I compiled a list of teams top d-men... You would actually be surprised at how rare it is to have a true #1 d-man.

The fact that we have Meszy, Timonen, Coburn and Schenn is pretty impressive. Had we not lost Pronger we would have 3-4 guys on defense that could play on virtually any top d-pair in the league... with a few exceptions.
- jak521

I was comparing them to contenders. Chicago has Duncan Keith, St. Louis has Pietrangelo, Boston has Chara, LA has Doughty etc...

The contenders who don't have a #1 defenseman, either have 2 franchise forwards like Pittsburgh or great depth and a dominant goalie like the Rangers or LA.

A top 5 of Timonen, Coburn, Mezaros, Schenn and Grossmann is a nice solid top 5, but its not going to get you a cup unless you have a dominant starting goalie and/or another top line forward or 2.

I lean that way for 2 reasons. First, it's becoming clear that Brayden Schenn is more comfortable as a center. That gives the team 3 young guys and Briere that are "cornerstone" pieces that are more comfortable at center. Keeping Briere means that he, or one of the kids, has to play a wing.

Second, with the upcoming cap drop, the Flyers have just north of $2.25mm in cap room. They can utilize the LTIR exemption for Pronger, but even then they face future cap penalties if bonuses are achieved. Having Brirere's $6.5mm could allow them to target a top scoring line winger-I'd say top defenseman, but there's none of them available in FA
- Jsaquella

Bingo. Perry is obviously the top choice this summer but there are a lot of good fall back two-way top-6 wing options out there beyond him.

That's part of it, but the other part is the vets haven't played well enough either. That's the disconcerting part. The veteran leader types haven't played very well, overall. Timonen was rounding into form when he got dinged in the Devils game. But Briere, Talbot, Knuble and even guys like Coburn haven't done what's needed.
- Jsaquella

The biggest problem I see is that it was expected that guys would be able to replicate last seasons (individual) success. Bill mentioned in yesterdays blog about Talbot being a black hole offensively... well, he only had 8 goals the season prior to that.

As off offensively as Giroux has been, its the edge he plays with (and hasnt been playing with) that we miss the most out of him.

Cobhorn is doing his best Modry impression ((frank)ing spot on if you ask me).

They need to get some swagger. Id love to see them go to bat for each other.. have a big full ice brawl. They need an identity...

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/18/13 @ Islanders
- bmeltzer

It'll be fun to look back at all of these lost points when the Flyers finish the season in ninth place, missing the playoffs by a point or two.

That's always a fun exercise.

The biggest problem in the last game was nobody showed up.
Best to forget it and move on.
- strongsupporter

That was pretty much the case for the last 40 minutes of the Devils game, too.

I lean that way for 2 reasons. First, it's becoming clear that Brayden Schenn is more comfortable as a center. That gives the team 3 young guys and Briere that are "cornerstone" pieces that are more comfortable at center. Keeping Briere means that he, or one of the kids, has to play a wing.

Second, with the upcoming cap drop, the Flyers have just north of $2.25mm in cap room. They can utilize the LTIR exemption for Pronger, but even then they face future cap penalties if bonuses are achieved. Having Brirere's $6.5mm could allow them to target a top scoring line winger-I'd say top defenseman, but there's none of them available in FA
- Jsaquella

also, re: schenn, i feel like over the first 16 games, the fanbase has gone from, oh man i don't know about this guy to, whoa, this guy's good.

I know nobody in a decision making role is concerned with my opinion, but this afternoon game sucks. Not all of us are off from work
- BulliesPhan87

Yep. This blows. This will be the first time I have missed three games in a row since the early 90's.

I was thinking I might just go isolation and see if on-demand shows it later on.

It'll be fun to look back at all of these lost points when the Flyers finish the season in ninth place, missing the playoffs by a point or two.

That's always a fun exercise.
- bradleyc4

totally worth it when they win the lottery, though.

I was comparing them to contenders. Chicago has Duncan Keith, St. Louis has Pietrangelo, Boston has Chara, LA has Doughty etc...

The contenders who don't have a #1 defenseman, either have 2 franchise forwards like Pittsburgh or great depth and a dominant goalie like the Rangers or LA.

A top 5 of Timonen, Coburn, Mezaros, Schenn and Grossmann is a nice solid top 5, but its not going to get you a cup unless you have a dominant starting goalie and/or another top line forward or 2.
- BiggE

Doughty has zero goals, six assists, minus 11 this year, the same year we are comparing our guys performance

Id like to see the flyers sign b schenn to a bridge 2 year deal like PK did. No more of these standard 5 year deals

has lavy overloaded the Flyers?

http://www.philly.com/phi..._overloading__system.html

I was comparing them to contenders. Chicago has Duncan Keith, St. Louis has Pietrangelo, Boston has Chara, LA has Doughty etc...

The contenders who don't have a #1 defenseman, either have 2 franchise forwards like Pittsburgh or great depth and a dominant goalie like the Rangers or LA.

