Photo Credit: Abiagael Filon
The Flyers were inches away from winning three out of their last four, as the Montreal Canadiens tied the game with 42 seconds left in the third period at three. Eventually the Canadiens won 4-3 in overtime, and it left a sour taste in Mike Yeo’s mouth, “I haven’t and I also haven’t seen the reluctance, I mean we spent a lot of time this morning talking about showing a team like Florida, showing a team like Carolina,” Yeo said. “It’s the things that you do to win games, and still before that moment in the game, I’m sure you guys probably agree, it’s not like we all felt real good about our game. Even when we had the lead.”
Yeo continued, “So again we’re going to have to keep finding ways to get players to understand that you can play the way you want to play, or you can play winning hockey. Again I think that there were things that you can look at, our defensive game is getting better, and blah blah blah that’s nice but that’s what you have to do, that’s what you’re supposed to do. And there’s a way to play with the puck where you’re not turning it over and giving free ice and giving freebies to a team that has skill. We still refuse to do that.”
I personally have never seen the Flyers Interim Head Coach Mike Yeo this animated, and pissed off. Yeo is tired of blown coverages, he is tired of turnovers, and he is tired of not being able to capitalize with the man advantage. All of these aforementioned topics are critical to win a hockey game. So how do you get players to play the right way, well bench them, “Again, take ice time away, put guys on the fourth line, scratch guys if we have to,” Yeo said following the game. “I don’t even know if we have enough to call guys up. These are veteran players we’re going to have to do it to too. Got to get the job done.”
Who is Yeo thinking of benching, well maybe Derick Brassard as he was Puck watching on the game tying goal I sent the game into overtime. I’m sure Yeo doesn’t like to see players puck watch, or even Rasmus Ristolainen for being out of position on one of Nick Suzuki’s goal. Ristolainen blew a coverage, and Suzuki blew by him to tie the game at 2.
These are just two examples I’m sure of what Yeo is describing. Obviously other players made mistakes as well, but if you want to get your message across, these are two veterans that would get that message received.
Claude Giroux, Mic Drop
Giroux left some media in attendance gasping for air following his press conference. He said he will have a meeting with management to see what the game plan is, not just the trade deadline, but his future.
Apparently, Giroux has not met with the Flyers top brass to discuss his future, and in particular to give his list of teams to be traded to since he has a no movement clause (NMC). I think the chances of him asking for a trade are 50/50 at this point. If Giroux wants to stay, he will, and he will re-sign. As I’ve discussed in my most recent Flyers Weekly Mailbag a few weeks ago, Giroux may not move if players are discussing that the season could be different if it weren’t for injuries or covid protocol in the locker room. Media is restricted once again this season from entering the locker room, so no one really knows what is being said behind closed doors, in regards to how this season has translated into.
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If there are some conversations that the season could in fact be different if it weren’t for injuries, then why would Giroux waive his NMC, he might just instead re-sign in Philly. Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher has currently said the ball is in Giroux’s court, Giroux will dictate his own future. With that being said, it’s not a shoe in for Giroux to be traded, “I didn’t expect to have to be making a decision (When referring to the trade deadline),” Giroux said. “It’s not a position I want to be in.”
What will transpire has the trade deadline is anyone’s guess, but it is not a lock for Giroux to be moved.
These Flyers know they get paid the same whether they win or loose.
It would be a totally different situation with Giroux if his spot on the team was purely sentimental. It is not. Night after night he is clearly the best and most dedicated member of this team. If he was not already a Flyer the fans would be willing to trade anything to get him.