When Jagr leaves the Flyers -- whether it's this summer to play a one-year contract elsewhere or next summer to retire from the NHL and run HC Rytiri Kladno as a player-owner -- his most lasting legacy may be on being such a positive influence on Voracek (other young players, too, but especially Jake).

Those who saw him all the time in Columbus are amazed by how much Voracek has matured in his all-around game and his preparations for games. Jagr has encouraged him to work on lower body strength and you can see the influence in the way he shields the puck.
- bmeltzer

Do you think Jagr will come back for one more year?

Do you think Jagr will come back for one more year?
- flyersfan51

It's about 50-50, from what I've heard.

He feels he has earned a raise on another one-year contract, team has to be mindful of cap. Probably won't take the same and absolutely will not take less. It's a business.

If he were to leave this summer, team would miss his positive leadership more than anything else. The points are replaceable, just as Jagr replaced Leino's points.

everyone with half a brain/ any hockey knowledge knew this kid was special and destined for stardom though
- FlyerMike18

dik

my conclusion was based on:

- being a rookie, likely to hit a wall and not help during the latter parts of the season and playoff

- saving a year of his entry-level contract

- giving him another year in juniors to be the man/star of the team and get work in on the pp and pk

IIRc, Jake took that rep personally and worked hard to dispel it. I wonder if he was simply lacking motivation to play on a bad team with no hockey culture in the region. Not thats an excuse, but I can see it happening. Plus, its his contract year.
- PT21

That may have been it, but more important is that he's done really well to get over that reputation. His effort on the ice has really shown this season.

I think if the Flyers weren;t paying a premium for a goalie they might not be as close to cup this year. He's made some big saves, he's not going to make all of them. I'm more pissed about the Zajac goal than I am about the Sykora goal. On a break away its a crap shoot. The Zajac goal like, Bill said, was contributed to by not only his mishandling of the puck but his lackadaisical approach. As his biggest supporter I will say there is definitely a concern for that. I don't know if its physical or mental but he has looked like that on goals throughout the year, yes.
On the Break away it was all on Sykora to make the shot. He made a nice fake which froze him, then it was up to Sykora to pick a spot. If he covers five hole there's something else open. Like i said, don't give up break aways.
- JoeRussomanno

Bingo joe. I took more exception with the Zajac goal

Wait a second, I was just looking at the shift charts from Game 1 of the Rangers/Caps series, the Rags had Steve Eminger play forward in this game?

oodles of talent on this team. Holy Christ, they have so many stiffs in their lineup it's ridiculous.

dik

my conclusion was based on:

- being a rookie, likely to hit a wall and not help during the latter parts of the season and playoff

- saving a year of his entry-level contract

- giving him another year in juniors to be the man/star of the team and get work in on the pp and pk
- bradleyc4

i know, all reasonable concerns. i just couldn't resist the opportunity to be an bumhole

Wait a second, I was just looking at the shift charts from Game 1 of the Rangers/Caps series, the Rags had Steve Eminger play forward in this game?

oodles of talent on this team. Holy Christ, they have so many stiffs in their lineup it's ridiculous.
- PLindbergh31

They had seven defenseman dressed for their game, still not sure why they did that.

The Rags still scare me, it's their commitment to their system of team defense and they way the close out tight games, and Lundqvist.

It is a winning formula for playoff hockey.

It's about 50-50, from what I've heard.

He feels he has earned a raise on another one-year contract, team has to be mindful of cap. Probably won't take the same and absolutely will not take less. It's a business.

If he were to leave this summer, team would miss his positive leadership more than anything else. The points are replaceable, just as Jagr replaced Leino's points.
- bmeltzer

If this is the case then sadly you have to let him walk. At 40, soon to be 41, he needs to recognize that it is a different world in a capped NHL. Sure he can probably get more money from some other team, but will it be with a winner? I guess he has to weigh those factors.

Was anything made of Marty B punching the back of JVR's head while he was on the ice? After Marty's own defensemen ran into him? I mean it's hockey and all, but with Marty complaining about contact, I thought he seemed to give as much as he got, ...from the Flyers. I diddn't see what he did to his own teamates...

Bingo joe. I took more exception with the Zajac goal
- Just5

Thanks, I'm not gonna lose sleep over my goalie giving up a goal on a break away The Zajac goal yea, he looked like he was stopping to sniff the flowers at lawn and garden show roast him for that.

As for the whining about his salary I guess someone out there thinks Poile should be burned at the stake for signing Rinne to that monster contract he's getting next year, after these last two games.

