in a rarity i'd have to disagree. plekanac was turning and tossing the puck on net. a bit of a gamble and an easier stop for boucher. once he had a chance ro gather with boucher down and coburn out of the play the percentage jumped. had coburn played the man boucher could have made the save and plekanac would have been eliminated. it's rarely good to be on your face.
- mayorofangrytown

And it's rarely good for the goaltender to be sitting on his ass on the ice. No reason for Boucher to be in that position. If he stayed on his feet, Plekanac has no where to shoot.

the worst thing that homer did last summer was let jagr walk, he gave this team inspiration, confidence, etc, it was obvious that the team loved his presence and gave them a pulse which they lack now, no pulse...
- mydoglicks

So what's the solution, keep Jagr forever? At some point the young players need to grow up and leave the nest, so to speak. Or at least the Flyers need to find out who to keep and who to move on from. Keeping Jagr only delays the process. This is about more then just this Season.

And it's rarely good for the goaltender to be sitting on his ass on the ice. No reason for Boucher to be in that position. If he stayed on his feet, Plekanac hs no where to shoot.
- MJL

I'd love to see the Flyers with a hybrid goalie. So tired of seeing guys go down into the butterfly as soon as they think a shot is coming. It's too predictable.

The third goal happened because B Schenn made a terrible turnover along the boards.
- Feanor

I would hardly call that a terrible turnover along the boards. Schenn never had possession of the puck. The puck was loose and he tried to poke it past the forechecker with a one handed poke. The problem was a man left all alone in front, and awful goaltending. And watch the nice Peggy Fleming wide circle that Briere does and circle's out to an already covered point area. He was down in the slot where he should have stayed, and could've covered for the Gervais who had fallen down. It's called team defense for a reason. Now on the 2nd Montreal goal, you can certainly blame Schenn for a weak effort on the back check. This team forwards glides and watches opposition players go to the net constantly.

If you read Tim P story from this morning about the issues with the team not wanting it, I is scary. I've been saying an thinking the team quit on Lava, but it sounds more like they've quit on themselves. There seems to be some serious problems on this team and they really aren't a team.

If you read Tim P story from this morning about the issues with the team not wanting it, I is scary. I've been saying an thinking the team quit on Lava, but it sounds more like they've quit on themselves. There seems to be some serious problems on this team and they really aren't a team.
- LJF

And the 3 guys they quoted, should be the players that are leading on the ice. That should be showing desperation and urgency. Especially Briere. I'm not seeing it. I'm not seeing a catalyst on the ice, for this team.

something else to keep in mind re: jagr is he made it quite clear he wasn't sticking around unless he was guaranteed a top 6 role

And the 3 guys they quoted, should be the players that are leading on the ice. That should be showing desperation and urgency. Especially Briere. I'm not seeing it. I'm not seeing a catalyst on the ice.
- MJL

Exactly isn't that what G should be doing as captain. As captain he should be getting this team fired up and ready to play. There is no fire or motivation. Seems like they wish the lockout was still happening.

As Bill wisely pointed out earlier in the comments, the Flies will have to become better at developing players, especially goaltenders and defencemen. You guys are set for a while up front if you don't screw with what you have.

Giroux, Couturier, Schenn, Laughton, Hartnell, Simmonds, Voracek is a good basis offensively.

One day Homer will have to realize that grabbing spare parts through trades and free agency is much more costly than developing players. You guys seem to love Subban, well, he was drafted 48th overall. Talk about value. Yes, by grabbing an NHLer from another team, you skip the developmental years, but you don't save on the price assets wise.

I'm not fully familiar with the Flyers' prospects on D, but I believe it to be pretty slim. So wherever you guys pick this year, you should target the D's.

And I don't think Bryzgalov is the future of your team between the pipes, you guys have been having trouble there since late Pelle Lindbergh for frigging sakes. It's about time you guys draft a top prospect to fit the glaring hole of your team for the past 25+ years...

i hate to say it but i think Lavy needs to go ... he can't get this team fired up at all and frankly when he pulled the goalie in the jersey game it was poor coaching. the puck wasn't deep and the flyers didnt have control. now everyone makes mistakes and in all truth the coach has to get his players motivated and he just dosn't seem to be getting it done. it is time for a change it has been 13 games of inconsistency and poor effort. and unfortunately that falls on the coach to motivate his team. I don't see the team playing for lavy anymore

As Bill wisely pointed out earlier in the comments, the Flies will have to become better at developing players, especially goaltenders and defencemen. You guys are set for a while up front if you don't screw with what you have.

Giroux, Couturier, Schenn, Laughton, Hartnell, Simmonds, Voracek is a good basis offensively.

