Over the course of yesterday's game, the Flyers had to kill off three penalties. Two of them, whistled by Philadelphia native Ian Walsh, almost seemed like the official was looking for something to call (I agree with those who have said that Walsh sometimes seems overly sensitive to making sure no one can accuse him of favoring the team he grew up rooting for so, if anything, he scrutinizes the Flyers a little harder).

Then this ref should not be given games in Philly to call.

Also when will the NHL get their head out of the dark space and move Winnipeg into the Western Conference? It makes for horrendous road trips. I know the Western conference teams have to put up with logging big miles on their trips, but Winnipeg in the West is an obvious solution.

I guess both of these wishes are just pipe dreams.

I agree.. Matt's been great..especially of late. We're gonna have to pay him, but I expect he will stay a Flyer for a while.
- Hextall271

His next contract should be very interesting.

I agree.. Matt's been great..especially of late. We're gonna have to pay him, but I expect he will stay a Flyer for a while.
- Hextall271

The problem is that he is going to have a lot of leverage in terms of either negotiating an extension after this season or opting for unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2014. Giroux, Couturier and Brayden Schenn will be RFAs after next season.

As such, the Flyers are going to be in a bind with Read, not all that different from the situation that forced them to part ways with R.J. Umberger when they really wanted to keep him.

Exactly. Losing Carle hurt...should have paid him. Oh well, spilt milk.
- section32

Not a fan of his contract. Once Mez gets back he will help provide another solid defenseman who can move the puck. I'm just hoping Gustafsson gets an opportunity b/c he would help the 3rd paring with his mobility.

Bill, what do you see as fair value for Read in his next contract? 4 yr 14-15M range is what I am guessing. Maybe I am being too optimistic.

The problem is that he is going to have a lot of leverage in terms of either negotiating an extension after this season or opting for unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2014. Giroux, Couturier and Brayden Schenn will be RFAs after next season.

As such, the Flyers are going to be in a bind with Read, not all that different from the situation that forced them to part ways with R.J. Umberger when they really wanted to keep him.
- bmeltzer

They could always buy Bryz or Briere out and stick with Read. Not sure what they will do but they have some options.

Can we officially refer to Gervais as "hot mess" from now on?


Another classic phrase from Bill:

"...the thought of Leighton in goal in EITHER of the next games is not an appealing one."

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 7-Point Homestand, Diabolical Road Trip, and More
- bmeltzer

Whats the deal with Ryan O'Reilly?

Bill, what do you see as fair value for Read in his next contract? 4 yr 14-15M range is what I am guessing. Maybe I am being too optimistic.
- Marc D

read reminds me of poulin a little. not as physical, but doesn't back down either.

The problem is that he is going to have a lot of leverage in terms of either negotiating an extension after this season or opting for unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2014. Giroux, Couturier and Brayden Schenn will be RFAs after next season.

As such, the Flyers are going to be in a bind with Read, not all that different from the situation that forced them to part ways with R.J. Umberger when they really wanted to keep him.
- bmeltzer

If it comes down to it, under current circumstances, I think they would move Jake to keep Read.

read reminds me of poulin a little. not as physical, but doesn't back down either.
- isaiah520

Read is a very solid player. The type of player that is needed to win. He provides a lot for this team.

Exactly. Losing Carle hurt...should have paid him. Oh well, spilt milk.
- section32

Dunno..bigger loss to me this season is no Hartnell for basically the whole season so far. He brings grit, goals and personality to a team. He has been a constant on our top line and helps to alleviate some of the pressure on G. He also is sort of the mouthpiece well he Kimmo and Briere. Don't get me wrong losing Carle wasnt great but if you asked me what would put the Flyers in a better position this year.

1. Having Carle for the whole season
2. Having Hartnell for the whole season.. *im going with this*

Then this ref should not be given games in Philly to call.

Also when will the NHL get their head out of the dark space and move Winnipeg into the Western Conference? It makes for horrendous road trips. I know the Western conference teams have to put up with logging big miles on their trips, but Winnipeg in the West is an obvious solution.

I guess both of these wishes are just pipe dreams.
- Marc D

Re: Walsh, I don't think he's intentionally biased against the Flyers but I do think that the Philadelphia native wants to make extra sure no one would say he's biased FOR them, especially when the game is here. I think he's pretty much a middle-of-the-pack ref in the NHL. There are far worse than him.


I think realignment will be enacted for next season. Personally, I'd have liked to have seen minor realignment this year since they kept the six divisions.

I would have liked to have gotten Dallas out of the Pacific and into the Central, Vancouver into the Pacific and out of the Northwest, Winnipeg out of the Southeast and into the Northwest, and Columbus out the Central and temporarily into the Southeast in place of Winnipeg (not ideal, but at least they are in the Eastern time zone). The Northeast and Atlantic would have remained the same.

At least that way, the all in-conference, compacted schedule would have involved less travel.

Can we officially refer to Gervais as "hot mess" from now on?


