Actually, if I was him I would still show up and play hard every night! This is a contract year for him and he is costing himself lots of money regardless of where he signs his next contract.
- Phillywhiteout

it has been clear from day 1 frost isnt a Torts type of player. He should have been moved long ago. This is a failure by the GM.

Now his value is likely at its lowest and the returned will be underwhelming is my guess.

He should have been playing all along for the most part and left alone. Torts can't adapt that way as it is way or no way. They are devoid of talent at the center spot. Yet the coach keeps propping up Cates and RP.

Why do you say this? Torts plays the roster he has. York, Drysdale and Andrae all out on defense. Centers are atrocious, wingers can't finish or in Tippet's case can't even hit the net. The team is what it is. No one expected them to be a show in playoff team this year. I predicted they would finish 4th or 5th in the Metro this season, which right now looks to be about right.
- jd250

I actually don't blame Torts 100%, he is a coach and his job is to win. The only way to win is to play the grinders and play the game they do to have a chance to win. With where the franchise is at, forcing Cates to center and forcing Laughton to center is bad, both are better on the wing, both trade values would go up if they played the best position for them. Ryan P has been a turnover machine all year, he passes to the wrong team, Scott Laughton the same. Put Laughton on the wing and let Frost play, hell call up whoever is young from LHV, let them play. They should care more about the value of Cates, Laughton and Frost than this turtle hockey style. Yes i like some things, love seeing Andrae, I think York will still grow, and I think JD still has time. I think Sanheim has upped his game, let him skate. I think TK with better players would be even better, we have a selection of goalies.

I am a fan, so I will hope the thread the needle idea works, draft the next 2 seasons, trade and FA it, there is obviously only one direction they are going. Torts plays the grinders because he wants mistake free hockey, funny the grinders can make mistakes all they want, with little upside of providing offense. Torts finally benched Laughton, both he and Ryan P should be benched from a Torts STANDARD perspective, I agree and don't, Torts is asking them to play out of position or above their abilty level.

it has been clear from day 1 frost isnt a Torts type of player. He should have been moved long ago. This is a failure by the GM.

Now his value is likely at its lowest and the returned will be underwhelming is my guess.

He should have been playing all along for the most part and left alone. Torts can't adapt that way as it is way or no way. They are devoid of talent at the center spot. Yet the coach keeps propping up Cates and RP.
- login

just dumb, seems the standard is only for certain players

just dumb, seems the standard is only for certain players
- wcorvette

forgot to add that Frost hasn't played all that well. Still no reason not to have him in the lineup with consistent minutes and linemates.

Try the Cates-Frost-Tippet line from few years back that had some small sample success.

Do you think Torts is getting the most out of these players?
- login

I think they played reasonably well for the first two periods. The effort was there and you could see they were generally playing the way Torts wants them to.

But the talent gap was noticeable, and not every Flyers player is well suited to playing that game. The Canes, conversely, have hand picked virtually every guy to play this style. Everybody knows what they're supposed to do.

I actually don't blame Torts 100%, he is a coach and his job is to win. The only way to win is to play the grinders and play the game they do to have a chance to win. With where the franchise is at, forcing Cates to center and forcing Laughton to center is bad, both are better on the wing, both trade values would go up if they played the best position for them. Ryan P has been a turnover machine all year, he passes to the wrong team, Scott Laughton the same. Put Laughton on the wing and let Frost play, hell call up whoever is young from LHV, let them play. They should care more about the value of Cates, Laughton and Frost than this turtle hockey style. Yes i like some things, love seeing Andrae, I think York will still grow, and I think JD still has time. I think Sanheim has upped his game, let him skate. I think TK with better players would be even better, we have a selection of goalies.

I am a fan, so I will hope the thread the needle idea works, draft the next 2 seasons, trade and FA it, there is obviously only one direction they are going. Torts plays the grinders because he wants mistake free hockey, funny the grinders can make mistakes all they want, with little upside of providing offense. Torts finally benched Laughton, both he and Ryan P should be benched from a Torts STANDARD perspective, I agree and don't, Torts is asking them to play out of position or above their abilty level.
- wcorvette

I'm used to seeing Poehling move the puck the wrong way, but what's happened to Laughton this season? He never was a great player, but he was always a solid, smart player and he's always had decent hands. What's with the dumb plays? Where'd his hand/eye coordination go?

I think they played reasonably well for the first two periods. The effort was there and you could see they were generally playing the way Torts wants them to.

But the talent gap was noticeable, and not every Flyers player is well suited to playing that game. The Canes, conversely, have hand picked virtually every guy to play this style. Everybody knows what they're supposed to do.
- BINGO!

didn't answer my question though no big deal.

They can't compete against the best. Talent gap is clear for all to see. The sooner the realize this the better. Sadly, they will never realize this hence why you always get a failed flyers version of a rebuild. 

Year 2 of a 5 year rebuild.
Remember CF extended Risto and traded for TDA after he traded Giroux?

Briere had no illusions, which is why they added no one in the summer.

Grans played well again, Zamula - Grans might be worth a longer look even when York and Andrae return. Richard played well in limited action, he could skate with the Canes, but when he had to go to the boards to get the puck, well . . .

They seemed to run out of gas in the 3rd period, almost as if trying to keep up with the best forechecking team in the NHL wore them down.

