Exactly. The easy/lazy journalism book on the Flyers is big tough team with shaky goalies.
- Jsaquella

I actually get serious comments from Oiler fan friends out here saying we need a goalie and should make a play for Scrivens.

Is it cynical to think that if the team (and the coach) aren't in such a deep hole, he probably would have prudently gotten a few games off?
- Tomahawk

It's easy to look at hindsight and say that may they should've erred on the side of caution. Medical tests such as MRI's didn't show any issues, other then medical examinations, you rely on feedback from the player. If he says he's good to go and there's nothing wrong, you put him in the lineup. Really if there is anyone at fault here it might be Mason if he indeed wasn't 100% honest about how he was feeling.

I dont even think Nashville wins 75% of their games. lol
- GOA88

It's probably true. Right now, they have something like a 1.8% chance of making the playoffs. With Mason out until, likely, January 27th, it's possible that the number will drop to 0.1% by the ASG.

The Flyers have Tampa, Washington, Vancouver, Buffalo, NYI & Pittsburgh coming up over the next 9 days. There's one game where the Flyers would be presumptive favorites.

I actually get serious comments from Oiler fan friends out here saying we need a goalie and should make a play for Scrivens.
- PhiFaninEdm

Any fan with half a brain could see that Flyers are more than fine in goal. It feels so good to say that....

His insistence that the knee and back injuries are related and due to overuse, despite them happening weeks apart and Mason playing less than several other NHL starters, shows Seravalli is a poop-stirrer, not a journalist.

Throw in some wild speculation about groin muscles being ripped from the bone and you have an article worthy of scorn.
- Feanor

It's probably true. Right now, they have something like a 1.8% chance of making the playoffs. With Mason out until, likely, January 27th, it's possible that the number will drop to 0.1% by the ASG.

The Flyers have Tampa, Washington, Vancouver, Buffalo, NYI & Pittsburgh coming up over the next 9 days. There's one game where the Flyers would be presumptive favorites.
- Jsaquella

Therefore our GM better be working the phones.

If Morin can turn into a more physical Coburn, Sanheim a more offensive Carle and Ghost like Mark Streit, I'd be thrilled.

It's probably true. Right now, they have something like a 1.8% chance of making the playoffs. With Mason out until, likely, January 27th, it's possible that the number will drop to 0.1% by the ASG.

The Flyers have Tampa, Washington, Vancouver, Buffalo, NYI & Pittsburgh coming up over the next 9 days. There's one game where the Flyers would be presumptive favorites.
- Jsaquella

Yea... I think I gave up on the idea they could make a push back in late November or something...

Yea... I think I gave up on the idea they could make a push back in late November or something...
- GOA88

They can still make a push, and that's what you want to see happen. It'll just be a push that comes up short because they're in too big of a hole.

His insistence that the knee and back injuries are related and due to overuse, despite them happening weeks apart and Mason playing less than several other NHL starters, shows Seravalli is a poop-stirrer, not a journalist.

Throw in some wild speculation about groin muscles being ripped from the bone and you have an article worthy of scorn.
- Feanor

He's stirring the pot a bit, for sure. That's the Philly media.

But I agree with him that since his return from injury, the Flyers have overused Mason. I think it's a very valid criticism, and not really in hindsight, either.

Mason gets hurt, misses a week, comes back plays in six straight games, during which time the team had one day off. He left practice at least once after tweaking an injury, and admits he was bothered by an injury in a game. Yet, in the 7th game, he's back out there and ends up getting hurt and missing time.

If my meal ticket is leaving practices & saying he tweaked an injury in games, I'm reducing his workload.

Is it cynical to think that if the team (and the coach) aren't in such a deep hole, he probably would have prudently gotten a few games off?
- Tomahawk

If the workload is an issue for him (and as noted above, he hasn't had as big a workload as many other goalies) then playing him so much when they stink is a questionable decision.

I actually get serious comments from Oiler fan friends out here saying we need a goalie and should make a play for Scrivens.
- PhiFaninEdm

Yep. Toronto media saying the Flyers are still looking for a goalie. Hell, even most of the bloggers who ripped the Mason addition and spoke of regression have at leas come around to viewing him as a solid starter, if not a "plus" starter.

There's trying to be positive and then there is ignoring reality. They're not making the playoffs, unless a minor miracle occurs.
- Jsaquella

It would take a major miracle with regard to their own play and some collapses of historic proportions by other teams for the Flyers to make the playoffs.

