He's 25, and deserves another 1 year, $1 million deal. It's not a coincidence that he leads the team in +/-.
- Feanor

Gus has always been a slow starter. Even in the AHL he starts slow. He seems to play his best at the end of the year. They should just play him and let him take his lumps early on. It's not like Mez is some special player. He had a good two week stretch. He's still weak defensively.

that's snarf.
- -davies-

Your a perceptive one.

That's the age old tug-of-war between players and coaches.

Player: "I play better if I play more minutes."
Coach: "Yeah, well, you'll play more minutes if you play better."
- bmeltzer

this is true

Gus has always been a slow starter. Even in the AHL he starts slow. He seems to play his best at the end of the year. They should just play him and let him take his lumps early on. It's not like Mez is some special player. He had a good two week stretch. He's still weak defensively.
- PhillySportsGuy

Meszaros was also away from the game for almost 2 years. I think he deserves a bit more time to get his game back. He was a good defenseman before the injuries. I never noticed any poor defensive play from him before. I think he can get his game back, I just dont think it will be with the Flyers.

Schenn does seem to play better with more minutes. They said that about him in T.O. as well.
- FlyerGuy

Schenn played well in Toronto when he was around 20 to 22 minutes a night, including penalty kills. This guy played in the league at 18, when he probably should have gone back to junior. I still believe that he will be a top 4 defender for a long time. Despite this being his 6th season, he is still only 24. Don't ever expect big point totals, not the game he plays. Even though we got JVR, I was disappointed when they traded him. He's now been replaced by an older version in Gleason.

Gus has always been a slow starter. Even in the AHL he starts slow. He seems to play his best at the end of the year. They should just play him and let him take his lumps early on. It's not like Mez is some special player. He had a good two week stretch. He's still weak defensively.
- PhillySportsGuy

There is a belief among some NHL scouts that he used to be a fairly pretty physical player (not a savvy one but one who used his size) before all the injuries but now stays away from contact whenever possible because of all the injuries.

I suspect that Berube believes that as well and this -- as much as spotty coverages -- is why he's rotated spots on the ice and pressbox with Gustafsson.

Meszaros was also away from the game for almost 2 years. I think he deserves a bit more time to get his game back. He was a good defenseman before the injuries. I never noticed any poor defensive play from him before. I think he can get his game back, I just dont think it will be with the Flyers.
- youarewrong

Mez was a 4/5 defenseman before the injury. I doubt he ever regains the same form. He is a 6/7 defenseman right now. Maybe he works his way into being a 3rd pairing guy.

Meszaros should go to Boston and play with Chara.

Schenn played well in Toronto when he was around 20 to 22 minutes a night, including penalty kills. This guy played in the league at 18, when he probably should have gone back to junior. I still believe that he will be a top 4 defender for a long time. Despite this being his 6th season, he is still only 24. Don't ever expect big point totals, not the game he plays. Even though we got JVR, I was disappointed when they traded him. He's now been replaced by an older version in Gleason.
- hagar58

You're not supposed to try to make us feel better about the trade, you're supposed to be gloating about JVR and his 21 goals!

There is a belief among some NHL scouts that he used to be a fairly pretty physical player (not a savvy one but one who used his size) before all the injuries but now stays away from contact whenever possible because of all the injuries.

I suspect that Berube believes that as well and this -- as much as spotty coverages -- is why he's rotated spots on the ice and pressbox with Gustafsson.
- bmeltzer

I can imagine that. The mental aspect of a serious injury takes longer to get over than the physical aspect a lot of times. Sometimes, players can never get over it.

I know Mike Green had a concussion, which is different, but look how long its taken him to finally look comfortable again.

There is a belief among some NHL scouts that he used to be a fairly pretty physical player (not a savvy one but one who used his size) before all the injuries but now stays away from contact whenever possible because of all the injuries.

I suspect that Berube believes that as well and this -- as much as spotty coverages -- is why he's rotated spots on the ice and pressbox with Gustafsson.
- bmeltzer

Bill, do you think Gus gets re-signed?

Not in the up-coming games. They'll need all hands on deck, and they really can't afford to go into any game with less than the best lineup available.
- jmatchett383

Agreed, Mez defensively is NO replacement for Timonen. If you want to give him a night off, sit him against Calgary in the last game before the break. Good luck getting him to sit out though!

Mez was a 4/5 defenseman before the injury. I doubt he ever regains the same form. He is a 6/7 defenseman right now. Maybe he works his way into being a 3rd pairing guy.
- PhillySportsGuy

/cue Barry Ashbee Award defense

For years I have been hearing that this team needs to put in a 60 minute effort, yet it seems they only do it a handful of times a season. So, my question is why? We have done a complete turnover of players and coaches in the past 4-5 years, so why is it the same song and dance? The only thing that is the common denominator is ownership. It seems the Snider loves getting involved in team things where he shouldn't be, but does he not get involved when a team doesn't put in a 60 minute effort so the players think it's ok? Or is it the fact that 90% of the team is signed long term with NTC's and NMC's so nothing can be done to keep them motivated?

