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flauntpage · 5 years

Text

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2

NOW!

Not Christmas. Not the All-Star Break. Not the trade deadline.

NOW!

There is no longer time to wait for the Flyers do do something, anything to change the culture and identity of this team.

This can be done in several ways. It can be a firing, head coach or assistant. It can be trade from the NHL roster – and it needs to be an impact one, not something small to say, “oh hey, we made a change.”

And if none of that happens, it can be done with a change in management.

But something has to happen, because what you saw, if you cared to watch, was possibly the worst period this season that resulted in a 5-2 loss in Buffalo Wednesday.

And I’m not talking just for the Flyers. No. It was certainly their worst period. I’m saying it could have been the worst 20 minutes played by any NHL team at any time in this season’s first two months.

And it was a complete and utter failure by everyone from the top down.

The Flyers, after three days off, were completely outplayed, out-skated, outworked out-everythinged by the Buffalo Sabres for the game’s first 20 minutes. The effort was completely, absolutely and absurdly unacceptable.

Dave Hakstol knew it. He used his timeout nine minutes into the game. Of course the team was already trailing 3-0. And he was as animated as I’ve ever seen him on the bench laying into his players.

It didn’t matter… not until the second period at least.

Because from the start of the second period until the Sabres got an empty net goal to ice the game, the Flyers were excellent. They played pissed off. They ramped up their physical play. They controlled puck possession. They generated scoring chances. They had the Sabres on their heels. They even outscored them 2-0. Frankly, we have a hockey game and probably a different outcome if they would have, you know, started the game this way.

But they were completely unprepared… again. Their penalty kill let up a goal… again. They have an AHL caliber goalie in net… again.

Alex Lyon is a competitor. He’s not going out there and purposely messing the bed. But he gave up four goals on 12 shots. Three on rebounds and one from a bad angle. That can’t instill confidence in the team in front of you.

Not that the team in front of him was any help. They were the freakin’ Keystone Cops on the ice for the first 20 minutes. It was really embarrassing. Turnover, Turnover, Turnover. Out of position. Lame defensive effort. You name the negative plays that result in goals against and the Flyers had them on grand display for 20 minutes against the Sabres.

Frankly, it sucks to keep writing about this, too. Not just for me, or any other person who is actually paid to cover this team, but for the fans who take to their own blogs, or online forums, or social media to write the same thing every day.

I am personally most thankful for them on this Thanksgiving evening. The fans who put up with the same lather, rinse, repeat mentality of the Flyers every day. It’s especially frustrating for them and I feel their pain.

So, in honor of them, rather than give you more repeated analysis of the same breakdowns of bad goals from the game, or highlight more turnovers, or say things like, “hey, they’re playing better and showing some fight and trying to comeback again” after goals by Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds, even though that is for naught, I decided to share some of the fans Twitter fire.

They deserve to be heard. The Flyers should definitely be listening.

And for the record, this is all from a Twitter search of the word “Hakstol.” I could be here all day if I wanted to search other Flyer-related words too. In chronological order:

This is on Hextall, and to a lesser extend Hakstol.

— Yo (@FlyGoalScoredBy) November 22, 2018

just heard a “Fire Hakstol'' scream… in Buffalo

— Sam Donnellon (@samdonnellon) November 22, 2018

I am convinced Dave Hakstol legitimately ignores coaching defense

— Kevin A (@Mister856) November 22, 2018

alex lyon you are not the goalie

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Can someone put some romaine lettuce in Dave Hakstol's lunch tomorrow?

— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) November 22, 2018

That one is just wrong Josh….. but it did make me laugh!

kindly launch every one of dave hakstol’s wakeboards into the sun plz

— 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 (@Doonbugs) November 22, 2018

I’m not sure if Mike Sielski ever knew what he would have wrought on this city with that Hakstol profile last summer. His story was sort of the Bizarro Gritty.

Great start to this Flyers game. Really glad that employed head coach Dave Hakstol got the boys ready to go tonight. Don’t know where this team would be without him and his innovative leadership skills.

— Jordie

(@BarstoolJordie) November 22, 2018

Well, the pains of being a Flyers fan continues. I've never been all aboard the Fire Hakstol train but this is seriously getting old. We obviously need to solve the goalie carousel as well. It's not a pretty picture.

— Chris Childress (@311child) November 22, 2018

When the patient get inpatient, you know it’s bad.

Time for a change flyers! Either the core goes or hakstol, it’s pretty simple. Coaching doesn’t help out the personnel and personnel doesn’t help the coaching

— Clint Surgeoner (@ClintSurge) November 22, 2018

Note: This is not my burner account.

You know what? Fuck it, get rid of Hextall and Hakstol and put Lombardi in charge. Hire Q of course, but Hextall is just as much to blame now as Hak.

— ReignInBlood

(@Flyers49ersGuy) November 22, 2018

For every day that goes by without a firing, this slowly becomes a "Hakstol is hurting this team" to a "Hextall and Hakstol hurting this team" thing. #FlyersTalk

— Chris Valentine (@lcvalent) November 22, 2018

It’s gonna be so fun when the flyers lose 10 games in a row for the second year in a row and hakstol still doesn’t get fired

— laura (@llxnne) November 22, 2018

I’ve always been defensive of Hakstol but this is just getting absolutely ridiculous

— Mark Murphy (@MARKmyWord116) November 22, 2018

Can't be the only one who doesn't want Jordan Weal in the lineup

— Hakstol Sucks (@BrianBertele) November 22, 2018

I hope the flyers get absolutely smashed tonight so Hextall can grow a fucking pair of balls and fire Hakstol. This team needs a major change.

— Patrick Janus (@jatpanus) November 22, 2018

Good job with the goalies, Hextall. I almost feel bad for Hakstol

— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) November 22, 2018

This is definitely something that Hextall has to take blame for. Definitely. He had two injured NHL goalies and a bunch of AHL goalies. What did he think was going to happen?

There is an identity problem as a whole as a franchise. When it comes down specifically to the players, they are just not getting done and not executing properly. I don’t think firing Hakstol automatically solves problems, but at this point something just needs to be done.

— Anthony (@AnthonyDiGrazio) November 22, 2018

Claude Giroux trying to single handedly save Hakstol’s job. #FireHakstol #Flyers pic.twitter.com/UCw4lfrKmN

— Steve Alikakos (@Stelios1974) November 22, 2018

More like when they lose tonight, tomorrow and the game after that, Hakstol will still be the coach and everyone but G will continue to play like they don't give a shit.

— bobby (@SukiHana) November 22, 2018

I liked the last part of Bobby’s tweet. It does seem like that sometimes. Not always… but sometimes.

the problems stem FAR beyond Hakstol, but he certainly isn't an innocent bystander in this mess https://t.co/VyeDC4qiN6

— Negative Dan The Flyera Fan (@DanTheFlyeraFan) November 22, 2018

And if our only defense of the man is “well he drafts well and can get the most from assets,” is there a tipping point where we look to make a change at GM? Do we trust him to hire a new head coach if he’s so adamantly behind Dave Hakstol? Tune in next time on Dragon Ball Z.

— Joshua Bright (@Ponti_flex_) November 22, 2018

@28CGiroux fourth straight loss…. care to move on yet? You and Hakstol?

— Geez (@likethepyramids) November 22, 2018

Unfair to put blame on Giroux. He plays his ass off. But hey, I understand the vitriol, even if it’s misguided.

#Flyers records at #Thanksgiving⁠ ⁠ the past 4 years under Dave Hakstol: 2018-19 9-10-2, 15th in the East 2017-18 8-9-5, 13th (made playoffs Lost to Penguins first round) 2016-17 9-9-3, 13th (missed playoffs) 2015-16 7-10-5,14th(made playoffs lost to caps 1st round) pic.twitter.com/5pBRMEm2YV

— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) November 22, 2018

What’s the definition of insanity?

Cat Nap

ZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

　 ∧_∧ Hakstol still employed? 　(　･ω･) 　 |　⊃／(＿＿_ ／└-(＿＿＿_／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

ZZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣

— vile_mennis (@vile_mennis) November 22, 2018

What’s Hakstol’s pregame ritual? Readings from James Joyce and viewings if Old Yeller?

— Walcraeb (@walcraeb) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone but Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall.

— Colin Moye (@JornadaDelColin) November 22, 2018

Thanks Colin!!

The longer Hakstol remains the head coach the more I start to feel Hexy and ownership don’t value winning and that should worry all @NHLFlyers fans..

— CJ Bond (@bondcjbond) November 22, 2018

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Hakstol has been terrible. It’s time to go.

— Rich (@richcapra) November 22, 2018

Oh… there it is…. I know someone would provide the answer. Thanks Rich!

But I agree Hakstol has to go…. we all remember what a college coach did to our football team.

— Cyle (@cap_018) November 22, 2018

Gotta love a vague Chip Kelly reference.

Let's be real, if they are 2 or 3 bad games from getting a coach fired, will 4-5 good games really make a difference, in the big picture? If Hextall thinks a decent run of games saves Hakstol's job, he's just delaying the inevitable.

— Brian (@Trizellini) November 22, 2018

Russ and I talked about this on Snow the Goalie a couple weeks ago. This is a fair point. If playing well for five games gets you back to mediocrity, is that a good enough reason to hold on to the coach?

Welcome to being a Flyers fan in the Dave Hakstol Era https://t.co/wAN5wZz4Rs

— Alex Littman (@Alitt30) November 22, 2018

The coolest thing that Hakstol has done is bridge the gap between analytics people and anti-analytics people. Both sides finally agree on something: this team is going nowhere under this coach.

— Brad Keffer (@brad_keffer) November 22, 2018

This really is true, isn’t it?

The Comcast Group needs to step in and fire the GM and coach. It’s clear Hextall thinks his agenda is working. There is a 3 time cup winning coach unemployed while Hakstol still has a job?!? This core has be together for 8 years now and produced nothing. Time for major changes.

— Steve Johnson (@TheSteveNoize) November 22, 2018

Comcast is the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST problem with the Flyers right now. I can’t stress that enough.

Hopefully the Rangers come in here and stomp us and the building is overrun with boos and "Fire Hakstol" chants……that humiliation on national TV might just be enough to make somebody do something……then again maybe not

— franko65 (@Raiderfrank65) November 22, 2018

It could get ugly tomorrow, especially if the Rangers score first.

this team is a fucking nightmare…. an absolute nightmare https://t.co/M3YzEv7jK8

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Yep Tyrell Goulbourne… that’s the answer the team needs. I’m done.

Happy Thanksgiving, Flyers fans. Don’t ever change.

For more Flyers coverage, be sure to check out our pregame and intermission shows “The Press Row Show” before and during home games via Facebook Live on the Crossing Broad Facebook page and Periscope via Anthony’s Twitter account. Also, listen to our Flyers podcast Snow the Goalie ([iTunes] [Google Play] [Stitcher] [RSS]), leave a 5 star review, and follow us on Twitter:@AntSanPhilly @JoyOnBroad

The post Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 appeared first on Crossing Broad.

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

0 notes

flauntpage · 5 years

Text

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2

NOW!

Not Christmas. Not the All-Star Break. Not the trade deadline.

NOW!

There is no longer time to wait for the Flyers do do something, anything to change the culture and identity of this team.

And if none of that happens, it can be done with a change in management.

But something has to happen, because what you saw, if you cared to watch, was possibly the worst period this season that resulted in a 5-2 loss in Buffalo Wednesday.

And it was a complete and utter failure by everyone from the top down.

Dave Hakstol knew it. He used his timeout nine minutes into the game. Of course the team was already trailing 3-0. And he was as animated as I’ve ever seen him on the bench laying into his players.

It didn’t matter… not until the second period at least.

But they were completely unprepared… again. Their penalty kill let up a goal… again. They have an AHL caliber goalie in net… again.

They deserve to be heard. The Flyers should definitely be listening.

And for the record, this is all from a Twitter search of the word “Hakstol.” I could be here all day if I wanted to search other Flyer-related words too. In chronological order:

This is on Hextall, and to a lesser extend Hakstol.

— Yo (@FlyGoalScoredBy) November 22, 2018

just heard a “Fire Hakstol'' scream… in Buffalo

— Sam Donnellon (@samdonnellon) November 22, 2018

I am convinced Dave Hakstol legitimately ignores coaching defense

— Kevin A (@Mister856) November 22, 2018

alex lyon you are not the goalie

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Can someone put some romaine lettuce in Dave Hakstol's lunch tomorrow?

— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) November 22, 2018

That one is just wrong Josh….. but it did make me laugh!

kindly launch every one of dave hakstol’s wakeboards into the sun plz

— 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 (@Doonbugs) November 22, 2018

I’m not sure if Mike Sielski ever knew what he would have wrought on this city with that Hakstol profile last summer. His story was sort of the Bizarro Gritty.

— Jordie

(@BarstoolJordie) November 22, 2018

— Chris Childress (@311child) November 22, 2018

When the patient get inpatient, you know it’s bad.

Time for a change flyers! Either the core goes or hakstol, it’s pretty simple. Coaching doesn’t help out the personnel and personnel doesn’t help the coaching

— Clint Surgeoner (@ClintSurge) November 22, 2018

Note: This is not my burner account.

You know what? Fuck it, get rid of Hextall and Hakstol and put Lombardi in charge. Hire Q of course, but Hextall is just as much to blame now as Hak.

— ReignInBlood

(@Flyers49ersGuy) November 22, 2018

For every day that goes by without a firing, this slowly becomes a "Hakstol is hurting this team" to a "Hextall and Hakstol hurting this team" thing. #FlyersTalk

— Chris Valentine (@lcvalent) November 22, 2018

It’s gonna be so fun when the flyers lose 10 games in a row for the second year in a row and hakstol still doesn’t get fired

— laura (@llxnne) November 22, 2018

I’ve always been defensive of Hakstol but this is just getting absolutely ridiculous

— Mark Murphy (@MARKmyWord116) November 22, 2018

Can't be the only one who doesn't want Jordan Weal in the lineup

— Hakstol Sucks (@BrianBertele) November 22, 2018

I hope the flyers get absolutely smashed tonight so Hextall can grow a fucking pair of balls and fire Hakstol. This team needs a major change.

— Patrick Janus (@jatpanus) November 22, 2018

Good job with the goalies, Hextall. I almost feel bad for Hakstol

— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) November 22, 2018

This is definitely something that Hextall has to take blame for. Definitely. He had two injured NHL goalies and a bunch of AHL goalies. What did he think was going to happen?

— Anthony (@AnthonyDiGrazio) November 22, 2018

Claude Giroux trying to single handedly save Hakstol’s job. #FireHakstol #Flyers pic.twitter.com/UCw4lfrKmN

— Steve Alikakos (@Stelios1974) November 22, 2018

More like when they lose tonight, tomorrow and the game after that, Hakstol will still be the coach and everyone but G will continue to play like they don't give a shit.

— bobby (@SukiHana) November 22, 2018

I liked the last part of Bobby’s tweet. It does seem like that sometimes. Not always… but sometimes.

the problems stem FAR beyond Hakstol, but he certainly isn't an innocent bystander in this mess https://t.co/VyeDC4qiN6

— Negative Dan The Flyera Fan (@DanTheFlyeraFan) November 22, 2018

— Joshua Bright (@Ponti_flex_) November 22, 2018

@28CGiroux fourth straight loss…. care to move on yet? You and Hakstol?

— Geez (@likethepyramids) November 22, 2018

Unfair to put blame on Giroux. He plays his ass off. But hey, I understand the vitriol, even if it’s misguided.

— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) November 22, 2018

What’s the definition of insanity?

Cat Nap

ZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

　 ∧_∧ Hakstol still employed? 　(　･ω･) 　 |　⊃／(＿＿_ ／└-(＿＿＿_／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

ZZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣

— vile_mennis (@vile_mennis) November 22, 2018

What’s Hakstol’s pregame ritual? Readings from James Joyce and viewings if Old Yeller?

— Walcraeb (@walcraeb) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone but Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall.

— Colin Moye (@JornadaDelColin) November 22, 2018

Thanks Colin!!

The longer Hakstol remains the head coach the more I start to feel Hexy and ownership don’t value winning and that should worry all @NHLFlyers fans..

— CJ Bond (@bondcjbond) November 22, 2018

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Hakstol has been terrible. It’s time to go.

— Rich (@richcapra) November 22, 2018

Oh… there it is…. I know someone would provide the answer. Thanks Rich!

But I agree Hakstol has to go…. we all remember what a college coach did to our football team.

— Cyle (@cap_018) November 22, 2018

Gotta love a vague Chip Kelly reference.

— Brian (@Trizellini) November 22, 2018

Welcome to being a Flyers fan in the Dave Hakstol Era https://t.co/wAN5wZz4Rs

— Alex Littman (@Alitt30) November 22, 2018

The coolest thing that Hakstol has done is bridge the gap between analytics people and anti-analytics people. Both sides finally agree on something: this team is going nowhere under this coach.

— Brad Keffer (@brad_keffer) November 22, 2018

This really is true, isn’t it?

— Steve Johnson (@TheSteveNoize) November 22, 2018

Comcast is the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST problem with the Flyers right now. I can’t stress that enough.

— franko65 (@Raiderfrank65) November 22, 2018

It could get ugly tomorrow, especially if the Rangers score first.

this team is a fucking nightmare…. an absolute nightmare https://t.co/M3YzEv7jK8

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Yep Tyrell Goulbourne… that’s the answer the team needs. I’m done.

Happy Thanksgiving, Flyers fans. Don’t ever change.

The post Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 appeared first on Crossing Broad.

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

0 notes

flauntpage · 5 years

Text

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2

NOW!

Not Christmas. Not the All-Star Break. Not the trade deadline.

NOW!

There is no longer time to wait for the Flyers do do something, anything to change the culture and identity of this team.

And if none of that happens, it can be done with a change in management.

But something has to happen, because what you saw, if you cared to watch, was possibly the worst period this season that resulted in a 5-2 loss in Buffalo Wednesday.

And it was a complete and utter failure by everyone from the top down.

Dave Hakstol knew it. He used his timeout nine minutes into the game. Of course the team was already trailing 3-0. And he was as animated as I’ve ever seen him on the bench laying into his players.

It didn’t matter… not until the second period at least.

But they were completely unprepared… again. Their penalty kill let up a goal… again. They have an AHL caliber goalie in net… again.

They deserve to be heard. The Flyers should definitely be listening.

And for the record, this is all from a Twitter search of the word “Hakstol.” I could be here all day if I wanted to search other Flyer-related words too. In chronological order:

This is on Hextall, and to a lesser extend Hakstol.

— Yo (@FlyGoalScoredBy) November 22, 2018

just heard a “Fire Hakstol'' scream… in Buffalo

— Sam Donnellon (@samdonnellon) November 22, 2018

I am convinced Dave Hakstol legitimately ignores coaching defense

— Kevin A (@Mister856) November 22, 2018

alex lyon you are not the goalie

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Can someone put some romaine lettuce in Dave Hakstol's lunch tomorrow?

— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) November 22, 2018

That one is just wrong Josh….. but it did make me laugh!

kindly launch every one of dave hakstol’s wakeboards into the sun plz

— 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 (@Doonbugs) November 22, 2018

I’m not sure if Mike Sielski ever knew what he would have wrought on this city with that Hakstol profile last summer. His story was sort of the Bizarro Gritty.

— Jordie

(@BarstoolJordie) November 22, 2018

— Chris Childress (@311child) November 22, 2018

When the patient get inpatient, you know it’s bad.

Time for a change flyers! Either the core goes or hakstol, it’s pretty simple. Coaching doesn’t help out the personnel and personnel doesn’t help the coaching

— Clint Surgeoner (@ClintSurge) November 22, 2018

Note: This is not my burner account.

You know what? Fuck it, get rid of Hextall and Hakstol and put Lombardi in charge. Hire Q of course, but Hextall is just as much to blame now as Hak.

— ReignInBlood

(@Flyers49ersGuy) November 22, 2018

For every day that goes by without a firing, this slowly becomes a "Hakstol is hurting this team" to a "Hextall and Hakstol hurting this team" thing. #FlyersTalk

— Chris Valentine (@lcvalent) November 22, 2018

It’s gonna be so fun when the flyers lose 10 games in a row for the second year in a row and hakstol still doesn’t get fired

— laura (@llxnne) November 22, 2018

I’ve always been defensive of Hakstol but this is just getting absolutely ridiculous

— Mark Murphy (@MARKmyWord116) November 22, 2018

Can't be the only one who doesn't want Jordan Weal in the lineup

— Hakstol Sucks (@BrianBertele) November 22, 2018

I hope the flyers get absolutely smashed tonight so Hextall can grow a fucking pair of balls and fire Hakstol. This team needs a major change.

— Patrick Janus (@jatpanus) November 22, 2018

Good job with the goalies, Hextall. I almost feel bad for Hakstol

— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) November 22, 2018

This is definitely something that Hextall has to take blame for. Definitely. He had two injured NHL goalies and a bunch of AHL goalies. What did he think was going to happen?

— Anthony (@AnthonyDiGrazio) November 22, 2018

Claude Giroux trying to single handedly save Hakstol’s job. #FireHakstol #Flyers pic.twitter.com/UCw4lfrKmN

— Steve Alikakos (@Stelios1974) November 22, 2018

More like when they lose tonight, tomorrow and the game after that, Hakstol will still be the coach and everyone but G will continue to play like they don't give a shit.

— bobby (@SukiHana) November 22, 2018

I liked the last part of Bobby’s tweet. It does seem like that sometimes. Not always… but sometimes.

the problems stem FAR beyond Hakstol, but he certainly isn't an innocent bystander in this mess https://t.co/VyeDC4qiN6

— Negative Dan The Flyera Fan (@DanTheFlyeraFan) November 22, 2018

— Joshua Bright (@Ponti_flex_) November 22, 2018

@28CGiroux fourth straight loss…. care to move on yet? You and Hakstol?

— Geez (@likethepyramids) November 22, 2018

Unfair to put blame on Giroux. He plays his ass off. But hey, I understand the vitriol, even if it’s misguided.

— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) November 22, 2018

What’s the definition of insanity?

Cat Nap

ZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

　 ∧_∧ Hakstol still employed? 　(　･ω･) 　 |　⊃／(＿＿_ ／└-(＿＿＿_／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

ZZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣

— vile_mennis (@vile_mennis) November 22, 2018

What’s Hakstol’s pregame ritual? Readings from James Joyce and viewings if Old Yeller?

— Walcraeb (@walcraeb) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone but Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall.

— Colin Moye (@JornadaDelColin) November 22, 2018

Thanks Colin!!

The longer Hakstol remains the head coach the more I start to feel Hexy and ownership don’t value winning and that should worry all @NHLFlyers fans..

— CJ Bond (@bondcjbond) November 22, 2018

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Hakstol has been terrible. It’s time to go.

— Rich (@richcapra) November 22, 2018

Oh… there it is…. I know someone would provide the answer. Thanks Rich!

But I agree Hakstol has to go…. we all remember what a college coach did to our football team.

— Cyle (@cap_018) November 22, 2018

Gotta love a vague Chip Kelly reference.

— Brian (@Trizellini) November 22, 2018

Welcome to being a Flyers fan in the Dave Hakstol Era https://t.co/wAN5wZz4Rs

— Alex Littman (@Alitt30) November 22, 2018

The coolest thing that Hakstol has done is bridge the gap between analytics people and anti-analytics people. Both sides finally agree on something: this team is going nowhere under this coach.

— Brad Keffer (@brad_keffer) November 22, 2018

This really is true, isn’t it?

— Steve Johnson (@TheSteveNoize) November 22, 2018

Comcast is the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST problem with the Flyers right now. I can’t stress that enough.

— franko65 (@Raiderfrank65) November 22, 2018

It could get ugly tomorrow, especially if the Rangers score first.

this team is a fucking nightmare…. an absolute nightmare https://t.co/M3YzEv7jK8

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Yep Tyrell Goulbourne… that’s the answer the team needs. I’m done.

Happy Thanksgiving, Flyers fans. Don’t ever change.

The post Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 appeared first on Crossing Broad.

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

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flauntpage · 5 years

Text

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2

NOW!

Not Christmas. Not the All-Star Break. Not the trade deadline.

NOW!

There is no longer time to wait for the Flyers do do something, anything to change the culture and identity of this team.

