As far as I'm concerned, I'd like all of the Flyers players to be bumped from Olympic rosters. The risk isn't worth it, imho.
- Scoob

Agreed. If I was an owner there would be no way I would want my players in the olypmics.

Didn't even realize. We've had this argument in here so many times about winning when 'It doesn't matter.' There were several great things that came out of the end of the year run. Gus emergence as a top 6 dman, Mason emergence as a bonified option to be a starter and Lauridson emergence as a depth defenseman if needed. Are Lindholm or Nicushkin going to be that much better than Morin? It's impossible to tell at this point, so the argument is best saved for another time.
- PhillySportsGuy

100% agree on Gus, Mason, and Lauridsen's growth. Exactly, way too early to tell. Not like we fell from Barkov/Mac/Drouin to Morin.

I agree with this.

I mean, seriously. Again, I do think the media did a hatchet job on Bryzgalov this last season, took the time to make sure that anything and everything they could say that was negative got said to anybody and everybody.

But at the same time...I absolutely agree that he didn't love the game. I absolutely agree with that. To me, it was fairly obvious that he didn't view one game, one week, one season, as life or death.

Should he be right about that? Sure. We shouldn't take it this seriously.

But we do. That's the reality. Philadelphia isn't Anaheim or Phoenix. I'm as patient with the Flyers organization as anybody, and more than most.

But I'm not trying to see or hear somebody who doesn't feel the anguish of the fans of this team who have been waiting far too long for a Cup.

I can forgive any player who tries their best for the Flyers and comes up short. I have done so and will continue to do so.

But I do ask that they give a damn, as much as some of us who have waited patiently for a really long time for all the breaks to go our way.
- AllInForFlyers

That is incorrect. When he was playing well, he did say the next few games are life or death. He then got chastised by the rest of the team for making those comments...After that things went really down hill for bryz

100% agree on Gus, Mason, and Lauridsen's growth. Exactly, way too early to tell. Not like we fell from Barkov/Mac/Drouin to Morin.
- five4fighting10

Exactly -- I've always been optimistic, and I make no apologies for that.

But what if Morin winds up as, as Bill says, a better skating Luke Schenn, if the offense never comes?

I'll take that, and gladly. Because that's a top 4 defenseman in this league, and you need guys who have that kind of skillset, too.

100% agree on Gus, Mason, and Lauridsen's growth. Exactly, way too early to tell. Not like we fell from Barkov/Mac/Drouin to Morin.
- five4fighting10

People need to realize that sh!t happens. The Flyers have faced so much adversity and bad luck in their history. They've always rolled with the punches. I don't even know how many Flyer careers have been cut short from injuries.

The guy is a whack job! I've moved on.
- MJL

So have I. I dont think you get to the pro level without caring about your game though.

That is incorrect. When he was playing well, he did say the next few games are life or death. He then got chastised by the rest of the team for making those comments...After that things went really down hill for bryz
- PhillaBully

Ha! You know what? Good point, and I concede that -- Bryzgalov did say that, and he did get chastised for that.

Exactly -- I've always been optimistic, and I make no apologies for that.

But what if Morin winds up as, as Bill says, a better skating Luke Schenn, if the offense never comes?

I'll take that, and gladly. Because that's a top 4 defenseman in this league, and you need guys who have that kind of skillset, too.
- AllInForFlyers

Plus they do have guys like Hagg, Gus and Ghost who project more as offensive dmen.

I believe Aaron Rodgers bet a fan on twitter his entire year's salary that Braun was clean.

Quite the expensive tweet.
- Moose_15

I'm sure he will pay up on that. Rodgers co-owns a restaurant in Wisconsin with Braun, they are close friends and business partners.

Rodgers can return to his regularly scheduled role as Giants whipping boy.

Plus they do have guys like Hagg, Gus and Ghost who project more as offensive dmen.
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly -- again, I'm optimistic. I refuse to believe that not one of those guys isn't going to pan out.

All three might not make it, and I recognize that, too. But I refuse to believe that none of those three is going to help the Flyers in the next 2 or 3 years, or even next year with Gus.

