As an aside....last respects are to be paid to Stan The Man Musial.

He died at around 6 pm est on the 19th of natural causes. As Harry Kalas would say, "He was 92 years young."
- Giroux_Is_God

respect, indeed. he was first class all the way.

I watched the Vancouver game last night and laughed my ass off watching Selanne rip them apart and Schneider get pulled hahah what a mess they have in Van city.
- Hextall271

Different team without Kesler.

I've watched a decent amount of their games the last few seasons. Overall they just seem like a soft mix up front. Far too much gliding and pretty play.

I think their top 4 on D is signed for the next 4 or so years so they have stability there. I always thought their biggest flaw was being led by the Sedins. Never was a believer in those two.

I was impressed with Rinaldo as well. Lots of guys stood out... Mez, Laughton, Simmonds, and for me it was wellwood in particular that had me saying wow a few times. Enjoyed the game... Unfortunately no points for the flyers.

I will say I'm not sold on Jake yet.... Wasn't last season either.
- moylander

played particularly well, IMHO.

See that Bob had a "Bob ShutOut" and gave up his obligatory first shot of the game goal. He also had 5-6 outstanding saves.....I wish we could have kept him in the ahl last year and allowed him to develop, if only for a better haul via trade

Different team without Kesler.

I've watched a decent amount of their games the last few seasons. Overall they just seem like a soft mix up front. Far too much gliding and pretty play.

I think their top 4 on D is signed for the next 4 or so years so they have stability there. I always thought their biggest flaw was being led by the Sedins. Never was a believer in those two.
- flyer_nutter

Agreed. I just think it's funny because Gillis is in a big mess now with schneider not looking ready to take the reigns.

played particularly well, IMHO.
- isaiah520

Looked like someone shoved a Viagra up his ass. Lots of jump, nice to see. Seems ready to go on one of his little hot streaks.

I dont know what kind of ceiling Schenn can have but I liked how he kept it simple yesterday. Think playing with Kimmo will do him a lot of good.

All in all they played a solid game except for the first ten minutes. The slow start killed them.

See that Bob had a "Bob ShutOut" and gave up his obligatory first shot of the game goal. He also had 5-6 outstanding saves.....I wish we could have kept him in the ahl last year and allowed him to develop, if only for a better haul via trade
- KINGKENZO

I think Bob is going to be a real solid tender in the league very soon. We just didn't have the patience with him IMO.

Agreed. I just think it's funny because Gillis is in a big mess now with schneider not looking ready to take the reigns.
- Hextall271

I will enjoy seeing Hongcouver panic. It's an interesting choice to go with Schneider. You have a team where the cup window can still be open for a few years so its not as if they need to win it all this year.

I dont know who it was but someone on CBC was saying its a lot different being the #1 guy, instead of coming in as the backup with very little pressure. I totally agree. If they really want the kid to do well I'd ship out Luongo asap. Thats not a good environment for either goalie right now.

For what its worth I always thought Eddie Lack was the better goaltender in the system.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 1/20/13 @ Sabres
- bmeltzer

what did you think of foster?

Early on, you could really see the rust and the nerves. He settled in as game went along. Incredibly, I thought Andrej Meszaros (who had back surgery last March and Achilles tendon repair surgery in August) was the Flyers' best shift-in and shift-out defenseman in the opener.
- bmeltzer

played particularly well, IMHO.
- isaiah520

Agree. Simmonds looked very good. I was disappointed in Coots and Jake. Hopefully it was just first game jitters. Jake looked slow. Speaking of slow...our D looked soooo slow. Where did Coburn's speed go? Seems like the Flyers went a little overboard gathering big defensive dmen to protect Bryz.

what did you think of foster?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Not bad but he is indeed slow.

It will be interesting how him and the D core hold up against a pretty fast Sabre team today.

I noticed the gap between the forwards and the D yesterday was smaller than it has been in a while. Maybe thats something Lava "adjusted". To me it did seem that the forwards werent able to get up to speed too much. We will see whether it was just the fact that it was the first game in such a long time or if everyone is trying to be more aware of helping out the D.

The Flyers really do need a more mobile guy on the back end.

All in all they played a solid game except for the first ten minutes. The slow start killed them.
- ZackSmeg

the key, to me,was the PP. They need to score on at least one of those chances. Having Briere in that game would have made a big difference.

I will enjoy seeing Hongcouver panic. It's an interesting choice to go with Schneider. You have a team where the cup window can still be open for a few years so its not as if they need to win it all this year.

