Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/24/14 vs. Los Angeles

Let's go Flyers!

Get it done one more time...

I had just posted the following on the last thread, when the new blog came up, so I'm moving it over here. Also you should all check Paul Stewarts latest piece, its a worthy read.

So here are my early picks for the Flyers end of season awards, thoughts?

Class Guy Award: Vincent Lacavalier
This award is picked by the media, and outside of Bill, they are a pretty clueless bunch, but VL is nothing if not a class act. I could easily see this award go to Timonen as well.

Yanick Dupre Award: Sean Couturier
This award goes to the most improved player on the squad. To me, no one has shown more improvement in their game this year than Couturier. He has taken it to the next level. Also in the running thought should be Brayden Schenn

Barry Ashbee Award: Braydon Coburn
For best dman, to me, it was a 2 horse race between Coburn and Timonen. I'm giving it to Coburn because of the work he does on the PK and because he leads all Dmen in even strength and PK ice time.

Bobby Clarke Trophy: Claude Giroux
For MVP, the captain gets the trophy. A month ago I might have gone with Mason and Simmonds deserves some consideration as well, but over the last month or 2, Giroux has taken his game to a new level and he is just carrying this team to new heights.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/24/14 vs. Los Angeles
- bmeltzer

I'm surprised to see Dustin Brown on the 4th line. Has he played that poorly or have the other wingers played that well?

I'm surprised to see Dustin Brown on the 4th line. Has he played that poorly or have the other wingers played that well?
- BiggE

OMG -- he's signed to an EIGHT-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION THAT STARTS NEXT SEASON AT $5.875 PER.

UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

L.A.'s got to be looking at him and Mike Richards and wondering WTF

I'm surprised to see Dustin Brown on the 4th line. Has he played that poorly or have the other wingers played that well?
- BiggE

His point totals are definitely down, but it's probably also similar to the Raffl situation: to have a competitive 4th line.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/pl...&status=&viewName=summary

OMG -- he's signed to an EIGHT-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION THAT STARTS NEXT SEASON AT $5.875 PER.

UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

L.A.'s got to be looking at him and Mike Richards and wondering WTF
- AllInForFlyers

But Dean Lombardi never makes mistakes.

It would be interesting to see how the Kings would be viewed if they missed the playoffs instead of winning the Cup.

His point totals are definitely down, but it's probably also similar to the Raffl situation: to have a competitive 4th line.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/pl...&status=&viewName=summary
- wolfhounds

Richards is the only minus regular on the team.

Let's GO FLYERS!

I'm looking forward to the game tonight.

Let's GO FLYERS!

I'm looking forward to the game tonight.
- FlyersGrace

Should be a good game tonight, have fun!

This isn't the first time Frick and Frack have been back in Philly, is it?

Should be a good game tonight, have fun!

This isn't the first time Frick and Frack have been back in Philly, is it?
- johndewar

First for Carter. Second for Richards. So First time together.

Richards is the only minus regular on the team.
- PhillySportsGuy

He's definitely fallen off a bit, but I don't doubt he's going to bust his ass to make sure his old team loses at home.

This is going to be another hard-hitting game tonight.

Should be a good game tonight, have fun!

This isn't the first time Frick and Frack have been back in Philly, is it?
- johndewar

First time for Carter, Second time for Richie

It's surprising how much Richards' game seems to have slipped. He's still been solid, but he doesn't look like the guy capable of stepping up and delivering plays like The Shift on a semi-regular basis.

Not sure if it's wear & tear or if he's dinged up, but he hasn't been anywhere near the guy he was as a Flyer or even his first year in El Lay

Interesting lineup for the Kings.

He's definitely fallen off a bit, but I don't doubt he's going to bust his ass to make sure his old team loses at home.

This is going to be another hard-hitting game tonight.
- wolfhounds

I know. I hope the team has healed up from playing the Blues and I hope they still have something left in the tank when they head to New York. Beating the Rangers in regulation would really put them in the drivers seat for #2 in the Metro.

