What western teams are big but don't skate ? Dallas Colorado st louis and Vegas the best 4 teams in the west all are very good skaters and play fast controlled games. Their size comes with speed and a ton of skill. Its not in spite of it. And im sure if the flyers could add size with speed and skill they would.
- Tfaehner

The name of the game in the NHL in 2021 is skating and tenacity. The Flyers up to this point have shown neither quality. Boston has toughness up and down their lineup, but its not 1970's Stan Jonathan and John Wensink toughness with fights and fists, its toughness in the form of tenacity on the puck, the drive to win every puck battle and the skating ability to do so. This is what makes the Bruins a tough team to play against more than anything else, even though they have one of the best lines in hockey when Pastrnak comes back. Kevin Hayes mentioned this in his presser after the game last night. The Flyers last year had that tenacity and were a hard team to play against. I still think in the end what did the Flyers in against the Islanders was the skating and skill part, i.e. the Islanders had more of it. This year that tenacity is not there, and as I mentioned, the core players on this team are all too passive, and it filters down to the rest of the team. That is why no matter who is coaching, or what young players are in the lineup, we see the same problems surface every single year recently, at least I have noticed them since we lost Pronger in 2011.

Agreed but which goals yesterday were bad goals on the goaltender?
- MJL

I didn’t say they were bad goals. Just saying 6 goals on 26 shots isn’t good. When a goalie is playing great he makes great saves. If you asked Hart hiw many were on him he’d probably say all of them.

I didn’t say they were bad goals. Just saying 6 goals on 26 shots isn’t good. When a goalie is playing great he makes great saves. If you asked Hart hiw many were on him he’d probably say all of them.
- Dkos

I'm sure he would but really he only let in one bad goal last night. The complete lack of structure, fundamentals along with not moving their feet and a lack of competitive fire was disturbing. A coach can fix the structure and fundamental issues but he can't fix the other issues.

No doubt the team has been bad, but Hart has let in a ton of goals in the last 4 periods. 6 goals on 26 shots yesterday ain’t great however you look at it.
- Dkos

Carter Harts play had absolutely nothing to do with that loss, we didn’t even reach 20 shots....This is a really bad hockey team at the moment.

I can say with 100% confidence that they didn't add any of those players because they could fight. Flyers don't have a need for more foot soldiers or role players. They have plenty of that. They need to get better on defense and they need their best players to play like it consistently.
- MJL

I agree with just about everything you have been posting today, except I don't believe our "best players" are good enough. We need top end talent, that player who can score 40+ goals, get a big PP goal and take over a game when needed. We just don't have that. Jake V is a good complimentary player, and great passer but he does little else. Giroux is a shell of himself and doesn't shoot the puck enough. JVR does one thing well and that is stand in front of the net and deflect pucks, and that is only when he feels like it. Couturier is an all around great player, but he cannot carry the scoring load for the team and he is not a great finisher. Hayes is a good complimentary player. TK shows he can finish, but other than him who else? Patrick is invisible out there offensively. Same with Lindblom. Farabee is still very young. Laughton makes one good offensive play a week maybe, Raffl one good play a month. We cannot make the mistake of falling in love with our players. If we want a cup there are elements every cup winning team has, and this team is lacking a lot of those elements. Compare to the Lightning last year. Who on this team is even close to Point, Kucherov and Stamkos offensively?

I'm sure he would but really he only let in one bad goal last night. The complete lack of structure, fundamentals along with not moving their feet and a lack of competitive fire was disturbing. A coach can fix the structure and fundamental issues but he can't fix the other issues.
- MJL

And the moving their feet and compete level is the biggest issue . People trying to put blame on the coach, did they watch. No coach is winning games with that type of effort.

How is it AV's fault, exactly? He made Niskanen retire? He made Giroux struggle in four of the first six games?
- bmeltzer

Pretend you don’t work for the flyers for a minute. Then you tell me. Are you happy with his player usage? Deployment? Happy with The poweplay when it is obvious what works and what doesn’t work.

I agree with just about everything you have been posting today, except I don't believe our "best players" are good enough. We need top end talent, that player who can score 40+ goals, get a big PP goal and take over a game when needed. We just don't have that. Jake V is a good complimentary player, and great passer but he does little else. Giroux is a shell of himself and doesn't shoot the puck enough. JVR does one thing well and that is stand in front of the net and deflect pucks, and that is only when he feels like it. Couturier is an all around great player, but he cannot carry the scoring load for the team and he is not a great finisher. Hayes is a good complimentary player. TK shows he can finish, but other than him who else? Patrick is invisible out there offensively. Same with Lindblom. Farabee is still very young. Laughton makes one good offensive play a week maybe, Raffl one good play a month. We cannot make the mistake of falling in love with our players. If we want a cup there are elements every cup winning team has, and this team is lacking a lot of those elements. Compare to the Lightning last year. Who on this team is even close to Point, Kucherov and Stamkos offensively?
- jd250

In my opinion, the Flyers have plenty of offensive players and offensive depth.

