If they continue the ratio and have been shut out 6 times in 21 games or 8 times in 28 games, then I'll be concerned.

They had a lot of good chances last night and held a good team to 1 goal. Now, had they been badly outplayed and shutout, I'd be more concerned.
- jmatchett383

You make a good point. If they play a game like that again where they have a good pressure, pucks will have to go in. I feel bad for Neuvirth.

Sure if they send him to the AHL and he doesn't want to report, they can do it. Which one of those had 5 million on the table?
- YuenglingJagr

Mike Richards left a ton on the table, and I think Voynov too, although both of them were for character/legal issues. But saying there's no precedent for a mutual buyout is wrong, technically.

No, Im concerned that they are struggling against really good goaltenders. The 8 goal game was great but it was against a backup. I think my real worry is that this team could be a feast or famine type situation. But like I said, I know it's early but that doesn't mean we should ignore being shutout twice in seven games. Just something to keep an eye on.
- XthepumperX

Well I think that is an effect of loading up on the top line

You make a good point. If they play a game like that again where they have a good pressure, pucks will have to go in. I feel bad for Neuvirth.
- XthepumperX

Neuvy has had 2 shutouts against him in 3 starts you kinda gotta feel for him. He took the high road when asked bluntly about that.

Mike Richards left a ton on the table, and I think Voynov too, although both of them were for character/legal issues. But saying there's no precedent for a mutual buyout is wrong, technically.
- jmatchett383

I didn't say there was never anyone bought out. There are clear reasons why it has happened (and why there wasnt an issue with it happening from the union). Mutually terminating for the hell of it (and to avoid a buyout) are not one of the reasons

They scored 5 on Rinne on 10/10 didn't they?
- dragonoffrost

Yeah, and he came back and shut them out. I'm sure I am just being paranoid. I watched a lot of bad hockey last year and it's hard for me to believe things have turned around when I am expecting the worst.

Well I think that is an effect of loading up on the top line
- YuenglingJagr

I think Weal is an underrated piece of the team. He may not ever put up huge stat lines, but they guy is a damn good player.

We now have the depth to put players into their proper roles (at least 90%), but what we lack is top-6 depth. Everything fits nicely as long as there are no injuries.

Yeah, and he came back and shut them out. I'm sure I am just being paranoid. I watched a lot of bad hockey last year and it's hard for me to believe things have turned around when I am expecting the worst.
- XthepumperX

It is definitely not the 16-17 Flyers...they're a better team all around

I think Weal is an underrated piece of the team. He may not ever put up huge stat lines, but they guy is a damn good player.

We now have the depth to put players into their proper roles (at least 90%), but what we lack is top-6 depth. Everything fits nicely as long as there are no injuries.
- jmatchett383

Welcome, we've been expecting you

I didn't say there was never anyone bought out. There are clear reasons why it has happened (and why there wasnt an issue with it happening from the union). Mutually terminating for the hell of it (and to avoid a buyout) are not one of the reasons
- YuenglingJagr

Maybe, but I don't know if anyone has ever tried. I'm not saying it would work, but if he wanted to go back to Europe, he could say to hell with the union.

And although he had valid reasons for it, Vinny's premature retirement was pretty much the same thing.

I'm not advocating either, to be clear.

Welcome, we've been expecting you
- YuenglingJagr

???

I think Weal is an underrated piece of the team. He may not ever put up huge stat lines, but they guy is a damn good player.

We now have the depth to put players into their proper roles (at least 90%), but what we lack is top-6 depth. Everything fits nicely as long as there are no injuries.
- jmatchett383

Would it make sense to put Konecny on the 2nd line and Weal on the 3rd? I would think he could definitely build on last seasons point total.

Maybe, but I don't know if anyone has ever tried. I'm not saying it would work, but if he wanted to go back to Europe, he could say to hell with the union.

And although he had valid reasons for it, Vinny's premature retirement was pretty much the same thing.

I'm not advocating either, to be clear.
- jmatchett383

similar, but by retiring, Vinny couldn't sign elsewhere (in the NHL)

I really hope that as the season goes and Hagg gets more comfortable that he is more involved with the offense. I would like to see him shoot more because I think he could be a 7-10 goal guy(maybe that's a little high) or just be a pleasant surprise on the O side of things. With Ghost as his partner if could open up some lanes for him to take more shots. I hope.