It's surprising how much Richards' game seems to have slipped. He's still been solid, but he doesn't look like the guy capable of stepping up and delivering plays like The Shift on a semi-regular basis.

Not sure if it's wear & tear or if he's dinged up, but he hasn't been anywhere near the guy he was as a Flyer or even his first year in El Lay
- Jsaquella

It may be the system too. Kings have some offensive talent, but they're 28th in scoring. 1st in GA

OMG -- he's signed to an EIGHT-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION THAT STARTS NEXT SEASON AT $5.875 PER.

UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

L.A.'s got to be looking at him and Mike Richards and wondering WTF
- AllInForFlyers

Those guys were pretty instrumental in winning a Cup for LA. Can't put a price tag on that.

I had just posted the following on the last thread, when the new blog came up, so I'm moving it over here. Also you should all check Paul Stewarts latest piece, its a worthy read.

So here are my early picks for the Flyers end of season awards, thoughts?

Class Guy Award: Vincent Lacavalier
This award is picked by the media, and outside of Bill, they are a pretty clueless bunch, but VL is nothing if not a class act. I could easily see this award go to Timonen as well.

Yanick Dupre Award: Sean Couturier
This award goes to the most improved player on the squad. To me, no one has shown more improvement in their game this year than Couturier. He has taken it to the next level. Also in the running thought should be Brayden Schenn

Barry Ashbee Award: Braydon Coburn
For best dman, to me, it was a 2 horse race between Coburn and Timonen. I'm giving it to Coburn because of the work he does on the PK and because he leads all Dmen in even strength and PK ice time.

Bobby Clarke Trophy: Claude Giroux
For MVP, the captain gets the trophy. A month ago I might have gone with Mason and Simmonds deserves some consideration as well, but over the last month or 2, Giroux has taken his game to a new level and he is just carrying this team to new heights.
- BiggE

If both Mason and Giroux continue playing stellar hockey to the end it will be a tough decision between the two. Mason helped them in the beginning of the season allowing them to be in running for the playoffs. Giroux is helping now and keeping them in the running for the playoffs.

It's surprising how much Richards' game seems to have slipped. He's still been solid, but he doesn't look like the guy capable of stepping up and delivering plays like The Shift on a semi-regular basis.

Not sure if it's wear & tear or if he's dinged up, but he hasn't been anywhere near the guy he was as a Flyer or even his first year in El Lay
- Jsaquella

Icetime, teammates and style of play probably are the biggest culprits. Being a featured offensive player on a deep, Laviolette-led team probably doesn't hurt the point totals. Playing behind Kopi-beast on a Darryl Sutter team... not so much.

Icetime, teammates and style of play probably are the biggest culprits. Being a featured offensive player on a deep, Laviolette-led team probably doesn't hurt the point totals. Playing behind Kopi-beast on a Darryl Sutter team... not so much.
- Tomahawk

True, but even more than points, He's not doing the Richie things he used to do on a regular basis. It's like he just another solid top 9 guy

Icetime, teammates and style of play probably are the biggest culprits. Being a featured offensive player on a deep, Laviolette-led team probably doesn't hurt the point totals. Playing behind Kopi-beast on a Darryl Sutter team... not so much.
- Tomahawk

All good points but 30+ games without a goal is frightening.

Those guys were pretty instrumental in winning a Cup for LA. Can't put a price tag on that.
- PLindbergh31

Sure you can. Fans can idolize the guy, managers need to avoid sentimentality.

Those guys were pretty instrumental in winning a Cup for LA. Can't put a price tag on that.
- PLindbergh31

But still...Brown turns 30 next year. That's...yeah, they won the Cup. But yikes. That's...wow.

They're definitely paying for that bad boy...their long-term commitments are significant.

All good points but 30+ games without a goal is frightening.
- twotoekenn

Exactly -- I can't think of a single way to spin that into a positive. That's horrific.