If this is the case then sadly you have to let him walk. At 40, soon to be 41, he needs to recognize that it is a different world in a capped NHL. Sure he can probably get more money from some other team, but will it be with a winner? I guess he has to weigh those factors.
- MBFlyerfan

I hate talking about this in the middle of the playoffs, but the priorities are getting Voracek's contract done, either re signing Carle or getting an adequate replacement, and then Jagr after the first two are done..

"Josh Yohe of the Trib reports that players around the league believe there will likely before a work stoppage prior to the 2012-13 campaign. "

From the Pitt blog.
What do you think Bill?

It's about 50-50, from what I've heard.

He feels he has earned a raise on another one-year contract, team has to be mindful of cap. Probably won't take the same and absolutely will not take less. It's a business.

If he were to leave this summer, team would miss his positive leadership more than anything else. The points are replaceable, just as Jagr replaced Leino's points.
- bmeltzer

Jagr wont be back next year if thats the case. I dont see the Flyers making room on the cap for a 40 year old player.

If we can win game 2, I think NJ has to start to become more aggressive. I noticed how CLarkson wanted no part of Simmonds. They probably saw how the Flyers fed off the fights etc in the Pens series and just wanted to let sleeping dogs lie. If we still win, they are going to have to switch it up.
- Hextall271

At this point the devils need clarkson on the ice way more than the flyers need simmonds

If this is the case then sadly you have to let him walk. At 40, soon to be 41, he needs to recognize that it is a different world in a capped NHL. Sure he can probably get more money from some other team, but will it be with a winner? I guess he has to weigh those factors.
- MBFlyerfan

4 mill is the absolute highest I go even then I'm not too sure. Love having him on the team he brings a lot of leadership and off ice stuff but sooner or later the younger players have to grow up and leave the nest. Giroux has shown he knows what it takes to be a superstar in this league. His and the remaining veterans on the team's leadership should be more than enough.

Wait a second, I was just looking at the shift charts from Game 1 of the Rangers/Caps series, the Rags had Steve Eminger play forward in this game?

oodles of talent on this team. Holy Christ, they have so many stiffs in their lineup it's ridiculous.
- PLindbergh31

Then I guess you have to credit Torts for the Rangers success. Its hard to be the #1 seed with so many stiffs on the team.

They had seven defenseman dressed for their game, still not sure why they did that.

The Rags still scare me, it's their commitment to their system of team defense and they way the close out tight games, and Lundqvist.

It is a winning formula for playoff hockey.
- Marc D

It's system and Lundqvist is what they are all about. Sum better than parts.

"Josh Yohe of the Trib reports that players around the league believe there will likely before a work stoppage prior to the 2012-13 campaign. "

From the Pitt blog.
What do you think Bill?
- jak521

I'm not Bill, but I think Josh needs to sell papers/get internet clickies for a living. That probably affects his writing.

They had seven defenseman dressed for their game, still not sure why they did that.

The Rags still scare me, it's their commitment to their system of team defense and they way the close out tight games, and Lundqvist.

It is a winning formula for playoff hockey.
- Marc D

particularly against a young team who could get frustrated if they struggle to score early

Was anything made of Marty B punching the back of JVR's head while he was on the ice? After Marty's own defensemen ran into him? I mean it's hockey and all, but with Marty complaining about contact, I thought he seemed to give as much as he got, ...from the Flyers. I diddn't see what he did to his own teamates...
- flyler

Add that to the fact that the replay clearly shows that JVR did not make contact with Brodeur until after the fact.

It's system and Lundqvist is what they are all about. Sum better than parts.
- PLindbergh31

I think a few of their players are very very under rated.
Girardi and Callahan come to mind.

Add that to the fact that the replay clearly shows that JVR did not make contact with Brodeur until after the fact.
- MBFlyerfan

I love the fact that the Flyers forwards are getting into his head already. He is just trying to work the officials for calls later in the series. If the traffic in front is kept clean he will have a much easier time to stop the puck. The Flyers need to continue exactly what they did against Brodeur.

Was anything made of Marty B punching the back of JVR's head while he was on the ice? After Marty's own defensemen ran into him? I mean it's hockey and all, but with Marty complaining about contact, I thought he seemed to give as much as he got, ...from the Flyers. I diddn't see what he did to his own teamates...
- flyler

Brooks Orpik defended Brodeur's actions in the Pittsburgh press. In fact, he said Marty should have laid on JVR for a full minute.

I think a few of their players are very very under rated.
Girardi and Callahan come to mind.
- Marc D

I don't think they are underrated. I view Girardi/Mcdonagh as one of the top d pairs in the NHL.