Not sure how Gustafsson is going to develop by sitting in the press box. He's struggled at times this year when he's been in the lineup, but so has every other d-man. At least Gustafsson brings an element of mobility, and some puck moving potential. The Flyers defense core is a better mix with him in it. Too much redundancy among the current regular defensemen.

Meszaros has improved significantly of late, Gustafsson should get playing time at the expense of Grossmann/L. Schenn.
- PLindbergh31

If its me, Luke Schenn is gone in the off-season, and Grossmann is the one kept around.

I'm just past Gustafsson myself to be honest. Maybe a 3rd pairing guy in the future. Can agree to disagree.

If you take out that flooky finish last season, where the AHL squad played out of their minds, last year's team would have finished with a pretty bad record.

If you take out the time this season before Berube had a chance to implement his system, the team has done pretty well.
- PhillySportsGuy

Even just taking out the 0-3 start means the Flyers P% is 0.588, 11th best in the league.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/te...ointPctg&viewName=summary

[quote=youarewrong]You Expecting This?




Yes.

G had a great hit last night.

Erik Gustafsson is 25 currently.

The question to me becomes, do you give him another shot next season, or do you move on to say a guy like Alt.

I know you need to give young players the time to play, but he hasn't impressed me really at all. For a 25 year old this is his time, and he seems limited in his own zone due to his size.

Not enough of an offensive/transition game to overcome that. Unfortunate.
- flyer_nutter

I agree I think the Gus ship has sailed. Not enough ability to overcome his lack of size and way too injury prone.

If you take out that flooky finish last season, where the AHL squad played out of their minds, last year's team would have finished with a pretty bad record.

If you take out the time this season before Berube had a chance to implement his system, the team has done pretty well.

I know you shouldn't take out winning and losing streaks because each team has them during each season, but I think we can all agree that the coaching change had a positive effect on the team this season.
- PhillySportsGuy

I was one of the biggest Laviolette fans, and I'll agree here. Berube has done a much better job to better hide the limitations of his team. Some frustration with choosing to play his favourites, and ignoring the kids but I think some of the influence/pressure from upper management comes with that.

He had me batpoop scared at the start, because it was completely D first. There is more balance now, and even though they aren't as tight in their own zone, at least they are somewhat fun to watch. I hated that boring poop at the start of the year.

Speaking of Laviolette I wouldn't be surprised to see him land in Toronto. Carlyle seems to be a bit of a dinosaur.

I agree I think the Gus ship has sailed. Not enough ability to overcome his lack of size and way too injury prone.
- youarewrong

Its kind of weird, out of all the years where they could probably afford injuries, to give the younger kids more of a chance to play they are relatively healthy as a team.

I don't remember the last year there were this few injuries, and just for fun before I head out, the D-core I would be in favour of next year is the following. Not realistic for what the team will probably do but so be it.

Gardiner-Coburn
Grossmann-Meszaros (lets see how he does for Olympics, rest of the year)
Timonen-Lauridsen

G had a great hit last night.
- Feanor

simmonds had a dece one to separate someone from the puck in the third

I'd like to see Gus play too.

Right now I think you have to leave Mez in, and get him some PP minutes.
His game and confidence is returning.

Luke Schenn needs to play as well, even if at times he deserves to sit.

I would give Grossmann a rest in games where they play smaller speedier teams, and get Gus some minutes.

Just like center and maybe even more so for playoff teams,
Depth on D is crucial.

It's actually amazing they haven't had a serious injury to a defenseman yet.

he did have a terrible game last night, i can see why being up close and personal to it would give mochoson the reaction he had. hartnell either stopped or reversed or fell down every time he touched the puck.
- -davies-

I wont disagree, but again.. there is nothing glorious about the guy. He is a PB&J at a 5 star french restaurant.

He gets the job done though. He had a tough year with injuries and what not last season, and the first 8 games of this season were not very pretty, but since then he is scoring at 60 point pace.

