I still hear the flyers n leafs are talking. Is it possible they have a deal in place for when jvr comes back. I know this is old news and gettin anoying but I just find it kinda of weird that all this trade talk was getting pretty serious sounding and now jvr is out Could it just be a precaution so he doesn't futher injur himself ??
- griouxmvp2012

JVR has a concussion there is no time frame for him. So that is meaningless until he is fully cleared and plays a few games.

The fact remains that Suter will likely be a FA or can be had at the draft for a small price. There is no reason to lose JVR+prospects for a Schenn or Weber. At that point, Pronger will likely have his future decided as to whether he'll play or retire, and the cap situation would be more clear.

Schenn is a project; Suter is proven.
- steelydan

pronger won't officially retire even if he intends to never play again.

i hope they just look for a stop-gap 5-6 without giving anyone up.

when other teams forecheck hard - it gives the flyers fits. because the don't move the puck quickly and they send it back and forth behind the net along the wall. i'd rather they just chip it out and set to defend again rather than create a chinese fire drill. quickness in decision making is a part of this. it also plagues them on the pp. they move the puck WAY too slowly - and it allows the other team to attack the half-wall winger and point men too easily.
- hammarby31

The problem I see there is that the best defensive teams, defend in the neutral zone. The take away skating room and keep the gap close. And they limit attack time in their own zone. And when it is in their zone, the D zone coverage is sound, and they keep teams to the outside. And if there is a breakdown, Goalies like Lundqvist and Thomas erase it. We hear a lot of talk about clearing the porch. The best way to clear the porch, is to keep the puck away from the front of your net. Keep teams to the outside and allow the Goalies clear sight lines. Defenseman have inside position on attackers. You can't tackle and shove, and grab players and move them from the front of the net anymore. And then it comes down to what your talking about. Puck management and decision making. Turnovers are a sure way to extended attack time in your own zone. And more chances for blown coverages and deflections, and rebounds. When turnovers happen and your team is going on the offensive. Players are out of position. And it becomes running around, and a fire drill. Unless the Flyers add a defenseman that can have an impact of a Pronger. Unless they fix these other issues and start playing like I described. Adding a decent veteran "crease clearer", isn't going to make a huge impact. It will help, no doubt. But it won't be a miracle cure.
The Flyers plan and style under Laviolette is to defend by forechecking and pressuring the puck. And back it up with a hybrid lock. If they don't have their skating legs, it's tough to keep the other team out of their zone. There's free ice through the neutral zone. And people expect defenseman such as Lilja, to quash it. Not going to happen. Sorry for the book!

how come as I am about to give up my Bryzgalov defense all you guys are coming out of the woodwork to defend him Big conspiracy I tell ya
- JoeRussomanno

lol I have always defended Bryz even when others trash him. I love the guy and he is one of my fav goalies

You guys see this? Tortorella blew up on young defenseman bickel for screening and waving his stick on the one canadien goal. Something that is a nightly occurence with the Flyers.

Yup and Biron just got a shutout. Time for goalie controversy in NY
- JoeRussomanno

not when HL's played the way he has all year.

The fact remains that Suter will likely be a FA or can be had at the draft for a small price. There is no reason to lose JVR+prospects for a Schenn or Weber. At that point, Pronger will likely have his future decided as to whether he'll play or retire, and the cap situation would be more clear.

Schenn is a project; Suter is proven.
- steelydan

That's what worries me. the possibility that Pronger won't have his future decided by the draft, or by July 1. And don't be so sure that Suter's rights will be traded for a small price before July 1. I could see Nashville asking for a #1.

I still hear the flyers n leafs are talking. Is it possible they have a deal in place for when jvr comes back. I know this is old news and gettin anoying but I just find it kinda of weird that all this trade talk was getting pretty serious sounding and now jvr is out Could it just be a precaution so he doesn't futher injur himself ??
- griouxmvp2012

It's not a precaution. JVR has a concussion and can't play right now.

The problem I see there is that the best defensive teams, defend in the neutral zone. The take away skating room and keep the gap close. And they limit attack time in their own zone. And when it is in their zone, the D zone coverage is sound, and they keep teams to the outside. And if there is a breakdown, Goalies like Lundqvist and Thomas erase it. We hear a lot of talk about clearing the porch. The best way to clear the porch, is to keep the puck away from the front of your net. Keep teams to the outside and allow the Goalies clear sight lines. Defenseman have inside position on attackers. You can't tackle and shove, and grab players and move them from the front of the net anymore. And then it comes down to what your talking about. Puck management and decision making. Turnovers are a sure way to extended attack time in your own zone. And more chances for blown coverages and deflections, and rebounds. When turnovers happen and your team is going on the offensive. Players are out of position. And it becomes running around, and a fire drill. Unless the Flyers add a defenseman that can have an impact of a Pronger. Unless they fix these other issues and start playing like I described. Adding a decent veteran "crease clearer", isn't going to make a huge impact. It will help, no doubt. But it won't be a miracle cure.
The Flyers plan and style under Laviolette is to defend by forechecking and pressuring the puck. And back it up with a hybrid lock. If they don't have their skating legs, it's tough to keep the other team out of their zone. There's free ice through the neutral zone. And people expect defenseman such as Lilja, to quash it. Not going to happen. Sorry for the book!
- MJL

This is Grade A MJLing!!

