Not going to say they aren’t stationary but they really don’t have the personnel to be good. With Michkov coming in maybe they could be 22nd instead of 30th.
- ClaudeFather

Chicago, which stripped it's roster to the bone, was 40% better at the PP than the Flyers. Are you saying that even teams that are icing borderline NHL players have better personnel than the Flyers?

The 2nd worst PP in the league was 30% better than the Flyers and it seems this is every year. I don't care about good, I want the Flyers PP to be good enough to just be considered bad instead of record setting dumpster fire.

Freak'n San Jose had a 20% PP last season. There is no doubt in my mind with shooters like Tippet and Foerster, and passers like Drysdale and Frost, this PP should be very good. The big things that killed them last year were o-zone faceoffs and zone entries. Fix these and the possession time doubles. Then emphasize the 3 main ways to score on the PP, 1. bumber one timers from the side wall or from below the goal line, 2. one timers from the top of either circle, or 3. walk the blue line and find a shooting lane through traffic. There is more than enough talent here, the key is possession and clarity of which way to score.
- jd250

SJ has better PP personally. None of the players you listed are proven PP producers. It's just more blind optimism. Michkov is the hope

At a minimum what could it hurt to hire Recchi as a PP coach, or I agree with BiggE, jus treplace Thompson with Recchi now. If the PP clicks at 20% this season, the Flyers will be in the hunt.
- jd250

in the hunt for what exactly?

in the hunt for what exactly?
- hello it's me 2050

Red October.

At a minimum what could it hurt to hire Recchi as a PP coach, or I agree with BiggE, jus treplace Thompson with Recchi now. If the PP clicks at 20% this season, the Flyers will be in the hunt.
- jd250

Is that what we want? To be in the hunt? To maybe make the playoff or just miss the playoffs?

It always annoyed the piss out of me that they would set up at the circle but seem allergic to attempting a one timer. They passed them up so often one could almost surmise they were being coached to do so. Like they were more afraid of missing and the puck rimming around and out of the zone than actually developing a scoring chance. And invariably they would either force the puck in to traffic at the net or pass it out allowing the defense to get in position. It was maddening.
- MBFlyerfan

It was very maddening. But what was really strange is that Torts and Thomposon would both say multiple times they felt the PP just had to shoot more, so I think it was lack of clarity from the players. Teams pre-scout other teams and typically will tell their players before the game which zone entry scheme and which of the 3 patterns to score will work best against the opposing team's PP. For whatever reason, it just didn't seem like there was any chemistry, focus or continuity on the Flyers PP last year. Another thing Torts has to do is just keep the units together and spend time practicing more.

Is that what we want? To be in the hunt? To maybe make the playoff or just miss the playoffs?
- mikeyo27

I wanted the Flyers to tank this season, but clearly I am not getting my wish. So now, I just want a hockey season and a team to root for. I just want this team to play as good as they can and be entertained.

in the hunt for what exactly?
- hello it's me 2050

For a playoff spot

SJ has better PP personally. None of the players you listed are proven PP producers. It's just more blind optimism. Michkov is the hope
- MJL

It was very maddening. But what was really strange is that Torts and Thomposon would both say multiple times they felt the PP just had to shoot more, so I think it was lack of clarity from the players. Teams pre-scout other teams and typically will tell their players before the game which zone entry scheme and which of the 3 ways to score will work best against the opposing team's PP. For whatever reason, it just didn't seem like there was any chemistry, focus or continuity on the Flyers PP last year. Another thing Torts has to do is just keep the units together and spend time practicing more.
- jd250

There is more than 3 ways to score on the PP than just the 3 that you think exists.

in the hunt for what exactly?
- hello it's me 2050

Another amazing 13th-overall pick.

There is more than 3 ways to score on the PP than just the 3 that you think exists.
- MJL

did he say there wasn't? go change mommies diaper cliff.

For a playoff spot
- jd250

wow big fn deal. that is the new gold standard.

they will finish at least double digits behind the 8th seed. guess that is in the hunt.

Another amazing 13th-overall pick.
- Tomahawk

I think (fear?) they’re counting on being able to trade picks to move up in the first round 🙄

I wanted the Flyers to tank this season, but clearly I am not getting my wish. So now, I just want a hockey season and a team to root for. I just want this team to play as good as they can and be entertained.
- jd250

I’m with you here. Not much more you can do.

I’m not gonna butter Ristolainen’s bread the same way JD does but I have to admit, it’s over kill by some to say Risto hasn’t improved since being here. I mean, in a defensive situation on the right side, who do want on the ice Risto or DeAngelo? Risto or Drysdale. Everyone, everywhere not posting on this board says Risto has improved a great deal defensively since becoming a Flyer and I agree. Anthony Dimarco just points this out. Internet my opinion the only reason Risto doesn’t get into the top 4 last season is he was hurt right out of training camp and Seeler and Walker were so good together, there was no splitting them up. New season, no Walker. Risto saw the third pair for like two seconds the season DeAngelo was here and let’s not forget Tony D saw a lot of top pair time in the first half and he had no business being there. We need Ristolainen to have a healthy season and play well, especially because Drysdale might be even worst for staying healthy.

