GDT: #16: Coyotes at FLYERS, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, 7:00 p.m. ET

[landsbergfan]

 

[Lindberg]

Wow so Voracek can hit a target once in a while.

 

[deadhead]

Of course, that assumes he was aiming at Elliott's head, not the corner of the net 3 feet away.

 

[Magua]

Get him off PP1! And PP2!

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

Get him off PP1! And PP2!

Sarcasm? Sorry, when it comes to Jake, it's really aggravating that he's not on the 1st PP unit.

 

[Magua]

Sarcasm? Sorry, when it comes to Jake, it's really aggravating that he's not on the 1st PP unit.

Sarcasm? Sorry, when it comes to Jake, it's really aggravating that some can't accept the truth.

Voracek is a measly 7th in the NHL over the last 6+ years in PP points. Behind Giroux, Backstrom, Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, Kessel. That's embarrassing. He is tied for 31st in PP goals, technically is 3rd in PP assists but we don't usually count those. And he NEVER shoots that muffin of a shot despite being 3rd in PP shots. Everyone knows he was just holding the PP back. Putting Konecny on the right wall instead as a righty -- with his 9 career PP points, struggles with poised decisions on the PP, and average junior PP production -- is a superior option in a vacuum to Jake. I'd say maybe Jake could help PP2, but now I'm watching him hold back elite PP guys like Weal and Provorov, and I've realized he needs to be taken off PP2 also. A trade is most ideal.

 

[Rebels57]

Sarcasm? Sorry, when it comes to Jake, it's really aggravating that some can't accept the truth.

Voracek is a measly 7th in the NHL over the last 6+ years in PP points. Behind Giroux, Backstrom, Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, Kessel. That's embarrassing. He is tied for 31st in PP goals, technically is 3rd in PP assists but we don't usually count those. And he NEVER shoots that muffin of a shot despite being 3rd in PP shots. Everyone knows he was just holding the PP back. Putting Konecny on the right wall instead as a righty -- with his 9 career PP points, struggles with poised decisions on the PP, and average junior PP production -- is a superior option in a vacuum to Jake. I'd say maybe Jake could help PP2, but now I'm watching him hold back elite PP guys like Weal and Provorov, and I've realized he needs to be taken off PP2 also. A trade is most ideal.

So what you're saying is, the coaching staff has no f***ing clue what they are doing in an area of the team?

 

[Magua]

So what you're saying is, the coaching staff has no ****ing clue what they are doing in an area of the team?

I think just swapping Patrick and Simmonds would've been enough, along with tactical adjustments. When JVR comes back, now that Simmonds is PP2 net front, I'm not sure where that leaves him, which is kind of important. Lindblom can be swapped out, I guess. They also desperately need to just leave Sanheim on PP2, even over Provorov. But it's beyond laughable that the very concept escapes them.

The PP2 is garbage again, and the PP1 was in a funk. So, I'm not even opposed to moving Voracek, the only other forward who can anchor a unit, down to help PP2 to aid it and confuse opponent strategy , even if it still looks disjointed apart from him. But the notion that he is anything but an elite of elite PP player will be the death of me. Konecny hasn't been a shining beacon himself in his career or been much of a factor so far on PP1, partly because he has trouble slowing things down and being patient. But I can see chemistry with Coots and Giroux being a factor to them, despite his handedness. But even then, they need to design new looks for a righty who operates best with speed and not stationary play. We'll see.

 

[tictactoe]

Keep MacDonald benched... And I don't know... i wish we traded for a PK.. something has to happen to our PK..

wish we had komarov, good PK, 200 foot game, hits like a truck, dirty but gets away with it.. plus he can score..

 

[deadhead]

With Giroux and Ghost, what you really need is a shooter, not another passer.
Problem with TK is he's not selfish enough, keeps trying to pass the puck when he needs to shoot. Someone has to explain to the kid that goals = MONEY.

Don't look now, but the Flyers have a shot at winning the division if they do their usual 20 games into the season turnaround.
No outstanding team, I think it will come down to the Flyers, CBJ, Pens and Caps for the top four spots, and it could be neck and neck.
This may prod Hextall into making some moves, more like bringing in a PK specialist center and maybe some other minor upgrades, though I doubt a major trade, but it could also encourage him to hold onto Simmonds this year.

I don't buy the Islanders, yes, Trotz has them playing a more structured game after last season's free for all, but talent will out, and they don't have much.
Bailey - Barzal - Lee and ??? Nelson is off to a hot start but 24% S%? Or Cizikas 26%? Or Filppula's 42%? Regression to the mean will catch up to them.
And the goalies have S% of .935, that too is unsustainable.

Rangers: Lundqvist can only carry this team so far, they've added some young players, but they're still years away.

Carolina upgraded their defense with Hamilton and De Haan, have Aho and Teravainen and added Ferland, but still depend on Justin Williams (37) as a key player. Headed in the right direction but might have the worst goalies in the league.

