Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 10/9/14 vs. NJ; Flyers-Bruins Wrapup and More
- bmeltzer

Disappointed we came away with zero points despite a decent effort. We really need th e2 pts tonight vs NJ.

As for the Hexy story, his play that year made me a Flyers fan for life. It still blows me away that Gretz called him the best tender he'd ever played against to that point.

1 game and the asinine trade proposals have already started. You really think our PK would be better if it was LSchenn out there for 4 minutes a game instead of Coburn?
- Feanor

I didnt say trade Coburn. I just never saw him as some great defenseman. If anything he has just as many flaws as the rest of them.

Coburn is the defenseman and should have had the presence in mind to stay put while watching the other 3 players collapse down low. He was the last one to bite and it was pretty much his man that was left wide open. YES. It was his fault.
- GOA88

Cool. Trade him and BSchenn for Kane, call up Ghost, and then our PK defense will be.

MacDonald-LSchenn
Grossmann-Streit

I'm sure Mason and Emery will be thrilled.

Coburn is the defenseman and should have had the presence in mind to stay put while watching the other 3 players collapse down low. He was the last one to bite and it was pretty much his man that was left wide open. YES. It was his fault.
- GOA88

So because 2 other players were in the wrong spot, and he was the 3rd player to go to the wrong spot, we need to jettison him ASAP? In that case, we need to get rid of Giroux immediately for not getting anything done offensively.

The NHL can just make things up as they go along, as shown with the Kovalchuk contract punishment, and subsequent lessing of said punishment. There's not a chance any of this Pronger stuff will effect the Flyers negatively IMO
- eayost

Kovalchuk affected the Devils negatively, even though they got the first rounder back.

That said, it appears they are talking about creating a new rule to allow Pronger to remain on LTIR while working for the NHL.

I actually thought Umberger made several strong plays with the puck in the offensive zone. He's not as skilled as Akeson, but he used his size,strength and speed to get the puck in dangerous positions.
- Feanor

I agree with that. Maybe send Raffl to the 4th line and move up Akeson. Just needed a little more finish on that line.

I actually thought Umberger made several strong plays with the puck in the offensive zone. He's not as skilled as Akeson, but he used his size,strength and speed to get the puck in dangerous positions.
- Feanor

I thought so, too -- Umberger's skating looked fine, which I had read that some were questioning. He looked like an NHL player to me -- not quite sure about the hands after one game, but he killed penalties and looked effective to me.

If he had played lousy in between the penalties I'd agree, but IMO he was good enough (actually created some nice things) that I'd have the talk with him, but let him at it again, given it's a new season/fresh start and all.
- eayost

He did some nice things in between the penalties no doubt, but when you are a fringe player, you can't afford to pull that undisciplined crap. I can't believe he led the team in SOG last night. That's not a good thing.

So because 2 other players were in the wrong spot, and he was the 3rd player to go to the wrong spot, we need to jettison him ASAP? In that case, we need to get rid of Giroux immediately for not getting anything done offensively.
- jmatchett383

Read my comments people. I never said trade him.

He did some nice things in between the penalties no doubt, but when you are a fringe player, you can't afford to pull that undisciplined crap. I can't believe he led the team in SOG last night. That's not a good thing.
- PLindbergh31

I don't appreciate your partially optimistic review.

I didnt say trade Coburn. I just never saw him as some great defenseman. If anything he has just as many flaws as the rest of them.
- GOA88

Being this team's best defenseman doesn't necessarily mean he's a great defenseman. He made a mistake on the first goal. I've seen Chris Pronger and Mark Howe make dumb, rookie mistakes that led to goals against.

That said, Coburn is usually one of their more reliable defensemen. But, no, he's far from great

Read my comments people. I never said trade him.
- GOA88

Okay. Let's lay blame solely on him for something that was the result of 3 people doing the wrong thing.

Better?

1 game and the asinine trade proposals have already started. You really think our PK would be better if it was LSchenn out there for 4 minutes a game instead of Coburn?
- Feanor

YES! Coburn, B. Schenn and Laughton NOW!

Streit too, and AMAC, and Couterier and the ass grabber!

Mason if he looks at me funny next game!



