<-- too cool for school
- Tomahawk

We should use nicknames for every player. It would make the conversations more interesting.

Rather then more leadership what they really need is another forward who can skate and control the puck and make plays like Voracek, and even more, a Drew Doughty type defenseman who can play 25+ minutes a night in all situations.

They'd be a real contender.

They'd still have off nights where we'd question their effort and leadership and coaching. But they would go from an average team to a contender.

I think the Panthers are much better team on D and in goal then they are getting credit for. Even missing their top forwards they had enough forward skill combined with that solid D to outplay the Flyers. Their AHL 4th line has a lot of future talent and looked way better then the Flyers 4th line.

You are making my point.
- MBFlyerfan

I know I'm throwing out ideas as to why they may do that.

You are better than this.

Little known fact: Before becoming "The Great One" and before Mario became "Le Magnifique" Wayne Gretzky was known in some circles as "Le Magnifique."



I own one.
- jmatchett383

I apologize. I have brought shame to my family.

Edit: He looks like a ballerina

What is NJ up to... waived Clemmenson, demoted Clermont to ECHL... seems like they're about to sign somebody off UFA. Marty??

Rather then more leadership what they really need is another forward who can skate and control the puck and make plays like Voracek, and even more, a Drew Doughty type defenseman who can play 25+ minutes a night in all situations.

They'd be a real contender.

They'd still have off nights where we'd question their effort and leadership and coaching. But they would go from an average team to a contender.

I think the Panthers are much better team on D and in goal then they are getting credit for. Even missing their top forwards they had enough forward skill combined with that solid D to outplay the Flyers. Their AHL 4th line has a lot of future talent and looked way better then the Flyers 4th line.
- Marc D

The Panthers have allowed 18 goals this season which is tied for the lowest in the NHL along with the Wild but Minnesota has played one more game. So I agree, the Panthers aren't getting enough credit. They are good defensively and in net (Luongo is still a good goalie). They've scored only 14 goals though but they'll win some games by keeping opponents to scoring little.

What is NJ up to... waived Clemmenson, demoted Clermont to ECHL... seems like they're about to sign somebody off UFA. Marty??
- Tomahawk

I hope so. That'd be a stupid decision.

We should use nicknames for every player. It would make the conversations more interesting.
- PhillySportsGuy

Here's some:
Coburn: Big nose blame magnet
MacDonald: Small nose blame magnet
Rinaldo: Dumb ass
Umberger: Corpse
VLC: Corpse with a shot
Giroux: Butt boy
Simmonds: Whatever he prefers, I'm not gonna risk ticking him off
Emery: See Simmonds
Couturier: D zone dude
L. Schenn: Round boy
B. Schenn: Trade bait

The Panthers have allowed 18 goals this season which is tied for the lowest in the NHL along with the Wild but Minnesota has played one more game. So I agree, the Panthers aren't getting enough credit. They are good defensively and in net (Luongo is still a good goalie). They've scored only 14 goals though but they'll win some games by keeping opponents to scoring little.
- NickTheKid87

Exactly the kind of team that has been able to frustrate the Flyers for years.

Lu was very good on Saturday.

If Ekblad turns out to be a true #1 defenseman they will be a good team for a while.
Hopefully for the fans there they stay in Florida.

What is NJ up to... waived Clemmenson, demoted Clermont to ECHL... seems like they're about to sign somebody off UFA. Marty??
- Tomahawk

It's strange. A couple of Devils friends were not surprised at the Clemmensen move, but when I asked them what was up, they were mum.

The Panthers have allowed 18 goals this season which is tied for the lowest in the NHL along with the Wild but Minnesota has played one more game. So I agree, the Panthers aren't getting enough credit. They are good defensively and in net (Luongo is still a good goalie). They've scored only 14 goals though but they'll win some games by keeping opponents to scoring little.
- NickTheKid87

You're not going to beat the Panthers playing dump and chase and not executing on the PP. They're a team that is playing phenomenal team defense right now and they will eat you alive if you don't execute.

The Flyers didn't get beat because Florida is better, they got beat because Florida executed a lot better.

It's strange. A couple of Devils friends were not surprised at the Clemmensen move, but when I asked them what was up, they were mum.
- Jsaquella

They've got a game tonight... still no word on who's playing backup.

You're not going to beat the Panthers playing dump and chase and not executing on the PP. They're a team that is playing phenomenal team defense right now and they will eat you alive if you don't execute.

