Digityman

This will be brief but feel free to add to it. Flyers: 11-12-5 - 27 Points - 6th in the division, 11th in the conference, 24th in the league. 10 game losing streak Fires coach (and assistant) Medical staff still sucks at assessing injuries (and rehabbing them) Hart the brightest start, single-handedly getting them points with a .918, 2.74gaa (26th SV%) The power play (16.3%) is 26th in the league (-18 goal differential overall) Penalty kill is 12th in the league (81.3%) The only thing this team does well is FOW% - 54% - 5th in the league. It's mid-December and they have a 7.1% chance of making the playoffs. Since Fletch was hired (12/2008) the Flyers are a few games above .500. Phantoms: 5-11-4 15pts 8th in the division (last), 15th in the conference (last), 31st in the league (last by 5pts) New coach Are 2-8 last 10 games, currently on a 8 game losing streak (like their big brothers) Sandstrom is 36th with a 3.08gaa, 33rd with a .896 sv%. Players with the most points (in order): (Frost) Gerry Mayhew, Garrett Wilson, Max Willman, Adam Clendening, Egor Zamula....I could go on. Hockey Writers still has the Flyers farm ranked as 5th in the league. Thankfully a lot of the Metro is on the other end of the rankings. I've never cheered for Ottawa before but tomorrow I'll be wearing my red, gold and black.

Injured York? Inexperienced Zamula? A traffic cone? I do wonder about this more and more. I can see more and more guys playing to get the contract and then coasting. I sound old but I think it's baked into society more now than it ever was. At some point, it would be nice to make contracts based on current performance instead of past or possible.

This should be yelled from every rooftop in Philly. The team sorely lacks creative & skilled shoot-first type players. True snipers. This is laughable actually. So, the question is - What is the goal for the organization? Getting a (somewhat) meaningless record for a individual or winning the Cup as a team? Because clearly they are valuing a individual over the team at this point. It's blatantly obviously how bad he's been even to the casual observer.

Here are the updated numbers. If they can somehow get to Seattle without a loss (MTL, OTT, WSH, PITT... 7 wins in a row) they would have made up just about 50% of their of their 10 game skid. The problem then becomes, they are out west for the holidays and we know how that's gone for the past few years. Even if they turn in a semi-magical performance, they are still just back where they started at the end of November - fighting for a 6-8 spot. Maybe the squeak into the playoffs but they are back to just being good enough to make the first round and just bad enough to not get a good draft pick. Regardless of the last 3 (and the next 2), just beating average or worse teams, doesn't make things all better.

Although it feels like 5 years ago, he was the reason the end of the season last year was watchable. It might be time to give Oscar a rest for a few games when Wade is ready. I really like Oscar but he's completely invisible out there. 2pts in 25g. Ellis has 5pts in 4g, Brown has 3pts in 11g. It's time to give him a few games in the press box. Hopefully that kickstarts him a bit.

This. I'm so tired of the dump and chase. They don't have enough speed to do this. This actually made me laugh out loud and wake the dog up. Said in Droopy's voice...."no one wants a flyer"

Assuming Ghost gets traded at the deadline, I can't wait to see what picks Arizona has to include for someone to take him......f'in Chuck. The guy played 26+ minutes and was everywhere. I bet he fetches at least a 2nd if he's dealt at the deadline.

Here's an interesting opinion piece about how Giroux might fit well on the Rangers by Tom Urtz on SB Nation. He throws out options like: Vitali Kravtsov, Zac Jones, Matthew Robertson, Brett Berard, Will Cuylle, and even future draft picks Kravtsov is a interesting prospect. Top 6er. Jones is too small (5'10") and not what the Flyers need. Robertson is a 20 year old 6'4" 200lb defensemen that would be interesting too. Berard is a small forward with a decent shot. He'd be more a of a supplement. Will Cuylle, now that's more like it. "Gifted scorer....one of the most naturally gifted one-touch scorers" 6'4" 210lbs. I'm liking this kid. Assuming Giroux waves his MNTC, how about Cuylle and Robertson for Giroux. Any takers? Is that enough?

Poor guy. He battled back from a horrible season to really help push this team to the next step but got completely shafted. I really hope what's coming doesn't crush his spirit. He's a great kid with such a high level of skill that he's only just tapping into now.

@pilldoc That's my concern too. Analytics have to be used at some point by this organization. They would have to go 34-18-6 to have a 50% chance at making the playoffs. That's win 2 lose 1 for the rest of the season for a HOPE and PRAYER. Unfortunately, unless a Christmas miracle comes and they win out the rest of December, there should be nothing but For Sale signs hanging from players necks until March.

That's fair, you're right his junior career was full of leadership and championships. He was and still is my favorite player to have played for the Flyers (since I started watching..)

You are absolutely correct, that's where leadership steps in to rally the troops as if they were climbing over a ridge running into certain death all for the colors on their flag. Great leaders can supplant the individualism with institutionalism or in this case, the organization (crest on the front), just by their passion, demeanor, belief and rallying cry. They don't have to necessarily lead by example. Think Napoleon. Tactical genius, could rally the Dalai Lama to war but wasn't good at actual combat. However, good leaders while they might have some of those characteristics, have to also lead by example or they won't be followed. Think Richards: The Shift. (I still get shivers watching that) Or Giroux: The Hit. While both Richards and Giroux can lead, the weren't great leaders. Not since Keith Primeau (2006) have to Flyers had a great captain hold for that one year Pronger (2011-12) stepped in for a hot minute. Couturier came up under Giroux. JVR isn't a leader. Hayes, not sure I'd follow that guy into a grocery store. That's the leadership core of this team right now and big reason I'd like to see all four of them traded/bought out before draft. It's not that I don't think they aren't great players (Giroux & Couturier at least) but they are the leadership core and it is 'rotten'. It's beyond time to flip the page and start over. While I also think the executive leaders of this organization are also rotten and I'd like them to be replaced, unfortunately I don't see that happening even more so then doubt all 4 players will be gone by the start of the 22/23 season.

^ This. I can't see a someone in there 20's really giving there all on a team (situation) like this. Giroux? Yup, he's running out of years pretty quickly. But the younger guys are probably thinking - no way are we making the playoffs, so why even bother? Do the bare minimum not to lose the spot on the roster and that's about it.

I actually feel bad for Atkinson and Risto. Thought they were coming to a decent team.

From the morning skate ....

Agree with Pods. HOF post that makes me want to jump more.

You're right. Tanking with Hart would be bad however, you know as well as everyone else that this team won't be allowed to tank by its management. So unless the management is cleaned out, there is no tanking

You could bring a sign.... let's make it 10?

You aren't wrong. He's a great player, just had no help and isn't a captain. This is a management thing, not a player thing.

Interestingly enough, there is a decent read in the Inquirer that hits on some good points. Here's some excerpts from that article: Some might call for the players "to be better" or the coaches to have a "better system", the blame (as many have rightfully said) is squarely on management and their decisions.

What's that now? 4-2. Lindblom back from injury

Yeo - interim to head in 40 short games.

I mean you aren't lying but jesus, could have put it a little nicer.

A new voice <> assistant coach.

Lions at least got a win...