Columbus maybe. Panarin, Dubois Werenski, Jones are top talents, they have some depth, if Bob bounces back they could make the playoffs, and push to win the division.

New Jersey: As Kincaid has cooled off, so have the Devils. One line, when Zajac (33) and Boyle (34) are 4th and 5th in scoring among your forwards, you have depth issues. Some young defensemen but no one knocking your socks off. They'll struggle to get back to the playoffs.

Pens might have the best talent, but age may catch up to them: Malkin (32), Kessel (31), Crosby (31), Hornqvist (32), Brassard (31), Cullen (42), Hagelin (30), Letaqng (31), Johnson (32), comes down to whether Murray can find his mojo or if DeSmith is the diamond in the rough UFA goalie who can save them.

Caps are another team where age and post-SC hangover could sink them: Ovechkin (33), Backstrom (31), Oshie (32), Niskanen (32), not as old as the Pens, but still enough key players who might start sliding just enough, combined with Holtby doing a repeat of last season, to sink their chances.

 

[HammerTime44]

Looks like we won't have to face Raanta tomorrow.

 

[MorgantiDrinksBlood]

For the people saying that Hakstok haters would rather see the team lose than win, I don’t think that’s true. I just wanna see this team be fun to watch again and them hoist a cup before I die. I really love this damn team and would give damn near anything to see that happen, but it’s not happening with Hakstok.

 

[Ghosts Beer]

The next four games don't erase the preceding 273. Four games is a meaningless sample size at this point.

Changing the players is an awful idea without first addressing the most glaring and easily fixable problem the team has: the need to upgrade the coach.

Acting like Hakstol's first three seasons on their face proved he should be fired is a such BS.

The Flyers were 12th in the NHL in regular season points from 15/16 - 17/18 under Hakstol.

He had a better points % during those 3 seasons than:

John Tortorella
Alain Vigneault
Paul Maurice
Mike Babcock
Bill Peters
Todd McLellan
John Hynes
Jeff Blashill

Among coaches who coached all 246 regular season games in that span.

But, hey, don't let the facts get in the way of a good story.

 

[tucson83]

For the people saying that Hakstok haters would rather see the team lose than win, I don’t think that’s true. I just wanna see this team be fun to watch again and them hoist a cup before I die. I really love this damn team and would give damn near anything to see that happen, but it’s not happening with Hakstok.

if this fo would grow a pair and fire hakstol, we wouldnt have to wish for this team to lose, i dont wish this team to lose but if the fo isnt going to do anything until they hit rock bottom, then im all for it as long as hextall doent trade the talent and great a great coach like q can elevate it. there's alot of hak lovers should be worried about because hextall will get rid of the players and it will get worse.

that's why i want an overhaul on the fo and not trade the talent.

 

[FlyTimmo]

With Giroux and Ghost, what you really need is a shooter, not another passer.
Problem with TK is he's not selfish enough, keeps trying to pass the puck when he needs to shoot. Someone has to explain to the kid that goals = MONEY.

Don't look now, but the Flyers have a shot at winning the division if they do their usual 20 games into the season turnaround.
No outstanding team, I think it will come down to the Flyers, CBJ, Pens and Caps for the top four spots, and it could be neck and neck.
This may prod Hextall into making some moves, more like bringing in a PK specialist center and maybe some other minor upgrades, though I doubt a major trade, but it could also encourage him to hold onto Simmonds this year.

I don't buy the Islanders, yes, Trotz has them playing a more structured game after last season's free for all, but talent will out, and they don't have much.
Bailey - Barzal - Lee and ??? Nelson is off to a hot start but 24% S%? Or Cizikas 26%? Or Filppula's 42%? Regression to the mean will catch up to them.
And the goalies have S% of .935, that too is unsustainable.

Rangers: Lundqvist can only carry this team so far, they've added some young players, but they're still years away.

Carolina upgraded their defense with Hamilton and De Haan, have Aho and Teravainen and added Ferland, but still depend on Justin Williams (37) as a key player. Headed in the right direction but might have the worst goalies in the league.

Columbus maybe. Panarin, Dubois Werenski, Jones are top talents, they have some depth, if Bob bounces back they could make the playoffs, and push to win the division.

New Jersey: As Kincaid has cooled off, so have the Devils. One line, when Zajac (33) and Boyle (34) are 4th and 5th in scoring among your forwards, you have depth issues. Some young defensemen but no one knocking your socks off. They'll struggle to get back to the playoffs.

Pens might have the best talent, but age may catch up to them: Malkin (32), Kessel (31), Crosby (31), Hornqvist (32), Brassard (31), Cullen (42), Hagelin (30), Letaqng (31), Johnson (32), comes down to whether Murray can find his mojo or if DeSmith is the diamond in the rough UFA goalie who can save them.

