Scouting the Enemy: Anaheim Ducks vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Oct 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) and Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) get tangled up during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Ducks defeated the Flyers, 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Anaheim Ducks are finishing up their two-game homestand and six-game California stretch. The Ducks have started this stretch 3-2-0, including a win on Monday over the Boston Bruins. The last bout for the Ducks is against the Philadelphia Flyers, who have struggled mightily to open the season. After a 42 win, 94 point season last season that saw the Flyers place third in the Metropolitan Division, they are 8-13-3 and 15th in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers have lost five straight games, and their last four losses have all come in regulation. The Flyers are continuing a five game road-trip, losing to the New York Rangers 5-2 on Saturday and San Jose Sharks 2-1 on Tuesday.
The Flyers are one of the most popular franchises in the NHL and shown on national TV frequently. However, to learn more about the Flyers, I asked some questions to Steven Smith. Steven is the editor at Broad Street Buzz, the site that covers the Philadelphia Flyers on the FanSided network. Here, I ask Steven about one of the league’s unexpected leading scorers, a struggling defense corps, and how the team is managing a tight financial situation.
Oct 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) scores the game tying goal against Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) at Wells Fargo Center. The Ducks defeated the Flyers, 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
1. Claude Giroux is the offensive star in Philadelphia: he had a terrific 86 point campaign last season when he finished third in the Hart Trophy voting. However, Jakub Voracek has been on an absolute tear to start this season, with 32 points through 24 games and second in the entire league in scoring behind Sidney Crosby. Voracek had 62 points last season, which is a terrific number, but he’s on pace to score 109 points this season, which is an incredible figure. What has been the biggest change in Voracek’s game this season, and what makes him such an offensively gifted player?
Steven: I think a big part of his success early on has been his vision. He’s able to develop plays a lot easier this year when compared to years prior. Reading defenses has been a big improvement with the vision. He knows holes will open up in front of the net before they even happen. It’s remarkable, to be frank. He’s also a very well-rounded player. When you put him with a guy like Giroux, it’s going to be something fun!
Oct 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) reaches for puck in front of Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) and defenseman Nicklas Grossmann (8) during the first period at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
2. Voracek and Giroux have been offensive machines this season, ranking second and sixth in the league in scoring, respectively. However, the Flyers have struggled a bit on the defensive end, as they have allowed 76 goals, third most in the Eastern Conference and seventh most in the entire NHL. The Flyers also allow the seventh most shots on goal per game (32.2). What has been the main cause for the defensive woes, and how much of that can be attributed to losing veteran Kimmo Timonen to blood clots during the offseason?
Steven: Boy, if this isn’t a broken record around these parts. For starters: the fact of the matter is they just aren’t that good. The talent level is nonexistent, and if it ever was there, it’s diminishing drastically. They don’t really have a good flow, and they’re aging. The few worthy defensemen that they do have are extremely offensive-minded, which doesn’t always help either. There’s just no chemistry. Kimmo is key because he was the leader. Same deal with Scott Hartnell. He’s a solid reason behind the five goals allowed in five games.
January 30, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) blocks a shot against Philadelphia Flyers center Vincent Lecavalier (40) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
3. Despite the amount of talent on the Flyers roster, the team isn’t very flexible because of just how much money they have invested into contracts. The Flyers don’t have much cap space this season, but also do not have much space for next season either, as their biggest expiring contract is worth $2 million. If the Flyers need to deal players to gain financial flexibility, who are some of the prime candidates to be dealt? Also, are there any major prospects coming along that could be impact players for Philadelphia at the NHL level, either this season or next season?
Steven: Scott Laughton is a guy who had a monster game last night. Tonight will be his 8th on the season, and each game, you just see him doing something different, better. The young prospects of Sam Morin and Shayne Gostisbehere are going to do this team a great deal of gratitude, but not for a while. As far as players they would deal now, it’s really difficult to say. We’ve been so used to the less than eventful actions of Paul Holmgren over the years at trade deadlines that we’ve kind of just gotten used to waking up and finding out, not really suspecting anything. Vincent Lecavalier is a guy who makes sense, though his contract is horrible. I’m not too sure they COULD move him even if they wanted to. They probably could, but the return package wouldn’t be good at all. Though, knowing Ron Hextall, even if he got a late round pick, he might pull the trigger. He loves young players.
Oct 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Nate Thompson (44) and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Andrew MacDonald (47) battle behind the net during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Ducks defeated the Flyers, 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
I want to thank Steven for taking his time to answer my questions. Go check out Broad Street Buzz for the work that Steven and his staff do covering the Philadelphia Flyers, and continue to check out Pucks of a Feather for our staff’s coverage of the Ducks. Get ready for the game between the Flyers and Ducks tonight at 7:30 p.m. PT.
Jason Byun is the editor for Pucks of a Feather. He can be found on Twitter. For more Anaheim Ducks coverage, follow Pucks of a Feather on Twitter or like us on Facebook.