I’m not gonna butter Ristolainen’s bread the same way JD does but I have to admit, it’s over kill by some to say Risto hasn’t improved since being here. I mean, in a defensive situation on the right side, who do want on the ice Risto or DeAngelo? Risto or Drysdale. Everyone, everywhere not posting on this board says Risto has improved a great deal defensively since becoming a Flyer and I agree. Anthony Dimarco just points this out. Internet my opinion the only reason Risto doesn’t get into the top 4 last season is he was hurt right out of training camp and Seeler and Walker were so good together, there was no splitting them up. New season, no Walker. Risto saw the third pair for like two seconds the season DeAngelo was here and let’s not forget Tony D saw a lot of top pair time in the first half and he had no business being there. We need Ristolainen to have a healthy season and play well, especially because Drysdale might be even worst for staying healthy.
- roenick97

IMO, Risto's looks defensively better because he's being asked to do less (simplify his game) and also not going up against the other team's top players every shift. His offensive game has suffered for it so now he's essentially a 3rd pair stay at home defenseman making 5mill/yr.

That pretty much describes the entire team and why the PP looks so bad. Everything the Flyers do is dumbed down, like someone handed the coaching staff an "NHL for dummies" book. The entire team philosophy is "stay on the right side of the puck". On the PP, that doesn't help much.

Many people on this board, using analytics of all things, predicted the disasters that were TDA and Risto. Risto has found his level by playing dumbed down defense. That's still NHL level but nothing to write home about and not worthy of his contract. The Flyers bottom 4 were all 3rd pair players on better teams so interchanging any of them really doesn't move the needle.

I would rather have Drysdale over Risto at this point. Risto is what he is and the Flyers need to see if they fked up the CG trade or if they have a keeper.

IMO, Risto's looks defensively better because he's being asked to do less (simplify his game) and also not going up against the other team's top players every shift. His offensive game has suffered for it so now he's essentially a 3rd pair stay at home defenseman making 5mill/yr.

That pretty much describes the entire team and why the PP looks so bad. Everything the Flyers do is dumbed down, like someone handed the coaching staff an "NHL for dummies" book. The entire team philosophy is "stay on the right side of the puck". On the PP, that doesn't help much.

Many people on this board, using analytics of all things, predicted the disasters that were TDA and Risto. Risto has found his level by playing dumbed down defense. That's still NHL level but nothing to write home about and not worthy of his contract. The Flyers bottom 4 were all 3rd pair players on better teams so interchanging any of them really doesn't move the needle.

I would rather have Drysdale over Risto at this point. Risto is what he is and the Flyers need to see if they fked up the CG trade or if they have a keeper.
- Flyers_01

You're exactly right about Ristolainen. He no longer has to play in a man to man system where he has to make reads and play aggressively. He now has to play in a low zone collapse system where his propensity to run around and take himself out of position has been removed. He's also been given less responsibility and a lesser role. He hasn't improved. He's just been put in a situation where his weaknesses are hidden. He is a sunk cause. The Flyers will never get the value they need from him or recoup what they paid for him. Most people in the hockey world and most fans knew it was an awful trade the day it was made.

Another amazing 13th-overall pick.
- Tomahawk

Sam Morin Says hello!

I think (fear?) they’re counting on being able to trade picks to move up in the first round 🙄
- Dkos

Maybe they can manage to move up one pick and draft somebody as good as Buium

IMO, Risto's looks defensively better because he's being asked to do less (simplify his game) and also not going up against the other team's top players every shift. His offensive game has suffered for it so now he's essentially a 3rd pair stay at home defenseman making 5mill/yr.

That pretty much describes the entire team and why the PP looks so bad. Everything the Flyers do is dumbed down, like someone handed the coaching staff an "NHL for dummies" book. The entire team philosophy is "stay on the right side of the puck". On the PP, that doesn't help much.

Many people on this board, using analytics of all things, predicted the disasters that were TDA and Risto. Risto has found his level by playing dumbed down defense. That's still NHL level but nothing to write home about and not worthy of his contract. The Flyers bottom 4 were all 3rd pair players on better teams so interchanging any of them really doesn't move the needle.

I would rather have Drysdale over Risto at this point. Risto is what he is and the Flyers need to see if they fked up the CG trade or if they have a keeper.
- Flyers_01

While I can’t disagree as much as when you say the team is playing “Dumb Down Hockey” I have to ask what hdid you expect the coaching staff to do with this collective group? They played dumb down hockey on a team that should have finished one of the 5 lowest teams in hockey and overachieved. I mean if the strategy worked, how dumb was it? This isn’t a talented team but something worked. Risto’s offense has suffered but he’s also not being asked or put in offensive situations, where he’s seen success in the past.

