I think Olcyk just said he wasn't in warmups, I coulda heard wrong though.

Disregard that I heard wrong. Tsn is reporting he hurt himself in warmups.
- Pat MaGroin

He said Ben Smith didn't take the warmup. Hossa did and was injured shooting.

It matters cap wise.

Where trading Mez? That's news to me. Where did you read that at?
- stveshdy

I doubt that they will carry 8 defensemen, which they will have when they re-sign Gustafsson(Timonen, Schenn, Coburn, Streit, Grossmann, Gustafsson, Meszaros, Gervais)

Maybe they will move Coburn instead, but I;d be shocked if they don't move a defenseman, unless Grossmann can't play, in which case they'll have more LTIR

He said Ben Smith didn't take the warmup. Hossa did and was injured shooting.
- PLindbergh31

Got ya, thanks.

I doubt that they will carry 8 defensemen, which they will have when they re-sign Gustafsson(Timonen, Schenn, Coburn, Streit, Grossmann, Gustafsson, Meszaros, Gervais)

Maybe they will move Coburn instead, but I;d be shocked if they don't move a defenseman
- Jsaquella

It's possible. The group as a hole needs to be better this year.

Do you think they need anymore help?
- stveshdy

Nah... Elevate Stolarz to backup goaltender, move Mcginn up to replace Briere. And have Lauridsen, and Manning replace Meszaros and Grossmann.

Nah... Elevate Stolarz to backup goaltender, move Mcginn up to replace Briere. And have Lauridsen, and Manning replace Meszaros and Grossmann.
- PLindbergh31

Looks about right to me.

Briere does nothing in the regular season anymore.

Lauridsen and Manning played decent.

Have to believe in your young talent to produce.

Don't need anyone. This team is set now.
- stveshdy

I don't disagree. Get this team in the mindset of playing better 2 way hockey. Maybe resign gagne. Put it on the kids shoulders

It's possible. The group as a hole needs to be better this year.
- stveshdy

The entire team needs to play better defense, not just the defensemen. A good number of the issues were caused by the forwards not backchecking well enough and leaving too much of a gap to allow the transition game to work properly.

Once the coaching staff "simplified" things, and reduced the gap and told the forwards to support the defense better, they markedly improved, despite using an AHL caliber blueline

Do you think they need anymore help?
- stveshdy

Kind of assume you'll need a replacement for whoever gets CBO'd, at the very least.

Looks about right to me.

Briere does nothing in the regular season anymore.

Lauridsen and Manning played decent.

Have to believe in your young talent to produce.
- stveshdy

I do think you were on to something with your Gustaffson praise all year, I think he's going to be a good player.

The entire team needs to play better defense, not just the defensemen. A good number of the issues were caused by the forwards not backchecking well enough and leaving too much of a gap to allow the transition game to work properly.

Once the coaching staff "simplified" things, and reduced the gap and told the forwards to support the defense better, they markedly improved, despite using an AHL caliber blueline
- Jsaquella

Will see what happens. This team has no excuses at this point. All the talent is there. Goaltending is my biggest concern.

I don't think you can make the case that Ballard might be a better value. He had 2 points in 36 games last Season. He's put up 16 points in his last 148 games played. Were looking for a puck mover, not a 3rd pair 15 minute a night defenseman. He plays minimal time on special teams. How does that help the Flyers and their need for a puck mover, offensive producer on the defense? A "declining" Streit is a hell of a lot better then Ballard.
- MJL

ballard clearly didn't fit in VAN. ballard was a physical puck mover in previous stops. streit is clearly a declining asset, but homer's left grasping to make up for past mistakes on d.

Kind of assume you'll need a replacement for whoever gets CBO'd, at the very least.
- Tomahawk

I think they are set except at goalie. They have to decide if Mason is going to be the guy.

Jagr is so strong, he just blasted that stick out of that guys hands on a backhand no less.

Kind of assume you'll need a replacement for whoever gets CBO'd, at the very least.
- Tomahawk

I think they are set except at goalie. They have to decide if Mason is going to be the guy.

Will see what happens. This team has no excuses at this point. All the talent is there. Goaltending is my biggest concern.
- stveshdy

I highly doubt they're done making moves, so it's premature to start handicapping them and their chances yet.

The entire team needs to play better defense, not just the defensemen. A good number of the issues were caused by the forwards not backchecking well enough and leaving too much of a gap to allow the transition game to work properly.

Once the coaching staff "simplified" things, and reduced the gap and told the forwards to support the defense better, they markedly improved, despite using an AHL caliber blueline
- Jsaquella

A lot of it also hinges on how carefully they manage the puck when they have it... way too many cavalier turnovers and over-handling/over-passing the puck last season.

THE GOALIE SITUATION:

It's simple, if Bryz is gone, Homer should go after the best available goalie who is the cheapest to acquire via trade. Halak and Bernier.

The odds are it's Halak. Always loved him, and he showed us 2-3 years ago he can be an MVP in the playoffs (Series vs Wsh and Pitt when he was with the Habs).

Both Halak and Mason have 1 year left on their current contracts. The perfect scenario for a competitive environment and favorable for promoting a crazy work ethic to get the next big payday contract.

I do think you were on to something with your Gustaffson praise all year, I think he's going to be a good player.
- PLindbergh31

Kid can play. Needs to be given the opportunity. He was much better the second time around after the injury.

I think they are set accept at goalie. They have to decide if Mason is going to be the guy.
- stveshdy

Mason played great. Such a small sample size of 7 games, so it's hard to take anything from it. He had a great rookie year, and then kinda fell apart. Change of scenery, new goalie coach can definitely help. He does face much more pressure now.

The thing with Mason is, if he provides at least equal numbers to those Bryzgalov provided, it is more acceptable because of his cap hit.

I highly doubt they're done making moves, so it's premature to start handicapping them and their chances yet.
- Jsaquella

I'm sure they will make some minor moves, most teams do, I don't expect anything significant to happen.

Mason played great. Such a small sample size of 7 games, so it's hard to take anything from it. He had a great rookie year, and then kinda fell apart. Change of scenery, new goalie coach can definitely help. He does face much more pressure now.

The thing with Mason is, if he provides at least equal numbers to those Bryzgalov provided, it is more acceptable because of his cap hit.
- PLindbergh31

I don't think he will have an issue matching those fantastic numbers by Bryzgalov.

Mason played great. Such a small sample size of 7 games, so it's hard to take anything from it. He had a great rookie year, and then kinda fell apart. Change of scenery, new goalie coach can definitely help. He does face much more pressure now.

The thing with Mason is, if he provides at least equal numbers to those Bryzgalov provided, it is more acceptable because of his cap hit.
- PLindbergh31

We've only seen Dr. Jekyll thus far... it's been mostly Mr. Hyde since the 3rd month of his rookie campaign. I'm pulling for him as much as anyone, but they need a substantial safety net considering the track-record.

Kid can play. Needs to be given the opportunity. He was much better the second time around after the injury.
- stveshdy

Absolutely. He was also very good in the IHF Tournament were he was arguably one of the best d-men for Sweden who won Gold.

Too much being made of Grossman's injury. I would worry more about Meszaros' health or whether or not he can be moved? It's been a bumpy ride for him the past year and a half. I've heard zero about Coburn's shoulder, the health of Meszaros, Grossman or even Pronger himself. I would love to know how Pronger is feeling regardless if he ever plays again (Obviously he won't).