By surprise, I’m assuming you mean he’ll stay off IR until Halloween?
- BiggE

In a sick way I kind of hope the injuries do happen.

Want Lyon/Stolarz to get some games before they just give it to Hart. You've put time into developing these guys, lets see what they've got.

I have full confidence in Elliott to be the goalie he was brought here to be.
- MJL

Which is what?

Lööps, bröther
- Giroux_Is_God

we control the lööps, brøther

we control the lööps, brøther
- Mordecai

I thought that was Toucan Sam’s gig.

Which is what?
- rinaldo

Probably the same steady guy he was last season before getting hurt.

One day closer to the season. Sorry, that's all I got.

Probably the same steady guy he was last season before getting hurt.
- MBFlyerfan

I hope so, last year was the first time he was ever seriously injured and/or had surgery in his career. I have to wonder if, at age 33, he will be the same player he was before the surgery.

I hope so, last year was the first time he was ever seriously injured and/or had surgery in his career. I have to wonder if, at age 33, he will be the same player he was before the surgery.
- BiggE

For the first time in a long time, I'm not worried about our defense, and even the 3C spot isn't a big concern. But the goalie situation is definitely cause for concern based on uncertainty. If Elliott can give them a full season close to where he was before the injury, they'll challenge for the top spot in the division. If he and/or whoever give them subpar goaltending, they'll be fighting for a Wild Card.

I hope so, last year was the first time he was ever seriously injured and/or had surgery in his career. I have to wonder if, at age 33, he will be the same player he was before the surgery.
- BiggE

Not saying you but it's funny everyone seems to worry about our goalies coming back ok because of the injuries but i get a sense more people think Simmonds will be ok after going through multiple injures this past year.

For the first time in a long time, I'm not worried about our defense, and even the 3C spot isn't a big concern. But the goalie situation is definitely cause for concern based on uncertainty. If Elliott can give them a full season close to where he was before the injury, they'll challenge for the top spot in the division. If he and/or whoever give them subpar goaltending, they'll be fighting for a Wild Card.
- jmatchett383

Agreed. Here is how I see their 5 pro goalies in regards to this upcoming season.

Elliott
Best case: Bounces back like he was never injured, stays healthy all season, starts 50-55 games and puts up a sv % of .915 or better.
worst case: suffers from recurring abdominal injuries and only suits up for less than 20 games.
likely case: is solid, but unspectacular, Stays relatively healthy and starts 45-50 games finishing with a sv % around .910

Neuvirth
Best case: makes it through an entire season without a trip to IR. Takes the starting spot, plays 50 or so games and puts up a sv% of .920
worst case: breaks both legs stepping out of his car on the first day of camp.
likely case: Has at least one trip to the IR, starts 20 or so games by the all star break. Gets traded to a playoff team with injury issues desperate to get a goalie on the cheap.

Lyon
Best case: Beats out the oft injured Neuvirth who gets traded during camp. Is a solid 1B and starts 30 or so games with a sv% at or better than .910
worst case: has a mediocre camp and goes on to have a so-so season at LHV
likely case: Starts the season at LHV sharing the crease mainly with Carter Hart. After Neuvirth is traded, he gets first shot at backing up Elliott down the stretch

Stolarz
Best case: Bounces back like he was never injured last year. Clearly outplays Lyon and when Neuvirth inevitably gets injured, he gets the call up to tandem with Elliott.
worst case: can't stay healthy, spends most of the season on IR
likely case: makes it through camp and it's obvious that he needs to play to work off the rust. Gets lent to another team until Neuvirth gets hurt or someone is moved. At that point he finishes the season with the Phantoms.

Hart
best case: Comes out and just blows away every other pro goalie during preseason. Starts the season in tandem with Elliott and by Christmas, he is clearly the Flyers number one goalie.
worst case: he gets injured and misses most of the season. If healthy, at worst, he probably has a very good season in LHV
likely case: quickly establishes himself as the Phantoms #1. When Neuvirth gets hurt or traded, Lyon probably still gets the first shot to come up, but, if he struggles, the Flyers turn to Hart.

Not saying you but it's funny everyone seems to worry about our goalies coming back ok because of the injuries but i get a sense more people think Simmonds will be ok after going through multiple injures this past year.
- J35Bacher

True. However, we saw both Giroux and Ghost bounce back last year after going through similar injuries. As much as lower body injuries can set a skater back, they're far more critical for goalies.

Not saying you but it's funny everyone seems to worry about our goalies coming back ok because of the injuries but i get a sense more people think Simmonds will be ok after going through multiple injures this past year.
- J35Bacher

Yeah, I'm worried about Simmonds too. I just a little more worried about Elliott who is 3 years older and coming off the first major surgery of his career. Having healthy abdominal muscles is critical for any athlete, but especially for a goaltender. If his mobility is hampered in any way, he's really going to struggle.

Agreed. Here is how I see their 5 pro goalies in regards to this upcoming season.

