Rumors are saying that TK, Sanheim and Risto made their respective teams for the Four Nations tournament. I just as soon none of them make it, so they can rest up for the stretch run and nab that last playoff spot!!

You misunderstood my reply I believe. I was referring to players like Zamula, Grans, Andrae, etc who should be playing over veterans. They're whom I was referring to as part of the future. Not the Hathaways and Seelers.

I think the whole angle of a player like Michkov needs to see some success immediately is completely overblown.
- MJL

Well obviously you hockey iq is not very high if you think it should be all young kids, you do need veterans and 1 or 2 won't cut it

Pens winning, the Metro is going to be a dog fight, not much separation, Panthers is coming in hungry, Panthers will quiet flyers mediocre center strenght with ease......................

Pens winning, the Metro is going to be a dog fight, not much separation, Panthers is coming in hungry, Panthers will quiet flyers mediocre center strenght with ease......................
- THE EVIL WITHIN

Only winning cause the Cats played their backup this evening. The Pens are so bad now they get everyone's backup while the Flyers will get the starter. Pens getting outshot 37-14. Cats goalie with a .714 save pct. How bout them Sabres? Get out to a 4-0 lead against the Avs and lose 5-4 in regulation.

Only winning cause the Cats played their backup this evening. The Pens are so bad now they get everyone's backup while the Flyers will get the starter. Pens getting outshot 37-14. Cats goalie with a .714 save pct. How bout them Sabres? Get out to a 4-0 lead against the Avs and lose 5-4 in regulation.
- Phillywhiteout

Ugh i see Knight let in 4 with 15 shots. And the 🐅 has bounced back.

Fu pens stole one

Ugh i see Knight let in 4 with 15 shots. And the 🐅 has bounced back.
- THE EVIL WITHIN

Knight ended up with a .688 save pct. Ouch! Pens still suck (outshot 41-16).

One of my buddies on another site came up with some interesting stats on Michkov. He had 1 assist and was a -3 in the 5 games prior to being benched and he was a -8 total. In the 10 games since his benching he has 5 G (two OT game winners) and 4 A, and his +/- is all the way back to even from -8. Looks like the benching worked out quite well and was well timed. Oh, but please continue with the narrative on here that Torts is ruining Michkov's progression in the NHL. Eh what?

One of my buddies on another site came up with some interesting stats on Michkov. He had 1 assist and was a -3 in the 5 games prior to being benched and he was a -8 total. In the 10 games since his benching he has 5 G (two OT game winners) and 4 A, and his +/- is all the way back to even from -8. Looks like the benching worked out quite well and was well timed. Oh, but please continue with the narrative on here that Torts is ruining Michkov's progression in the NHL. Eh what?
- Phillywhiteout

He’s a 19 year old…soon to be 20 yr old kid. He’s going to have to learn like 95% of the guys before him that there are limits to what you can and can’t do. I’d prefer Torts cut his ice for a period or two instead of an out right scratch…but it is Torts way. One thing to keep in mind. A lot of young guys like him have never been scratched until they reach the NHL…Michkov had been scratched a few times playing in the KHL…so his handling of it was exactly what you would hope…the more I see from this kid, the more I like. It’s not just the ridiculous skill level…it’s also his mental makeup. Kids a winner.

He’s a 19 year old…soon to be 20 yr old kid. He’s going to have to learn like 95% of the guys before him that there are limits to what you can and can’t do. I’d prefer Torts cut his ice for a period or two instead of an out right scratch…but it is Torts way. One thing to keep in mind. A lot of young guys like him have never been scratched until they reach the NHL…Michkov had been scratched a few times playing in the KHL…so his handling of it was exactly what you would hope…the more I see from this kid, the more I like. It’s not just the ridiculous skill level…it’s also his mental makeup. Kids a winner.
- landros 2

Agreed, he has the "IT" factor to go along with all that skill! He doesn't seem to be intimidated at all with being in the NHL. Doesn't take crap from anyone and hates to lose! And he wants the puck on his stick at the most crucial times of games. He wants to make and be the difference in every game. Now, if we could only instill some of that in Frosty.

He’s a 19 year old…soon to be 20 yr old kid. He’s going to have to learn like 95% of the guys before him that there are limits to what you can and can’t do. I’d prefer Torts cut his ice for a period or two instead of an out right scratch…but it is Torts way. One thing to keep in mind. A lot of young guys like him have never been scratched until they reach the NHL…Michkov had been scratched a few times playing in the KHL…so his handling of it was exactly what you would hope…the more I see from this kid, the more I like. It’s not just the ridiculous skill level…it’s also his mental makeup. Kids a winner.
- landros 2

I don't believe that Tortorella sitting Michkov was punitive in nature. I think he though that the kid needed a bit of a reset.

Only winning cause the Cats played their backup this evening. The Pens are so bad now they get everyone's backup while the Flyers will get the starter. Pens getting outshot 37-14. Cats goalie with a .714 save pct. How bout them Sabres? Get out to a 4-0 lead against the Avs and lose 5-4 in regulation.
- Phillywhiteout

Man.. I saw the scores. I can't believe the Sabres.. 4-0 lead at home.. lose.

