I thought they possessed the puck well but I thought I saw a lot of long rage shots. Clearly there waa a clinic in shots but I didn't see a lot of quality. Weren't we the better faceoff team, especially in the first half of the game? I only felt truly worried when Streit and MacDonald couldn't get off the ice for an extended period of time.
- SuperSchennBros

Honestly, I think we watched a different game. That the score was 0-0 after the OT, was a flat out miracle.

i think when you consider all of the variables in their totality, he is a negative asset.

however, i do admit that he isnt the black hole that umberger is. i think umberger, for whatever reason, seems to be beyond all help.

i think vinny may still have some redeemable qualities, it will just require a lot of propping up in order to utilize them. then at what point does that cost benefit analysis tip in the balance of it just not being worth it?
- stayinthefnnet

Vinny has the ability, although limited, of providing offense. Umberger looks like his goose is cooked.

I think Umberger would be fine on the 4th line. He's playing with Read and Couturier tonight, who are also struggling offensively. So not crazy about that line. Although I love the potential of Raffl/Laughton/Simmonds. With the pieces that the Flyers have, there's going to be a problem area somewhere.
- MJL

laughton being up opens up so many options for you guys. maybe im placing too much on his plate already, but i really like him.

if raffl can slide back into the first line role with Giroux and jake that line has shown it can work.

i dont know about their respective sides, but if the team is bent on keeping coots and read together in a third line shut down role, a second line of simmonds/laughton/schenn could be very interesting.

i think when you consider all of the variables in their totality, he is a negative asset.

however, i do admit that he isnt the black hole that umberger is. i think umberger, for whatever reason, seems to be beyond all help.

i think vinny may still have some redeemable qualities, it will just require a lot of propping up in order to utilize them. then at what point does that cost benefit analysis tip in the balance of it just not being worth it?
- stayinthefnnet

I don't think that Umberger has played well by any stretch. Offensively, he has given nothing. His play away from the puck, has been subpar from where it needs to be. I think how bad he's been has been overplayed due to who he was traded for. He's been decent defensively, and on the PK. If Umberger isn't scoring, he can still do other things to help a team. If Lecavalier isn't scoring, he's not going to do anything else to help a team. So if neither player is scoring, and I have a choice, I keep Umberger over Lecavalier.

Honestly, I think we watched a different game. That the score was 0-0 after the OT, was a flat out miracle.
- MJL

It was a miracle that it wasn't 3-0

Vinny has the ability, although limited, of providing offense. Umberger looks like his goose is cooked.
- Jsaquella

i agree. i just think at this stage in his career, vinny needs to be heavily facilitated.

laughton being up opens up so many options for you guys. maybe im placing too much on his plate already, but i really like him.

if raffl can slide back into the first line role with Giroux and jake that line has shown it can work.

i dont know about their respective sides, but if the team is bent on keeping coots and read together in a third line shut down role, a second line of simmonds/laughton/schenn could be very interesting.
- stayinthefnnet

That line could be. What a player like Raffle gives the team is another player who skates well, and can pressure the puck in all 3 zones. He can check well, and get in on the forecheck. And he's able to pot some goals when he gets a chance. He's an underrated player. They also added a similar player in Laughton. Both upgrade the Flyers speed and puck pressure.

Vinny has the ability, although limited, of providing offense. Umberger looks like his goose is cooked.
- Jsaquella

I agree; you can find ways to make Lecavalier look better. There are players in the league who I could see making Vinny net neutral, and I'm not talking superstars. Some of them are costlier than others, obviously.

I'm into the Acceptance Stage of Grief, so I'm not going to comment on Umberger at this point in time

I don't think that Umberger has played well by any stretch. Offensively, he has given nothing. His play away from the puck, has been subpar from where it needs to be. I think how bad he's been has been overplayed due to who he was traded for. He's been decent defensively, and on the PK. If Umberger isn't scoring, he can still do other things to help a team. If Lecavalier isn't scoring, he's not going to do anything else to help a team. So if neither player is scoring, and I have a choice, I keep Umberger over Lecavalier.
- MJL

i can definitely see the logic there. i dont know how well i would say umberger has been doing those other things so far (which you acknowledge), but at least in theory it is supposed to be there.

