Haven't seen him yet, but my goodness, it was great to hear so many different voices all united in saying how good he looked
- AllInForFlyers

He's smooth on his skates and with the puck.

Of course, this could be because we are used to seeing some of our defensemen handle the puck like it's a grenade, but you get the idea. The kid looks like he's got something.

Haven't seen him yet, but my goodness, it was great to hear so many different voices all united in saying how good he looked
- AllInForFlyers

His skating was excellent and his passing was sharp, but what really stood out was his poise under pressure. He made quick, smart plays with the puck and didn't seem to be fazed in the slightest by NHL forechecking.

If he can come to camp with another 10-15 lbs of muscle on his frame next year, he's going make the Flyers brass make some tough decisions.

AKA: "The Legion of Poon"
- johndewar

Devastating on and off the ice

Especially these guys...

- hockeylover

Fun fact: they're not all gay

He's smooth on his skates and with the puck.

Of course, this could be because we are used to seeing some of our defensemen handle the puck like it's a grenade, but you get the idea. The kid looks like he's got something.
- johndewar

His skating was excellent and his passing was sharp, but what really stood out was his poise under pressure. He made quick, smart plays with the puck and didn't seem to be fazed in the slightest by NHL forechecking.

If he can come to camp with another 10-15 lbs of muscle on his frame next year, he's going make the Flyers brass make some tough decisions.

You boys are going to make this aging man shed more tears of joy this fine fall afternoon

Anyone know how umberger looked last night?

Anyone know how umberger looked last night?
- Philly2088

Struggled early, looked better as the game went on.

He's got something left in the tank. Still don't really like him with Vinny though

Struggled early, looked better as the game went on.

He's got something left in the tank. Still don't really like him with Vinny though
- Jsaquella

With you there. If they are going to use VLC with Akeson, I want as much speed as possible on the other wing. I would go with Raffl or Bellemare

Struggled early, looked better as the game went on.

He's got something left in the tank. Still don't really like him with Vinny though
- Jsaquella

I like the way bellemare sounded since I listened to that game. Curios what him and raffl would look like with vinny. Is umberger 4th line material though?

I think what has me most excited is that, for as long as my memory serves back to 1979 -- and I'm certain someone is going to correct me if I'm wrong -- but I don't think the Flyers have ever had an elite defense for multiple years, along with an in-prime goalie.

For instance, yes, I hate the Rags. But I freely admit those boys had an elite defense corps and goaltender for the last few seasons, and that definitely got them to the Cup final.

The Flyers have always been able to find forwards who can get the job done, and without tanking to do it -- I mean, think about it: Claude Giroux was a Hart finalist last year, as a 22nd overall pick! It's not that it never happens, but usually guys drafted in the first five or so picks on any given draft are just physically gifted AND driven AND productive.

But with this defense, with the way some of the prospects look and just by the sheer volume of them, some of them are going to pan out, right? To the degree where maybe, just maybe, if Steve Mason continues to play well as a Flyer, they might have a truly balanced roster, an elite one, in maybe...three years? And if Couturier and Schenn explode, it could be sustainable?

Yeah, there are some "ifs" in there -- there always are. But when you look at where the defense was in the playoffs just three seasons ago, or when we've had to try to trick ourselves that maybe Oliver Lauridsen just needs to get a shot because we don't have anyone else to pull for in the system...this is a lot different, and better, right?

I think what has me most excited is that, for as long as my memory serves back to 1979 -- and I'm certain someone is going to correct me if I'm wrong -- but I don't think the Flyers have ever had an elite defense for multiple years, along with an in-prime goalie.

For instance, yes, I hate the Rags. But I freely admit those boys had an elite defense corps and goaltender for the last few seasons, and that definitely got them to the Cup final.

The Flyers have always been able to find forwards who can get the job done, and without tanking to do it -- I mean, think about it: Claude Giroux was a Hart finalist last year, as a 22nd overall pick! It's not that it never happens, but usually guys drafted in the first five or so picks on any given draft are just physically gifted AND driven AND productive.

But with this defense, with the way some of the prospects look and just by the sheer volume of them, some of them are going to pan out, right? To the degree where maybe, just maybe, if Steve Mason continues to play well as a Flyer, they might have a truly balanced roster, an elite one, in maybe...three years? And if Couturier and Schenn explode, it could be sustainable?