One day Homer will have to realize that grabbing spare parts through trades and free agency is much more costly than developing players. You guys seem to love Subban, well, he was drafted 48th overall. Talk about value. Yes, by grabbing an NHLer from another team, you skip the developmental years, but you don't save on the price assets wise.

I'm not fully familiar with the Flyers' prospects on D, but I believe it to be pretty slim. So wherever you guys pick this year, you should target the D's.

And I don't think Bryzgalov is the future of your team between the pipes, you guys have been having trouble there since late Pelle Lindbergh for frigging sakes. It's about time you guys draft a top prospect to fit the glaring hole of your team for the past 25+ years...
- QuebecPride

No question about it that the Flyers have to get better in drafting and developing players at certain positions. But the player you brought up, in Subban is an example. That's pure luck there. Flyers have used 2nd,3rd, 4th round picks on defenseman. None of them have panned out. If anyone thought that Subban would be the player he is, he would have gone in the 1st round. So drafting is a crap shoot.

As Bill wisely pointed out earlier in the comments, the Flies will have to become better at developing players, especially goaltenders and defencemen. You guys are set for a while up front if you don't screw with what you have.

Giroux, Couturier, Schenn, Laughton, Hartnell, Simmonds, Voracek is a good basis offensively.

One day Homer will have to realize that grabbing spare parts through trades and free agency is much more costly than developing players. You guys seem to love Subban, well, he was drafted 48th overall. Talk about value. Yes, by grabbing an NHLer from another team, you skip the developmental years, but you don't save on the price assets wise.

I'm not fully familiar with the Flyers' prospects on D, but I believe it to be pretty slim. So wherever you guys pick this year, you should target the D's.

And I don't think Bryzgalov is the future of your team between the pipes, you guys have been having trouble there since late Pelle Lindbergh for frigging sakes. It's about time you guys draft a top prospect to fit the glaring hole of your team for the past 25+ years...
- QuebecPride

A concept that hasn't been grasped by enough people here

No question about it that the Flyers have to get better in drafting and developing players at certain positions. But the player you brought up, in Subban is an example. That's pure luck there. Flyers have used 2nd,3rd, 4th round picks on defenseman. None of them have panned out. If anyone thought that Subban would be the player he is, he would have gone in the 1st round. So drafting is a crap shoot.
- MJL

iow, sh1t happens and has been happening on d and in goal for 20+ yrs. we just need to get luckier. got it.

As Bill wisely pointed out earlier in the comments, the Flies will have to become better at developing players, especially goaltenders and defencemen. You guys are set for a while up front if you don't screw with what you have.

Giroux, Couturier, Schenn, Laughton, Hartnell, Simmonds, Voracek is a good basis offensively.

One day Homer will have to realize that grabbing spare parts through trades and free agency is much more costly than developing players. You guys seem to love Subban, well, he was drafted 48th overall. Talk about value. Yes, by grabbing an NHLer from another team, you skip the developmental years, but you don't save on the price assets wise.

I'm not fully familiar with the Flyers' prospects on D, but I believe it to be pretty slim. So wherever you guys pick this year, you should target the D's.

And I don't think Bryzgalov is the future of your team between the pipes, you guys have been having trouble there since late Pelle Lindbergh for frigging sakes. It's about time you guys draft a top prospect to fit the glaring hole of your team for the past 25+ years...
- QuebecPride

i don't love subban

drafting goalies is a crapshoot

thank you for your visit

No question about it that the Flyers have to get better in drafting and developing players at certain positions. But the player you brought up, in Subban is an example. That's pure luck there. Flyers have used 2nd,3rd, 4th round picks on defenseman. None of them have panned out. If anyone thought that Subban would be the player he is, he would have gone in the 1st round. So drafting is a crap shoot.
- MJL

Some seem to be luckier than others though.

I don't know about you, but I'm not superstitious enough to believe it is entirely based on luck. If you have a good track record, you must be doing something right.

i don't love subban

drafting goalies is a crapshoot

thank you for your visit
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Please reread my post. I don't think it included you, ma chère.

Also I believe a good chunk of goaltending success has to be attributed to development and goalie coaches.

As Bill wisely pointed out earlier in the comments, the Flies will have to become better at developing players, especially goaltenders and defencemen. You guys are set for a while up front if you don't screw with what you have.

Giroux, Couturier, Schenn, Laughton, Hartnell, Simmonds, Voracek is a good basis offensively.

One day Homer will have to realize that grabbing spare parts through trades and free agency is much more costly than developing players. You guys seem to love Subban, well, he was drafted 48th overall. Talk about value. Yes, by grabbing an NHLer from another team, you skip the developmental years, but you don't save on the price assets wise.

I'm not fully familiar with the Flyers' prospects on D, but I believe it to be pretty slim. So wherever you guys pick this year, you should target the D's.

