You don't need to hit people to help in that regard. They need to have a better presence there, but "crease Clearing" isn;t the same as it was a few years ago. Now you need guys who can keep opposing forwards from sitting on your goalie's lap and keep them out of the crease when the goalie is battling for rebounds.

Getting a big hitter doesn't do that.
- Jsaquella

no but on the other hand leaving guys wide open all game with out making them pay the price does nothing to the other team to wear them down...give em a few across the back and see if they go sit there...

if that big mother (frank)er ever hit some one and got some nasty into him, youd be looking at pronger v2
- Philly1980

With guys like Pronger, Hatcher and Smith coming through these parts in his time, you'd think he would have picked up on something and added it to his own game.

I was shaking my head at Coburn last night, I was hoping the Flyers could reverse the Zhitnik/Coburn trade at one point.
- Buts16

He's been dreadful lately.

But with him, I think the answer is to actually play him more. Has played his best hockey in the playoffs when he's playing like 25 minutes.

If you make the playoffs anything can happen but the likelihood of the Flyers winning is shrinking imo. At some point you need to start playing consistent hockey and defensively the Flyers are a mess. If they can figure out a way to change that, then ill change my opinion of their chances.
- stveshdy

Be patient pada wan. The force will flow.

my Sunday morning goalie is great

3 weeks ago he let in 10 goals in game, we average giving up 2.5 which in beer league hockey is amazing. In the last 6 games he's given up 1,0,0,10,5,1 respectively.

I have decided all goalies are loons and you just never know what's going to happen.
- Buts16

Can't wait for Lundqvist to fall apart like a cheap suit in the playoffs. It will be a joy to behold.

I don't think they move him, even if he asks, before the draft. I also don't think Timonen would sabotage the season if he's unhappy or doesn't think they can win.
- Jsaquella

I highly doubt timOnen is that frustrated. Unlike some fans, he's smart enough to realize this year would come with struggles. They can still get better. Don't understand all the negativity. It's feb, the flyers always suck after the all star break.

With guys like Pronger, Hatcher and Smith coming through these parts in his time, you'd think he would have picked up on something and added it to his own game.
- roenick97

hes a (frank)ing wussy need to see more nasty stuff from him.

well even fleury last year had a bad stretch...
- Philly1980

Bad is an understatement.

I think dmen have been quaking in fear for 10 years because of that bastard.

What a hockey player.

I do agree with you, you gotta do everything you can to stop him and not play in fear which is easy to say from my couch
- Buts16

It's easy for me to scream from the nose bleeds. At least I'm diluted enough in believing he can hear me because I'm in the same room...or building.

I don't deny him that, however given the length and price of the deal I am sure there are Flyer fans that are uneasy about his consistency thus far.

I think when the Flyers made that aggressive move they would have liked to have gotten more consistency from that position. I mean I know its just a regular season game, but the fact he was benched for the Winter Classic is kind of a microcosm of his tenure thus far.

I'm not saying he won't turn it around, I'm just saying there have been more questions then I think the Flyers wanted when signing him to that deal.
- Gunner Staal

I think the goalie inconsistency goes hand in hand with the defensive inconsistency. Sure, I would like to see them make some more "bail out" type saves, but in the end, the majority of goals that both goalies let up are of the slam dunk variety.

That being said, Bryz, getting what he is paid, needs to make some of those saves. And start to clamp down on the really BAD goals that cut in to a teams confidence and positive mindset. And while there haven't been as many as some of the Simple Jack's would have you believe, it has been the timing of the ones that DO happen that really crush your spirit.

Bryz seems to be getting his game sorted out, but in the end, NO goalie stops most of the goals this team lets up.

Bad is an understatement.
- Gunner Staal

now you see my point...hope our fans understand this.

Think someone mentioned him earlier but was curious what do you guys think it would take to get Gaustad from Buffalo? I think he'd be a big help on our PK and make that 4th line a lot more effective at shutting down the other team's top line. Any thoughts?

no but on the other hand leaving guys wide open all game with out making them pay the price does nothing to the other team to wear them down...give em a few across the back and see if they go sit there...
- Philly1980

That I don;t disagree with, within reason. It's a double edged sword. If you play nasty, you're more open to get penalties. Just playing better and more consistent defense, forwards back, will make things a lot better.