And if none of that happens, it can be done with a change in management.

But something has to happen, because what you saw, if you cared to watch, was possibly the worst period this season that resulted in a 5-2 loss in Buffalo Wednesday.

And it was a complete and utter failure by everyone from the top down.

Dave Hakstol knew it. He used his timeout nine minutes into the game. Of course the team was already trailing 3-0. And he was as animated as I’ve ever seen him on the bench laying into his players.

It didn’t matter… not until the second period at least.

But they were completely unprepared… again. Their penalty kill let up a goal… again. They have an AHL caliber goalie in net… again.

They deserve to be heard. The Flyers should definitely be listening.

And for the record, this is all from a Twitter search of the word “Hakstol.” I could be here all day if I wanted to search other Flyer-related words too. In chronological order:

This is on Hextall, and to a lesser extend Hakstol.

— Yo (@FlyGoalScoredBy) November 22, 2018

just heard a “Fire Hakstol'' scream… in Buffalo

— Sam Donnellon (@samdonnellon) November 22, 2018

I am convinced Dave Hakstol legitimately ignores coaching defense

— Kevin A (@Mister856) November 22, 2018

alex lyon you are not the goalie

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Can someone put some romaine lettuce in Dave Hakstol's lunch tomorrow?

— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) November 22, 2018

That one is just wrong Josh….. but it did make me laugh!

kindly launch every one of dave hakstol’s wakeboards into the sun plz

— 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 (@Doonbugs) November 22, 2018

I’m not sure if Mike Sielski ever knew what he would have wrought on this city with that Hakstol profile last summer. His story was sort of the Bizarro Gritty.

— Jordie

(@BarstoolJordie) November 22, 2018

— Chris Childress (@311child) November 22, 2018

When the patient get inpatient, you know it’s bad.

Time for a change flyers! Either the core goes or hakstol, it’s pretty simple. Coaching doesn’t help out the personnel and personnel doesn’t help the coaching

— Clint Surgeoner (@ClintSurge) November 22, 2018

Note: This is not my burner account.

You know what? Fuck it, get rid of Hextall and Hakstol and put Lombardi in charge. Hire Q of course, but Hextall is just as much to blame now as Hak.

— ReignInBlood

(@Flyers49ersGuy) November 22, 2018

For every day that goes by without a firing, this slowly becomes a "Hakstol is hurting this team" to a "Hextall and Hakstol hurting this team" thing. #FlyersTalk

— Chris Valentine (@lcvalent) November 22, 2018

It’s gonna be so fun when the flyers lose 10 games in a row for the second year in a row and hakstol still doesn’t get fired

— laura (@llxnne) November 22, 2018

I’ve always been defensive of Hakstol but this is just getting absolutely ridiculous

— Mark Murphy (@MARKmyWord116) November 22, 2018

Can't be the only one who doesn't want Jordan Weal in the lineup

— Hakstol Sucks (@BrianBertele) November 22, 2018

I hope the flyers get absolutely smashed tonight so Hextall can grow a fucking pair of balls and fire Hakstol. This team needs a major change.

— Patrick Janus (@jatpanus) November 22, 2018

Good job with the goalies, Hextall. I almost feel bad for Hakstol

— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) November 22, 2018

This is definitely something that Hextall has to take blame for. Definitely. He had two injured NHL goalies and a bunch of AHL goalies. What did he think was going to happen?

— Anthony (@AnthonyDiGrazio) November 22, 2018

Claude Giroux trying to single handedly save Hakstol’s job. #FireHakstol #Flyers pic.twitter.com/UCw4lfrKmN

— Steve Alikakos (@Stelios1974) November 22, 2018

More like when they lose tonight, tomorrow and the game after that, Hakstol will still be the coach and everyone but G will continue to play like they don't give a shit.

— bobby (@SukiHana) November 22, 2018

I liked the last part of Bobby’s tweet. It does seem like that sometimes. Not always… but sometimes.

the problems stem FAR beyond Hakstol, but he certainly isn't an innocent bystander in this mess https://t.co/VyeDC4qiN6

— Negative Dan The Flyera Fan (@DanTheFlyeraFan) November 22, 2018

— Joshua Bright (@Ponti_flex_) November 22, 2018

@28CGiroux fourth straight loss…. care to move on yet? You and Hakstol?

— Geez (@likethepyramids) November 22, 2018

Unfair to put blame on Giroux. He plays his ass off. But hey, I understand the vitriol, even if it’s misguided.

— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) November 22, 2018

What’s the definition of insanity?

Cat Nap

ZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

　 ∧_∧ Hakstol still employed? 　(　･ω･) 　 |　⊃／(＿＿_ ／└-(＿＿＿_／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

ZZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣

— vile_mennis (@vile_mennis) November 22, 2018

What’s Hakstol’s pregame ritual? Readings from James Joyce and viewings if Old Yeller?

— Walcraeb (@walcraeb) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone but Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall.

— Colin Moye (@JornadaDelColin) November 22, 2018

Thanks Colin!!

The longer Hakstol remains the head coach the more I start to feel Hexy and ownership don’t value winning and that should worry all @NHLFlyers fans..

— CJ Bond (@bondcjbond) November 22, 2018

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Hakstol has been terrible. It’s time to go.

— Rich (@richcapra) November 22, 2018

Oh… there it is…. I know someone would provide the answer. Thanks Rich!

But I agree Hakstol has to go…. we all remember what a college coach did to our football team.

— Cyle (@cap_018) November 22, 2018

Gotta love a vague Chip Kelly reference.

— Brian (@Trizellini) November 22, 2018

Welcome to being a Flyers fan in the Dave Hakstol Era https://t.co/wAN5wZz4Rs

— Alex Littman (@Alitt30) November 22, 2018

The coolest thing that Hakstol has done is bridge the gap between analytics people and anti-analytics people. Both sides finally agree on something: this team is going nowhere under this coach.

— Brad Keffer (@brad_keffer) November 22, 2018

This really is true, isn’t it?

— Steve Johnson (@TheSteveNoize) November 22, 2018

Comcast is the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST problem with the Flyers right now. I can’t stress that enough.

— franko65 (@Raiderfrank65) November 22, 2018

It could get ugly tomorrow, especially if the Rangers score first.

this team is a fucking nightmare…. an absolute nightmare https://t.co/M3YzEv7jK8

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Yep Tyrell Goulbourne… that’s the answer the team needs. I’m done.

Happy Thanksgiving, Flyers fans. Don’t ever change.

The post Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 appeared first on Crossing Broad.

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

0 notes

flauntpage · 5 years

Text

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2

NOW!

Not Christmas. Not the All-Star Break. Not the trade deadline.

NOW!

There is no longer time to wait for the Flyers do do something, anything to change the culture and identity of this team.

And if none of that happens, it can be done with a change in management.

But something has to happen, because what you saw, if you cared to watch, was possibly the worst period this season that resulted in a 5-2 loss in Buffalo Wednesday.

And it was a complete and utter failure by everyone from the top down.

Dave Hakstol knew it. He used his timeout nine minutes into the game. Of course the team was already trailing 3-0. And he was as animated as I’ve ever seen him on the bench laying into his players.

It didn’t matter… not until the second period at least.

But they were completely unprepared… again. Their penalty kill let up a goal… again. They have an AHL caliber goalie in net… again.

They deserve to be heard. The Flyers should definitely be listening.

And for the record, this is all from a Twitter search of the word “Hakstol.” I could be here all day if I wanted to search other Flyer-related words too. In chronological order:

This is on Hextall, and to a lesser extend Hakstol.

— Yo (@FlyGoalScoredBy) November 22, 2018

just heard a “Fire Hakstol'' scream… in Buffalo

— Sam Donnellon (@samdonnellon) November 22, 2018

I am convinced Dave Hakstol legitimately ignores coaching defense

— Kevin A (@Mister856) November 22, 2018

alex lyon you are not the goalie

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Can someone put some romaine lettuce in Dave Hakstol's lunch tomorrow?

— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) November 22, 2018

That one is just wrong Josh….. but it did make me laugh!

kindly launch every one of dave hakstol’s wakeboards into the sun plz

— 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 (@Doonbugs) November 22, 2018

I’m not sure if Mike Sielski ever knew what he would have wrought on this city with that Hakstol profile last summer. His story was sort of the Bizarro Gritty.

— Jordie

(@BarstoolJordie) November 22, 2018

— Chris Childress (@311child) November 22, 2018

When the patient get inpatient, you know it’s bad.

Time for a change flyers! Either the core goes or hakstol, it’s pretty simple. Coaching doesn’t help out the personnel and personnel doesn’t help the coaching

— Clint Surgeoner (@ClintSurge) November 22, 2018

Note: This is not my burner account.

You know what? Fuck it, get rid of Hextall and Hakstol and put Lombardi in charge. Hire Q of course, but Hextall is just as much to blame now as Hak.

— ReignInBlood

(@Flyers49ersGuy) November 22, 2018

For every day that goes by without a firing, this slowly becomes a "Hakstol is hurting this team" to a "Hextall and Hakstol hurting this team" thing. #FlyersTalk

— Chris Valentine (@lcvalent) November 22, 2018

It’s gonna be so fun when the flyers lose 10 games in a row for the second year in a row and hakstol still doesn’t get fired

— laura (@llxnne) November 22, 2018

I’ve always been defensive of Hakstol but this is just getting absolutely ridiculous

— Mark Murphy (@MARKmyWord116) November 22, 2018

Can't be the only one who doesn't want Jordan Weal in the lineup

— Hakstol Sucks (@BrianBertele) November 22, 2018

I hope the flyers get absolutely smashed tonight so Hextall can grow a fucking pair of balls and fire Hakstol. This team needs a major change.

— Patrick Janus (@jatpanus) November 22, 2018

Good job with the goalies, Hextall. I almost feel bad for Hakstol

— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) November 22, 2018

This is definitely something that Hextall has to take blame for. Definitely. He had two injured NHL goalies and a bunch of AHL goalies. What did he think was going to happen?

— Anthony (@AnthonyDiGrazio) November 22, 2018

Claude Giroux trying to single handedly save Hakstol’s job. #FireHakstol #Flyers pic.twitter.com/UCw4lfrKmN

— Steve Alikakos (@Stelios1974) November 22, 2018

More like when they lose tonight, tomorrow and the game after that, Hakstol will still be the coach and everyone but G will continue to play like they don't give a shit.

— bobby (@SukiHana) November 22, 2018

I liked the last part of Bobby’s tweet. It does seem like that sometimes. Not always… but sometimes.

the problems stem FAR beyond Hakstol, but he certainly isn't an innocent bystander in this mess https://t.co/VyeDC4qiN6

— Negative Dan The Flyera Fan (@DanTheFlyeraFan) November 22, 2018

— Joshua Bright (@Ponti_flex_) November 22, 2018

@28CGiroux fourth straight loss…. care to move on yet? You and Hakstol?

— Geez (@likethepyramids) November 22, 2018

Unfair to put blame on Giroux. He plays his ass off. But hey, I understand the vitriol, even if it’s misguided.

— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) November 22, 2018

What’s the definition of insanity?

Cat Nap

ZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

　 ∧_∧ Hakstol still employed? 　(　･ω･) 　 |　⊃／(＿＿_ ／└-(＿＿＿_／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

ZZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣

— vile_mennis (@vile_mennis) November 22, 2018

What’s Hakstol’s pregame ritual? Readings from James Joyce and viewings if Old Yeller?

— Walcraeb (@walcraeb) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone but Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall.

— Colin Moye (@JornadaDelColin) November 22, 2018

Thanks Colin!!

The longer Hakstol remains the head coach the more I start to feel Hexy and ownership don’t value winning and that should worry all @NHLFlyers fans..

— CJ Bond (@bondcjbond) November 22, 2018

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Hakstol has been terrible. It’s time to go.

— Rich (@richcapra) November 22, 2018

Oh… there it is…. I know someone would provide the answer. Thanks Rich!

But I agree Hakstol has to go…. we all remember what a college coach did to our football team.

— Cyle (@cap_018) November 22, 2018

Gotta love a vague Chip Kelly reference.

