You make a good case except all those goalies had a good defensive group in front of them. The Flyers defense is average and Bryzgalov is not going to make up for that fact. As far as Brygalov's so streak, what is his gaa and sv % in the playoffs compared to Thomas, Quick, and Lundqvist?
- killercam

If the Flyers play better team defense, they will have few issues. Look at Jersey. Which stellar defenseman did they have, in front of two 40 year old goalies?

If the Flyers play better team defense, they will have few issues. Look at Jersey. Which stellar defenseman did they have, in front of two 40 year old goalies?
- Jsaquella

Didn't jersey lose the Cup while their defense got exposed goin down 3-0 at first? I agree if the Flyers play better team defense the will have few issues in the regular season but they will be exposed in the playoffs. The Flyers defense without Pronger, Carle, and Meszaros is going to have a heck of a time getting the puck out of their own zone next season and will only get worse come April.

Didn't jersey lose the Cup while their defense got exposed goin down 3-0 at first? I agree if the Flyers play better team defense the will have few issues in the regular season but they will be exposed in the playoffs. The Flyers defense without Pronger, Carle, and Meszaros is going to have a heck of a time getting the puck out of their own zone next season and will only get worse come April.
- killercam

So there is no potential for there to be a player added on the defense between now and next April?

And Meszaros could very well be back well before the playoffs start.

Didn't jersey lose the Cup while their defense got exposed goin down 3-0 at first? I agree if the Flyers play better team defense the will have few issues in the regular season but they will be exposed in the playoffs. The Flyers defense without Pronger, Carle, and Meszaros is going to have a heck of a time getting the puck out of their own zone next season and will only get worse come April.
- killercam

Yes, they did, but they still managed to get to the Final. Their inability to score on Quick was a bigger factor than their weak defense, BTW. The Flyers will need guys to step up. Even that might not be enough.

But there's also the possibility that the GM will find a way to address the defense. He's certainly been trying. It's not as if he's sat on his hands all summer.

Yes, they did, but they still managed to get to the Final. Their inability to score on Quick was a bigger factor than their weak defense, BTW. The Flyers will need guys to step up. Even that might not be enough.

But there's also the possibility that the GM will find a way to address the defense. He's certainly been trying. It's not as if he's sat on his hands all summer.
- Jsaquella

And look at the defenseman that Holmgren has added in his tenure. Timonen, Pronger, Coburn, Meszaros, Carle, Grossmann, etc. Why is there any doubt that he can find a quality defenseman?

And look at the defenseman that Holmgren has added in his tenure. Timonen, Pronger, Coburn, Meszaros, Carle, Grossmann, etc. Why is there any doubt that he can find a quality defenseman?
- MJL

My sole concern is overpaying to add a good defensman. There's certainly options available.

And look at the defenseman that Holmgren has added in his tenure. Timonen, Pronger, Coburn, Meszaros, Carle, Grossmann, etc. Why is there any doubt that he can find a quality defenseman?
- MJL

because there aren't many available?
because homer won't give up a key piece to get one?
because teams like nashville are a little bit smarter and atlanta is now in winnipeg?
because the flyers are backpedaling this off-season?
because homer has worn out his welcome?

because there aren't many available?
because homer won't give up a key piece to get one?
because teams like nashville are a little bit smarter and atlanta is now in winnipeg?
because the flyers are backpedaling this off-season?
because homer has worn out his welcome?
- b0s0o1

None of the above. Certainly won't be easy, but it certainly can be done.

None of the above. Certainly won't be easy, but it certainly can be done.
- MJL

can't see a zhitnik for coburn happening
pretty sure nashville won't be looking to deal with philly anytime soon
there's not a pronger out there now that weber was matched
there's a multitude of teams looking for what the flyers need

this off-season is so uncharacteristic for the flyers

maybe the end of the world is truly at hand

can't see a zhitnik for coburn happening
pretty sure nashville won't be looking to deal with philly anytime soon
there's not a pronger out there now that weber was matched
there's a multitude of teams looking for what the flyers need

this off-season is so uncharacteristic for the flyers

maybe the end of the world is truly at hand
- b0s0o1

Doesn't have to be a Weber or a Pronger. Like I said, won't be easy, but it is possible. Past history tells us that.

