![\"Flyers](\"https:\/\/news2.watchtowatch.top\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27555043.jpg\")
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Nic Deslauriers shouldn\u2019t be playing against the Edmonton Oilers, or hardly any teams in the NHL.<\/p>\n
Nov 4, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) looks on against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images<\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n The Philadelphia Flyers return to action on Wednesday night with a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers suffered a 9-1 home loss to the Avalanche on Saturday night and had to come from behind to beat the Blue Jackets on Monday night.<\/p>\n To put it simply, the team that has lost in the Stanley Cup Final in the last two years is struggling mightily right now. They\u2019re without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, leaving Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to carry even more of the load than they usually do.<\/p>\n So, with the Flyers playing their first game since Saturday afternoon, when Rick Tocchet admitted that he has to do a better job of getting the team ready after the Senators took a 2-0 lead, it would make sense to ice your best lineup, right?<\/p>\n Well, it does help that Tyson Foerster should be back for Wednesday night. He was in a regular jersey and reunited with Noah Cates and Bobby Brink at practice on Tuesday, and then took part in an optional morning skate on Wednesday.<\/p>\n But it certainly does not help when one of your other 12 forwards is someone whose primary impact is made with his fists, not his stick.<\/p>\n Of course, we\u2019re talking about Nic Deslauriers.<\/p>\n I wrote before the season that it\u2019s time for the Flyers to move on from Deslauriers, and that still rings true \u2014 perhaps even more now than ever.<\/p>\n Deslauriers has played 45:58 across 56 shifts in his six games this season. He\u2019s had two shots on goal and as many fights in that span, and funnily enough, the Flyers are 5-1-0 with him in the lineup. We know that coaches love to stick with winning lineups, but Deslauriers has had nearly as much of an impact on those victories as you \u2014 yes, you.<\/p>\n Despite all of the intangibles that Deslauriers may bring, his tangible results are telling.<\/p>\n The enforcer has been the Flyers\u2019 worst regular forward this season. The team has been outshot 17-10 with him on the ice, and shot attempts are 44-32 for the opposition in his 45:27 of 5-on-5 time. They\u2019ve been outscored 2-0 and outchanced 20-12.<\/p>\n Another argument against dressing Deslauriers is what happened a few weeks ago against the Predators. Sean Couturier left the game in the first period due to injury, so the Flyers were essentially forced to play with 10 forwards the rest of the game as Deslauriers got just nine shifts for 7:45 of ice time in that one.<\/p>\n That game was the perfect example of why it\u2019s important to play your 12 best forwards. If there is an injury or a player misses time due to an extended fighting major or 10-minute misconduct, you can\u2019t simply move Deslauriers up the lineup like you can with some of these other options.<\/p>\n Now, you might be arguing that the fourth line doesn\u2019t matter that much, and whoever this team dresses as the 12th forward probably won\u2019t change the outcome of the game. And, sure, that\u2019s probably correct. But why are we brushing off lineup decisions that make the team worse?<\/p>\n Nikita Grebenkin isn\u2019t lighting the world on fire, that\u2019s for sure, but he\u2019s a much more effective winger than Deslauriers is. His underlying metrics aren\u2019t great either, with the Flyers getting outshot 84-72 and outchanced 41-36 in his 101:45 at 5-on-5, but he brings more of a scoring touch and can skate a lot better than Deslauriers.<\/p>\n Carl Grundstrom also has plenty of experience and was called up to make his Flyers debut on Saturday. He\u2019ll likely be sent down if the Flyers activate Foerster, but they could also send down someone like Adam Ginning, who probably won\u2019t get into the lineup as long as Emil Andrae and Egor Zamula are with the big club.<\/p>\n The Oilers, with all of their warts, are still one of the measuring stick teams in the league. The Flyers could take advantage of their slow start and injuries by playing their 12 best forwards and rolling four lines against an even shallower-than-normal Edmonton squad. Instead, Deslauriers gets back into the lineup for some reason, and Grebenkin goes from someone they trust to move up in the lineup to the press box.<\/p>\n Who knows, maybe the Flyers will win their sixth straight game with Deslauriers in the lineup, and perhaps he\u2019ll score a goal to boot. But it\u2019s still not the right decision. Not now, and hardly ever.<\/p>\n “Daniel Jones is on the verge of a career transformation in Indianapolis. With the Colts eyeing a long-term deal, could he be their next franchise quarterback?”<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel Jones, once a top-10 pick with the New York Giants, has found new life with the Indianapolis Colts, and now the team is reportedly planning to offer him a long-term deal. The Colts’ decision to bring Jones in on a one-year contract this season has paid off, with the team boasting an impressive 8-2 record heading into their bye week. As rumors swirl, particularly after the Colts’ blockbuster trade that stripped their future draft assets, it seems Jones is solidifying his place in Indianapolis for the long haul.<\/p>\n Jones\u2019 Career Revival and Growing Bargaining Power<\/strong><\/p>\n The Colts are looking to extend their partnership with Jones, despite his inconsistent past with the Giants. Though extension talks haven\u2019t yet begun, Jones is reportedly content with his new home, having chosen Indianapolis over other offers, including one from the Vikings. He\u2019s proven his worth this season, ranking ninth in QBR and leading the NFL in passing yards (2,659 yards), significantly improving from his underwhelming Giants tenure.<\/p>\n The Colts\u2019 trade for star cornerback Sauce Gardner further signals their commitment to building around Jones, as it\u2019s expected that the team will re-sign him for the long term. Although his shaky past with the Giants might cause some concern, Jones\u2019 dual-threat ability and impressive numbers this season have positioned him to command a contract comparable to those of other top quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.<\/p>\n A Risky Yet Necessary Move for Stability<\/strong><\/p>\n While some might question the wisdom of locking in a contract with a quarterback who has faced past struggles and injury concerns, the Colts have been desperate for stability at the position since the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck. With Jones providing consistent play and leadership, Indianapolis seems ready to make him their franchise quarterback. The Colts\u2019 hope for long-term success hinges on securing that stability, and bringing Jones back into the fold with a lucrative contract would likely signal the beginning of a new era for the team.<\/p>\n With the Colts positioned to challenge for the AFC South title and a potential playoff bye, Jones’ resurgence may ultimately secure the jobs of GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen, as well as a major payday for the quarterback.<\/p>\n Teaser:<\/strong><\/p>\n “Could Daniel Jones\u2019 career revival in Indianapolis lead to a long-term deal? With the Colts eyeing a future with Jones, his transformation may just be the key to their stability and success.”<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nic Deslauriers shouldn\u2019t be playing against the Edmonton Oilers, or hardly any teams in the NHL. Nov 4, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) looks on against…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4534,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hot-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n