— Brian (@Trizellini) November 22, 2018

Welcome to being a Flyers fan in the Dave Hakstol Era https://t.co/wAN5wZz4Rs

— Alex Littman (@Alitt30) November 22, 2018

The coolest thing that Hakstol has done is bridge the gap between analytics people and anti-analytics people. Both sides finally agree on something: this team is going nowhere under this coach.

— Brad Keffer (@brad_keffer) November 22, 2018

This really is true, isn’t it?

— Steve Johnson (@TheSteveNoize) November 22, 2018

Comcast is the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST problem with the Flyers right now. I can’t stress that enough.

— franko65 (@Raiderfrank65) November 22, 2018

It could get ugly tomorrow, especially if the Rangers score first.

this team is a fucking nightmare…. an absolute nightmare https://t.co/M3YzEv7jK8

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Yep Tyrell Goulbourne… that’s the answer the team needs. I’m done.

Happy Thanksgiving, Flyers fans. Don’t ever change.

The post Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 appeared first on Crossing Broad.

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

0 notes

flauntpage · 5 years

Text

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2

NOW!

Not Christmas. Not the All-Star Break. Not the trade deadline.

NOW!

There is no longer time to wait for the Flyers do do something, anything to change the culture and identity of this team.

And if none of that happens, it can be done with a change in management.

But something has to happen, because what you saw, if you cared to watch, was possibly the worst period this season that resulted in a 5-2 loss in Buffalo Wednesday.

And it was a complete and utter failure by everyone from the top down.

Dave Hakstol knew it. He used his timeout nine minutes into the game. Of course the team was already trailing 3-0. And he was as animated as I’ve ever seen him on the bench laying into his players.

It didn’t matter… not until the second period at least.

But they were completely unprepared… again. Their penalty kill let up a goal… again. They have an AHL caliber goalie in net… again.

They deserve to be heard. The Flyers should definitely be listening.

And for the record, this is all from a Twitter search of the word “Hakstol.” I could be here all day if I wanted to search other Flyer-related words too. In chronological order:

This is on Hextall, and to a lesser extend Hakstol.

— Yo (@FlyGoalScoredBy) November 22, 2018

just heard a “Fire Hakstol'' scream… in Buffalo

— Sam Donnellon (@samdonnellon) November 22, 2018

I am convinced Dave Hakstol legitimately ignores coaching defense

— Kevin A (@Mister856) November 22, 2018

alex lyon you are not the goalie

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Can someone put some romaine lettuce in Dave Hakstol's lunch tomorrow?

— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) November 22, 2018

That one is just wrong Josh….. but it did make me laugh!

kindly launch every one of dave hakstol’s wakeboards into the sun plz

— 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 (@Doonbugs) November 22, 2018

I’m not sure if Mike Sielski ever knew what he would have wrought on this city with that Hakstol profile last summer. His story was sort of the Bizarro Gritty.

— Jordie

(@BarstoolJordie) November 22, 2018

— Chris Childress (@311child) November 22, 2018

When the patient get inpatient, you know it’s bad.

Time for a change flyers! Either the core goes or hakstol, it’s pretty simple. Coaching doesn’t help out the personnel and personnel doesn’t help the coaching

— Clint Surgeoner (@ClintSurge) November 22, 2018

Note: This is not my burner account.

You know what? Fuck it, get rid of Hextall and Hakstol and put Lombardi in charge. Hire Q of course, but Hextall is just as much to blame now as Hak.

— ReignInBlood

(@Flyers49ersGuy) November 22, 2018

For every day that goes by without a firing, this slowly becomes a "Hakstol is hurting this team" to a "Hextall and Hakstol hurting this team" thing. #FlyersTalk

— Chris Valentine (@lcvalent) November 22, 2018

It’s gonna be so fun when the flyers lose 10 games in a row for the second year in a row and hakstol still doesn’t get fired

— laura (@llxnne) November 22, 2018

I’ve always been defensive of Hakstol but this is just getting absolutely ridiculous

— Mark Murphy (@MARKmyWord116) November 22, 2018

Can't be the only one who doesn't want Jordan Weal in the lineup

— Hakstol Sucks (@BrianBertele) November 22, 2018

I hope the flyers get absolutely smashed tonight so Hextall can grow a fucking pair of balls and fire Hakstol. This team needs a major change.

— Patrick Janus (@jatpanus) November 22, 2018

Good job with the goalies, Hextall. I almost feel bad for Hakstol

— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) November 22, 2018

This is definitely something that Hextall has to take blame for. Definitely. He had two injured NHL goalies and a bunch of AHL goalies. What did he think was going to happen?

— Anthony (@AnthonyDiGrazio) November 22, 2018

Claude Giroux trying to single handedly save Hakstol’s job. #FireHakstol #Flyers pic.twitter.com/UCw4lfrKmN

— Steve Alikakos (@Stelios1974) November 22, 2018

More like when they lose tonight, tomorrow and the game after that, Hakstol will still be the coach and everyone but G will continue to play like they don't give a shit.

— bobby (@SukiHana) November 22, 2018

I liked the last part of Bobby’s tweet. It does seem like that sometimes. Not always… but sometimes.

the problems stem FAR beyond Hakstol, but he certainly isn't an innocent bystander in this mess https://t.co/VyeDC4qiN6

— Negative Dan The Flyera Fan (@DanTheFlyeraFan) November 22, 2018

— Joshua Bright (@Ponti_flex_) November 22, 2018

@28CGiroux fourth straight loss…. care to move on yet? You and Hakstol?

— Geez (@likethepyramids) November 22, 2018

Unfair to put blame on Giroux. He plays his ass off. But hey, I understand the vitriol, even if it’s misguided.

— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) November 22, 2018

What’s the definition of insanity?

Cat Nap

ZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

　 ∧_∧ Hakstol still employed? 　(　･ω･) 　 |　⊃／(＿＿_ ／└-(＿＿＿_／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

ZZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣

— vile_mennis (@vile_mennis) November 22, 2018

What’s Hakstol’s pregame ritual? Readings from James Joyce and viewings if Old Yeller?

— Walcraeb (@walcraeb) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone but Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall.

— Colin Moye (@JornadaDelColin) November 22, 2018

Thanks Colin!!

The longer Hakstol remains the head coach the more I start to feel Hexy and ownership don’t value winning and that should worry all @NHLFlyers fans..

— CJ Bond (@bondcjbond) November 22, 2018

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Hakstol has been terrible. It’s time to go.

— Rich (@richcapra) November 22, 2018

Oh… there it is…. I know someone would provide the answer. Thanks Rich!

But I agree Hakstol has to go…. we all remember what a college coach did to our football team.

— Cyle (@cap_018) November 22, 2018

Gotta love a vague Chip Kelly reference.

— Brian (@Trizellini) November 22, 2018

Welcome to being a Flyers fan in the Dave Hakstol Era https://t.co/wAN5wZz4Rs

— Alex Littman (@Alitt30) November 22, 2018

The coolest thing that Hakstol has done is bridge the gap between analytics people and anti-analytics people. Both sides finally agree on something: this team is going nowhere under this coach.

— Brad Keffer (@brad_keffer) November 22, 2018

This really is true, isn’t it?

— Steve Johnson (@TheSteveNoize) November 22, 2018

Comcast is the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST problem with the Flyers right now. I can’t stress that enough.

— franko65 (@Raiderfrank65) November 22, 2018

It could get ugly tomorrow, especially if the Rangers score first.

this team is a fucking nightmare…. an absolute nightmare https://t.co/M3YzEv7jK8

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Yep Tyrell Goulbourne… that’s the answer the team needs. I’m done.

Happy Thanksgiving, Flyers fans. Don’t ever change.

The post Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 appeared first on Crossing Broad.

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

0 notes

flauntpage · 5 years

Text

The Kill is Alive: Thoughts after Flyers 2, Predators 1

The phrase being tossed around this week is that the Flyers “are fun again.”

Two home wins following the firing of a coach who was publicly maligned for more than two years by the fans and starting the heir apparent, a 20-year-old rookie goalie, who the same fans have been screaming for will bring about that feeling.

And to be fair to the Flyers, they have played two solid games, most notably on the defensive side. Yes, Carter Hart has done a fine job in goal, but more so because he’s been able to make more routine saves that many other goalies the Flyers have trotted out this season.

No, instead of focusing on Hart, the real change has been the Flyers playing more soundly in their own end. They’ve improved their breakout. They haven’t alarmingly turned the puck over in the past two games like they did so often in the previous 30 games.

Winning both games helps, too, because it also energizes the fan base into thinking they were right all along and that the problem was the coach and the fact that Hart wasn’t on the team.

If you want to believe that, fine. Go nuts. It’s not accurate, even if it has played out that way for two games.

There are other factors, like Detroit, the team they beat Tuesday, being pretty terrible. And Nashville, the team the Flyers upset Thursday, playing without a couple key players.

But that’s the nature of the sport. Good teams take advantage of those breaks in their schedule and while it’s likely too soon to call the Flyers a good team, they certainly did take advantage of those breaks.

But there’s something else that is vastly improved about this hockey team, and it’s something that began well before Hart’s arrival and well before Dave Hakstol was fired, and it’s the No. 1 reason they were able to stave off the Predators on Thursday.

Find out what it is after the jump:

A suddenly stingy penalty kill

There was a time this season when the Flyers were on pace to be historically bad at killing penalties. Through the first 21 games, the Flyers penalty kill was only successful 68.5 percent of the time. It was a pace that, if maintained over the course of an entire season, would have resulted in the worst penalty kill percentage since the NHL started tracking that statistic in 1979-80.

Yeah, it was that bad.

But since then, which coincided with Thanksgiving, the Flyers have done a complete 180.

Yes, it’s a small sample size, but in the 12 games since, the Flyers penalty kill has allowed just five goals on 38 chances, killing off penalties at an 86.8 percent clip.

Consider that three of those goals allowed came in a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Winnipeg, that means the Flyers have allowed a total of only three power play goals against in the other 11 games.

Assistant coach Ian Laperriere has been a target of the fans’ ire for much of the past two seasons because of the ineptitude of the penalty kill. It’s hard to say those outcries by the fans weren’t justified.

But just as he’s deservedly been the scapegoat for the penalty kill’s failings, he also needs to be recognized in a positive manner for finding a fix to this long-standing problem with the team – even if it’s only been a temporary one.

The Flyers killed off all six of Nashville’s power play chances Thursday. And while not having P.K. Subban manning the point or three of their top five goal scorers (Filip Forsberg, Colton Sissions, Viktor Arvidsson) in the lineup likely crippled Nashville some, the way the Flyers competed on the kill was still impressive.

“Our PK hasn’t been the best during the season, but I think during the last 10 games it has been a lot better,” said Robert Hagg. “I don’t know how many PKs we had, but every single guy that was on the ice did a hell of a good job.

“It’s all about the small details and I think we play with more pressure now than we did 10 games ago. We’re trying not to let them set up inside the zone, and I think that’s the biggest thing. … But you need to block shots, that’s what everybody in this room is saying, we need to keep doing that to be successful.”

As a whole, the Flyers blocked 23 in the game against the Predators. Hagg and Travis Sanheim led the way with five each, although 13 of the Flyers’ 18 skaters were credited with at least one block.

But never were they more important than on a two-minute, two-man shorthanded situation.

Late in the second period, the Flyers took three successive penalties. Wayne Simmonds wiped out the end of a power play with a chintzy hooking call. Radko Gudas was then whistled for delay of game which was immediately followed up by a high-sticking call on Andrew MacDonald that never made it above the top of the Predators logo on Kevin Fiala’s chest. However, Fiala sold it well, and the Flyers faced a daunting task.

With Ivan Provorov already off the ice with a misconduct (more on that in a bit) and Gudas and McDonald in the box, Coach Scott Gordon had little left in the way of options to kill off the two-minute penalty other than Sanheim and Hagg. Yeah, Shayne Gostisbehere was available, but he’s not reliable enough defensively to kill a penalty at 5-on-4, let alone 5-on-3, so it was the two second-year defenseman and Sean Couturier who coach Scott Gordon turned to and, well, they delivered:

youtube

(video courtesy of Charlie O’Connor at The Athletic)

Sanheim (21:58) and Hagg (20:59) were the top two minutes guys among the Flyers defensemen and they combined for more than 10 minutes of ice time while shorthanded.

Couturier also shows why he is an elite defensive forward on this kill. And it energized the building, as any good penalty kill in a one-goal game can – but when you are doing it two-men down for two minutes… that’s something else entirely.