A top 5 of Timonen, Coburn, Mezaros, Schenn and Grossmann is a nice solid top 5, but its not going to get you a cup unless you have a dominant starting goalie and/or another top line forward or 2.
- BiggE

I disagree.. there is way more that goes into winning a cup than just having a dominant starting goalie and a top forward or two.

Our defense (when healthy) is a very complete group. Would I like another established puck mover? Absolutely. Would it put us over the top, not likely. We could get Pietrangelo right now and it likely wouldnt make a significant impact.

Why? Because of the way the TEAM is playing. Why did the Devils make such an impressive run last season? Mediocre defense on paper, not really deep offense on paper, an old mediocre goalie on paper... Why? Because they are the best team in the league at playing the team game. Right now they 4th in the league, yet lost their top forward, and didnt add any real key FA's.

If the Flyers could get consistent hard working efforts, night in night out, they could win a cup. No question in my mind.

The biggest problem I see is that it was expected that guys would be able to replicate last seasons (individual) success. Bill mentioned in yesterdays blog about Talbot being a black hole offensively... well, he only had 8 goals the season prior to that.

As off offensively as Giroux has been, its the edge he plays with (and hasnt been playing with) that we miss the most out of him.

Cobhorn is doing his best Modry impression ((frank)ing spot on if you ask me).

They need to get some swagger. Id love to see them go to bat for each other.. have a big full ice brawl. They need an identity...
- jak521

I expected a drop off in some cases, but I also expected the young guys to be playing better.

I expect Talbot to do more, not just scoring, but be more active on the forecheck. Giroux gets his edge back, he'll start scoring. Briere isn't doing as much as he needs to do.

It's not just offense, these guys are missing "Jam" Jesus I hate that word, but it is apropos.

Yep. This blows. This will be the first time I have missed three games in a row since the early 90's.

I was thinking I might just go isolation and see if on-demand shows it later on.



- MBFlyerfan

Well, if today is anything like the last two games, you may want to go three in a row. That is, unless you're some kind of masochist.

It'll be fun to look back at all of these lost points when the Flyers finish the season in ninth place, missing the playoffs by a point or two.

That's always a fun exercise.
- bradleyc4

pipe down Brad. Just because your Mets have a wealthy of experience in that aspect doesnt mean it will happen to the Flyers.

I expected a drop off in some cases, but I also expected the young guys to be playing better.

I expect Talbot to do more, not just scoring, but be more active on the forecheck. Giroux gets his edge back, he'll start scoring. Briere isn't doing as much as he needs to do.

It's not just offense, these guys are missing "Jam" Jesus I hate that word, but it is apropos.
- Jsaquella

I hate it too, but they routinely look like the little guys out there. Guys are not at all intimidated by the way we play.

has lavy overloaded the Flyers?

http://www.philly.com/phi..._overloading__system.html
- isaiah520

It seems this system would only work if he had players that actually win the battles in the corners.

Doughty has zero goals, six assists, minus 11 this year, the same year we are comparing our guys performance
- strongsupporter

minus-11 is ugly, but LA's goaltenders stopping just 85(!!!)% of shots when he's on the ice probably has a little something to do with that.

also, re: schenn, i feel like over the first 16 games, the fanbase has gone from, oh man i don't know about this guy to, whoa, this guy's good.
- OrangeBlack27

Hes going to have up and downs. He def has top 6 ability. But my lord the kid had to learn to stay on his skates and live to fight another day sometimes

Well, if today is anything like the last two games, you may want to go three in a row. That is, unless you're some kind of masochist.
- BulliesPhan87

I tell ya, I would be lying if I said that very thought process didn't cross my mind.
........ ............

Hes going to have up and downs. He def has top 6 ability. But my lord the kid had to learn to stay on his skates and live to fight another day sometimes
- Just5

i have no idea what this means.

i have no idea what this means.
- OrangeBlack27

On occasion, he puts himself in a bad position and gets nailed for it.

minus-11 is ugly, but LA's goaltenders stopping just 85(!!!)% of shots when he's on the ice probably has a little something to do with that.
- OrangeBlack27

yeah, pretty sure Doughty's skills didn't erode overnight, and L.A's getting burned by overpaying for an average goaltender.

minus-11 is ugly, but LA's goaltenders stopping just 85(!!!)% of shots when he's on the ice probably has a little something to do with that.
- OrangeBlack27

couldn't it be argued that he is the reason they're only stopping 85% of shots while he's on the ice? (i think that's something you can only distinguish by watching, and i haven't watched them nearly enough...can't bring myself to)

Yep. This blows. This will be the first time I have missed three games in a row since the early 90's.

I was thinking I might just go isolation and see if on-demand shows it later on.



- MBFlyerfan

Actually, perfect timing. You missed nothing. At least the last two games.

I really am curious how they respond today.

Bring on the draft picks!!!!!!