@NHL: "Bryz learned a lot of things. I think we'll certainly see a different goalie next year." -#Flyers GM Holmgren.
- stveshdy

Oh, crap. We're trading for Luongo.

Ligament strains heal over time.
- MJL

very well indeed...

EDIT: Just as a reference... Jeff Carter sustained a grade II MCL tear in the playoffs two years ago when he collided with TYMY... but he's a pansy

Now go do, that voodoo, that you do so well!!
- Jsaquella

Everytime Simmonds scores I think of

very well indeed...
- jak521

Would you like to take this time to plug the benefits of deep stretching?

Slapshot to the head? No sweat

Slapshot to the head? No sweat
- Jsaquella

Would you like to take this time to plug the benefits of deep stretching?
- BulliesPhan87

Ive gone over that enough... everything from migraines to back pain to a healthier sex life.

Bouwmeester would add some much needed offense on the blue line and plays 25 minutes a night.
- bradleyc4

I made much the same point on Panaccio's blog a few minutes ago.

The average age of the forwards, including Briere and Fedotenko, is 25 years old. The average age of the defense, including Timonen is 26. This is a young team, with a wide open window
- Jsaquella

I mentioned last night that even if they have a losing season this year and don't make the playoffs, I'm not gonna get that down. Very young team with unlimited potential. Now do I think that they will have a losing season? No I think 5th or 6th seed again. Reason being, I don't see enough puck movement from that Blueline however, that's not to say a Bryce Salvador can't fall into their laps at the deadline. Then they could pull a 2010 and go all the way or at least a deep run, say conference finals. At the end of the day, I think there's enough forward depth to make up for the other deficiencies.

Slapshot to the head? No sweat
- Jsaquella

Clarke was the best, this franchise will never see a player with more heart than he had as a player

I mentioned last night that even if they have a losing season this year and don't make the playoffs, I'm not gonna get that down. Very young team with unlimited potential. Now do I think that they will have a losing season? No I think 5th or 6th seed again. Reason being, I don't see enough puck movement from that Blueline however, that's not to say a Bryce Salvador can't fall into their laps at the deadline. Then they could pull a 2010 and go all the way or at least a deep run, say conference finals. At the end of the day, I think there's enough forward depth to make up for the other deficiencies.
- JoeRussomanno

Agreed. Plus, not many team's with a franchise player fail to make the playoffs and compete for the Cup, especially a franchise as committed to winning as the Flyers (not to mention a team with a big budget).

I mentioned last night that even if they have a losing season this year and don't make the playoffs, I'm not gonna get that down. Very young team with unlimited potential. Now do I think that they will have a losing season? No I think 5th or 6th seed again. Reason being, I don't see enough puck movement from that Blueline however, that's not to say a Bryce Salvador can't fall into their laps at the deadline. Then they could pull a 2010 and go all the way or at least a deep run, say conference finals. At the end of the day, I think there's enough forward depth to make up for the other deficiencies.
- JoeRussomanno

I dont think they are gonna end up getting the type of d-man they need at the deadline... thats not to say they wont be making moves. I hope that for once this org (talking to you Mr Snider, oh and btw thank you for being a fantastic owner) will have a bitttt of patience... Even if they have a tough season, and continue to get hit with the injury bug..

Next year is going to be a very deep draft.. we have a very young team with FANTASTIC promise (especially offensively). Worse case scenario is the team bombs... The way I see that.... a learning experience that will go a long way for those young kids..

Clarke was the best, this franchise will never see a player with more heart than he had as a player
- vejim

I know its a bit premature, but Giroux is something else.

EDIT: One could also go as far to say that Lappy was pretty much all heart.. shame he only last one season here.

Lot less creepy
- Jsaquella

did you hear Gene Hart and Don Earle screaming, I think the whole city screamed that night

I don't know why he didn't just pop it.
- NickTheKid87

cuz he's an alien and they don't pop zits.

