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Tocchet deserves credit for improving the team defense. However, his teams shots per game has been lower top 5 over multiple seasons. This is not a coincidence. This was a major concern when the interview process was happening and Tochet was the front runner. I do not know exactly what the plan is for Michkov going forward. Supposedly, he is the foundation of the franchise going forward and on the second game of a back to back, it was a good idea to place him with Abols and Dvorak. I guess this is supposed to help him in his development. For the season, Michkov is playing under 15 minutes/game. He is being treated as a middle six forward on a team that has a clear abundance of middle six wingers. The organization seeks shelter for itself by stating they want to be better, but do not have to make the playoffs this year. Perfect mantra for an organization with an overwhelming amount of limited forwards to continue to play and hope to be an average team. Better to play safe players then give more minutes to players like Michkov, Grebenkin, and Andrae and see if they can lift the performance of the team.
Looking at the attendance numbers to start the season, the regime is losing the bet they are giving the fanbase an appealing product. After opening night, attendance has not broken above 18,009. Come see your future superstar play less then 15 minutes a game. Seems like a sketchy plan.
So I guess the plan is now for Luchanko to be scratched enough games consecutively to qualify for a conditioning assignment in the AHL. Would really like to see Foerster with either Michkov and/or Zegras some time this year. I think we are going to find out Foerster’s success is not necessarily being tied to just having Cates and Brink with him.
Bonk just “5 or 6 weeks away” and now Gill out “12 to 15 weeks away” really makes the blueline prospect cupboard looking pretty unremarkable. As a Flyers fan, certainly reasonable to question whether these timelines will prove to be true.
If you have an opinion that Zegras cannot play center then certainly I can understand the lack of debate. I do remember when Cates was transitioned to center it took some time for his faceoff % to improve. The center depth is not great, a lot redundancy. Outside of Couts right now, I do not see a lot of passing creativity from the center position. Considering the organization is loaded with wingers who are more scorers as opposed to playmakers seems like a long-term issue. I do have hope Luchanko can develop into a play making center. Guelph is 1 point from the basement in their division, and the current HC is more concerned about winning every game with a team that is not a serious contender and will rely on vets shorting his bench to accomplish his goals.
The litmus test for me is when the trade deadline rolls around. Do they trade Dvorak or keep him? Pretty obvious Tocchet values his contributions to the team. Interesting fact, only 1 center currently on the roster playing center regularly has scored 40 points or more in a season (Couts). Vladar is playing as a top tier goaltender right now, and the team is at hockey .500. Granted, very early in the season and not an easy schedule so far. 7 games in and only 2 other teams have scored less goals on the season. Again, small sample size, curious to see how it plays out.
So is the plan to ramp up Zegras to play more at center as the season progresses, or continue to limit his usage at center and transition him back to wing. I’ll be curious to find out. Would not mind breaking up the Cates line, which I know seems impossible. I think Foerster can play with more skilled guys who might not have the defensive prowess and even be a better goal scorer.
The top 4 and Vladar are getting the job done right now. Full credit to those guys. PP is still killing this team and right now it looks like another coaching staff has no answers.
I would still hope to see a line of Foerster-Zegras-Michkov some time this season. The current lines are not Cup contender worthy. Not a surprise, so it would be nice to look at lines that have a decent shot at being here long-term. Glad to see Tippett is off to a great start, his limited no trade clause kicks in next season. At this point, good chance Martone will make the roster out of training camp next season, I hope the plan is not to make him earn it by starting on the 4th line.
So this is what competent goaltending looks like. I am pleasantly surprised with Vladar so far, no shade. Tocchet should continue to ride him as his #1 goalie and Ersson as the backup until Vladar’s performance significantly dips. The abundance of top 9 wingers in the organization still makes me believe a trade for a Dman or center is coming over the next calendar year.
So just “two more weeks” for Oliver Bonk to begin his professional career. I’m sure there are no concerns with all the radio silence.
The top 4 D is carrying the load, which is both good and bad. Usually teams don’t play their 3rd pair around 10 mins/game until the playoffs, not in October. Full credit to Vladar for taking advantage of his opportunity. It has been refreshing watching Flyers get above .900 save % for multiple games for a goalie. Does not happen very often over the last couple of years. Dvorak is such a redundant center for what is already on the roster with Couts and Cates. I sure hope the plan is to trade him by the deadline. TK and Michkov have not worked together all season. With the insistence of keeping the Cates line in tact, sure seems like the move is to place TK with Zegras and Dvorak. The coaching staff seems like there is a red line that Zegras and Michkov cannot play together at 5 on 5 with the year being described as “we want to better then last season, but do not have to make the playoffs”.
Might be time to move Michkov away from Couts at even strength. Although if the alternative is to have Dvarak be his center, not a better option.
Ersson in goal tonight. I guess the first goalie to thrown in a clunker, the other guy gets consecutive starts.
I do wonder if the crease continues to be each guy gets a start every other game. Has Vladar earned the right to play consecutive games? I think he has considering he has only given up 4 goals over two games to the Panthers. Pretty impressive.
I do think PP1 is still missing a net front presence. Granted, Tippett scored from there against CAR, but I do not see a forward pretty much planted around the crease. Forwards seem to be rotating thru the crease instead. I really hope Grebenkin gets some PP time because I believe he could be an effective net front presence.
When the Flyers have been a relevant contender, the blueline usually was built thru draft picks and savvy trades. I’ll start with ’96-’97 blueline- Desjardins (trade), Therien (draft pick), Niinimaa (draft pick), Svoboda (trade), Dykhuis (trade), Coffey (trade), Samuelsson (free agent signing). ’10-’11 blueline – Kimmo (trade), Coburn (trade), Pronger (trade), Carle (trade), Meszaros (trade), O’Donnell (free agent signing).
There are plenty of lean years with brutal bluelines, no doubt. However, building a top tier blueline can be built thru using all assets available to the GM. It is up to the GM not to over value his talent level found within the organization during his tenure. At the present time even with every Dman healthy currently in the organization, this blueline cannot be built into a top tier level. It is not all bad, but needs upgrades. It will be imperative for Briere to be savvy in the trade market. With the cap rising, the free agent market will have very few difference making options over the next few summers.
Vladar again was very good tonight, pleasant surprise. Zamula won’t be back in the lineup for awhile. Team deserves credit for weathering the storm and get the win in regulation.
at what point does Dahlen and Thompson ask out of buffalo? hoe they want to still play there is mind boggling.
It would be criminal if Briere is not calling Adams everyday and think about a massive swing with a trade. Whatever it takes to get Dahlie, Thompson or even Power. I really do think it is possible to get Dahlin or Power. It will cost a lot, but do not over value the talent in this organization. I just believe it will be harder to pry Thompson out of those 3 players.
