Goals against doesn't necessarily mean they don't give up scoring chances.

A lot factors into that. If your a team that gets penalized a lot and you give up numerous goals during the year it will hurt your gaa.
- stveshdy

I've watched Boston play a lot in the playoffs. They limit quality scoring chances.

The GM said every player is available including the captain.
- stveshdy

Think every player on any team is available for the right price. I wouldnt mind Phaneuf on this team but cant see any scenario him playing with Schenns and Hartsy lol.

Nonis probably doesn't feel much loyalty to any of the players Brian Burke was hanging his hat on... particularly Kessel, Phaneuf, and Reimer.
- Tomahawk

True.

You can have the best system but you still need players to do what you teach them.


They can be important but lets face it most NHL teams should be able to play any system
- stveshdy

Well this past Season, the Flyers did not have the personnel to play the style that Laviolette wanted them to play.

Really enjoying the Bernier discussion, can't wait for the Flyers to draft Anthony Mantha at #11 bypassing d-men. Now that is going to be some interesting conversation.

I've watched Boston play a lot in the playoffs. They limit quality scoring chances.
- MJL

I watched the first round and they gave up plenty against the Leafs.

They have been much better as each round has gone by.

No doubt they are better defensively than the Flyers but they do give up quality scoring chances just like other teams.

Rask has been unreal in net.

Well this past Season, the Flyers did not have the personnel to play the style that Laviolette wanted them to play.
- MJL

That falls on the coach for not adjusting.

Also have to blame the GM for picking this coach and not getting the right personnel.

Mind you I'm not a fan of either player. What's the ceiling level on a player like Matt Fratton? How does he fit in with LA, which is already a good team? Why must LA get a much lesser back up in a goaltending market that might already be good...Or do we view this as Boucher for Handzus and Esche?
- dingo8urbaby

Frattin's a nice fit in LA... bottom-six winger... fast... plays a hard game... nice shot, can score.... not surprised they asked for him.

It's too bad the Flyers missed the boat on Bernier... you just knew Toronto had a big advantage with having one of their young goalies to give.... and being willing to retain salary on two budget players... Flyers are in no position to be able to that.

I watched the first round and they gave up plenty against the Leafs.

They have been much better as each round has gone by.

No doubt they are better defensively than the Flyers but they do give up quality scoring chances just like other teams.

Rask has been unreal in net.
- stveshdy

I'll just agree to disagree. Rask is very good. But the way Boston plays, and the quality team defense they play, is a huge factor in that goals against.

You know, that's an interesting question.

I THINK, repeat THINK, Roberto Luongo would probably come in here and post something like a .920 SVPCT for the first couple of years -- I just think that's where he is in his career. I think he's that kind of goaltender.

The only thing I wonder is this: Where is his head at if he comes to Philadelphia? I always wonder about players who pick location over team -- if you believe what you read, the reason he didn't get moved before the lockout was because he was fixated on going back to Florida, because that is where his wife is from. Wanted no part of Toronto, a few other rumored locations.

See...to me, that's a red flag. It doesn't make him a bad player or person. But I always kinda wonder about guys who obsess over where they're playing.
- AllInForFlyers

Ithink Luongo is the most overrated top goaltender in the league. When he is off his game, he allows some blunders.

I would just eliminate exit interviews all together from the equation. And focus on what we know to be fact.
Glen Macnow is about as clueless as they come. He's never been right about anything.
- MJL

real tight w/ ASF...adds validity

Frattin's a nice fit in LA... bottom-six winger... fast... plays a hard game... nice shot, can score.... not surprised they asked for him.

It's too bad the Flyers missed the boat on Bernier... you just knew Toronto had a big advantage with having one of their young goalies to give.... and being willing to retain salary on two budget players... Flyers are in no position to be able to that.
- Tomahawk

The biggest reason is likely that the player the Flyers were offering, Read, was an impending UFA.

Frattin's a nice fit in LA... bottom-six winger... fast... plays a hard game... nice shot, can score.... not surprised they asked for him.