The Flyers didn't get beat because Florida is better, they got beat because Florida executed a lot better.
- Jsaquella

Yup. Team's like that, playing tight defense, have been the Flyers Achilles Heel over the past few seasons. Tampa Bay, Boston, NYR and the Devils are a few. Don't think that has to do with a lack of leadership.

It's strange. A couple of Devils friends were not surprised at the Clemmensen move, but when I asked them what was up, they were mum.
- Jsaquella

Like they have a secret or something...

What is NJ up to... waived Clemmenson, demoted Clermont to ECHL... seems like they're about to sign somebody off UFA. Marty??
- Tomahawk

Keith Kinkaid might back up tonight (link: http://www.nj.com/devils/...wark_tuesday_morning.html), but I could easily see them re-signing Marty for whatever reason. A bit of a bump at the gate, maybe?

Jones and Carloviaco can both be waived if need be.
- jmatchett383

So can VdV.

You're not going to beat the Panthers playing dump and chase and not executing on the PP. They're a team that is playing phenomenal team defense right now and they will eat you alive if you don't execute.

The Flyers didn't get beat because Florida is better, they got beat because Florida executed a lot better.
- Jsaquella

Their D and probably their goaltending is actually better then the Flyers right now.

They certainly executed a lot better, no question.

They've got a game tonight... still no word on who's playing backup.
- Tomahawk

Chico Resch

It's good to see we've got that prospect out of the line up for the broken unsigned Dman. Getting him down for some AHL pixie dust will be good. We just need to get Akeson back down and find a cheap replacement for him.

Maybe Ray Whitney or is his potential production too much of a risk at this point in the season?

Keith Kinkaid might back up tonight (link: http://www.nj.com/devils/...wark_tuesday_morning.html), but I could easily see them re-signing Marty for whatever reason. A bit of a bump at the gate, maybe?
- johndewar

Ah, nice sleuthing job. Wonder why the call-up isn't official yet.

Maybe they don't play with urgency because they know they aren't going anywhere.

It just seems odd to me that we question leadership when they struggle yet praise it when they win. It's the same group so it must not be that.
- NickTheKid87

If that is the case, then the entire team should be traded. It's about consistency in effort and instensity from game to game. This team takes too many games off, or stops playing in periods of games too often. That points to a question of leadership.

Keith Kinkaid might back up tonight (link: http://www.nj.com/devils/...wark_tuesday_morning.html), but I could easily see them re-signing Marty for whatever reason. A bit of a bump at the gate, maybe?
- johndewar

Resigning Brodeur in NJ?

I'd be surprised to see that actually.

What is NJ up to... waived Clemmenson, demoted Clermont to ECHL... seems like they're about to sign somebody off UFA. Marty??
- Tomahawk

"Hey, Lou. Uh, look...my alimony and hush-money funds are running a bit dry, and it looks like nobody wants to pay me to open the bench door. Can you do a guy a solid, maybe?"

After all the debates and discussions, how long are PAYING season ticket holders ready to wait for the promised land to arrive, how patient can everyone be waiting for the teams defensive future to mature in the scenic Lehigh Valley while the core ages and probably not gracefully. Money would be better spent on season tix there.

There are some really stupid things going on at the coaching level, especially as been discussed with the spotting of Akeson in a role not suited to him.

All the great teams of the past often had offensive players who were niche players and not expected to be winning the Selke- they were power play/offensive specialist.

I dont buy trying to be like the Kings or a bigger west coast team, using a smaller offensive forward on the 4th line and trying to make him be an effective checker in that role.

Absolutely a waste of talent doing that
Talk about square pegs in round holes, Chief gets no pass from me on that one.
Earning offensive time by being an undersized energy/checking 4th line guy playing away from his strengths. Do they expect a miracle or a body transplant ???

Akeson is not the second coming of Kent Nilsson, but he was a bright light in the playoffs offensively now reduced to the mucker role.
DUUUUHHHHHHH.
- Steelmanpa

Do you think Akeson can produce enough offense at the NHL level to be considered an offensive PP specialist? They expect Akeson to compete away from the puck. He hasn't done that. Therefore he deserves to be scratched.

Ah, nice sleuthing job. Wonder why the call-up isn't official yet.
- Tomahawk

Kinkaid isn't listed on cap dork. It must not be official.