Thursday, 3/25/21 vs New York Rangers
Result: 8-3 Loss
Flyers Goals:
Claude Giroux (Hayes, Farabee)
Kevin Hayes (Couturier, Gostisbehere)
Sean Couturier (Konecny, Gostisbehere)
What to say?
It’s hard to know what more can be said. The same issues have been plaguing the Flyers and the end still does not seem to be in sight.
After the Flyers’ eerily similar performance to last week’s 9-0 shellacking, the Flyers once again suffered and implosion. Fortunately, they were able to muster some energy, scoring three goals and getting a little rough with the Rags. But once again, here we are. Another blowout loss.
Fans are trying to point the blame somewhere. I get it. It’s frustrating and angering. How can a team seemingly be in a position to contend, all of a sudden look like one of the league’s bottom feeders? Unfortunately the blame goes all around.
Questions in the air
Chuck Fletcher knows there is a hole on the defensive front. Little did he know that the hole left by Niskanen’s departure would go from a trickle to an all out flood. With the flat cap and the expansion draft at the end of the season, a big signing would have put the Flyers in a rough spot. He gambled that the current D-squad could get the job done. And he lost. It happens.
As he signaled in his press conference this week, the market is tight right now. The team is more likely to find the right deals and additions during the off-season, not at the trade deadline. He knows the team needs (ideally) a top line defenseman. Someone to pair with Provorov and provide leadership. While everyone, myself included, would love to see Provy fill that role, it’s important to remember how young he is. Giving him a partner to learn from can only be beneficial.
Another sign of hope is that Fletcher thinks the make-up of the team is not right. This is a signal that he plans to move someone or perhaps multiple players out. Based on the comment about teams not wanting to take on money or term, possible candidates include Jakob Voracek, James van Riemsdyk, and Shayne Gostisbehere.
While Voracek and Ghost rumors are nothing new, I think this off-season might prove to be “the year” it happens. And while it would suck to lose a guy like Voracek, one of the longest tenured Flyers, a shakeup seems necessary at this point.
There may be questions as far as players the team will look at acquiring. But there’s one question that I personally don’t think needs to be asked…
Yes, Carter Hart is not having a good season.
No, I am not worried.
Hart is young. This team has been underperforming all around. A lot of young players are living in isolation. Unable to see loved ones, unable to have proper rest and recovery they are used to. The games are taking their toll mentally and it’s showing. But Hart has been praised for his mental aptitude. I know he will overcome this season. And he will silence all of the Philadelphians who seem to fetishize the downfall of would-be star talent (see Carson Wentz).
Looking ahead
The Flyers have three more games to finish out this hideous month. The dastardly Rangers again on Saturday, followed by the Buffalo Sabres on Monday and Wednesday.
I feel like every game I am saying “this could be the turnaround point.”
We shall see.
Flyers Morning Skate 