kevin hayes first line center

Within hockey circles, Ho Sang is almost universally considered almost uncoachable and a difficult teammate to play with. Sprong is regarded as a one-trick pony.
- bmeltzer

To be fair, Ho Sang did look good against the Flyers a couple years ago...in preseason.

Can't believe 1 team didn't claim Sprong or Ho Sang
- arichardson22

Me neither. I commented on the Ranger board that someone who is gonna be in dire straits for awhile like the Kings shoulda tried for a grand slam with one of those guys. Yeah, high potential it doesn't work, but you need all the help you can get.

First time comment, long time reader. How will the buzz panic after losing to a Swiss team in a meaningless preseason game?

I will log off and listen on my phone. Thanks.
- Glak18

dude i know you don't try that game

To be fair, Ho Sang did look good against the Flyers a couple years ago...in preseason.
- Glak18

can he skate?

The concern is not who they lost to. Its not that its an exhibition game. It's as Bill said, the team did not come out ready to play. If this was a one time theme you could chalk it up to "its a meaningless preseason game" BUT this was the theme all last year....slow starts.

From post game comments it wud seem the biggest culprits are JVR and Jake.
- SDFLYER

Defense. Ghost was terrible, he is a liability in our end. Prov didn't look good either. Braunn and Nisky looked better than them. But, no one excelled on defense. Sanheim wasn't bad, with the exception of missing a wide open net just a few feet from the goal. Several others tried to getting going in the offensive zone with no luck.

Offense: Giroux was leading by example. His effort level was High, long with the kids (and Laughton). Raffl is useless as it comes to scoring. A few people set him up and he can't bury the chances. Jake was Jake. He tried but wasn't rewarded. JVR can't kept up with the play - set him up in front is fine, but don't ask him to forecheck.

Goalies: I blame the coach on this call. Playing a non-NHL team is a lose-lose. If he wins, it's "he should have". If he loses, it could hurt the confidence... His team didn't help him. Eliot looked very sharp. He's got more experience, he should have started this one.

Bill, I don't know if you listened to Mike Richards interview the other day, but I'd be interested to hear your thoughts about what he had to say about the 2010 season.

can he skate?
- DaveofYork

Skates like he is from Toronto and stickhandles like he is from Quebec.

And...

People will complain who played and how much ice time they were given. That's how it works around here.
- Glak18

I solemnly swear not to complain all weekend if the Flyers win on Friday.

I think it was Voracek who said we would all forget about the preseason if they come out and go 3-0 to start the regular season. Honestly, they should be able to beat all 3 of those teams. SHOW-IT.

Defense. Ghost was terrible, he is a liability in our end. Prov didn't look good either. Braunn and Nisky looked better than them. But, no one excelled on defense. Sanheim wasn't bad, with the exception of missing a wide open net just a few feet from the goal. Several others tried to getting going in the offensive zone with no luck.

Offense: Giroux was leading by example. His effort level was High, long with the kids (and Laughton). Raffl is useless as it comes to scoring. A few people set him up and he can't bury the chances. Jake was Jake. He tried but wasn't rewarded. JVR can't kept up with the play - set him up in front is fine, but don't ask him to forecheck.

Goalies: I blame the coach on this call. Playing a non-NHL team is a lose-lose. If he wins, it's "he should have". If he loses, it could hurt the confidence... His team didn't help him. Eliot looked very sharp. He's got more experience, he should have started this one.
- leon neon

Sadly, you can remove the goalies paragraph and you may have the opportunities to repost this during the year

Twarynski, Farabee, and the bun man have been playing some good hockey. They are playing like they went this and I love to see the enthusiasm and drive, it says a lot about the kids. I'm happy to see the youth in the line up. Maybe the vets can feed off of their energy and play some hockey, too

I solemnly swear not to complain all weekend if the Flyers win on Friday.

