I love the sound of this RR guy.
6'3'' right handed and another Finn

The Finn players thrive in Philly.

Agree about Briere playing out the string of games.

Not sure why Knuble was benched, actually.
To play one of the kids I would have liked but not to sit in place of Rosehill.
- Marc D

Yup. One of the appeals of Ristolainen is he gets to potentially play and be mentored by one of the best Finnish defenders of all time...I think that's one of those important little intangibles that can really make a difference to a kid leaving his country, friends and family to come play hockey in a big US city.

Yeah, that makes no sense. If, as Bill was saying, part of the reason the Flyers played Briere was to do right by him, does that not also extend to Knuble? The guy is a class act all the way.

i think the bigger issue on that front (meaning overall goals against) has to do with team defense/ overall puck possession. having some d-men that are better at handling the puck would certainly help, but i also think that a lot of that falls on the forwards
- FlyerMike18

Get the puck deep and the Flyers defenseman struggle. They cant handle pressure and they dont make smart decisions while handling the puck. The forwards take some blame in that but their defenseman make plenty of mistakes.

i think the bigger issue on that front (meaning overall goals against) has to do with team defense/ overall puck possession. having some d-men that are better at handling the puck would certainly help, but i also think that a lot of that falls on the forwards
- FlyerMike18

And having a puck-handling goalie in net will make a difference as well, will make getting out of the zone quite a bit easier at times.

the entire team was not good top to bottom
(again except for the goaltending which was OK most nights)
- Marc D

Well unfortunately you cant move every player. The only choice the Flyers have is to adjust to their personnel. The first step is to decide if Lavi is the guy to lead this team.

And having a puck-handling goalie in net will make a difference as well, will make getting out of the zone quite a bit easier at times.
- wolfhounds

Without question. Very underrated. Helps take pressure off the defense.

Well unfortunately you cant move every player. The only choice the Flyers have is to adjust to their personnel. The first step is to decide if Lavi is the guy to lead this team.
- stveshdy

honestly I suspect Lavi has run his course here

I think 3+ years in the NHL is above the average stay for coaches
and he has not been the right guy for this team this year

Yup. One of the appeals of Ristolainen is he gets to potentially play and be mentored by one of the best Finnish defenders of all time...I think that's one of those important little intangibles that can really make a difference to a kid leaving his country, friends and family to come play hockey in a big US city.

Yeah, that makes no sense. If, as Bill was saying, part of the reason the Flyers played Briere was to do right by him, does that not also extend to Knuble? The guy is a class act all the way.
- wolfhounds

this guy is projected to go 9th-11th or close to that.

the Flyers could trade down and maybe get another pick/player and still get him, that would be fantastic


I think their loyalty to do the right thing for Briere would be "higher" then to Knuble based on Briere's time here.

honestly I suspect Lavi has run his course here

I think 3+ years in the NHL is above the average stay for coaches
and he has not been the right guy for this team this year
- Marc D

Overall he has had the Flyers in the playoffs every year until this season. He coached the team to the SCF's.

However, his record against the division has been average at best during the previous two years. The team did struggle this season but you have to wonder if he gets a pass bc of the injuries. Will see what happens. I'm fine with either decision the team makes.

Overall he has had the Flyers in the playoffs every year until this season. He coached the team to the SCF's.

However, his record against the division has been average at best during the previous two years. The team did struggle this season but you have to wonder if he gets a pass bc of the injuries. Will see what happens. I'm fine with either decision the team makes.
- stveshdy

I mean that is a big thing, that their chief rivals in the Atlantic have owned Lavi the last 2-3 seasons.

If he comes back he'll need to adjust to the NJ forecheck and the Ranger's style of game too.

great recap and review Bill, im looking forward to the draft anf offseason now.

on briere, theres a couple of scenerios where it would be good to buy him out and re-sign at a very cap friendly number, if we end up trading bschenn or cooty for a top dman, imo briere would be great as a 3rd line center with gagne and knuble if we retain those 2, I do think we need to re-sign gagne, he has shown he has some left in the tank and plays a good 2-way game and can play on all lines.

also briere came here after a terrible season and help turn this team around till this year, he has been a great mentor/friend to the team.

great recap and review Bill, im looking forward to the draft anf offseason now.

on briere, theres a couple of scenerios where it would be good to buy him out and re-sign at a very cap friendly number, if we end up trading bschenn or cooty for a top dman, imo briere would be great as a 3rd line center with gagne and knuble if we retain those 2, I do think we need to re-sign gagne, he has shown he has some left in the tank and plays a good 2-way game and can play on all lines.
- mydoglicks

Dont think they can resign Briere if he is bought out for an entire year.

this guy is projected to go 9th-11th or close to that.

the Flyers could trade down and maybe get another pick/player and still get him, that would be fantastic


I think their loyalty to do the right thing for Briere would be "higher" then to Knuble based on Briere's time here.
- Marc D

I've seen him as high as 5th and as low as 11th. In theory the Flyers could trade down with Columbus (if they don't make it into the POs), but there's obviously risk involved with that move. Still, it will be interesting to see what they do.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=87146

Personally, if I'm homer, I assume a 5 to 10 pick, target my player and get him. Simple. Unless some package deal comes along that favors the Flyers and fills our biggest need - solid defensive players/prospects - I don't mess with our draft slot.

also briere came here after a terrible season and help turn this team around till this year, he has been a great mentor/friend to the team.
- mydoglicks

so he's not entitled to a job just cause he did something a few years ago you have to justify your job every day

Dont think they can resign Briere if he is bought out for an entire year.
- stveshdy

well then, that puts the whole kibosh on my thoughts, I guess trade him if possible and get something. idk

so he's not entitled to a job just cause he did something a few years ago you have to justify your job every day
- 2Real

he got what he was entitled I guess, what like $60 mil or something?

he got what he was entitled I guess, what like $60 mil or something?
- mydoglicks

with a compliance buyout good-bye briere!

so he's not entitled to a job just cause he did something a few years ago you have to justify your job every day
- 2Real

What changes do you want to see this summer?

Latest TSN poll
Do you think Bryzgalov will be with the Flyers to start next season?
72% are saying no

What changes do you want to see this summer?
- stveshdy

it's too late for the changes to be made i wanted to happen but i guess the back up would be....

resign gagne, knuble
buyout briere or see if there is any trade interest
buyout bryzgalov
look at any deals to improve the youth defense of our team that make sense
we may stink next year but if we can get any return for knuble, gagne, or timonen at next tdl restock and rebuild the team with the cap space/assets

Latest TSN poll
Do you think Bryzgalov will be with the Flyers to start next season?
72% are saying no
- Marc D

I would try and sign Emery if they decide to not bring him back.

I would try and sign Emery if they decide to not bring him back.
- stveshdy

I'd go for Emory or Nabakov and let them compete with Mason...just saying.

I'd go for Emory or Nabakov and let them compete with Mason...just saying.
- section32

yea emery is due for another injury.

In the tank for Seth games of interest today
Buffalo vs Tampa... hope for a three point game
Nashville vs Detroit... go Preds

Flyers vs Carolina 4/20 could have big draft implications