts wasn't a believer last year. Allison is out of favor.
- bmeltzer

And therein lies the problem. It’s time to stop kowtowing to Torts and his childish antics. Allison may be “out of favor” but he is, without a doubt, a better player than ND and he has NHL experience.

Demote Lyksell, waive ND and stop giving the childish coach a choice. Look, I give Torts credit for getting the most out of this subpar lineup but he really is his own worst enemy. It’s time for Briere to step up and be the GM. If not, then Danny really is just a puppet and this organization is screwed.

Tocchet is the runaway favorite. Canucks missed the playoffs last year and the year before that. When Tocch took over from Boudreau on Jan 21st last year, the team had only 39 points. They finished with 83; not enough to make the playoffs but trending the right way. This season, Vancouver has the best record in the NHL.

Tortorella is in the mix for a runner-up spot with the likes of Paul Maurice (Florida), Rick Bowness (Winnipeg) and, maybe, Derek Lalonde (if Detroit makes the playoffs).
- bmeltzer

I’m hearing different. A few say (starting with the Toronto Broadcast last Thursday) they believe Tocchett is the front runner but if the Flyers make the playoffs, Torts should win. I’m just repeating what was said. Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson are legitimate superstars. What do the Flyers have going for them? Not to mention losing our “starter” in Carter Hart.

Tocchet is the runaway favorite. Canucks missed the playoffs last year and the year before that. When Tocch took over from Boudreau on Jan 21st last year, the team had only 39 points. They finished with 83; not enough to make the playoffs but trending the right way. This season, Vancouver has the best record in the NHL.

Tortorella is in the mix for a runner-up spot with the likes of Paul Maurice (Florida), Rick Bowness (Winnipeg) and, maybe, Derek Lalonde (if Detroit makes the playoffs).
- bmeltzer

Have to put Knoblauch of Edmonton in that mix also.

Most teams should beat the Hawks these days. They are scoring a bit more, but give up a ton. They normally don't figure things out until about midway through the game.

Interesting that Drysdale is considered 3rd pair. Didn't expect that (at least from an outside perspective). Should be a taffy pull tonight.


Slight correction to the article: Zach Sanford was placed on waivers, so technically not a healthy scratch.

Most teams should beat the Hawks these days. They are scoring a bit more, but give up a ton. They normally don't figure things out until about midway through the game.

Interesting that Drysdale is considered 3rd pair. Didn't expect that (at least from an outside perspective). Should be a taffy pull tonight.


Slight correction to the article: Zach Sanford was placed on waivers, so technically not a healthy scratch.
- Chunk

A player on waivers is still on the roster unless claimed or assigned to the AHL after clearing.

We need to see what the next 2 weeks brings. We have 8 defensemen which theoretically could be reduced to 4 if Seeler, Staal and Walker get traded or God-willing RR. Aside from any NHL ready D in the return, that potentially opens up to 2 regular spots in the blue line for Andrea, Attard, Grans etc to be considered getting called up. Are any of them ready? I don’t follow the phantoms so it’s an honest question.

Who replaces Laughton or Frost at center if either are traded? If such trades occur, doesn’t that open spots up for younger players? Done even have any centers on the Phantoms that can play middle 6?

So unless or until the Flyers keep Laughton, Frost, resign Seeler and Walker, the jury is still out as to what the Flyers real plan is. Come 3:00 pm March 9th, things will be much clearer.

I think it’s fair to say we are all hoping for Seeler and Walker to get a maximum return and the same for fan-favorite Laughton. I’d hate to see Laughts go but if his value

We need to see what the next 2 weeks brings. We have 8 defensemen which theoretically could be reduced to 4 if Seeler, Staal and Walker get traded or God-willing RR. Aside from any NHL ready D in the return, that potentially opens up to 2 regular spots in the blue line for Andrea, Attard, Grans etc to be considered getting called up. Are any of them ready? I don’t follow the phantoms so it’s an honest question.

Who replaces Laughton or Frost at center if either are traded? If such trades occur, doesn’t that open spots up for younger players? Done even have any centers on the Phantoms that can play middle 6?

So unless or until the Flyers keep Laughton, Frost, resign Seeler and Walker, the jury is still out as to what the Flyers real plan is. Come 3:00 pm March 9th, things will be much clearer.

I think it’s fair to say we are all hoping for Seeler and Walker to get a maximum return and the same for fan-favorite Laughton. I’d hate to see Laughts go but if his value
- mikeyo27

I don’t know why anyone would believe any of this.

I’m hearing different. A few say (starting with the Toronto Broadcast last Thursday) they believe Tocchett is the front runner but if the Flyers make the playoffs, Torts should win. I’m just repeating what was said. Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson are legitimate superstars. What do the Flyers have going for them? Not to mention losing our “starter” in Carter Hart.
- roenick97

They have an excellent PK (thank Brad Shaw). They have 11 players who were first-round picks in their draft year. Twelve if the injured Ristolainen counts. Thirteen with Staal.

