plenty o' goals this period.

edit: they don't show the score, but what is it, 7-1 now?
- wilsonecho91

Michael Joly is having a career night. I believe he's draft eligible.

Michael Joly is having a career night. I believe he's draft eligible.
- ob18

He is indeed a 2014 eligible

He is indeed a 2014 eligible
- Jsaquella

1 goal & 6 assists so far

He is indeed a 2014 eligible
- Jsaquella

Nikolaj Ehlers (Halifax) had 4 points tonight 2 goals & 2 assists.

Nikolaj Ehlers (Halifax) had 4 points tonight 2 goals & 2 assists.
- ob18

I saw the tweet, but thanks for the update

I saw the tweet, but thanks for the update
- Jsaquella

Just awesome watching his game.

IMO JVR is playing better for the stars and stripes than P Kane.

IMO JVR is playing better for the stars and stripes than P Kane.
- bird_dog_pa

I dont think there is any question of that. Kane has been largely ineffective. I think Kessel has been their best forward game in game out.

Its not that Kane has been bad, in fact I think they have all played pretty well as a team.

He is indeed a 2014 eligible
- Jsaquella

Just asked Craig Button about him and he said

"I think Michael has good scoring abilities & instincts. He is one of those players because of scoring talent should be watched."

Just asked Craig Button about him and he said

"I think Michael has good scoring abilities & instincts. He is one of those players because of scoring talent should be watched."
- ob18

Joly Akeson

Final

Sherbrooke - 3
Rimouski - 9

An assist for Morin

JvR has looked solid all tournament. Makes me wish Homer never traded him. Not that I don't like L. Schenn, but I think JvR is going to be an absolute monster and Schenn will be ok.

JvR has looked solid all tournament. Makes me wish Homer never traded him. Not that I don't like L. Schenn, but I think JvR is going to be an absolute monster and Schenn will be ok.
- LJF

The Flyers didn't get value or fill a highly pressing need when they made that trade.

I agree that JvR's ceiling is higher than Schenn's, and further, that JvR is more likely to reach his ceiling than Schenn. That's troublesome.

Further, Schenn is a young defenseman and a righty shot, both of which were needed. But the real need was to get a mobile guy, who had good puck skills and could either replace Timonen when he retired or replace Carle if he ended up leaving via free agency.

Schenn added another less mobile(Grossmann, Meszaros), defense first (Grossmann, Coburn) guy who isn't more than average in transition(all of them).

Had they landed Suter or Weber, it's not as big a deal...but they didn't.

The Flyers didn't get value or fill a highly pressing need when they made that trade.

I agree that JvR's ceiling is higher than Schenn's, and further, that JvR is more likely to reach his ceiling than Schenn. That's troublesome.

Further, Schenn is a young defenseman and a righty shot, both of which were needed. But the real need was to get a mobile guy, who had good puck skills and could either replace Timonen when he retired or replace Carle if he ended up leaving via free agency.

Schenn added another less mobile(Grossmann, Meszaros), defense first (Grossmann, Coburn) guy who isn't more than average in transition(all of them).

Had they landed Suter or Weber, it's not as big a deal...but they didn't.
- Jsaquella

I remember when the Downie trade was being discussed, and some were criticizing the deal, because it was a trade that didn't address the bigger need of the team. Those that didn't like the deal because of that were told that just because it doesn't fill a bigger need, doesn't mean it was a bad deal. Right now JVR is ahead of the curve in regards to where Schenn is. But that can change. What can also change is the makeup of the defense. I don't think players like Grossmann are going to be here forever. And defenseman take time, sometimes longer then forwards do, to reach their potential. And Schenn is still pretty young for a defenseman. Many have hopes for some of the defensive prospects such as Oliver Lauridsen for the future. Luke Schenn is younger then Lauridsen. So Schenn still has plenty of room for developing into a more consistent high minute defensman. And If Schenn reaches his potential, which I guess can be debated. I think that is a more valuable player then a goal scoring Winger of JVR's caliber. Keeping in mind that JVR may not have reached his apex either. Adding a young defenseman as a piece of the future was absolutely a top need of the team. Even if that player is not a mobile puck mover. YOu need both kinds of defenseman to build a top defense. Bottom line for me is that even if the deal is slanted towards Toronto's side of the ledger right now. The final outcome has not been decided. And time will tell in the final verdict of the deal. But that time is not now.

