Grossmann/Streit have allowed just as many 10-bell looks on net... yet their SV% isn't in the doldrums. That stuff just evens out over the course of 82-games -- the very worst on-ice SV% for any dman last season over 800mins played was 89%. Anything below that is bizarre, yet people are essentially writing off MDZ based on all those goals against right now.
- Tomahawk

Bill noted this also.
They really need Streit to settle down and play like he did last spring.
He showed me a very good two way game then.
Was probably their best defenseman down the stretch.

Yes, that's the solution. Change up one deficient pairing to replace it with another deficient pairing.

Where's the parade starting?
- jmatchett383

You want to argue that Schultz is better than the others in the lineup?

Jeez, you're going to hate Ghost.
- Tomahawk

If he isn't able to work on his defensive game in the AHL, then yes he'll be frustrating.

But seeing as he's played like 6 professional games, I think there's a better chance that he can be an adequate defensive player as opposed to MDZ's nonexistent defensive play.

You want to argue that Schultz is better than the others in the lineup?
- PhillySportsGuy

Only if by "others" you mean MDZ. Because so far, he's played better than him.

Yes, that's the solution. Change up one deficient pairing to replace it with another deficient pairing.

Where's the parade starting?
- jmatchett383

Is it even possible to assemble one non-deficient pairing w/ the pieces at hand?

And it sure worked out splendidly for the Isles!
- BiggE

Look at them now though. It's very early but I wish the Flyers had the assets and cap space to grab Boychuk.

Jeez, you're going to hate Ghost.
- Tomahawk

What makes Ghost valuable is offensive ability and instincts. You have to incorporate that into your team, not freak the hell out when a pinch goes bad -- because they will

Is it even possible to assemble one non-deficient pairing w/ the pieces at hand?
- Tomahawk

No. And that's the thing. The defense as currently assembled is not good enough. We know that. Our best hope is that the team as a whole can function well enough for the time being. But if we leave the D to fend for themselves...we're done.

Tonight is a win.

Book it.

Is it even possible to assemble one non-deficient pairing w/ the pieces at hand?
- Tomahawk

With Coburn out, no

Tonight is a win.

Book it.
- KGBflyers10

I hope so. I really do

No. And that's the thing. The defense as currently assembled is not good enough. We know that. Our best hope is that the team as a whole can function well enough for the time being. But if we leave the D to fend for themselves...we're done.
- jmatchett383

There it is.

Only if by "others" you mean MDZ. Because so far, he's played better than him.
- jmatchett383

If the team generates 10 scoring chances and allows 12 scoring chances while MDZ is on the ice, it's better than generating 6 scoring chances while allowing 10 scoring chances When Grossmann is on the ice.

Give it time and the save % will even out and we'll see the real contributions

No. And that's the thing. The defense as currently assembled is not good enough. We know that. Our best hope is that the team as a whole can function well enough for the time being. But if we leave the D to fend for themselves...we're done.
- jmatchett383

Exactly
Heck even if the forwards play well defensively they are only a borderline playoff team IMO

Vinny was a two-way power forward who had the perfect skillset for LW, so....
- Tomahawk

By the time Lecavalier got to the Flyers. He has been a top player, who has been a Center his entire career. If Lecavalier was a young player like Schenn, I'd suggest also that his skill set is better suited to the Wing.

If the team generates 10 scoring chances and allows 12 scoring chances while MDZ is on the ice, it's better than generating 6 scoring chances while allowing 10 scoring chances When Grossmann is on the ice.

Give it time and the save % will even out and we'll see the real contributions
- PhillySportsGuy

I was told that there would be no math on this test

You seem to be suggesting that because the 11-12 Devils, a team whose forwards all bought into their system, got to the finals with a mediocre group of dmen, that the Flyers will succeed with a D that is just as bad when Coburn is healthy and worse when he is not.
- BiggE

You got that wrong. What I'm suggesting is that the talk that the Flyers makeup of their defense is a recipe for a lottery pick, is pure BS. The Flyers defense, while certainly lacking a top pairing, and is not championship caliber. Is a lot better then it's made out to be. And if they get the support and team play, the Flyers can make the playoffs with the defense core they have.

What makes Ghost valuable is offensive ability and instincts. You have to incorporate that into your team, not freak the hell out when a pinch goes bad -- because they will
- AllInForFlyers

I think O-D is just one of those old caricatures/tropes that people like to string up and beat on... look, a defenseman who thinks he's a forward! Brian Leetch sux!

If the team generates 10 scoring chances and allows 12 scoring chances while MDZ is on the ice, it's better than generating 6 scoring chances while allowing 10 scoring chances When Grossmann is on the ice.

Give it time and the save % will even out and we'll see the real contributions
- PhillySportsGuy

I hope it does. I guess it's just me. When I played (at a somewhat high level), my first priority was defense. Yes, there were times when I jumped into the play, but first and foremost, my responsibility as a defenseman was to play defense. I was never the biggest guy by any means, but I gave it my all. With MDZ, it seems like he'd rather be offensive, and then just "get by" defensively. At least Grossmann's got his head in the right zone.

I was told that there would be no math on this test

- BiggE

If a train is traveling from California at 50 mph and another train is traveling from NYC at 60 mph, where will they meet and how long will it take?

Tonight is a win.

Book it.
- KGBflyers10

That's Berube's fault though. His insistence on not breaking up the other pairs has forced him to play Schultz so many minutes.
- PhillySportsGuy

Not the case in my opinion. If Schultz wasn't playing as well as he has, he wouldn't have gotten those minutes.

I think O-D is just one of those old caricatures/tropes that people like to string up and beat on... look, a defenseman who thinks he's a forward! Brian Leetch sux!
- Tomahawk

Brian Leetch was an underrated defensive player. Ray Bourque, the all-time leading scorer among defenders, was a superb defender. Same for Orr. Currently, Letang, Subban, Suter, Weber, and even Karlsson are adequate or better in their own zone. MDZ does not begin to scratch adequate.

If a train is traveling from California at 50 mph and another train is traveling from NYC at 60 mph, where will they meet and how long will it take?
- PhillySportsGuy

Where in California? Are the tracks in a straight line?

You got that wrong. What I'm suggesting is that the talk that the Flyers makeup of their defense is a recipe for a lottery pick, is pure BS. The Flyers defense, while certainly lacking a top pairing, and is not championship caliber. Is a lot better then it's made out to be. And if they get the support and team play, the Flyers can make the playoffs with the defense core they have.
- MJL

I agree. The team defense and execution will play a bigger part in determining if this team makes the playoffs, not the blueline personnel itself.