I can imagine that. The mental aspect of a serious injury takes longer to get over than the physical aspect a lot of times. Sometimes, players can never get over it.

I know Mike Green had a concussion, which is different, but look how long its taken him to finally look comfortable again.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think the perfect example of this is Eric Lindros. And he even admitted it in an interview after his career.

There is a belief among some NHL scouts that he used to be a fairly pretty physical player (not a savvy one but one who used his size) before all the injuries but now stays away from contact whenever possible because of all the injuries.

I suspect that Berube believes that as well and this -- as much as spotty coverages -- is why he's rotated spots on the ice and pressbox with Gustafsson.
- bmeltzer

That's exactly it. In order to stay in the lineup, he needs to be more physical.

You're not supposed to try to make us feel better about the trade, you're supposed to be gloating about JVR and his 21 goals!
- wolfhounds

I feel like Berube hasn't fully embraced Luke since he took over. He's never really given him an opportunity to step up. He's played third pairing minutes with rotating partners. One week it's Streit, then its Mez, then its Gus.

I'd still like to see Schenn play with Kimmo, Grossman with Coburn and spot the third pairing in more favorable situations.

For years I have been hearing that this team needs to put in a 60 minute effort, yet it seems they only do it a handful of times a season. So, my question is why? We have done a complete turnover of players and coaches in the past 4-5 years, so why is it the same song and dance? The only thing that is the common denominator is ownership. It seems the Snider loves getting involved in team things where he shouldn't be, but does he not get involved when a team doesn't put in a 60 minute effort so the players think it's ok? Or is it the fact that 90% of the team is signed long term with NTC's and NMC's so nothing can be done to keep them motivated?
- Jimmygrazz

Id like to see how many times it's been said about the flyers vs every other team in the league. My thinking is that it's probably a common statement when a team isn't playing well.

I feel like Berube hasn't fully embraced Luke since he took over. He's never really given him an opportunity to step up. He's played third pairing minutes with rotating partners. One week it's Streit, then its Mez, then its Gus.

I'd still like to see Schenn play with Kimmo, Grossman with Coburn and spot the third pairing in more favorable situations.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd give those pairings a shot. More to gain than lose at this point.

Bill, do you think Gus gets resigned?
- youarewrong

He is a RFA. Teams will always sign their NHL or even fringe NHL RFA's unless they are demanding a crazy term or dollar amount. Gus will have little leverage. Unless he gets traded, he is a flyer next year

/cue Barry Ashbee Award defense
- Tomahawk

He may have won the award, but we all know he was the 5th best defenseman on the team behind Pronger, Carle, Coburn and Timo

For years I have been hearing that this team needs to put in a 60 minute effort, yet it seems they only do it a handful of times a season. So, my question is why? We have done a complete turnover of players and coaches in the past 4-5 years, so why is it the same song and dance? The only thing that is the common denominator is ownership. It seems the Snider loves getting involved in team things where he shouldn't be, but does he not get involved when a team doesn't put in a 60 minute effort so the players think it's ok? Or is it the fact that 90% of the team is signed long term with NTC's and NMC's so nothing can be done to keep them motivated?
- Jimmygrazz

To be fair, failing to play 60mins is hardly the sole domain of the Flyers. But yeah, the last part probably doesn't help breed a championship culture.

Id like to see how many times it's been said about the flyers vs every other team in the league. My thinking is that it's probably a common statement when a team isn't playing well.
- funmaster18

There isn't one team in the league that consistently goes out and plays a full 60 minute effort, night-in and night-out. I think certain teams get away with it more than others due to the style they play, the strengths on the team (D or scoring, or whatever), and how good their goaltending is. As we all know, team D and goaltending has not been kind to the Flyers in recent history, and I think that's one of the reasons the Flyers need to work for their wins.

For years I have been hearing that this team needs to put in a 60 minute effort, yet it seems they only do it a handful of times a season. So, my question is why? We have done a complete turnover of players and coaches in the past 4-5 years, so why is it the same song and dance? The only thing that is the common denominator is ownership. It seems the Snider loves getting involved in team things where he shouldn't be, but does he not get involved when a team doesn't put in a 60 minute effort so the players think it's ok? Or is it the fact that 90% of the team is signed long term with NTC's and NMC's so nothing can be done to keep them motivated?
- Jimmygrazz

I think its more like All NHL teams don't put in 60 minute efforts, and its an easy thing for sports writers to blame it on, instead of the other team actaully siezed momentum, or the other team just came out and played harder. Every team is going to have lulls in a game. Sure there may be some games that a team totally dominates, but most games there is going to be some time that any team just doesnt look right. Some teams hide it better because they are up on the score board, or are a stong defensive team, or have a strong goalie that saves them. It's medicore teams that just dont survive the lulls of the game, thus make it seem more obvious. IMO.

He may have won the award, but we all know he was the 5th best defenseman on the team behind Pronger, Carle, Coburn and Timo
- PhillySportsGuy

Dan McGillis won the Barry Ashbee one year... just sayin'.