GratefulFlyers

well they’re saying they’re going for Cups you kinda have to either believe them or not. Before everyone chimes in with “yeah but …” I don’t disagree they’ve made moves that are easy to knock. I’d only say give it a couple years … like they’ve been saying it will take.

haha that's a good one OC! weren't the Flyers' odds of making the POs something like 75% at one point - and not too long ago (it seems)? Now it's gotta be way down I'd be surprised if they're even at 20% after this shitshow tonight.

Yeah I mean with hindsight it's an easy call but it did seem like a workable tandem going into the season don't you think? Hart #1 and Ersson #2. When Ersson found his form suddenly they were 1/1A and maybe that was a mistake. I don't remember how they split the games but I'm sure Ersson's workload went up. Hart was playing just okay so I think they turned to Ersson without much care. Then Hart leaves and apparently Dilly/Torts are okay throwing Ersson into the fire. They gave Petersen a game (or 2) and Sandstrom 2 or 3 ... and that was it for the backups till Fedotov. Jeez! So nobody should be shocked to see Ersson, in his 46th start of the season get outplayed by Columbus' backup. This is starting to feel like Bobrovsky all over again...Ersson has no waiver eligibility to screw up but they're overworking another excellent rookie goaltender. When Briere signs a veteran goalie this summer ... as long as he's not a Cosmonaut.

Trading TK will bite them back hard, as bad or worse than any trade in Flyers history. Konecny is a unique player - like Brad Marchand - and he'll leave a huge hole production-wise and every other -wise. Plus he's half the reason I watch the Flyers! I'd hate to see him go. Imagine TK skating with an "elite" center no question in my mind he's a 40+ goal scorer. Good lord 6-1 in Columbus... never mind trade everybody starting with Konecny. Fk it.

I was hoping maybe the 4 days rest were enough for him to recharge but obviously not. I still see plenty to like about his game. If he figures out how to get over the ~30-game wall he could be a helluva good #1 imho.

the whole team ... they haven't been the same since Hart left. Earlier in the year when they went down 2-0 even 3-0 I always felt sure they'd claw back and get to OT at least. Past couple months it's a whole different feel... they're back to the Fragile Flyers I guess. edit: Lycksell finally gets to celebrate his first NHL goal - it puts the Flyers right back in the game - you know the next shift they'll be all over the forecheck pressing for another goal and instead the Blue Jackets score. Talk about a backbreaker...

whaddya mean they're fighting for their PO lives can'tcha tell? Neither can I. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.... They sure put a few dents in the glass behind the net though I'll give them that. oh wow Lyksell finally gets his 1st NHL goal hoo...ray. edit: OMG I was just about to post "watch them give it right back..." Unreal...

In what promises to be an epic goaltending battle tonight it'll be Sam (or Same?) Ersson vs Jet Greaves.

Excellent comprehensive assessment imho - so do you see Tortorella losing his effectiveness by year 4? Coincidentally that's when his contract expires AFAIK. If he gets "Flyers fired" upstairs (good one @flyercanuck!) I won't mind but I do wonder if the Tortorella trajectory from years past still applies.

I've been singing Ersson's praises all year but I have to admit he's looking less and less like a starting NHL goalie. I'm not anywhere close to giving up hope - he is a rookie after all, even if he is a bit older than your average rookie. I love his movement, his focus and calm demeanor in net. But ... well you already know, in fact I think you're the one who hipped me to his struggles last year in the Calder Cup. fkn Hart (no pun intended). So yeah, the Flyers may be basically starting all over with goaltending...building from the net out as they say.

You mean as far W/L, POs etc.? Like actually being a good team instead of overachieving or whatever they did this year? I know you follow the game closely...so I'm a little surprised you're this optimistic....if I understood you correctly that is.

Indeed. Also shooters as big and heavy as Tage Thompson bearing down on him. It was great he made that first save the other night on Barzal’s breakaway but Barzal is 6’0” 190. TT is like 6’7” 220 I think. I don’t know much about KHL players but I doubt The Fed faced many 6’7” guys.

something tells me he's going to be real good tomorrow night. Seeing Fedotov struggle a bit...in a weird way may have helped Ersson. Or else I'm crazy. Or both!

not sure what a HC can do to make a guy shoot straight... care to elaborate...inquiring minds want to know!

I think the bigger problem tonight was when they did get in close they still missed the damn net.

I only wish you were exaggerating - boneheaded puck-handling.

Backbreaker 2.0. that one Fedotov has to have. fkn ridiculous the Sabres haven't scored 4 goals in one game all year ... (slight exaggeration). Jeezuschrist Konecny WTF how many turnovers can you make in one shift? I counted 3 on that last one...and the Sabres still couldn't ice the game.

Konecny is really fighting it or something...he hasn't connected with a pass all game - or hit the net. Farabee is invisible again Atkinson the same... maybe Farabee is playing thru some health issue...an injury or something. I hope so (in a way). edit: Tippett from the blue line holycow...that was a ripper ...

yep high blocker twice...good hard shots from btw the dots but both definitely stoppable I think. Aye Ivan we hardly knew ye...

ugh the Flyers were already hanging their heads after Dahlin's goal that 3rd one was a real backbreaker...

Flyers..wow all the missed shots. Grade A chances all for nothing - missed shots instead of goalie saves. But Luukonen has been good when he needed to be. Frost watches Thompson skate right by him, nice clear lane for TT and he makes Fedotov look silly. If the Flyers keep playing like that they don't deserve a PO spot. edit: another dud PP what else is new... edit2: wow Luukkonen was killing it! Somehow Cates blows it right thru him... unreal.

He's a proven 2C and he's on the cusp of breaking through? Interesting. I tend to think it's one or the other but whatever. Frost turns 25 next month, played 223 NHL games and averages .49p/g. What would a breakout season for him look like?

definitely. so I guess he goes tomorrow night - hopefully he recharged his battery in the meantime. No #1 and a maybe #2 - Frost but I dunno. Barely 50 points again this year (tho he was scratched 6 or 7 games). Since Jan 1 besides TK he's racked up the most points (30pts, 39 games) and he's playing well w/out the puck. But the top 6 has to carry the offense and a 50pt center...I dunno. Maybe he cracks it open next year...I hope so because there's a lot to like about his game.

The Flyers need points tonight - both of them. I hope Tortorella goes with Fedotov but maybe 3+ days of rest helped Ersson enough...I sort of doubt it though. Anyway should be an intense game IF the Flyers play with intensity...that's what I'm looking for most, win lose or gimmicky OT...

For sure, and that's what's changed for the better since his Rangers' days. With few exceptions he controls his anger now before the story becomes all about him, before the narcissism takes over. I believe he enjoyed the drama back then. These days, watching his pressers I'm convinced that Tortorella is gone for good, notwithstanding some "collateral damage along the way" as you put it. Nicely done --- right to the heart of the matter --- is Tortorella worth it? I see enough evidence to support your conclusion but I appreciate the way you phrased it because I agree: "I suspect..." is the best we've got for now.