1.) Stop it. Don't you know the narrative that Steve Mason is bad at goaltending?

2.) With the talk in some outlets about how Mason is the Flyers' most important player, I still maintain that it's Giroux. Even through the first month of last season, when Mason kinda stood on his head, the team floundered because Giroux floundered.
- johndewar

I'd agree about Giroux. Despite that, with Mason, I feel as confident in our tending as I have for a long time (also with Ray being a solid backup).

Yup
Shut down G and the other team is going to win
- Marc D

It wasn't just him last night, though -- Voracek didn't have one of his better games, either

Yup
Shut down G and the other team is going to win
- Marc D

And that's why I get concerned about forward depth and secondary scoring.

Getting a competent fourth line is a step in the right direction too. Bellemare was all over the place last night. I'll be surprised if he's not a fan favorite by December.

Mason starting tonight.

1.) Stop it. Don't you know the narrative that Steve Mason is bad at goaltending?

2.) With the talk in some outlets about how Mason is the Flyers' most important player, I still maintain that it's Giroux. Even through the first month of last season, when Mason kinda stood on his head, the team floundered because Giroux floundered.
- johndewar

Agreed, he is the heart (or motor) of the team. No G no win.

Mason starting tonight.
- PLindbergh31

Ugh. I understand it, but the math on back-to-back starts just isn't kind

It wasn't just him last night, though -- Voracek didn't have one of his better games,
- AllInForFlyers

Jake did create the one goal though

But sure I would have liked to have seen more from both of them

I think both are slow starters

I know it's early but beating NJ would do a lot for my psyche

1.) Stop it. Don't you know the narrative that Steve Mason is bad at goaltending?

2.) With the talk in some outlets about how Mason is the Flyers' most important player, I still maintain that it's Giroux. Even through the first month of last season, when Mason kinda stood on his head, the team floundered because Giroux floundered.
- johndewar

Yeah, while Emery is a step down, the loss of Giroux would be a long term catastrophe.

IMO, their 5 most important players are:

1. Giroux
World class superstar centers who can play in all situations are simply irreplaceable.

2. Mason
Ray Emery cannot backstop this team to a playoff berth as a long term #1

3. Couturier
His loss both at ES and on the PK would be devastating. Scott Laughton, at age 20, cannot come close to replacing what Couturier gives the Flyers on a nightly basis.

4. Coburn
Rip him all you want. But he plays the hardest minutes against the toughest competition every game. If he goes down, Schenn-AMac is your new top pair and Streit and MDZ are seeing regular time on the PK. Ponder that one for a bit!

5. Simmonds
Not so much for what he brings at ES, though his combo of skill, grit and heart is pretty damned impressive. His loss on the PP though would be huge as no one else can come close to what he does as well as he does it.

Jake did create the one goal though

But sure I would have liked to have seen more from both of them

I think both are slow starters

I know it's early but beating NJ would do a lot for my psyche
- Marc D

Same. I think it would help the team to win tonight, as well. Playing teams on back to back nights that force you to play in a phone booth (a style that has killed the Flyers in recent years) isn't easy, so a win would probably help the team's confidence in what they are doing.

"The NHL doesn't need to do this."
"That's why the LTIR exemption exists in the CBA."
"I'm right."
- jmatchett383

This sentiment is so new and refreshing! Hope to see it in many future comments to come!

Jake did create the one goal though

But sure I would have liked to have seen more from both of them

I think both are slow starters

I know it's early but beating NJ would do a lot for my psyche
- Marc D

It would be nice, but I just hate that they played last night, expended a lot of energy, against a good team

They will have to be disciplined, be sound tonight. I think New Jersey has speed issues, but guys like Cammalleri and Elias and Ryder are just so freaking opportunistic, any breakdowns could be very costly

2. Mason
Ray Emery cannot backstop this team to a playoff berth as a long term #1
- BiggE

How hilarious would it be if a Mase injury led them to sign Marty Brodeur.

How hilarious would it be if a Mase injury led them to sign Marty Brodeur.
- Tomahawk

I'd start drinking and never stop

- -davies-

So much for the "no-hands" critique.

How hilarious would it be if a Mase injury led them to sign Marty Brodeur.
- Tomahawk

Maybe Plus will. You know? Coburn for a pick, Plus?
- NickTheKid87

That plus is just a red cross wannabe and you know it!

I'd start drinking and never stop
- Jsaquella

You mean I need a REASON to do that!

- -davies-

That gif shows how amazing the NHL truly is -- Simmonds made a world-class move, maybe had Rask beat if it was inside the post, yet the B' backside defender saw what was happening and got his stick in there, while Rask still was tracking it. Even the B's defender who got deked still spun around to track the puck

Just so little time out there at full speed

Coburn is the Flyers best defenseman, but he's not a # 1 dman. Asking him to be an anchor on a top pairing is unfair, especially when his partner isn't very good.
- PLindbergh31

This is true. I'm just not sure trading Coburn for Evander Kane or a draft pick is a solution to that problem. I believe that was a trade proposition someone made earlier in this thread.

- -davies-

Bookmarked. Holy goddamn

You mean I need a REASON to do that!
- BiggE

No, but it'd give your loved ones an excuse to tell the neighbors

- -davies-

Look Lt Dan....Magic Hands

This is true. I'm just not sure trading Coburn for Evander Kane or a draft pick is a solution to that problem. I believe that was a trade proposition someone made earlier in this thread.
- mcefalu

I don't think Coburn would get you Kane. I would like to keep Coburn, if they can somehow acquire a top pairing stud, Coburn would be a solid # 2 guy.

I'm already encouraged by the Flyers start to the season compared to last year.

Losing by one goal to arguably the best team in the East is not ideal, but hard to complain about that kind of effort.

Last year the Flyers looked dismal in their first several games. If G's line can clean up the flubbed passes, defensemen correct their blatant positional mistakes (Coburn on first PK) and Mason keeps up this level of play, the out look is brighter than I initially expected.