The Fan Blog : Ek on Flyers: Defense in Turmoil? Let’s fix it.

We points from the right players and a loss. Then Bettman needs to rig the ping pong balls like we’re Pitt. That said, Pitt is below us, any shock if it bounces their way ?

Why did you delete my comment, ek?

Why not put Givani Smith in over 44?

Will the new Russian get into any games before the year ends? No issue if he doesn’t.

Certain players I have seen enough off and have zero future.

Michkov another teachable moment again apparently

Why not put Givani Smith in over 44?
- Dkos

I hear you but Smith is a 27 year old tweener. It’s not gonna move any needles with the current state of the team. He can probably be of more use to the Phantoms.

Listening on radio.

Appears that Torts is benching Michkov.....again.

I don't mind players being disciplined for bad play, assuming the coach applies the standard on an even-handed basis.

Torts does not. Otherwise, Risto would have sat most of the 3rd period yesterday for trying to force a pass, while simultaneously telegraphing it, for the 3rd goal at the end of the period.

Apparently, he assumed possession and broke as opposed to staying with his guy. Fine.
Although, it's not like there aren't four other guys out there. Or that other players have done this before with no consequences.

Let's bench the guy who's likely to be THE GUY, because that's the ONLY way to handle it.

Listening on radio.

Appears that Torts is benching Michkov.....again.

I don't mind players being disciplined for bad play, assuming the coach applies the standard on an even-handed basis.

Torts does not. Otherwise, Risto would have sat most of the 3rd period yesterday for trying to force a pass, while simultaneously telegraphing it, for the 3rd goal at the end of the period.
- GeorgeBailey

At a certain point Jones/Comcast is gonna have something to say about the only player people care about seeing being benched I’d think.

You have the whole damn season to teach these kids what they’re doing wrong. Stop shooting yourself in the foot in game to make a point.

I hear you but Smith is a 27 year old tweener. It’s not gonna move any needles with the current state of the team. He can probably be of more use to the Phantoms.
- hereticpride

Didn’t know he was in Lehigh. I’m not worried about moving needles. With or without him I’m expecting losses for the rest of the season. I’ve seen what 44 has to offer. It would be more interesting seeing Smith.

Listening on radio.

Appears that Torts is benching Michkov.....again.

I don't mind players being disciplined for bad play, assuming the coach applies the standard on an even-handed basis.

Torts does not. Otherwise, Risto would have sat most of the 3rd period yesterday for trying to force a pass, while simultaneously telegraphing it, for the 3rd goal at the end of the period.
- GeorgeBailey

This team melts down again to end the season, a good outcome to get rid of him behind the bench. Give him a Senior Consultant role, which basically has no authority and end this era. He is so worried about playing the right way in the defensive zone, scoring goals is pretty important. The '90-'00s was all about defense because the rules allowed it. Not today, being able to score matters.

Didn’t know he was in Lehigh. I’m not worried about moving needles. With or without him I’m expecting losses for the rest of the season. I’ve seen what 44 has to offer. It would be more interesting seeing Smith.
- Dkos

Oh I’m just assuming he’s in Lehigh. If they’re healthy scratching him in place of Deslaurier then yeah that’s dumb.

Michkov another teachable moment again apparently
- Trox88

Yeah teachable that how you go from a 125 point a year player to 80.

100% I want mm looping in ozone if his instinct is could be chance.

100% I want mm looping in d zone if instincts are telling him chance to have clear break.


I get that’s not optimal for almost all players but elite players see and instinct differently. I don’t want this “teached” out of him. Torts shows archaic style with this. New age coach likely simply says hey kid I see what you what you thought there but try to honed that instinct some because of xyz.

Yeah teachable that how you go from a 125 point a year player to 80.

100% I want mm looping in ozone if his instinct is could be chance.

100% I want mm looping in d zone if instincts are telling him chance to have clear break.


I get that’s not optimal for almost all players but elite players see and instinct differently. I don’t want this “teached” out of him. Torts shows archaic style with this. New age coach likely simply says hey kid I see what you what you thought there but try to honed that instinct some because of xyz.
- Stayin alive

In efeect......um....yeah.

Hopefully, we improve to the point that guys get him that puck rather than turn it over.

Yeah teachable that how you go from a 125 point a year player to 80.

100% I want mm looping in ozone if his instinct is could be chance.

100% I want mm looping in d zone if instincts are telling him chance to have clear break.


I get that’s not optimal for almost all players but elite players see and instinct differently. I don’t want this “teached” out of him. Torts shows archaic style with this. New age coach likely simply says hey kid I see what you what you thought there but try to honed that instinct some because of xyz.
- Stayin alive

I agree, all of those players Torts supposedly developed had their best seasons after he left. Not a coincidence, IMO.

This team melts down again to end the season, a good outcome to get rid of him behind the bench. Give him a Senior Consultant role, which basically has no authority and end this era. He is so worried about playing the right way in the defensive zone, scoring goals is pretty important. The '90-'00s was all about defense because the rules allowed it. Not today, being able to score matters.
- Trox88

Last I checked you need to score more goals than the other team to win.

Konecny out with Poehling again, so I hope Torts made his point and moved on.

Oh I’m just assuming he’s in Lehigh. If they’re healthy scratching him in place of Deslaurier then yeah that’s dumb.
- hereticpride

You’re right. I just checked the Phantom's lineup.

Last I checked you need to score more goals than the other team to win.
- Striiker

Next season yes, but for the rest of this season, no 😀

Torts is a one-trick pony with certain players. Bench. The man is not a teacher.

Torts is a one-trick pony with certain players. Bench. The man is not a teacher.
- mikeyo27

100%

They look poised to do a lot of losing to end the season. I wonder how far back they can fall.

I don’t wanna hear poop about Michkov from Torts. The defense looks horrendous.

They look poised to do a lot of losing to end the season. I wonder how far back they can fall.
- Dkos

Flyers sitting 8th with the bottom 8 starting to get a little distance from the rest of the league. I think 6th is realistic, 5th outside shot, not likely.

Flyers sitting 8th with the bottom 8 starting to get a little distance from the rest of the league. I think 6th is realistic, 5th outside shot, not likely.
- Trox88

They may tune out the coach depending on who he handles things going forward.

If they tune out they could drop a nice bit.