Bill's too depressed to write a new blob...

Bill's too depressed to write a new blob...
- wolfhounds

lol i was thinking the same thing

I think what confuses some (including me) is they haven't arrived at their record by being consistently mediocre, but by having some really low lows and really high highs. I know there's ups and downs, but the Flyers this year seem to take it to extremes. And while it's certainly unrealistic to expect them to play at the "high" level all year, why are the lows so low? That's the million dollar question I guess. Defense not good? Kids need more experience? Forwards don't backcheck enough? Of course it's a combo of many things... but can still be somewhat maddening.
- eayost

To me:

Low Lows = Faster teams exploiting our super slow D. Lack of attack in defensive zone. Forwards not pressing enough.

High Highs = Goalies standing on their heads. Team showing up with energy and playing to or above potential in neutral and offensive zone.

When we play a fast team... there's really not much that can be done to counter, except clutch and grab... which is why we lead the NHL in penalties. This team relies "too much" on hope to win games... Hope the goalie overachieves, hope the opposing forwards aren't too fast, hope they have the energy for a 60 minute effort. Somethings can be corrected, others require time or drastic moves.

Bill's too depressed to write a new blob...
- wolfhounds

it should be easy. all he has to do is go back 5 years and copy and paste everything that was wrong then with the way the team fails to compete and just change the names.
at this point i would be really ok with major trades as long as it wasn't for players who could supposedly help now. admit you will never win the cup with a team like this and make trades for prospects and picks. let someone other than the current "architect" do this and see where we are in a couple years.

we desperately need a "sigh" emoticon. at least i do.

it should be easy. all he has to do is go back 5 years and copy and paste everything that was wrong then with the way the team fails to compete and just change the names.
at this point i would be really ok with major trades as long as it wasn't for players who could supposedly help now. admit you will never win the cup with a team like this and make trades for prospects and picks. let someone other than the current "architect" do this and see where we are in a couple years.
- hogweed

I think the course just needs to be stuck to really.

You continue to evaluate the kids, and see who is untouchable, while attempting to make trades to improve long term. Even if the team is in a playoff hunt, I'd be looking at unloading some of the veterans.

With Hartnell's hot streak there may be a few teams interested. Unfortunately I don't think anyone dares to touch the contracts of Vinny/Streit so you will be stuck there. I am not a fan of Luke Schenn, but I do not think you can keep him and Grossmann in the fold together. Especially when you have a similar player in Lauridsen deserving of a chance.

Emery as well, who knows, a team may want a back-up that's been to the big show twice.

I am not a fan of Luke Schenn, but I do not think you can keep him and Grossmann in the fold together. Especially when you have a similar player in Lauridsen deserving of a chance.
- flyer_nutter

Between Grossmann and Schenn, they've got to go w/ Schenn based on handedness. Lauridsen's a righty, but is he even really an NHL player at the end of the day? Not sure.

yes, to clarify, i meant trades of veterans not the core of the youth (couts, jake, schenn, G, mason)

I think the course just needs to be stuck to really.

You continue to evaluate the kids, and see who is untouchable, while attempting to make trades to improve long term. Even if the team is in a playoff hunt, I'd be looking at unloading some of the veterans.

With Hartnell's hot streak there may be a few teams interested. Unfortunately I don't think anyone dares to touch the contracts of Vinny/Streit so you will be stuck there. I am not a fan of Luke Schenn, but I do not think you can keep him and Grossmann in the fold together. Especially when you have a similar player in Lauridsen deserving of a chance.

Emery as well, who knows, a team may want a back-up that's been to the big show twice.
- flyer_nutter

I think the course just needs to be stuck to really.

You continue to evaluate the kids, and see who is untouchable, while attempting to make trades to improve long term. Even if the team is in a playoff hunt, I'd be looking at unloading some of the veterans.

With Hartnell's hot streak there may be a few teams interested. Unfortunately I don't think anyone dares to touch the contracts of Vinny/Streit so you will be stuck there. I am not a fan of Luke Schenn, but I do not think you can keep him and Grossmann in the fold together. Especially when you have a similar player in Lauridsen deserving of a chance.

Emery as well, who knows, a team may want a back-up that's been to the big show twice.
- flyer_nutter

Keep building through the draft and add pieces when they make sense. As was said yesterday, this team needs TWO WAY defensemen, players who can contribute at both ends. We seem to be loaded with one dimensional dmen.

Ive also noticed that the forwards commitment to playing in their own zone has taken a precipitous fall over the recent month. It exposes our lack of speed on defense. I know its a hard way to play, but that is the only way this team wins.

Between Grossmann and Schenn, they've got to go w/ Schenn based on handedness. Lauridsen's a righty, but is he even really an NHL player at the end of the day? Not sure.
- Tomahawk

I like Lauridsen, and with a cheap contract he is favourable. He has paid his dues in the AHL. We talk about patience with kids, well you also have to be willing to give them a real shot. Same goes for Alt.

I really would prefer Grossmann over Schenn, but can see the sense in keeping the younger player.

Keep building through the draft and add pieces when they make sense. As was said yesterday, this team needs TWO WAY defensemen, players who can contribute at both ends. We seem to be loaded with one dimensional dmen.

Ive also noticed that the forwards commitment to playing in their own zone has taken a precipitous fall over the recent month. It exposes our lack of speed on defense. I know its a hard way to play, but that is the only way this team wins.
- MBFlyerfan

Its hard to find a middle ground. At the start of the season they basically had the forwards skating the puck up WITH the d-men. To keep the gaps really close, and stick to that hardcore d-first mentality. They have opened it up, one way or another.

Again, I think they have to try and find a bit of a middle ground, but I don't want to go back to that boring nonsense we saw at the start. I rather be entertained during a loss, instead of bored out of my mind watching them lose 2-1 game after game.

I think what they really need, as you say is those two dimensional guys, because you can bring in all that offensive puck movers you want, but then you will just have to hide them in your own zone.

I really would prefer Grossmann over Schenn, but can see the sense in keeping the younger player.
- flyer_nutter

Both have been disasters in their own right... Schenn gets the nod for me based on age, slightly better puck skills, being a right-shot, and having room for improvement.

This makes Nitty's gaffe look tame by comparison.

Steve Mason with the most appropriate mask art ever.

Steve Mason with the most appropriate mask art ever.
- hereticpride

Are the zombies Mason paying homage to the Flyers defense core?

Are the zombie Mason paying homage to the Flyers defense core?
- PLindbergh31

His new mask is the literally the Flyers as zombies.

Is Gus injured or just not being allowed to play?

His new mask is the literally the Flyers as zombies.
- hereticpride

Haven't seen the mask yet... Does the L. Schenn zombie have a puck deflecting off him into the Flyers net?

Is Gus injured or just not being allowed to play?
- eayost

He was cleared a few weeks ago. Can't crack the lineup.

He was cleared a few weeks ago. Can't crack the lineup.
- PLindbergh31

Just too much depth on defense

Between Grossmann and Schenn, they've got to go w/ Schenn based on handedness. Lauridsen's a righty, but is he even really an NHL player at the end of the day? Not sure.
- Tomahawk

Lauridsen's a lefty.

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=242679

Hahaha.... The Stars embarrassed the Leafs in more ways than one last night.

Bill's too depressed to write a new blob...
- wolfhounds

I thought he said he had one ready to go about his thoughts on the Mason contract.

Hahaha.... The Stars embarrassed the Leafs in more ways than one last night.


- PLindbergh31

bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

This makes Nitty's gaffe look tame by comparison.

- MBFlyerfan

OUCH!!! Not a good way to end a game.