GDT: #1: FLYERS vs. Blackhawks, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, 2:00 pm ET [at Prague, Czech Republic]

[JojoTheWhale]

According to my calculations, I won, but there was never an official tally. So for now we have to go with the assumption that I am defending champion.

This is how I remember things happening as well.

*Disclaimer* I have never opened one of those threads.

 

[NYCFlyer]

It's an uncomfortable spot to be as a fan when you distrust the process of those in charge (compare it to the Sixers or Eagles). It's never perfect, as you see it, but you just need that bedrock of trust that the pluses outnumber the minuses. We've had such a long decade of this, some might be forgiven for lacking the elasticity to bounce back into happy, hopeful fandom. Then you get into a vicious circle of wishing the team -- or more precisely, the dregs holding it back -- do poorly to get the change you want, therein the success you crave -- but not without a side of guilt. Because the people in charge can be so dumbfounding in their process, it's only results, inevitable results, that sway them.

So, here we are. We have two 4th lines, with the only prospects making the team coming off 1 year each in the AHL: 32 points in 62 games and 24 points in 69 games. And goodness knows, an average 4th liner like Pitlick must be rushed back from injury because that averageness has created such a void. With one of the best prospect pools in hockey, we get low ceiling players who rode SSS evaluating in preseason. They played well in that minuscule sample, and a center was needed too, so that's not bad in a vacuum (except Twarynski is in the top 9).

But the process of evaluating sustainability is worrisome, especially in light of Farabee's results over process demotion. Vigneault talking about going into preseason blind is taking a more ominous tone as the season begins. Concerns about members of this coaching staff mangling their recent past rosters, waved away all summer because of their gosh darn experience, might just be coming to light here.

If a sub-replacement player like Hagg, who survived the executioner's axe again based on some illogical games played seniority argument (forget what that seniority entailed), rides his usual PDO bender in October, is that all he needs to become a lock, like under Hakstol? How does Sanheim, our highest potential defenseman, not get PP2 time behind the worst statistical PP defenseman in the league and another who has 2 points in the last 2 years? I've seen better optimization in the North Korean electrical grid.

As many fans bemoan a lack of urgency in the recent past; as our top players continue to age and one window shrinks; after an offseason of pissing away money and assets in the name of depth.......it's so ****ing underwhelming. But mediocrity is the Flyers brand, so if you're a gambling man, bet on it.

We were a bottom ten team in the league last year, had a bottom 5 goaltending, bottom 8 defense and arguably a bottom five coaching staff. The GM is new, the coaching staff is new, 1/3 of the starting d is new, WE HAVEN'T EVEN PLAYED A GAME. And you are bailing on your team when you have no idea what will be by game 20. Pathetic. What did you expect. This isn't a championship caliber team. There is going to be a lot of tinkering. Hopefully it comes together soon and we make the playoffs. This fan base is embarrassing.

 

[BernieParent]

We were a bottom ten team in the league last year, had a bottom 5 goaltending, bottom 8 defense and arguably a bottom five coaching staff. The GM is new, the coaching staff is new, 1/3 of the starting d is new, WE HAVEN'T EVEN PLAYED A GAME. And you are bailing on your team when you have no idea what will be by game 20. Pathetic. What did you expect. This isn't a championship caliber team. There is going to be a lot of tinkering. Hopefully it comes together soon and we make the playoffs. This fan base is embarrassing.

Does new equal better to you? This fanbase, or at least those on here, have high expectations about how this franchise should be run, with an integrated plan that derives the best from its players and maximizes value in its transactions. I applaud those who rail against mediocrity because we have received a steady dose of it for years. We accepted a steady rebuild even while the front office tried a both-and approach. We want to see the fruit of the off-ice labours while we endured the on-ice failures. We watch other franchises put young players in positions to excel while many of ours risk withering on the vine. And we bristle at apparent nostalgic personnel decisions to an era that represents this franchise's highest point but has all but disappeared in relevance.

We want success. We deserve success.