Caps are another team where age and post-SC hangover could sink them: Ovechkin (33), Backstrom (31), Oshie (32), Niskanen (32), not as old as the Pens, but still enough key players who might start sliding just enough, combined with Holtby doing a repeat of last season, to sink their chances.

 

[tucson83]

Acting like Hakstol's first three seasons on their face proved he should be fired is a such BS.

The Flyers were 12th in the NHL in regular season points from 15/16 - 17/18 under Hakstol.

He had a better points % during those 3 seasons than:

John Tortorella
Alain Vigneault
Paul Maurice
Mike Babcock
Bill Peters
Todd McLellan
John Hynes
Jeff Blashill

Among coaches who coached all 246 regular season games in that span.

But, hey, don't let the facts get in the way of a good story.

you know something, all the excuses you are providing is telling me you dont want this team to win it all, you know what he is for the last four years, to keep the same guy that's failing every year is telling me you just dont care.

 

[Rebels57]

you know something, all the excuses you are providing is telling me you dont want this team to win it all, you know what he is for the last four years, to keep the same guy that's failing every year is telling me you just dont care.

To some, it's more important to be contrarian for the sake of it than for the Flyers to actually be a contender.

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

Tort’s Jackets are rocking a 3-36 PPso far this seson. I wonder if he is answering questions about how to fix special teams with I don’t know this year like he did last year.

 

[Ghosts Beer]

you know something, all the excuses you are providing is telling me you dont want this team to win it all, you know what he is for the last four years, to keep the same guy that's failing every year is telling me you just dont care.

Whatever he is, it's been better so far than:

John Tortorella
Alain Vigneault
Paul Maurice
Mike Babcock
Bill Peters
Todd McLellan
John Hynes
Jeff Blashill

During the same time frame.

They're also 21/31 in team save % during those first 3 years, so it's not like he's been carried by goaltending, either.

I'm not providing an excuse -- I'm providing a stone cold fact (that you probably don't like to see).

 

[tucson83]

Whatever he is, it's been better so far than:

John Tortorella
Alain Vigneault
Paul Maurice
Mike Babcock
Bill Peters
Todd McLellan
John Hynes
Jeff Blashill

During the same time frame.

They're also 21/31 in team save % during those first 3 years, so it's not like he's been carried by goaltending, either.

I'm not providing an excuse -- I'm providing a stone cold fact (that you probably don't like to see).

you are making excuses, it's either you want to win like adding joel q that has more playoff and stanley cup wins than hak or not win with hakstol with basically nothing, you choose hak, you dont want to win.

and you are basically throwing everything out the window because the talent will be gone by hextall's love for hak, so do you want to be in the bottom like panthers, coyotes?

 

[Beef Invictus]

Acting like Hakstol's first three seasons on their face proved he should be fired is a such BS.

The Flyers were 12th in the NHL in regular season points from 15/16 - 17/18 under Hakstol.

He had a better points % during those 3 seasons than:

John Tortorella
Alain Vigneault
Paul Maurice
Mike Babcock
Bill Peters
Todd McLellan
John Hynes
Jeff Blashill

Among coaches who coached all 246 regular season games in that span.

But, hey, don't let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Ah, you're going to cherry pick numbers while ignoring his actual coaching practices, probably since you know his actual practices are indefensible garbage.

Let's keep this simple, then.

Do you think an NHL team can win a Stanley Cup taking shots as far from the net as Hakstol insists they do?

 

[CapnZin]

So what you're saying is, the coaching staff has no ****ing clue what they are doing in an area of the team?

 

[Ghosts Beer]

Ah, you're going to cherry pick numbers while ignoring his actual coaching practices, probably since you know his actual practices are indefensible garbage.

Let's keep this simple, then.

Do you think an NHL team can win a Stanley Cup taking shots as far from the net as Hakstol insists they do?

I'm not cherry picking -- I'm giving Hakstol's ENTIRE regular season record during the 3 full seasons he coached the team compared to other big name coaches who coached all 246 games during the previous 3 seasons, as well. That's providing a full analysis of his record in his first three seasons.

You said his first three seasons were prima facie evidence that he deserved to be fired. You would think his record over those first three seasons would be a big part of that. Now you're trying to move the goalposts to "actual coaching practices." Well, you can make that argument without saying his first 250 games prove he should be fired.

As for your latter question, "Beats me."

 

[GKJ]

Ah, you're going to cherry pick numbers while ignoring his actual coaching practices, probably since you know his actual practices are indefensible garbage.

Let's keep this simple, then.

Do you think an NHL team can win a Stanley Cup taking shots as far from the net as Hakstol insists they do?

When the Kings won their first Cup, they fired the coach who was doing exactly that.

 

[freakydallas13]

Using "7 of 8" points as justification to keep Hak is hilarious, since he needed 7 of 8 for his team to be .500.

But I guess .500 is exactly what this organization wants, so better strive to be average.