regardless of how bad that trade looks right at this moment, i still think it was a smart one. if no one expects this year or next year to be the flyers main time to strike anyway, then just dealing with umberger right now is what it is. it was the bullet necessary to get out of the last few years of hartnells deal.

i agree. i just think at this stage in his career, vinny needs to be heavily facilitated.
- stayinthefnnet

"Heavily facilitated" -- I like that

*Consider that your official notification that I'll be using it from now on

That line could be. What a player like Raffle gives the team is another player who skates well, and can pressure the puck in all 3 zones. He can check well, and get in on the forecheck. And he's able to pot some goals when he gets a chance. He's an underrated player. They also added a similar player in Laughton. Both upgrade the Flyers speed and puck pressure.
- MJL

i am obviously happy with how it turned out getting maatta, but i really like laughton. i think people thinking that he has a ceiling of a fourth line center who plays tough defense are underselling his offensive capabilities.

if giroux and voracek and going to stay together, i think raffl on that top line with them ensures the most balance throughout the lineup, provided that he continuously displays the ability to keep up.

Honestly, I think we watched a different game. That the score was 0-0 after the OT, was a flat out miracle.
- MJL

I'm watching the 10 minute condensed version of the game. It's all I have time to do right now. From what I'm seeing it's throwing as much to the net as possible but I'm seeing a lot of quality chances.

"Heavily facilitated" -- I like that

*Consider that your official notification that I'll be using it from now on
- AllInForFlyers

haha sure thing.

and in one fell swoop youve undermined nearly everything i know about copyright ownership

Do we know what the forward lines are tonight?

I read berube is trying raffl-Laughton-Simmonds?

If that's true. Why in gods name won't berube try read-coots-akeson again? Berube has to try this line again. Make vinny RW on bellemares line and scratch umberger.

Do we know what the forward lines are tonight?

I read berube is trying raffl-Laughton-Simmonds?

If that's true. Why in gods name won't berube try read-coots-akeson again? Berube has to try this line again. Make vinny RW on bellemares line and scratch umberger.
- Just5

Martin Brodeur is going to start practicing with the Blues Friday

Do we know what the forward lines are tonight?

I read berube is trying raffl-Laughton-Simmonds?

If that's true. Why in gods name won't berube try read-coots-akeson again? Berube has to try this line again. Make vinny RW on bellemares line and scratch umberger.
- Just5

At practice:
10-28-93
12-49-17
24-14-18
36-78-40

Martin Brodeur is going to start practicing with the Blues Friday
- Jsaquella

jesus. Really?

At practice:
10-28-93
12-49-17
24-14-18
36-78-40
- Jsaquella

(frank)ing bs

Total (frank)ing bs

Raffl back means you have another pker. No reason not to scratch umberger

Coots and read are mired in offensive slumps going on 10 games now

jesus. Really?
- stayinthefnnet

Yep. Brian Elliott is hurt.

@renlavoietva: Martin Brodeur will practice with the Blues for a week. If everything goes well, he will sign a contract. #tvasports

At practice:
10-28-93
12-49-17
24-14-18
36-78-40
- Jsaquella

Why in the hell won't Chief give 42 a chance and let 18 just F'N watch!!!!

Yep. Brian Elliott is hurt.

@renlavoietva: Martin Brodeur will practice with the Blues for a week. If everything goes well, he will sign a contract. #tvasports
- Jsaquella

i take it its a fairly lengthy injury if he gets a week to decide if he can even handle it.

Jake Allen seems pretty decent. May have to try to pick him up in fantasy if hes available.

Niemi has been a plague so far.

Yep. Brian Elliott is hurt.

@renlavoietva: Martin Brodeur will practice with the Blues for a week. If everything goes well, he will sign a contract. #tvasports
- Jsaquella

i now immediately hate the st. louis blues.

i take it its a fairly lengthy injury if he gets a week to decide if he can even handle it.

Jake Allen seems pretty decent. May have to try to pick him up in fantasy if hes available.

Niemi has been a plague so far.
- stayinthefnnet

Niemi?

Why in the hell won't Chief give 42 a chance and let 18 just F'N watch!!!!
- 3flyerkids

I don't see a downside to putting Umberger in the press box, but I don't see Akeson as being a substantially better alternative. Maybe Leier or even Cousins, even though they are both young, but I don't have much faith in Akeson.