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.

5 hours ago, radoran said:

I'm really not sure who they play if Yandle is in the press box. Also not sure that whoever it is would be better.

Injured York?  Inexperienced Zamula?   A traffic cone? 

3 hours ago, OccamsRazor said:

Guys paid now why should he GAF anymore he gets to enjoy the country club lifestyle the one he learned from his Captain...

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.

8 hours ago, Howie58 said:

53-94 in the shootout and worst in the league historically.  Yikes. 

This should be yelled from every rooftop in Philly.  The team sorely lacks creative & skilled shoot-first type players.  True snipers.  

1 hour ago, OccamsRazor said:

And the Flyers could only get goals from their AHL players

This is laughable actually.  

9 hours ago, GratefulFlyers said:

And this Ironman record… I hope it’s over soon so they can sit Yandle for good

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.  

10 hours ago, radoran said:

Another poster said that to have a 50% chance at the playoffs they kind of need to win 2 of every 3 games from here on. There were statistical analysis it was based on regarding the teams they need to get past to make it happen.

This could just be another "hopeful sign" in what has been a decade of "hopeful signs."

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.

11 hours ago, RonJeremy said:

One thing that has bothered me for years is we don’t have even one consistent line. Our guys can’t even complete a simple breakout and rush up ice, we can’t complete more than two passes on a play inside the offensive zone.

This.  I'm so tired of the dump and chase.   They don't have enough speed to do this.  

8 hours ago, ruxpin said:

Not one Flyer.  No one wants a Flyer.

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.

2 hours ago, radoran said:

I'll quibble a bit as Richards had been a captain - and a highly praised one - throughout his Junior career. Including the Memorial Cup and an IIHF Championship.

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..)

17 hours ago, radoran said:

 

That's where leadership steps in and you play for the crest on the front, not the name on the back.

 

That leadership simply isn't there. And if you let players get away with a "why bother" approach, it can be hard to get them back.

 

I keep harping on it, but it's the way Buffalo ended last year, started this year, and are playing even now. They're not quitting. They're playing.

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. 

5 hours ago, mojo1917 said:

It could be he's disillusioned with his teammates, the system, injured, or a million other things.

why is it always the contract?

No, you ever listen to that guy talk?

If there is one dude on that roster that ****** cares he's it.

^ 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.

11 minutes ago, tucson83 said:

here's what i would do, tank for a few years hopefully we draft two star centers and get a star defenseman then go for it in 2024 or 2025 by adding cheap vets and hopefully a star player from fa will come here and this team will be back in the winning column. it just sucks we are wasting hart though, not unless you send him back to the phantoms for a few years let him get confidence and not let the losing get to him.

 

i really dont know what to do in this situation right now. the team is just bad right now and we need talent, not unless you retool by getting rid of cap vet players somehow and use the picks and some players on here to bring in older talent. i think that's best thing you can do for hart. tanking with hart on this roster isnt a good idea not unless they trade him too and just get a star goalie from another team when this team is ready to compete.

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

41 minutes ago, mkscrewy said:

i could very easily go to this game on my way home from the city. in fact i've been looking forward to it for months. great stadium, cheap tickets, Dinosaur BBQ and beerhall right next door. But the flyers ****** suck and it would ruin my night.

 

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

4 hours ago, Goblin99 said:

Sadly too much blame is put on G. He is being used completely wrong for years. He was given no help at all and just expected to put up numbers like Lindros. Its BS. The guy isn't bad at all he just isn't what this organization is trying to make him. Thats the problem here... the Fyers NEVER get it right. They always try and put square plugs in round holes. Until it stops the Team is doomed. 

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:  

From 2004 through 2012, the Flyers drafted five players, just five, who made any sustained and substantive contributions for them. In ‘04, they picked 11 players who have appeared in a combined 23 NHL games. In ‘09, they drafted six players who appeared in 47 NHL games. In ‘10, the six players they drafted ended up suiting up in 36 total games in orange-and-black.

Those five draftees who did stick were James van Riemsdyk, Claude Giroux, Couturier, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Scott Laughton....

The last 10 years have been better, but only marginally. The Flyers’ most successful draft picks — Ivan Provorov, Travis Konecny, Carter Hart — have shown glimpses of greatness but have been inconsistent. Travis Sanheim and Robert Hägg … OK. Oskar Lindblom and Sam Morin were victims of terrible luck and fortune. The organization is still waiting on Morgan Frost. German Rubtsov, the Flyers’ first-round selection in 2016, has played just four games for them. The team was fortunate to get the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft. It was a chance to grab a superstar. Nolan Patrick, instead, was a bust, a missed opportunity. The three players who went directly after Patrick that year? Miro Heiskanen, Cale Makar, and Elias Pettersson, all of whom have been All-Stars by this point. Of the 26 players the Flyers selected over the last four drafts, 2018 through 2021, just two have appeared in a game for them. One is Joel Farabee. The other is Cam York, who has appeared in three.

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.

2 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

This makes zero sense...

 

"I don't know that (he lost the locker room)," Chuck Fletcher said of Alain Vigneault. "I do know that he tried ... Right now, I think a new voice is needed."

 

...ok so why make the change then??? Seems they are just pulling sh it out their asses now.

 

If he didn't lose the room and WTF happened his game plan just suddenly stopped working the NHL had figured them out??

 

No the inmates are running the asylum....and i don't think you will ever get a respectable coach here again with Claude Giroux is it's Captain...he alone has been the one constant since 2010.

 

He is the only one left from that era....why are we waiting to ship him out??

 

One year left on his deal seems like the perfect way to start this thing off....find him a new address.

 

Then you can maybe give Coots the C since they are stuck with him now...

 

 

A new voice <> assistant coach.

2 minutes ago, TaazD said:

Why do we have to be the Detroit lions of the NHL!!

I think the entire environment has been fouled and just changing coaches will not change that.

Lions at least got a win...