I'd bet if the play in front of the goaltenders would improve. Including coverage and puck management, that the soft goals would diminish.
- MJL

Exactly, if the team was playing solid hockey game in and game out, but were getting burnt on bad goals given up by the goaltender, I would say yes new goaltender is needed. Unfortunately when the Flyers have played good sound hockey, the goaltending has looked good to win. How many breakaways did Elliott face when he relieved Pickard last night?

He did, with a little "frank you, HB" smirk mixed in. lol
- Scoob

Voracek read HFboards, specifically called out a poster in a tweet.

Hak throwing those fists up was for me haha.

Exactly, if the team was playing solid hockey game in and game out, but were getting burnt on bad goals given up by the goaltender, I would say yes new goaltender is needed. Unfortunately when the Flyers have played good sound hockey, the goaltending has looked good to win. How many breakaways did Elliott face when he relieved Pickard last night?
- Glak18

It's all connected. It's a fools errand to think going out and getting a marginally better goaltender is going to make a huge difference alone. Now if it is in conjunction with improved team play, further development of young players. Improving the defense, and finding a 3C, then yea, it could help significantly. It's a team game.

well they made it 14 games

FYI-

most all teams are turning over the puck every night, it is just not the Flyers. The Jets are struggling in that department. Doing your job and playing as a team is tops, skill is 1B and confidence comes in pretty high. When the goalie trusts the team and the team the goalie it goes a long way.

That’s fair. I do think a goalie upgrade does the team a lot of good. Maybe more than any other single realistic acquisition.

There are very few if any NHL clubs that willingly swap out their starters, or tandem for what the Flyers have. That speaks volumes to me anyway.

I want to see an upgrade next year. The media narrative isn’t a lazy one imo.
- flyer_nutter

This is how I see the situation now for the Flyers.

1) No question there is a confidence/trust issue team wide, it goes both ways. If a goaltender doesn't trust what is in front of them, they will cheat as well which normally ends up making them look bad. The forwards need to help out, so the defense doesn't get pressured into mistakes and then goaltenders can focus on stopping the puck and not worried about when they are hung out to dry. TEAM WIDE problem.

That is the difference between a playoff and non-playoff team.

2) Now the team can focus on upgrading specific weaknesses, one of them being a better goaltender and fixing special teams.

That is the difference of being a legit playoff team that could win multiple rounds.

I see everyone wanting to jump over stages, fix the basic problems first.

Voracek read HFboards, specifically called out a poster in a tweet.

Hak throwing those fists up was for me haha.
- flyer_nutter

I just saw it

Florida could be an interesting team. They were looked at to be a team to really push for the playoffs this year and yet they havn't done much. If they dont turn it around I wonder if they would be a partner where you could make a good hockey trade.
- J35Bacher

Luongo has been out. That's huge for them. He came back and they've righted the ship.

well they made it 14 games

FYI-

most all teams are turning over the puck every night, it is just not the Flyers. The Jets are struggling in that department. Doing your job and playing as a team is tops, skill is 1B and confidence comes in pretty high. When the goalie trusts the team and the team the goalie it goes a long way.
- wcorvette

My line of thinking anyway. Throw Elliot/Pickard on a team like Winnipeg or Minny right now. Hell on a club like Anaheim who’s only taste of success has been because of Gibson.

The goalies are a huge piece and other than maybe Quenville, the single biggest acquisition that could help move the club forward.

Probably not, but it gives them a chance to do some damage. I don’t think you can seriously expect to make any noise rolling with guys like Elliot or Pickard. The Flyers give up some high danger looks but also bleed soft goals far too often.
- flyer_nutter

See I look at it as you can solve one of the two and this team gets a lot better and to me if you solve the high danger chances you'd get more return on the fix.

See I look at it as you can solve one of the two and this team gets a lot better and to me if you solve the high danger chances you'd get more return on the fix.
- dragonoffrost

Do both good sir. Do both.

Do both good sir. Do both.
- flyer_nutter

Which goalie is available and how are you clearing the space for him? I mean we got 3 goalies at each level and only 2 nets at each level to practice in. Do you really want to make it 7 goalies for 4 nets?

Hextalls look when he was asked about Neuvy recently being hurt again could be telling but he can't do anything right now because I don't think you can cut a hurt player.

Which goalie is available and how are you clearing the space for him? I mean we got 3 goalies at each level and only 2 nets at each level to practice in. Do you really want to make it 7 goalies for 4 nets?

Hextalls look when he was asked about Neuvy recently being hurt again could be telling but he can't do anything right now because I don't think you can cut a hurt player.
- dragonoffrost

Nahh that’s fair. I don’t see a lot of realistic choices for upgrades at this time. Perhaps next off season.

My line of thinking anyway. Throw Elliot/Pickard on a team like Winnipeg or Minny right now. Hell on a club like Anaheim who’s only taste of success has been because of Gibson.

The goalies are a huge piece and other than maybe Quenville, the single biggest acquisition that could help move the club forward.
- flyer_nutter

I don't think anyone feels Elliott or Pickard are some of the best goalies in the league, but you put them on other teams and no question results would be different. Oh wait remember Pickard on Colorado when Varlamov went down? He was a big reason for their success.

What about Crawford...why do people want to trade for him? Well he won stanley cups with Chicago. Ok fair point, how does he look when Chicago isn't good?

Voracek read HFboards, specifically called out a poster in a tweet.

Hak throwing those fists up was for me haha.
- flyer_nutter

for real?

Luongo has been out. That's huge for them. He came back and they've righted the ship.
- dragonoffrost

Best masks in hockey

I don't think anyone feels Elliott or Pickard are some of the best goalies in the league, but you put them on other teams and no question results would be different. Oh wait remember Pickard on Colorado when Varlamov went down? He was a big reason for their success.

What about Crawford...why do people want to trade for him? Well he won stanley cups with Chicago. Ok fair point, how does he look when Chicago isn't good?
- Glak18

I want Stanley Cup winner Antti Niemi.

Best masks in hockey
- Scoob

The Flyers need to remove the glut of poop at the bottom of the depth before they do that. If you get lucky maybe they could use some of those pieces with someone else to get that competent goaltender.
- Glak18

The glut of poop has actually been playing well this year.

The glut of poop has actually been playing well this year.
- bulet13

AMac says thanks.

for real?
- Scoob

Hah yeah, on twitter back in early October (after a strong game by him) to some guy who continously bashes him.

NAK needs more ice team. They should try him on the PK

well they made it 14 games

FYI-

most all teams are turning over the puck every night, it is just not the Flyers. The Jets are struggling in that department. Doing your job and playing as a team is tops, skill is 1B and confidence comes in pretty high. When the goalie trusts the team and the team the goalie it goes a long way.
- wcorvette

Tampa turns it over quite a bit. At least in the game I saw against Edmonton. And if their doing it against Edmonton I’d imagine it’s often. But they also make plenty of chances on their own. I think that’s how the best teams are operating. Let it fly. Let your skill win the scoring chance battle. Have an excellent goalie and most nights you’ll come out on top.

Not saying the flyers operate like this but I think the more progressive teams will live with a certain amount of mistakes

AMac says thanks.
- Glak18

AMac hasn't been playing

Was this at Wissahickon Skating Club?
- Dkos

The camp? Yes that’s the one.

I don’t know. I’m not really satisfied with the way they’re winning. Too many brain farts. Too many high scoring, close games.

Go out there and dominate! Just man handled a good team and convince us you’re worth our time.