OH look Lundqvist just gave up as I am typing this 7 goals in two starts, not making momentum saves and not giving his team a chance to win, he's done
- JoeRussomanno

I agree in Philly right now people would say Lundy is trash and needs to be traded

You guys see this? Tortorella blew up on young defenseman bickel for screening and waving his stick on the one canadien goal. Something that is a nightly occurence with the Flyers.
- Just5

we need some of that over here in philly land

This is Grade A MJLing!!
- Just5

MJL Aint nothing to (frank) with

The problem I see there is that the best defensive teams, defend in the neutral zone. The take away skating room and keep the gap close. And they limit attack time in their own zone. And when it is in their zone, the D zone coverage is sound, and they keep teams to the outside. And if there is a breakdown, Goalies like Lundqvist and Thomas erase it. We hear a lot of talk about clearing the porch. The best way to clear the porch, is to keep the puck away from the front of your net. Keep teams to the outside and allow the Goalies clear sight lines. Defenseman have inside position on attackers. You can't tackle and shove, and grab players and move them from the front of the net anymore. And then it comes down to what your talking about. Puck management and decision making. Turnovers are a sure way to extended attack time in your own zone. And more chances for blown coverages and deflections, and rebounds. When turnovers happen and your team is going on the offensive. Players are out of position. And it becomes running around, and a fire drill. Unless the Flyers add a defenseman that can have an impact of a Pronger. Unless they fix these other issues and start playing like I described. Adding a decent veteran "crease clearer", isn't going to make a huge impact. It will help, no doubt. But it won't be a miracle cure.
The Flyers plan and style under Laviolette is to defend by forechecking and pressuring the puck. And back it up with a hybrid lock. If they don't have their skating legs, it's tough to keep the other team out of their zone. There's free ice through the neutral zone. And people expect defenseman such as Lilja, to quash it. Not going to happen. Sorry for the book!
- MJL

good post. agree completely - especially with the crease-clearer. you need more than that. the way the rangers play the flyers in their own end is why they've beaten them 3 straight times.

the flyers give up the neutral zone like the french against germany in pretty much every war they've ever been in.

good post. agree completely - especially with the crease-clearer. you need more than that. the way the rangers play the flyers in their own end is why they've beaten them 3 straight times.

the flyers give up the neutral zone like the french against germany in pretty much every war they've ever been in.
- hammarby31

love the analogy , the Flyers need to be like the Americans/Brits and take the fight back!!! Lets win the war gentleman!!!!!!!!!!!

good post. agree completely - especially with the crease-clearer. you need more than that. the way the rangers play the flyers in their own end is why they've beaten them 3 straight times.

the flyers give up the neutral zone like the french against germany in pretty much every war they've ever been in.
- hammarby31

Exactly. When do you want to fight the enemy? Before they get into your City, or inside your City?

Laviolette wants to attack them on their turf before they attack us. Nothing wrong with that if it works.

good post. agree completely - especially with the crease-clearer. you need more than that. the way the rangers play the flyers in their own end is why they've beaten them 3 straight times.

the flyers give up the neutral zone like the french against germany in pretty much every war they've ever been in.
- hammarby31

Isnt it weird how a seemingly soft Canadien team can give the Rangers fits. I'm only saying that based on tonights game and the game the canadiens beat them in in 24/7. Sometimes, you have to throw your hands up and pray for matchups in the playoffs

JVR has a concussion there is no time frame for him. So that is meaningless until he is fully cleared and plays a few games.
- ob18

Didn't stop Burke from picking up Matthew Lombardi

Man the habs are toying with the rangers

Isnt it weird how a seemingly soft Canadien team can give the Rangers fits. I'm only saying that based on tonights game and the game the canadiens beat them in in 24/7. Sometimes, you have to throw your hands up and pray for matchups in the playoffs
- Just5

to be fair, the rangers are playing back to back and on the road, but i know what you mean. sometimes teams just have another team's number, even if they're inferior. the habs are buzzing like crazy and playing physical too. just doesn't seem like the rangers came to play tonight. strange that they're ALWAYS ready to play the flyers, eh?

Man the habs are toying with the rangers
- Just5

i'm enjoying it immensely.

i'm enjoying it immensely.
- hammarby31

Is Lunqvist struggling?

Exactly. When do you want to fight the enemy? Before they get into your City, or inside your City?

Laviolette wants to attack them on their turf before they attack us. Nothing wrong with that if it works.
- MJL

i like the up-tempo, attacking style and i think you can play that way AND play tight inside your own end. flyers have yet to figure that out.

Is Lunqvist struggling?
- Schenn2shine

by philly logic he's ready to be lynched.

Is Lunqvist struggling?
- Schenn2shine

he's made some good saves and had a lot go wide on him. i wouldn't say struggle. he's been beaten the way he gets beaten - screens, deflections, and a lot of pressure around the crease. not peripheral 60 foot unscreened bull(frank)ingpoop shots into his stomach like the flyers love to do.

That's what worries me. the possibility that Pronger won't have his future decided by the draft, or by July 1. And don't be so sure that Suter's rights will be traded for a small price before July 1. I could see Nashville asking for a #1.
- MJL

It's a big concern bc his decision shapes the entire offseason. I know a lot of people have mentioned perhaps an amnesty for 1 contract in the new CBA, but the fact remains that Pronger may not have made up his mind by the time that decision is made. It's going to be an interesting offseason, like usual.