Right now, Larsson's playing fewer minutes than Peter Harrold, so calling him a stud is a bit premature.

That said, you can't ask a team to build through the draft and be miffed if they aren't showing returns immediately.
- Jsaquella

i said IF he's a stud

Who did the Devils trade for this Brunner kid?

Who did the Devils trade for this Brunner kid?
- PLindbergh31

Nobody. Invited to camp on a PTO.

Right now, Larsson's playing fewer minutes than Peter Harrold, so calling him a stud is a bit premature.

That said, you can't ask a team to build through the draft and be miffed if they aren't showing returns immediately.
- Jsaquella

as to the other part, my big issue is that w/ all of the young talent that has left the org, all we have to show for it on D is luke. considering the age/injury concerns w/ pronger pre-concussion and kimmo and the contract situation of coby/carle at the time, it's a fail in my book.

Nobody. Invited to camp on a PTO.
- tangent_man

i think holland said he ended up signing for about the same $$ he could have had in DET

Nobody. Invited to camp on a PTO.
- tangent_man

Cool. So they got him for nothing. Splendid.

as to the other part, my big issue is that w/ all of the young talent that has left the org, all we have to show for it on D is luke. considering the age/injury concerns w/ pronger pre-concussion and kimmo and the contract situation of coby/carle at the time, it's a fail in my book.
- isaiah520

Certainly they could have got a defenseman in one of the trades or drafted one before the last couple of years, but then again, I don't see the defense as a big issue, or at least not as big as the team defense.

And honestly, there was really no injury concerns with Pronger or Timonen prior to the Carter/Richards deals. Pronger was coming off the wrist injury, but otherwise was in good shape.

Certainly they could have got a defenseman in one of the trades or drafted one before the last couple of years, but then again, I don't see the defense as a big issue, or at least not as big as the team defense.

And honestly, there was really no injury concerns with Pronger or Timonen prior to the Carter/Richards deals. Pronger was coming off the wrist injury, but otherwise was in good shape.
- Jsaquella

pronger was coming off of his "toughest off season" w/ 3 surgeries.

i see the D as the reason they have a clear ceiling. they may be adequate enuf to be a plyoff contender, but that's it.

pronger was coming off of his "toughest off season" w/ 3 surgeries.

i see the D as the reason they have a clear ceiling. they may be adequate enuf to be a plyoff contender, but that's it.
- isaiah520

A lot of that depends on how well the team defense improves under Berube and how well the goalies play.

I'm guessing that if they fail to develop under Berube, some of the aforementioned untouchables could be had, which could lead to bringing in defense help.

A lot of that depends on how well the team defense improves under Berube and how well the goalies play.

I'm guessing that if they fail to develop under Berube, some of the aforementioned untouchables could be had, which could lead to bringing in defense help.
- Jsaquella

if they want to be a real cup contender, i see few untouchables, cause the D is the elephant in the room. depends on what snider's current definition of "winning" is.

the other issues are ones that chief has to straighten out. i agree that an assessment can only be made after a new guy was brought in. i think we'll know a few things by Dec 1.

I felt like the season was already over. The effort, the same look and feel of last years dreadful season had me down. It's a new beginning so I'm all in again!

Let's go Flyers!

if they want to be a real cup contender, i see few untouchables, cause the D is the elephant in the room. depends on what snider's current definition of "winning" is.

the other issues are ones that chief has to straighten out. i agree that an assessment can only be made after a new guy was brought in. i think we'll know a few things by Dec 1.
- isaiah520

Agreed. He'll need time to get the nuances installed and then they will have a better idea of what fits and what does not.

I felt like the season was already over. The effort, the same look and feel of last years dreadful season had me down. It's a new beginning so I'm all in again!

Let's go Flyers!
- jstross

what else can we do? dont expect an immediate turnaround, but if the play w/ a little more cohesion, that'll be a start.

I wonder if the Flyers are in on Jake Gardiner.