Speaking of Sanheim

He’s arguably the Flyers best defenseman right now. Again, I know there are fans who have been screaming this for two years – that he should play more, that Hakstol stunted his growth, yada, yada, yada. But the fact is, he needed to be put on this path. He needed to develop with a little more nurturing. He needed to build confidence a little more slowly than some other players. That’s all O.K.

And if you think it was Hakstol who was stunting him, you’re fooling yourself. I asked Scott Gordon about Sanheim’s development, and this is what he had to say:

“In Travis’ first three months in Lehigh (in 2016-17) he was keeping both teams in it, that was his biggest adjustment. By December he was a little more responsible defensively and picking his spots better to jump up into the play.

“He plays that first year and no matter how much you learn and get better in the American League, there’s always going to be another adjustment in the NHL. Players are bigger, stronger, faster and decisions have to be made quicker. You can’t replicate that in the American League.

“So, he had some growing pains last year. But this year, you started to see him score a couple goals. He’s getting up into the play more. That’s a strength of his. Somewhere along the way on this most recent road trip (Assistant Coach Rick Wilson) started mixing up the D pairs and wanted to try some different things. When I got here, his recommendation was to play Sanheim with Provy.

“Obviously if you play with Provy you are going to get more ice time, and when you are a big body like that you’re going get some ice time on the penalty kill. And your minutes are going to go up, and, now he’s getting time against the other team’s top lines.

“With all that being said, he’s got to do the right things to deserve that opportunity and he has. Some of it is simplification. There was one play in the third period on the far side where he didn’t have anything and he threw it off the glass and he lives to play another day. He lives to play another shift. You know what I mean?

“Sometimes, when you are a young player you always think you can make a play and that was just one instance of his maturity as a player, recognizing the situation and identifying the fact that ‘I don’t have anything,’ get it out in the neutral zone, let a forecheck happen. Get in my gap and defend. That’s something the best defensemen do – they don’t beat themselves.”

There’s a lot to unpack here.

I love the way Gordon gives you a detailed, thoughtful answer. This is bountiful with information and really gives you honest perspective.

Speaking of which, I love the quip that Sanheim’s problem was he would “keep both teams in the game.” In other words, he was superior offensively but he often made bad decisions that would cost his team, and he needed to learn not to do that.

He identified that getting going offensively is what Sanheim needed this year to really spike his confidence.

That working with Rick Wilson is already paying dividends for Sanheim.

That Gordon, ever the teacher, identified an innocuous clearing play in the third period as a seminal moment for Sanheim’s development. Never mind that the guy, who rarely plays on the penalty kill, helped author a textbook kill of a two-minute, two-man disadvantage, the clearing play off the glass rather than risking a turnover is what was most impressive.

Overall, that Sanheim is earning his promotion to the top pairing and his bigger minutes.

And yet, that this is a shining example of a good, patient process for a young player playing out before our eyes.

I also had an opportunity to talk to Sanheim one-on-one after the game. Here’s how that went:

Q: You haven’t been asked to play a lot of PK this season, and then tonight, you were called into duty. Can you talk about jumping into that role and then being out there for the entire 5-on-3?

“Last year when I was sent down to the American League (Gordon) would leave me out on the penalty kill for the entire two minutes. So, I’m familiar with the situation and being able to kill penalties. It was something different for me this season, yes, but it wasn’t just me out there. Hagg and Coots deserve full credit, too.”

Q: You had to know with three defensemen in the box and with Ghost not playing on the kill that you guys were probably going to have to play the full two minutes, right?

“It’s not something that I was really thinking about to tell the truth. It was just that ‘next man up’ mentality, really. I just wanted to step up to the challenge. Hagg did, too. He had three or four blocks on that one kill alone. Credit to him for doing that. It made it easy for me.”

Q: Good that you were able to get a breather in there when Scott called the timeout too?

“He came down the bench to talk to us and see how we were feeling. He asked us if we thought he should take the timeout. I said that if he was willing to use it there that it would be a good time. It was nice to get the rest there for 30 seconds and then be able to go right back out there.”

Q: It’s no secret that confidence is a big thing for you and that you’ve been playing with a lot of it lately. Does being able to help the team win in this way – through defensive posture more so than your offensive ability – just add to that growing confidence?

“Yeah, I think so. Anytime you get to play in all situations you feel like you are contributing more to the team. That said, it doesn’t matter how many minutes I’m playing, I’m there to help the team win hockey games, but in the end, I’m going to do everything I can for however many minutes I play to do just that.”

Now, while the penalty kill was the key thing to focus on in this win, and I spent an inordinate number of words writing about it, there are some other things that I have to touch on before getting out of here, so:

MISCELLANEOUS STUFF

Provorov is damn lucky:

Why Provorov got a 10-minute misconduct. pic.twitter.com/5pF8QBypIP

— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) December 21, 2018

This kind of action usually results in a match penalty and a game misconduct. In that instance, there is an automatic 10-game suspension. No hearing. No negotiation. 10 games. Out. But, by getting only a 10-minute misconduct, he will likely avoid that significant suspension. I expect a fine of some sort… but that’s it. Big break for Provy and the Flyers.

The non-call on Sean Couturier

I took abuse from Twitter for saying I agree with the referee in not calling this a penalty. I will say that I wouldn’t have been shocked if it was called a penalty, but this is far closer to a borderline call/non-call than it is a blatant and egregious boarding:

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It looks worse at full speed and from the wide angle than it really is. The angle to pay attention to is the one from behind the net. The referee isn’t wrong that Couturier turned away from the check and that he does reach out to brace himself on the hit. Usually, those two things prevent a boarding call unless the skater takes several strides to hit a player from behind with force, which Ryan Johansson does not do in this instance.

I talked to Coots privately after the game, and while I won’t quote him specifically because I didn’t have my recorder on at the time, here are some things that he said:

He’s fine. He doesn’t have a concussion. However, he was mad that he had to go to the quiet room to get checked for a concussion on a play that there was no penalty. If an off ice official was concerned for his health on a hit, then maybe the hit wasn’t good.

He admitted he turned into the boards, but said he did so to protect the puck.

He didn’t feel it was a major penalty, but thought it should have been a minor for two reasons. The first being that Johansson was not right on him, but took a stride before making contact. The second being they had just called a penalty on the Flyers for a high hit (Scott Laughton) and an earlier high stick on Andrew MacDonald (which wasn’t a high stick) was the result of Kevin Fiala throwing his head back. His thought process was if those were penalties than this should have been too.

I get the argument. And like I said, I wouldn’t have been screaming about an injustice for Nashville if the penalty was called. But, by the book – and not that the book is always right – this was a 50/50 judgment call and the ref went with the judgment that it wasn’t a penalty. I can’t disagree with that rationale.

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flauntpage · 6 years

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Not as Bad as it Seemed: Takeaways from Avalanche 5, Flyers 2

Flyers Twitter is my favorite place to go when I’m looking for a sports-related laugh.

During and following the team’s 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche Saturday night, the social media platform was ablaze with the same old complaints about the team – bad coaching, turnovers, questioning Andrew MacDonald’s existence, etc.

It was a far cry from the abject elation that was emanating from Twitter following a solid 5-2 win in Vegas on opening night Thursday.

On that night, the Flyers were going to be a chic pick to go far in the playoffs, their depth was being praised, the growth of their young talent was being praised, and all was right with the world.

The difference between winning and losing certainly brings out the extremes in the schizophrenic world of Philadelphia hockey.

I’m about to make it a little more confusing for you:

The Flyers actually played a really good game against the Avalanche, and at times, were actually better than they were against Vegas.

Yeah, their mistakes were more magnified because they either resulted in goals against or incredibly high percentage chances that Brian Elliott was forced to be superhuman and keep out of the net, but the Flyers really had good flow. They skated with a very fast Colorado team. The Flyers breakouts were mostly good. Their 5-on-5 play was really good after an uneven first period. The No. 1 power play didn’t score, but it looked really good. The penalty kill was OK – the Avs didn’t score on the power play until the final four minutes of the game, so the Flyers did a good job of disrupting their set. However I felt Colorado was allowed to set up too easily, which means the Flyers weren’t great killing through the neutral zone.

And Elliott was superb again.

So, things weren’t that bad and we have a few things to talk about, but, for the most part, it’s football Sunday, so I know your attention will be elsewhere, so I’ll try to keep this short:

1. JVR injury

If you are looking for something to actually worry about, there is cause for concern here. I wouldn’t be overly-worried, I mean, it’s the second game of the season and JVR did try to test the injury out after it happened, meaning it wasn’t crushing pain, but this didn’t look great:

James van Riemsdyk left tonight's game with a lower-body injury after this play. pic.twitter.com/yvgGB7lrYB

— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) October 7, 2018

It looked like he took a clearing attempt off the inside of his right knee. That’s not comfortable for sure, but it’s also unlikely to be a real long-term injury. Still, he’s going to be evaluated by team doctors back in Philly, which may be later today, could be tomorrow. Either way, he’s questionable at this point for the home opener Tuesday.

Dave Hakstol did a nice job rolling his lines after JVR went out of the game. He mixed and matched and double-shifted guys who were playing well, so he did a fine job there, and the Flyers seemed to be going ahead without missing a beat. Granted, they had a few long shifts, something you never want in any game, but especially not in Denver’s thin, mile-high air, but on the whole, the Flyers adapted to the loss of JVR well.

2. Goalie Interference?

Trying to be the NFL, the NHL likes the fact that it has a rule that is so ambiguous that no one knows when it should or shouldn’t be applied. In the NHL it’s the goalie interference rule. When is a goalie impeded from making a save?

There was a big debate on this one last night:

GABRIEL LANDESKOG TIPS HOME MACKINNON'S SHOT TO GIVE THE AVS THE LEAD!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/9AIRj6G47r

— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) October 7, 2018

Landeskog did skate into the crease area on his own. Travis Sanheim, not doing a great job in front, kind of held Landeskog there, preventing him from getting out of the way. Elliott’s stick was impeded on the play, but would it have made a difference? The re-direction by Landeskog changes everything.

In my opinion, from the perspective of the sport of hockey that should be a goal, and it should be allowed at all times, however, by the rule book, it may have actually been interference.

And clearly, Hakstol thought so….

"Why would I fucking challenge goalie interference then?" pic.twitter.com/JWQk8GKgC1

— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) October 7, 2018

His annoyance only built from there:

Mood. pic.twitter.com/bMpWY8sneR

— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) October 7, 2018

I get it. When the rule is so unclear, it’s easy to get this mad. It also was the difference-making goal, so if the call goes the other way, maybe the outcome is different.

However I get a feeling, this won’t be the last time this happens.

3. Moose

Elliott has allowed six goals in two games and only stopped 53 of 59 shots faced for a save percentage of .898.

Statistically, that’s not very good.

But screw the stats man, Elliott has been the Flyers best player through two games, and it’s not even close.

He made more 10-bell saves against Colorado than I’ve seen a goalie make in one game in a long time:

Elliott with three saves to keep it a one-goal game! pic.twitter.com/NOFNblRm3U

— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) October 7, 2018

Again, this is just one set. He had a stop on a 2-on-none. He was square to the shooter all night. He stoned Nathan McKinnon on at least four occasions. The guy has been really, really good. The Flyers need to be better defensively in front of him. Plain and simple.

4. Folin’s Folly

This kind of coaching decision is the kind that drives me crazy. I didn’t think Radko Gudas had a great game in the opener, but he wasn’t terrible either. So, why replace him? And why give Folin a game when he showed you absolutely nothing of value in the preseason. He was frankly so bad, I thought there was a chance he didn’t make the team.

And then Saturday happened. He was on the ice for Colorado’s first goal and was left alone in front to try to stop an odd-man chance – and failed.

He turned the puck over on a blind pass that led to another goal. A third mistake led to a penalty.

Frankly, the guy was dreadful.

It wasn’t the reason the Flyers lost, but it contributed to it. Hakstol shouldn’t tinker for no reason. This was a no reason tinker, and it failed, miserably.