Let’s pray he doesn’t get a dozen games.
- ClaudeFather

(ClaudeFather, not specifically calling you out). But I don’t understand many fans - who praise the organization when they bring talent from within via prospects and drafts - then crucify the rookie when they don’t play like Gretzky or Orr in their first few seasons. I don’t get it. Friedman, Hagg, etc may develop into good nhlers.

And the moving their feet and compete level is the biggest issue . People trying to put blame on the coach, did they watch. No coach is winning games with that type of effort.
- ClaudeFather

People want to talk about skating and speed but it's important to look at that and know what it actually is. Look at some of the goals last night. On the Smith goal, Sanheim lunges to try and stick block a shot. It gets through and he's then caught flat footed for just a second and Smith beats to the net for a rebound. Did that happen because Sanheim is slow and Smith is a faster skater? No! The play actually started with a poor forecheck structure and neutral zone play.
On the Coyle goal. The puck comes out into the neutral zone with the Bruins getting clear puck possession. So tell me why 3 Flyers are on the offensive side of the puck with 3 Bruins behind them? Haag comes up aggressively at the blueline, with no chance on the play in a bad read. Voracek is on the wrong side of the puck and Coyle and gets beaten to the net. Is it because Coyle is faster than Voracek? No it's because of bad positioning and structure.

During the 1st and 2nd periods last night, I thought there were some improvements. Certainly not in the shooting and scoring chance department, but some better passing and more controlled exits. On the whole, faceoff wins were up so that was not contributing to the possession difficulties.

I’m not sure what they can do about the defense unit as is. If the top 3 right now are Sanheim, Provorov and Braun, I really have giant doubts about keeping Provy-Sanheim together. I think you try each one, drags one and it cannot be worse.

The compete level froze to minus levels in the 3rd. Next game we see who comes to play? Who wants to be part of the solution? Who has the will to win?

Sure they are missing important players to injury. Sure they didn’t have a preseason to get back timing. Sure some bad calls go against you and sometimes things get missed. None of that should affect competitiveness and the ability to improve day by day.

(ClaudeFather, not specifically calling you out). But I don’t understand many fans - who praise the organization when they bring talent from within via prospects and drafts - then crucify the rookie when they don’t play like Gretzky or Orr in their first few seasons. I don’t get it. Friedman, Hagg, etc may develop into good nhlers.
- leon neon

Friedman is not going to be a regular NHL defenseman in my opinion. Haag is already what he is going to be. A 3rd pair NHL defenseman.

People want to talk about skating and speed but it's important to look at that and know what it actually is. Look at some of the goals last night. On the Smith goal, Sanheim lunges to try and stick block a shot. It gets through and he's then caught flat footed for just a second and Smith beats to the net for a rebound. Did that happen because Sanheim is slow and Smith is a faster skater? No! The play actually started with a poor forecheck structure and neutral zone play.
On the Coyle goal. The puck comes out into the neutral zone with the Bruins getting clear puck possession. So tell me why 3 Flyers are on the offensive side of the puck with 3 Bruins behind them? Haag comes up aggressively at the blueline, with no chance on the play in a bad read. Voracek is on the wrong side of the puck and Coyle and gets beaten to the net. Is it because Coyle is faster than Voracek? No it's because of bad positioning and structure.
- MJL

Absolutely. But the smallest things even the way our defenseman are being pressured to chase and turn taking longer to get back up ice or look for an outlet. On offense the opponents defense is forcing everything outside. Their defense never has to turn around or chase. They get straight up ice. It makes us look so slow and the other teams so fast.

Absolutely. But the smallest things even the way our defenseman are being pressured to chase and turn taking longer to get back up ice or look for an outlet. On offense the opponents defense is forcing everything outside. Their defense never has to turn around or chase. They get straight up ice. It makes us look so slow and the other teams so fast.
- Tfaehner

Yep. Instead of the Flyers being sound structurally and positionally and outnumbering the opposition on the puck. Which is what AV's system is based upon. The Flyers are either having to skate farther or skate to catch up to the opposition. Giving the appearance that the Flyers are a slow team. The quickest way to a point is a straight line.

How often this season have you seen the Flyers cut off a play in the neutral zone and create transition offense the other way? The team that controls the neutral zone, controls the game. Opposition teams have an "EZ pass" to get through the neutral zone with speed.