Carolina doesn't play defense by keeping the puck in the offensive zone, they check just as hard in the D-zone, which is why they keep getting the puck back and into the offensive zone. And they don't have a fancy offense, run the cycle, win board battles, shoot from everywhere, hope for the eventual lucky bounce and pounce on it. Nothing fancy, just nonstop aggression
- Striiker

Grans was completely overwhelmed last night. To be fair though, so was everyone else. The Canes pressure the puck all over the ice and have strong puck support. They works cycles and scoring triangles. They're one of the best coached teams in the NHL. We'll see if the emergence of Necas can get them over the top.

This brings up an interesting point. I wonder if this style that Brindy has them playing wears them out. I mean, they are relentless all over the ice as witnessed last night, but I wonder if they wear down by the time the playoffs roll around cause they never seem to have success come springtime.
- Phillywhiteout

It won't because they are efficient as a team. Their system and positioning actually leads to less skating.

MJL, you're back? Many here think you may be Bill's alt account.

Either that or you got a sussy for a bit and found your way to HB jail.
- Letterkenney

Yes, Bill stepped away from making money in writing a blog on here because he wanted to devote time to other projects. Instead he decided to post here for free under an alt. Makes total sense.

Grans was completely overwhelmed last night. To be fair though, so was everyone else. The Canes pressure the puck all over the ice and have strong puck support. They works cycles and scoring triangles. They're one of the best coached teams in the NHL. We'll see if the emergence of Necas can get them over the top.
- MJL

With Andersen out long term they may be turning to John Gibson to fill the void. Also they're going to have Alexander Nikishin join the roster in time for the playoffs.

That's false. The Canes goaltending is very solid. The Flyers had very little in terms of scoring chances in the game. They got demolished at 5 on 5. They had 5 high danger chances at 5 on 5 for the game, which is pathetic. Compared to 18 for the Canes.
Please provide factual information that Briere is getting calls for Ristolainen. Ristolainen remains the same mediocre player that is best suited for the 3rd pair. It is extremely unlikely that any team, at this point in the season is interested in an overpaid 3rd pair defenseman with term left and a 5.1 AAV.
- MJL

Welcome back MJL, we missed you!

I watched the game. The Flyers did not get many shots but they had some good chances that they can't finish. I don't care how many they have, whether its 5, or 2 or 10. The bottom line is this center group is horrible and the wingers which are supposed to be the strength of this team couldn't finish an ice cream sundae! Risto is playing the best hockey he has played since he has been with the Flyers. Anyone who watches the game and actually knows what they are watching can easily see this.

With Andersen out long term they may be turning to John Gibson to fill the void. Also they're going to have Alexander Nikishin join the roster in time for the playoffs.
- BINGO!

Andersen just can't stay healthy. It's a shame. He's a really solid goaltender.

The Flyers sit 6th in the division. Points percentage is the more accurate indicator
- MJL

They had a bad start to the season but are playing better now and getting better goaltending. They will end up 5th in the division since they are better than the Islanders, Columbus and the dreadful Penguins. I didn't expect the Caps to be this good but we'll see how they do with Ovechkin out.

They just are not a good team. most know this currently.

When they end up not moving Risto, can't wait to hear your spin as to why.

Briere has had 2 offseason and really hasn't help improve the team at all. He has taken the path of least resistance. made some easy trades and questionable signings.

getting lucky is a great strategy.
- login

Luck is a the most important part of the drafting process. I can't wait for your spin when Risto is traded.

Do you think Torts is getting the most out of these players?
- login

I do.

who is to blame for that?
- login

Couts got hurt and is just not the same player. Frost did not develop into the center we had hoped. Poehling and Cates are not offensive centers. I blame Hextall and then Fletcher for lacking the foresight to develop strong centers in the organization, and now its up to Briere to restock this position which he began in this past draft.

Grans was completely overwhelmed last night. To be fair though, so was everyone else. The Canes pressure the puck all over the ice and have strong puck support. They works cycles and scoring triangles. They're one of the best coached teams in the NHL. We'll see if the emergence of Necas can get them over the top.
- MJL

Grans first two NHL games against Colorado and Carolina. Baptism by fire.

This brings up an interesting point. I wonder if this style that Brindy has them playing wears them out. I mean, they are relentless all over the ice as witnessed last night, but I wonder if they wear down by the time the playoffs roll around cause they never seem to have success come springtime.
- Phillywhiteout

They don’t have the star power nor the grit for lack of a better word since it can’t be measured on a spreadsheet. Those things matter in the playoffs.

Yes, Bill stepped away from making money in writing a blog on here because he wanted to devote time to other projects. Instead he decided to post here for free under an alt. Makes total sense.

- MJL

or option 3, you submitted an article to be a blogger and were not allowed to post while in the process

I don't remember Torts ever blaming lack of puck support on any of Frost or Brink's turnovers... must be good to be Poehls.

They had a bad start to the season but are playing better now and getting better goaltending. They will end up 5th in the division since they are better than the Islanders, Columbus and the dreadful Penguins. I didn't expect the Caps to be this good but we'll see how they do with Ovechkin out.
- jd250

You can have that opinion but there isn't much evidence to support it. They aren't a good offensive or defensive team. The only think keeping them afloat where they are good is the PK. If that falters, they'll be even worse.

Luck is a the most important part of the drafting process. I can't wait for your spin when Risto is traded.
- jd250

If the Flyers would be willing to eat 50%, there would be some interest. Otherwise, not so much.

I do.
- jd250

Tippett having 4 goals in 20 games, Foerster 4 in 19, Farabee 3 in 20 and Frost has 1, playing horribly is getting the most out of these players?

Grans first two NHL games against Colorado and Carolina. Baptism by fire.
- jd250

Grans has some potential but he is not ready for the NHL full time.