Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Ivan Provorov Becoming Young Anchor of Flyers Defense

(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

By Chuck LaGrossa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Opposing players won't get blown off the puck physically by him, He won't be giving opposing players bleeding ears with any type of trash talking and he won't light the score board up. Yet NHL analyst Keith Jones labels him to be the next potential Nick Lidstrom, and the Flyers will take even a sliver of that.

At 6'1", 200 pounds and 21 years of age, Ivan Provorov is becoming the young stud the Flyers were hoping for and needed him to be in the traditional and non-traditional hockey sense. 

Reasoning Nolan Patrick Staying with Flyers Despite WJC Eligibility

(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

By Chuck LaGrossa, Sports Talk Philly staff writer

When the Flyers kept Nolan Patrick on the final roster back in October, he conceivably had a 10-game window where the Flyers could return him to juniors or choose to keep him around for the remainder of the season. The Flyers opted, as they have in the past with these kind of rookies, to keep him around for the duration of the season.

There is no physical issue with Nolan Patrick or any regressive factor warranting any type of demotion or benching. The dilemma with Patrick is that with the World Junior Championships coming up, he is still eligible to play for Team Canada.

Flyers GM Ron Hextall has already said the team will not be loaning Patrick to Team Canada for the WJC, which begins Dec. 26 and ends Jan. 5. However, Patrick is still one of Canada's top junior prospects and is currently centering the Flyers' fourth line of Travis Konecny and Dale Weise, with his minutes taking being cut recently.

The scenarios of whether Patrick stays or goes won't come into play, but here's a look at why either decision would have worked out for the Flyers.

3 Reasons to Remain Calm Despite Flyers Aggravating Losing Streak

(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

By Chuck LaGrossa, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

There is a quote that comes to mind from Sir William Osler of Salem, Massachusetts. "Be calm, strong and patient, meet failure and disappointment with courage." This quote was written in the late 1600's during a very turbulent time in Salem, known as the Salem Witch trials.

The reaction to the Flyers nine-game losing streak could be comparable right now and maybe even make the Salem Witch trials look like a minor disagreement right about now.

But enough with the brief history lesson. Although it may sound difficult, here are a three reasons to stay calm despite this losing streak and not look for the coach and/or GM's heads.

As Flyers Struggle to Score, Brian Elliott Starting to Provide Consistency in Goal

(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

By Chuck LaGrossa, Sports Talk Philly staff writer

Call it bad offense. Call it bad defense. Call it bad coaching. Call it whatever you want based on how you see it. But one thing is for sure, the Flyers are sputtering following two shutout losses to Devan Dubnyk and the Minnesota Wild and another shootout loss to the Jets on Thursday night.

Sometimes, that calls for you to just simply tip your hat to an opposing goaltender who has played lights out as Dubynk did.

Brian Elliott deserves a tip of the hat as well. Despite the consecutive losses, Elliott has been a solid addition and a good netminder so far. The past three games have resulted in losses, but in each of the games, Elliott has been a standout.

Flyers Deep with Junior Prospects Off to Strong Starts

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By Chuck LaGrossa, Sports Talk Philly staff writer

There hasn't been much in terms of Flyers hockey this week, aside from the team's 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night in return from a four-day break.

With that said, let's highlight a few Flyers prospects in their respected junior leagues off to good starts this season.

Flyers Growing Pains are Showing, but Pessimism Should Not

(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

By Chuck LaGrossa, Sports Talk Philly staff writer

Sometimes it's not always sunny in Philadelphia. With the way the Flyers have played lately, Thursday's 2-0 win aside, some would say it's not so sunny.

Some others would have Ron Hextall’s head. Others would coin the popular Sam Hinkie term, "trust the process."

There is an innuendo said about hockey that goes, "hockey players develop through ice and failure." Some would agree, some would disagree, but it's adamant that everyone needs to breathe and let it play out, especially early in a season where the youthful Flyers are being tested early and often.

MacDonald's Injury Could Open Door for Morin to Join Flyers

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By Chuck LaGrossa, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

You know the popular children's book "Where's Waldo?" Well, Flyers fans are asking where Sam Morin is.

The hulking 6'7", 240-pound defenseman won't dazzle you on the scoreboard, but he can certainly add an intimidation factor that will make players and teams second guess taking runs at guys like Nolan Patrick and Travis Konecny. 

Flyers Rookie Hagg Allowing Veteran Gostisbehere to Shine

(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

By Chuck LaGrossa, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

The swift, quick skating, the impressive puck handling and the precise playmaking ability that we saw of Shayne Gostisbehere in his rookie year seems to be returning.

And while credit goes to Gostisbehere himself, credit must be bestowed to Flyers rookie defensemen and pairing partner Robert Hagg.

4th Line's Strong Play Allowing Flyers to Roll Forwards with Consistency

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By Chuck LaGrossa, Sports Talk Philly staff writer

Youth and speed. Who said hockey is not a young man's game? Who said a fourth line in hockey is strictly supposed to play physical?

Don't tell the Flyers fourth line of Scott Laughton, Taylor Leier and Michael Raffl.

The fourth-line trio have started the season off with a buzz and have been wreaking havoc on opposing teams.