Seriously, that is the worst trade proposal I have heard in a while. I know I'm a homer too. Schenn alone could be just as good as Kane. Not sure I would do a 1-1 swap honestly.

just saw the wining goal. what a bunch of motherfng horse crap.
- hammarby31

This

Being this team's best defenseman doesn't necessarily mean he's a great defenseman. He made a mistake on the first goal. I've seen Chris Pronger and Mark Howe make dumb, rookie mistakes that led to goals against.

That said, Coburn is usually one of their more reliable defensemen. But, no, he's far from great
- Jsaquella

This. He's basically the tallest midget when it comes to top defenders on this team. He's made mistakes before and he will again. But he's the best we've got.

Watching the game I figured the numbers wouldn't be good, but Bergeron and Giroux at the dot.... Yikes...

I didnt say trade Coburn. I just never saw him as some great defenseman. If anything he has just as many flaws as the rest of them.
- GOA88

Coburn is a good NHL d man....Its not his fault that him and Macdonald are the one-two pairing....thats an average pairing even for a second unit....The Flyers were unable to upgrade their D in the off season and it will continue to be an achillies heel until they are able too change some personel ....But Coburn is not one I would want to see leave...he's the best we got....yikes!

YES! Coburn, B. Schenn and Laughton NOW!

Streit too, and AMAC, and Couterier and the ass grabber!

Mason if he looks at me funny next game!



Seriously, that is the worst trade proposal I have heard in a while. I know I'm a homer too. Schenn alone could be just as good as Kane. Not sure I would do a 1-1 swap honestly.
- coffee junkie

But we're one game in and we lost by a goal to an Eastern Conference powerhouse. We need to abandon ship immediately.

He did some nice things in between the penalties no doubt, but when you are a fringe player, you can't afford to pull that undisciplined crap. I can't believe he led the team in SOG last night. That's not a good thing.
- PLindbergh31

You can see why most coaches love him -- he constantly moves his feet, and he isn't afraid of contact. I've never questioned his work ethic or courage. That guy isn't soft.

But man, he just takes poop too far. He just does, and last night, for all the good things he did, it's kinda tough to ignore that the Flyers and B's played pretty evenly except for the PP goal that had them trailing much of the night.

I don't appreciate your partially optimistic review.
- jmatchett383

I suckered him into saying something nice about Rinaldo

In seriousness though, the point is taken. I was just as frustrated as everyone else when the penalty was taken, let alone a goal coming off it. But, the play afterwards was a bright spot to build upon here. The 4th line was generally pretty good

I agree with that. Maybe send Raffl to the 4th line and move up Akeson. Just needed a little more finish on that line.
- mickel25

Raffle had a rough game I thought, maybe not a bad idea. I wold be concerned with the overall speed of the line though but it is worth a try at some point if that line struggles.

Some observations from last nights game:

Steve Mason is the real deal, someone send a memo to TSN and the Hockey News!

Couturier had his usual strong two way game, same for Matt Read. They also may be the best PK duo in the league.

Both the VLC line and the Bellemare looked good at ES

Missing most of camp showed in Giroux's play, hopefully he can shake off the rust quickly.

B Schenn wasn't terrible, but he needs to play better if he wants to stay on the top line.

I'm willing to give Coburn/AMac some time to gel, but they did not look so hot last night.

IMO, Luke Schenn was the Flyers' best dman last night.

If Rinaldo hasn't realized by now that NHL refs are never going to give him the benefit of the doubt, he's even dumber than I thought.

Re the goalies: I'd stay with Mason tonight and let Emery start the 3rd game in 4 nights.

I actually thought Umberger made several strong plays with the puck in the offensive zone. He's not as skilled as Akeson, but he used his size,strength and speed to get the puck in dangerous positions.
- Feanor

Yeah, I thought Umby looked better than in preseason last night. And he didn't get any penalties..lol

But we're one game in and we lost by a goal to an Eastern Conference powerhouse. We need to abandon ship immediately.
- jmatchett383

Good point, sky is falling. I hope everyone has their tin foil caps.

Pretty cool to see Bellemare on the first line in his first NHL game, even though it was only for a couple of minutes.