 

[NYCFlyer]

Does new equal better to you? This fanbase, or at least those on here, have high expectations about how this franchise should be run, with an integrated plan that derives the best from its players and maximizes value in its transactions. I applaud those who rail against mediocrity because we have received a steady dose of it for years. We accepted a steady rebuild even while the front office tried a both-and approach. We want to see the fruit of the off-ice labours while we endured the on-ice failures. We watch other franchises put young players in positions to excel while many of ours risk withering on the vine. And we bristle at apparent nostalgic personnel decisions to an era that represents this franchise's highest point but has all but disappeared in relevance.

We want success. We deserve success.

We all want success. But the shrill whining and complaining before any games have been played is pathetic. We have make substantial and meaningful changes to the front office, coaches and personnel and have no idea yet how it will play out because they havent played a single game and the roster is far from settled. There will be a transition period. Its ok to be nervous, worried, cautious and upset. We all hate the last crappy 7 years. I'm a season ticket holder I know.

Sending a few high potential rookies down to start the season by a new regime is hardly a cause for panic. We will be substantially better than last year on coaching and goaltending alone. All of the young guys we want to see will be here this year at some point and will have to produce to stay. The overreactions and lack of support here is pathetic.

 

[kudymen]

Remembering some older meltdowns, this feels ironic

 

[Beef Invictus]

We all want success. But the shrill whining and complaining before any games have been played is pathetic. We have make substantial and meaningful changes to the front office, coaches and personnel and have no idea yet how it will play out because they havent played a single game and the roster is far from settled. There will be a transition period. Its ok to be nervous, worried, cautious and upset. We all hate the last crappy 7 years. I'm a season ticket holder I know.

Sending a few high potential rookies down to start the season by a new regime is hardly a cause for panic. We will be substantially better than last year on coaching and goaltending alone. All of the young guys we want to see will be here this year at some point and will have to produce to stay. The overreactions and lack of support here is pathetic.

I remember when this was constantly said about the previous regime too.


You know these guys aren't unknown quantities, right? They have established records with some standout flaws, so when those flaws are already manifesting themselves it's foolish and futile to ignore them.

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

When @KrazyKat says the lines look gross, they're either way off base... or potentially perfect...

 

[FLYguy3911]

Can we get a ruling? I’ve heard we are allowed to complain after 1, 5, 10, and now 20 games. When is it ok? I think we’ll be at 82 by puck drop tomorrow.

 

[KrazyKat]

When @KrazyKat says the lines look gross, they're either way off base... or potentially perfect...

Well people fail to Understand, it’s a lack of players ready for the NHL, and some key pieces injured.

There’s only so much you can without doing what’s best for your players. And what’s best for winning games.

It’s like re-arranging chairs on the titanic.

If your players are good enough, one or two off line combos should be the detriment to why your team has failed. Year after year.

But on a side note I think In order to gain chemistry is to stick to a line up day in , and day out. In order to stick.

 

[Striiker]

Can we get a ruling? I’ve heard we are allowed to complain after 1, 5, 10, and now 20 games. When is it ok? I think we’ll be at 82 by puck drop tomorrow.

No team has ever missed the playoffs based on the results of one game, so I'm not sure why you'd care about game 1...

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

No team has ever missed the playoffs based on the results of one game, so I'm not sure why you'd care about game 1...

How about when the Rangers lost the shootout to the Flyers in the season finale?

 

[deadhead]

Well, St Louis sure screwed up their season with that slow start last year.

 

[NYCFlyer]

I remember when this was constantly said about the previous regime too.


You know these guys aren't unknown quantities, right? They have established records with some standout flaws, so when those flaws are already manifesting themselves it's foolish and futile to ignore them.

They have established records of success, they are excellent head and assistant coaches. Will it work here who knows. Why don't you explain to me AV's standout flaws. Do you expect them to snap their fingers and turnaround the 82 point inherited roster? The prior regime had zero record of NHL success.

 

[Tripod]

I remember when this was constantly said about the previous regime too.


You know these guys aren't unknown quantities, right? They have established records with some standout flaws, so when those flaws are already manifesting themselves it's foolish and futile to ignore them.

But on the flipside, AV also has track record of winning. He has made the playoffs 9 out of the last 10 years he coached. And in only 3 of those times, lost in the 1st round. And we all know he has 2 cup finals that he lost.

The previous regime has no such resume.

We can still bitch and complain ans say what we think is right to do, I know I will. But I also think it's fair to say that the cap, injured players, surprises and disappointments have thrown off what they themselves likely thought how things would play out for game 1.

