Meltzer you're becoming my favorite write on this site. Nice quote from Voracek. Looking forward to tomorrow night!
- Panthers88

Bill's the best. He writes for the Stars on here too in case you're interested.

Such as who?
- MJL

Luke Schenn and AMac.

But I know where this argument will lead to if I discuss this further with you, and I have no interest in comparing Richard size or having a pissing contest, so I'll save the time and just say you're right.

Hextall obviously approves of him playing VdV on the first line and not playing Akeson at all.
- Feanor

of course he does

I think Hexy brings in Murray til season end then finds a new coach
- vejim

I don't see Berube being gone this year. The fact remains, the man that hired him was promoted to club president and is still involved.

I don't for a second buy that its Hextall running things on his own. If he is, then he should give himself a smack for that Rinaldo extension.

Hextall obviously approves of him playing VdV on the first line and not playing Akeson at all.
- Feanor

Because Hextall makes the lineup???

Pretty much. He's prone to complete meltdowns at any moment in the playoffs (Game 4 vs. CBJ last year), but he's also athletic enough to win you a game you have no business winning on any given night.
- jmatchett383

true. but that is so (frank)ing maddening.

i know you guys can trot out the flyers goalie carousel and say well youve been lucky to have that, but fleury is his own damn carousel wrapped up in one pair of skates.

for as much as i love the guy, part of me would rather just pay someone anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 mil, and say alright. just stop the ones you really should. Ill understand if there is a lack of awe inspiring butterfly stops and crazy kick saves. Just break even back there, dont do anything stupid to deflate the team, and we will take it from there.

im not so up in arms over the deal itself, but more so the timing.
- stayinthefnnet

Exactly.

Berube's act is wearing thin on me already. It is obvious that Akeson should be the guy who takes Raffl's place. It is a win win. It helps Akeson find his game, and it keeps a level of skill on the top line that you wont get with VDV.

It has nothing to do with rewarding a player or not rewarding a player for poor play. It has to do with what is best for the team.

I'm beginning to think more and more that Berube has an arrogance about him that I didn't know he had.
- MBFlyerfan

I am with you. Why not give Akeson a shot. He played well in the playoffs. Give the kid a fair shot with the teams best players. If he can't get it done with them...then Chief can move on.

He's a transitional coach. Like Bowa for the Phillies was. They come in during the "valleys" and are fired just before the rise starts. This would probably be Berube's fate regardless of whether he was on a level with the better coaches in the league.
- NickTheKid87

He coaches like it's 1995

true. but that is so (frank)ing maddening.

i know you guys can trot out the flyers goalie carousel and say well youve been lucky to have that, but fleury is his own damn carousel wrapped up in one pair of skates.

for as much as i love the guy, part of me would rather just pay someone anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 mil, and say alright. just stop the ones you really should. Ill understand if there is a lack of awe inspiring butterfly stops and crazy kick saves. Just break even back there, dont do anything stupid to deflate the team, and we will take it from there.
- stayinthefnnet

You guys should sign Bryz

I'm betting VDV doesn't see the first line tomorrow night full-time.

I see them popping Schenn or PEB up there.

That said, no one really expected Raffl to come in and take the first line last year, so maybe Berube sees something that we're not.

Let's all remember how much poop this team was in last year when Berube took over, and still found a way to be in a competitive series with the Rangers minus a healthy Mason.
- KGBflyers10

Thing is, when Berube initially took over the team couldn't score to save their lives. He had them playing such Neanderthal defense heavy hockey that the pucks didn't start to go in until he loosened it up a bit. Not a fan.

Luke Schenn and AMac.

But I know where this argument will lead to if I discuss this further with you, and I have no interest in comparing Richard size or having a pissing contest, so I'll save the time and just say you're right.
- jmatchett383

Well it has nothing to do with being right. Both are infinitely better then Gustafsson. Gustafsson was a finesse puck moving offensive defenseman that wasn't very good at it.

I'm betting VDV doesn't see the first line tomorrow night full-time.

I see them popping Schenn or PEB up there.

That said, no one really expected Raffl to come in and take the first line last year, so maybe Berube sees something that we're not.

Let's all remember how much poop this team was in last year when Berube took over, and still found a way to be in a competitive series with the Rangers minus a healthy Mason.
- KGBflyers10

Well...can it be worse than playing Carcillo with Richards in the first round of the 2010 playoffs?

Well it has nothing to do with being right. Both are infinitely better then Gustafsson. Gustafsson was a finesse puck moving offensive defenseman that wasn't very good at it.
- MJL

Infinite is a strong word.

I wouldn't take Gustafsson over any of the current Flyers defenseman, including those injured.
- MJL

what about Lasse Kukkonnenn ?

That 4th liner/ahl player has more offensive skill in his pinky than Van De Velde could acquire in 4 life times. I'd rather play the former OHL scoring champion/AHL team leading scorer than the guy with 7 points in 54 games.
- jmatchett383

This. I don't know why this logic is so hard to find. It also doesn't make sense as to why he isn't willing to mess with the lines now but shook up every line for when Vinny returned.

I agree. Even with a strong playoff run, I doubt Fleury would have gotten much more than was offered.

Edit: I think teams get too worked up over getting players signed well in advance of FA. Flyers did the same thing with Hartnell and negotiated a deal after his best career season. They negotiated with him at the best point in his career.
- PhillySportsGuy

exactly. i know there isnt a glut of goalies available, but there also isnt a huge market for teams looking for older starters either.

his money is in line with what someone else would have offered. and like i said, its a win/win. if you wait and he earns it, the team likely benefited from that with a great run. at the very least, you plunk down a tad more for peace of mind. a worthy insurance policy.

what about Lasse Kukkonnenn ?
- MrBigglesworth

Was actually a good bottom-pairing defenseman until Andy Sutton ruined him.

Thing is, when Berube initially took over the team couldn't score to save their lives. He had them playing such Neanderthal defense heavy hockey that the pucks didn't start to go in until he loosened it up a bit. Not a fan.
- flyer_nutter

Berube didn't change his systems play when he took over last year. They started scoring because Berube got them playing the right way. They starting scoring because they got tighter, and played a more responsible style of hockey. Not the opposite.

Bill's the best. He writes for the Stars on here too in case you're interested.
- NickTheKid87

I had no idea but will read his stuff. He's very good.

I would fire Berube, and bring in Cote.

exactly. i know there isnt a glut of goalies available, but there also isnt a huge market for teams looking for older starters either.

his money is in line with what someone else would have offered. and like i said, its a win/win. if you wait and he earns it, the team likely benefited from that with a great run. at the very least, you plunk down a tad more for peace of mind. a worthy insurance policy.
- stayinthefnnet

You coulda just signed Broduer to a 4-year contract at 1/5 of the cost.

Berube didn't change his systems play when he took over last year. They started scoring because Berube got them playing the right way. They starting scoring because they got tighter, and played a more responsible style of hockey. Not the opposite.
- MJL

Out for the day as heading to work, if you are a fan of Berube that's on you.

I think he is a moron that should be out on his ass sucking on paint cans.

Luke Schenn and AMac.

But I know where this argument will lead to if I discuss this further with you, and I have no interest in comparing Richard size or having a pissing contest, so I'll save the time and just say you're right.
- jmatchett383

the bigger the richard, the slower the skater

the bigger the richard, the slower the skater
- vejim

I'm happy to announce I was no speed demon.