Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Fall to Habs, 4-3

The game wasn't as close as the final score due to 2 garbage time goals. Team defense, despite being Torts calling card, was once again nowhere to be found. Kolosov was hung out to dry on a few of those goals but still looked head and shoulders better than the 6'7" Fedotov.

Didn’t like the 3rd man in, but huge respect to Couts for 1) not killing Dach, and 2) dropping the gloves with Xhekaj when he didn’t need to.

That is a captain

The game wasn't as close as the final score due to 2 garbage time goals. Team defense, despite being Torts calling card, was once again nowhere to be found. Kolosov was hung out to dry on a few of those goals but still looked head and shoulders better than the 6'7" Fedotov.
- Flyers_01

I'd be rolling with Kolosov as the backup for the next while. Let Feds work on his game in the minors.

The game wasn't as close as the final score due to 2 garbage time goals. Team defense, despite being Torts calling card, was once again nowhere to be found. Kolosov was hung out to dry on a few of those goals but still looked head and shoulders better than the 6'7" Fedotov.
- Flyers_01

Their coverage has been a mess. The forwards in particular are having issue sorting out coverages. I wonder if the constant line changes has an effect there. Michkov has been really good offensively but a train wreck defensively. He is having difficulty understanding his responsibilities such as when he is F1 or F3 in a coverage.

The Flyers were never going to repeat their 3 goals on 6 SOG from the other night. Andrae's play makes you wonder why he couldn't get out of the press box earlier in the season.

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Fall to Habs, 4-3
- bmeltzer

Will the ND experiment end? It is clear he shouldn’t be playing.

Do you Fedotov being sent to the AHL for at least a conditioning stint to get in some games. What do you think the thought process is for the goalies.

Phantoms question. Do you know if Rizzo is hurt? If not seems odd he isn’t playing after his very strong college career.

The Flyers were never going to repeat their 3 goals on 6 SOG from the other night. Andrae's play makes you wonder why he couldn't get out of the press box earlier in the season.
- Flyers_01

I was told by someone in hockey ops that Tortorella did not want "go too small on D" with three small/smallish D. York and Drysdale are in the lineup, so that squeezed out Andrae when he was called up. Right now with York out, though, there's an opportunity for Andrae. He was a bright spot last night.

Didn’t like the 3rd man in, but huge respect to Couts for 1) not killing Dach, and 2) dropping the gloves with Xhekaj when he didn’t need to.

That is a captain
- QuickSCF

He looked scared to death to drop them.

The Flyers were never going to repeat their 3 goals on 6 SOG from the other night. Andrae's play makes you wonder why he couldn't get out of the press box earlier in the season.
- Flyers_01

Doesn’t make you wonder at all. This is how they operate. Question is will Zamula ow ride the pine until York returns.

I was told by someone in hockey ops that Tortorella did not want "go too small on D" with three small/smallish D. York and Drysdale are in the lineup, so that squeezed out Andrae when he was called up. Right now with York out, though, there's an opportunity for Andrae. He was a bright spot last night.
- bmeltzer

Makes you think Briere is in lockstep with him :

“Well, when you look at our defense, you have it right. I think Zeev Buium is gonna be a great player, and he’s someone we considered strongly. But with Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, Emil Andrae – at some point, it gets tough to go with the smaller guy. But he’s a fantastic player,”

Flyers are more worried about size than talent. Explains the contract capitulation for 6'7" Feds. He added some much needed size to the goalies.

Although it does make you laugh because Zeev is taller than Jett, so what do i know.

I was told by someone in hockey ops that Tortorella did not want "go too small on D" with three small/smallish D. York and Drysdale are in the lineup, so that squeezed out Andrae when he was called up. Right now with York out, though, there's an opportunity for Andrae. He was a bright spot last night.
- bmeltzer

God forbid play the more talented players. When York returns then what? Some things will never change.

At what point do they say we have to see what Andrae can do?

Their coverage has been a mess. The forwards in particular are having issue sorting out coverages. I wonder if the constant line changes has an effect there. Michkov has been really good offensively but a train wreck defensively. He is having difficulty understanding his responsibilities such as when he is F1 or F3 in a coverage.
- MJL

It’s going to take some time with Michkov and that side of the puck. From all reports he seems to be very open to learning and getting better. He’s a very smart kid. I’m sure it will be fine in time.

He looked scared to death to drop them.
- furio16

You seen that kid fight…

Doesn’t make you wonder at all. This is how they operate. Question is will Zamula ow ride the pine until York returns.
- furio16

Johnson has not been solid at all. It’s like he’s Torts security blanket.

Will the ND experiment end? It is clear he shouldn’t be playing.

Do you Fedotov being sent to the AHL for at least a conditioning stint to get in some games. What do you think the thought process is for the goalies.

Phantoms question. Do you know if Rizzo is hurt? If not seems odd he isn’t playing after his very strong college career.
- furio16

It’s clear every shift lately. He’s become a liability when he’s out there. That can’t happen in the NHL.

You seen that kid fight…
- landros 2

Yes. Couturier is a grown man. No need to be scared. You can tie him up as I bet Couturier is strong. Also how did Seeler not get a penalty?

God forbid play the more talented players. When York returns then what? Some things will never change.

At what point do they say we have to see what Andrae can do?
- furio16

I know that you don't want to get pushed around, but the game isn't all about size now. If Andrae can help us exit the zone more effectively and play a faster game, then he needs to be in the lineup moving forward. The major issue we have isn't lack of size it's that we spend far too much time in our zone because we can't clear it. Sounds like Emil can make a good first pass out of the zone and that's part of what we need.

It’s clear every shift lately. He’s become a liability when he’s out there. That can’t happen in the NHL.
- landros 2

He was a liability from day 1, it's just gotten worse to the point where everyone is being forced to admit it.

This is the old time hockey mind set personified. Actual hockey players who can stand up for themselves are one thing (Tom Wilson, Wayne Simmonds) but players who only role is to have a staged fight to entertain the fans or to "create space for skilled players" is neanderthal thinking.

Johnson has not been solid at all. It’s like he’s Torts security blanket.
- landros 2

Played under 12 minutes. Nic under 6.

That has a trickle down effect as you’re basically playing short handed. Might not effect the players in that game though in time it will with the extra minutes they have to log.

Johnson has not been solid at all. It’s like he’s Torts security blanket.
- landros 2

It's fine if the plan is for him to sit most of the year as the 7th dman with a spot start here and there. I'd prefer to have Zamula and Andrae play a lot so that they can develop.

I know that you don't want to get pushed around, but the game isn't all about size now. If Andrae can help us exit the zone more effectively and play a faster game, then he needs to be in the lineup moving forward. The major issue we have isn't lack of size it's that we spend far too much time in our zone because we can't clear it. Sounds like Emil can make a good first pass out of the zone and that's part of what we need.
- Hextall271

He needs an extended look. If he does not get one shame on the Flyers once again.

Played under 12 minutes. Nic under 6.

That has a trickle down effect as you’re basically playing short handed. Might not effect the players in that game though in time it will with the extra minutes they have to log.
- furio16

Excellent point. I remember when Vegas won the cup, because of their depth, they rolled 4 lines with each contributing and one player noted that they weren't exhausted as a group even after winning the final. These players are just place holders that need to be protected. Pointless.

He needs an extended look. If he does not get one shame on the Flyers once again.
- furio16

Have to. That's what this year should be all about.

He needs an extended look. If he does not get one shame on the Flyers once again.
- furio16

If he shows himself to be a solid defenseman in extended play there will be teams that want him, especially on that contract, even if the Flyers don't.