Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/18/13 @ Lightning

Let's hope this is the start of a long undefeated run! If you shut down that first line of Tampa's, there isn't much else there! Go Flyers!

Let's hope this is the start of a long undefeated run! If you shut down that first line of Tampa's, there isn't much else there! Go Flyers!


- Cable2k

53 points appears to be the low end consensus on the cut off for the last playoff position (seen some other reports saying 55 points are needed).

Flyers need to go 13-6-0 to hit 53.

Hard but not impossible.

53 points appears to be the low end consensus on the cut off for the last playoff position (seen some other reports saying 55 points are needed).

Flyers need to go 13-6-0 to hit 53.

Hard but not impossible.
- spatso

They haven't strung together more than 3 wins in a row all season, but there's no time like the present to stop that trend! Let's go Flyers!

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!

I'm a firm believer in "what you see is what you get". The flyers have some great young talent. If they add 2 dmen, a solid backup goalie, and maybe a scoring winger without losing too much, they could be dangerous next year. However, they are done this year. Even if they make the playoffs, they are not getting out of the first round.

They haven't strung together more than 3 wins in a row all season, but there's no time like the present to stop that trend! Let's go Flyers!
- aantny88

Really is hard to figure out. Normally, we think of the regular season as a marathon. There is a beginning. A chance to evaluate and make adjustments and consolidation around your second half team.

This year the entire season is a sprint. And, like a sprint it is hard to make up for a bad start.

I'm a firm believer in "what you see is what you get". The flyers have some great young talent. If they add 2 dmen, a solid backup goalie, and maybe a scoring winger without losing too much, they could be dangerous next year. However, they are done this year. Even if they make the playoffs, they are not getting out of the first round.
- Deasr1

I don't think they even need to do that much to consolidate their position as an elite team. All they need is a good #1 Dman and a solid back who can take 25% of the games and give Brygalov a break. Remember their top skilled players are very young and all should show some growth in their game next year.

I don't think they even need to do that much to consolidate their position as an elite team. All they need is a good #1 Dman and a solid back who can take 25% of the games and give Brygalov a break. Remember their top skilled players are very young and all should show some growth in their game next year.
- spatso

To get a good #1 D man, chances are some of those top skilled young players will be gone.

To get a good #1 D man, chances are some of those top skilled young players will be gone.
- MJL

I have thought about that and believe that the cost of getting a Pronger type player (eg Weber) would be really expensive. My guess is it would take an offer of one of Schenn/Couturier plus one of Simmonds/Voracek.

Essentially, some variation or combination of the return on the Carter or Richards trade would be the cost. It is very expensive, cheaper options are possible.

I have thought about that and believe that the cost of getting a Pronger type player (eg Weber) would be really expensive. My guess is it would take an offer of one of Schenn/Couturier plus one of Simmonds/Voracek.

Essentially, some variation or combination of the return on the Carter or Richards trade would be the cost. It is very expensive, cheaper options are possible.
- spatso

Cart before the Horse really. The first thing is that #1 defenseman has to be available. Which doesn't happen that often.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/18/13 @ Lightning
- bmeltzer

The latest "must win" game is upon us. Get a win today and hope and pray over the next 5 days.

The Flyers open today 4 points out of the 8th playoff spot. Of the teams within 5 point of them-or at least the teams they can realistically catch or have to battle with-they don't have any games in hand.

Ahead of them Carolina and the Islanders have 1 game in hand, and the Rangers have two. Behind them, Tampa Bay and Washington have 1 each. This week will be the key, as the Flyers are off for a long while after tonight's game. By their next game the Flyers will have a much clearer pictures of whether or not they're buying or selling.

The Problem is the Flyers arent gaining ground...The teams right in front of them seem to either win or get at least 1 point in most of their games....in todays NHL it is near impossible to gain ground past a certain point in the season since all games are usually handing out points to both teams.

The latest "must win" game is upon us. Get a win today and hope and pray over the next 5 days.

The Flyers open today 4 points out of the 8th playoff spot. Of the teams within 5 point of them-or at least the teams they can realistically catch or have to battle with-they don't have any games in hand.

