PUtting my semi-serious cap back on, but i think the problem is that the personnel don't match up with the scheme. To me I'd tell the coach to tweak his tethers to match the horses. But that's just me.
- JoeRussomanno

Given the talent, a tweak to the system wouldn't hurt, but the dearth of solid puck movers leaves this group vulnerable to aggressive forechecking teams with high skill levels.

Given the talent, a tweak to the system wouldn't hurt, but the dearth of solid puck movers leaves this group vulnerable to aggressive forechecking teams with high skill levels.
- Jsaquella

Not to be a debbie downer but hasn't that been this team's problem for the past couple seasons even with a full deck?

Not to be a debbie downer but hasn't that been this team's problem for the past couple seasons even with a full deck?
- JoeRussomanno

Yes, but it could be worse now

This is nice to see....Orange Jesus on the ice at Voorhees

Yes, but it could be worse now
- Jsaquella

I think they'll make a move at the deadline. They usually do. I'm not worried, expectations arent that high anyway. I see maybe a conference finals at best. But hey stranger poop has happened. Just gotta get to the playoffs.

Bill, any thoughts on Paul Ranger? He's been playing for the Marlies, and putting up solid numbers. I have concerns about his comitment level, given that he basically quit hockey for a couple/few years, but he's got talent.
- Jsaquella

If Ranger's ready for a return, he's a legit top-4 dman and a perfect fit in Lavi's system w/ his excellent mobility and adept puckmoving. He's also pretty good at shutting guys down, if I recall correctly.

BTW, as much as it stinks having to carry Matt Walker due to the new-CBA restrictions, seeing the Rangers stuck carrying Wade Redden along with the other 7 dmen already under contract and MDZ still unsigned makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

If Ranger's ready for a return, he's a legit top-4 dman and a perfect fit in Lavi's system w/ his excellent mobility and adept puckmoving. He's also pretty good at shutting guys down, if I recall correctly.
- Tomahawk

From what I recall, he's at least a decent two way guy...but it's been awhile

I think they'll make a move at the deadline. They usually do. I'm not worried, expectations arent that high anyway. I see maybe a conference finals at best. But hey stranger poop has happened. Just gotta get to the playoffs.
- JoeRussomanno

I'm happy enough that pucks are back, I will worry about results at the appropriate time

I'm happy enough that pucks are back, I will worry about results at the appropriate time
- Jsaquella

amen.

It's fantasy rankings...Rask should be a very valuable fantasy goalie.
- Jsaquella

Do you see the Bruins as being a dominant team? Also, don't some of the fantasy pools go by individual stats ie; Sp and gaa? So wouldn't Rinne be higher?

amen.
- JoeRussomanno

Also, with the short season, guys who haven't played, injuries and other adjustments, things are wide open.

The Bruins look great on paper, but reporters in Boston say Lucic showed up looking like his training regime consisted of trips to Tim Hortons and local bars.

Why did the Flyers draft Laughton? He doesn't seem to be what they need, and they didn't need a center when they drafted him. There were higher rated d-men still on the board at the time.

I'm still tying to wrap my brain around this. Was Andy Reid running the board that day?

Do you see the Bruins as being a dominant team? Also, don't some of the fantasy pools go by individual stats ie; Sp and gaa? So wouldn't Rinne be higher?
- Hextall271

I see the Bruins as a Cup contender on paper. Good team, play a solid defensive system and had a lower goals against per game than Nashville did last year. Rask is also a good goalie who should post good numbers.

Why did the Flyers draft Laughton? He doesn't seem to be what they need, and they didn't need a center when they drafted him. There were higher rated d-men still on the board at the time.

I'm still tying to wrap my brain around this. Was Andy Reid running the board that day?
- MBFlyerfan

The Flyers have been really good at picking forwards, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt on Laughton. Based on the CSS board, he was not as much of a reach as some think.

Why did the Flyers draft Laughton? He doesn't seem to be what they need, and they didn't need a center when they drafted him. There were higher rated d-men still on the board at the time.

I'm still tying to wrap my brain around this. Was Andy Reid running the board that day?
- MBFlyerfan

I guess the Flyers thought Laughton was the best available at the time. I was kind of shocked they didn't take Olli Maatta though. Maybe they didn't like something about him.

If Ranger's ready for a return, he's a legit top-4 dman and a perfect fit in Lavi's system w/ his excellent mobility and adept puckmoving. He's also pretty good at shutting guys down, if I recall correctly.

