absolutely. what do you expect in this afternoon's game?
- flyerscup2011

I am not sure really. I'd kinda like to see them start on the road personally. They may be too jaked at home today as the fans will be bonkers. If Bryz can weather what I expect is an early siege, I see a close game 3-2 OT win Flyers.

Also, any of the players that have been playing games will have an edge.. Simmonds Cooter Bryz and Schenn to play well.

TSN's Jamie Mclennan has Bryz ranked as the 7th best goalie in the EC.

I hope he has a better season than that..
- Hextall271

Frankly, I don't care where he's rated. Before last season, Mike Smith was rated 28th and it was said he'd have a real hard time filling the void left by Bryzgalov's departure. Now Smith gets all sort of praise heaped on him.

These ratings always tend to be a) based on last year, b) based on a limited number of games of actually seeing the player, so much of the information comes second-hand and in over-simplified/exaggerated fashion ("He didn't let in a bad goal all year!" "He single-handedly cost them that game!") and c) based either on who are the fashionable guys to pick -- which is what most pundits do in order to play it safe -- or else for the pundit to try to position himself as the maverick contrarian with his own over-simplified/exaggerated logic on why he knows so much more than everyone else does about why a certain player will succeed or fail.

It's all meaningless, except for actually happens on the ice. I detest ratings and predictions, and I give them grudgingly when I'm asked to. The only absolute truth about hockey is to expect the unexpected.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!

Ranked on skill or expected team performance?
- nails

Expected performance this year. For example, FLeury is ahead of Bryz because he expects the Pens to be strong.

Expected performance this year. For example, FLeury is ahead of Bryz because he expects the Pens to be strong.
- Hextall271

I expect the Pens to be strong, too. But the truth of the matter is that they enter the season with a blueline that (beyond Letang) is every bit as suspect as Philly's.
In fact, if you swapped the Pens' defensemen wholesale for Philly's, people would still say "Philly can't win with a blueline like that!".

So both teams are pretty much in the same boat in that regard, though I think the Penguins' long-range outlook (i.e., looking beyond this season) on defense is considerably brighter right now than Philly's.

Finally, the WHITE JERSEY has come back to HockeyBuzz

I expect the Pens to be strong, too. But the truth of the matter is that they enter the season with a blueline that (beyond Letang) is every bit as suspect as Philly's.
In fact, if you swapped the Pens' defensemen wholesale for Philly's, people would still say "Philly can't win with a blueline like that!".

So both teams are pretty much in the same boat in that regard, though I think the Penguins' long-range outlook (i.e., looking beyond this season) on defense is considerably brighter right now than Philly's.
- bmeltzer

And the loss of Jordan Staal is a serious loss for them. That type of player does so much for a team that contributes to winning. He was a two way force in terms of checking and his physical play, and controlling the puck. I think Pittsburgh made a big mistake in losing him.

Finally, the WHITE JERSEY has come back to HockeyBuzz
- KINGKENZO

If you smell what the Flyers are cooking!

Frankly, I don't care where he's rated. Before last season, Mike Smith was rated 28th and it was said he'd have a real hard time filling the void left by Bryzgalov's departure. Now Smith gets all sort of praise heaped on him.

These ratings always tend to be a) based on last year, b) based on a limited number of games of actually seeing the player, so much of the information comes second-hand and in over-simplified/exaggerated fashion ("He didn't let in a bad goal all year!" "He single-handedly cost them that game!") and c) based either on who are the fashionable guys to pick -- which is what most pundits do in order to play it safe -- or else for the pundit to try to position himself as the maverick contrarian with his own over-simplified/exaggerated logic on why he knows so much more than everyone else does about why a certain player will succeed or fail.

It's all meaningless, except for actually happens on the ice. I detest ratings and predictions, and I give them grudgingly when I'm asked to. The only absolute truth about hockey is to expect the unexpected.
- bmeltzer

Bill, first off I know many have said this peviously, but I want to thank you for your work during the lockout. You are the best and you certainly kept me sane..(relatively).

Secondly, I also don't place much stock in these other than I like to watch the preview shows to see what the so called experts are saying because I like to listen to the discussions. I don't get too worked up either way for the reasons you mention. I actually like when they are down on the Flyers so they don't jinx us.

