2022-23 Flyers: How about just less suck?

[Maverick426h]

I would also argue that a large reason for Konecny's increased shooting percentage is a fundamental change in the way he plays the game. He's going to the high scoring areas of the ice and getting rewarded for it. The dude is also playing a lot more minutes and now in all situations too. I mean, he's a bargain moving forward, probably even after he signs an extension with us as well.

 

[awaz]

I would also argue that a large reason for Konecny's increased shooting percentage is a fundamental change in the way he plays the game. He's going to the high scoring areas of the ice and getting rewarded for it. The dude is also playing a lot more minutes and now in all situations too. I mean, he's a bargain moving forward, probably even after he signs an extension with us as well.

Oh absolutely. There was a really good article on his (and Briere's) focus on making those changes. If he sticks to that, I agree that his shooting percentage will come up from his career 12.5%. I just don't think it'll be 20ish% like it is this season. That's even beyond Auston Matthews level.

Article: How analytics have fueled Travis Konecny’s breakout season with the Flyers

 

[awaz]

Well, this is why I said "unless we get a haul for either of them." If someone is offering two good prospects and two 1st round picks for Konecny, I would absolutely have to consider it. If we do that, we're definitely all-in on rebuilding, because we're probably going to be terrible for a few seasons.

Even if we can't technically "contend" in the next two seasons with Konecny at $5.5 million, if he essentially remains a 94 point player (or at least proves this is not a fluke) and wants to re-sign long-term, we gladly keep him. As long as it's not an insane deal, he'll have just turned 28 and probably be worth every cent of it. There's absolutely no guarantee that a good prospect or 1st round pick we acquire turns into a 94 point guy (that wants to be a Flyer for life and fits the mold) down the road.

Plus, like you said, shipping Konecny out of town suddenly very much sends the wrong message to the team (and the fans). You buy-in 100%, work your ass off and have a career year, we're going to sell you off to the highest bidder

I agree with 99% of what you're saying here. I just worry about signing the 'crazy deal'. 28 year old pending UFA probably gets one of those 8x8 deals like Hintz just got. If the Flyers aren't looking at a pretty clear path to contention at that point, I don't think you can sign a deal like that. It's the Giroux situation all over again. Same thing I worry about with Couturier's deal. Absolutely worth it in the first few years, but they most likely won't be worth it in the later stages of those. Have to get the timing right with 'contender status' and those deals.

 

[lasgop8]

I am really annoyed by the entire Provorov issue. Not because I don't think he should be able to follow his understanding of the teachings of his faith. Because he chose to set himself aside from his team mates. I am even more annoyed with the team and the coach for not dealing with this before it could happen. If he isn't going to either wear the team designated warm up, or participate in a regular warm up, then he should be benched. Thats all. His reason can be covered up "he has a cold" or any other number of reasons.

Frankly, having been on several teams over the years at several levels of play, when any player sets themselves apart like this.... "I don't want to stand for the Canadian anthem", "I don't want to shake hands", "I don't want to participate in this tournament sponsored event". Well, then don't expect your team mates to have your back. You are saying that you are better than them.

The management could have avoided this. There is already an internal feeling that Provy is difficult or selfish. By allowing this to play out the team is simply feeding that.

You cant force somebody or punish them for their beliefs.

There was a guy in Germany in the early 1900's who did this and forced people to wear yellow stars on their jackets and were forced to get tatoos on their arms and we know how that turned out.

 

[lasgop8]

A win tonight puts us 7 points behind Washington for the top wild card spot with a game in hand. It also will put us 4 points behind Pitt for the final playoff spot but they will have 2 games in hand.

 

[Chris p Bacon]

A win tonight puts us 7 points behind Washington for the top wild card spot with a game in hand. It also will put us 4 points behind Pitt for the final playoff spot but they will have 2 games in hand.

Well if we squeezed into either spot it means a first round exit versus Boston or Carolina/Toronto. JMO.

 

[lasgop8]

Well if we squeezed into either spot it means a first round exit versus Boston or Carolina/Toronto. JMO.

Im just happy to be anywhere near the playoffs as i thought we would get destroyed every game this season, As Montreal proved a few seasons ago just get in and anything can happen.

On the other hand im not happy that we aren't getting a top 5 pick which i thought we would get at the beginning of the season.

 

[lasgop8]

The rest of the all star team to be announced tonight at intermission of the Oilers vs TB tonight starting at 9pm.

