Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Burned by Flames, 6-3

Bill, your thoughts on coots early on here ?

Just watched that Foerster fight. That’s a lot of penalty minutes for not throwing any punches. Any word on Frost now that the adrenaline has worn off and his injury has had time to swell?

I'm sure everyone's going to freak out on brand, but it's one game. Second game of a back-to-back on the opposite coast.

I'd like to see a bit better performance on the faceoffs. Couts was better yesterday than against Vancouver, but Cates was off (first game). However, it seemed like as a team they lost the ones that mattered more often than not.

Fedotov could have been a bit better, but the first goal was a fluke and the second goal was a well-setup 3-on-5. Let's not pretend he didn't show up. Sometimes you actually have to give the other team some credit.

On the positive side, Brink has been a pleasant surprise so far.

Again, just one game, people. Lots of hockey left.

I'm sure everyone's going to freak out on brand, but it's one game. Second game of a back-to-back on the opposite coast.

I'd like to see a bit better performance on the faceoffs. Couts was better yesterday than against Vancouver, but Cates was off (first game). However, it seemed like as a team they lost the ones that mattered more often than not.

Fedotov could have been a bit better, but the first goal was a fluke and the second goal was a well-setup 3-on-5. Let's not pretend he didn't show up. Sometimes you actually have to give the other team some credit.

On the positive side, Brink has been a pleasant surprise so far.

Again, just one game, people. Lots of hockey left.
- FlyguyHI

Fedotov just doesn’t look comfortable in the net, constantly out of position or fighting for it

Bill, your thoughts on coots early on here ?
- ClaudeFather

Was better yesterday than Friday. But I can't sugarcoat that I am very concerned. Two back surgeries and a core muscle surgery in just over two calendar years is something almost no player can fully recover from.

Fedotov just doesn’t look comfortable in the net, constantly out of position or fighting for it
- ClaudeFather

He looked awkward and sometimes uncomfortable.(A job for the goalie coach). He did some decent fluke saves. But i am afraid his shortcomings will make the total picture bleak.

Just watched that Foerster fight. That’s a lot of penalty minutes for not throwing any punches. Any word on Frost now that the adrenaline has worn off and his injury has had time to swell?
- Dkos

We'll see tomorrow when the team practices in Edmonton. He seemed to be feeling at least a little bit better in the third period. It's a shame because he had a lot of jump and was in the middle of several scoring chances before the play where he got hurt.

Was better yesterday than Friday. But I can't sugarcoat that I am very concerned. Two back surgeries and a core muscle surgery in just over two calendar years is something almost no player can fully recover from.
- bmeltzer

Yea it’s unfortunate . How anyone had confidence this guy would would bounce back and be a consistently productive player is bizarre

As far as the Jett not playing is perplexing. Using the load management excuse after the 1st game of the season is pure nonsense.

No reason to sit him for the 2nd game of the season. You want to manage his workload is fine. After 1 game? looks plain dumb.

Was better yesterday than Friday. But I can't sugarcoat that I am very concerned. Two back surgeries and a core muscle surgery in just over two calendar years is something almost no player can fully recover from.
- bmeltzer

Yea it’s unfortunate . How anyone had confidence this guy would would bounce back and be a consistently productive player is bizarre

Was better yesterday than Friday. But I can't sugarcoat that I am very concerned. Two back surgeries and a core muscle surgery in just over two calendar years is something almost no player can fully recover from.
- bmeltzer

Yea. The writing on the wall.🧱 (He will not be a top player throughout his contract), will come to fruition. 😔

As far as the Jett not playing is perplexing. Using the load management excuse after the 1st game of the season is pure nonsense.

No reason to sit him for the 2nd game of the season. You want to manage his workload is fine. After 1 game? looks plain dumb.
- hello it's me 2050

Trying to give him a good long taste of things in the NHL? Isn’t the limit 9 games or 30 days?

We'll see tomorrow when the team practices in Edmonton. He seemed to be feeling at least a little bit better in the third period. It's a shame because he had a lot of jump and was in the middle of several scoring chances before the play where he got hurt.
- bmeltzer

He’s the best they have at center right now; especially with the captain not looking right.

Bill, your thoughts on coots early on here ?
- ClaudeFather

The weight of the c

Didn't see the game, but saw the highlights. How does a guy the size of Fedotov look small in goal? Lots of work to do with that guy (.839 save pct. ain't gonna get it done)... 3.2 mil a year for that? Bring over the 19 year old russian goalie! He will be the best of the lot. Drsydale is gonna be my new whipping boy. Perhaps some AHL time like York had would do him well. He looks like Ghost without the offensive contribution. At least Cutter was held scoreless last night! Why are the whiners making such a big fuss about Luchanko sitting last night? He's an 18 year old kid. Let him play a game and then let him watch a game from above. Hell, they may have to keep him for the entire season by default based on their current center situation. Frost could be hurt and Coots looks cooked. Eh what?

Fedotov made some nice saves, but other times he had a hard time following the puck. Twice I saw him look for the puck and it was on the opposite side of the ice. Guys his size will never be super quick, but last night it seemed like the pace of play was too fast for him. Hopefully things will look better as the season progresses. Calgary was very physical and they pushed the Flyers around. Was this one of the reasons why Jett was a healthy scratch?

Will Coots decline force Torts to sit him? Is Jett being rushed because of the decline of Coots.

Will Coots decline force Torts to sit him? Is Jett being rushed because of the decline of Coots.
- WhiskeyMan

Get your popcorn ready because that scenario could play out. Would be a huge mistake obviously.

I'm sure everyone's going to freak out on brand, but it's one game. Second game of a back-to-back on the opposite coast.

I'd like to see a bit better performance on the faceoffs. Couts was better yesterday than against Vancouver, but Cates was off (first game). However, it seemed like as a team they lost the ones that mattered more often than not.

Fedotov could have been a bit better, but the first goal was a fluke and the second goal was a well-setup 3-on-5. Let's not pretend he didn't show up. Sometimes you actually have to give the other team some credit.

On the positive side, Brink has been a pleasant surprise so far.

Again, just one game, people. Lots of hockey left.
- FlyguyHI

Fedotov made some nice saves in the parts of the game that I was able to watch. I thought the Weegar goal was savable and he flopped like a fish on the 2 on 1. Mixed bag. Some good play and some bad goaltending.

Yea it’s unfortunate . How anyone had confidence this guy would would bounce back and be a consistently productive player is bizarre
- ClaudeFather

Productive is a subjective term. After the surguries, a sound 3rd line center should be the expectation. On this team, that is a huge problem. Got too many 3rd/4th line centers. In fact, they seem to like to keep those guys and re sign them long term.

Productive is a subjective term. After the surguries, a sound 3rd line center should be the expectation. On this team, that is a huge problem. Got too many 3rd/4th line centers. In fact, they seem to like to keep those guys and re sign them long term.
- Trox88

People were guaranteeing 50 points…

Get your popcorn ready because that scenario could play out. Would be a huge mistake obviously.
- StepfordSam

Agree, centers should be
Frost
Cates
Peeling
Laughton.

Should give the flyers a nice draft pick

Productive is a subjective term. After the surguries, a sound 3rd line center should be the expectation. On this team, that is a huge problem. Got too many 3rd/4th line centers. In fact, they seem to like to keep those guys and re sign them long term.
- Trox88

Couturier was horrendous in the season opener. He was much improved last night. Not top center level but much better. Hopefully, it's a trend.

anyone with a eagles stream link?