There were plenty of people advocating that Bob be placed on waivers and hope he got claimed just so the Flyers could lose his cap hit. Others thought that getting a 3rd for Bob would be a reach. To me, that says people thought he was a stiff.
- Flyers_01

so even more a reason to get over the trade to columbus

And buttless chaps.
- FlyersGrace

Thats the name of a midget Prince cover band.....Theyre the best thing Ive ever seen

whats going on with Sustr? Still unsigned..

There were plenty of people advocating that Bob be placed on waivers and hope he got claimed just so the Flyers could lose his cap hit. Others thought that getting a 3rd for Bob would be a reach. To me, that says people thought he was a stiff.
- Flyers_01

Hey, I wanted to keep bob. He'd be like 28 by the time bryzgalov's contract expired. That would have been plenty time to groom him. If you really want to get mad, get mad at the organization for resigning leighton to begin with. Bob should have spent a year or two in the minors. Right now he should be platooning with a veteran. That emery seems to have recovered from that injury. This thing goes so deep that brow beating fans or female doging about Bryzgalov is only counterproductive.

Almost as bad as that BSH guy last season who tried to claim Carle was as good as Suter. Let's see him run the same stats he came up with for the comparison this season now that Carle isn't insulated by a better supporting cast and Suter isn't tied to Weber.
- exlund

I really like how sports have embraced statistical analysis, but without context, it really gets abused and gives the practice of statistical analysis a bad name.

Brad cant name 3 contracts in the whole league that he doesnt despise
- Crimsoninja

Not true. He did the other day when I called him on it. The players were all grossly under paid.

you and plind are OBSESSED with matt carle
- FlyerMike18

I wouldn't say obsessed. I guess it has mostly to do with feeling compelled to refute the belief of some (when it comes up) that he's some sort of elite puck mover that the team misses so much. I've watched more than enough of him to be able to speak against that point, especially now that his limitations have become more exposed in Tampa, where he isn't insulated by a stronger supporting cast. Having said that, I admit, in retrospect, the Flyers could have used him to help plug the dam this season, given the injuries (to Mez and MAB) and Timonen's defensive regression, but I'm still glad we aren't locked to that guy long term for 5+ mil/yr (Yzerman learning tough lessons as a new GM). I'm hopeful the team can/will reallocate the money it would have taken to sign him in a better way longer term....but only time will tell.

No way should the Flyers move Meszaros or Coburn.
- Pixote Andolini

Agreed. They can't afford to move these guys unless they have an upgrade lined up already. The departure of Mez or The Nose, while neither is playing stellar hockey this season (or simply just being banged up in Mez's case) would leave a huge chasm of a hole on D. Really they have one hole to fill on D. The ever revolving Gus/Foster/Gervais spot. But basically the tricky part is that they have to fill a spot currently filled by a #6 guy with a #1 guy. On paper a defense of....

#1 guy - Schenn
Timmo - The Nose
Mez - Grossmann

....well that looks pretty (frank)ing decent. Schenn and Grossmann are somewhat interchangeable there. Then Gus fills the #7 spot duty slot as needed.

Land the #1 guy, get Lavi (if he is still behind the bench) to tweak his system according to the personnel...or replace him with someone who will, Bring in a solid muck/grind/face off/PK center, and as much as I hate to say it, trade or buyout Briere. If Holmer can accomplish all that (getting the #1 guy will be the hardest) in the offseason, next season should see a big improvement over this season. He may have to bite the bullet and deal from the forward core to get the #1 D-man, but that is the only way he should be moving anyone out. If someone has to go, hopefully Holmer can talk someone into taking Read, and some combination of picks and prospects. I would be loathe to move Schenn or Coots. G is still quite untouchable. Would Read, the 2013 1st (assuming it is going to be a higher pick, and Gus bring in a true #1 D-man? Seems like a lot to give up, but Holmer may have to get creative.