I think it was Voracek who said we would all forget about the preseason if they come out and go 3-0 to start the regular season. Honestly, they should be able to beat all 3 of those teams. SHOW-IT.
- NC Flyers Fan

AGREED.

Words no longer matter. I would rather see a loss with competitive effort than what has been shown the last few years.

Within hockey circles, Ho Sang is almost universally considered almost uncoachable and a difficult teammate to play with. Sprong is regarded as a one-trick pony.
- bmeltzer

Ho-Sang I get as he's made a loud annoying entrance into the NHL/AHL, but figured a team may give a shot to Sprong despite being one trick pony

Lausanne is a couple weeks into their regular season.
- bmeltzer

I was wondering this while streaming the game. I thought this team looks like they've been playing together longer than we have. Glad it was the case

Lausanne is a couple weeks into their regular season.
- bmeltzer

I was wondering this while streaming the game. I thought this team looks like they've been playing together longer than we have. Glad it was the case

Skates like he is from Toronto and stickhandles like he is from Quebec.
- Glak18

I love a good provincial comment

I actually do, calling a win Friday.
- ClaudeFather

And the other 81 games?

Swiss teams are always tough in the Neutral zone.
- Feanor

I see what you did there. Lol

Swiss teams are always tough in the Neutral zone.
- Feanor

Well played

Ho-Sang I get as he's made a loud annoying entrance into the NHL/AHL, but figured a team may give a shot to Sprong despite being one trick pony
- arichardson22

everyone has heard what Bill is referring to about Ho-sang and Sprong….Interesting that a team that might lack scoring wouldn't at least take a shot. Skill wise Ho-Sang could make any team in the NHL. He just can't seem to get out of his own way. What a waste of elite talent.

I was wondering this while streaming the game. I thought this team looks like they've been playing together longer than we have. Glad it was the case
- arichardson22

Well this is the beauty of ice hockey, if the team plays as a unit and on the same page they tend to beat teams that look more talented on paper.

A team could have 12 former 50 goal scorers, but if they don't play the roles needed to be successful then they don't do squat.

Bill, I don't know if you listened to Mike Richards interview the other day, but I'd be interested to hear your thoughts about what he had to say about the 2010 season.
- KGBflyers10

Can you provide link or at least expand on what he said?

Farabee will get his first goal in the next game. You heard it here first

Defense. Ghost was terrible, he is a liability in our end. Prov didn't look good either. Braunn and Nisky looked better than them. But, no one excelled on defense. Sanheim wasn't bad, with the exception of missing a wide open net just a few feet from the goal. Several others tried to getting going in the offensive zone with no luck.

Offense: Giroux was leading by example. His effort level was High, long with the kids (and Laughton). Raffl is useless as it comes to scoring. A few people set him up and he can't bury the chances. Jake was Jake. He tried but wasn't rewarded. JVR can't kept up with the play - set him up in front is fine, but don't ask him to forecheck.

Goalies: I blame the coach on this call. Playing a non-NHL team is a lose-lose. If he wins, it's "he should have". If he loses, it could hurt the confidence... His team didn't help him. Eliot looked very sharp. He's got more experience, he should have started this one.
- leon neon

Interesting comments about the goaltending selection. I would have been ok with elliott starting that game too. We have to expect hart gets the nod Friday, and I'm a way, this is part of him learning what it takes to be a starter. Shake off the bad start and come out strong. You have to overcome the adversity of travel etc and not make excuses. The best always came out strong after a bad start and I think he will do so.

Can you provide link or at least expand on what he said?
- youarewrong

Richards mentioned he and Lavy really didn't get along and that Lavy always viewed Pronger as the Captain, despite teammates in the room knowing it was Richards. Said there was a slight disconnect over it.

As for being shipped out, he was told Carter was being traded to Kings. Eventually he was told he may get traded and said hey if they dont want me idc ship me out. He essentially took Carter's spot in the LA trade, then Carter was shockingly shipped to CLB. Richards felt if that team was kept together we would have won a cup