Digityman

Part of me wants them to come out and make this a statement game.   A game where it's undeniable that they are changing this season around. 

The other part of me wants them to get trounced 9-1 so that change(s) come faster.  

In the mess of bad news, there is some good news - 

Sandstrom, on literally the worst AHL team in the league, over the last 10 games has a .904 SV%.   However, if you remove the worst game of the 10 (11/6 game where had 6 GA and a 0.682 SV%) he has a .929 SV% and a 2.24 GAA in the last 10.   Let's hope he can keep that up and the Flyers might have a pretty good backup for Hart next year.   Two homegrown goalies?   Is it possible?   

The other topic has "top excuses..." and quite frankly they are depressing that we are continuingly repeating them.   

Since 2010

Coach lost the room?  Laviolette, Berube, Hakstol, Vigneault..... all lost the room?   What's crazy is each coach had a winning record.  

Leadership?  Mike Richards (1yr), Pronger (1yr), Giroux (10yrs).... hmmm

Injuries?   Jim McCrossin since 1998.  24 years, holy sh!t.   Maybe it's time? 

GM is crap?  Holmgren, Hextall, Fletcher.    Hextall had 4 years.  Chuck is at 3 years almost to the day.

Underachieving, overpaid vets?   Giroux, Couturier, JVR

They've tried spending a ton of money before the cap.  They've tried having 3 coaches with head-coach experience.   It's not for lack of trying, but trying the right way - starting from (near) scratch - they really haven't done.  

By now it's clear that in a 7 game series, the Flyers will definitely not win against Carolina, Caps, Toronto, Florida, Tampa or Boston and probably not against the Rangers.  That puts the Cup out of reach so what should be the goal of this season?   They don't need experience for the young kids because the Flyer have a top 5 oldest roster in the NHL.   (I didn't believe it either until I looked).   

I think once Hayes/Ellis and the rest of the injured come back, you'll see them start to pick it back up.  Something like win 2, lose 1.   Just enough to put them within grasp of the wildcard spot which will make them stand pat.   I'm not saying that's what I want them to do but what I think they will do.

However, as @mojo1917 said, the next 2 drafts are looking pretty good.  While I personally don't think Giroux is the problem, he might help fix it.   It's pretty clear by now that he can't carry a team on his back, so he helps more by the value he would get in return.  It will be a sad day to see him leave, but unfortunately it's time - this is the first time I remember feeling this way.   If they do keep floundering it makes even clearer that trading him at the deadline is the right move.  

1 hour ago, Mad Dog said:

let's not leave our $26M man Couturier out of it

Don't look now but Couturier is 28, maybe it's time to see what offers are out there.    While we are at it.... JVR & Hayes

So can the combination of Giroux, Couturier, JVR and/or Hayes in combination of the kids coming up, fill the holes?

? - ? - Atkinson

Farabee - ? - Konecny 

Lindblom - Frost - Allison

? - Laughton - MacEwen

---Wisdom, Foerster, Ratcliffe

Provorov - Ellis

Sanheim - Ristolainen(?)

York - ? 

---Zamula, Morin (ha)

Hart

Jones

---Ersson, Ustimenko, Sandstrom

At least during this rebuild, they would have they most important position filled already.

4 hours ago, AlaskaFlyerFan said:

The pundits say the teams from Edmonton, Calgary, Carolina, and Florida are the top 4 in the league.  I would throw Tampa in there, too.  In the last week, the Flyers have played 3 of them and taken 5 of 6 available points.  It’s been a pretty damn good week!

Please stop being positive.  This is unacceptable and punishments will be handed out if it continues.  

PS.  Also, I agree.  I'm quite happy where the Flyers are currently with the players that have been available.  I question things like their PP, their ability to handle injured players and stuff like that but overall, they are almost exactly where I thought they would be at this point in the season - even with 2 of their better out of the lineup (not including Allison)

The first step is....

Your on to the second.

47 minutes ago, radoran said:

23rd is closer to the bottom 1/4 than the top 1/2.

18th 5 on 5.   That's middle to me 

On 11/15/2021 at 4:25 PM, Howie58 said:

When you read and hear about the poison of so many web-based outlets, this exception is very special.  It is worth celebrating.  I've said it before and say it again, this is an extended family.  I really hope we stay happy, healthy, and engaged for years to come. 

This is so very true and the reason why @hf101 and I started this little slice of the internet.   If this is working for 10 years, I wonder what we could do for American politics???     

12 minutes ago, Podein25 said:

 

That's some impressive lurking right there. Nice to see you man!

Almost stalkerish 

Just kidding @ctid

When you do post it's quality.  Unlike others - not naming names.

22 minutes ago, radoran said:

You know Calgary's doing just about as well as the Flyers, right?

 

You think anyone in Calgary is going "Flyer X would look good at the trade deadline?" Me, I'm not so sure...

He's a UFA with a MNTC.  They have to do something or lose him for nothing - tough choice if they keep winning.    Do you listen to the BSH weekly podcast?  They joke about it all the time.  Specifically Kelly. 

30 minutes ago, radoran said:

coaches have a tendency to want to do something to "shake it up."

I get shaking it up from time to time.  But when coaches do it too much, it irks me.   Bounces don't go your way sometimes - it happens.  Hart's season last year for example.   These are professional athletes, let them work through it.   Maybe after 20 games or so, change it up.   But not after 3 bad periods.