It's too bad the Flyers missed the boat on Bernier... you just knew Toronto had a big advantage with having one of their young goalies to give.... and being willing to retain salary on two budget players... Flyers are in no position to be able to that.
- Tomahawk

Have to blame the GM for that. He is the one that assembled this team and gives out these contracts.

I believe people are feeling desparate and concerned because they do not want Bryzgalov back. I'm leaning towards that angle as you know, with this teams history, he will go down with an injury that sticks him to us for the duration.

This isn't me offering my support, but rather gauging interest from the people here. If you can get Luongo after a CBO, do you make a 3 year deal for him?
- Flyers1218

If this team wants to improve they have to buy out Bryz asap....They are still over the cap with Briere being bought out. They have wait til after the season to LTIR Pronger as well. CBO Bryz and trade a d-man and they can get some space until any of that happens its status quo.

real tight w/ ASF...adds validity
- isaiah520

Being friends with someone, doesn't add credibility. Macnow is clueless. Always has been.

Really enjoying the Bernier discussion, can't wait for the Flyers to draft Anthony Mantha at #11 bypassing d-men. Now that is going to be some interesting conversation.
- ravishingone

Why Mantha?

True.
- stveshdy

Kind of the same reason why you'll see Homer cling so tightly to the Schenn bros, Couturier, Voracek, Simmonds and Coburn. Probably Mason, too. They're his guys, and his regime will be judged by how those trades involving them pan out in the long term.

He's in the same boat as Bernier. He doesn't have a proven track record either.
- stveshdy

he's their guy though and they love him

The biggest reason is likely that the player the Flyers were offering, Read, was an impending UFA.
- MJL

Toronto also took 500k back in the deal as well but like you said from all accounts LA wasnt that interested in Read due to UFA.

Really enjoying the Bernier discussion, can't wait for the Flyers to draft Anthony Mantha at #11 bypassing d-men. Now that is going to be some interesting conversation.
- ravishingone

If they think his motor's high enough for him to be a 30-35 goal guy, and he does it, I won't lose a second of sleep over it.

Yes, a Top 4 defenseman would be awesome at #11. Everybody knows it.

But make no mistake: I want that pick to be productive, first and foremost. I don't see the need to fixate on a position when, with the Flyers' draft record, a first-round forward is nothing to cry about.

If this team wants to improve they have to buy out Bryz asap....They are still over the cap with Briere being bought out. They have wait til after the season to LTIR Pronger as well. CBO Bryz and trade a d-man and they can get some space until any of that happens its status quo.
- flyerfan28

I would go with youth this season. The Flyers can be just as good. No need to spend big money on old vets.

Frattin's a nice fit in LA... bottom-six winger... fast... plays a hard game... nice shot, can score.... not surprised they asked for him.

It's too bad the Flyers missed the boat on Bernier... you just knew Toronto had a big advantage with having one of their young goalies to give.... and being willing to retain salary on two budget players... Flyers are in no position to be able to that.
- Tomahawk

I don't feel like we missed out. Not yet anyway. As for Fratton, I have seen a lot of him and he does nothing for me.

If this team wants to improve they have to buy out Bryz asap....They are still over the cap with Briere being bought out. They have wait til after the season to LTIR Pronger as well. CBO Bryz and trade a d-man and they can get some space until any of that happens its status quo.
- flyerfan28

The Cap is not going to be an issue this Season. Pronger can be placed on LTIR on opening day of the Season. Wasn't an issue last Season. Won't be this Season.

Kind of the same reason why you'll see Homer cling so tightly to the Schenn bros, Couturier, Voracek, Simmonds and Coburn. Probably Mason, too. They're his guys, and his regime will be judged by how those trades involving them pan out in the long term.
- Tomahawk

I just think the Flyers have too much money tied up in defense. This group doesn't mesh well together imo.

Being friends with someone, doesn't add credibility. Macnow is clueless. Always has been.
- MJL

exp as a reporter and having contacts like ASF doesn't matter...only in an alternate universe