The Flyers were rocking and rolling to open free agency. After the addition of a once beloved Left Winger in James Van Riemsdyk. It had some Flyers fans throughout the Philadelphia region singing a hit song by the rock band Kiss, “I wanna rock and roll all night.”
Ron Hextall has been known by many as the drafting Guru. This off-season was the first time he was afforded some cap space to make a major splash. He did just that with the addition of Van Riemsdyk. The Flyers have filled a glaring need on the wing with his beautiful hands and speed. But, more importantly the orange and black now have the personnel to adopt the attack style system.
How many times have you the fans watched a Flyers game, and have found yourselves yelling at your television screens… yelling attack. Moreover, attack as we watch our opponents enter our Defensive Zone with ease. Since Hextall’s arrival as General Manager on May 7, 2014, he has made an emphasis on getting faster. Of course, it’s not an overnight process, and unfortunately rebuilds take time. However, speed is the name of the game in the new NHL, and the Flyers finally have the personnel with speed to pull off the attack system.
This system would force their opponents to think on the fly, as opposed to be given space to create. Moreover, it would make their opponents become more predictable with a dump and chase system. It would be like the Flyers teams of years past. Here’s an early look at the well oiled, speed machine of Flyers lines on opening night in the Fall of 2018:
Giroux, Couturier, Konecny
JVR, Patrick, Voracek
Lindblom, Laughton, Simmonds
Raffl, Vorobyev/Vecchione/Weal, NAK/Weal
With Head Coach Dave Hakstol rolling all four lines consistently. The Flyers finally now have the ability to pull off the attack style system. Not only is there speed throughout the entire lineup. But, all of these Forwards are committed to a two-way game. It takes five players on the ice to prevent shots, and goals against. Not just two…beings two Defensemen. This style would also have a trickle down effect to the horrid PK from prior years.
If teams within our division continue to improve their PK, shouldn’t the Flyers be trying to adopt a new style to their PK? Adopt the attack style already gosh darn it. When the Flyers go on the PK they become hard to watch. It makes it seem like they are sitting back eating bon-bons, while teams are creating opportunities in front of us. Simply put, this isn’t getting it done. Developing the attack style would make players have to think on the fly, thus creating more mistakes.
Changing a Defensive style isn’t an overnight process. But, what better time is there then to try this thing out in training camp, and the pre-season. The Flyers have become a predictable team over the course of the past few years. Changing and implementing a new Defensive style is just one way going forward, towards making this team a contender for years to come. One thing is certain Flyers fans, the future is bright in Flyer land.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