I highly doubt timOnen is that frustrated. Unlike some fans, he's smart enough to realize this year would come with struggles. They can still get better. Don't understand all the negativity. It's feb, the flyers always suck after the all star break.
- funmaster18

I'm sure he's frustrated, but he's enough of a professional to manage it.

Well a half a season of poor play from Bryzgalov doesn't mean he isn't the answer. Still have to give him the rest of this year, and all of next year to see if he is the solution.
- PLindbergh31

it will be interesting if the amnesty clause becomes a reality which direction the flyers go. I think they would def make a move, but who?

Well, guess it's moron hour here at the Olde Hockey Buzz....

.
- Jsaquella

this

I really long for a filter on here

Think someone mentioned him earlier but was curious what do you guys think it would take to get Gaustad from Buffalo? I think he'd be a big help on our PK and make that 4th line a lot more effective at shutting down the other team's top line. Any thoughts?
- JoeRussomanno

I'm all for picking up Gaustad but only if it's at the same estimated price that it would cost to get a guy like Hall Gill. We don't need scoring, we need to play solid team D. Gill can add to that and so can Gaustand.

That I don;t disagree with, within reason. It's a double edged sword. If you play nasty, you're more open to get penalties. Just playing better and more consistent defense, forwards back, will make things a lot better.
- Jsaquella

i agree with you they have to better on the mechanics side of it as well...but for me as a fan i have never seen a defense unit as timid as this years has been..

I think dmen have been quaking in fear for 10 years because of that bastard.

What a hockey player.

I do agree with you, you gotta do everything you can to stop him and not play in fear which is easy to say from my couch
- Buts16

Being scared of Datsyuk is one thing, but Coburn has been playing poorly against everybody not wearing a Leaf or Isles jersey the past week or so

I'm all for picking up Gaustad but only if it's at the same estimated price that it would cost to get a guy like Hall Gill. We don't need scoring, we need to play solid team D. Gill can add to that and so can Gaustand.
- roenick97

I really don't think the d-corps is that much of the problem so much as it is the lack of backchecking from the forwards. It's why i suggested Gaustad.

it will be interesting if the amnesty clause becomes a reality which direction the flyers go. I think they would def make a move, but who?
- isaiah520

Briere

I don't think they move him, even if he asks, before the draft. I also don't think Timonen would sabotage the season if he's unhappy or doesn't think they can win.
- Jsaquella

I totally agree. I dont see Timonen being a guy who turns his back on this Flyers club. He made the committment to be here and try to win a cup and I think he will continue to try and do that. Thats why I dont think it becomes a realistic option.

The players that could be traded are players who they feel they cant resign or have no future in the organization (according to Homer).

Think someone mentioned him earlier but was curious what do you guys think it would take to get Gaustad from Buffalo? I think he'd be a big help on our PK and make that 4th line a lot more effective at shutting down the other team's top line. Any thoughts?
- JoeRussomanno

I'd take Gaustad in a heartbeat. But, if he's moved, I'd expect the Sabres to want a premium for him. If he's added, he's definitely a guy you try to re-sign for a fe wyears, too.

Typical overreaction to a couple of losses.
- bradleyc4

define

"a couple"

We are a very spoiled fan base. In all the years I have watched there have been only 2 seasons where they have missed the playoffs (i started watching when I was 6 in 93). We are so used to being a top team, a force. We are used to selling the farm for help now. We are not so used to bumps and bruises along the way. We have 11 guys in the lineup right now that are 25 or under.. and 2 more (both 22) out with injuries. We have to be patient. This team is insanely young. Skids like this are bound to happen. They played 4 very strong periods of hockey.. but needed 6. That is unacceptable, but shouldnt be completely unexpected. The last thing I wanna hear is how this team needs to be blown up. Trade __ because he is a dud (cough cough JvR, Giroux, Schenn, etc. etc.).. trade __ because he wont get any better.. trade __ so we can stock up on draft picks because this team sucks.

RELAX!