Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/1/13 @ Capitals

Late night with Bill, awesome.
Flyers win 3-2, we will see the Briere fist pump tonight.

Ribeiro scores for the Caps, he is a Flyer killer. Carlson scores the other, just to remind Philly fans he could of been Orange and Black.

Monster statement game for both teams.

What if statements are huge either way.

If Capitals lose they are toast on the season and should start thinking about next year. They thought they had the mix to be a Cup contender. Perhaps they are in full rebuild mode by the end of February.

If Flyers lose the anxiety meter goes from concerned to controlled panic.

I think the discussion around Giroux' slow start is misplaced. Giroux plays an up tempo attack style game. He is fabulous in taking the puck in the neutral zone and moving creatively into the attack zone. But nobody on the back end is getting him the puck. There is no pace to the transition. And, because the D cannot control its own end all the forwards are getting trapped deep in their defensive positions.

So, if the Flyers lose tonight, watch for Holmgren to do his magic trick and go after a Dman. I believe Montreal is ready to part with Subban. It would cost Couturier. But a better choice is Yendle. He is also supposedly available, the cost would be a little higher.

Looking at the Caps lines ... it looks like the 3rd line is the most dangerous even though #8 is on the top line ... who the hell are his linemates? No wonder he is struggling!
Go Flyers! Let's turn this around!

Monster statement game for both teams.

What if statements are huge either way.

If Capitals lose they are toast on the season and should start thinking about next year. They thought they had the mix to be a Cup contender. Perhaps they are in full rebuild mode by the end of February.

If Flyers lose the anxiety meter goes from concerned to controlled panic.

I think the discussion around Giroux' slow start is misplaced. Giroux plays an up tempo attack style game. He is fabulous in taking the puck in the neutral zone and moving creatively into the attack zone. But nobody on the back end is getting him the puck. There is no pace to the transition. And, because the D cannot control its own end all the forwards are getting trapped deep in their defensive positions.

So, if the Flyers lose tonight, watch for Holmgren to do his magic trick and go after a Dman. I believe Montreal is ready to part with Subban. It would cost Couturier. But a better choice is Yendle. He is also supposedly available, the cost would be a little higher.
- spatso

Montreal cant ask for coots now.. if anything subbans value dropped

Anyone nervous leighton might play tmrw?

So, if the Flyers lose tonight, watch for Holmgren to do his magic trick and go after a Dman. I believe Montreal is ready to part with Subban. It would cost Couturier. But a better choice is Yendle. He is also supposedly available, the cost would be a little higher.
- spatso

The Flyers will do something if this weekend goes up in smoke, so a trade is possible. I, however, believe this could be Laviolette's last stand. O-2 and I think he is gone.

So, if the Flyers lose tonight, watch for Holmgren to do his magic trick and go after a Dman. I believe Montreal is ready to part with Subban. It would cost Couturier. But a better choice is Yendle. He is also supposedly available, the cost would be a little higher.
- spatso

The Flyers aren't trading Couturier unless they get a proven 1st-pairing D-man in his prime; and then Couturier alone won't be enough get such a deal done.

As a frame of reference, it is known that the Flyers and other teams were told at last summer's draft weekend that the Coyotes would listen to offers for Yandle.

When the Flyers discovered the type of return Phoenix had in mind -- believed to be essentially the same neighborhood as Nashville wanted for Weber before the offer sheet, i.e., as many as three NHL roster players, including Couturier and Brayden Schenn PLUS at least one first round pick -- the Flyers quickly said thanks but no thanks.

At the end of the weekend, they traded JVR for Luke Schenn. A few weeks later, after they made huge UFA contract offers to Suter and Parise, the Flyers signed Weber to the offer sheet after balking at the trading cost Poile demanded while Weber and the Preds were unable to come to contract terms.

Anyone nervous leighton might play tmrw?
- Flyersgod

I don't think there's any way Leighton starts tomorrow, barring injury to Bryzgalov.

The "logical" rotation would be to give Bryzgalov both ends of the b2b after a light lead-up schedule this past week. Leighton played Sunday, Bryzgalov on Tuesday and then two open nights on the schedule. Also have to figure Bryzgalov gets the rematch with the Lightning on Tuesday and the Panthers on Thursday.