Do the Flyers have any superstars? No. Are they devoid of roster talent or depth? No.

They have an excellent PK (thank Brad Shaw). They have 11 players who were first-round picks in their draft year. Twelve if the injured Ristolainen counts. Superstars? No. Devoid of roster talent or depth? No.
- bmeltzer

Couturier and Atkinson return, not knowing how either would hold up being out for 1 plus seasons. Flyers coming off a bottom 5 season, with no real major changes. Did I mention we lost our starter…forever.

also who do you think they should call up and take a look at?
- Hello its me 2050

I would start with Lyksell if he not sick.

Vancouver has a much better roster. Not even close. Tortorella has beaten Vancouver twice as well. Things that should be taken into consideration.
- PLindbergh31

100% agree

Who on the Flyers have the elite talent of Quinn Hughes or Elias Pettersson? Vancouver has way more talent their record would indicate the past few years. Torts has done far more with less than Tocchet or any other coach mentioned.

I’m hearing different. A few say (starting with the Toronto Broadcast last Thursday) they believe Tocchett is the front runner but if the Flyers make the playoffs, Torts should win. I’m just repeating what was said. Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson are legitimate superstars. What do the Flyers have going for them? Not to mention losing our “starter” in Carter Hart.
- roenick97

Hmmm ... this sounds very familiar. Didn't someone post the exact same thing several weeks ago on this forum? Oh right .. I did!

We need to see what the next 2 weeks brings. We have 8 defensemen which theoretically could be reduced to 4 if Seeler, Staal and Walker get traded or God-willing RR. Aside from any NHL ready D in the return, that potentially opens up to 2 regular spots in the blue line for Andrea, Attard, Grans etc to be considered getting called up. Are any of them ready? I don’t follow the phantoms so it’s an honest question.

Who replaces Laughton or Frost at center if either are traded? If such trades occur, doesn’t that open spots up for younger players? Done even have any centers on the Phantoms that can play middle 6?

So unless or until the Flyers keep Laughton, Frost, resign Seeler and Walker, the jury is still out as to what the Flyers real plan is. Come 3:00 pm March 9th, things will be much clearer.

I think it’s fair to say we are all hoping for Seeler and Walker to get a maximum return and the same for fan-favorite Laughton. I’d hate to see Laughts go but if his value
- mikeyo27

Probably slot Cates back to center which is why I highly doubt Frost gets dealt. There isn't anyone on the Phantoms who you could rely on.

I would start with Lyksell if he not sick.
- jd250

well clearly the coach/co-GM does not see Ollie as part of the current or future. So that eliminates him.

They have an excellent PK (thank Brad Shaw). They have 11 players who were first-round picks in their draft year. Twelve if the injured Ristolainen counts. Thirteen with Staal.

Do the Flyers have any superstars? No. Are they devoid of roster talent or depth? No.
- bmeltzer

No, they are not devoid of talent, but the Flyers have no one close to the elite level of Hughes and Pettersson, the Flyers lost their starting goalie to a sexual assault charge, and their top prospect decided he doesn't want to play for them. And yet here they are with a great chance of making the playoffs, not as a wildcard but as a top 3 team in their division. Add to this that the Flyers were picked my many to be in the bottom 5 of the league at the start of this season, and I would say it's a slam dunk Torts should win the award if the Flyers indeed make the playoffs.

Probably slot Cates back to center which is why I highly doubt Frost gets dealt. There isn't anyone on the Phantoms who you could rely on.
- Pelle31Forever

unless you take RYJO back from the Avs......

No, they are not devoid of talent, but the Flyers have no one close to the elite level of Hughes and Pettersson, the Flyers lost their starting goalie to a sexual assault charge, and their top prospect decided he doesn't want to play for them. And yet here they are with a great chance of making the playoffs, not as a wildcard but as a top 3 team in their division. Add to this that the Flyers were picked my many to be in the bottom 5 of the league at the start of this season, and I would say it's a slam dunk Torts should win the award if the Flyers indeed make the playoffs.
- jd250

would you like to bet real money on that?

No, they are not devoid of talent, but the Flyers have no one close to the elite level of Hughes and Pettersson, the Flyers lost their starting goalie to a sexual assault charge, and their top prospect decided he doesn't want to play for them. And yet here they are with a great chance of making the playoffs, not as a wildcard but as a top 3 team in their division. Add to this that the Flyers were picked my many to be in the bottom 5 of the league at the start of this season, and I would say it's a slam dunk Torts should win the award if the Flyers indeed make the playoffs.
- jd250

Their top prospect has no bearing on the NHL team other than they added a top 4 dman be ause of it.

Stop devaluing tocchets achievement because he has peterson and Quinn, they still have to perform. Jorts is getting blood from a stone with this 11/7 trash and its going to blow up in his face unless DB starts making trades

Why doesn't Briere demote Lycksell (who Torts doesn't want to play) and bring up a more 4th line friendly forward like Allison or Laczynski?
- Feanor

would love to see if allison can contribute in the NHL again after recovering from his injuries