GDT: #47 | Flyers at Devils | Saturday, January 18, 2025 | 12:30 PM Weirdo Time | NHLN, NBCSP, 97.5 FM

[deadhead]

Someone mentioned the Flyers outplayed NJ, but 31 blocked shots says otherwise. NJ had them penned in their own end many times. NJ is so much faster and quicker to the puck. This was a standings win but certainly not a hockey win (whatever that means).

Block shots are part of defense, Devils wanted to get the puck to the net, Flyers wouldn't let them.
The metrics are more lopsided than the actual game, but Flyers had a number of high danger chances they couldn't convert.

 

[CerpinTaxt]

This is all true. Goaltending is the real difference and ultimately the Carter Hart situation set this team way back. There are prospects so hopefully this improves but this team would be a playoff team with consistent good goaltending.
During the game they mentioned a stat (which I assume must be true) that Flyers have the most combined production from under 23 year olds on their roster in the NHL. Michkov skews it a little but that stat is something for the failed rebuild people to consider. Things are improving.

Can't fail a rebuild if you never started one.

 

[Embiid]

Not sure how they are winning these games. Couldn’t watch today was busy with family stuff.

Family 1st always!

 

[renberg]

JMO but Ersson won this game for the Flyers. If someone else had been in goal, they would have lost.

 

[deadhead]

JMO but Ersson won this game for the Flyers. If someone else had been in goal, they would have lost.

He had 13 saves, a few were tough, but it was more the defense, Ersson didn't lose it, which is a change from a month ago.

 

[freakydallas13]

They have the most goals for players 25 and under.
But they do have a large 24-25 contingent, Frost, Cates, Tippett, Farabee, York, Zamula
Foerster, Brink 23
Michkov 20

Wheeler is starting his prospect countdown, at 22.
Figure Flyers will be the teens with Michkov graduating, then top 5 by winter with all their draft picks.
Bonk, Jett, Barkey, Zavragin, Knuble should be their top prospects. Rizzo may have aged out. Bump should be in the top 10.

Tippet and Cates are 25 for a few more weeks, and Frost for a few more months. What happens when they graduate from your arbitrary "25 and under" guise?

 

[GapToothedWonder]

This is all true. Goaltending is the real difference and ultimately the Carter Hart situation set this team way back. There are prospects so hopefully this improves but this team would be a playoff team with consistent good goaltending.
During the game they mentioned a stat (which I assume must be true) that Flyers have the most combined production from under 23 year olds on their roster in the NHL. Michkov skews it a little but that stat is something for the failed rebuild people to consider. Things are improving.

So Brink, Forester and Drysdale.

Do you think any of those 3 turn into impact players?

Do any of them become something you can build a team around?

Boy what a successful rebuild!

 

[Breeze 44]

Nice win, another nice game from Risto..I know it kills some people but he's having a solid season again.

 

[Fight4yourRight]

Nice win, another nice game from Risto..I know it kills some people but he's having a solid season again.

Again?

 

[CerpinTaxt]

So Brink, Forester and Drysdale.

Do you think any of those 3 turn into impact players?

Do any of them become something you can build a team around?

Boy what a successful rebuild!

If Boocowski knew how to acknowledge facts he'd be really mad at you.

 

[deadhead]

So Brink, Forester and Drysdale.

Do you think any of those 3 turn into impact players?

Do any of them become something you can build a team around?

Boy what a successful rebuild!

What's an impact player? If you mean an elite player, no. But there are only say 20 of them or so.

However, the Cates line is 4th in the LEAGUE in xGF%. That is, right now they're dominating play when they're on the ice, and they're not being sheltered.

Now do I think they're a legitimate first line? No.
But have they shown they can hold their own against first lines. Yes.

Drysdale is putting up awesome metrics since he returned to the lineup.
Do I think that's a true reflection of his quality of play? No.
He still has a lot of rough edges, but we're also seeing why he was drafted #6.

Do I think this team is a SC contender if Ersson is an average goalie? No.
But they're not that far away. When you can go toe to toe with the top teams, especially on the road, you're a few tweaks, not a complete overhaul, from being a contender.

Do I want them to do what NJ did, buy a lot of free agents and start trading 1st rd picks for veterans in their late 20s?
No. I think NJ got impatient and ended their rebuild a year or two early.
I'd like to see Briere stay the course, continue to add assets, and make a Tkachuk type move, add a top player who is 25-26 and extend him into his early 30s.

 

[kudymen]

Risto..I know it kills some people but he's having a solid season again.

Thats not it.

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

Ersson seems to be in the zone right now. He is like .928 in the last 7 games he has started. He isn’t in on the tank

 

[deadhead]

The problem with Ersson is stamina and staying healthy.
When he's on, he's an above average goaltender, but he gets dinged too often and hasn't shown he can handle the load of a franchise goaltender.
But if he turns out to be a 1A, just got to find a 1B. Worked in Boston for years.

 

[Beef Invictus]

Nice win, another nice game from Risto..I know it kills some people but he's having a solid season again.

It doesn't kill anyone?


A problem remains: "solid" is not good enough for his cost and cap hit. That isn't his fault though. That's the fault of the people running the team.

 

[Flyer lurker]

So Brink, Forester and Drysdale.

Do you think any of those 3 turn into impact players?

Do any of them become something you can build a team around?

Boy what a successful rebuild!

Will Forester end up being a solid 2nd line player? I think so. You aren't changing the Cates line this year but I can see pairing Forester and Michkov long term.
Is Brink a solid 3rd line player? I think so.
Drysdale The jury is clearly still out.

Now as far as forwards who are top 50 in the nhl. TK is the only one now.Two years from now maybe Michkov can but not today.

The flyers are missing a batman big time. And they don't usually make it to pick 14-50.

 

[mr4tno]

Block shots are part of defense, Devils wanted to get the puck to the net, Flyers wouldn't let them.
The metrics are more lopsided than the actual game, but Flyers had a number of high danger chances they couldn't convert.

I'd much prefer my team getting their shots blocked while pinning down the opposing team than what happened yesterday

 

[CerpinTaxt]

I'd much prefer my team getting their shots blocked while pinning down the opposing team than what happened yesterday

Its no wonder John loves shot blocking so much. It takes the least amount of skill, albeit a tremendous amount of guts, to do. And like you said can create situations where the team gets hemmed in and goes a long time without touching the puck. NJ was unable to capitalize on it yesterday fortunately for the Flyers.