Howie58

1 minute ago, Poulin20 said:

 

A good way of putting it.  I was rather underwhelmed and fell asleep trying to watch this mess.  I'm really on the fence about being a STH anymore after all the mediocrity,  the Kate Smith debacle, and the transformation of the arena into Universal Studios Philadelphia.  This game didn't do much to push me back toward spending my time and money on this team.

Sir Poulin:

Last year I gave semi-serious thought to buying a 11 (maybe 12) game pack as a "hook" for coming up north to see family and get a face-to-face Flyers experience.  I reckoned on 3-5 games, with my brother and his friends using the rest.  After a lot of deliberation (and a heckuva lot of sales pressure), I said no.  Part of my rationale was "the product."  I hope AV and Fletcher restore an elite status, but I won't hold my breath.

Greetings:

We are mild underdogs:

https://sportschatplace.com/picks/nhl/edmonton-oilers-vs-philadelphia-flyers-10-16-19-nhl-pick-odds-and-prediction

The Oilers are playing good hockey.  We looked uninspired until the 3rd period last night, and Moose kept us in the game. 

When will our first line wake up?  In the post-game last night, JJ and Keith Jones noted that Giroux and Company have a whopping one assist to date.  Chris Stewart looked more active than our Captain and Voracek.  

Another puzzler that smacks of last season: We took 68% of the faceoffs.  If you recall, last year we were a top-flight face-off club, but that didn't translate into goals or possession.  I hope that pattern isn't carrying over into the AV era.  

LGF

Tonight, they look...Hakstolesque.  Niskanen just scored...shoot, a D-man not known for offense.

Jeepers...I guess he will play when we need a big presence.  What the heck.

17 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

Yeah Talbot is the backup and who i would rather face...one's got a 906% and the other has a 850%....give me Talbot.

Talbot is backup...sorry for the disinformation. 

Greetings:

The O and B continue the Western Trek against Calgary.  We are fairly heavy underdogs:

https://winnersandwhiners.com/games/nhl/10-15-2019/philadelphia-flyers-vs-calgary-flames-prediction-1784/

Note that Moose Elliott has an excellent track record (sub 2.0 GAA) against Calgary).  We face a backup, David Rittich.  The Flames are off to a slow start (2-4) with a sputtering offense. Let's hope they don't get in gear with us.  The Flames took both games last year.  Maybe new faces and coach change the outcome. 

Greetings:

The O and B are mild underdogs.  As this piece notes, the Flyers have not been particularly good on Saturdays the past few seasons. 

https://statsalt.com/games/nhl/10-12-2019/philadelphia-flyers-vs-vancouver-canucks-prediction-8338/

Historically, the O and B play well against Vancouver.:

https://www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/opponent.cgi?Vancouver_Canucks .  We will see if that continues.

Good effort!  Hart was remarkable, and Hayes is impressive.  The penalty kill actually worked.  They worked hard.  Will they keep it going?  NJ may not be a hard test.  But there seems to be an intensity level several notches over prior editions. 

9 hours ago, Podein25 said:

 

Not sure if it is its own class or not, but personally I'm fond of the Wench. Love the wenches.

Wenches are fine...thinking of "class," outside of social...probably warships.  

It will be interesting to see if the Devils get a return on their $5 million Simmonds salary?  I suspect that tank is empty but I don't think Ray Shero is a dodo.  Scoring aside, Simmonds is what I call a member of the Warrior Class.  He will be a good influence on the youngins.  

Greetings:

We go into the game as mild favorites:

https://www.oddsshark.com/nhl/new-jersey-philadelphia-odds-october-9-2019-1159396

The youth movement on both squads makes this interesting.  I hope our youth is better.  

I originally posted the game at 7 PM; just saw it is at 7:30.  My apologies.

I watched a chunk of the replay last night.

1)  The team moved the puck well.

2)  Hayes does play a "200 foot game."

3)  This fourth line looked good.  I wonder what happens when Patrick returns.

4)  JVR is fun to watch, even if he doesn't score.  They guy assaults the other team's net. 

5)  Movement on the power play was very good.

Let's see what happens against NJ.  

Greetings:

Well, we start the season as mild underdogs.

https://winnersandwhiners.com/games/nhl/10-4-2019/chicago-blackhawks-vs-philadelphia-flyers-prediction-6057/

This is a matchup of two squads trying to improve performance with new coaches and players, but retaining a core of players at mid-career or later.  Maybe our newcomers make a big difference.  

Let's go Flyers!

I guess the question is "chronic" or "episodic?"  If it's the former, I can't see him staying in a profession with physical contact and high-speed activity.   I am not a medico, but as others have said in this thread, it is tough to medicate.  My sister-in-law and a co-worker have this issue and find the drugs treatments mildly sedative.  I feel for the guy.

Agreed these injuries are impacting the "culling" process. But they will also make for more line shuffling early on.  I suspect Pitlick will be given a shot on 3rd or 4th line after recovery.  It is messy.  

I'll stick with my comments from a few months back--it might be Black Friday before we get a handle on this squad's potential. There are a lot of moving parts--new system, coach, players...etc.   That said, AV wants to get some cohesion in the works sooner than later. That makes a lot of sense.  

Greetings:

I guess last night's underperformance must have prompted AV to speed up the culling process.  I like his attitude and think this is a good move:

https://www.inquirer.com/flyers/flyers-alain-vigneault-roster-cuts-outplayed-konecny-20190920.html

Best,

Howie

This is a bit high.  I hope he earns his keep.

It's funny, we all thought it was a wonderful gift to have this guy handed to us via the lottery.  Now I wonder if we'd have been better off 20th or wherever.  He is brittle and taking up precious roster space.

I agree with some of BSH stuff; there is good young blood in the system. If his ask is unreasonable, sayonara.  His agent is being disrespectful of the need to be around for change of coach...system, and the like.  I suspect the brass is not going to have a long leash.   At this juncture, bring up another youngin.  

https://www.broadstreethockey.com/2019/9/13/20863526/nhl-philadelphia-flyers-contract-travis-konecny-trade-analysis

The O and B will face some big-time cost escalation in coming years if recent picks pan out.  Overpaying Konecny now could really backfire.  

Best,

Howie

Analytics or not, I believe we are at the start of an eighth season without a playoff win. Hart in goal will not make up for what might be a marginally better defense and offense.  I will try to maintain guarded optimism and hope that our young forward corps shows some offensive dynamism.  

I would love to see someone with snarl on the back end.  We will see in if he survives.  Vis is right...we might move him for his own opportunity.  Franchises don't like to sour on 1st round picks.  Maybe he blooms late.

Mojo and Elmatus:

I tell students they're on their way up, and I'm on my way out.  With age comes urgency. Maybe that leads to a sense of speed.

Yes, age gives experience and sensitivity. But....5 weeks after prostate surgery....fragility and problems.  But we are here to impart to the future.

The O and B showed courage drafting Clarkie.  It payed off.  

Peace,

Howie

Greetings:

This is an interesting piece.  

https://www.broadstreethockey.com/2019/8/12/20754380/philadelphia-flyers-25-under-25-samuel-morin-player-review-statistics-analysis-robert-hagg

I am pulling for the kid--he has shown perseverance. And I would probably take a chance on him relative to Hagg at this juncture.  That said, it does appear the window is closing.

Peace,

Howie

Yes, I saw this birthday in today's paper this morning. It is interesting to think how much time has elapsed since his playing days. Time really does march on...and it gets faster with age.