I thought Mason was a bit leaky, myself, but there have been PLENTY of nights where he kept this team in it by himself. Bad nights happen to everyone and this one, frankly, wasn't even that bad, really.

I like our goalies. Let's just leave it like it is.
- johndewar

Same.

However, were an offer to come along for one of them that was too good to pass up in terms of helping the team be set up for two seasons down the road I wouldn't hesitate to take it.

Haha yeah, market for goalies is so soft, I wouldn't expect that much back.

Might as well just keep him, right?
- Tomahawk

No, but when someone just makes a blanket, "Would you trade player X to team Y," then answer is yes, if the return is good enough. Just giving examples where it's a no-brainer yes.

Vandevelde isn't the problem. He's a good 4th line winger and pker. The problem is that he's being played 15 minutes a night and with Voracek. That's just about talent availability. That line had a strong game last night on the forecheck. The problem is he's not a finisher and doesn't have the offensive instincts to jump in holes to give Voracek options nor does he play any kind of give and go game. Neither does Bellemare. Both are straight ahead N/S players
- MJL

Your right. He isn't the problem. But he isn't the answer either. Also Bellemare is a good 4th line player and pker.

there is a reason Vandevelde didn't really find a home in the NHL. He is a guy that can be replaced. Look at the Isle's 4th line. They kill penalites and give the other team fits on the forecheck and create chances. Same with the cup winning Bruins. Campbell, Kelly and thorton.

Vandevelde just doesn't give me anything that makes me need to keep seeing him out there.

Vandevelde just doesn't give me anything that makes me need to keep seeing him out there.
- J35Bacher

He's better than Rinaldo, tho.

Baby steps.

This whole place is starting to suck to high heaven because of a few trolling douche bags. Does anyone know of any rational Flyers discussion boards? Its too bad because Bill is the best there is, unfortunately there are too many bumholes in here that ruin the experience.


I am so glad I stayed out of here last night during the game. That first goal must have been the Andy MacDonald experience.

Your right. He isn't the problem. But he isn't the answer either. Also Bellemare is a good 4th line player and pker.

there is a reason Vandevelde didn't really find a home in the NHL. He is a guy that can be replaced. Look at the Isle's 4th line. They kill penalites and give the other team fits on the forecheck and create chances. Same with the cup winning Bruins. Campbell, Kelly and thorton.

Vandevelde just doesn't give me anything that makes me need to keep seeing him out there.
- J35Bacher

This. Replacing him in the lineup won't be a day and night difference, but he's an easily replaceable 4th liner/AHL tweener. There's nothing special about him that can't be found in every year's UFA pool or in most team's AHL systems.

He's better than Rinaldo, tho.

Baby steps.
- Tomahawk

2 more assists better.

YEHHHHHH


It is ok to want more.

This whole place is starting to suck to high heaven because of a few trolling douche bags. Does anyone know of any rational Flyers discussion boards? Its too bad because Bill is the best there is, unfortunately there are too many bumholes in here that ruin the experience.


I am so glad I stayed out of here last night during the game. That first goal must have been the Andy MacDonald experience.

- MBFlyerfan

You just need to create your own mental ignore list and it's fine here.

Your right. He isn't the problem. But he isn't the answer either. Also Bellemare is a good 4th line player and pker.

there is a reason Vandevelde didn't really find a home in the NHL. He is a guy that can be replaced. Look at the Isle's 4th line. They kill penalites and give the other team fits on the forecheck and create chances. Same with the cup winning Bruins. Campbell, Kelly and thorton.

Vandevelde just doesn't give me anything that makes me need to keep seeing him out there.
- J35Bacher

In the game I watched last night both Vandevelde and Bellemare gave the Isles fits on the forecheck. There were many games earlier in the season those two with White were one of the Flyers better lines. The problem is they lack finish but I have no problem with Vandevelde on the 4th line. Plus he's a solid pker.

I think Bergenheim is currently unemployed. I'd rather have him than Vandevelde

He's better than Rinaldo, tho.


- Tomahawk

low hurdle

He's better than Rinaldo, tho.

Baby steps.
- Tomahawk

Right. I think for the most part they are dressing nhlers in this lineup. It's just an overabundance of 4th liners and 5 and 6 dmen. No one kills them by themselves, but collectively their just not good enough. It's why I move on from every Ufa they have with the likes of VDV, bellemare, Umberger signed for next year.

This. Replacing him in the lineup won't be a day and night difference, but he's an easily replaceable 4th liner/AHL tweener. There's nothing special about him that can't be found in every year's UFA pool or in most team's AHL systems.
- jmatchett383

And his cap hit doesn't stay with the team if waived.

I just want see something different. I thought Colin McDonald was more effective in getting in the forecheck. Goulbourne's roll in the NHL is pretty defined. Martel is more skilled and can fly. If your keeping Voracek with Bellemare then why not try a wing with more skill and creativity.

I am ok with good. But isn't ok to want better. I am not asking to waive Giroux.

I don't know.

I think it is just getting him the right chance. Right now where does it make sense to pay Cousins? As a fourth line center playing about 7 minutes with lack luster talent?