I wonder if the Flyers are in on Jake Gardiner.
- Jsaquella

let's regain a little leverage 1st...leafs in no hurry

what else can we do? dont expect an immediate turnaround, but if the play w/ a little more cohesion, that'll be a start.
- isaiah520

I don't expect an immediate turnaround, but I sure as hell expect a better team effort. I'll be OK with a start like that.

I wonder if the Flyers are in on Jake Gardiner.
- Jsaquella

i was so anti-berube prior to this afternoon but no for some reason i have a good feeling about him now.

i refuse to backread and im sure you've stated your thoughts alot already but what's your gut feeling on all of this?

Signing the best available goaltender and a former vezina finalist isn't a gamble. it's trying to make the team better. If you think it is then pretty much every player move is. Neither was trading for Pronger. As he instantly raised the Flyers to a legitimate Cup contender. Streit isn't a gamble either. There was a need for a puck moving defenseman.
I love when the Upshall card is played. As if losing Upshall was a big deal, and that resembles a gamble. And I disagree that there isn't a cogent organizational plan. You may not like or agree with the plan, but there definitely is one. And that plan is to try and win. And to use all the assets available to them, including Cap space to try and win.
And Holmgren has shown patience with the current young core of the roster. To not recognize that is to ignore the facts. And I don't need to defend Holmgren. I don't think Holmgren is in danger of losing his job. Even if they miss the playoffs this Season. Although I don't think that's an unreasonable thought, and I certainly could be wrong about that.
- MJL

Oh, please. To say that the moves this club makes are not unusually risky is denying the facts. No team takes more gambles than this one. One gut move after another. I'm not saying it hasn't been fun and entertaining, but every move they make is reactive... seldom proactive

i was so anti-berube prior to this afternoon but no for some reason i have a good feeling about him now.

i refuse to backread and im sure you've stated your thoughts alot already but what's your gut feeling on all of this?
- Crimsoninja

Well, it hasn't reached the status of 'why laviolette needs to go' or 'the Flyers' record against NJ, NYR and TB', but give him a couple of days...

i was so anti-berube prior to this afternoon but no for some reason i have a good feeling about him now.

i refuse to backread and im sure you've stated your thoughts alot already but what's your gut feeling on all of this?
- Crimsoninja

Cautious optimism. He says he wants to implement a stronger defensive system, and stress team defense, which I agree 100% with.

I also forgot/didn't know he was the HC for the Phantoms for a full year, going 46-27-4. I had thought he had been the coach there for a few weeks when Stevens was promoted to Hitch's job

Well, it hasn't reached the status of 'why laviolette needs to go' or 'the Flyers' record against NJ, NYR and TB', but give him a couple of days...
- tangent_man

insta_gator

Guys,

Wow, gotta be hard following this team. Always interesting, tough on the health I'm sure.
- walshy66

yeah wow it's tough we have to give the team to desjardins or brindamour i think maybe

Well, it hasn't reached the status of 'why laviolette needs to go' or 'the Flyers' record against NJ, NYR and TB', but give him a couple of days...
- tangent_man

Goddamned Berube hasn't even beaten the Panthers yet...what the (frank)'s he waiting for?

Cautious optimism. He says he wants to implement a stronger defensive system, and stress team defense, which I agree 100% with.

I also forgot/didn't know he was the HC for the Phantoms for a full year, going 46-27-4. I had thought he had been the coach there for a few weeks when Stevens was promoted to Hitch's job
- Jsaquella

i know he's supposed to be tough and hold guys accountable.. but have you heard if he's a players coach type of guy?

wonder if it'll be sort of a bowa--manuel effect.. at least initially

Goddamned Berube hasn't even beaten the Panthers yet...what the (frank)'s he waiting for?
- Jsaquella

I'll be waiting for the first player to (frank) up on the ice, then have Jackson notice that he's not on the bench...and neither is Lappy.

That, sir, will be accountability.