Fell asleep after the first period cause had to get up early today, but based on ice time last night an 18 year old kid is your new #1 center!! Yes, I noticed that Jett had the most ice time among centers last night.
- Phillywhiteout

By 29 seconds. Don't read too much into it. Frost had over 8 minutes of PP time so that surely affected ES ice time where Luchanko exceeded Frost by over 5 minutes.


I was actually surprised Cates was a scratch again.

At least he was busting his ass trying to get back.
- MBFlyerfan

Unfortunate play at the one end….looked like Michkov gave up on play and peeled off , maybe hoping for a break away the other way? But Torts can use that as a teaching moment for a kid, who impresses me every night so far….most dangerous guy every night.

My biggest concerns are a failure to cash in on grade A opportunities (I'm looking at you Tippett) as well as the backup goalie situation. I would almost come back with Sam Thursday.
- Hextall271

Tippett is streaky, he was a lot more noticeable last night. I think he scores soon. I would be surprised if Ersson was not in goal against SEA. Poehling has not been good. On the broadcast in the 3rd, Poehling was ,4-16 on faceoffs Just unacceptable.

By 29 seconds. Don't read too much into it. Frost had over 8 minutes of PP time so that surely affected ES ice time where Luchanko exceeded Frost by over 5 minutes.


I was actually surprised Cates was a scratch again.
- MBFlyerfan

The point is that Torts loves this kid and he's probably not gonna be sent back after 9 games if he holds his own, and that could be a critical mistake. Is Coots still alive?

Come on man, you really think they are desperate after 3 games? They sucked last year through November until they got their coach fired and then they won something like 17 in a row. I doubt that they are desperate yet. These contending teams start out slow many times. Look at the Avs. They've been atrocious, but does anyone wanna take bets that they'll be fine in the long run.
- Phillywhiteout

That's the oilers. They'll flip the switch in January and win the division. I do think they'll need some luck in who they draw in the playoffs like they had last year in order to get back to the final. I'm not sold on skinner at all.

Unfortunate play at the one end….looked like Michkov gave up on play and peeled off , maybe hoping for a break away the other way? But Torts can use that as a teaching moment for a kid, who impresses me every night so far….most dangerous guy every night.
- landros 2

It's amazing really. I am very excited to watch the kid develop. He's better than I thought he'd be and you're right, he's the most dangerous player our there every night for us. Imagine once he learns the league?

The point is that Torts loves this kid and he's probably not gonna be sent back after 9 games if he holds his own, and that could be a critical mistake. Is Coots still alive?
- Phillywhiteout

I do not see Coots being active in 2030 when he is an UFA.

Tippett is streaky, he was a lot more noticeable last night. I think he scores soon. I would be surprised if Ersson was not in goal against SEA. Poehling has not been good. On the broadcast in the 3rd, Poehling was ,4-16 on faceoffs Just unacceptable.
- Trox88

Agreed. We just need tip to start potting some here.

Tippett is streaky, he was a lot more noticeable last night. I think he scores soon. I would be surprised if Ersson was not in goal against SEA. Poehling has not been good. On the broadcast in the 3rd, Poehling was ,4-16 on faceoffs Just unacceptable.
- Trox88

Tippet has the ugliest set of hair. rather be dead than red in the head

Tippett is streaky, he was a lot more noticeable last night. I think he scores soon. I would be surprised if Ersson was not in goal against SEA. Poehling has not been good. On the broadcast in the 3rd, Poehling was ,4-16 on faceoffs Just unacceptable.
- Trox88

Tippet played a good game last night….you are bang on, he is streaky. Had a bunch of chances and got great shots off. I was encouraged…when he gets his 1rst…the flood gates may open.

At least he was busting his ass trying to get back.
- MBFlyerfan

I didn’t rewatch it, but my impression at the time was that he was gliding when the goal was scored. Michkov wasn’t even in the zone

I do not see Coots being active in 2030 when he is a UFA.
- THE EVIL WITHIN

That is the problem with contracts like Couturier's. The same risk with TK's new contract. At least TK's might be good for half of it....

The only blemish on his night was a rough night on faceoffs (6-for-17) after a strong faceoff performance in Calgary on Sunday.
- Bill Meltzer

Calgary is a poor team at center. To me, as I posted last night, this was the primary reason the Flyers lost this game. To beat a team like Edmonton, you need to have the puck more than they do, and last night the Flyers were destroyed at the dot. Not just Frost, Poehling was 4/16 at one point in the 3rd period. This is also the primary reason the Flyers PP is not better than it is, they simply lose too many o-zone draws and have the chase the puck down the ice at the start of 90% of their PPs. Couts is the Flyers best faceoff center by a wide margin. Frost is terrible. Peohling used to be OK but has regressed since last year. Cates is terrible. Laughton is terrible. Hopefully Luchanko can develop to be strong in the dot and if he does, putting him at 1C and moving Couts down will go a long way. Otherwise, there no other options that I see.