5. Laugher of a goal

I’ll wrap it up with this, because I know you have fantasy lineups and bets to get in, but Misha Vorobyev’s first NHL goal was… well.. a thing:

Mikhail Vorobyev's first NHL goal is an absolute thing of beauty. 10/10. pic.twitter.com/FehJc2JTJg

— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) October 7, 2018

There aren’t many hysterical goals in hockey, but this is as laughable as it gets. This is butt fumble bad on the Avalanche. Speaking of butt fumbles… let’s get to football Sunday. See you at the home opener.

The post Not as Bad as it Seemed: Takeaways from Avalanche 5, Flyers 2 appeared first on Crossing Broad.

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flauntpage · 6 years

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Deconstructing Hextall: Is the GM Delusional after Sharks 3, Flyers 1?

photo from (@ripits247)

The natives are now restless.

During an absolutely dreadful 3-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks last night, one in which a trailing Flyers team had all of one shot on goal in the third period before pulling starting goaltender Michal Neuvirth, the sound from a half-empty Wells Fargo Center swelled, starting in Section 218 and then spreading like wildfire throughout the rest of the building:

“Fire Hakstol. Fire Hakstol.”

It was almost sing-songy, like there should have been clapping in between. And it made me happy, because at least it was giving me something to write about after the performance on the ice was as brutal and depressing to watch as any game this season, and offering opinion on a ninth straight loss was susceptible to a writer’s own brand of mental fatigue.

And the chant got louder, and louder.

“Fire Hakstol. Fire Hakstol.”

Everyone heard it. Heck, the coach himself heard it. The players heard it. The general manager heard it.

There are certain expectations to be met in the city of Philadelphia, and when you aren’t coming close to meeting them, you are going to feel the fans’ ire.

And no, I don’t feel like the Pied Piper of Hamelin because I was the first to write publicly that change needs to happen within this organization. I don’t take pleasure in suggesting someone lose their job. It’s not like Dave Hakstol isn’t trying. The guy isn’t sitting in his office playing tiddlywinks between games. He’s certainly giving it his best effort.

The problem is, whatever he’s doing isn’t working.

“Fire Hakstol. Fire Hakstol.”

It was a new narrative for a team that, of late, was telling the same story every game.

Little did we know, a whole new chapter was being penned in the locker room and the offices in the bowels of the Wells Fargo Center as soon as the game ended.

First, there was a closed-door team meeting called by captain Claude Giroux. Why it took nine games for this to happen is beyond me, but hey, it finally did. The levee finally burst. And from the look on the faces of a number of young players, it wasn’t pretty.

Guys took forever to get out of their uniform.

Nolan Patrick sat in stunned silence in the corner of the room, just staring blankly forward. It took Travis Konecny to go over to him, put an arm around his shoulder and whisper some words of encouragement for Patrick to finally move, get out of his gear and exit the locker room.

This was after two other players had held their media scrums. Two. Giroux and Andrew MacDonald, the latter of which talked at length.

Whatever was said in that meeting really affected Patrick.

None of the players would say what was said, but there were a few comments about airing grievances. It’s good to get that stuff out in the open among teammates. It is a sign that they care and are desperate to figure it all out.

Then, the GM decided he needed to hold an impromptu State of the Flyers address, and well, this is where the unexpected story twist occurred.

Ron Hextall came into the locker room – and we all assumed he had a big announcement. We knew it wasn’t firing Hakstol, because the Flyers wouldn’t do it that way. They’d hold a big press conference for something of that magnitude. But a big trade? A significant roster move? That may have been on the agenda.

Instead, Hextall defended his team, said that he doesn’t have a problem with the way they’ve been playing, and that they deserve a better fate.

Woah. What?

It was certainly unexpected. Many think it’s delusional. Some felt like he was saying stuff he truly didn’t believe and was giving lip service. And, a small faction of people felt he was spitting truth.

Well which is it?

That’s what today’s story ultimately is about. Deconstructing Hexy. So, let’s get to it and dive into what he really means here:

Here it is, in all it’s glory. I will comment after each response to a question and try to break down what Hextall meant or was trying to imply. In the end, I will give it a grade of Delusional, Lip Service or Truth, because, to be honest, this was an interview that had elements of all three.

Do you feel caught between a rock and a hard place with how things have gone recently? To do something big could be an overreaction. (Dave Isaac, Courier Post)

“Great Question. If you look at the way we’ve played from the start of the year, I’m pretty good with the way our team has played. Pretty good with the way our team has played the last nine games. I think tonight we ran out of energy. Obviously results lately are not very good. We deserve better, but we haven’t gotten better. Obviously we gotta find a way.”

The initial reaction here was one of astonishment. Did he really just say he was OK with the way the team has played in the last nine games? They’ve lost nine in a row!!! Yes, some have been heartbreakers, but still, a loss is a loss. They’ve now played 25 games and only won eight of them. That’s less than a third in the win column. They’re in last place. Only two teams in the entire league have fewer wins. What team is he watching?

But then, after letting his comments germinate for a little bit here, you can start to see where he’s coming from.

With only a few exceptions this season, the Flyers have been in every game. They could easily be among the league’s best teams right now if things bounced a little differently for them. They are certainly the cautionary tale about how fine a line there is between success and failure in hockey.

And because of that, they are not the worst team in the league. Far from it. So, you can see why he thinks they have deserved a better outcome.

Coming out and saying this, with the fragility of the locker room right now and with the fans calling for the coach’s head, he feels that even if he is sugar-coating things, that by sending a public message to his team that he still believes in them and supports them, that it’ll pay off with better play beginning as soon as the next game against Boston Saturday.

All that said, it’s disingenuous to say that you are “pretty good” with the way the team has played – especially in the last nine games. I respect Hexy as a hockey guy and know he’s no fool, so he can’t be completely delusional here to think what he said was accurate. So, I’m chalking this one up as Lip Service – not to the media or to the fans, but rather to his own team. He wants them to feel like they have the support of management even though times are pretty tough right now. It’s a gamble, but Hextall is hoping it pays off.

Ron you’ve been in this city a long time. Do you know how that sounds to fans when you’ve lost nine in a row and you’re saying you’ve played well?

“Have you seen our games?”

I have.

“How do you think we’ve played?”

Not well enough to win all of them. (Chuck Gormley, The Sports Xchange)

“Not all of them. If we were playing poorly I would be the first to say we were playing poorly. I would be, We are not playing poorly. To look objectively at our team right now, and say, ‘Are we playing poorly?’ No. Are we shooting ourselves in the foot at times? Yes we are. Critical mistakes at critical times? Yes. It’s kind of what happens when the snow ball starts to go the wrong way and you start doing things that are unpredictable. If you look at our effort and at times execution? If you took the score away from the last nine games I’ve seen and told me we’re 0-9, I’d be like ‘come on.’ The point is we have to find ways to win. Nobody is looking for excuses around here. We are gonna battle though this. We are going to get through it. If we thought we were a really poor team, that’s totally different. Losing nine games in a row is unacceptable. Let’s be real. It’s not acceptable for many franchises and certainly not ours. In saying that, as a manager I gotta be realistic with how our team’s playing. Let’s say the last nine games we were .500, 5-4, somewhere in there. It’s not great, but it’s not bad. It’s what we deserve. Now again, we shot ourselves in the foot. But as a whole we’ve certainly played better than our record.”

I’m going to use your own words against you here Ron… “Come on!” You’ve lost nine in a row. The team HAS played poorly. Not consistently poor – there have been stretches where they’ve looked O.K., but they are as inconsistent as any team I’ve ever watched. They play great for 10 minutes then zone out for 10. Then good for five, then poor for eight. And it’s all because of the same things. There have been repetitive mistakes. The same breakdowns are happening every game. There is a complete lack of discipline. The third periods in this stretch have been an abject disaster. You have two goals after the second period in the last nine games. TWO! If that’s not a definition of poor play, I don’t know what is. It’s one thing to double down on your first answer to show support and faith in your team for their benefit, but to do it in this way, there’s only one way to describe it: Delusional.

Does rectifying that fall on the players? Or is that something that you or the coaches have to get involved with to try and find a way? (Anthony SanFilippo – Crossing Broad)

“That falls on all of us. We’re all in this together. Nobody’s jumping off any ship here. We’re in it together. Right now it’s hard to find a lot of positive. I think one of the impressive things is this group hasn’t started pointing fingers at each other. That’s a sign of strong character. It’s a sign that we’re going to come out of this.”

That’s not how I hoped this question would go. I was hoping to use it as a lead into the coach and talking about the job the coach has done, but Ron answered it differently – and we never really got back to the coach’s job in the interview, which I’m mad at myself for. As for how Ron answered this question, he’s not wrong. This is a collective problem. It does fall on everyone. The roster construction is all Hextall. The lineup deployment and scheme is all Hakstol and his assistants. The mistakes and sloppy play are all the players. Everyone needs to channel their inner Andy Reid and do a better job. I don’t know if I completely buy the whole “not pointing fingers” bit. Players don’t have team meetings where they air grievances if everyone is on the same page. But other than that, I think this is Hextall being honest. Truth.

The mistakes, everybody in the world can see them, you can see them, the fans have seen them, but often is a least interpreted as loss of confidence and grinding on yourself because you’re not getting the results, are you worried about that part of at all? (Sam Donnellon – Philly.com)

“Well that’s what happens when you go all of the sudden start five, six, seven, eight games in a row without a win, you start to get frustrated. I think the frustration started showing there in the third period for us, but for the most part we’ve done a pretty good job of trying to move on from one game on to the next. It’s not easy, you’ve been in a locker room when you’ve lost seven, eight, nine games in a row, and it’s ugly, right? But this group I give them credit they’ve stuck together, they’ve battled through it, if we weren’t battling right now we’d have a problem.”

As is often the case in an interview, once you get a few questions in, all the prepared statements go by the boards and you start getting some real honest answers. This is Hextall being brutally honest. He’s a former player. He knows what it’s like in a locker room when the team is playing badly. He even says it – the locker room is ugly. THAT is the truth in this locker room right now. There is a lot of frustration. A loss of confidence. A n amount of uncertainty for the young guys who have never experienced this before. Hextall wants to give them credit for not completely falling apart as a team and for not quitting on the coach, on each other or on the organization. That’s fine… but really, this has got to be close to the tipping point. Will he still feel the same way if, say, they lose Saturday to Boston and maybe two of three on the always tough road trip to Western Canada next week? That’s a big question. These next four games might be the benchmark for the rest of the season for coaches and players. Truth.

Do head coaches react differently in times like this?

“In terms of what?”

In terms of the way they act during a losing streak, in terms of how they deal with their players, in terms of any kinds of moves they may or may not make. (Rob Parent, Delco Times)

“Of course, I mean every coach is different, every coach is his own man so of course they react differently.”

Rob tried to go back to the coach here. The fact that Hextall sort of blew off the question rather than expand on it might be telling. This was a chance for him to say he has a lot of confidence in Hakstol, but he chose not to. Hakstol’s record as a coach is telling. He’s now coached in 189 games in the NHL. In the first 114 games, his team was 60-37-17 for a .526 winning percentage. That was through the 10-game winning streak last season. In the 75 games since then, his team is 28-33-14, a .373 winning percentage. That’s a precipitous drop. Hakstol has to be on notice that it needs to be heading back in the direction of his first 114 games soon, or else he will run out of time. There’s four days off after the Western Canada trip. There’s also a four-day break at Christmas, but nobody ever loses their job at Christmas. The Flyers do have their “bye week” in early January. So, if this is going to happen in-season Hakstol either has the next four games to right the ship, or the next 17 games before the bye to turn the team around. Otherwise, one of the lip service comments Hextall would have been certain to make is his coach is doing a great job. He didn’t. That says more to me than anything from this interview last night. Truth.

The fans you hear it as much as I do, you need physicality or some perception, Sam Morin is down and came up very briefly and is down again. What don’t you see that could help this team at least in terms of physicality? (Sam Donnellon – Philly.com)

“Well when I looked the other night we had a 20, a 21, two 22, and a 24-year old defenseman, that’s five of our six, that might be the youngest defense I’ve ever seen. And to say right now we need to get younger on defense? I’m not sure that’s a solution. I think we missed AMac, he’s an older guy, he’s a glue guy, he’s a guy that makes the younger guys feel better. Radko Gudas is the same, the veteran presence I can’t explain it to you guys, but it makes a huge difference, so just to patch six kids in there and say ‘go get ‘em guys,’ you’re looking for a disaster, you’re not helping those kids.”

