in bold, not going to happen, coach likes him
- puckhead17

True, and coaches have always had favorite players.

The best coaches, the ones who win, eventually recognize which players you like and which players help you win games. When you start looking back at teams that win the most games...well, finding someone who plays like Zac Rinaldo -- unless he learns to be an effective PKer -- isn't too common.

For Streit to be effective he needs to be paired with a solid, mobile partner.
However for Timonen to be at his best, he too needs a mobile partner as does Grossmann and Schenn. Since Coburn is the Flyers ONLY experienced, defensively sound and mobile dman, well there's the problem!
- BiggE

I know -- it's killing this team.

That's why I'm really hoping that Mark Alt can play at the NHL level -- he's right-handed, supposedly moves fairly well. If he could just pair with Streit on the third pair...

See, that's the thing about Luke Schenn that's killing us right now. We can't be hiding Streit AND Schenn AND Gus AND Meszaros.

Coburn-Timonen have stabliized, been a pretty decent top pairing, by and large. And Nicklas Grossmann has certainly not been killing this team.

But we all know it because we all see it: No team can hide three of six defensemen who are dressed every night. Some of these guys have got to start playing better -- I have zero faith in Meszaros, but FFS, one or two of those guys have to stop killing us every freaking night.

I know -- it's killing this team.

That's why I'm really hoping that Mark Alt can play at the NHL level -- he's right-handed, supposedly moves fairly well. If he could just pair with Streit on the third pair...

See, that's the thing about Luke Schenn that's killing us right now. We can't be hiding Streit AND Schenn AND Gus AND Meszaros.

Coburn-Timonen have stabliized, been a pretty decent top pairing, by and large. And Nicklas Grossmann has certainly not been killing this team.

But we all know it because we all see it: No team can hide three of six defensemen who are dressed every night. Some of these guys have got to start playing better -- I have zero faith in Meszaros, but FFS, one or two of those guys have to stop killing us every freaking night.
- AllInForFlyers

Coburn & Kimmo have turned it around, Grossman has been exposed at times & had a few bad games, but he's played better games than not overall, (as well, he does a lot of the dirty work in the corners, blocking shots etc)
I can only remember one game where Striet played well, the home win over Edmonton, other than that, he's looks tentative & indecisive with the puck most of the time.
Not a trait you would expect from 36 year old player who specializes in puck handling & mostly shooting.

Timonen - retirement.

Meszaros - UFA gone.

One of Grossmann or Schenn should be dealt.

We can't hide both Gus and Streit on the 3rd pairing.

Coburn-????
Grossmann-Gus
????-Streit

Doesn't look too inspiring eh? Who do we pick off that list someone else posted earlier to fill in the blanks? Perhaps we deal a forward for a d-man, not sure who for who though.

There's a big difference between playing under expectations, (Giroux, Voracek, for example), and just playing poorly, (Striet, Luke)

I don't think Mez has been terrible, & the coach clearly has his favorites, (Rinaldo) & otherwise, like Gus, who hasn't really done anything to deserve being scratched 1/2 the season.
- puckhead17

There is a difference, and I don't disagree with you. I think that every defenseman not named Braydon Coburn has played poorly this season, so you could make a case for any of them and I'd say sure, scratch them and get the off the ice.

Coburn & Kimmo have turned it around, Grossman has been exposed at times & had a few bad games, but he's played better games than not overall, (as well, he does a lot of the dirty work in the corners, blocking shots etc)
I can only remember one game where Striet played well, the home win over Edmonton, other than that, he's looks tentative & indecisive with the puck most of the time.
Not a trait you would expect from 36 year old player who specializes in puck handling & mostly shooting.
- puckhead17

No, it wouldn't -- Streit's been disappointing in that regard. He needs to be better with the puck, with his decision making.

I knew he was someone we would have to hide defensively, and I was fine with that -- no player is perfect. I think his passing has been adequate, and until the road trip, I had no problems with how he competed, as a weaker defensive player.

What has frustrated me is some of the decision making -- as you said, be confident and decisive with the puck. Be focused.

Watching Blackhawks-Leafs.

I'll tell you what: Dion Phaneuf has his share of detractors. But he'd be the best defenseman on the Flyers, by about a freaking mile.

Not saying I want the Flyers to pay him a billion dollars, but let's be honest: Somebody is going to pay the guy.

you could just post a link to chl.ca instead of posting period by period updates on every game

- Crimsoninja

Watching Blackhawks-Leafs.

I'll tell you what: Dion Phaneuf has his share of detractors. But he'd be the best defenseman on the Flyers, by about a freaking mile.

Not saying I want the Flyers to pay him a billion dollars, but let's be honest: Somebody is going to pay the guy.
- AllInForFlyers

I would go even further and say that someone is going to pay the guy to play hockey.

you could just post a link to chl.ca instead of posting period by period updates on every game

- Crimsoninja

I could but my report isn't that in detail

Bye Engelland.

There is a difference, and I don't disagree with you. I think that every defenseman not named Braydon Coburn has played poorly this season, so you could make a case for any of them and I'd say sure, scratch them and get the off the ice.
- Jsaquella

I don't think Gus has been that bad, & Grossman, given his limited ability, is a warrior, dirty corner work, blocking shots, we've discussed in the past that maybe an alternative to getting a number 1 D man is having a solid top 4 or 5 by committee.