Yep. Toronto media saying the Flyers are still looking for a goalie. Hell, even most of the bloggers who ripped the Mason addition and spoke of regression have at leas come around to viewing him as a solid starter, if not a "plus" starter.
- Jsaquella

Mason is a legit starting goaltender that is banging on the door of stardom. Should he continue to improve. To me.... his rebound control needs to get better and he's there. I place him in the top 10. It cant be ignored that he plays behind this defense and still puts up Lundqvist numbers.... just saying

If the workload is an issue for him (and as noted above, he hasn't had as big a workload as many other goalies) then playing him so much when they stink is a questionable decision.
- Scoob

The issue isn't his overall workload.

The issue is his workload since the injuries have occurred. Before he was hurt, there was no issue with the number of games he played.

However, since he returned to game action on December 29th, he's had one day off and played in seven straight games, while dealing with recurring issues over the past few days.

He's stirring the pot a bit, for sure. That's the Philly media.

But I agree with him that since his return from injury, the Flyers have overused Mason. I think it's a very valid criticism, and not really in hindsight, either.

Mason gets hurt, misses a week, comes back plays in six straight games, during which time the team had one day off. He left practice at least once after tweaking an injury, and admits he was bothered by an injury in a game. Yet, in the 7th game, he's back out there and ends up getting hurt and missing time.

If my meal ticket is leaving practices & saying he tweaked an injury in games, I'm reducing his workload.
- Jsaquella

I think this would be the case if the injury was to the same body area. He missed time with back spasms, and this latest injury seems like it's probably a knee. Saying they are related is wild speculation.

I actually get serious comments from Oiler fan friends out here saying we need a goalie and should make a play for Scrivens.
- PhiFaninEdm

If the workload is an issue for him (and as noted above, he hasn't had as big a workload as many other goalies) then playing him so much when they stink is a questionable decision.
- Scoob

You're looking at it wrong. His workload for the season is low because of the streak of games that Emery started at the beginning of the year. Mason has been used quite heavily in the past 1-2 months.

You're looking at it wrong. His workload for the season is low because of the streak of games that Emery started at the beginning of the year. Mason has been used quite heavily in the past 1-2 months.
- JFlyers00

Thats fine. They tried their hardest to make a comeback and failed. Let Mason rest and get healthy and get ready for the future..

I think this would be the case if the injury was to the same body area. He missed time with back spasms, and this latest injury seems like it's probably a knee. Saying they are related is wild speculation.
- MJL

Speculation, sure, but I wouldn't characterize it as "wild".

You read stories all the time about how athletes hurt their backs or some other body part and start doing things to compensate for that injury and hurt themselves in another, seemingly unrelated, way.

Thats fine. They tried their hardest to make a comeback and failed. Let Mason rest and get healthy and get ready for the future..
- GOA88

I won't go as far as to say they should tank, but they should definitely use the last 40 games or so to evaluate some of the kids, and make the focus on development, rather than winning games.

Thanks Bill. Great stuff as usual. A tough game tonight, and I think the Bolts will be there with the Pens in the playoff finals. So, good luck to Razor tonight.
I am really interested in seeing Morin, and Sanheim develop. They looked sharp when we were able to get a brief look at them earlier before the season started.
Aube-Kubel also impressed me with his energy, and determination.
Fazleev is another interesting prospect. I haven't seen him play, but would you say he has the Fedotenko style of play? Or, who would you compare him to?
It's nice to see us talking about our other players, and watching them develop. I would like to thank Hexy for giving us a future to at least look at while we watch our current .500 Flyers team.

You're looking at it wrong. His workload for the season is low because of the streak of games that Emery started at the beginning of the year. Mason has been used quite heavily in the past 1-2 months.
- JFlyers00

Above I said "if" because I don't think it is and I hope it isn't. This is the NHL, his workload even in the last two months hasn't been insane.

Playing him with the recent string of injuries, also as noted above, is likely the questionable decision. Why do it? They have no shot at the playoffs.

Speculation, sure, but I wouldn't characterize it as "wild".

You read stories all the time about how athletes hurt their backs or some other body part and start doing things to compensate for that injury and hurt themselves in another, seemingly unrelated, way.
- johndewar

Having a back issue... like a strained muscle or pinched nerve. Which I think is bothering Mason can shoot down into your arms and legs. He might be dealing with a bad Sciatica.

I won't go as far as to say they should tank, but they should definitely use the last 40 games or so to evaluate some of the kids, and make the focus on development, rather than winning games.
- Jsaquella

No, not tanking... but dont risk the long term health of Mason in this lost season.