BTW, as much as it stinks having to carry Matt Walker due to the new-CBA restrictions, seeing the Rangers stuck carrying Wade Redden along with the other 7 dmen already under contract and MDZ still unsigned makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
- Tomahawk

gotta think they will amnesty him in the off season being he is still under contract next year too

gotta think they will amnesty him in the off season being he is still under contract next year too
- nastyflyergirl

Walker is a UFA in July. I'm going to the party at Butsy's house to celebrate him coming off the cap

Also, with the short season, guys who haven't played, injuries and other adjustments, things are wide open.

The Bruins look great on paper, but reporters in Boston say Lucic showed up looking like his training regime consisted of trips to Tim Hortons and local bars.
- Jsaquella

To me winning the cup isn't what it is all about. That is something which is so rare it's like taking up astronomy just to see haley's commet. I do it for the rush of goals being scored, the big hits and tension with the game on the line with minutes winding down. The playoffs to me are like a roller coaster up and down some longer than others. Don't get me wrong it be great to win a cup, I'd love for it to happen but if that's all people are watching for they need to take up another hobby. The days of a team winning it multiple years in a row are over. There might be a repeat here and there but dynasties are done. As far as I'm concerned ed snider gives me everything I can ask of an owner as a fan, a competitive team with the shot at winning it all every year.

What's gonna change if the Flyers win a cup? Nothing, think rival fans will suddenly kiss your ass? You still have bills to pay and a job to go to. Now if the Flyers were the Leafs I'd be in a whole other frame of mind.

edit: sorry for the long rant but I just feel with the topic of the teams weakness that conversation will eventually get pulled by some into the pit of whining about not winning a cup since watergate.

The Flyers have been really good at picking forwards, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt on Laughton. Based on the CSS board, he was not as much of a reach as some think.
- Jsaquella

I wasn't so much concerned about whether he was a reach or not, I just think they need defense prospects more than they need offense, and there were some better defense prospects available.

All that being said, as weak as the team has been drafting defense, they ARE very good at drafting offense. I hope the kid turns out to be John Madden for years to come.

I guess the Flyers thought Laughton was the best available at the time. I was kind of shocked they didn't take Olli Maatta though. Maybe they didn't like something about him.
- NickTheKid87

Maatta was described as vanilla by a couple of scouts in the Hockey News draft preview. The Flyers might have thought the same. If you look at the people drafted after Laughton, nobody really stands out so far in my opinion. Maybe he was the best available.

I wasn't so much concerned about whether he was a reach or not, I just think they need defense prospects more than they need offense, and there were some better defense prospects available.

All that being said, as weak as the team has been drafting defense, they ARE very good at drafting offense. I hope the kid turns out to be John Madden for years to come.
- MBFlyerfan

It looks like they have a solid defense pick in Gostisbehere, although he's a few years away.

Walker is a UFA in July. I'm going to the party at Butsy's house to celebrate him coming off the cap
- Jsaquella

No I meant Redden for the Rangers

No I meant Redden for the Rangers
- nastyflyergirl

Oh, my mistake. Yeah, Redden's getting bought out as soon as the buyouts come into play

To me winning the cup isn't what it is all about. That is something which is so rare it's like taking up astronomy just to see haley's commet. I do it for the rush of goals being scored, the big hits and tension with the game on the line with minutes winding down. The playoffs to me are like a roller coaster up and down some longer than others. Don't get me wrong it be great to win a cup, I'd love for it to happen but if that's all people are watching for they need to take up another hobby. The days of a team winning it multiple years in a row are over. There might be a repeat here and there but dynasties are done. As far as I'm concerned ed snider gives me everything I can ask of an owner as a fan, a competitive team with the shot at winning it all every year.

What's gonna change if the Flyers win a cup? Nothing, think rival fans will suddenly kiss your ass? You still have bills to pay and a job to go to. Now if the Flyers were the Leafs I'd be in a whole other frame of mind.
- JoeRussomanno

It's definitely all about the cup for me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the journey, but the destination is still utterly integral. That said, I still want the Flyers to do the 'compete every season' thing, I don't buy that it lessens their chances in the long run.

Oh, my mistake. Yeah, Redden's getting bought out as soon as the buyouts come into play
- Jsaquella

Don't let it happen again . yeah I have to think he will be bought out the moment its allowed. what a bad contract