Hopefully TK is on our squad!

 

[Maverick426h]

Really a shocking and disappointing loss tonight. The Hawks hadn't won a regular season game in Philly since 1996. That's 26 years and change. You wouldn't expect this Chicago team to break that streak either as they are 13-26-4, right near the bottom of the Nhl.

I don't know wtf was going on tonight. It seemed like only our 4th line and Frosty had any jump at all. Nobody wanted to win any battles, especially in the offensive zone, and the other team seemed to just want this one more. Quite frankly, this was an embarrassing effort, which we don't see too often here with this team under Torts.

Sure, we had a lot of shots and Mrazek was good, but there's zero fucking excuse for this against the lowly Hawks, even if they have been better as of late.

My frustrations were echoed at the end of the game by DeAngelo as he demolished his stick over the crossbar, busting it into pieces.

 

[Maverick426h]

Oh absolutely. There was a really good article on his (and Briere's) focus on making those changes. If he sticks to that, I agree that his shooting percentage will come up from his career 12.5%. I just don't think it'll be 20ish% like it is this season. That's even beyond Auston Matthews level.

Article: How analytics have fueled Travis Konecny’s breakout season with the Flyers

After his shooting percentage dips back down some, it'll rise again once we actually get him an elite center to dish him the puck. I'm willing to say that's probably Couturier upon his return. His numbers could improve some under Torts as well. Hell, we may actually have a legit top line next year once everyone is healthy. This is under the assumption that our youngsters keep improving and someone steps up to play with Konecny/Couturier on the top line without looking out of place.

 

[Maverick426h]

I mostly agree with the All-Star selections by the fans, but boy did they ever fuck up not adding Konecny.

Matthews, Pastrnak among 12 voted as All-Stars

Instead, they added three players from NY, Sorokin, Panarin and Fox.

I'm fine with Sorokin and Fox.

Panarin: 12 goals, 35 assists and 47 points in 46 games with a -5 and 2 GWG's. Doesn't kill penalties.

Konecny: 24 goals, 24 assists and 48 points in 40 games with a -6 and 5 GWG's. Plays in all situations, has 3 goals and 3 assists while shorthanded. If not for tonight, he would've led in plus/minus as well, but we really tanked against the Hawks.

Who should've made it in, Konecny or Panarin?

I mean fuck, Konecny has done more this season and he's also done it in 6 fewer games played.

I obviously posted the stats to show that I'm not just biased, I'm also correct.

The fucking New York fix is in on this one, clearly.

 

[awaz]

I mostly agree with the All-Star selections by the fans, but boy did they ever fuck up not adding Konecny.

Matthews, Pastrnak among 12 voted as All-Stars

Instead, they added three players from NY, Sorokin, Panarin and Fox.

I'm fine with Sorokin and Fox.

Panarin: 12 goals, 35 assists and 47 points in 46 games with a -5 and 2 GWG's. Doesn't kill penalties.

Konecny: 24 goals, 24 assists and 48 points in 40 games with a -6 and 5 GWG's. Plays in all situations, has 3 goals and 3 assists while shorthanded. If not for tonight, he would've led in plus/minus as well, but we really tanked against the Hawks.

Who should've made it in, Konecny or Panarin?

I mean fuck, Konecny has done more this season and he's also done it in 6 fewer games played.

I obviously posted the stats to show that I'm not just biased, I'm also correct.

The fucking New York fix is in on this one, clearly.

Heh, ya. The downside of fan votes! John Scott didn't make it a few years ago on merit.

TK deserved it. Over Hayes too. Real shame he's not going.

 

[lasgop8]

That game last night

 

[Chris p Bacon]

Unless this team unloads players like Hayes, Laughton and Provy, then we haven't improved or won't improve beyond mediocre. Even if Coots comes back healthy, you will have a 2nd line as a first line and not much else beyond that. Defense is still pitiful, no true number 1 pairing, and a bunch of nobody's with no move contracts. This team isn't going to improve anything under Torts except a new compete factor, which is great overall, but still a let down because we're going to lose a lot of games because we can't score. I just assume it's the start of another 5 year plan when all these supposed rookies will be nhl studs. This whole organization is just a straight up clusterfuck!