Hey Bill, I guess it's becoming pretty safe to say that you were wrong as you continued to defend Bryz and instead blame the defense for the team's issues over the last year. The rest of the NHL and now the Russian Olympic Committee can't all be incorrect about him being horrible. Oh that's right it's not his play that is keeping him off the Olympic team. It's his relationship with Fedorov.
- lar6767

i didn't know Seravalli read your blogs, bill? i thought that was beneath him.

Plus they do have guys like Hagg, Gus and Ghost who project more as offensive dmen.
- PhillySportsGuy

Im not saying youre wrong, but Hagg doesnt project to be an offensive d-man. More of a two way guy. I rough comparison is a guy like Meszaros to be honest. he can play a two way game, can be a bit physical, but isnt an true offensive d-man

Im not saying youre wrong, but Hagg doesnt project to be an offensive d-man. More of a two way guy. I rough comparison is a guy like Meszaros to be honest. he can play a two way game, can be a bit physical, but isnt an true offensive d-man
- jak521

It was more in terms of having offensive talent. The teams defensive prospects aren't all made up of hulking big guys. They have some puck movers, shooters and mobility.

Things are ok. Mommy still has abdominal pain from the c-section. Baby is finally gaining weight and has his 1-month appointment tonight. M4 is an awesome older brother and helper around the house. His charge is our cat, Clarke, who most probably has cancer based on his vet's opinion. This morning we noticed his face was swollen on one side where they think the tumors are. *sigh*
- Flyskippy

Opinion time. Who is going to have an up season, down season, stay the same?

Giroux
Hartnell
Voracek
Lecavalier
Simmonds
Schenn
Read
Couturier
Gagne
Talbot
Rinaldo
Hall
Laughton
McGinn
Rosehill
OTHER

Timonen
Streit
Coburn
Meszaros
Schenn
Grossmann
Gustefsson
Gervais
OTHER

Mason
Emery
OTHER

It was more in terms of having offensive talent. The teams defensive prospects aren't all made up of hulking big guys. They have some puck movers, shooters and mobility.
- PhillySportsGuy

Oh, my bad.. i didnt back read. I agree with you 100%.

So in other words, Wayne Simmonds+ for PK Subban

aka the greatest and maybe only black for black player trade in the sport of hockey

Opinion time. Who is going to have an up season, down season, stay the same?


- youarewrong

Giroux- SAME.
Hartnell- UP. Maybe not 2012 up, but better then last year.
Voracek- SAME. I think Voracek will level off here for a while.
Lecavalier- UP. Change of scenerly might spark Vinny
Simmonds- SAME. No forward progress, but no regression.
Schenn- SAME. Adjusting to the wing perminately will be an adjustment
Read-DOWN. Less ice time and checking role will hurt his numbers.
Couturier- SAME. Another checking role will still limit his offense
Gagne- UP. Full year on the team with low expectations. I see him potting 20.
Talbot- UP/SAME. I dont expect 2012 numbers, but more then last year, but due to injury he can do more then last year.
Rinaldo- DOWN. I think less ice time, and time away from the game might hinder his dicipline.
Hall- SAME.
Laughton- Juniors
McGinn- DOWN. Will struggle with spot duty
Rosehill-DOWN. Impressed with what he had, afraid with 13th forwards minutes might see a second coming of Shelly.
OTHER

Timonen- DOWN. On the decline, but still good enough.
Streit- SAME. Different team, non captain might allow him to focus ont he job.
Coburn-UP. Bad season last year, only has up to go if not asked to be the puck mover.
Meszaros- UP. Needs to come back strong from Injury
Schenn- SAME. No Regression.
Grossmann- SAME. Be sturdy, but might be traded IMO
Gustefsson- UP. If given time, will rise to top 5 defender.
Gervais- DOWN. Wont get much time.
OTHER

Mason- UP. Taking what he learned and the confidence from last year and becomes the number 1 guy.
Emery- DOWN. After 17-1 season on the best NHL team, might be too hard to improve on that, but will be solid, wont win starting job.
OTHER

IMO, this team gets a lot better even though most guys stay the same. We improved in the areas we need to improve, and I have a feeling Mason is going to take the league by storm this season like Bob did last season. Break-out year.