A year ago, I'd have said I doubt it, and I'd be happy if he simply became a serviceable fill-in at the NHL level. But I think he took a big jump in his third pro season before the concussion issues. If he improves at a similar clip next season, yes, I think he can be a top-four. If his continued improvement falls a bit shy of that, he's at least a top 6. He still needs to read-and-react a bit faster, but he came a long way in that area last season compared to where he was before.
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill. I think MAB made some serious strides to hit his potential. I was very skeptical till I started doing the numbers and realized he was pushing into a 4-5 role as a Defensemen. Very surprised, I had written him off as a bad job by then. But he seems like he was doing well and Lavy seems to really start to trust him. I think he could be a regular 4th spot Defensemen but I don't see that this year. I think if he can continue and rock the third pairing I'd be insanely happy.

Thanks Bill. I think MAB made some serious strides to hit his potential. I was very skeptical till I started doing the numbers and realized he was pushing into a 4-5 role as a Defensemen. Very surprised, I had written him off as a bad job by then. But he seems like he was doing well and Lavy seems to really start to trust him. I think he could be a regular 4th spot Defensemen but I don't see that this year. I think if he can continue and rock the third pairing I'd be insanely happy.
- flyler

What specifically made you feel he was pushing into a top 4 role?

IMO if you're going to move assets for a defenseman, I'd rather try to go for a young guy with a high upside like Bogosian instead on J-Bo. Both guys would be a gamble but I think betting on Bogosian to become a franchise dman or at least a solid top 4 is a better idea than betting on J-Bo to return to the player he was with the Panthers.

IMO if you're going to move assets for a defenseman, I'd rather try to go for a young guy with a high upside like Bogosian instead on J-Bo. Both guys would be a gamble but I think betting on Bogosian to become a franchise dman or at least a solid top 4 is a better idea than betting on J-Bo to return to the player he was with the Panthers.
- NickTheKid87

I agree 100%. I just don't know if he is available, and what the cost would be. I imagine it be pretty high and start with one of the usual 2 players.

I agree 100%. I just don't know if he is available, and what the cost would be. I imagine it be pretty high and start with one of the usual 2 players.
- MJL

I know when he was in Atlanta he wanted out which inadvertently worked out for him. WPG just signed Enstrom and Bogo will be a RFA next summer so I guess they'll want to evaluate his play this year. But what if we could have him for Brayden Schenn straight up? I'd seriously consider that, although I know many people would not.

I agree 100%. I just don't know if he is available, and what the cost would be. I imagine it be pretty high and start with one of the usual 2 players.
- MJL

Homer has liked JBow and I think he will try to get the best deal he can. I just hope it doesnt turn out like the Williams trade to Carolina.

Homer has liked JBow and I think he will try to get the best deal he can. I just hope it doesnt turn out like the Williams Carolina.
- vejim

I don't doubt that Holmgren is kicking the tires for Bouwmeester. And I wouldn't be shocked if he becomes a Flyer.

Flyers Bluelines of the Holmgren Era:

(First six players listed were on opening day roster)

2007-08 (42-29-5) Lost in Round 3
Hatcher, Coburn, Jones, Smith, Kukkonen, Timonen
(Vandermeer, Modry, Fitzpatrick, Guenin, Picard, Parent)

2008-09 (44-27-5) Lost in Round 1
Kukkonen, Coburn, Vaananen, Eminger, Timonen, Sbisa
(Alberts, Jones, Parent, Guenin, Sloane, Fritsch, Syvret)

2009-10 (41-35-3) Lost in Round 4
Coburn, Pronger, Carle, Timonen, Parent, Syvret
(Bartulis, Krajicek, Tollefsen)

2010-11 (47-23-5) Lost in Round 2
Bartulis, Coburn, O'Donnell, Carle, Meszaros, Timonen
(Pronger, Gustafsson, Syvret, Walker, Boynton)

2011-12 (47-26-2) Lost in Round 2
Lilja, Coburn, Pronger, Carle, Meszaros, Timonen
(Bourdon, Grossmann, Gustafsson, Kubina, Walker, Manning, Marshall)

2012-13 (0-0-0) N/A
Timonen, Coburn, Grossmann, Schenn, Bourdon, Gervais
(Meszaros, Lilja, Gustafsson, Manning)

Food for thought.

Flyers Bluelines of the Holmgren Era:



Food for thought.
- Tomahawk

12/13 TBD

Slapshot to the head? No sweat
- Jsaquella

Love the fact, after he scored they all added to his headache...