Whether you agree with Hextall’s rationale here or not, this is definitely something he believes. He is a patient GM who believes in a slow development and maturation process for his prospects. He’s not a guy who wants to throw them all to the wolves simultaneously. Some GMs do. Some GMs put all their kids out there at once and sink or swim. But Hextall is more methodical. He wants his young players to find success when they arrive to the NHL. It doesn’t always work out that way, but that is his M.O. Always has been, always will be. We can sit here and debate the merits of MacDonald and Gudas all we want (Notice he didn’t mention Brandon Manning – that’s the one that perplexes me a little more than MacDonald or Gudas), but the fact is, regardless of who the veteran defensemen are, that’s how Hextall wants to play it. He wants developing players to develop at their own speed, and not a minute sooner. So, while we can disagree with him here, this is definitely Truth.

Last season you thought the team was good enough to make the playoffs. Do you still feel that way or does this make you reassess what type of team you have?

“No, I still believe we’re a playoff team.”

What needs to be done to make that happen? (John Boruk – NBC Sports Philly)

“We need to be better at some critical moments, but part of it we need to continue to do what we’re doing. We’re doing a lot of good things. Again, tonight I don’t think was our best game. We’re feeling some fatigue. Probably a little bit of frustration. We gotta stick with it. We gotta stick together. We gotta win Saturday. That’s our focus right now. We gotta win Saturday.”

Gah! Hexy you were doing so good with your honesty. You were giving us your true feelings. Even if we disagreed with you, we respect the fact that you stand by your principled beliefs. But then you go and throw us this line? That this is still a playoff team? That this team is doing a lot of good things? Let me reiterate – you’ve lost nine games in a row. Nine. This is only the fourth time in team history they’ve had an L in the result column for that many games. (I’ll dive into this more later). You’re on the brink of the worst run of losses in franchise history. You’ve won consecutive games ONCE all year. No matter how well you think you’ve played, if you are going to be in the playoffs, you need to be better than that. This was probably said with the intent of being Lip Service to the team. But really, it’s just Delusional.

You’ve been in closed door meetings before. Is this just a chance to sort of air that frustration? Sort of control the finger pointing before it gets started.

“Was there a closed door meeting?”

Yeah. (Wayne Fish, FlyingFishHockey.com)

“I didn’t know. I’ve been in a lot. I don’t know what was said. I wouldn’t tell you if I did, but I don’t know what was said. Closed door meetings are closed door meetings. Those are a good thing. It’s a team being together, shut the door, let’s talk this out. Any grievances, air them. But I’m guessing it was probably a stick together meeting because these guys have done a good job sticking together.”

First of all… Hexy is feeding us a line that he didn’t know there was a closed door meeting. Everyone knew there was a closed door meeting. As for what he feel about it – I think he’s spot on. I’m surprised they don’t happen more regularly – even after wins. I’m surprised teams don’t have these pow-wows after games more often. But, when they do, they are indicative of the state of the team – and the state of this team is a lack of cohesion. Hextall takes stock in these meetings as a positive, and he’s likely right. But, again, let’s not sugarcoat it. They happen for a reason – the team is in a little bit of turmoil. Credit to Giroux and his fellow leaders for having one of these accountability discussions, but this isn’t something that shows they are together, but rather that they are fractured and trying to put the pieces back together. That’s an important difference. Lip Service.

Going back to the Calgary game, there’s been a lot of penalties. Shayne took it upon himself that particular game, but when you negate power plays like that with penalties, how do you clean that aspect up? (John Boruk, NBCSports Philly)

“We gotta play a little bit smarter there. I think in the last eight games we’ve given up seven more penalties then we’ve taken. It doesn’t sound like much, but two minutes a game is quite a bit. Especially the way our special teams haven’t exactly been right on the last eight games. That’s a big difference. Those are the types of things we gotta clean up.”

No doubt. Penalties have been a big problem. So has the penalty kill. But hey… we’re not playing poorly. Nothing to see here. At least he was honest with his answer. Truth.

You say nine is unacceptable. Regardless of how close they are, is there a point where you say we gotta do something? Even if they are some overtime losses. (Dave Isaac, Courier Post)

“I try to make this team better every day. There’s something that can be done. That doesn’t change throughout the year.”

I thought this was a telling response too. It was basically Hextall giving himself an out, saying I spent the last seven minutes saying what I said, but I still reserve the right to change my mind at any time. In other words, if this doesn’t get fixed soon, I might go ahead and make the changes all you guys are calling for. Truth

More soon.

Deconstructing Hextall: Is the GM Delusional after Sharks 3, Flyers 1? published first on http://ift.tt/2pLTmlv

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flauntpage · 6 years

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Eight Is Enough! Five Takeaways from Penguins 5, Flyers 4

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There’s nothing left to say.

Seriously. Until this Flyers team makes the changes it needs to make, watching them play is going to be torture.

It’s like being tied to a chair and forced to watch the same rerun of a bad 1980s sitcom repeatedly.

You know, one episode of Charles in Charge was enough for a lifetime, but watching the same episode over and over again is sadistic.

For the last eight games, and for 16 of the 24 games played so far this season, that’s what it’s been like watching the Flyers.

They have lost two-thirds of their games, which is pretty dreadful. And nothing ticks me off like broadcasters being forced to call this eight-game losing streak something other than what it is.

While technically correct, this isn’t an eight-game losing streak. That would suggest there was a result in there that while it wasn’t a win, also was not a loss (namely, a tie). But since those don’t exist and the ultimate option in an NHL game is to win it or lose it, then what we have here is a losing streak.

But it is exactly this mentality that permeates throughout this organization right now. Sanitize everything. Make everything seem better than it really is.

Hey – they’ve gotten at least one point in eight of their last 11 games.

I’m pretty sure after the abuse he took for mentioning points in 7-of-10 games following the most recent loss to the New York Islanders, Dave Hakstol wasn’t going to go that route again following last night’s loss to Pittsburgh, but, instead he gave us this:

“We have to finish one of these. There’s nothing more to be said. Night after night we are in position and we were again tonight.”

Yep. That simple. Just finish, boys.

It made me want to highlight two of my favorite tweets from the night:

Live look in at Hakstol now. http://pic.twitter.com/eU4X5zLWqM

— Rich Lee (@RichLeeNamed) November 28, 2017

@AntSanPhilly @RealGlenMacnow #Flyers get a point!! So that’s 8 points in 11 games? Right Coach?? http://pic.twitter.com/YU16sIp62A

— Earl Sullivan (@esull9) November 28, 2017

And yes, they were sent to me almost simultaneously.

Hakstol’s quote would be fine if the Flyers had only lost say three straight, all in overtime. Problem is, when you blow your fifth two-goal lead of the season – and fourth on this eight-game losing streak – it’s not just about not finishing, it’s about not doing a lot of things – not protecting a lead, not taking dumb penalties, not sitting back and letting the other team take it to you.

But I’ve said all this before. It’s as if these Takeaways are on perennial repeat.

And the longer it goes without change, the more damning it is, not just for a coach, who is overmatched at this level, but for the general manager and the entire organization.

I texted with someone I became close with while working for the Flyers who still works there. Part of our exchange was this person saying, “It’s ugly right now…. things aren’t quite the same around here these days.”

That last part was referencing an interjection by me where I indicated the likes of Ed Snider or Bob Clarke would never have accepted this kind of repetitive failure.

Alas, this is the new hockey world in which we live and in which the Flyers are a doormat or an afterthought after generations of being one of the game’s elite franchises.

Sad.

To the takeaways… I guess.

1) Finding ways to lose

As I mentioned, it was another blown two-goal lead. This time, the Flyers actually gave up the lead in a span of 39 seconds, and then after retaking the lead, gave up a tying goal to force overtime in the final minute or so of the third period. And, after that, made a panic play that gave Pittsburgh a power play in OT and, well, Sidney Crosby took it from there.

These things can’t happen repeatedly.

It’s a sign of a team with zero confidence and with no gameplan to stem the tide.

Looking at advanced stats last night, the Penguins were obviously the better team, with a Corsi For percentage of 59.22, which is pretty high.

But look at the game flow and pay particular attention to the third period:

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That’s a spike that you don’t normally see in a game anywhere. It’s what we call an outlier. The Penguins Corsi For percentage in the third period was 80%.

That’s not a typo. It was 80%. That means that off all the shots attempted in the third period, the Pens were responsible for 80% of them.

It’s an absurd number and indicative of the fact that the Flyers had no answers – zero – for what the Penguins were doing.

They were in survival mode, and although they almost pulled it off, they didn’t. They can tell you they weren’t trying to sit back, but if not, then it’s not certain what they were trying to do.

Nor am I sure what Hakstol was doing with his line matchups at the end of the game.

After Michael Raffl gave the Flyers a 4-3 lead (more on that later), Hakstol curiously turned to a line of Dale Weise, Nolan Patrick and Wayne Simmonds and a defensive pairing of Brandon Manning and Shayne Gostisbehere to protect his one-goal lead in the final minutes.

Not many of the Flyers were positive players when you look at their Corsi For Relative percentage (CFRel%), but they did have some guys on the plus side of the ledger – seven skaters in fact.

However, none of those five guys were on that list. As a matter of fact, not only were they not on the list, but Manning (-13.56) was second worst in the game, Patrick (-11.39) was fourth-worst, Simmonds (-7.57) was sixth worst and Weise (-6.57) was seventh worst. Only Ghost was palatable (-1.51), and even he was still negative.

This group was caught in their own end for the better part of two minutes, couldn’t get the puck out of the zone, and the Penguins created several great chances before Brian Elliott made a flashy glove save on Crosby to finally allow the Flyers to make a change.

However, the faceoff was in the Flyers’ end. They lost the draw and seconds later the score was tied.

Hakstol HAS to know that combination of players isn’t the kind you want out there protecting a lead.

If he doesn’t… then Houston we have a problem.

2) Bad Coaching, Bad veterans

Not only did Hakstol’s decision with that line create a self-inflicted conundrum, but so did a couple other decisions he made.

First was re-inserting Jori Lehtera and Weise into the lineup in place of Taylor Leier and Jordan Weal.

Weal has not played well of late, and his ice time and role was diminishing considerably over the last several games. You could see it coming – heck I did here in takeaway No. 3 from last Wednesday’s game.

But, Leier scored against the Islanders. He has provided good jump and energy on the fourth line. He has the ability to skate with a fast team like Pittsburgh that neither Weise nor Lehtera do.

I’d rather the Flyers keep Leier in the lineup, waive one of those veterans, and call up Mike Vecchione and give him a shot on the fourth line. He has to be better than Lethtera right? Lehtera played all of 7:31 in the game and was a third-worst-on-the-team -11.45% in CFRel%.

I get that Weal needs to find his game, but that doesn’t mean Hakstol has to slog the lineup with veteran players who can’t play.

Part of this is on the GM, too. He has to recognize that what he’s giving the coach to work with is substandard.

Trusting the veterans is not always the right option either. He mentioned a veteran reward of sorts for Manning being on the ice in overtime in Friday’s loss to the Islanders.

Trotting out a more veteran lineup didn’t work against Pittsburgh either.

The mistakes that are costing the team are rarely being committed by rookies. It’s veterans making them.

It was Gostisbehere who abandoned his player in overtime in the loss in New York. It was Jake Voracek who committed the same sin in the OT loss to the Isles in Philly.

Voracek then made the panic clear for the delay of game penalty that gave the Penguins the overtime power play yesterday.

Claude Giroux made an error that led to the game-winner in the OT loss to Calgary.

If the guys you are counting on to provide veteran leadership are making the self-inflicted wounds, then why is it that the notion of more veterans in the lineup will equate to improved play?

It doesn’t. It’s a fallacy. At this point, I’d rather see the Flyers lose with the youngsters on the ice than with the same mistakes from players who have been in the league for years.

Another coaching blunder occurred with Hakstol once again misusing his challenge.

After a goal by Patric Hornqvist went to the replay official and was allowed, Hakstol decided to challenge if it was goaltender interference. It wasn’t. Frankly, it wasn’t even that close. But even if you want to argue that it’s 50/50, is it worth burning the challenge there and not saving it for a more critical moment in the game?

