Howie58

Is Torts the right guy? My take: Talent is the problem, coaching isn't. The last 20+ years should convince us that's the case. Could someone be marginally better? Maybe. Then we have to weigh the benefits versus the cost of change and evaluation with a new system. I agree with Mike Sielski (not a friend of Torts) that the collapse over the last few weeks is likely to extend the "rebuild." The microscope on the likes of Frost, Farabee, Sanheim, Ersson, Drysdale, and whomever will be more intense, likely leading to their separation. Long-term, that may be good. But the turnover will be costly next season. BTW, a less costly interim move might be to kick Torts upstairs in some management capacity and let Shaw become the new coach. Again, I think another coaching change will do little positive at the margin. Torts is already half way through the contract, and rumor has it eating another 8 million is not high on the minds of Comcast.

Greetings: The Rags are favored (-218) with a 65% win probability. They are 9-0-1 against over the last 10. https://www.dimers.com/news/philadelphia-flyers-vs-ny-rangers-prediction-odds-nhl-picks-4112024 Statistically, the only place we are close is in penalty kills: Otherwise, we're world's apart: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-phi/2024/04/11/2023021257 This team has given us fits for a long time. Given the current state of the Flyers, I wonder if the Rags will have two or more players two goals apiece? A Kreider or Zibanijed hat trick wouldn't surprise me.

So, the guy is soft. Yikes. Well, my concern is why do we want someone like this? We need people who can break down an opponent's defense. This reads like another 4th liner. We've got those...maybe too many.

Greetings: I'm sure many of your saw this and I mentioned it in another thread: https://phillyhockeynow.com/2024/04/08/philadelphia-flyers-sign-oscar-eklind-unknown-swedish-prospect/ I am not a pro scout. And for all I know, this kid (he is 25, which isn't so young) may be a diamond in the rough. But...doesn't this sound like Throwback Thursday? Wouldn't we rather read about signing a speedy winger rather than a "hulking" 6'4" possible bottom six player? Is this a cheap substitute for Nic? Is our cupboard in LVH that barren? Again, he may bring things to the table that aren't clear to an outsider. But the optics aren't great for a team that needs speed and skill. One man's thought! Howie

Yep! Torts had a marginally competent squad earlier in the season. Then came legal, medical, and trade "issues." The remnant is sub-par, and candidly, our young "scorers." aren't scoring. Our goaltending--boy, what we thought was a strength may not be. This is going to be a long summer, and buyouts may be atop the list of "to-dos," just to clear cap and roster space.

Greetings: I think this is a good take on the loss and its fit in recent Flyer history: https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/flyers-vs-canadiens-the-worst-loss-of-the-john-tortorella-era/576970/ Jordan Hall is part of the organeyezhasion--this is sober coming from the inside. Tortorella's post-game presser was somber. But he did touch on the painful reality of talent (or lack thereof). On that score (no pun intended), the ELC to this gentleman doesn't make sense. He is projected as a bottom-six dude. https://broadstreetbuzz.com/posts/flyers-sign-swedish-winger-oscar-eklind-to-entry-level-deal Are they buying out Nic? Do they think a hulking forward "makes them tougher to play against?" Reading about signing a speedy winger might mean more to this team. What the hell do I know?

Our goalies are about a .750 percentage. That ain't good. Granted, their D stinks. But they can't make critical stops.

From your lips to God's ears. Next year at this time, it may be Coots!

Well, doing laundry is better than watching this excrement. Yikes.

They can't muster offense in the crease. We miss too many shots. And of course, an inept PP.

Remember, Chuck said there was competition for his services.

Greetings: I remember this board's reaction to the signing...why four years? I think he will be paid a lot in coming years for manning the popcorn machine. This is another magnificent contribution of the Fletcher Legacy. . . . yeah, baby!

Greetings: The Flyers are mild favorites (-135) with a 57% win probability. I don't make this stuff up. https://www.bleachernation.com/picks/nhl-picks/2024/04/08/flyers-vs-canadiens-prediction-live-odds-stats-history-and-picks-tuesday-april-9-2024/ There isn't much difference between the teams statistically other than defense, where we're middling and they're near the bottom: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-phi/2024/04/09/2023021242 Miracles never cease to happen. We might be respectable.

Your assessment speaks to a systems issue. Our first round picks have been a problem for the last 10 years, and that goes beyond draft position. Our complementary trade and signings are problematic--we sacrifice picks and sign subpar players to outrageous salaries and long terms. This is a mess. Short-term, we are paying a price for losing Hart and Walker. I agree 100 percent that others aren't contributing as expected. BTW, I am hoping that Coots does not become another VLC. Atkinson may be a spent force, and he has another year. Goal. That is the Flyers Black Hole. Digging out of a systems problem takes time. Briere and Jones are under no illusions. Short-term, I am worried that the Torts Effect is wearing out sooner than we thought. I wonder if he will last his four years?

And these weren't blasts. Most were seeing eye. Werenski's 2nd was a defensive lapse. Bad!

Or the wings are melting!

Five goals, five from the Columbus D. Make that six. Sick.

I guess they have written off Guianov. At least the guy can skate.

We will be looking back at this weekend as a nadir of recent Flyers history. Morganti just called it a "nightmare." I am happy for Ollie. He works hard. On the other hand, what is Cam Atkinson doing in the lineup?

Severson, Gudbranson, and Blankenburg. We are being savaged by low-scoring D-men at the beginning or end of their careers. Boosh noted we are 5 for 98 on high danger chances. Yikes. Our goalies....depressing.

Sami, be careful, some here are AARP members.

No shame in a little craziness. We tried hard. But skill and being in the right time and place matter. As for The Dude, the smaller rink and faster pace may take some adjustment.

Greetings: Much to my surprise, the Flyers are favored (-148) https://winnersandwhiners.com/games/nhl/4-6-2024/philadelphia-flyers-vs-columbus-blue-jackets-prediction-746/ The teams aren't that different statistically, though the Flyers D is better: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cbj-vs-phi/2024/04/06/2023021222 What's left in the tank? Will Ersson hold down the fort?

Outshooting the opponent and still losing is nothing new for this squad. Morganti hitnthe nail on the head. We can't beat a hot goalie with shots from 30 feet out. The Tippett score is an outlier.