Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: Game 6 vs. WSH

Cates has got to be looking at Poehling's linemates and his own linemates and wondering WTF.

It makes no sense for the short at center Flyers to have a healthy Jett watching the game. They just had 2 days off. Having Jett watch Poehling play #1 center makes about as much sense as having a healthy Andrae forced to sit and watch EJ instead of playing hockey for a week.

I just don't understand his usage.

Cates has got to be looking at Poehling's linemates and his own linemates and wondering WTF.
- Tomahawk

Neither should have Poehlings linemates

It makes no sense for the short at center Flyers to have a healthy Jett watching the game. They just had 2 days off. Having Jett watch Poehling play #1 center makes about as much sense as having a healthy Andrae forced to sit and watch EJ instead of playing hockey for a week.

I just don't understand his usage.
- Flyers_01

Buckle up. It’s about to be a long year of Torts making decisions like this and absolutely no logic behind it.

Cates has got to be looking at Poehling's linemates and his own linemates and wondering WTF.
- Tomahawk

You knew Poehling was going to get more shots at that #1 center role after the way he finished last season. Poehling is a player that Torts trusts unconditionally.

Gotta love a 1C with a 1.4 million cap hit. Briere is a genius.

We all said Poehling would be centering Michkov at some point. Torts just cant help himself. He will tell us some cock and bull story that "Pails" earned it because of culture and standard. But he doesn't give a poop about Michkov or the rest of the team.

The Flyers made their bed. It's lumpy and full of bedbugs.

We all said Poehling would be centering Michkov at some point. Torts just cant help himself. He will tell us some cock and bull story that "Pails" earned it because of culture and standard. But he doesn't give a poop about Michkov or the rest of the team.

The Flyers made their bed. It's lumpy and full of bedbugs.
- MBFlyerfan

What other option does Torts have a center at this point? Luchanko needs to go back to Guelph, Couts is a 3C or at this stage, Cates is a 4C and Laughton is best a wing. Frost is where he shouild be for this season a 2C and I applaud Torts for not jerking him around the lineup so far. Peohling clearly is not a 1C, but this these are the centers Briere has give Torts to work with.

ND should never see NHL ice again. He skates like a beer leaguer. Oh, but the other team has big bad Tom Wilson! Yeah, but Tom Wilson can play the game. This team is about 3 injuries away from getting the most ping pong balls next spring. Yikes!

Cates has got to be looking at Poehling's linemates and his own linemates and wondering WTF.
- Tomahawk

Oh really? Because in your world Cates has shown that he deserves to play with Michkov

It makes no sense for the short at center Flyers to have a healthy Jett watching the game. They just had 2 days off. Having Jett watch Poehling play #1 center makes about as much sense as having a healthy Andrae forced to sit and watch EJ instead of playing hockey for a week.

I just don't understand his usage.
- Flyers_01

The Andrae situation annoys me. I could understand not playing Andrae in Calgary because he didn't arrive yet. I can understand not playing in Edmonton give the talent on that team. But I would have thought Andrae could get into the lineup against Seattle at least, and maybe even Vancouver where I think the match-ups were more favorable. Now he's back with the Phantoms. I understand Andrae is very small for an NHL defenseman, and perhaps the Flyers are hesitant to play him. But if this is true, why not trade the kid, otherwise he might decide he has had enough of Lappy, goes back to Sweden and the Flyers piss away another prospect they have invested a lot into.

The Andrae situation annoys me. I could understand not playing Andrae in Calgary because he didn't arrive yet. I can understand not playing in Edmonton give the talent on that team. But I would have thought Andrae could get into the lineup against Seattle at least, and maybe even Vancouver where I think the match-ups were more favorable. Now he's back with the Phantoms. I understand Andrae is very small for an NHL defenseman, and perhaps the Flyers are hesitant to play him. But if this is true, why not trade the kid, otherwise he might decide he has had enough of Lappy, goes back to Sweden and the Flyers piss away another prospect they have invested a lot into.
- jd250

Andrae is the reason that the Flyers didn't draft Buium. What an embarrassing statement that was by DB. Sometimes it's best not to say anything.

