Grass is always greener on the other side, I suppose.

Rangers fans seem to be saying that they would rather turn the stars loose and let Hank see some more rubber than live with Torts running the same old scheme when vital cogs to play that style were lost the previous summer.

Sounds kind of familiar.
- Tomahawk

It is, and I'm not really advocating for Tortotrella as much as I am down on Laviolette. The end result of both teams' seasons were, in large part, the coaches' inability to adapt to a changed roster.

Guys like Weber and OEL and Chara face the toughest competition, while starting the majority of their shifts in the defensive zone as a result. That's how top two-way guys are utilized, and that's the kind of player that the Flyers need to be the "answer".

As I mentioned, Edler plays mostly with the Sedins, who are notorious for playing some of the most defensively sheltered minutes of any stars in the NHL. People who follow the Canucks closely don't even know how he'd fare away from his cushy spot alongside the Sedins...

Bryz looked great before he left a favorable situation in Phoenix, playing behind a defense-first team, with a defensive guru behind the bench, and a great goalie coach in Sean Burke. We can let our imaginations run wild with Edler, but the Flyers could get burned again if they get carried away.
- Tomahawk

Again, your not getting Edler and expecting him to be Chara, or Weber. You're getting him to be a top puck moving defenseman who can play in all situations. Not expecting him to be a dominant force such as Chara or Weber. And you're getting him to play as much as possible with Giroux and Voracek. And to QB the PP. Want to know one key to making the Flyers a better team? Getting Giroux and Voracek away from better defensive players, and playing against weaker defensive matchups. Again, that is how the game is played. But far too often that is looked at negatively. It's simply matchups.
The article you linked didn't tell me anything. Wasted time just reading it.
Making a comparison to Bryzgalov is exactly what you say we shouldn't do. Using your imagination and thinking the resuts would be the same.
I know the Flyers could get badly burned if they don't improve the defense.

I go to www.behindthenet.ca; but I'll tell you what: A few of those guys at Broad Street Hockey are no joke -- I think the writer named EricT. might be my personal favorite of them all.

For the record: I do recognize that the metrics are a tool, not an outcome. Just because Sean Couturier SHOULD be better next season doesn't mean he WILL, for instance. I do know that.

But more often than not, the metrics are a pretty good indicator of what you're looking at with your team. For instance, the numbers guys said all year that Anaheim was not what their record said they were and that when push came to shove, they weren't going deep into the playoffs because their shooting percentages were simply unsustainable, among other things.

That doesn't mean that it's 100 percent. It isn't. But it does give those who are interested a decent feel for what you're looking at.
- AllInForFlyers

I am an advocate for the use of advanced stats in all sports (especially baseball). I'm upset about the Phillies lack of use of sabrmetrics but I'll save that for BaseballBuzz.

Blackhawks sign goalie Antti Raanta. Finnish league playoff MVP this year.
- Jsaquella

He gets to be about an 81 overall in NHL 13 so nbd.

I can agree for the most part.

For me it's less Couturier, who I worry about ever reaching his perceived potential, than it is about Brayden Schenn who I was ultra high on when we acquired him.
- mayorofangrytown

Just to clarify, is Brayden a keeper for you or are you feeling let down and would look to trade him?

People on my Twitter feed that had not read the books (including jak) were freaking out.
- NickTheKid87

I think the book did a better job with the red wedding chapter. I mean it was written truly in a horror genre with all the foreshadowing. A masterpiece, I think.

The TV episode did an admirable job but mostly it was about the shock value.

I think the book did a better job with the red wedding chapter. I mean it was written truly in a horror genre with all the foreshadowing. A masterpiece, I think.

The TV episode did an admirable job but mostly it was about the shock value.
- Marc D

haven't watched yet, i am curious to see how they handled it... not surprised to hear they went for shock value

It's simply matchups.
- MJL

You want to line-match to get your potential 20-30min/game workhorse defender away from tough assignments? You live in a strange world my friend.

