The Flyers hopefully will start a new winning streak after defeating the Ottawa Senators yesterday 4-1. Carter Hart was phenomenal once again, after making 41 saves to earn his second victory in the month of December. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
For the month of December, to include the Maple Leafs victory, I believe the Flyers will go 9-4-0. Unfortunately, I have the Flyers losing to of course the Arizona Coyotes, the Colorado Avalanche, the San Jose Sharks, and the Anaheim Ducks in California.
It will be a fun month once again, unfortunately, the orange and black cannot win every game. Ending up with 53 points by the end of December is a blessing, considering the amount of back to backs this team has had to endure within the past few months (To include the month of December). Finally, at the end of December the Flyers will be a consistent team for once.
Nolan Patrick referenced his migraines this past Tuesday, “If they had gone away, I’d be playing.” He expects to play soon, although there is no timeline, or expectations of such. Patrick also stated that he did not know if he would have to do a rehab stint with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms when he is eventually cleared to return.
To hear Patrick talk to the media this past Tuesday (For only the second time this season) was a huge step in the right direction. He had some great days a few weeks ago, followed by a few days with headaches. However, Patrick seems to be making progress now, and he even traveled with the team last week. Hopefully, Patrick is able to return after the All-Star break.
One would think the PK would take a hit due to Michael Raffl’s injury, however, Joel Farabee plays well defensively. Farabee is a 200ft player, and he has had success throughout his young career at killing penalties. He takes Raffl’s spot, and the PK will be just fine until Raffl returns in approximately a month.
As Flyers fans have seen. Joel Farabee will take Raffl’s ice time on the PK, and Alain Vigneault will most certainly interchange that fourth line unit looking for chemistry until Raffl returns. Moreover, Vigneault is also not afraid at using 11 Forwards, and 7 defencemen with the injury to Raffl. The fourth line will remain a work in progress, but I’m confident that Vigneault will figure something out, sooner rather than later.
Unfortunately, NAK is now an afterthought the organization, as the Flyers have the likes of Morgan Frost, Joel Farabee, Connor Bunnaman, and Carsen Twarynski pegged ahead of him. The names on the list do not mention David Kase or Pascal Laberge.
NAK’s best shot at making the Flyers was this past Training Camp. He was quite impressive, but Fletcher thought it was best to be sent back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and it looks like Fletcher was right.
It’s going to be tough for NAK to receive a call-up this year. He has to become more consistent, as NAK only has 4 goals, and 3 assists in 24 games played. Laberge, for instance, has 3 goals and 1 assist in just 7 games, since returning from the Reading Royals.
The Flyers are loaded to the gills with prospects that are nearing NHL ready. Will all these prospects get a shot…no, so when their number is called they really have to make an impact, unless your Mikhail Vorobyev.
In my honest opinion, the Flyers will not part with Shayne Gostisbehere anytime soon. Ghost is playing like the old Ghost again, and it’s a bonus to have seven quality defencemen that can play on any given night. However, Ghost could very well be trade bait at the trade deadline, but based off his recent play as of late, he would be tough to part with.
Sorry this is a little late, but Joel Farabee is an excellent penalty killer. He plays a 200ft game, and it appears Vigneault really trusts Farabee. If Farabee continues to excel on the PK, maybe he might earn this spot full-time, thus giving a Vet a rest from this duty.
When and if, Patrick returns I didn’t not forsee Robert Hagg being traded. There aren’t many teams in the NHL that have seven quality defencemen that can play on any given night, and it really could payoff come playoff time. The one thing most teams are looking for at the trade deadline is defensive help. Well, the Flyers won’t have to look for that, as they have seven quality defencemen.
The Flyers are starting to garner some respect around the league, in terms of Sean Couturier. Emily Kaplan from ESPN, wrote a nice article on him this past week. It’s only a matter of time before the Flyers start to get some respect throughout the league, they just have to remain consistent.
Happy birthday to a great person in Rob, must be nice to be 21 again. I owe you a Frost Jersey, and trust me after the holidays I will get you one.
The Flyers would have to pay more for Taylor Hall, since the Flyers and Devils are in the same division. Ghost, one-two picks, and two high end prospects might get it done. I’m not sure if Ghost could get the deal done, as I do not know exactly what the Devils are looking for, in terms of offensive or defensive help.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Twitter page @flyersknitty using #Flyersmail, or @JameyBaskow. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag, and Let’s go Flyers.