What other option does Torts have a center at this point? Luchanko needs to go back to Guelph, Couts is a 3C or at this stage, Cates is a 4C and Laughton is best a wing. Frost is where he shouild be for this season a 2C and I applaud Torts for not jerking him around the lineup so far. Peohling clearly is not a 1C, but this these are the centers Briere has give Torts to work with.
- jd250

You fail to recognize the issue with your own argument and its a logic fail. You're arguing on one hand that players like Frost and Couturier are slotted properly and should be left where they are and then sutbeinpporting the decision to move Poehling, who is a 4C to the 1C role. It's really simple. Play the better player at 1C and that's Couturier. It's nice that you applaud Tortorella for not being stupid.

Oh really? Because in your world Cates has shown that he deserves to play with Michkov
- jd250

What a foolish statements by you. Apparently in your world, Poehling has shown that he deserves to play with Michkov. I don't care what the role is, Cates is a better player than Poehling,

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: Game 6 vs. WSH
- bmeltzer

Bill did the Flyers look into acquiring any centers this past off season via trade or free agency?

If so any insight as to why they didn’t? Can you say who they may have inquired about?

The Andrae situation annoys me. I could understand not playing Andrae in Calgary because he didn't arrive yet. I can understand not playing in Edmonton give the talent on that team. But I would have thought Andrae could get into the lineup against Seattle at least, and maybe even Vancouver where I think the match-ups were more favorable. Now he's back with the Phantoms. I understand Andrae is very small for an NHL defenseman, and perhaps the Flyers are hesitant to play him. But if this is true, why not trade the kid, otherwise he might decide he has had enough of Lappy, goes back to Sweden and the Flyers piss away another prospect they have invested a lot into.
- jd250

It not like Johnson has played good…I like Zamula to get his chance in the top 6 but I thought he could have used a night off. I listened to Bill’s podcast and he thought the sweet spot for Johnson was 25-30 games…with Torts that might be by Xmas.
I think Andrae had a solid camp…he really came on late. I agree they are not doing this kid right at all.

What other option does Torts have a center at this point? Luchanko needs to go back to Guelph, Couts is a 3C or at this stage, Cates is a 4C and Laughton is best a wing. Frost is where he shouild be for this season a 2C and I applaud Torts for not jerking him around the lineup so far. Peohling clearly is not a 1C, but this these are the centers Briere has give Torts to work with.
- jd250

Couturier, Frost, Cates, and even probably Jett are better options. Laughton as well.

Oh really? Because in your world Cates has shown that he deserves to play with Michkov
- jd250

Cates is the better player. Not hard to figure out.

Do any of the teams in the league have a spare Brad Richards lying around?? I heard Torts needs one.

All you need to do is look at the Flyers group of centers to know they will have a top 10 pick. Add in the goaltending beyond Ersson and the lack of quality and depth on D and hopefully it’s top 5.

Flyers are trying to be the first organization to build a contender from the wings in.

With the rough start, expect Torts to turn to his guys. I expect Frost and Brink to have 5 on 5 time reduced. Poehling is 1C, would not be shocked to see Laughton (if playing) at center again. Seeler's return ensures all of their culture guys are back, if the ship does not get turned around, no excuses. They set the standard, the team was a playoff contender, not interested in a full rebuild. They have to achieve that level or better. Does not matter that I believe it was fool's gold last season.

Oh really? Because in your world Cates has shown that he deserves to play with Michkov
- jd250

Not what I'm saying at all ..

Andrae is the reason that the Flyers didn't draft Buium. What an embarrassing statement that was by DB. Sometimes it's best not to say anything.
- Phillywhiteout

💯

Flyers are trying to be the first organization to build a contender from the wings in.
- BiggE

Marching to the beat of a different trombone.