He’s a 19 year old…soon to be 20 yr old kid. He’s going to have to learn like 95% of the guys before him that there are limits to what you can and can’t do. I’d prefer Torts cut his ice for a period or two instead of an out right scratch…but it is Torts way. One thing to keep in mind. A lot of young guys like him have never been scratched until they reach the NHL…Michkov had been scratched a few times playing in the KHL…so his handling of it was exactly what you would hope…the more I see from this kid, the more I like. It’s not just the ridiculous skill level…it’s also his mental makeup. Kids a winner.
- landros 2

I agree. He's better than I thought he'd be TBH.

I agree. He's better than I thought he'd be TBH.
- Hextall271

I believe that he has a chance to be a 100 point scorer in this league. He's very good on the PP and in non 5 on 5 situations. Obviously in OT. Right now, he needs to drastically improve at 5 on 5 play. It will come in time.

I believe that he has a chance to be a 100 point scorer in this league. He's very good on the PP and in non 5 on 5 situations. Obviously in OT. Right now, he needs to drastically improve at 5 on 5 play. It will come in time.
- MJL

To have that weapon in OT /SO is invaluable. Teams really have to be aware that he's out there and an absolute threat to end the game every time he's got the puck.

I agree. He's better than I thought he'd be TBH.
- Hextall271

Going into the season, I said that I'd be quite happy if he had 20 G and 30 A for the season. It seems that he could easily surpass those numbers. Hell, he could probably have double his assist total to date if the Flyers had more finishers.

To have that weapon in OT /SO is invaluable. Teams really have to be aware that he's out there and an absolute threat to end the game every time he's got the puck.
- Hextall271

Agreed but I'd like the Flyers to start winning games in regulation outright. They have the fewest regulation wins in the league.

To have that weapon in OT /SO is invaluable. Teams really have to be aware that he's out there and an absolute threat to end the game every time he's got the puck.
- Hextall271

If/when they make the playoffs that will be obsolete. He needs to pick up his 5 on 5 scoring and likely will in time.

Rumors are saying that TK, Sanheim and Risto made their respective teams for the Four Nations tournament. I just as soon none of them make it, so they can rest up for the stretch run and nab that last playoff spot!!
- Phillywhiteout

I am right with you. If they aren't playing for the US I 100% do not want them playing. If they are playing for the US I 98% do not want them playing. Mid season tourneys are dumb.

Of course I will watch. Assuming all games aren't on the NHL network or some other streaming service I don't have access to.

One of my buddies on another site came up with some interesting stats on Michkov. He had 1 assist and was a -3 in the 5 games prior to being benched and he was a -8 total. In the 10 games since his benching he has 5 G (two OT game winners) and 4 A, and his +/- is all the way back to even from -8. Looks like the benching worked out quite well and was well timed. Oh, but please continue with the narrative on here that Torts is ruining Michkov's progression in the NHL. Eh what?
- Phillywhiteout

They also moved Michkov off the top line at 5 on 5. He is facing lesser opponents at 5 on 5.

The Flyers have improved as a team as well. The defense is moving the puck a ton better right now compared to the first 10 games of the season. They are defending better also. The goalies are playing at an NHL level right now. They were not in the first 10 games.

I do not think Michkov is doing hardly anything different than he was before the benching. It's great he is even overall for the year though. Nothing has changed in terms of his compete level either.

They also moved Michkov off the top line at 5 on 5. He is facing lesser opponents at 5 on 5.

The Flyers have improved as a team as well. The defense is moving the puck a ton better right now compared to the first 10 games of the season. They are defending better also. The goalies are playing at an NHL level right. They were not in the first 10 games.

I do not think Michkov is doing hardly anything different than he was before the benching. It's great he is even overall for the year though. Nothing has changed in terms of his compete level either.
- mickel25

This is not a response directed at you but in general. It's interesting that many Tortorella supporters routinely credit the coach when a player is doing well but refuse to criticize the same coach when players aren't doing well.

This is not a response directed at you but in general. It's interesting that many Tortorella supporters routinely credit the coach when a player is doing well but refuse to criticize the same coach when players aren't doing well.
- MJL

I think sitting him for a game here and there is a good thing. I do not think can Michkov physically play an 82 game schedule and be at peak performance most nights. He needs rest.

But portraying the benching as some kind of come to Jesus moment is silly. He is the exact same player now as he was before. Just getting better results the last 10-15 games as the team has improved.

So no new blogger for the Flyers?

I think sitting him for a game here and there is a good thing. I do not think can Michkov physically play an 82 game schedule and be at peak performance most nights. He needs rest.

But portraying the benching as some kind of come to Jesus moment is silly. He is the exact same player now as he was before. Just getting better results the last 10-15 games as the team has improved.
- mickel25

I agree. If they think he is wearing down physically or mentally a bit and they feel he needs a reset. Then I support that. I don't support punitive scratching.
The comment also ignores the rest of the games. Such as the first 10 games of the season where he had 4 goals and 5 assists. Who gets credit for that?

I think sitting him for a game here and there is a good thing. I do not think can Michkov physically play an 82 game schedule and be at peak performance most nights. He needs rest.

But portraying the benching as some kind of come to Jesus moment is silly. He is the exact same player now as he was before. Just getting better results the last 10-15 games as the team has improved.
- mickel25

no way. it was a great move sitting him. the coach is an innovator. just look at how he is now producing. without being sat no way he produces like he has the last whatever games. not like he is highly skilled or anything

unless MM is tired (which at times he may be) and needs a rest he should be in the lineup.