I know it looks that way right now, but who knows what the future holds for Schenn. Vinny may end up coming in handy later on. Remember a couple of weeks ago when we couldn't find a spot for Hartnell? Things change quickly. We need a bigger sample size before we determine whether Schenn is the answer at #2C and Vinny isn't good enough to play wing in the top 9.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree...I think some are too shortsighted when it comes to, well, just about everything...these things have a way of working themselves out in time.

I'd like to see Gus play too.

Right now I think you have to leave Mez in, and get him some PP minutes.
His game and confidence is returning.

Luke Schenn needs to play as well, even if at times he deserves to sit.

I would give Grossmann a rest in games where they play smaller speedier teams, and get Gus some minutes.

Just like center and maybe even more so for playoff teams,
Depth on D is crucial.

It's actually amazing they haven't had a serious injury to a defenseman yet.
- Marc D

man you guys are playing with fire

I wont disagree, but again.. there is nothing glorious about the guy. He is a PB&J at a 5 star french restaurant.

He gets the job done though. He had a tough year with injuries and what not last season, and the first 8 games of this season were not very pretty, but since then he is scoring at 60 point pace.
- jak521

C'mon, the guy's at least chicken fingers.

I was one of the biggest Laviolette fans, and I'll agree here. Berube has done a much better job to better hide the limitations of his team. Some frustration with choosing to play his favourites, and ignoring the kids but I think some of the influence/pressure from upper management comes with that.

He had me batpoop scared at the start, because it was completely D first. There is more balance now, and even though they aren't as tight in their own zone, at least they are somewhat fun to watch. I hated that boring poop at the start of the year.

Speaking of Laviolette I wouldn't be surprised to see him land in Toronto. Carlyle seems to be a bit of a dinosaur.
- flyer_nutter

Berube had to break this team down and start from scratch. Their habits were terrible. I have a feeling he preached defense all the time. The Flyers system needed to be completely gutted and built from the ground up.

I agree I think the Gus ship has sailed. Not enough ability to overcome his lack of size and way too injury prone.
- youarewrong

Im not so sure. it looks like mezz got his game going now finally. I think it was all confidence related. He looks stronger each game. I think the same can be said for gus. Give him playing time and minutes and see what happens. Now I wouldnt sit anybody right now for gus but with an injury id throw him in and let him play some larger minutes. Whats the wrost that can happen?

Whats the deal with people wanting to trade harts? So lets trade him and have just one power forward in simmonds. We are undersized now. Imagine no harts against a 7 game series with boston! I wouldnt even want to watch that series. People need to understand he serves a lot larger purpose then just scoring goals and adding points, which he has lately mind you .
- jmdodgeser4

You know what this team is missing... hitting. They miss players like Richards. They need to replace the 4th line with guys that can doll out physical punishment.

C'mon, the guy's at least chicken fingers.
- BulliesPhan87

You are pushing it.

You know what this team is missing... hitting. They miss players like Richards. They need to replace the 4th line with guys that can doll out physical punishment.
- youarewrong

You are wrong.


If anything.. we hit way too much

man you guys are playing with fire
- -davies-

It's going to happen anyway
Probably on the swing through California that's coming up
Murderers row

It's going to happen anyway
Probably on the swing through California that's coming up
Murderers row
- Marc D

Do we all remember that crazy clot Timonen had I think the year he signed with the team?

Kept him out around the playoffs if I am right. Coburn with the puck to the eye.

Weber was awesome. What do you guys think it would take to get him?
- mickel25

4 consecutive 1st round picks should get it done.

You are wrong.


If anything.. we hit way too much
- jak521

Yea... I'm not talking about the little shoulder bumps they call hits these days.

4 consecutive 1st round picks should get it done.
- jmatchett383

Hmm.. Something tells me it wouldnt.

Yea... I'm not talking about the little shoulder bumps they call hits these days.
- youarewrong

Either way.. look at the top ten teams in hits.. compare to the bottom ten teams in hits..

If its me, Luke Schenn is gone in the off-season, and Grossmann is the one kept around.

I'm just past Gustafsson myself to be honest. Maybe a 3rd pairing guy in the future. Can agree to disagree.
- flyer_nutter

id rather keep them both...Gross is made of glass though.