As for my feelings on Bryz, I don't think he had nearly as bad a season here as some say he did. Uneven..yes, but bad no. He played a solid series vs NJ but no one remembers that because of the last game's bad goal etc. I expect him to be more relaxed, focused and consistent this year. I am worried about the D, but maybe the fact he will prob get more shots will help. Some tenders need the work to get in a groove and he will certainly get it.

To add a thought on Leighton, I think he will be solid. He looks like he's slim and healthy and has a solid mindset from the interviews I have seen. He might not play a lot, but if he is called upon to start, I think he will play well. People forget he works VERY well with Jeff Reese. AND we have Boosh in case someone goes down. All I everhear is how our Goaltending is a question mark from people who don't watch the team or don't understand the game and just want to discount the FLyers for some reason.. It's lazy and uninformed commentary IMO. I think we are in as good as spot for tending as we have been in a while.

I expect the Pens to be strong, too. But the truth of the matter is that they enter the season with a blueline that (beyond Letang) is every bit as suspect as Philly's.
In fact, if you swapped the Pens' defensemen wholesale for Philly's, people would still say "Philly can't win with a blueline like that!".

So both teams are pretty much in the same boat in that regard, though I think the Penguins' long-range outlook (i.e., looking beyond this season) on defense is considerably brighter right now than Philly's.
- bmeltzer

The TSN experts, are completely discounting the shallow D for the Pens and most are making the sexy picks of either the Pens or Rangers aswinning the cup because of Malkin and Crosby. I think they will miss Staal personally, and if they don't get the tending they are FUBAR. The Rangers are amore complete team and I don't know who will be able to beat them.

If you smell what the Flyers are cooking!

- MJL

i have my own game to play in today at 3:40, so i'll be DVR'ing. mother(frank)ing(frank)er.

i have my own game to play in today at 3:40, so i'll be DVR'ing. mother(frank)ing(frank)er.


- hammarby31

Hahah Ihear ya... My game is at 4pm but i have to leave at 315.. couldn't be at a worse time for me to watch the game.. but of course, the team can't play without a tender.

In Bryz we trust.

I hope Rinaldo let's Neal know very quickly that they haven't forgotten what a d-bag he is.

The TSN experts, are completely discounting the shallow D for the Pens and most are making the sexy picks of either the Pens or Rangers aswinning the cup because of Malkin and Crosby. I think they will miss Staal personally, and if they don't get the tending they are FUBAR. The Rangers are amore complete team and I don't know who will be able to beat them.
- Hextall271

Every year they drool over the Pens. To me the Rags are a much more difficult team.

So both teams are pretty much in the same boat in that regard, though I think the Penguins' long-range outlook (i.e., looking beyond this season) on defense is considerably brighter right now than Philly's.
- bmeltzer

The Pens do have an impressive pool of defense prospects on paper, although I question Shero's drafting ability. He really hasn't added anything to the team thru the draft except Jordan Staal, who was the 2nd overall pick, since he got their. He is a good trader though, so he could in theory move some of those dmen for help at forward, since those cupboards are pretty bare.

To add a thought on Leighton, I think he will be solid. He looks like he's slim and healthy and has a solid mindset from the interviews I have seen. He might not play a lot, but if he is called upon to start, I think he will play well. People forget he works VERY well with Jeff Reese. AND we have Boosh in case someone goes down. All I everhear is how our Goaltending is a question mark from people who don't watch the team or don't understand the game and just want to discount the FLyers for some reason.. It's lazy and uninformed commentary IMO. I think we are in as good as spot for tending as we have been in a while.
- Hextall271

Yeah, it's the easy way out, even by people who supposedly 'know' the game. It gets old.

Yeah, it's the easy way out, even by people who supposedly 'know' the game. It gets old.
- tangent_man

It's on page 3 of the handbook.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

YES!!!!

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

Thank you.

This is what I came to this thread for.

NOW LET'S ****IN GO!

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

Finally!!!! He's back!!!!

Did someone mention that the games will be on NHL network's website?

It's so wonderful to see that white jersey.
- Jsaquella

it's nice

it's nice
- ob18

- Jsaquella

love it