Richards: Flyers lacking heart; Hartnell Pitt. fans' target
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Richards: Flyers lacking heart; Hartnell Pitt. fans' target
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
One night after they scored an impressive win in Boston, the Flyers were listless in Tuesday's 6-1 loss in Pittsburgh.
"It's big-time frustrating," captain Mike Richards said. "We come in here and say all the right words, and then we go out and don’t execute and kind of have mental lapses that turn into goals….Right now, we’re not playing with enough heart to have success.”
The Flyers were 1 for 6 on the power play, were outshot 35-27, and allowed odd-man rushes all night.
It all produced their eighth loss in their last 10 games. They have scored a total of seven goals in those eight defeats.
Jordan Staal scored two goals _ including a key shorthanded tally that gave the Penguins a 3-1 lead in the first period _ and Flyer killer Sidey Crosby (goal, two assists) recorded three points for the winners.
The Flyers hope Blair Betts, Simon Gagne and Darroll Powe can return from injuries shortly. When they do, will they still have the same teammates _ or will GM Paul Holmgren have unloaded one of his underachieving "stars?"
I would wait a few weeks and see if the returning players give them a boost.
Your take?
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It was the teams’ first meeting since a 5-4 Pittsburgh win at the Wachovia Center on Oct. 8. In that game, Penguins defenseman Kris Letang accused Scott Hartnell of biting him. Really.
Hartnell was booed loudly and was the subject of derisive chants throughout Tuesday's game. They were numerous signs about Hartnell at the Igloo, including one that read: HARTNELL SAYS LETANG TASTES LIKE CHICEKN AND IS FINGER LICKING GOOD!
Letang set up the Penguins’ fourth goal, virtually sealing the Flyers’ fate late in the middle period. Hartnell’s stray pass was recovered by Staal, who started an odd-man rush out of his own zone. That set up a Letang shot from the left circle that Brian Boucher kicked aside…but right to the ever-present Staal, who knocked in his second goal of the night to give the Penguins a 4-1 lead with 15 seconds left in the second period.
The team is a mess right now, there's no doubt about it. But I wonder how much of a positice impact trading away one of the team's stars would have. This team's confidence is already shaky and they haven't been able to score. Trading away a guy like Jeff Carter or Scott Hartnell could make this problem even worse. I don't think they should go in this direction unless they are out of the playoff hunt and are looking to retool their offense. I could be wrong though. Maybe it would shake things enough to spark the team but my gut feeling is that it would do more harm than good. By the way, I know it may be way to early to talk about this, but is there any chance the Flyers will be in the running for Kovalchuk at the deadline? If they moved a big contract, they might have the cap flexibility to do it. If he wouldn't be able give them an offensive boost, nobody can.— Dan K.
Comment removed.- The Oppressed Prophesy is right on. The whole "Flyers hockey" mantra is so ridiculous that we're a laughingstock anymore. Flyers hockey equates to being so obsessed with trying to be physical that we take pee wee penalties and cry about it, then get slaughtered by teams that care more about being hockey players instead of looking tough. Ed Snider is a great business man, but a terrible owner in modern times.— duffers
The fight scorecard last night was one win--Carcillo pulverized Adams--one draw, and one loss, though Cote stood up to Godard.- This team is terrible, and really, since their run 2 years ago, which really only happened because of Biron and Umberger, this team has gone completely downhill. Maybe instead of getting rid of guys like Biron, Umberger, Upshall, Lupul, and Knuble, they should have unloaded Richards, Carter, Briere, Gagne, and Hartnell - none of them play with any heart, emotion, or common hockey sense. Where has Briere gone? And can Gagne play more than 10 games a season? This team is nothing more than a punchline.— tim17600
- Comment removed.
- Last night's game demonstrated the vast gap between the Pen's talent and heart vs and the Flyer's talent and heart. The Pens skate hard for 60 minutes and when a Pen's player is on the ice their legs are moving. The Flyers skate then coast then skate then coast, and too many Flyers are standing around waiting for the puck instead of just skating for the puck. The fact that the Flyers are still "talking" about the need to play and skate hard speaks volumes. Simply put, the Flyer's "star" players aren't used to working hard to win and talent alone doesn't cut it at this level. The coaching change hasn't gotten the player's attention so it's a matter of time before one or more of these highly-paid, under-performers gets traded. The question is whether it will be Richards, Carter, Briere, or Hartnell? Trading anyone else would be ineffective. Some suggestions for Laviolette: 1. Give the "C" to Pronger - Richards has demonstrated he's not NHL captain material yet, and Pronger is a proven captain. 2. Sit the players who won't skate for 60 minutes. Skate hard and attack the puck or sit on the bench. Accountability rules. 3. Skate this team into the ground every non-game day until they get the message - Just line 'em up on the goal line and have 'em go end to end until they drop. Repeat as needed.— eroc144
- When was the last time a Flyers goalie stole a game? That is what this team needs right now . . . 2 or 3 games in a row where NO soft goals are allowed. That may be asking for too much but if the wingers and defense reduce the opponents true scoring chances maybe Boucher can come up big on a few shots. I watch these games from afar and can not see the bench when goals are being scored but I have to think heads are dropping after the Flyers are pressing and don't score and then the opponent comes in and a big save is not made. These BIG SAVES are critical for a fragile team and the Flyers are a fragile team right now.— Philly.PHAN.phrom.a.phar
- Richards doesn't need to look past himself to find a problem with this team. His play has been marked by long stretches of ineffectiveness and stupid giveaways, nor does he seem to be playing like a Captain should and leading by example every shift.
- I'm sick of Hartnell, his gay hair and his stupid penalties. Next time you watch a game, count how many times Hartnell just falls down. It is unreal how much time he spends on the ice, literally. I don't know if he wants to make it look like he's trying real hard, or if he is trying to draw penalties, but it's not effective. He has a no-trade clause, but if I was Homer, I would scratch him until he begs for a trade. After Homer trades Hartnell, he should fire himself.— Big Game
- They don't lack heart; they lack talent. They don't have any offensive stars at all. They struggle to score because they don't have true scorers. Holmgren has a mess on his hands.— Vituperator
- You Philly fans kill me. You will never win the CUP with the mentality that "we are tough"and thats good enough.The Pens stood toe to toe with your so called tough guys. Not only did they hold their own they went on to crush you. Yes you are the laughing stock of the NHL. Go Pens.— kdc0815
- Problem with a big trade right now is that Homer would be dealing from a weak hand. Not only do other teams know he's desperate, but the trade value of players he would want to ship are at a low point.— dave-tx
- Oh, and Philly fans - take heed of what kdc0815 says. If a Pittsburgh fan says that the Flyers are the laughing stock of the NHL, it's probably true. The Pens have been in that position for most of their history, so they know what they're talking about.— dave-tx
- Can Comcast buy the Devils and swap them out for this team?— MichaelZoe
