Right now, though, as PLind points out, Leighton's play is more annoyance than crippling injury.
- Jsaquella

I'm not even that annoyed tbh. Leighton looked rusty and all but he's only going to play a handful of games. A lot of fans just like to complain about stuff.

do you think Homer wants to trade his first? could be a high lottery pick
- vejim

naa we will make the playoffs

i think homer should offer sheet subban
- griouxmvp2012

The only offer sheet I see Montreal NOT matching is one that would fall into the top two compensation brackets which would mean a huge overpayment for Subban.

I'm not even that annoyed tbh. Leighton looked rusty and all but he's only going to play a handful of games. A lot of fans just like to complain about stuff.
- NickTheKid87

I'm a lot more annoyed at the level of play from the skaters than Leighton. I didn't expect much from him. I expected the team to play with more fire and effort than they showed.

I'm a lot more annoyed at the level of play from the skaters than Leighton. I didn't expect much from him. I expected the team to play with more fire and effort than they showed.
- Jsaquella

That's my biggest issue with this team. When they get down, they quit. Can't have that in any level of hockey let alone the highest. It's been a disgrace to see them just stop playing. That's where Giroux needs to step up as captain. It's still early, but they haven't even come close to the same fire they had last year. It seemed like any time we were down 3 goals, we could make a comeback but now 3 seems insurmountable.

I'm sure being tired and playing the night before had a lot to do with the loss but what about Tampa being the more skilled team? What about Michael Leighton being the clear cut back and not having an NHL job in two and a half years. It was a bad Coaching strategy. Bryz should have started Sunday and Leighton Saturday. We probably still would have loss with Bryz in but at least we would have had our best team possible out there.

That's my biggest issue with this team. When they get down, they quit. Can't have that in any level of hockey let alone the highest. It's been a disgrace to see them just stop playing. That's where Giroux needs to step up as captain. It's still early, but they haven't even come close to the same fire they had last year. It seemed like any time we were down 3 goals, we could make a comeback but now 3 seems insurmountable.
- NickTheKid87

It's a concern, for sure. But you have a lot of guys adjusting to new roles and new responsibilities. In another few games we need to start seeing positive signs of that adjustment, of the team rallying instead of folding.

I'm sure being tired and playing the night before had a lot to do with the loss but what about Tampa being the more skilled team? What about Michael Leighton being the clear cut back and not having an NHL job in two and a half years. It was a bad Coaching strategy. Bryz should have started Sunday and Leighton Saturday. We probably still would have loss with Bryz in but at least we would have had our best team possible out there.
- SuperSchennBros

Hindsight is 20/20 right? Doesn't really matter, Bryz would not have fared any better than Leighton had the team played like the did last night.

The only offer sheet I see Montreal NOT matching is one that would fall into the top two compensation brackets which would mean a huge overpayment for Subban.
- NickTheKid87

I would vote in favor of taking a greater risk at this point. Spend money to take a chance on PK's upside. I would rather spend a little more (eat into our cap) and give up draft picks as compensation than give up on any of our youngsters (#10, #14 etc). Like Bill Meltzer, if Mtl matches, they match. I do belive that the cap will grow and PK will grow into his salary in couple years.

It's a concern, for sure. But you have a lot of guys adjusting to new roles and new responsibilities. In another few games we need to start seeing positive signs of that adjustment, of the team rallying instead of folding.
- Jsaquella

Exactly. I refuse to judge a team on so few games. They still have time to make the way they played against NYR and FLA the norm. If they get to the midway point of the season and they're 10-14, then I'll start to worry.

I'm sure being tired and playing the night before had a lot to do with the loss but what about Tampa being the more skilled team? What about Michael Leighton being the clear cut back and not having an NHL job in two and a half years. It was a bad Coaching strategy. Bryz should have started Sunday and Leighton Saturday. We probably still would have loss with Bryz in but at least we would have had our best team possible out there.
- SuperSchennBros

I dunno. I'd rather Leighton take the loss and Bryz stay confident and focused. I thought the last 2 goals miserable but the team had given up well before that so I can't just blame him. At this point lick your wounds and let's get ready for Tues. Some pretty obvious problems which I'm sure they will be working to fix.

We HAVE to get better on special teams.

I would vote in favor of taking a greater risk at this point. Spend money to take a chance on PK's upside. I would rather spend a little more (eat into our cap) and give up draft picks as compensation than give up on any of our youngsters (#10, #14 etc). Like Bill Meltzer, if Mtl matches, they match. I do belive that the cap will grow and PK will grow into his salary in couple years.
- FlyersFirst

I would offer sheet him something like $5.5m for 5-6 years tops. I think Montreal would match that though. Just my opinion.

Flyers captain Claude Giroux failed to hustle on the back check, floating casually about 20 feet behind the play rather than going all out to catch up to Hedman. That was a flat out unacceptable effort, and was worthy of a seat on the bench for the rest of the game.
- bmeltzer

I'm really concerned about Giroux. In every way he's a shadow of his former self.