I remember when the Downie trade was being discussed, and some were criticizing the deal, because it was a trade that didn't address the bigger need of the team. Those that didn't like the deal because of that were told that just because it doesn't fill a bigger need, doesn't mean it was a bad deal. Right now JVR is ahead of the curve in regards to where Schenn is. But that can change. What can also change is the makeup of the defense. I don't think players like Grossmann are going to be here forever. And defenseman take time, sometimes longer then forwards do, to reach their potential. And Schenn is still pretty young for a defenseman. Many have hopes for some of the defensive prospects such as Oliver Lauridsen for the future. Luke Schenn is younger then Lauridsen. So Schenn still has plenty of room for developing into a more consistent high minute defensman. And If Schenn reaches his potential, which I guess can be debated. I think that is a more valuable player then a goal scoring Winger of JVR's caliber. Keeping in mind that JVR may not have reached his apex either. Adding a young defenseman as a piece of the future was absolutely a top need of the team. Even if that player is not a mobile puck mover. YOu need both kinds of defenseman to build a top defense. Bottom line for me is that even if the deal is slanted towards Toronto's side of the ledger right now. The final outcome has not been decided. And time will tell in the final verdict of the deal. But that time is not now.
- MJL

I agree the trade can't be called either way yet. It's hard to watch JvR continue to improve while Schenn has taken a step backwards this year. Last year it looked to be an even trade, Schenn was one of the bright spots nog this year.

I agree the trade can't be called either way yet. It's hard to watch JvR continue to improve while Schenn has taken a step backwards this year. Last year it looked to be an even trade, Schenn was one of the bright spots nog this year.
- LJF

It is tough. But we knew they traded a good young forward when they made the deal. Always read talk about patience, and wanting the Flyers to be patient with players. Maybe they lost it with JVR and made a bad deal. Maybe that's how it will play out. But if Schenn develops consistency and becomes the player he was down the stretch last Season, and even better. Then it was a good deal. Even if he's not a smooth skating puck mover. But I think that same patience is required here. And see what happens.

It is tough. But we knew they traded a good young forward when they made the deal. Always read talk about patience, and wanting the Flyers to be patient with players. Maybe they lost it with JVR an made a bad deal. Maybe that's how it will play out. But if Schenn develops consistency and becomes the player he was down the stretch last Season, and even better. Then it was a good deal. Even if he's not a smooth skating puck mover. But I think that same patience is required here. And see what happens.
- MJL

i know we disagree on this, but i have a hard time seeing how weber wouldnt be worth two roster forwards if one of them isnt couturier. does the age factor into the equation? or is it strictly about preserving depth

I still believe in Luke Schenn.

I think he took a step back in development being brought up in Toronto and being in the spotlight. Philly certainly isn't helping him, but as long as they have someone like Timonen or a Streit, he'll be fine. He's only what? 24? Come on...guys don't start performing at high levels at this position right away. Ups and downs.

I still believe in Luke Schenn.

I think he took a step back in development being brought up in Toronto and being in the spotlight. Philly certainly isn't helping him, but as long as they have someone like Timonen or a Streit, he'll be fine. He's only what? 24? Come on...guys don't start performing at high levels at this position right away. Ups and downs.
- KGBflyers10

Shush he's going to be a bust and you know it. Everyone knows it.

Don't you read the tabloids?

Shush he's going to be a bust and you know it. Everyone knows it.

Don't you read the tabloids?
- Giroux_Is_God

I just like the fact that there were a few good people in here who wanted to get rid of JVR outright, or had no problem with the trade because JVR took too long to pan out and was too injured.

The Flyers aren't one of the faster teams, but they certainly aren't one of the slowest teams. And they aren't slow as a whole. I watched the last few games against LA, SJ, and Colorado, and they didn't look slow to me.
- MJL

when they come to play the forwards have some wheels. the defense on the other hand.....