Another classic phrase from Bill:

"...the thought of Leighton in goal in EITHER of the next games is not an appealing one."


- isaiah520

If Leighton is a goalie who thrives on playing long stretches of games and Bryz is the same kind of player who does best with lots of games, maybe the Flyers management should have taken this into account when they were looking for a back up goalie last off season.

I am rarely critical of Flyers management because I love how they always try to ice the best team possible, but the Leighton signing still has me scratching my head a bit.

If it comes down to it, under current circumstances, I think they would move Jake to keep Read.
- hereticpride

Really hope it doesnt come down to that.

I am pretty excited about a young core of G, Coburn, Coots, Read, Jake, Simmonds and Rinaldo *yes I put him there because he fits a specific role and does it well*

The problem is that he is going to have a lot of leverage in terms of either negotiating an extension after this season or opting for unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2014. Giroux, Couturier and Brayden Schenn will be RFAs after next season.

As such, the Flyers are going to be in a bind with Read, not all that different from the situation that forced them to part ways with R.J. Umberger when they really wanted to keep him.
- bmeltzer

Do you think they deal him? I just see the fac that right now, he's one of (if not the) top forward on the team and is very versatile. Take him out of the mix, and it really hurts the forward corps.

Whats the deal with Ryan O'Reilly?
- stveshdy

Still apparently nowhere close to a deal with the Avalanche. The Avs want him to sign a bridge contract of two years, at about $3.5 million per), and he wants five years, at about $5 million cap hit. I suspect he could end up being traded if this drags on much longer. Quite frankly, I side with the Avs on this one.

read reminds me of poulin a little. not as physical, but doesn't back down either.
- isaiah520

me too.

Still apparently nowhere close to a deal with the Avalanche. The Avs want him to sign a bridge contract of two years, at about $3.5 million per), and he wants five years, at about $5 million cap hit. I suspect he could end up being traded if this drags on much longer. Quite frankly, I side with the Avs on this one.
- bmeltzer

He's a very young kid. Would you be interested in him if available? What do you think is the asking price?

Re: Walsh, I don't think he's intentionally biased against the Flyers but I do think that the Philadelphia native wants to make extra sure no one would say he's biased FOR them, especially when the game is here. I think he's pretty much a middle-of-the-pack ref in the NHL. There are far worse than him.


I think realignment will be enacted for next season. Personally, I'd have liked to have seen minor realignment this year since they kept the six divisions.

I would have liked to have gotten Dallas out of the Pacific and into the Central, Vancouver into the Pacific and out of the Northwest, Winnipeg out of the Southeast and Columbus out the Central and temporarily into the Southeast in place of Winnipeg (not ideal, but at least they are in the Eastern time zone). The Northeast and Atlantic would have remained the same.

At least that way, the all in-conference, compacted schedule would have involved less travel.
- bmeltzer

Thanks for reminding me that their are always worse possibilites when it comes to refs!

You should send your re alignment ideas to the league, they make a ton of sense.
I think the league made a big mistake lumping the 2 Florida teams with Montreal and TO. It seems like pandering to the Canadian snow birds who will fill up the arenas in Florida when their teams are in town.

If Leighton is a goalie who thrives on playing long stretches of games and Bryz is the same kind of player who does best with lots of games, maybe the Flyers management should have taken this into account when they were looking for a back up goalie last off season.

I am rarely critical of Flyers management because I love how they always try to ice the best team possible, but the Leighton signing still has me scratching my head a bit.
- Marc D

prob the best policy because it can be an exercise in frustration to do otherwise.

Do you think they deal him? I just see the fac that right now, he's one of (if not the) top forward on the team and is very versatile. Take him out of the mix, and it really hurts the forward corps.
- Hextall271

I don't think he'll get dealt this season, but unless an extension gets signed by early next season, yes, I think it could happen then.

But even if he is extended, he goes from one of the NHL's best bargains of salary vs. production and versatility to essentially a very highly paid role player.

I don't think he'll get dealt this season, but unless an extension gets signed by early next season, yes, I think it could happen then.

But even if he is extended, he goes from one of the NHL's best bargains of salary vs. production and versatility to essentially a very highly paid role player.
- bmeltzer

says Hi

Do you think they deal him? I just see the fac that right now, he's one of (if not the) top forward on the team and is very versatile. Take him out of the mix, and it really hurts the forward corps.
- Hextall271

Agree with you.
Read is one of their best snipers right now.
When Giroux and Briere have scoring droughts, the goal scoring is led by Read.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 7-Point Homestand, Diabolical Road Trip, and More
- bmeltzer

dang bill, you spoil us.

Bryzgalov has been the Flyers' best player on a game-in and game-out basis this season. But this one was a bad goal at a bad time. It happens to all goalies. Now it would be up to the offense to pick up for their goaltender's miscue in the same way that Bryzgalov has erased a lot of other people's mistakes all season.

The Brayden Schenn line responded just 15 second later.