I hope he's nursing an injury and not being dragged down by the weight of the C.

I'm sure being tired and playing the night before had a lot to do with the loss but what about Tampa being the more skilled team? What about Michael Leighton being the clear cut back and not having an NHL job in two and a half years. It was a bad Coaching strategy. Bryz should have started Sunday and Leighton Saturday. We probably still would have loss with Bryz in but at least we would have had our best team possible out there.
- SuperSchennBros

I have little issue with it. Perhaps Laviolette saw the Tampa game as a tough out anyhow, and figured he'd bank the easy two points against Florida, rather than having Leighton start and possibly lose to the Panthers, making the Lightning game a must win.

Had they lost 5-3 and showed an ounce of grit and heart, I'd readily agree with you. As it is, Leighton sucked, but the team in front of him was so bad, they could have had Bernie Parent in net and still lose.

I'm really concerned about Giroux. In every way he's a shadow of his former self.

I hope he's nursing an injury and not being dragged down by the weight of the C.
- FlyerGuy

I think he's pressing, which he has done when the team has struggled throughout his career. He needs to relax and just play his game. This is a spot were Jagr would have helped immensely.

I would offer sheet him something like $5.5m for 5-6 years tops. I think Montreal would match that though. Just my opinion.
- NickTheKid87

and i agree that a match is more likely than not, but we might have to test it, thats all i am saying

I'm really concerned about Giroux. In every way he's a shadow of his former self.

I hope he's nursing an injury and not being dragged down by the weight of the C.
- FlyerGuy

I think G is fine. Yeah he had a miserable game. But who had a good one? I won't be concerned unless this becomes a trend game after game. But I'm willing to give him a lot more time to shake out.

I have little issue with it. Perhaps Laviolette saw the Tampa game as a tough out anyhow, and figured he'd bank the easy two points against Florida, rather than having Leighton start and possibly lose to the Panthers, making the Lightning game a must win.

Had they lost 5-3 and showed an ounce of grit and heart, I'd readily agree with you. As it is, Leighton sucked, but the team in front of him was so bad, they could have had Bernie Parent in net and still lose.
- Jsaquella

That was a weak effort all around after the 10 or so minutes. I don't feel like backreading but has anyone questioned Giroux's effort level on the Hedman goal?
Pittsburgh didn't look much better, just had a goalie bailing them out more.

That was a weak effort all around after the 10 or so minutes. I don't feel like backreading but has anyone questioned Giroux's effort level on the Hedman goal?
Pittsburgh didn't look much better, just had a goalie bailing them out more.
- canadianpenfan

Yeah we're all disappointed by Giroux's lack of hustle on that play. You can't play like that ever, especially if you're the captain.

I have little issue with it. Perhaps Laviolette saw the Tampa game as a tough out anyhow, and figured he'd bank the easy two points against Florida, rather than having Leighton start and possibly lose to the Panthers, making the Lightning game a must win.

Had they lost 5-3 and showed an ounce of grit and heart, I'd readily agree with you. As it is, Leighton sucked, but the team in front of him was so bad, they could have had Bernie Parent in net and still lose.
- Jsaquella

It was a smart move by Laviolette to play Leighton against the Bolts. It was bound to be a let down game with the schedule the way it was. And this gives Bryzgalov two days off before facing the Rangers on Tuesday. Where he is going ot need to be very good for the Flyers to win.

I'm really concerned about Giroux. In every way he's a shadow of his former self.

I hope he's nursing an injury and not being dragged down by the weight of the C.
- FlyerGuy

They've played 6 games. And I really hope were not going to go there about the Captaincy already.

Yeah we're all disappointed by Giroux's lack of hustle on that play. You can't play like that ever, especially if you're the captain.
- NickTheKid87

I was surprised. There really are no excuses, captain or not, for not trying to get back into that play.

Alot of tired legs on the ice, 3 games in 4 days is tough but everyone in the league best get used to it this year.

I was surprised. There really are no excuses, captain or not, for not trying to get back into that play.

Alot of tired legs on the ice, 3 games in 4 days is tough but everyone in the league best get used to it this year.
- canadianpenfan

I think there problems were more mental than physical. They might have had a tough stretch but so did most teams. The team quit which is just unacceptable.

That was a weak effort all around after the 10 or so minutes. I don't feel like backreading but has anyone questioned Giroux's effort level on the Hedman goal?
Pittsburgh didn't look much better, just had a goalie bailing them out more.
- canadianpenfan

I'd question if he gave any effort on that goal.

I think there problems were more mental than physical. They might have had a tough stretch but so did most teams. The team quit which is just unacceptable.
- NickTheKid87

I said the same thing in the Pens blog. Leighton let in a couple softies but he didn't get very much help. I think if the ice was better the score would've been worse. Seemed to be alot of plays Tampa made where the puck was hopping on the shooter.