Well, I think we spoke too soon about the stupid being quieter today. I guess that's what happens when WIP is your primary source of hockey "knowledge".

can't see a zhitnik for coburn happening
pretty sure nashville won't be looking to deal with philly anytime soon
there's not a pronger out there now that weber was matched
there's a multitude of teams looking for what the flyers need

this off-season is so uncharacteristic for the flyers

maybe the end of the world is truly at hand
- b0s0o1

The same can be said for the Penguins and Red Wings. How often has Detroit gone all in on a player and had him sign elsewhere?

Holmgren has to be smart and patient. He might not need to hit a home run, and honestly, what he has on hand might be better than the FA options. The same goes in the case of a trade. Nobody's getting a Yandle or similar for peanuts. That was never going to happen.

Doesn't have to be a Weber or a Pronger. Like I said, won't be easy, but it is possible. Past history tells us that.
- MJL

not trolling, but i think y'all are in trouble...

weber anchoring your d woulda put the flyboys up top with the big dogs of the eastern conference...

not having him or pronger makes them more middle of the pack

losing meszaros is a big hit and drops them down another notch...


if bryz gets lost in the cosmos and if your youngins go through sophomore slumps and/or take a step back, you'll be battling for a playoff spot


just an outside opinion

The same can be said for the Penguins and Red Wings. How often has Detroit gone all in on a player and had him sign elsewhere?

Holmgren has to be smart and patient. He might not need to hit a home run, and honestly, what he has on hand might be better than the FA options. The same goes in the case of a trade. Nobody's getting a Yandle or similar for peanuts. That was never going to happen.
- Jsaquella

fa options are...not an option

they'd be better off holding the fort

just saying that they had some things go their way the past few seasons

not trolling, but i think y'all are in trouble...

weber anchoring your d woulda put the flyboys up top with the big dogs of the eastern conference...

not having him or pronger makes them more middle of the pack

losing meszaros is a big hit and drops them down another notch...


if bryz gets lost in the cosmos and if your youngins go through sophomore slumps and/or take a step back, you'll be battling for a playoff spot


just an outside opinion
- b0s0o1

Given Holmgren's past history, I don't see him sitting back if the team founders.

Given Holmgren's past history, I don't see him sitting back if the team founders.
- Jsaquella

agreed...the only questions that remain are: who will they get? and what will it cost?

not trolling, but i think y'all are in trouble...

weber anchoring your d woulda put the flyboys up top with the big dogs of the eastern conference...

not having him or pronger makes them more middle of the pack

losing meszaros is a big hit and drops them down another notch...


if bryz gets lost in the cosmos and if your youngins go through sophomore slumps and/or take a step back, you'll be battling for a playoff spot


just an outside opinion
- b0s0o1

If's, ifs, and ifs. Every team has ifs. Meszaros injury isn't a permanent one. He will be back at some point.

agreed...the only questions that remain are: who will they get? and what will it cost?
- b0s0o1

Lubomir Vishnovsky just got traded for a second rounder & might be headed back. He'd be a really solid veteran stopgap. The Flyers are trying to develop a group of young players. There's going to be bumps on the road. They happened with the Carter-Richards core, too.

If's, ifs, and ifs. Every team has ifs. Meszaros injury isn't a permanent one. He will be back at some point.
- MJL

*shrugs*

that's fine, but it's an achilles...even if he hits the ice again near the end of the season, how effective will he be?


that's not even mentioning that timonen is up there in age, has been dealing with injuries lately and should not be expected to log big minutes over the long haul

and then there's schenn...he was drafted by toronto, ya know

*shrugs*

that's fine, but it's an achilles...even if he hits the ice again near the end of the season, how effective will he be?


that's not even mentioning that timonen is up there in age, has been dealing with injuries lately and should not be expected to log big minutes over the long haul

and then there's schenn...he was drafted by toronto, ya know
- b0s0o1

*shrugs*


And the flip side of that is that Meszaros can come back and be effective. Timonen can have a strong Season. And Luke Schenn can regain the form he showed in Tronto 2 year ago, ya know.

You may use having an All Star as a barometer for measuring the defense, but I don't. I disagree that they are average. They still have a solid top 4.
- MJL

As long as they stay healthy, they have a very solid defensive top 4.

Playing against Coburn, Grossmann, and now Schenn will be tough...