Instead, on Jake Guentzel’s tying goal at the end of the third period, one which goalie Brian Elliott thought he was interfered with, Hakstol couldn’t challenge because he had already burned it.

I don’t know what his challenge record is, but just quick memory suggests it isn’t good – and it’s likely hurt the team a couple times.

3) Best five goals allowed performance ever?

I’m being a little facetious here. But Elliott was under fire all night. He made a career-high 47 saves as he personally tried to will the Flyers to victory.

With the exception of the first goal of the game by Guentzel, where he may have been off his angle slightly and got beaten over the waffle pad, Elliott was sensational.

All of the other Penguins goals were on crazy bounces or redirects.

Hornqvist kicked the puck, and then hit it twice in mid-air before it popped over Elliott.

Bryan Rust scored on a breakaway after Elliott originally stoned him, the puck took a crazy hop back off Rust’s stick shaft and fluttered over Elliott to tie the score.

Guentzel’s tying goal went in off his glove and he likely interfered with Elliott on the play. and Crosby’s game-winner was a redirect of a Kris Letang shot.

In between, Elliott saved the Flyers bacon more than once.

He is the most hard-luck goalie in his last seven starts and one relief appearance, having gone 0-2-5. And yet, in those eight games, he has arguably been the Flyers best player.

4) Raffl rolling

Raffl is one guy who has looked pretty good for the Flyers in this horrible stretch. He gave the Flyers what appeared to be the game-winning goal before all went to hell in the final minutes.

And it was a thing of beauty:

Raffl steals the puck and powers past Kessel for a gorgeous goal! http://pic.twitter.com/RN9IC762NO

— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) November 28, 2017

Raffl is a max effort player, which is why he was still being counted on even without any points through the first 21 games of the season. He also had an assist last night, and now has three points in his last three games.

Maybe Steve Coates was right, he just needed one and then they’d start coming in bunches.

He’s one of the few Flyers who is playing a well-rounded game right now

5) Loose Pucks

The Flyers have been outscored 14-2 in the third period and overtime during this eight-game losing streak – more evidence that the system is broken.

Sean Couturier scored this goal:

Coots makes it 3-1 with an assist from Provorov's skate after a Penguins turnover in their own zone. http://pic.twitter.com/c2GhH20tFO

— Chris Jastrzembski (@CFJastrzembski) November 28, 2017

That makes 14 goals this season for Couturier. The most he’s ever scored in a full season is 15. He could match that tonight while it’s still November. I’m not sure there’s been a better two-way forward in the NHL over the season’s first two months than Couturier.

Andrew MacDonald returned to the lineup as the Flyers sent Samuel Morin back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL. While I would have kept Morin here and waived both Weise and Lehtera and made Manning the No. 7 defenseman, I don;t look at this as the Flyers playing MacDonald over a rookie. It wasn’t the best game to have MacDonald try to get back up to speed – against on e of the league’s fastest teams. MacDonald looked a step behind, took a penalty that led to a Pittsburgh goal and had a couple of turnovers that were covered by good goaltending by Elliott. MacDonald will be fine – especially playing with Ivan Provorov – but this was certainly not a great game for him.

I’m not convinced Hakstol goes back to Michal Neuvirth in goal tonight even though it’s a back-to-back and Elliott faced a ton of shots last night. I just think that with as well as Elliott’s played, as much of an enigma as Neuvirth’s been and with three days off after tonight, that Elliott just might get the nod again.

Eight Is Enough! Five Takeaways from Penguins 5, Flyers 4 published first on http://ift.tt/2pLTmlv

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flauntpage · 7 years

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Your Wednesday Morning Roundup

The Flyers are back. Officially.

Their 51st year (50th of playing hockey if you take away the 2004-05 lockout year) kicks off tonight in San Jose against the Sharks. That game is scheduled to start at 10:30 on NBCSN. But it’ll probably be around 11 since home openers mean delayed starts. Pack up on Red Bull or coffee to go alongside your cold ones.

We’ve heard about the heralded young group of defensemen the Flyers have for a couple of years now, and most of them are finally up with the big club, for at least some time. Robert Hagg, Sam Morin, and Travis Sanheim join Ivan Provorov and Shayne Gostisbehere in a core that can last the team for maybe the next decade.

But similar to the Phillies this summer, will all of the youngsters play at the same time? Morin and Sanheim were fighting for a roster spot until Ghost got hurt in the third period of the preseason finale on Sunday. Will Ghost even dress tonight? It sounds like he will.

I would think Radko Gudas would be a lock in the starting lineup, but what about Brandon Manning and ALTERNATE CAPTAIN ANDREW MACDONALD? I’m pretty sure Dave Hakstol won’t bench either guy, but he should.

Yesterday’s defensive pairings at practice were interesting, and odds are they won’t be the same come today or tonight.

Besides the defense, I’m really excited to see what Nolan Patrick can do. The second overall pick centered the second line at yesterday’s practice. Is he top six worthy?

Either way, hockey is back.

The Roundup:

Continuing with the Flyers, the players gave the final alternate captain role to Valtteri Filppula and Andrew MacDonald. That Andrew MacDonald. Filppula will be the alternate captain for home games, while AMac assumes the role for road games.

When former Flyer Kerry Huffman saw Ivan Provorov for the first time in a junior hockey program, he knew he’d be something special:

He didn’t come out of nowhere. He didn’t spring on the scene. He has stood out every step of the way.

“A lot of it, too, was not just his game, but how the other kids looked at him,” said Huffman, now an assistant coach with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers’ AHL affiliate. “He had a certain way he carried himself. In the summers when I would see him, he would come in to do skill sessions. He just had a presence to him that jumps out at you when you see it.

“Obviously, when you see a 14-year-old defenseman, you never know what’s going to happen, where they’re going to go or what they’re going to turn into. But he had a lot of raw, innate ability that certainly the other kids don’t have. There are a lot of quality kids who have gone through that program — maybe 10 Division I defensemen. He was just head and shoulders above everybody.”

After clearing waivers, the team officially loaned Matt Read to Lehigh Valley.

The rookies also got new numbers:

New #Flyers numbers: Morin: 5 Sanheim: 6 Hagg: 8 Patrick: 19 Leier: 20

— Dave Isaac (@davegisaac) October 3, 2017

Check out the team’s self-produced video from training camp.

Flyers anthem singer Lauren Hart posted an op-ed about the national anthem and the protests.

—

Sixers center Joel Embiid was heavily discussed today. He ran. He played tennis. He also got a Rocky video of him.

Embiid won’t play in tonight’s preseason opener against Memphis. Neither will Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (knee) or Dario Saric (rest). Amir Johnson (right ankle sprain) is questionable for tonight. But we will see Ben Simmons.

Former Eagle Brian Dawkins spoke to the team yesterday.

Over the course of his talk, Dawkins stressed the importance of hard work, and the responsibilities that come along with being a professional athlete, especially in a city as passionate as Philadelphia. He pointed to parallels between the rise of the Eagles to perennial Super Bowl contender during the early 2000s, and the current state of the Sixers.

“To me, there are some similarities, what you guys are starting up right now,” Dawkins told the Sixers players seated before him. He then issued a challenge to the group.

“Going forward, it’s up to you. It’s up to you then to decide what direction this is going to be.”

Brian Dawkins inspiring speech to @sixers today

Told them to at their teammates and tell them

"I got you"@Eagles http://pic.twitter.com/ql4LiyV6rf

— John Clark NBCPhilly (@JClarkNBCS) October 4, 2017

Preseason opener against Memphis is at 7 on NBC Sports Philadelphia+ (formerly TCN).

Meanwhile, in New York:

So my buddy found the reported anti-Knicks ad on the subway in NY. Look at this gem. #TTP NYC http://pic.twitter.com/hEfnmLjWFE

— Ryan Abrams (@RyanAbrams76) October 3, 2017

—

The Eagles continue to get set for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Even though Carson Wentz doesn’t have big numbers, he’s avoiding the negative plays in his second season with the team, from Zach Berman of the Inquirer:

The caution flag to wave is that it’s still early. At this point last season, Wentz had only one interception. The Eagles were also 3-1. But when the interceptions started coming more frequently, the wins came less frequently. Eleven of his 14 interceptions last season came in losses. In 20 career games, the Eagles are 3-8 when Wentz throws an interception. They’re 7-2 when he doesn’t throw an interception.

No one can accuse Wentz of playing conservatively, either. He’s willing to throw down field and doesn’t always attempt high-percentage passes. His success comes when he demonstrates smart quarterbacking, finding the balance between being too aggressive and too careful.

“I think every quarterback has a number where everybody wants to be single-digit interceptions when the season’s over and certainly have a lot of touchdown passes,” Reich said. “And one thing about Carson, I know he’s never going to play scared. That’s what I love. He still has that aggressive mind-set and that aggressive nature to look down field, but yet the decision making has been excellent.”

Jim Schwartz is searching for answers to the team’s fourth quarter struggles.

Rasul Douglas was one of those players that struggled throughout the game on Sunday. He hopes he can bounce back in a big way this week.

The team added cornerback D.J. Killings to their practice squad after promoting Justin Hamilton to the active roster. They still have an open spot after wide receiver Bryce Treggs signed with the Cleveland Browns.

Jake Elliott’s cannon of a kick against the Giants has turned him into an Eagles legend.

Colin Cowherd called Philly fans “dumb”, but the team clapped right back on Twitter.

—

The Phillies will have a low payroll in 2018, according to president Andy MacPhail:

But reaching the turning point will not lead immediately to contention. Wins and losses will carry more weight in 2018, but the team, MacPhail said, still expects “a relatively low payroll.” The Phillies will instead apply financial resources to other areas such as stadium upgrades, a sports science staff, and boosts to their analytics department. So, there will be a new playing surface and public address system next season at Citizens Bank Park.

A true turning point will come once the Phillies are willing — they are already able — to compete in free agency.

“We’ve already talked to ownership about it and explained to them why [the payroll will be low in 2018],” MacPhail said. “They did not react extraordinarily well in the beginning. Ultimately, they’re OK with it with one proviso: that if an opportunity presents itself, we do not exclude it. They understand the program.”

Bob takes a look at each of the rookie position players.

—

In other sports news, after a slow start, the Yankees got hot in the AL Wild Card game and beat the Twins 8-4. They’ll play Cleveland in the ALDS beginning on Thursday.

Brewers prospect Bubba Derby was at the country music concert in Las Vegas that was the biggest mass shooting in the country’s history. He escaped and told his story:

“We didn’t know where the shots were coming from,” said Derby, who was “about 100 yards” in front of the stage when the shooting began. “It sounded like they were on top of us. Everyone got down. We tried to get as low to the ground as possible. The first thing I did was look for my family.

“I turned around and looked to find my aunt, and I’ll never forget the look on her face. We made eye contact and we thought we were about to die. You could hear the bullets ricocheting. It’s one of those moments where you just want to try to get out of there.”

The NBA is changing the format to their All-Star Game. Two captains, one from each conference, will select their team from a pool of players. Just like what the NHL did a few years ago.

Former Flyer Ville Leino has retired from pro hockey. But he’s still making money, thanks to Buffalo:

Ville Leino has retired from pro hockey. Still gets 1.2M usd for 3yrs from his buyout. #sabres

— Juha Hiitelä (@jhiitela) October 3, 2017

Seems like the Sabres love giving away money. They signed Jack Eichel to an eight-year, $80 million contract extension.

Timberwolves power forward Taj Gibson will become the first NBA player to wear No. 67. He picked the number to represent his hometown of Brooklyn.

The Patriots have their own plane:

Welcome aboard #AirKraft: http://pic.twitter.com/NGBAHvA27T

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 3, 2017

Tennis player Dan Evans is suspended one year after a positive cocaine test. It is a helluva drug.

Very accurate depiction of the Browns:

An actual dumpster fire outside of Browns stadium right now. http://pic.twitter.com/ZcXWma3QVR

— Mark Cerimele (@RealMarkCerimel) October 3, 2017

—

In the news, bail has been set for $5 million after a New Jersey father was accused of killing his two-year-old son after robbing a department store.

The Las Vegas shooter’s girlfriend returned to Los Angeles yesterday.

It sounds like all 3 billion Yahoo accounts were hacked back in 2013.

Your Wednesday Morning Roundup published first on http://ift.tt/2pLTmlv

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