The '25-'26 Philadelphia Flyers thread

[zambonir]

The rule says:

"A player using a stick thrown on the ice from the players’ or
penalty bench will not receive a penalty. However, the person
responsible for throwing the stick will receive a bench minor penalty."

So it doesn't matter where you throw it or if you don't throw it directly to the player. And gently dropping it from the bench to the ice still isn't legal either.

(Posted before your edit. I've certainly seen some sticks thrown in my day but those usually get unsportsmanlike penalties, because it's the coach doing it!)

[LegoDoom]

I understand the rule. As a player they can become frustrating. Personally, I think as long as the player was near the bench and the stick didn't infringe on another player then I don't see the issue.... but I understand there needs to be a line somewhere.

I'd also argue that picking up a bouncing stick off the ice is likely much more difficult than being handed one.

[LegoDoom]

Martone with a quick, heavy shot. I am a fan, but really wish he was a better skater.

[LegoDoom]

3-on-0. Ugh!

[LegoDoom]

Well, it does help when you get a 5-on-3. Nice goal.

[xogfog]

i juat hope they can retain their playoff position, currently 3 in the Metropolitan and not a wild card.

[VoteForKalas]

Really the only way they can score on the PP

[phillychuck]

Martone’s hands were awesome on the goal, and his slap shot in regulation had a good chance of going in but the goalie made a nice save. He’s the real deal.

[zambonir]

Moneypuck has them at 37.6% to make the playoffs and 30% to take 3rd in the East, which may not sound that high but is still ahead of everyone else except Ottawa (now the favorite to lock up the second WC). A couple of wins or 1-1 with one Islanders loss this week will leave them in a good spot before the last two home games (against two very good teams that won't have anything to play for I don't think).

It will be interesting to see what Briere's biggest swing is this summer. It might be a PP-improving d-man rather than a center (though he'll still have to take some kind of swing there). Clearly the coaches need to look in the mirror about it too because they were supposed to be better at that based on their time in Vancouver. But as bad as it has still been, it feels like night and day to be able to put out two credible units versus a month ago. And Martone down low is a big deal too.

The waiver pick up of Glendinning and the play of #14 also an underrated factor this past month.

[Austinfan]

I've been more impressed with Martone's defensive awareness, he plays a 200 ft game, they must have some good coaches at Michigan State. A lot of elite scorers treat defense as an afterthought when they first come up b/c HCs at lower levels often encourage an offense first approach (since on many teams they are the offense, see Bump on WMU, Quinn on Quebec in the Q this season). So I'm impressed with his IQ. His skating needs work, but he's only 19, still filling out that body and should get faster with physical maturity and coaching.

Not sure what Briere is going to, some tough decisions.
1) Zegras and Dvorack look like legitimate #2s, Cates an above average #3. Is there a true #1 or prospect with #1 potential available? If not, he might just wait with Jett, Knuble in LHV, Nesbitt in LHV or college, Berglund in SHL or in LHV, and most pushing for a job in 2027 if not earlier.

2) Risto and Seeler have been keys to PO push, but Jiricek is out of waivers, Bonk is probably ready and Muchison looked like he belong in his 3 game cameo and was best LHV D-man before he was injured. Kyrou may also get a look. So do you make room for the kids at the expense of a potential step backwards.

3) They need a PP QB. Do you trade for a young LHD with potential and/or sign a veteran patch while you try to develop one?

4) Couts has been revived moving to 4LW, more aggressive in the O-zone, more physical. Glendening has good speed (80th percentile) and is good defensively, but he's 37 with no offensive chops. Does he retire? Do they bring him back for a season? Look for a veteran patch? Rush Jett in 4th line role?

5) Ersson was worst goalie in NHL before the break, best since and key to PO run. Do you extend him? How long and how much? What will it cost to extend Vladar? Zavragin is probably 2-3 years from starting, other goalie prospects are ???

[LegoDoom]

Martone’s hands were awesome on the goal, and his slap shot in regulation had a good chance of going in but the goalie made a nice save. He’s the real deal.

I tend to agree with regards to his shot.

I very much disagree with his defensive awareness that AF pointed out. You simply cannot forecheck behind the net when you aren't conditioned or not a good skater. I'd be fairly pissed as a teammate to play 4-on-5 in those situations.

[Austinfan]

Think that's the difference between playing forward and center.
Forward just has to get back to his own blue line and catch the D-man on his side.
Center has to get back in position in front of his own net.

That's why Couts looks so much better with Glendening (a fast defensive center), he can be more aggressive in the O-zone.
It's also why the key to Nesbitt, Berglund and Ruohonen is improving their skating to at least average.
Whereas Foerster is a top defensive forward with below average speed.

[LegoDoom]

Think that's the difference between playing forward and center.
Forward just has to get back to his own blue line and catch the D-man on his side.
Center has to get back in position in front of his own net.

But Martone can't get back to cover. Which was my entire point.

[phillychuck]

Did you watch his four games LD? He’s been getting back very well, at least as well as the other centers except maybe Dvorak. He said in an interview that the MSU coaches were very adamant about getting back on D with him and worked on it with him in practice every day.

[Austinfan]

Martone is a RW.

Foerster - Zegras - Tippett
TK - Dvorak - Martone
Bump - Cates - Michkov
Couts - Glendening - Hathaway/Grundstrom

All three centers have average to slightly above average top speed, Dvorak plays very fast (96th percentile in 20-22 MPH bursts), Cates below average, Zegras average.

After watching Boston, Washington, Isles games, you can see why Briere wanted to add size, Eastern conference has some physical teams. Foerster and Martone (even at 19) make them harder to play against.

[phillychuck]

Oops, I meant wing, sorry. Don’t know why I was comparing him with Dvorak, except that he is probably the best forward at getting all the way back to his position on defense.

[LegoDoom]

Did you watch his four games LD? He’s been getting back very well, at least as well as the other centers except maybe Dvorak. He said in an interview that the MSU coaches were very adamant about getting back on D with him and worked on it with him in practice every day.

I was on vacation, so I only saw last night. And you simply never forecheck behind the net if you can't get back.... which he definitely did not. I am kind of pissed about people complaining about the conditioning of Michkov and liking Martone when Martone is definitely not in shape or just not an efficient enough of a skater to compensate.

[LegoDoom]

YTTV won't let me screenshot, but 8:45 left in the 3rd.

[zambonir]

Reading more about the Islanders it actually makes sense; maybe they make the playoffs, maybe they don't, but this GM didn't hire Roy, was probably gonna dump him anyway, and locked up the best available NHL-experienced coach on the market on a three-year deal (after this season) before anyone else could. Also "protects" him from having to keep Roy if they made the playoffs and won a round or two. They weren't really supposed to be a playoff team to begin with this year but then they got #1 pick last year and he was just too good (plus Sorokin). The rest of the team kind of found its level.

And meanwhile, Blue Jackets seem to have lost the the "magic" of hiring Rick Bowness.

[VoteForKalas]

Really tough loss last night to the Red Wings. Need to get back on the horse tonorrow night.