Ha! You know what? Good point, and I concede that -- Bryzgalov did say that, and he did get chastised for that.
- AllInForFlyers

Regardless, i do think it was the right move getting rid of him.

As far as I'm concerned, I'd like all of the Flyers players to be bumped from Olympic rosters. The risk isn't worth it, imho.
- Scoob

come on, Kimmo will need the extra work, especially around February

/sarcasm

So in other words, Wayne Simmonds+ for PK Subban

aka the greatest and maybe only black for black player trade in the sport of hockey
- mochoson

Would you do Simmonds, Grossmann, Laughton for Subban+ a pick.

I was wondering if the flyers are allowed/will have morin at training camp this year, or does he need a contract first?

I would like to see that happen to Mez, Streit and Timonen. The olympics would be invaluable experience for guys like Lauridson and Noebels.
- PhillySportsGuy

someone correct me if I am wrong but I don't believe Denmark or Germany qualified

Opinion time. Who is going to have an up season, down season, stay the same?

Giroux (Up)
Hartnell (Slight Up)
Voracek (Up)
Lecavalier (Up/Comeback Season)
Simmonds (Up)
Schenn (Up)
Read (Same, as in before he got his rib injury last year)
Couturier (Can't really have a down season coming off last year, so up)
Gagne (same)
Talbot (same)
Rinaldo (same-but had a big up last year)
Hall (Same)
Laughton (IF he makes roster, same, but he only played 5 games so we'll see)
McGinn (Same)
Rosehill (same)
OTHER

Timonen (Same)
Streit (Up)
Coburn (Up-not difficult after his awful year last year)
Meszaros (Up- same as Coburn and if he stay healthy)
Schenn (Up)
Grossmann (Same)
Gustefsson (same)
Gervais (down)
OTHER

Mason (Up)
Emery (Same, which is damn good)
OTHER
- youarewrong

Giroux- SAME.
Hartnell- UP. Maybe not 2012 up, but better then last year.
Voracek- SAME. I think Voracek will level off here for a while.
Lecavalier- UP. Change of scenerly might spark Vinny
Simmonds- SAME. No forward progress, but no regression.
Schenn- SAME. Adjusting to the wing perminately will be an adjustment
Read-DOWN. Less ice time and checking role will hurt his numbers.
Couturier- SAME. Another checking role will still limit his offense
Gagne- UP. Full year on the team with low expectations. I see him potting 20.
Talbot- UP/SAME. I dont expect 2012 numbers, but more then last year, but due to injury he can do more then last year.
Rinaldo- DOWN. I think less ice time, and time away from the game might hinder his dicipline.
Hall- SAME.
Laughton- Juniors
McGinn- DOWN. Will struggle with spot duty
Rosehill-DOWN. Impressed with what he had, afraid with 13th forwards minutes might see a second coming of Shelly.
OTHER

Timonen- DOWN. On the decline, but still good enough.
Streit- SAME. Different team, non captain might allow him to focus ont he job.
Coburn-UP. Bad season last year, only has up to go if not asked to be the puck mover.
Meszaros- UP. Needs to come back strong from Injury
Schenn- SAME. No Regression.
Grossmann- SAME. Be sturdy, but might be traded IMO
Gustefsson- UP. If given time, will rise to top 5 defender.
Gervais- DOWN. Wont get much time.
OTHER

Mason- UP. Taking what he learned and the confidence from last year and becomes the number 1 guy.
Emery- DOWN. After 17-1 season on the best NHL team, might be too hard to improve on that, but will be solid, wont win starting job.
OTHER

IMO, this team gets a lot better even though most guys stay the same. We improved in the areas we need to improve, and I have a feeling Mason is going to take the league by storm this season like Bob did last season. Break-out year.
- youarewrong

I hope you are correct about Mason, but I would be shocked if he won the Vezina this year. I expect him to take the starter's reigns, but not to play elite level.