The '25-'26 Philadelphia Flyers thread

[LegoDoom]

Yeah, but they have been so bad at shooting the puck. Just doing it was a big deal.

Michkov isn't going anywhere. He's starting to hang out with his peer group, giving interviews in English, Tocchet admitted his mistake the other day. Unless it's for Matthews.

I hope you are right. They are still not using him correctly and I'd be pissed if I was him.

[zambonir]

Seems like they've been very correct about his development as it turns out. His first half is on him not the Flyers, and Tocchet demanding a more responsible game from all the skill players is what got them here.

And Martone isn't out of shape, he's 19 and has never played pro hockey. But that big body and north-south style still brings something Michkov doesn't, especially on the PP. It's hardly a competition between them. Also not sure why you think it would be a good thing for a player to whine about their ice time, right or wrong.

[LegoDoom]

I mean, on the broadcast tonight the announcers said that Tippett is the next superstar. He had the same amount of points as Michkov this year and is 6+ years older. Why isn't Michkov being given the same amount of treatment as the "next superstar" when he makes nothing and Tippett makes quite a bit?

This isn't going to end well when the Flyers have not given Michkov a lot of opportunity to succeed.

But I hope I am wrong.

[LegoDoom]

And Martone isn't out of shape, he's 19 and has never played pro hockey.

Then he doesn't skate efficiently, which is not even in question.

Why is that worse than being out of shape? Is Michkov out of shape? Was he given the same opportunity that quickly... when he likely deserved it?

[LegoDoom]

[bigegypt0417]

Fun game last night.

The anti-martone conversation is just more "we didn't draft my guy" stuff.

Winning a round would be gravy but I'm here for it.

[LegoDoom]

The anti-martone conversation is just more "we didn't draft my guy" stuff.

This is to me? I said I am a fan. He just can't skate and gets caught a lot... which is what the Michkov is being labeled as "out of shape". But Martone is getting more minutes.

I can be a fan and critical of what is going on.

EDIT: I am also comparing Martone to Michkov... and not someone from last years draft, so please leave that comment up.....

[phillychuck]

I thought Martone was a bad skater, but he looked like the Quad God on his goal last night. Sweet skating move to get open.

It’s clear Tocchet has a bug up his ass about Michkov and gives him short minutes with any excuse. Hope that clears up before next season, and before Michkov decides to leave because of it.

[LegoDoom]

I thought Martone was a bad skater, but he looked like the Quad God on his goal last night. Sweet skating move to get open.

It was a lazy circle. His quick shot is what made the goal. Look, if he turns into Brett Hull I am not complaining, but let's not say he's a good skater.

[LegoDoom]

There is also no way to defend Martone's goal. A fairly static shooter in the circles with no one in front of the goalie. It's filthy, which I think I already said.

EDIT: He did lean for a pass and shot in the same motion, which is very nice.

[VoteForKalas]

I thought they played the perfect road playoff game:

Set the tone physically right away
Weather the first 10 min storm
Support Vladar
Score first
Forecheck hard
Maintain & build the lead
Stop their PP
Goad Crosby & Malkin into retaliation
Take advantage of Letang's poor defense

Tocchet is doing what he thinks gives the team the best chance to win. Michkov is a team player just like everyone else and seems to be settling in and enjoying his role.

If he comes into camp next season in tip top shape and plays well enough to earn a bigger role, I do not believe Tocchet will stand in the way. He is, however, not going to give ice time and opportunity just because Michkov was a high pick or making a lot of money.

I think the players respect that and know they need to put in the work and execute in games to earn what they get. Their captain and highest paid player is on the 4th line and limited minutes for goodness sake so how can anyone complain?

[Florida_Sunshine]

I think the predraft analysis on Martone was that he was a power forward type, not speedy but excelled in other areas. And he is only 19 but averaging a point per game.

The Flyers will be a better team if Michkov works out over the summer and reports in great shape. He still is learning the NA game. If not, he could get caught in the logjam at forward.

[LegoDoom]

I think the predraft analysis on Martone was that he was a power forward type, not speedy but excelled in other areas. And he is only 19 but averaging a point per game.

The Flyers will be a better team if Michkov works out over the summer and reports in great shape. He still is learning the NA game. If not, he could get caught in the logjam at forward.

This is exactly what bothers me. Martone is being given a pass. Michkov is also young. Apparently he's lazy.

Can we get Martone some skating lessons. FFS... the announcers were saying that Tippett was the next superstar even though he had the same amount of points as Michkov while Michkov got 2 minutes fewer of ice time than Tippett.

Michkov is gone.

... and if he isn't gone, then he is being severely mismanaged.

[zambonir]

Martone needs to work on his skating, that's no secret. Also no secret Michkov came to camp out of shape after not stepping on the ice all off-season. He said it himself. And then he worked his butt off during the Olympic break.

Nobody is getting a pass. Martone was skating and yes, working out with an NCAA team all season. Not being as fast or as good a skater as he could be is not the same thing as flunking your cardio tests (which is something the team leaked during the controversy, not a great moment for them, but also still probably true).

I dunno why you think he's gone, by whose choice? He has no leverage (under contract next year, controlled a lot longer than that). The team won't trade him in anything other than a blockbuster deal. And I don't think he's going to get caught in a logjam, he's still one of their most important parts of the future.

And who cares what the ESPN announcers say.

[Florida_Sunshine]

Michkov isn’t gone. Martone isn’t being given a free pass. He excels at what the Flyers need in this series. And I imagine he has already been working on his skating.

If Michkov is gone, it will be because he doesn’t understand the importance of being in top shape.

We have a team of many solid players, some likely stars, and more depth to come. Maybe the announcers were told to beef up Tippett to increase his trade value!

Enjoy the series.

[LegoDoom]

Not being as fast or as good a skater as he could be is not the same thing as flunking your cardio tests

This also bothers me. What is the difference? You're saying that Martone has a very defined ceiling as a skater and Michkov is lazy. Michkov is still likely a better skater while being "lazy", yet Martone is being given a better line and more minutes?

It's stupid.... and if I was Michkov, I have no incentive to work harder... especially when I put up as many points as Tippett who is being paid a lot of money. It's just bad business. Even if they want to trade him, they are decreasing his value.

[zambonir]

I am not saying Martone has a ceiling or that Michkov is lazy. They can both get better. At everything. So can a lot of the Flyers' offensive players, even the older ones! The reason Michkov played less in the first half of the season is because he actually wasn't in shape, Not only could he not handle the total minutes but he would come off the ice sooner than he was supposed to (not the good kind of "play short shifts!"). And yes, Tocchet was prioritizing more defensively responsible players. Seems like that was smart.

If you were Michkov, you would be a selfish player and a bad teamate. I'm sure he doesn't care about Tippett's ice time, let alone the contract of an older players who got that closer to being an unrestricted free agent. He'll make twice as much money as Tippett before he's done. An more than Martone for several years.

[Florida_Sunshine]

Lego,

I think it is great to see your passion to try to prove your point but you fail when you put words in peoples mouth. Total fail.

Reread what Zam wrote and then try to explain how you changed his words to falsely support your position.

[Florida_Sunshine]

No, you didn’t say that.

[LegoDoom]

Lego,

I think it is great to see your passion to try to prove your point but you fail when you put words in peoples mouth. Total fail.

Reread what Zam wrote and then try to explain how you changed his words to falsely support your position.

I responded to a portion of zam's post. Please let me know what I am doing wrong.