“Woooooo,” were the words of the Philadelphia Flyers to start the week following the All-Star break. However, after losing back to back games they are barely clinging to the last wild-card spot for the Eastern Conference. With both losses coming to divisional foes. The Flyers Now find themselves three points out of third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Travis Konecny has been a force to be reckoned with, as he potted yet another goal against the Washington Capitals (5 game goal scoring streak). More importantly, he has just been on a tear since his promotion to the top line, and Konecny is one reason why the Flyers still currently sit in a playoff spot. Konecny has registered 13 points in 16 games, since the promotion (7g,6a). Last year, Konecny was overheard yelling Ric Flair’s famous saying, “Wooooo.” Well, those words from Konecny are still echoed today by the orange and black, and fans alike. If they continue their winning ways, Konecny can “Woooooo,” the whole year. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
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Do you foresee the #flyers being buyers or sellers by the upcoming trade deadline?— Christopher Bradley (@cbradley2928) January 31, 2018
Christopher thanks so much for your support. Your a loyal dedicated Flyers fan, and it shows in your response. I see the Flyers being sellers at this stage. Brandon Manning will be the odd man out on the blue line. He is an ideal playoff rental with a favorable cap hit of $975,000, and Manning is in the last year of his contract. Radko Gudas’s name has been thrown around here lately, but after last night’s hit where he left his feet he may actually be suspended. Teams are well aware of his suspension history, and it may scare them away.
Michal Neuvirth’s performance on Wednesday night could actually hurt his stock. Especially with his answer following the game on how he performed.“I felt energy in the first and then I sat down after 20 minutes and I was just getting tired every minute. I haven’t really eaten much lately, so I was drinking a lot of water. I had one practice before the pregame skate. It is what it is.”
Neuvirth played bad…own it. Please don’t make excuses that you weren’t feeling well. If he wasn’t 100%, then HE should have let the training staff know, or some of the coaching staff. Neuvirth has been pretty solid otherwise this season, so hopefully that game doesn’t come back to haunt him.
Last week, I thought the Flyers could be buyers at the deadline. I actually wrote an article on a glaring need with the Flyers needing a beefy, skilled winger. However, from what I’ve been gathering around the NHL, it’s going to take a ton in order to acquire one. The only beefy winger I would like to see the Flyers acquire would be a 225 pound lumberjack in Anthony Mantha from the Detroit Red Wings.
If Mantha isn’t available, then I would like to see the Flyers gather a solid penalty killer. If the price isn’t right, then at the very least call-up Oskar Lindblom from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He has been a solid penalty killer for the Phantoms this season. The Flyers are horrid on the penalty kill. They have a 73.9% killing rate, which is well below the league average of 80.41%. The orange and black will not make the playoffs if this stat doesn’t improve.
This is what hurts #Flyers Gudas's stock throughout the NHL if teams are looking to upgrade on D. #LetsGoFlyershttps://t.co/6jX42VrGIZ
— Jamey Baskow (@JameyBaskow) February 2, 2018
Now that Stolarz is getting back on the ice (long ways from returning) that might throw a curveball into the goalie mix, with Lyon and Carter Hart coming up soon. Any thoughts on what the #Flyers move is going forward with the goalie situation? Good problem to have #flyersmail
— Kerry (@MusicIsLife_74) January 30, 2018
Kerry thanks so much for your support. Its truly appreciated, and you definitely know your hockey. You hit the nail on the head in terms of the Flyers future goaltending situation. It’s a great problem to have when your mentioning the likes of Carter Hart, Felix Sandstrom, Anthony Stolarz, and Alex Lyon. Lyon played ok last night against the New Jersey Devils. I thought he played well in relief on Wednesday night too against the Washington Capitals. It shows he can be a solid backup goaltender. He needs to works on his five hole issues, but every young player has something to work on.
Next season I forsee Hart being the starting goaltender for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Lyon may be his backup, if Neuvirth isn’t moved at the trade deadline. If the Flyers can move Neuvirth, then it becomes clear Lyon is the backup goaltender for the orange and black, at least for the rest of this season.
Stolarz is waysssssssssss away from seeing any quality action. If he continues to progress, then its highly likely he will see some action in the ECHL for the Reading Royals. I say the Royals because the phantoms will be in the mix of a playoff run, so it would be highly unlikely he would see action there. To answer your question there are no answers just yet. Let’s see how the trade deadline plays out in terms of Neuvirth first, as we might have the answer to your question then. However, if Neuvirth isn’t moved at the deadline, then the Flyers will have to answer this very question in the off-season.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our facebook page or on Twitter using the #Flyersmail. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag, and Let’s go Flyers.
Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