Honestly I would keep TK in OT taking the facoffs, he's not that bad at it.

The point is that Torts loves this kid and he's probably not gonna be sent back after 9 games if he holds his own, and that could be a critical mistake. Is Coots still alive?
- Phillywhiteout

I thought Luchanko was good last night. You see he makes the odd mistake, but he also moved the puck pretty good. I think he continues to earn his ice. Not to say I think it’s what’s best for him to remain for the year. Not many just turned 18 year olds could look this comfortable against some of the best players on the planet. Impressive stuff.

Tippet played a good game last night….you are bang on, he is streaky. Had a bunch of chances and got great shots off. I was encouraged…when he gets his 1rst…the flood gates may open.
- landros 2

Yes but he simply can't finish. It's always a blistering shot that just missed or one that rings off the post. It's really frustrating to watch.

I thought Luchanko was good last night. You see he makes the odd mistake, but he also moved the puck pretty good. I think he continues to earn his ice. Not to say I think it’s what’s best for him to remain for the year. Not many just turned 18 year olds could look this comfortable against some of the best players on the planet. Impressive stuff.
- landros 2

Honestly, I think he stays with the team this year. The Flyers are SO bad at center they need all the help they can get at this point. I would have liked to see Cates in the game last night instead of Poehling. It would not have helped at the dot but I think Cates is a better defender.

how bad must Andrae be in the in the CO-GM/Coaches mind to not be able to replace those hard 11:45 seconds that EJ provides.

JD under 14. Tick tick tick.

Calgary is a poor team at center. To me, as I posted last night, this was the primary reason the Flyers lost this game. To beat a team like Edmonton, you need to have the puck more than they do, and last night the Flyers were destroyed at the dot. Not just Frost, Poehling was 4/16 at one point in the 3rd period. This is also the primary reason the Flyers PP is not better than it is, they simply lose too many o-zone draws and have the chase the puck down the ice at the start of 90% of their PPs. Couts is the Flyers best faceoff center by a wide margin. Frost is terrible. Peohling used to be OK but has regressed since last year. Cates is terrible. Laughton is terrible. Hopefully Luchanko can develop to be strong in the dot and if he does, putting him at 1C and moving Couts down will go a long way. Otherwise, there no other options that I see.

Honestly I would keep TK in OT taking the facoffs, he's not that bad at it.
- jd250

Frost was 49.5 percent on faceoffs last year. So "terrible" is a major exaggeration. Average on draws is the accurate description.

Calgary is a poor team at center. To me, as I posted last night, this was the primary reason the Flyers lost this game. To beat a team like Edmonton, you need to have the puck more than they do, and last night the Flyers were destroyed at the dot. Not just Frost, Poehling was 4/16 at one point in the 3rd period. This is also the primary reason the Flyers PP is not better than it is, they simply lose too many o-zone draws and have the chase the puck down the ice at the start of 90% of their PPs. Couts is the Flyers best faceoff center by a wide margin. Frost is terrible. Peohling used to be OK but has regressed since last year. Cates is terrible. Laughton is terrible. Hopefully Luchanko can develop to be strong in the dot and if he does, putting him at 1C and moving Couts down will go a long way. Otherwise, there no other options that I see.

Honestly I would keep TK in OT taking the facoffs, he's not that bad at it.
- jd250

Not that faceoffs aren't important,.especially at key moments of the game but you place way too much value in them. They do have the effect on puck possession that you think they have. The Flyers lost due to defensive coverage breakdowns.

That is the problem with contracts like Couturier's. The same risk with TK's new contract. At least TK's might be good for half of it....
- mr4tno

Coots had 2 back surgeries. Those sped up his decline.

Not that faceoffs aren't important,.especially at key moments of the game but you place way too much value in them. They do have the effect on puck possession that you think they have. The Flyers lost due to defensive coverage breakdowns.
- MJL

How do you think Sam played last night?

Good to see Michkov get a couple. He is a lot of fun to watch. The Flyers did not have a good game at even strength. I am done with the 10pm games. Dragging this morning.

The point is that Torts loves this kid and he's probably not gonna be sent back after 9 games if he holds his own, and that could be a critical mistake. Is Coots still alive?
- Phillywhiteout

Torts just has no confidence in him. Not that he has earned much but still. Its a problem when coach and captain don't have a good relationship.

Good to see Michkov get a couple. He is a lot of fun to watch. The Flyers did not have a good game at even strength. I am done with the 10pm games. Dragging this morning.
- mickel25

Only one to go.

I do not see Coots being active in 2030 when he is a UFA.
- THE EVIL WITHIN

Hopefully he turns it around to at least be a top 6 player. The Flyers may very well have the top 2 worst contracts in the history of the NHL in Bryz and Coots. Hell, Ellis may be 3rd except they only traded for him, what did they get 3 games out of him?