We are in need of 2 solid top 4 D men to go with Coburn & Grossman, If Streit continues his "plight", I would look to dump him anyway possible, (we paid a goalie $20 million for 2 years & a wheelbarrow of cash to leave), I guess the same with Luke, (although I wonder if he turns it around, he was really good last season).

No, it wouldn't -- Streit's been disappointing in that regard. He needs to be better with the puck, with his decision making.

I knew he was someone we would have to hide defensively, and I was fine with that -- no player is perfect. I think his passing has been adequate, and until the road trip, I had no problems with how he competed, as a weaker defensive player.

What has frustrated me is some of the decision making -- as you said, be confident and decisive with the puck. Be focused.
- AllInForFlyers

it's his only strength, supposedly, and he's faltered, if he doesn't turn it around I would dump him next year depending on what's available. We really need to upgrade on a whole.

Watching Blackhawks-Leafs.

I'll tell you what: Dion Phaneuf has his share of detractors. But he'd be the best defenseman on the Flyers, by about a freaking mile.

Not saying I want the Flyers to pay him a billion dollars, but let's be honest: Somebody is going to pay the guy.
- AllInForFlyers

way too early to even think we would have a shot

Bye Engelland.
- wolfhounds

That was so blatant, Holy Hell.

That was so blatant, Holy Hell.
- Jsaquella

20 games

I don't think Gus has been that bad, & Grossman, given his limited ability, is a warrior, dirty corner work, blocking shots, we've discussed in the past that maybe an alternative to getting a number 1 D man is having a solid top 4 or 5 by committee.

We are in need of 2 solid top 4 D men to go with Coburn & Grossman, If Streit continues his "plight", I would look to dump him anyway possible, (we paid a goalie $20 million for 2 years & a wheelbarrow of cash to leave), I guess the same with Luke, (although I wonder if he turns it around, he was really good last season).
- puckhead17

Gus hasn't been that good, and Grossmann sometimes handles the puck like it's a live grenade. I'm no a fan of Grossmann's contract, either. As for Schenn, he was good last year, but he's been a mess this year. I'd rather see Berube play him & Gus, mainly because they are youngsters and when the vets are playing so badly...what's the difference?

20 games
- ob18

Maybe. One suspension, but not a repeat offender, as it was 2 years ago in December of 2011, when he hit Marcus Kruger in the head.

Maybe. One suspension, but not a repeat offender, as it was 2 years ago in December of 2011, when he hit Marcus Kruger in the head.
- Jsaquella

Okay 8 games.

Okay 8 games.
- ob18

More likely IMO...I'd guess 5-7 myself, but who knows?

Gus hasn't been that good, and Grossmann sometimes handles the puck like it's a live grenade. I'm no a fan of Grossmann's contract, either. As for Schenn, he was good last year, but he's been a mess this year. I'd rather see Berube play him & Gus, mainly because they are youngsters and when the vets are playing so badly...what's the difference?
- Jsaquella

Yeah...so few options that anybody would love, but you gotta play Gus or someone similarly young. There's no good reason to play Meszaros more than a game or two, here and there.

Every time that Buff is mentioned in the same sentence as the Flyers I get nervous. I really don't think that he is the answer to our D problems. As mentioned he hits, and shoots, and that's about it.
So, if we lose Kimmo, and Mesz after the season, who do we replace them with? If our up, and coming D players are still some time away from the NHL level, then what are our options? All I see is aging guys on the downside of their careers or guys that shouldn't be in the NHL at all. That leaves a big gap in our D. If we trade any of our D players would we be able to get a better player in return? We maybe stuck right now with what we have.
What do you all think? Bill, your input?
Thanks.

Every time that Buff is mentioned in the same sentence as the Flyers I get nervous. I really don't think that he is the answer to our D problems. As mentioned he hits, and shoots, and that's about it.
So, if we lose Kimmo, and Mesz after the season, who do we replace them with? If our up, and coming D players are still some time away from the NHL level, then what are our options? All I see is aging guys on the downside of their careers or guys that shouldn't be in the NHL at all. That leaves a big gap in our D. If we trade any of our D players would we be able to get a better player in return? We maybe stuck right now with what we have.
What do you all think? Bill, your input?
Thanks.
- OrangeAndBlack1

He hits, shoots, has very good puck carrying ability, plays 25 minutes a night, is a very good transitional defenseman and has a higher point per game average over the past 3 years than Jeff Carter, James van Riemsdyk and Vincent Lecavalier.

I'd take Byfuglien, happily even with his warts.

As far as defensemeon the roster, there will be turnover this summer. Meszaros is definitely gone and Timonen is very likely to be gone. That means they will be in the market for at least one, if not two top 6 defensemen.

In checking out the previous list of D men that might be available, only two really stood out to me at this time; Belov, and Fistric.
I have seen Fistric play, and I think that he brings a lot to the table that we may need. He is a big body, can clear people out from the crease, and seems to be steady in his own end. However, he is slow, and doesn't produce a lot of points.
Belov, according to the Hockey News: "Has a big frame , has smooth puck-moving ability and sound offensive instincts. Plays with a very low panic level. Owns a big point shot, too."
That being said, if available, these guys seem reliable, and wouldn't cost an arm, and a leg towards the cap.
Just thoughts, and adding to the discussion.