You're exactly right about Ristolainen. He no longer has to play in a man to man system where he has to make reads and play aggressively. He now has to play in a low zone collapse system where his propensity to run around and take himself out of position has been removed. He's also been given less responsibility and a lesser role. He hasn't improved. He's just been put in a situation where his weaknesses are hidden. He is a sunk cause. The Flyers will never get the value they need from him or recoup what they paid for him. Most people in the hockey world and most fans knew it was an awful trade the day it was made.
- MJL

See, this is where you don’t have your narrative straight. Risto was a guy who ran around and hit, which was an issue, past tense. The player was asked to do less and by doing so has made him a better player in his own end. You keep saying, “well he’s just an overpriced third pair defenseman”. That’s only true in light of certain circumstances and once again only works in favor of your narrative.

After we traded Gagne and made room to bring in Andrej Meszaros, the Flyers back end was Pronger/Carle, Timonen/Coburn, O’Donnell/Meszaros. Was Meszaros a third pair defenseman at 4 million dollars? The answer is, yes but only on this team when healthy. With you it’s just convenient to over look the fact that other things were clicking, Risto got hurt out of camp, so the only spot the Flyers had was on the third pair.

He has improved defensively, just because you keep saying it doesn’t mean it’s not true. The world isn’t wrong because you believe you’re right.

While I can’t disagree as much as when you say the team is playing “Dumb Down Hockey” I have to ask what hdid you expect the coaching staff to do with this collective group? They played dumb down hockey on a team that should have finished one of the 5 lowest teams in hockey and overachieved. I mean if the strategy worked, how dumb was it? This isn’t a talented team but something worked. Risto’s offense has suffered but he’s also not being asked or put in offensive situations, where he’s seen success in the past.
- roenick97

I call it a mirage sold as progress. I mean just look at all the red in their stats.

https://www.statmuse.com/...phia-flyers-16/stats/2024

1. League worst PP by a country mile. Record setting bad yet again.
2. Worst SV% in the entire league.
3. 25th in Goals.
4. Don't even get me started on OT player deployment.
5. Didn't win a division game in calendar year 2024 until the last week of the season.
6. One of the worst cap situations in the league.

Am I missing anything? Can't score. Roster deployment is bad. Can't stop the puck but hey, the PK was good and won more games than they should've.

I don't know that the coaching worked so much as a couple of games went their way when statistically the shouldn't have and the full court press by the PR department.

How many glowing articles about the Flyers were sourced directly from Jones, Briere, or Torts? Jones was freaking everywhere talking up the Flyers. If you took a drink every time an article about the Flyers mentioned culture, you'd be dead.

Regarding Risto, your statement on the team not putting him in offensive situations goes to my point that know what he is capable of and if they want offense from him it will expose him defensively. They want to trade him so it's polish the turd time.

The Flyers aren't capable of evaluating themselves and last season helped them avoid that but Comcast is world class in marketing and the Flyers availed themselves of that.

I call it a mirage sold as progress. I mean just look at all the red in their stats.

https://www.statmuse.com/...phia-flyers-16/stats/2024

1. League worst PP by a country mile. Record setting bad yet again.
2. Worst SV% in the entire league.
3. 25th in Goals.
4. Don't even get me started on OT player deployment.
5. Didn't win a division game in calendar year 2024 until the last week of the season.
6. One of the worst cap situations in the league.

Am I missing anything? Can't score. Roster deployment is bad. Can't stop the puck but hey, the PK was good and won more games than they should've.

I don't know that the coaching worked so much as a couple of games went their way when statistically the shouldn't have and the full court press by the PR department.

How many glowing articles about the Flyers were sourced directly from Jones, Briere, or Torts? Jones was freaking everywhere talking up the Flyers. If you took a drink every time an article about the Flyers mentioned culture, you'd be dead.

Regarding Risto, your statement on the team not putting him in offensive situations goes to my point that know what he is capable of and if they want offense from him it will expose him defensively. They want to trade him so it's polish the turd time.

The Flyers aren't capable of evaluating themselves and last season helped them avoid that but Comcast is world class in marketing and the Flyers availed themselves of that.
- Flyers_01

Bullpoop

Ristolainen made his living off being an offensive defenseman in Buffalo. Ristolainen started getting PP time at the end of the 2022-23 season. At the end of the season when Risto was given a try ended with I believe 5 power play points. Doesn’t sound like much, right? That’s two more power play points than Cam York who saw significantly more PP time that season. If Risto wasn’t hurt this season, you don’t think he would have saw an opportunity on the power play? I mean, all the other Dmen did until they landed in Zamula and traded for Drysdale.

Putting any defenseman on the power play doesn’t expose that defenseman defensively. That’s a crock.

Bullpoop

Ristolainen made his living off being an offensive defenseman in Buffalo. Ristolainen started getting PP time at the end of the 2022-23 season. At the end of the season when Risto was given a try ended with I believe 5 power play points. Doesn’t sound like much, right? That’s two more power play points than Cam York who saw significantly more PP time that season. If Risto wasn’t hurt this season, you don’t think he would have saw an opportunity on the power play? I mean, all the other Dmen did until they landed in Zamula and traded for Drysdale.

Putting any defenseman on the power play doesn’t expose that defenseman defensively. That’s a crock.
- roenick97

All i can say is they had time to try him but didn't. He was healthy and playing 16+ min for 20 games before Drysdale was acquired (and 15 before Zamula scored his 1st pp pt) and the coach of the league worst PP didn't view him as an option.