Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Week Ahead, Flyers Daily, O.Brien and More

The lack of physicality has been concerning to me.

And I don't mean fighting and hitting, I mean being hard on the puck, bearing down and winning battles. Wilting under physical pressure from the other team. Getting outmuscled etc etc etc.


Add to that it has been maddening seeing how many shots have been passed up for a low percentage pass. I thought one of AV's whole coaching tenets was to shoot as many pucks as possible and get to the net for rebounds and greasy goals?

That goes back to the physical play aspect, the team needs to work harder to get to the hard spots on the ice instead of shying away.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Week Ahead, Flyers Daily, O.Brien and More
- bmeltzer

I think the Flyers problems go well beyond injuries. With a healthy line up in game 1, you can see the talent is there but the structure is broken. Is Erik Gustafson free to do what he wants because there are many areas of defense he needs to improve in. I think many overreact to mistakes and cry “sit him”, when in truth, the only regular who should be scratched is Gus.

321

The lack of physicality has been concerning to me.

And I don't mean fighting and hitting, I mean being hard on the puck, bearing down and winning battles. Wilting under physical pressure from the other team. Getting outmuscled etc etc etc.


Add to that it has been maddening seeing how many shots have been passed up for a low percentage pass. I thought one of AV's whole coaching tenets was to shoot as many pucks as possible and get to the net for rebounds and greasy goals?

That goes back to the physical play aspect, the team needs to work harder to get to the hard spots on the ice instead of shying away.
- MBFlyerfan

agree but hitting is a concern for me also, they have a chance to put a hit on and they turn away, I am not talking about hitting just for hitting, hits where they would neutralize the player and give them something they need to think about next time.

SuperSchennBros

What is it what you want to achieve with physical play after being down 3 to 1 in Boston.You will not get the game back
First period play was ever the problem no matter who played
Now team is balanced if you look at line combination but not skills
Let Pitlick,Grant and Thompson walk was not a good idea and Niskanen was a huge surprise as well

321
- wcorvette

contact

I blame Hex and Fletch, for building the slowest and softest NHL team in history!!!
- SuperSchennBros

To many average NHL players maybe. Need more x rated talent to get to the other side of the hill.

The injuries are what they are. They happen.
The bigger issue is the team's lack of response to Niskanen's retirement, and the continued inability of this veteran core to start games with energy.
This is the same veteran core who didn't start with energy under Laviolette, Berube, Hakstol. Maybe the issue wasn't/isn't just the coach behind the bench?

The lack of physicality has been concerning to me.

And I don't mean fighting and hitting, I mean being hard on the puck, bearing down and winning battles. Wilting under physical pressure from the other team. Getting outmuscled etc etc etc.


Add to that it has been maddening seeing how many shots have been passed up for a low percentage pass. I thought one of AV's whole coaching tenets was to shoot as many pucks as possible and get to the net for rebounds and greasy goals?

That goes back to the physical play aspect, the team needs to work harder to get to the hard spots on the ice instead of shying away.
- MBFlyerfan

What, your not a fan of the infamous glide to the puck battle and try poke check the puck away along the boards?

SuperSchennBros

What is it what you want to achieve with physical play after being down 3 to 1 in Boston.You will not get the game back
First period play was ever the problem no matter who played
Now team is balanced if you look at line combination but not skills
Let Pitlick,Grant and Thompson walk was not a good idea and Niskanen was a huge surprise as well
- goenzoy

If you think retaining Pitlick, Grant and Thompson would change this around, you're nuts. Pitlick was a good 4th liner who provided some energy, but that’s about it.

Jvr Hayes Jake
Lindblom Scotty Bee
G Patrick TK
Raffl Bunny NAK

Provy Ghost
Sanheim Friedman
Hagg Braun
Gus

Sounds like we finally got our wish

We can talk all we want about how the team leaders are respected and vocal in the room and say the right things. When a team under multiple coaches and with multiple rosters have the same competitive issues over points of the season, it is fair to question the leadership. They had the first dud against Buffalo and then have a decent bounce back game and win. Now again, in the two games against Boston, we see lackadaisical and uninspired play to put it politely.

We can talk all we want about how the team leaders are respected and vocal in the room and say the right things. When a team under multiple coaches and with multiple rosters have the same competitive issues over points of the season, it is fair to question the leadership. They had the first dud against Buffalo and then have a decent bounce back game and win. Now again, in the two games against Boston, we see lackadaisical and uninspired play to put it politely.
- MJL

Who do you consider this leadership ? If we date this rebuild back to the termination of lavy through Berube Hakstol and av the only consistent leadership has been G Jake and Coots.

Jvr Hayes Jake
Lindblom Scotty Bee
G Patrick TK
Raffl Bunny NAK

Provy Ghost
Sanheim Friedman
Hagg Braun
Gus

Sounds like we finally got our wish
- Tfaehner

TK is our all star, he needs to start being on the Ice more . Enough of this third line crap.

TK is our all star, he needs to start being on the Ice more . Enough of this third line crap.
- ClaudeFather

Thats just how Charlie posted it. I have a hard time in viewing the lines that lindblom scotty and bee is the 2nd line over g Patrick tk.

Patrick not practicing with main team. Andreoff in his place.

Myers Patrick and coots all practicing skill work away from team on the other ice. Good sign for coots myers. Big worry for patrick

What, your not a fan of the infamous glide to the puck battle and try poke check the puck away along the boards?
- Buzzo

Only when I'm watching women's hockey.

Only when I'm watching women's hockey.
- MBFlyerfan

The women play harder than that. WNHL been highly enjoyable. I know that wasn't your point but saw an opportunity.

The women play harder than that. WNHL been highly enjoyable. I know that wasn't your point but saw an opportunity.
- Tfaehner

I enjoy watching women's hockey, especially the olympics.

Patrick not practicing with main team. Andreoff in his place.

Myers Patrick and coots all practicing skill work away from team on the other ice. Good sign for coots myers. Big worry for patrick
- Tfaehner

Patrick doesn't seem serious. As andreoff skating in his pp2 spot too. If he was out youd likely seen him replaced.

Pp1 g hayes jake jvr provy
Pp2 tk Patrick lindblom ghost sanheim

Legionofwhom

If you think retaining Pitlick, Grant and Thompson would change this around, you're nuts. Pitlick was a good 4th liner who provided some energy, but that’s about it.

Not talking from all 3 but at least I would have kept Grant or Pitlick because for 2021 it is realistic that Lindblom,Patrick,Frost and Farabee even JvR and Jake at times are a liability in term of defense .Add again the disaster of playing Provorov 25 + minutes

Oh no.

Cue the Patrick overreactions

Legionofwhom

If you think retaining Pitlick, Grant and Thompson would change this around, you're nuts. Pitlick was a good 4th liner who provided some energy, but that’s about it.

Not talking from all 3 but at least I would have kept Grant or Pitlick because for 2021 it is realistic that Lindblom,Patrick,Frost and Farabee even JvR and Jake at times are a liability in term of defense .Add again the disaster of playing Provorov 25 + minutes
- goenzoy

Provy isn't even top 10 on toi. The best defenseman eat minutes.