Elliott
Best case: Bounces back like he was never injured, stays healthy all season, starts 50-55 games and puts up a sv % of .915 or better.
worst case: suffers from recurring abdominal injuries and only suits up for less than 20 games.
likely case: is solid, but unspectacular, Stays relatively healthy and starts 45-50 games finishing with a sv % around .910

Neuvirth
Best case: makes it through an entire season without a trip to IR. Takes the starting spot, plays 50 or so games and puts up a sv% of .920
worst case: breaks both legs stepping out of his car on the first day of camp.
likely case: Has at least one trip to the IR, starts 20 or so games by the all star break. Gets traded to a playoff team with injury issues desperate to get a goalie on the cheap.

Lyon
Best case: Beats out the oft injured Neuvirth who gets traded during camp. Is a solid 1B and starts 30 or so games with a sv% at or better than .910
worst case: has a mediocre camp and goes on to have a so-so season at LHV
likely case: Starts the season at LHV sharing the crease mainly with Carter Hart. After Neuvirth is traded, he gets first shot at backing up Elliott down the stretch

Stolarz
Best case: Bounces back like he was never injured last year. Clearly outplays Lyon and when Neuvirth inevitably gets injured, he gets the call up to tandem with Elliott.
worst case: can't stay healthy, spends most of the season on IR
likely case: makes it through camp and it's obvious that he needs to play to work off the rust. Gets lent to another team until Neuvirth gets hurt or someone is moved. At that point he finishes the season with the Phantoms.

Hart
best case: Comes out and just blows away every other pro goalie during preseason. Starts the season in tandem with Elliott and by Christmas, he is clearly the Flyers number one goalie.
worst case: he gets injured and misses most of the season. If healthy, at worst, he probably has a very good season in LHV
likely case: quickly establishes himself as the Phantoms #1. When Neuvirth gets hurt or traded, Lyon probably still gets the first shot to come up, but, if he struggles, the Flyers turn to Hart.
- BiggE

Couldn't Neuvirth's "worst case" also be his "likely case?"

I'm joking, but jfc, it's ridiculous.

Both of them had Ghost ranked. Daneyko had Ghost at #18, and Provorov in his top 25. To be honest I really couldn't disagree with any of who were included.
- MBFlyerfan

I think Daneyko had Provy at 15.

Couldn't Neuvirth's "worst case" also be his "likely case?"

I'm joking, but jfc, it's ridiculous.
- jmatchett383

Well, yeah, pretty much. Though I think it's at least likely that he does survive getting out of his car.

Yeah, I'm worried about Simmonds too. I just a little more worried about Elliott who is 3 years older and coming off the first major surgery of his career. Having healthy abdominal muscles is critical for any athlete, but especially for a goaltender. If his mobility is hampered in any way, he's really going to struggle.
- BiggE

Best example may be Ray Emery. In the 2014 NYR series, he was fine if he could square up to the shooter. But if he had to quickly move side-to-side, there was no shot. Granted, he had no hip to speak of, but still an example of how extremely critical LBI's are for goalies.

Well, yeah, pretty much. Though I think it's at least likely that he does survive getting out of his car.
- BiggE

I see you're a high-stakes gambler.

By surprise, I’m assuming you mean he’ll stay off IR until Halloween?
- BiggE

knew you would respond, I actually think he will have a solid season

Not saying you but it's funny everyone seems to worry about our goalies coming back ok because of the injuries but i get a sense more people think Simmonds will be ok after going through multiple injures this past year.
- J35Bacher

less critical position

knew you would respond, I actually think he will have a solid season
- wcorvette

Hope you're right. Not really sure why you're mad at me, it's not my fault the guy is injury prone.

well we cracked 100 comments yesterday...

the top 20 D, seems like reputation is a big part of it. Burns at a -16 and Werenski is good but doesnt jump off the page at you, plus he plays with Jones.

other thoughts?

Hope you're right. Not really sure why you're mad at me, it's not my fault the guy is injury prone.
- BiggE

LOL, we need some piss and vinegar today... or scotch in your case...


I think the only way the Flyers win 2 rounds is if Nuevy has a contract season. Elliot at best will be Elliot.

LOL, we need some piss and vinegar today... or scotch in your case...


I think the only way the Flyers win 2 rounds is if Nuevy has a contract season. Elliot at best will be Elliot.
- wcorvette

Maybe. lots of things can happen between now and April though.

well we cracked 100 comments yesterday...

the top 20 D, seems like reputation is a big part of it. Burns at a -16 and Werenski is good but doesnt jump off the page at you, plus he plays with Jones.

other thoughts?
- wcorvette

I'd rank Provorov higher than Ghost

Maybe. lots of things can happen between now and April though.
- BiggE

for sure , a trade being the most likely, even if Nuevy is somehow vertical and plays well, he probably gets traded. Only way he wouldn't is if he was the Flyers best option to compete.