Yeah, there are some "ifs" in there -- there always are. But when you look at where the defense was in the playoffs just three seasons ago, or when we've had to try to trick ourselves that maybe Oliver Lauridsen just needs to get a shot because we don't have anyone else to pull for in the system...this is a lot different, and better, right?
- AllInForFlyers

Last time they had both an elite defense and elite goalie was the mid 80s.
In goal they first had Lindbergh then Hextall and on D they had Howe, McCrimmon, Marsh, Crossman and later Samuelsson.

What that team really lacked was a top flight center. They had good ones, but never did they have a real 1st line center during that era.

Well, off to practice with one of my singers. Should hopefully be home by the start of the 2nd.

Struggled early, looked better as the game went on.

He's got something left in the tank. Still don't really like him with Vinny though
- Jsaquella

Really? Ugh. You don't think he's going to be able to be the puck carrier for Vinny on that line, since that isn't something that Vinny does particularly well at this point?

Because it becomes a little harder to see Vinny becoming net neutral on this roster if Umberger's not a fit. I hope Akeson gets a real shot at making the team, and maybe something like Raffl-Lecavalier-Akeson could work...but man. That means your wings are little on the smallish side and Vinny would have to be a man down low, defensively.

Man. They really need for Umberger to connect with Vinny. They really need for that to happen.

Puts life in perspective. Also, hockey players are the best.
- hockeylover

They really are though

With you there. If they are going to use VLC with Akeson, I want as much speed as possible on the other wing. I would go with Raffl or Bellemare
- BiggE

I've stated my preferred lines many times

Raffl looked great last night, except he tried to do too much on a couple plays. He's flying out of the gate

His skating was excellent and his passing was sharp, but what really stood out was his poise under pressure. He made quick, smart plays with the puck and didn't seem to be fazed in the slightest by NHL forechecking.

If he can come to camp with another 10-15 lbs of muscle on his frame next year, he's going make the Flyers brass make some tough decisions.
- BiggE

There was one moment in the first I believe it was where he pivoted way from a forward behind the net and made a smooth, quick pass to his partner. The poise he showed there really caught my attention.

I like the way bellemare sounded since I listened to that game. Curios what him and raffl would look like with vinny. Is umberger 4th line material though?
- Philly2088

Bellemare & Rinaldo were really effective with Akeson. They got good zone time and created chances.

Really? Ugh. You don't think he's going to be able to be the puck carrier for Vinny on that line, since that isn't something that Vinny does particularly well at this point?

Because it becomes a little harder to see Vinny becoming net neutral on this roster if Umberger's not a fit. I hope Akeson gets a real shot at making the team, and maybe something like Raffl-Lecavalier-Akeson could work...but man. That means your wings are little on the smallish side and Vinny would have to be a man down low, defensively.

Man. They really need for Umberger to connect with Vinny. They really need for that to happen.
- AllInForFlyers

My gut says he he can't be the kind of puck carrier that Vinny's line would need, but he did skate well and seemed to get more comfortable as the game progressed.

Really? Ugh. You don't think he's going to be able to be the puck carrier for Vinny on that line, since that isn't something that Vinny does particularly well at this point?

Because it becomes a little harder to see Vinny becoming net neutral on this roster if Umberger's not a fit. I hope Akeson gets a real shot at making the team, and maybe something like Raffl-Lecavalier-Akeson could work...but man. That means your wings are little on the smallish side and Vinny would have to be a man down low, defensively.

Man. They really need for Umberger to connect with Vinny. They really need for that to happen.
- AllInForFlyers

I really don't see that as a problem. I think they compliment each other nicely, if they play together.

Fun fact: they're not all gay
- Tomahawk

Yeah, wasn't the Navy guy married to Mrs Huxtable?

Bellemare & Rinaldo were really effective with Akeson. They got good zone time and created chances.
- Jsaquella

Doesn't sound like rinaldo was losing his temper like usual as well. I liked that.

Doesn't sound like rinaldo was losing his temper like usual as well. I liked that.
- Philly2088

He was very composed in a game that got fairly chippy at the end. Stayed focused and out of trouble.

I guess I will also ask how vinny looked. I see the points but that doesnt always tell the tale.

I guess I will also ask how vinny looked. I see the points but that doesnt always tell the tale.
- Philly2088

Look great on the PP. Mediocre at 5 on 5. To be fair, the whole team looked pretty mediocre at 5 on 5

I guess I will also ask how vinny looked. I see the points but that doesnt always tell the tale.
- Philly2088

Looked much stronger on his skates and was moving well. Even made a couple of good defensive plays in his own end. Very encouraging, but very early. Offensive instincts are still there of course,