Yep. Instead of the Flyers being sound structurally and positionally and outnumbering the opposition on the puck. Which is what AV's system is based upon. The Flyers are either having to skate farther or skate to catch up to the opposition. Giving the appearance that the Flyers are a slow team. The quickest way to a point is a straight line.

How often this season have you seen the Flyers cut off a play in the neutral zone and create transition offense the other way? The team that controls the neutral zone, controls the game. Opposition teams have an "EZ pass" to get through the neutral zone with speed.
- MJL

While the entire team minus goaltending is to blame for the issues. I have to beg the question last year we had the highest % of offense that came from our defenseman. We had some of the highest shot counts from defenseman. Our defensive outlets and improved play changed the entire complexion of our team. Knowing this is the only logical solution to address the position ?

Friedman is not going to be a regular NHL defenseman in my opinion. Haag is already what he is going to be. A 3rd pair NHL defenseman.
- MJL

Friedman may not be, regardless... any young players (especially defense) will take time to determine whether he sinks or swim. They will make many mistakes over that time. It’s a learning curve. Pretty much all the Flyer defenseman are still learning (except Braunn).

While the entire team minus goaltending is to blame for the issues. I have to beg the question last year we had the highest % of offense that came from our defenseman. We had some of the highest shot counts from defenseman. Our defensive outlets and improved play changed the entire complexion of our team. Knowing this is the only logical solution to address the position ?
- Tfaehner

They lost Niskanen and now Myers. That half of your top 4. What team wouldn't be hurt by that. We were hoping Myers and Sanheim could take steps forward and Gostisbehere could rebound. Hasn't happened. Provorov is spending so much time defending that he's not been able to be as aggressive offensively as he wants to be.

(ClaudeFather, not specifically calling you out). But I don’t understand many fans - who praise the organization when they bring talent from within via prospects and drafts - then crucify the rookie when they don’t play like Gretzky or Orr in their first few seasons. I don’t get it. Friedman, Hagg, etc may develop into good nhlers.
- leon neon

I have no issue with Hagg, he is what he is. Freidman is currently playing because Niskanen retired, Meyers got hurt, and Ghost is in Covid protocol. Why in the world would we be giving this guy a lengthy chance? He’s only in due to a series of crazy events.

They lost Niskanen and now Myers. That half of your top 4. What team wouldn't be hurt by that. We were hoping Myers and Sanheim could take steps forward and Gostisbehere could rebound. Hasn't happened. Provorov is spending so much time defending that he's not been able to be as aggressive offensively as he wants to be.
- MJL

Oh I get it. And agree with you. But now given the situation do we call this a lost year or do we address it ? 6 more games like this and our season is likely over as far as playoffs go. Thats the unfortunate part of the shortened season.

Oh I get it. And agree with you. But now given the situation do we call this a lost year or do we address it ? 6 more games like this and our season is likely over as far as playoffs go. Thats the unfortunate part of the shortened season.
- Tfaehner

I'll also add that they're missing their best player and #1 center. Combine it with all the other issues.

Just watched the Hart stick smashing , the entire team owes that kid an apology for the turd they laid in front of him.
- ClaudeFather

It's the first time we've seen emotion like this from him. I understand and am ok with that from him last night.

He hasn't played his best but he's getting next to nothing defensively out of this team.

I'll also add that they're missing their best player and #1 center. Combine it with all the other issues.
- MJL

Again. I respect your opinion up there on this board more than most. Do we ride it out and admit if the next 6 games don't go our way we likely are on the outside looking in or do we make a move ? The deadline is ironically poorly placed late into the season. Idk that we can wait for it.

It's the first time we've seen emotion like this from him. I understand and am ok with that from him last night.

He hasn't played his best but he's getting next to nothing defensively out of this team.
- Pelle31Forever

You can blame roughly 3-4 goals on Hart this entire season.

Caps have tons of offensive talent, but also have that element of toughness (i.e. players who willingly get involved physically and drop the gloves)...Wilson, Dillon, Hathaway, Dowd, and now Chara. The team doesn’t get pushed around.

Define “toughness” any way you choose. But to believe the Flyers haven’t been pushed around this season is ludicrous. If I’m the GM and coach I’m looking to add snarl to the lineup.

Caps have tons of offensive talent, but also have that element of toughness (i.e. players who willingly get involved physically and drop the gloves)...Wilson, Dillon, Hathaway, Dowd, and now Chara. The team doesn’t get pushed around.

Define “toughness” any way you choose. But to believe the Flyers haven’t been pushed around this season is ludicrous. If I’m the GM and coach I’m looking to add snarl to the lineup.
- BroadSTmayhem

Their ability to drop gloves is not why they are in the lineup. Tom Wilson is a 20 goal scorer. Chara was one of the best defenders in the last decade. These people can play. Snarl is not our issue.