The Flyers need a dependable two-way force to replace Kimmo long-term, not an offensive dynamo that we're not sure we can trust to handle the Crosby's, Stamkos' and Taveres' of the world.

haven't watched yet, i am curious to see how they handled it... not surprised to hear they went for shock value
- Don'tForgetTocchet

if you don't hold it up to the book's standard it is enjoyable

but that chapter in the book was simply amazing and it doesn't reach for the same heights

I think the book did a better job with the red wedding chapter. I mean it was written truly in a horror genre with all the foreshadowing. A masterpiece, I think.

The TV episode did an admirable job but mostly it was about the shock value.
- Marc D

I haven't seen the episode yet. I remember being dumbfounded when it happened in the book. I'm interested to see how it was translated.

It is, and I'm not really advocating for Tortotrella as much as I am down on Laviolette. The end result of both teams' seasons were, in large part, the coaches' inability to adapt to a changed roster.
- Jsaquella

are there any other over ager/free agents that you would be intrigued by?

also, what happened to JVR's younger brother? wasn;t he supposed to be a decent d prospect?

are there any other over ager/free agents that you would be intrigued by?

also, what happened to JVR's younger brother? wasn;t he supposed to be a decent d prospect?
- sarmen25

Pretty sure TvR had a good year....not sure how his collegiate success will translate, however.

are there any other over ager/free agents that you would be intrigued by?

also, what happened to JVR's younger brother? wasn;t he supposed to be a decent d prospect?
- sarmen25

I'm more focused on the draft eligibles, myself. Bill's a better one to ask about the Europeans and OB18 has a deeper knowledge of the CHL.

I think I'd prefer Torts, honestly.

- Jsaquella

I'm fine with giving Laviolette another crack next season, but I think Tortorella would be good for this team right now.

Guys like Weber and OEL and Chara face the toughest competition, while starting the majority of their shifts in the defensive zone as a result. That's how top two-way guys are utilized, and that's the kind of player that the Flyers need to be the "answer".

As I mentioned, Edler plays mostly with the Sedins, who are notorious for playing some of the most defensively sheltered minutes of any stars in the NHL. People who follow the Canucks closely don't even know how he'd fare away from his cushy spot alongside the Sedins...

Bryz looked great before he left a favorable situation in Phoenix, playing behind a defense-first team, with a defensive guru behind the bench, and a great goalie coach in Sean Burke. We can let our imaginations run wild with Edler, but the Flyers could get burned again if they get carried away.
- Tomahawk

Wo! Slick WordPress type maneuver there

I'm fine with giving Laviolette another crack next season, but I think Tortorella would be good for this team right now.
- Scoob

I'd feel a lot better about it if I felt he really learned something last year.

They were beating playoff teams battling for positioning with an AHL defense because of the system adjustments. Had they made those adjustments sooner, rather than waiting until they were forced to use the kids on defense, they'd have been a playoff team, zero doubt in my mind.

I worry that Laviolette feels that going back to the high wire act will work if the current group is healthy or if they simply add a decent puck mover who can skate well

You want to line-match to get your potential 20-30min/game workhorse defender away from tough assignments? You live in a strange world my friend.

The Flyers need a dependable two-way force to replace Kimmo long-term, not an offensive dynamo that we're not sure we can trust to handle the Crosby's, Stamkos' and Taveres' of the world.
- Tomahawk

The strange World that I live in is the World of Hockey. And the same World that NHL Coaches live in that work hard to get favorable matchups for their players. As I've said previously, Edler can play in all situations, including on the PK, and against top lines. But if he was to come to the Flyers, the ideal situation would be to have him play with Giroux and Voracek, to take advantage of the puck and offensive skills that he posseses. If you find that strange, then I simply don't know what to tell you.

And if you can suggest how the Flyers can get a two way force to replace Timonen, I'm all ears, and I'll gladly follow and agree with that suggestion. As long as it's not fantasy.
As I've said to you many times. More then one way to skin a cat. And more then one way to build a team.

Whose everyone's liking in this draft?

Personally? I watch just as much CHL/European/USHL hockey as I do the NHL/AHL

If its a forward? Hunter Skinkaruk or Bo Horvat. Dman? Mirco Mueller and Robert Hagg. Hagg is my favorite of the four.