I don't think he is a top 6 player but as guys like Umberger and White and Vandevelde move on then I could see cousins in a bottom 6 roll playing with guys like Laughton, Leier, Martel, Abul-Kubel.
- J35Bacher

yes in cousins case rather see him in limited minutes right now. he has done his time in the ahl.

also depends on how they value him. if they really think he is part of the future and want him at 20 minutes in the ahl I am ok with that. though if they don't resign him and let him walk can you say he was really given a chance?

my point is he is contract expires end of year. so a choice will have to be made

And his cap hit doesn't stay with the team if waived.

I just want see something different. I thought Colin McDonald was more effective in getting in the forecheck. Goulbourne's roll in the NHL is pretty defined. Martel is more skilled and can fly. If your keeping Voracek with Bellemare then why not try a wing with more skill and creativity.

I am ok with good. But isn't ok to want better. I am not asking to waive Giroux.
- J35Bacher

Agreed here. McDonald may not be a permanent answer, but he showed me more than VdV has. I've never seen a full game from the Ghoul or Martel so I won't comment on them, but I'd be open to trying some different combos.

But, again, that's Hak's golden boy.

Right. I think for the most part they are dressing nhlers in this lineup. It's just an overabundance of 4th liners and 5 and 6 dmen. No one kills them by themselves, but collectively their just not good enough. It's why I move on from every Ufa they have with the likes of VDV, bellemare, Umberger signed for next year.
- Just5

Pretty much.

It's gonna take time to build back that quality depth from near-zero. Gonna have to live w/ a few stiffs/fodder players while the kids get quality minutes in LHV.

Right. I think for the most part they are dressing nhlers in this lineup. It's just an overabundance of 4th liners and 5 and 6 dmen. No one kills them by themselves, but collectively their just not good enough. It's why I move on from every Ufa they have with the likes of VDV, bellemare, Umberger signed for next year.
- Just5

I am ok with Bellemare. I see more skill with him and he can kill penalties and play a gritty game. I like him as a fourth line center.

What is up with Steve Mason? Did he commit some sin and is now cursed?
He was always the goalie who made the gimme save, most of the tough saves and most of the crazy saves. Now...who knows...
It is a real shame because when he is on his is a difference maker. Sadly he has been a difference maker the last two games the other way.
- wbon22

Just a bump in the road; no more and no less. He had a run of really good starts -- including the regulation shutout against San Jose and the shutout of the Rangers -- up through the win in Ottawa. The last two starts haven't been his best.

Even the Columbus game wasn't awful. Two of the goals were unstoppable and one was a tough -- but needed by the team-- save.

Last night, he was one-on-one with a shooter in the slot and got most of it but not enugh. The second goal was unstoppable. The third one was a somewhat more stoppable variation of the third goal in the Columbus game. My one complaint on the third goals in both games was that he seemed to make himself a little small on both.

Mason can be better than he was the last two games but it's really nothing to get too worked up about. First of all, he's been good in the majority of his starts this season. Secondly, Neuvirth is capable of sharing time for awhile if that's what is needed.

yes in cousins case rather see him in limited minutes right now. he has done his time in the ahl.

also depends on how they value him. if they really think he is part of the future and want him at 20 minutes in the ahl I am ok with that. though if they don't resign him and let him walk can you say he was really given a chance?

my point is he is contract expires end of year. so a choice will have to be made
- rinaldo

Yeah. Have to wonder what they really think of cousins. He has small trade value. Do they keep him racking up the points in the A in the hopes of including him as a sweetner? His value may be higher as a points leader in the A then playing 8 mins a night. I am for bringing him back to take a longer look

Pretty much.

It's gonna take time to build back that quality depth from near-zero. Gonna have to live w/ a few stiffs/fodder players while the kids get quality minutes in LHV.
- Tomahawk

If VDV won't be demoted to the 4th line then I think VdV-PEB-Simmonds would be a better forechecking/garbage goal line. Voracek is wasted with them.

Agreed here. McDonald may not be a permanent answer, but he showed me more than VdV has. I've never seen a full game from the Ghoul or Martel so I won't comment on them, but I'd be open to trying some different combos.

But, again, that's Hak's golden boy.
- jmatchett383

It's just frustrating. Also seeing Raffl playing on the top line is beginning to kill me. I know he had a good year. But I think he is more a 3rd line type. I would rather see them just place Schenn there and let him play it out until the TDL. If you play him there until March and then at the TDl you really look and see if he is part of your future or do you look to see what value he has.

If VDV won't be demoted to the 4th line then I think VdV-PEB-Simmonds would be a better forechecking/garbage goal line. Voracek is wasted with them.
- Feanor

Hak doesn't seem done sending his message yet.

Hak doesn't seem done sending his message yet.
- Tomahawk

Yeah. Have to wonder what they really think of cousins. He has small trade value. Do they keep him racking up the points in the A in the hopes of including him as a sweetner? His value may be higher as a points leader in the A then playing 8 mins a night. I am for bringing him back to take a longer look
- Just5

maybe Bill can chime in and give some insight as to what they think of cousins.

i think mason might be missing reese.