 

[Adtar02]

Hagg playing ghost could be a problem if hagg doesn’t use ghost in the ozone. Which he likes to shoot and not pass. And doesn’t read properly off the forwards. Retreats too quickly.

 

[Beef Invictus]

They have established records of success, they are excellent head and assistant coaches. Will it work here who knows. Why don't you explain to me AV's standout flaws. Do you expect them to snap their fingers and turnaround the 82 point inherited roster? The prior regime had zero record of NHL success.

Do we really have to rehash the entire offseason? You aren't aware of AV's flaws in Vancouver and NYR? Or MTs? Or Freaking Mike Yeo?

Please tell me what Mike Yeo's established record of success is. Or for that matter, Fletcher. Or MT, who is mostly remembered for turning rosters into paper tigers.

 

[Beef Invictus]

But on the flipside, AV also has track record of winning. He has made the playoffs 9 out of the last 10 years he coached. And in only 3 of those times, lost in the 1st round. And we all know he has 2 cup finals that he lost.

The previous regime has no such resume.

We can still ***** and complain ans say what we think is right to do, I know I will. But I also think it's fair to say that the cap, injured players, surprises and disappointments have thrown off what they themselves likely thought how things would play out for game 1.

AV also has a tendency to self-sabotage with baffling roster choices and he loves to value things that harm the team. Maybe he learned to avoid that, but every indication so far is "no."


He's certainly better than Hakstol. Absolutely. Should we be settling for "Hey, better than Hakstol"? Time is running out on Giroux, we don't have time to settle or fart around; half a decade of aimless rebuilding was bad enough. We've been seeing a whole lot of farting so far.

 

[Tripod]

AV also has a tendency to self-sabotage with baffling roster choices and he loves to value things that harm the team. Maybe he learned to avoid that, but every indication so far is "no."


He's certainly better than Hakstol. Absolutely. Should we be settling for "Hey, better than Hakstol"? Time is running out on Giroux, we don't have time to settle or fart around. We've been seeing a whole lot of farting.

He does...I won't deny that.

And as I said before, Twar and Bunny playing well "should" have come at the expense of Pitlick and Raffl. But due to injuries and cap issues, it's others. And it sucks. But when Welinski is cleared to be waived, that opens a forward roster spot. I want to see what happens at that point...and hopefully it's before game 2. And with them not putting Patrick on LTIR, does that mean is is back soon? So there may be things in the works that we just don't know about.

 

[FLYguy3911]

We can still ***** and complain ans say what we think is right to do, I know I will. But I also think it's fair to say that the cap, injured players, surprises and disappointments have thrown off what they themselves likely thought how things would play out for game 1.

I would have some sympathy for Fletcher if he walked into a shit situation, but he walked to in about as clean of a slate as any new GM could hope for.

 

[bennysflyers16]

According to my calculations, I won, but there was never an official tally. So for now we have to go with the assumption that I am defending champion.

I’m a 2 time champ, so was prob me.

Plus I will get out to a quick lead this year as I may be the only when getting the Flyer win tomm correct

 

[Jtown]

Well said. Great. Let's go. I'll get in and get the season started.

i am basing the quality of Magua's post off your gif. In other words, its the finest post in hfboards history.

 

[bennysflyers16]

How about when the Rangers lost the shootout to the Flyers in the season finale?

But on the flipside, AV also has track record of winning. He has made the playoffs 9 out of the last 10 years he coached. And in only 3 of those times, lost in the 1st round. And we all know he has 2 cup finals that he lost.

The previous regime has no such resume.

We can still ***** and complain ans say what we think is right to do, I know I will. But I also think it's fair to say that the cap, injured players, surprises and disappointments have thrown off what they themselves likely thought how things would play out for game 1.

Wha Bam !

 

[Striiker]

How about when the Rangers lost the shootout to the Flyers in the season finale?

Bingo. That's exactly my point!

*that post was H E A V Y sarcasm. Every single game matters*

 

[Striiker]

And yeah, the cap is no excuse for Fletcher... it's a problem HE CAUSED...

Someone remind me how much cap room we had going into this offseason?

 

[Rebels57]

Can someone explain why this game isnt 2PM on a f***ing Saturday?