It's averages we need to look at.  

Flyers sit 12th in the league in points with 2/3 games in hand over half the teams above.   6-3-1 in the last 10

The are 7th in the conference - almost exactly where many predicted them to be (at the end).  

Goals For/Games Played:  23rd   (5on5 they are 18th but  5on4 they are 28th)

PP%: 25th

PK%: 12th

Goal Against:  Tied for 2nd

Shots For/GP: 14th

Shots Against/GP: 6th

Face offs: 4th

Of all the stats above, goal scoring is the issue (as pointed out numerous times) BUT at 5 on 5 they aren't horrible - nearly middle of the pack.   It's the power play that is the dragging everything else down.    Changing up the lines at 5 on 5 isn't going to do diddly to make up for the inept PP.   In fact it's been a problem for too long now - it's time to shake things up there if something is going to shaken up.

1 hour ago, radoran said:

An 80% Kevin Hayes isn't what this team needs (yes I know he scoragoala) any more than it needs a gimpy Ellis. All that's accomplishing from where I sit is the opportunity to reinjure and be out for a longer term, prossibly extending into the stretch drive.

Agree.  They both should be IR until mid-Dec or they are 100% ready to go.

2 points is 2 points but.....

1. The PP is pretty anemic and predictable.  I wish they had someone that could play the point that could shake things up.  Someone like....Ghost...oh wait, we have Yandle.     #9 really shouldn't be on PP#1.  PP#2 is fine.   Something has to change.  In the playoffs, the PP has to work. 
2. Johnny Hockey had a good tryout last night.  He'll fit well on that top line come March 22nd. 
3. Speaking of lines, wouldn't it make sense to put your leading goal scorer with your top TWO assist leaders?   Giroux-Couturier-Atkinson is a no brainer.  Followed up by Farabee-Hayes-Konecny.    Then stop shaking up the f'in lines.  Leave them alone for 20 games.  Drives me mad.
4. Last night I remember how painfully slow Hayes is.   I know I know, he's not 100% yet but damnnnnn.  The camera pans, his two wingers are in the zone and 5 seconds later Hayes enters the frame coasting.  
5. In AHL news, Frost has 8pts in his last 7gms while the phantoms are dead last.

Man, I hate those lines.  

USA vs Jamaica at 5pm, Flyers at 7, bed at 10.

That's a great night right there.

I agree, JVR can't be on the top line.   If they are going to play Giroux at wing (which I strongly support), JVR stays on the 3rd line.   He's a PP specialist until he can prove otherwise.   My guess is that once Frost proves himself, he'll center the 3rd line.  His vision might help JVR.   It's 3 steps down the line but I'm still hoping by the holiday break that's what will happen. 

Giroux - Couturier - Atkinson

Farabee - Hayes - Konecny

Lindblom  -  Frost -  JVR

Brassard - Laughton - McEwen

This is actually 4 decent lines.  You can move up Atkinson/Konecny & Farabee/Lindblom as warranted.  

The fact that it's 2021 and I subscribe to 3 different services and I still can't watch the game...it's absurd. 

2 hours ago, Philly Fanatik said:

Wonder why Frost hasn’t been up with the Flyers already?

AV has been giving the young centreman the cold shoulder from the start of his coaching venture in Philadelphia!

Bout time for a Frostbite in AV’s ass.

He's not quite ready.  My timeline has him coming in around the yearly holiday lapse. 

@OccamsRazor  I think the game is at 7pm EST.   Or at least I hope.  Recording them then watching them at 7am sucks.

I really dislike that 3rd line.  The last 1.5 years I probably wouldn't have said it but.... I'm excited for Hayes to return. 

I haven't heard much on the Allison front.  Still a high-ankle sprain?   Out indefinitely? 

I was reading about how he is still jacked and the first one on the ice/in the gym to this day.   Brindy, not Homer.

Or with that #17 you could throw eggs at houses but miss high and wide....

7 minutes ago, radoran said:

An effective Hayes will do a lot to add to that depth.

Nice use of italics.  Agree 100%.  If we get the effective Hayes, I'm starting to get excited to see what this team could do. 

1 hour ago, radoran said:

Well, hey hey hey will you look at that? A JVR sighting! Trade him now! His value will never be higher!

 

In other news - checks notes - Scott Laughton still has 0 assists for the season.

 

You make a good point. I didn't look at Laughton's stats but you are right.  Goose egg.   Much like Raffl, Laughton can play up and down the lineup in a pinch but excels on the 4th line.  When Hayes is back that should allow him to be back in to a more favorable line.

1 hour ago, Howie58 said:

On another note, Oskar Lindblom has one point so far.  JVR has two.  We can't depend on Cam forever.

 This.  While I understand the patience with Oskar, I'd like to see some more work out of him.

Come back from the ledge friends.   A new coach, new system and new players.   While I'd like to see .500 at this point, 0-4 doesn't mean all those players are busts.  There are at least 4 there that will be regular contributors in the NHL in the next couple years (York, Frost, Forester and one of Ratcliffe / goalie).   If they can average 1-2 home-grown graduations per year that is considered successful in my book.

I'm a Morin holdout as well.  At best he's a good 6th at worst he's hired by the Flyers. 

I'm hoping for the best.