Ahead of them Carolina and the Islanders have 1 game in hand, and the Rangers have two. Behind them, Tampa Bay and Washington have 1 each. This week will be the key, as the Flyers are off for a long while after tonight's game. By their next game the Flyers will have a much clearer pictures of whether or not they're buying or selling.
- Jsaquella

Not using the schedule as an excuse, but I have not seen any other NHL team with as many back to back games, playing 29 games this fast and then having almost a week off. I wonder why the league made the schedule for the Flyers like this...

The Problem is the Flyers arent gaining ground...The teams right in front of them seem to either win or get at least 1 point in most of their games....in todays NHL it is near impossible to gain ground past a certain point in the season since all games are usually handing out points to both teams.
- Pyzik

That is the key right there...too many times this season the Flyers failed to get points when tied after 2 periods. They have only had 2 games go past regulation all season...losing one and winning one in a shootout. Not a recipe for success!

Not using the schedule as an excuse, but I have not seen any other NHL team with as many back to back games, playing 29 games this fast and then having almost a week off. I wonder why the league made the schedule for the Flyers like this...
- aantny88

because it was the lockout all arenas had pre existing schedules and the NHL had to work with whatever dates were available...The Flyers just ended up with bad luck in the scheduling department.

The latest "must win" game is upon us. Get a win today and hope and pray over the next 5 days.

The Flyers open today 4 points out of the 8th playoff spot. Of the teams within 5 point of them-or at least the teams they can realistically catch or have to battle with-they don't have any games in hand.

Ahead of them Carolina and the Islanders have 1 game in hand, and the Rangers have two. Behind them, Tampa Bay and Washington have 1 each. This week will be the key, as the Flyers are off for a long while after tonight's game. By their next game the Flyers will have a much clearer pictures of whether or not they're buying or selling.
- Jsaquella

I hate treating every game as it is the one that gets them out fof the playoffs...i almost want them to loose so we can know for sure. Sell off and look to next season...

I have thought about that and believe that the cost of getting a Pronger type player (eg Weber) would be really expensive. My guess is it would take an offer of one of Schenn/Couturier plus one of Simmonds/Voracek.

Essentially, some variation or combination of the return on the Carter or Richards trade would be the cost. It is very expensive, cheaper options are possible.
- spatso

how bout.... simmonds and couturier + 2nd rounder?

That is the key right there...too many times this season the Flyers failed to get points when tied after 2 periods. They have only had 2 games go past regulation all season...losing one and winning one in a shootout. Not a recipe for success!
- aantny88

1-5 record I believe when ties after two periods.

The Problem is the Flyers arent gaining ground...The teams right in front of them seem to either win or get at least 1 point in most of their games....in todays NHL it is near impossible to gain ground past a certain point in the season since all games are usually handing out points to both teams.
- Pyzik

that is a frustrating part of this season. I hated ties and gimmicks but man could the flyers have used an extra 5 points from extending the contest.

how bout.... simmonds and couturier + 2nd rounder?
- JoeRussomanno

Maybe you talking about this weber?

how bout.... simmonds and couturier + 2nd rounder?
- JoeRussomanno

Too much. I'd rather they just draft a defenseman and see what happens next year.

Too much. I'd rather they just draft a defenseman and see what happens next year.
- Feanor

I would do couturier and read since read is a ufa in a year + prospect + second rounder...

Draft a top defense prospect this year.

Too much. I'd rather they just draft a defenseman and see what happens next year.
- Feanor

very few defensemen make such an immediate impact

edit: in regards to drafting them.

The latest "must win" game is upon us. Get a win today and hope and pray over the next 5 days.

The Flyers open today 4 points out of the 8th playoff spot. Of the teams within 5 point of them-or at least the teams they can realistically catch or have to battle with-they don't have any games in hand.

Ahead of them Carolina and the Islanders have 1 game in hand, and the Rangers have two. Behind them, Tampa Bay and Washington have 1 each. This week will be the key, as the Flyers are off for a long while after tonight's game. By their next game the Flyers will have a much clearer pictures of whether or not they're buying or selling.
- Jsaquella

I still can't believe the Rangers are struggling as badly as they are. A lot of the talking heads are saying they lost too much grit in the offseason and that Nash isn't what they needed to improve over last year. They may be right but it's still shocking. I thought they'd be right up there with Pitt and Boston.