And I don't think Bryzgalov is the future of your team between the pipes, you guys have been having trouble there since late Pelle Lindbergh for frigging sakes. It's about time you guys draft a top prospect to fit the glaring hole of your team for the past 25+ years...
- QuebecPride

If you have watched the Flyers, you will realize that Bryzgalov has been solid in goal. He's allowed us to stay in almost all of the gameseven though we can't score. I am sick of people who watch highlights of goals on tsn and decided that confirms that the Flyers neeed a goalie. It's just a lazy way to discount a team or form an opinion. It'd be like me saying the Habs are a team of smurfs and that's why they haven't won since 93.. it's not true but a lot of people say it because they hear it on TV and regurgitate it pretending to be an expert.

iow, sh1t happens and has been happening on d and in goal for 20+ yrs. we just need to get luckier. got it.
- isaiah520

Apparently you practiced selective reading and glossed over the first statement in my post that said, and I quote "there is no question that the Flyers have to get better at drafting and developing players at certain positions". And since that post was just made a short time ago. Coupled with your proven ability to find posts made months ago. You should have no problem finding it. But I'll provide the link if necessary.

If you have watched the Flyers, you will realize that Bryzgalov has been solid in goal. He's allowed us to stay in almost all of the gameseven though we can't score. I am sick of people who watch highlights of goals on tsn and decided that confirms that the Flyers neeed a goalie. It's just a lazy way to discount a team or form an opinion. It'd be like me saying the Habs are a team of smurfs and that's why they haven't won since 93.. it's not true but a lot of people say it because they hear it on TV and regurgitate it pretending to be an expert.
- Hextall271

Bryzgalov has been better this year, I have to admit. From the games I've watched (certainly less than most on here), he wasn't the one who caused losses this season, unlike last year. But he will be forever in debt to Tippett for making him look like a Vezina-worthy goaltender.

Some seem to be luckier than others though.

I don't know about you, but I'm not superstitious enough to believe it is entirely based on luck. If you have a good track record, you must be doing something right.
- QuebecPride

Flyers have a proven track record in some areas of drafting and developing players. In others, they don't. But Subban is just one example. Not to put Subban in that category, but look at other top defenseman drafted in later rounds. Shea Weber was a 2nd rounder. Lidstrom and many more. You would think with all the picks the Flyers used on defenseman in later rounds, one or two would've panned out.

how can anyone read this post by Bill and respond to the MTL poster the way they have:


The organization needs a radical shift in its approach to drafting and developing defensemen. It has been a problem for virtually the entire history of the organization.

It's pretty bad when this is a rough top 10 list of homegrown defensemen in the franchise history in terms of their impact and/or longevity while in Philly:

1) Jimmy Watson
2) Tom Bladon
3) Behn Wilson
4) Joni Pitkanen
5) Chris Therien
6) Janne Niinimaa
7) Dmitry Yushkevich
8) Glen Cochrane
9) Thomas Eriksson
10) Kevin McCarthy

Honorable mention: Miroslav Dvorak (he was 31 years old and an established international star but did have to get drafted by Flyers and arrangements made for him to get permission from the communist Czech government to play here).

Apparently you practiced selective reading and glossed over the first statement in my post that said, and I quote "there is no question that the Flyers have to get better at drafting and developing players at certain positions". And since that post was just made a short time ago. Coupled with your proven ability to find posts made months ago. You should have no problem finding it. But I'll provide the link if necessary.
- MJL

actually your post essentially gave the flyers a pass for all but 1st rnd picks and ended up sounding contradictory. add to that, the fact that you attacked an earlier post of mine that had the same overall message as Bill's about dmen by saying that i ignored their drafting at forward. selective when convenient on your part...

Bryzgalov has been better this year, I have to admit. From the games I've watched (certainly less than most on here), he wasn't the one who caused losses this season, unlike last year. But he will be forever in debt to Tippett for making him look like a Vezina-worthy goaltender.
- QuebecPride

So it was Tippet that put those numbers up?

If the Flyers were 10-4-2 right now, Bryz would be the Vezina leader or at least top 3.

Now, before ya'll jump down my throat- I know it's early and the Flyers are terrible. It's hypothetical and an illustration of how fantastic Bryz has been this season.

actually your post essentially gave the flyers a pass for all but 1st rnd picks and ended up sounding contradictory. add to that, the fact that you attacked an earlier post of mine that had the same overall message as Bill's about dmen by saying that i ignored their drafting at forward. selective when convenient on your part...
- isaiah520

You're incorrect. It neither gives the Flyers a pass, nor is it contradictory. My opening statement in the post was that the Flyers have to do a better job at drafting and developing in certain areas. Plain and simple. And what I've also done is looked at all aspects of it. And the luck factor is definitely part of it. Which is the opposite of being selective. Being selective when convenient is only looking at one position when assessing the team's Drafting record.

I feel a coaching change coming today