They work hard, but definitely lack top end talent. That will change now that they have a GM that knows how to draft.
- Jsaquella

snider might take one of those cannons to the front office if this continues

And a GM that won't get raped in trades. Hard to believe all they have to show for the Carter and Nash trades are J. Johnson, Dubinsky, and Anisimov. That is criminal.
- PLindbergh31

didn't they also get picks?

Last night, I traded Briere for Buffalo's 1st and 3rd (he didn't have a place with Iginla, Jagr, Voracek, and Simmonds as my top 4 wingers). It was nice; needed the picks to make up for the 4 1sts that Nashville accepted for Shea Weber.
Think the Flyers could swing that (not the Weber part) out of a contending team?

And a GM that won't get raped in trades. Hard to believe all they have to show for the Carter and Nash trades are J. Johnson, Dubinsky, and Anisimov. That is criminal.
- PLindbergh31

Tim Erixon has been a solid player for them, too.

Last night, I traded Briere for Buffalo's 1st and 3rd (he didn't have a place with Iginla, Jagr, Voracek, and Simmonds as my top 4 wingers). It was nice; needed the picks to make up for the 4 1sts that Nashville accepted for Shea Weber.
Think the Flyers could swing that (not the Weber part) out of a contending team?
- jmatchett

They might get a 2nd rounder and youngster

Ton of hockey sense, no idea why he sat last year. Howson was about to royally screw him up, but they brought him back up.
- Jsaquella

Perhaps with him on board, we could've moved on Hamilton instead of Cooter.

Ah, water under the dam, over the bridge, or where ever the hell water goes.

My issues with Laviolette are not entirely related to this season.

Funny, you complain about goalies and defensemen not getting developed, but the Flyers had Bobrovsky. Laviolette buried him after one bad period in the playoffs, which led to Bryzgalov coming in.
- Jsaquella

horrendous display of coaching. it reeked of desperation and was unfair to pretty much everyone. it sends bob packing and we are where we are, which would be a good place if the team could play some team defense and make in game adjustments. they don't, so most blame bryz (even when he was playing great early on) and hang him because of his contract, which is stupid, because 5 million and change isn't that big of a deal. (frank), kimmo's hit is more than that. it's the length people get hung up on which is also stupid. he can be moved if necessary.

horrendous display of coaching. it reeked of desperation and was unfair to pretty much everyone. it sends bob packing and we are where we are, which would be a good place if the team could play some team defense and make in game adjustments. they don't, so most blame bryz (even when he was playing great early on) and hang him because of his contract, which is stupid, because 5 million and change isn't that big of a deal. (frank), kimmo's hit is more than that. it's the length people get hung up on which is also stupid. he can be moved if necessary.
- hammarby31

To where? He has a NMC.

To where? He has a NMC.
- jmatchett

Compliance Buy Out

I understand that. NJ plays with much more structure and discipline than the Flyers do. Their forwards are much more responsible defensively as well.
- PLindbergh31

Well, that's what we're saying the problem is...if the Flyers had that kind team defense mentality/style, their D corps would be fine (not that it couldn't use a #1 but you know what I mean).

To where? He has a NMC.
- jmatchett

Buy out.

While I am open to moving guys like Coburn or Meszaros, I don't see a need for a total overhaul of the defensemen.

Look around the NHL. The Flyers defense isn't that terrible. It's not the best mix, but it's a capable group. When the are used properly.

As Bill has often said, if you flip the Devils and Flyers defense corps the other night, the Devils still win. The group the Devils have is largely the same group that went to the SCF last season.

The coach has to use what he has on hand properly. If you have Erik Karlsson, you don't ask him to be Johnny Boychuk. And if you have Johnny Boychuk, you don't ask him to be Erik Karlsson.

In the Flyers case, Luke Schenn is being asked to be Chris Pronger and Erik Gustafsson is being asked to be Matt Carle. Recipe for failure.
- Jsaquella

Maybe he was just doing too good a job at that....

And a GM that won't get raped in trades. Hard to believe all they have to show for the Carter and Nash trades are J. Johnson, Dubinsky, and Anisimov. That is criminal.
- PLindbergh31

Didn't they get get Erixon too?

leight

You would think not. Regarding Gustafsson and Couturier, I don't think it's a bad thing for young players to experience growing pains. It's how they mature as players. Situations will very rarely be ideal to transition a young kid into a lineup.