 

[lasgop8]

Unless this team unloads players like Hayes, Laughton and Provy, then we haven't improved or won't improve beyond mediocre. Even if Coots comes back healthy, you will have a 2nd line as a first line and not much else beyond that. Defense is still pitiful, no true number 1 pairing, and a bunch of nobody's with no move contracts. This team isn't going to improve anything under Torts except a new compete factor, which is great overall, but still a let down because we're going to lose a lot of games because we can't score. I just assume it's the start of another 5 year plan when all these supposed rookies will be nhl studs. This whole organization is just a straight up clusterfuck!

Trades, free agents and draft picks all have to hit for us to only be 5 years away from a cup.

 

[Maverick426h]

Unless this team unloads players like Hayes, Laughton and Provy, then we haven't improved or won't improve beyond mediocre. Even if Coots comes back healthy, you will have a 2nd line as a first line and not much else beyond that. Defense is still pitiful, no true number 1 pairing, and a bunch of nobody's with no move contracts. This team isn't going to improve anything under Torts except a new compete factor, which is great overall, but still a let down because we're going to lose a lot of games because we can't score. I just assume it's the start of another 5 year plan when all these supposed rookies will be nhl studs. This whole organization is just a straight up clusterfuck!

I can definitely see Hayes and Provy getting traded for picks and prospects and to clear cap space, but Laughton is without question one of our best players and only at $3 million per season. This dude may not be offensively gifted, but he is still somehow tied for the team lead in power play goals and shorthanded goals. He plays a 200 foot game, tough as nails, is a great role model for the youngsters and I believe is a prime example of what a Philadelphia Flyer should be, especially under Torts. Laughton isn't wearing the A because he's pretty either. The guy has earned it and he's having a career year also while helping Konecny kill penalties and play a more complete game. We lead the league in shorthanded goals with 9 because of Scott Laughton.

I would also venture to guess Laughton is probably the most beloved player by his peers/coaches on the entire roster. Yeah, let's trade that guy...

 

[lasgop8]

Flyers have recalled Sandstrom and sent Ersson down to Lehigh Valley.

 

[Chris p Bacon]

I can definitely see Hayes and Provy getting traded for picks and prospects and to clear cap space, but Laughton is without question one of our best players and only at $3 million per season. This dude may not be offensively gifted, but he is still somehow tied for the team lead in power play goals and shorthanded goals. He plays a 200 foot game, tough as nails, is a great role model for the youngsters and I believe is a prime example of what a Philadelphia Flyer should be, especially under Torts. Laughton isn't wearing the A because he's pretty either. The guy has earned it and he's having a career year also while helping Konecny kill penalties and play a more complete game. We lead the league in shorthanded goals with 9 because of Scott Laughton.

I would also venture to guess Laughton is probably the most beloved player by his peers/coaches on the entire roster. Yeah, let's trade that guy...

Hold on to your hat, it's out there

Tampa Bay Lightning & Philadelphia Flyers Becoming Trade Candidates

The Tampa Bay Lightning are once again among the NHL's top teams. Yet, even with this being the case, they are expected to make some additio...

www.nhltraderumors.me

 

[awaz]

I can definitely see Hayes and Provy getting traded for picks and prospects and to clear cap space, but Laughton is without question one of our best players and only at $3 million per season. This dude may not be offensively gifted, but he is still somehow tied for the team lead in power play goals and shorthanded goals. He plays a 200 foot game, tough as nails, is a great role model for the youngsters and I believe is a prime example of what a Philadelphia Flyer should be, especially under Torts. Laughton isn't wearing the A because he's pretty either. The guy has earned it and he's having a career year also while helping Konecny kill penalties and play a more complete game. We lead the league in shorthanded goals with 9 because of Scott Laughton.

I would also venture to guess Laughton is probably the most beloved player by his peers/coaches on the entire roster. Yeah, let's trade that guy...

I didn't like the Laughton deal when it was signed. I'll admit it. I don't like spending future money like that on guys that aren't on the higher end of things; while you're rebuilding.

That being said. He's been more productive offensively this year while still bringing everything else. And he definitely has my vote for captain. He's the kind of heartbeat guy that it was maybe alright to sign that deal. Plus I like the idea of letting your best player be your best player, and giving the C to a guy like Laughton to be the leader, first and foremost.

 

[awaz]

Looks like Broad Street Hockey over at SB Nation is getting shut down as part of budget cuts. That's a shame. Don't go over there much anymore, but the BSH Radio podcast has been a nearly weekly listen for me for the 5-6 years or so.