I wouldn't say obsessed. I guess it has mostly to do with feeling compelled to refute the belief of some (when it comes up) that he's some sort of elite puck mover that the team misses so much. I've watched more than enough of him to be able to speak against that point, especially now that his limitations have become more exposed in Tampa, where he isn't insulated by a stronger supporting cast. Having said that, I admit, in retrospect, the Flyers could have used him to help plug the dam this season, given the injuries (to Mez and MAB) and Timonen's defensive regression, but I'm still glad we aren't locked to that guy long term for 5+ mil/yr (Yzerman learning tough lessons as a new GM). I'm hopeful the team can/will reallocate the money it would have taken to sign him in a better way longer term....but only time will tell.
- exlund

He's your Keith Primeau...

whats going on with Sustr? Still unsigned..
- Philly1980

Narrowing the teams down...possibly choosing by this weekend. I actually emailed the kid trying to sell him on Philly.

Almost as bad as that BSH guy last season who tried to claim Carle was as good as Suter. Let's see him run the same stats he came up with for the comparison this season now that Carle isn't insulated by a better supporting cast and Suter isn't tied to Weber.
- exlund

Suter 2G, 22A: -2; TOI 27; H 24: BS 43: GA 11
Carle 3G, 7A: -5: TOI 23: H 17: BS 55: GA 17 (GA - giveaways)

OK - now what?

The problem with Bryzgalov is he's not an elite goalie. That's not to say you need an elite goalie to hoist a cup case can be made when one looks at Fleury or Niemi. I don't think anyone wants to cling to the notion that either of those are elite do we?

If Bryz has a good team in front of him, he can LOOK elite but otherwise he can't elevate a team by himself either in a short stretch or a long stretch. Yea he can win a game here and there like we saw with New Jersey last week. But again I remember all the years if just wanting a goalie like Bryz that can at least keep you in the fight.
- JoeRussomanno

I got a Buddy in Pittsburgh who will go down with the ship defending the "eliteness" of Fleury.

Narrowing the teams down...possibly choosing by this weekend. I actually emailed the kid trying to sell him on Philly.
- exlund

Narrowing the teams down...possibly choosing by this weekend. I actually emailed the kid trying to sell him on Philly.
- exlund

Dear Kid,

We promise to not tell you that you suck everyday. Once every other day will be sufficient.

Philly Fans

I got a Buddy in Pittsburgh who will go down with the ship defending the "eliteness" of Fleury.
- Lexington Flyer

did he watch the goalie duel Fleury lost last year in the first round to a guy on a broken foot?

Most of the current Flyers D has no problem making short, puck moving plays from the defensive zone. I know what you're saying though...thye problem at times is the gap between the forwards and D is too large necessitating longer passes with a lower percentage of success. Having Carle back wouldn't magically close that gap. Flyer forwards (in particular) need to support the puck better, at both ends.
- exlund

So it is a coaching issue?

Narrowing the teams down...possibly choosing by this weekend. I actually emailed the kid trying to sell him on Philly.
- exlund

How many youtube links did you include in the email?

Narrowing the teams down...possibly choosing by this weekend. I actually emailed the kid trying to sell him on Philly.
- exlund

I seriously doubt if Bobrovsky was here, things would be much different. It's not a nock against or for either guy.
- JoeRussomanno

So it is a coaching issue?

So it is a coaching issue?
- Lexington Flyer

yes, guilty as charged beyond a reasonable doubt.

He's your Keith Primeau...


- mayorofangrytown

Oh, let me tell you what a great CAPTAIN that guy was...

::compiles youtube links::

So it is a coaching issue?
- Lexington Flyer

Well, it could be. I mean, it certainly seems like something that can be taught/coached but I could only speculate...maybe the young players have to learn the hard way...or maybe all the soda machines in the underbelly of the WFC are already kicked in.

did he watch the goalie duel Fleury lost last year in the first round to a guy on a broken foot?
- JoeRussomanno

He did and when it was over I posted this on his facebook page:

- JoeRussomanno

Dear Kid,

We promise to not tell you that you suck everyday. Once every other day will be sufficient.

Philly Fans
- FlyersGrace

I tried to leave that part out, lol...went with possibly offering NHL icetime this season and how passionate the city is about hockey and how the team is like a family (once a Flyer always a Flyer, unless your name is Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Patrick Sharp, Justin Williams..but hey it worked out for them #Cup).. mentioned how no other team can offer Chris Pronger as a mentor etc.