I dont know who it was but someone on CBC was saying its a lot different being the #1 guy, instead of coming in as the backup with very little pressure. I totally agree. If they really want the kid to do well I'd ship out Luongo asap. Thats not a good environment for either goalie right now.

For what its worth I always thought Eddie Lack was the better goaltender in the system.
- flyer_nutter

I think that Schneider is going to have trouble adjusting to being a number 1 uunder these circumstances. If this keeps up,Gillis won't be able to trade Lu for any kind of value (especially with the contract he has). They will essentially have two high paid #1 goalies.. if it was me, I would stick with Lu all year and let schneider back up.If they trade Lu and schneider falls flat, to me it's see ya Gillis.

the key, to me,was the PP. They need to score on at least one of those chances. Having Briere in that game would have made a big difference.
- Dkos

2nd pp unit definitely looked shaky all game

you gotta think that having danny or jagr out there would've made a difference

Not bad but he is indeed slow.

It will be interesting how him and the D core hold up against a pretty fast Sabre team today.

I noticed the gap between the forwards and the D yesterday was smaller than it has been in a while. Maybe thats something Lava "adjusted". To me it did seem that the forwards werent able to get up to speed too much. We will see whether it was just the fact that it was the first game in such a long time or if everyone is trying to be more aware of helping out the D.

The Flyers really do need a more mobile guy on the back end.
- flyer_nutter

Exactly. The Flyers always seem to overreact....the D isn't protecting the goalie enough...bring in a bunch of big slow guys

I think that Schneider is going to have trouble adjusting to being a number 1 uunder these circumstances. If this keeps up,Gillis won't be able to trade Lu for any kind of value (especially with the contract he has). They will essentially have two high paid #1 goalies.. if it was me, I would stick with Lu all year and let schneider back up.If they trade Lu and schneider falls flat, to me it's see ya Gillis.
- Hextall271

Its a short and compressed season.

Like you, I would roll with Luongo one last time. Name him officially the starter and you rise or die with him. Buy him out, or trade him once the summer comes. Then let the kid learn over an 82 game season.

Gillis is an idiot if he thinks he will get anything more than Elisha Cuthbert out of Toronto. Luongo has a horrific contract, and while a good goaltender, has questions about being able to handle the big city lights.

Exactly. The Flyers always seem to overreact....the D isn't protecting the goalie enough...bring in a bunch of big slow guys
- Dkos

What made me really think this was history. When the Flyers had Hatch/Rathje on defense and got eliminated by Buffalo that one year. It was painfully obvious the team needed to get faster, especially on the back end.

I think that will be a big test today. Everyone knows the weakness, Im just going along for the ride this season. Dont expect too much personally, just looking to see how the kids grow and if Mez can bounce back. Then make more significant moves in the off-season.

What made me really think this was history. When the Flyers had Hatch/Rathje on defense and got eliminated by Buffalo that one year. It was painfully obvious the team needed to get faster, especially on the back end.

I think that will be a big test today. Everyone knows the weakness, Im just going along for the ride this season. Dont expect too much personally, just looking to see how the kids grow and if Mez can bounce back. Then make more significant moves in the off-season.
- flyer_nutter

If the Flyers defense could handle the Pens speed, they can handle the Sabres. The Pens are probably the quickest team in the League, throughout their lineup. Pens are a much quicker team the the Sabres.

If the Flyers defense could handle the Pens speed, they can handle the Sabres. The Pens are probably the quickest team in the League, throughout their lineup. Pens are a much quicker team the the Sabres.
- MJL

Bold statement. We will see.

Its a short and compressed season.

Like you, I would roll with Luongo one last time. Name him officially the starter and you rise or die with him. Buy him out, or trade him once the summer comes. Then let the kid learn over an 82 game season.

Gillis is an idiot if he thinks he will get anything more than Elisha Cuthbert out of Toronto. Luongo has a horrific contract, and while a good goaltender, has questions about being able to handle the big city lights.
- flyer_nutter

Elisha Cuthbert is a good offer in my books..

Bold statement. We will see.
- flyer_nutter

We will see. But it's not bold. The Flyers gave up 2 goals to a team that is much better then the Sabres, and a much faster team. If the Flyers play well they can handle and beat the Sabres.

We will see. But it's not bold. The Flyers gave up 2 goals to a team that is much better then the Sabres, and a much faster team. If the Flyers play well they can handle and beat the Sabres.
- MJL

Not playing, but thanks anyway.

good morning, Joe, how ya doin?
- flyerscup2011

Just fine, you?