I just think it makes sense to have Gustafsson play NHL games now. The season is likely a washout so mistakes he makes won't be crippling as far as costing the team valuable points. Don't the Flyers want to see what they have in this kid? Playing journeymen type players like Gervais on bad teams really doesn't serve much purpose.
- PLindbergh31

I agree...unfortunately, we'll probably see Gusty step up and lead the Phantoms in pts and +/- before he's traded in a package for a marginal 3rd pairing stiff.

The Flyers had three of them in a short period of time.

Best forward not in the NHL: Jiri Dopita

Best d-man not in the NHL: Michal Sykora

Best goalie not in the NHL: Roman Cechmanek

EDIT: 2/3's late.
- Flyskippy

I believe this (similar) was also said about B. Schenn before we got him.

who's the worst def team in the league? pick the worst 5....look at the goalie sv%. i haven't done this, but it prob gives a sketch of a reasonable discussion.
- isaiah520

I think Bill recently drew a comparison to Dallas and their defensive woes, the difference being Lehtonen is/was still performing at a high level.

I don't disagree that he might post better numbers than Bryz. When Bob was here he was sometimes great, and sometimes not so great. But it's possible.

But, still, with the way we've been letting up chances, no matter who is in net their save pct is gonna take a hit. I just don't think it's fair to compare goalies without also considering how their teams are playing defensively in front of them.
- FlyerGuy

Bob's save pct might take a hit but not down to sub .900. I also feel that Bob is the more athletic of the two which enables him to adjust better when the play breaks down. Also, unlike Bryz, the Puck is not like Kryptonite to his goalie stick. Bob isn't brodeur when it comes to playing the puck but at least he is competant. With Bryz it doesn't matter whether it's the poke check or clearing the puck, it's probably going into his net.

I'm assuming that there's never been a 5 on 0 break ... but I could see the Flyers being the first team to let one happen.
- FlyerGuy

if i was the goalie and saw that coming my way, i'd just knock the net off the moorings and take a delay of game penalty (or even a penalty shot if there's a nuance for that in the rule book).

Bob's save pct might take a hit but not down to sub .900. I also feel that Bob is the more athletic of the two which enables him to adjust better when the play breaks down. Also, unlike Bryz, the Puck is not like Kryptonite to his goalie stick. Bob isn't brodeur when it comes to playing the puck but at least he is competant. With Bryz it doesn't matter whether it's the poke check or clearing the puck, it's probably going into his net.
- Flyers_01

Bryzgalov handles the puck like it's a hand grenade. Truly one of the worst I have ever seen.

I agree...unfortunately, we'll probably see Gusty step up and lead the Phantoms in pts and +/- before he's traded in a package for a marginal 3rd pairing stiff.
- exlund

If it wasn't potentially true it would be amusing

You know, other teams are able to play an aggressive forechecking style and make it work.

It's just the Flyers don't do it well at all.

How many times do the forwards get in deep when they really had no chance on a play?
Or the D man pinches with little hope of getting the puck?

If the other team has solid control of the puck, too many times the Flyers come at them, and are late and then end up chasing the play.

You can have three forwards in deep when you have the puck or have at least a great chance of getting it.

If they want to chase it all game long, then bring up some of the speedy skaters from the Phantoms.

Better yet, use some brains when to go all out and when to drop back.
I can't believe that the coach is telling them to always chase the puck even when they have no shot at getting possession.

Buy out.
- 77rams

That's not really "moving" him, that's getting rid of him. Sorry, I thought you meant via trade/demotion.

Compliance Buy Out
- Jsaquella

that and they can ASK him to waive his NMC. it's not like it hasn't happened before.

I believe this (similar) was also said about B. Schenn before we got him.
- exlund

Rated #1 in The Hockey News' top 50 Future Watch prospects in 2011.

Bob's save pct might take a hit but not down to sub .900. I also feel that Bob is the more athletic of the two which enables him to adjust better when the play breaks down. Also, unlike Bryz, the Puck is not like Kryptonite to his goalie stick. Bob isn't brodeur when it comes to playing the puck but at least he is competant. With Bryz it doesn't matter whether it's the poke check or clearing the puck, it's probably going into his net.
- Flyers_01

he's the more athletic of the two, without question. his flexibility is superior to bryz. i don't have a problem with brzy's puck handlng other than his attempts at poke checking. deficient.