I still believe in Luke Schenn.

I think he took a step back in development being brought up in Toronto and being in the spotlight. Philly certainly isn't helping him, but as long as they have someone like Timonen or a Streit, he'll be fine. He's only what? 24? Come on...guys don't start performing at high levels at this position right away. Ups and downs.
- KGBflyers10

It's not a matter of believing in him or not. A top line winger who can score 30 goals every year should be worth more in trade than a second pair defensive defenseman with average puck skills and mobility.

To, me on of the two big factors are the potential ceiling each player has. I think JvR will develop into a 30 goal a year, top line winger. He might lack the physicality of other guys his size, but will be productive.

Schenn, on the other hand, seems to lack both the hockey sense and ability to move the puck that a top pair guy requires. His mobility is also somewhat of an issue. Doesn't mean he can't be a very solid second pair guy, but he's very unlikely to end up as the next Adam Foote, as was once his projected ceiling.

The other big factor, at least in terms of the trade is, how well was an asset spent? In this case, I don't feel the Flyers got full value for an asset with van Riemsdyk's potential. Even if Schenn did fill the need for a young defenseman and a right handed shot, those needs were secondary ones.

The Flyers had a solid stay at home type in Grossmann, who was 26. They had a good, mobile defnsive defenseman with good size in Coburn, who was 27. They had a productive, if injury prone guy in Meszaros who wasn't exactly mobile at age 27.

The mobile guys were the 37 year old Kimmo Timonen, the soon to be UFA Matt Carle and rookie Erik Gustafsson. At the very least, you spend an asset like JvR to replace Timonen or Carle, because, quite honestly, a stay at home defenseman isn't exactly rare or expensive. Replacing a Timonen or Carle, even, requires a fairly significant cost

So, while the book isn't closed on the trade, the early returns are not exactly encouraging and the future prospects look to play out the same way.

Olympic predictions FWIW

Semis
US 4 - Canada 2
Finland 3 - Sweden 2

Bronze Medal game
Sweden 3 - Canada 2 via a shootout

Gold Medal game
US 3 - Finland 1

Canada declares a national day of mourning!

when they come to play the forwards have some wheels. the defense on the other hand.....
- moylander

The puck moves faster then anyone can skate.

It's not a matter of believing in him or not. A top line winger who can score 30 goals every year should be worth more in trade than a second pair defensive defenseman with average puck skills and mobility.

To, me on of the two big factors are the potential ceiling each player has. I think JvR will develop into a 30 goal a year, top line winger. He might lack the physicality of other guys his size, but will be productive.

Schenn, on the other hand, seems to lack both the hockey sense and ability to move the puck that a top pair guy requires. His mobility is also somewhat of an issue. Doesn't mean he can't be a very solid second pair guy, but he's very unlikely to end up as the next Adam Foote, as was once his projected ceiling.

The other big factor, at least in terms of the trade is, how well was an asset spent? In this case, I don't feel the Flyers got full value for an asset with van Riemsdyk's potential. Even if Schenn did fill the need for a young defenseman and a right handed shot, those needs were secondary ones.

The Flyers had a solid stay at home type in Grossmann, who was 26. They had a good, mobile defnsive defenseman with good size in Coburn, who was 27. They had a productive, if injury prone guy in Meszaros who wasn't exactly mobile at age 27.

The mobile guys were the 37 year old Kimmo Timonen, the soon to be UFA Matt Carle and rookie Erik Gustafsson. At the very least, you spend an asset like JvR to replace Timonen or Carle, because, quite honestly, a stay at home defenseman isn't exactly rare or expensive. Replacing a Timonen or Carle, even, requires a fairly significant cost

So, while the book isn't closed on the trade, the early returns are not exactly encouraging and the future prospects look to play out the same way.
- Jsaquella

I think the Flyers see Schenn in the future as more then a 2nd pair defenseman. And I agree with them. We'll see if it pans out. So it seems as though the issue is that Schenn isn't the right type of defenseman, more then anything. Grossmann gets labeled a 3rd pair defenseman, so why isn't adding a young physical defensman that can hopefully be a lot better player then Grossmann, a good move?