I think Weal is an underrated piece of the team. He may not ever put up huge stat lines, but they guy is a damn good player.

We now have the depth to put players into their proper roles (at least 90%), but what we lack is top-6 depth. Everything fits nicely as long as there are no injuries.
- jmatchett383

Weal is an excellent player. Sorely missed last night

Weal is an excellent player. Sorely missed last night
- Just5

Was he a throw in on the Vinnie trade or the main thing we got out of that...besides getting rid of his contract?

As this season is churning along I am wanting more and more for morin to get playing time. Other teams are having a little to easy of a time in and around our net. One of our dmen got bowled over into neuvirth last night. Morin had other teams attention during the preseason. We are lacking physicality in our lineup.

Even though amac is playing well, as long as gudas ramps himself up regular form I wouldn't hesitate to bring morin in for amac. Let sanheim/morin be the 3rd pair.

I know they want to filter them in, but this lineup will eventually need morin more than it will need amac

I know it is only seven games in, but I am a little worried that the Flyers have been shut out twice already. Like I said, I know its incredibly early, but I just have that little nagging feeling.
- XthepumperX

But they have games with 8 and 5 goals respectfully. It's an 82 game jog. They'll be more shutouts and more 3+goal outputs. Nature of the beast.

Voracek better pot one like yesterday though

I missed the last 10 mins while getting dressed in the locker room (skated with some friends on the ice after the game) other than catching the last few mins watching on the tv in the locker room but from what I saw

Pluses - Neuvirth again played very well. He has been the better goalie by far and should be in again tomorrow. This is the goalie that makes us just hold our breath that he doesn't get hurt because he is playing so well. though Sanheim and Hagg had good games. watching Provorov, Ghost, Sanheim and Hagg is just a joy. Despite being shut out I thought the top line had good chances. just couldn't bury one.

Negatives - I thought Gudas struggled again. He has not played well this year so far but its early. Plenty of time to right the ship. Hated 15-51-17 line. That said I really like Filppula's overall game this year. Granted Lehtera hasn't played at all and was thrown on the line but It just didn't look good. Really hoping Weal is back tomorrow.

Response to MJL:

Do you know he's not? Does anyone really ever know until the kid is given the opportunity? I believe Martel is in his 3rd year with LHV and has been one of the best forwards on the team so far. At some point, you need to give a kid a shot.
- BiggE

I wouldn't mind seeing him get a shot. I am all for rewarding kids playing well in the minors when the opportunity presents itself like with an injury. if he struggles you send him back down.

Was he a throw in on the Vinnie trade or the main thing we got out of that...besides getting rid of his contract?
- XthepumperX

A little bit of both. He wasn't going to get playing time, but LA didn't want to waive him. The main thing was VLC's contract from our perspective.

similar, but by retiring, Vinny couldn't sign elsewhere (in the NHL)
- YuenglingJagr

Good point.

Since it's only one more year, I see no reason to buy him our or mutually terminate. Let it run its course, and assign him to the AHL if needed next year.

That's one of the positives I took away from this game. Sanheim didn't look like a guys playing in his second NHL game and Hagg continues to look solid which I think gives Ghost all the more confidence. I don't think the Flyers have ever had a homegrown stud defenseman and now we possibly could have a couple. The future is exciting.
- XthepumperX

maybe because he was playing in his 4th game?

Thanks Bill. I'm just glad to see the Flyers bringing up the kids, and getting rid of some of the bad contracts, and dead weight. They skated well, they moved the puck well, etc... The play is much better than last year's effort, and I can take a one goal loss rather than a 7-0 spanking. I see a much needed bump in effort, and I can't wait to see more kids coming up. Now, to get rid of 2-3 contracts..... I see light at the end of the tunnel.

I wouldn't mind seeing him get a shot. I am all for rewarding kids playing well in the minors when the opportunity presents itself like with an injury. if he struggles you send him back down.
- nastyflyergirl

I like Martel a lot. He is around a lot during arena tours and was at Phantoms youth practice this week. I think his NHL upside is a bit limited though. You see a guy like Weal make up for his size by being strong on the puck. I don't think Martel can do that at the NHL level consistently. That said, I am not sure he has stuff to learn or anything in the AHL so if they wanted to give him a shot so be it. I see a few other guys above him on the roster though.