Flyers are going to have a tough road to get there, no doubt. But that's the way it's supposed to be. And talking about the injuries and everything else is just excuses. Look at the way that Pens team has played without Crosby? Do you think they'd be whining about it if he didn't come back going into the playoffs? Whining over injuries is for losers. With adversity comes opportunity. And great things are done and accomplished by overcoming adversity. That's the way a winner thinks. And that's the way I think the Laviolette and the Flyers think. I guarantee the Coach isn't even mentioning Pronger. He's not here, I'm over that and I think the team is also. They may get knocked out early. And as long as they compete and fight and don't go down easy. And they lose to a better team. I'm fine with that. Because I like this team. And I'm excited about the future of this team. That's my outlook.

And I'm not going to waste time whining and complaining about the injuries and the 29 other teams who don't have to deal with it.
- MJL

That is the right way to think about it, no doubt.

I'm not complaining, I for one have enjoyed this season tremendously. The team came together way better then I expected after the big trades last summer.

The future looks really good, if Homer can figure out a way to keep the defense they have together or fill in for players they lose through free agency.

I really don't like the idea of the first two rounds being purely within the conferivision. It's tilts the east in the Canadian teams' conferivision, in my opinion.
- BulliesPhan87

I wouldn't mind a divisional first round, but beyond that, no thanks. I like the different matchups every year.

I forgot our team isn't perfect. Had to find a negative, eh?
- funmaster18

Not really a negative, was kinda stating the obvious frankly.

I wouldn't mind a divisional first round, but beyond that, no thanks. I like the different matchups every year.
- funmaster18

This would be fine with me.

Yup for sure. It's only going to get more difficult as time goes on to win a Cup. I think the Flyers have a 3-4 year window right now to get something done.
- PLindbergh31

With the youth that this team has, why only a 3-4 year window? I think that's bull.

Not really a negative, was kinda stating the obvious frankly.
- PLindbergh31

It's something they'll have to be mindful of, but not an immediate concern. Maybe Bryzgalov will play well past that age, maybe this Hovinen kid ascends to the position in relief at some point. For now, the position isn't a worry (well, present injuries aside).

I really don't like the idea of the first two rounds being purely within the conferivision. It's tilts the east in the Canadian teams' conferivision, in my opinion.
- BulliesPhan87

the thing that bugged me the most about this is putting Florida teams with the Canadian teams.

I think it should have been done geographically.

Not really a negative, was kinda stating the obvious frankly.
- PLindbergh31

Youre focusing on negatives that don't exist yet and are hypotheticals. That's pretty obvious, frankly.

The goaltender isn't young. He probably has 3-4 prime years left. Some goalies like Brodeur and Thomas play at a high level into their late 30's, but that is far from the norm, it's not unusual for goalies to fall off a cliff in the 33-35 age range.
- PLindbergh31

There is no reason whatsoever to believe that Bryzgalov only has 3-4 prime years left. That is a completely pessimistic viewpoint, which in unneccessary. It's the opposite in my opinion. No reason why Bryzgalov can't continue to play at a high level well into his 30's.

It's something they'll have to be mindful of, but not an immediate concern. Maybe Bryzgalov will play well past that age, maybe this Hovinen kid ascends to the position in relief at some point. For now, the position isn't a worry (well, present injuries aside).
- BulliesPhan87

True. It shouldn't be a concern for the next 3 years or so. After that it's anyone's guess as what might happen.

Winning one round this year considering who the opponent likely will be, coupled with the # of rookies, and injuries would be a successful season imo.

Yup for sure. It's only going to get more difficult as time goes on to win a Cup. I think the Flyers have a 3-4 year window right now to get something done.
- PLindbergh31

Thats a larger window than I remember the flyers having anytime in the recent past.

Who are all these goalies that fall off cliffs at age 35? It seems more normal to get good play beyond those years out of guys these days.

True. It shouldn't be a concern for the next 3 years or so. After that it's anyone's guess as what might happen.

Winning one round this year considering who the opponent likely will be, coupled with the # of rookies, and injuries would be a successful season imo.
- PLindbergh31

I would agree, taking a series (especially against a tough divisional rival) would be my idea of "playoffs experience". That said, I still believe this team has more in it. I'd rather shoot for the stars and hit the moon than shoot for the moon and hit a tree.

Who are all these goalies that fall off cliffs at age 35? It seems more normal to get good play beyond those years out of guys these days.
- eayost

I dont know but the flyers should have checked these numbers before signing bryz

Who are all these goalies that fall off cliffs at age 35? It seems more normal to get good play beyond those years out of guys these days.
- eayost

35 is the new 55.

33-35 is the new 55.
- hockeylover

Fixed

Just wait until na na nee boo boo gets thrown out there. Then the place will really get the NC17 treatment.
- MBFlyerfan

Dude my 3 year old raised a valid point of interest in that the mockery you proffer is correctly spoken as "na nee na nee boo boo". Please try not to lose your nees.

Fixed
- funmaster18

Guy in watch Tower: Iceberg right ahead.
Guy somewhere else in ship: Thank you.

Perhaps a light hearted animation will lighten the mood

- BulliesPhan87

Is that bird missing a leg?

Holmer: We're not sure where the problem with Birdie lies. Right now he is day to day with what we are calling an upper or lower body viral injury. We expect him to be ready for tomorrow night against the Leafs. I watched him skate and the fact that he can only go in circles doesn't seem to be too problematic.

Is that bird missing a leg?

Holmer: We're not sure where the problem with Birdie lies. Right now he is day to day with what we are calling an upper or lower body viral injury. We expect him to be ready for tomorrow night against the Leafs. I watched him skate and the fact that he can only go in circles doesn't seem to be too problematic.
- Lexington Flyer

Also, we just extended Birdie to a 25 year contract, 23 years of which will be useless as Birdies typically fly into windows within the first 2-3 years.

Thats a larger window than I remember the flyers having anytime in the recent past.
- funmaster18

The Flyers have a very good young crop of Forwards, no question about it. Starting next year, they need JVR to start fulfilling his potential. He was on his way to having a very strong season this year until injuries derailed him.

The defense core will need to be re-built, Timonen will likely be gone after next year, and Pronger's situation is well documented. I think Grossmann, Meszaros, and Coburn is a fairly good nucleus to start with, Holmgren will have to solidify the backend through FA, and trades most likely, for whatever reason the Flyers do not have a lot of success drafting d-men.

Dude my 3 year old raised a valid point of interest in that the mockery you proffer is correctly spoken as "na nee na nee boo boo". Please try not to lose your nees.
- Lexington Flyer

I would agree, taking a series (especially against a tough divisional rival) would be my idea of "playoffs experience". That said, I still believe this team has more in it. I'd rather shoot for the stars and hit the moon than shoot for the moon and hit a tree.
- BulliesPhan87

it worked for Sonny Bono right? RIGHT?

the thing that bugged me the most about this is putting Florida teams with the Canadian teams.

I think it should have been done geographically.
- Marc D

Maybe they're preparing for relocation?

The Flyers have a very good young crop of Forwards, no question about it. Starting next year, they need JVR to start fulfilling his potential. He was on his way to having a very strong season this year until injuries derailed him.

The defense core will need to be re-built, Timonen will likely be gone after next year, and Pronger's situation is well documented. I think Grossmann, Meszaros, and Coburn is a fairly good nucleus to start with, Holmgren will have to solidify the backend through FA, and trades most likely, for whatever reason the Flyers do not have a lot of success drafting d-men.
- PLindbergh31

How do you feel about resigning Carle?