Just to clarify, is Brayden a keeper for you or are you feeling let down and would look to trade him?
- Marc D

Woot!

I feel really let down. I watched him in the WJCs and I thought he was at John Tavares level and I was obviously very wrong. I was incredibly excited when we traded for him and I have to admit that if this is what he's going to give us than the trade for Richards, even with Simmonds, is a bit of a disappointment.

I don't know if he's worth trading at this point, his value is down. I have a feeling it can only go up but that's just hopeful.

The strange World that I live in is the World of Hockey. And the same World that NHL Coaches live in that work hard to get favorable matchups for their players. As I've said previously, Edler can play in all situations, including on the PK, and against top lines. But if he was to come to the Flyers, the ideal situation would be to have him play with Giroux and Voracek, to take advantage of the puck and offensive skills that he posseses. If you find that strange, then I simply don't know what to tell you.

And if you can suggest how the Flyers can get a two way force to replace Timonen, I'm all ears, and I'll gladly follow and agree with that suggestion. As long as it's not fantasy.
As I've said to you many times. More then one way to skin a cat. And more then one way to build a team.
- MJL

There's a very simple, easy way. It starts off with Lavy calling the team that has the desired player and starting the call with, "We'll trade you Giroux..."
That's about the only way.

Whose everyone's liking in this draft?

Personally? I watch just as much CHL/European/USHL hockey as I do the NHL/AHL

If its a forward? Hunter Skinkaruk or Bo Horvat. Dman? Mirco Mueller and Robert Hagg. Hagg is my favorite of the four.
- mochoson

I like Pulock and Nurse at D, Shinkaruk, Horvat, Mantha at forward. I'm positive I don't watch as much CHL, Euro, etc. as you though.

Whose everyone's liking in this draft?

Personally? I watch just as much CHL/European/USHL hockey as I do the NHL/AHL

If its a forward? Hunter Skinkaruk or Bo Horvat. Dman? Mirco Mueller and Robert Hagg. Hagg is my favorite of the four.
- mochoson

I'm liking Pulock.

The strange World that I live in is the World of Hockey. And the same World that NHL Coaches live in that work hard to get favorable matchups for their players. As I've said previously, Edler can play in all situations, including on the PK, and against top lines. But if he was to come to the Flyers, the ideal situation would be to have him play with Giroux and Voracek, to take advantage of the puck and offensive skills that he posseses. If you find that strange, then I simply don't know what to tell you.

And if you can suggest how the Flyers can get a two way force to replace Timonen, I'm all ears, and I'll gladly follow and agree with that suggestion. As long as it's not fantasy.
As I've said to you many times. More then one way to skin a cat. And more then one way to build a team.
- MJL

I'm on board with Edler, but I understand the concern that his numbers are skewed because of the way he was utilized.

Vigneault is a line-matching whore. He's the best at getting the most out of each and every player. The fact that there were better defensive players (Bieksa/Hamhuis) getting more d-zone starts are more of a reflection of the Canucks roster than Edler in particular, IMO.

I believe he can be the 25 min., two-way horse that this team needs.

I like Pulock and Nurse at D, Shinkaruk, Horvat, Mantha at forward. I'm positive I don't watch as much CHL, Euro, etc. as you though.
- NickTheKid87

The Flyers do not have a good track record at developing young defensemen, and Pulock and Nurse are both projects to an extent.

I'd feel a lot more comfortable with the best available forward.

I'd feel a lot better about it if I felt he really learned something last year.

They were beating playoff teams battling for positioning with an AHL defense because of the system adjustments. Had they made those adjustments sooner, rather than waiting until they were forced to use the kids on defense, they'd have been a playoff team, zero doubt in my mind.

I worry that Laviolette feels that going back to the high wire act will work if the current group is healthy or if they simply add a decent puck mover who can skate well
- Jsaquella

Not being privy to the post-season meetings I can only hope that learning occurred, thus the decision (so far) to keep him.