I think Leighton's second start will come during one of the games in the Flyers' upcoming three-game-in-four-night stretch. They'll have a home game against Carolina next Saturday, a road game in Toronto on Monday and a game in Winnipeg the following night. Personally, I think the middle game (Toronto) would make the most sense to give Bryzgalov a night off.

The Flyers aren't trading Couturier unless they get a proven 1st-pairing D-man in his prime; and then Couturier alone won't be enough get such a deal done.

As a frame of reference, it is known that the Flyers and other teams were told at last summer's draft weekend that the Coyotes would listen to offers for Yandle.

When the Flyers discovered the type of return Phoenix had in mind -- believed to be essentially the same neighborhood as Nashville wanted for Weber before the offer sheet, i.e., as many as three NHL roster players, including Couturier and Brayden Schenn PLUS at least one first round pick -- the Flyers quickly said thanks but no thanks.

At the end of the weekend, they traded JVR for Luke Schenn. A few weeks later, after they made huge UFA contract offers to Suter and Parise, the Flyers signed Weber to the offer sheet after balking at the trading cost Poile demanded while Weber and the Preds were unable to come to contract terms.
- bmeltzer

This will not get fixed until a deal is done and the price is paid.

You can put all the fabulous talent you want up front with Giroux but, if, there is nobody on the back end who can move the puck, nothing will change.

I believe that on reflection Holmgren now wishes he had paid the price for Weber.

Late night thoughts on the Flyers last night!

Going into this seasons, there was so much talk of Bryzgalov earning a buyout out of here. I think it is clear now that he's keeping us in games, the rest of the team now needs to do it's part. I feel these next two games are very winnable, so to say I am looking forward to both games is an understatement.

I think about the offseason and can't help but feel our core of untouchable youth should be Giroux, Couturier, Simmonds and the Schenn brothers. Hopefully once Briere, Hartnell and Timonen have moved on, Luke Schenn and Sean Couturier might be reliable to be assistant captaINS to Giroux.

I can't help but shake this feeling that Walker and Meszaros will be bought out. It just makes the most sense to me. I can't shake this feeling that we might over value Voracek and should get something for him much sooner then later. The feeling I cannot shake the most is what to do next with Matt Read. While his contract is too good to pass up now, he could become a cap causality within the next two seasons. He could become the next Ville Leino. The Flyers have time with Read but a decision will have to be made.

I feel the next eight months are gonna be interesting for the Flyers, especially with Shelley, Lilja, Fedetanko, Knuble and Leighton all being shown the exit. Then a serious decision needs to be made on Kimmi Timonen, whether it is in the offseason or at the deadline.

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!!!

Sorry, but if for sone reason the Flyers were going to shop Couturier don't you think they at the very least wait til the offseason and give it another go for Weber? Things aren't going all that great in NSH either after all and he's still pointless for them.

Still not sure how simply trading for a defenseman that can move the puck solves the Flyers troubles.

A puck moving defenseman doesn't help everyone else pass better or take the open shots they have been passing up. A puck moving defenseman isn't going to stop some of the poor decision making that has plagued Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek, among others.

Not saying a puck moving defenseman isn't a need, but it's not a cure-all.

The Flyers will not be buying out Matt Walker. His contract expires this July. I also doubt they will be buying out Meszaros, whose contract ends next summer. It's a waste of a compliance buyout to use it on a deal with that short a term.

I still think that Briere and Bryzgalov are the most likely candidates. Briere simply for the cap space it would create, plus his age. Bryzgalov because his deal is a long term backloaded deal that he could possibly retire before it expires. If he does that, the Flyers will get nailed with a significant cap hit for a retired player.

The Flyers will not be buying out Matt Walker. His contract expires this July. I also doubt they will be buying out Meszaros, whose contract ends next summer. It's a waste of a compliance buyout to use it on a deal with that short a term.

I still think that Briere and Bryzgalov are the most likely candidates. Briere simply for the cap space it would create, plus his age. Bryzgalov because his deal is a long term backloaded deal that he could possibly retire before it expires. If he does that, the Flyers will get nailed with a significant cap hit for a retired player.

The Flyers will not be buying out Matt Walker. His contract expires this July. I also doubt they will be buying out Meszaros, whose contract ends next summer. It's a waste of a compliance buyout to use it on a deal with that short a term.

I still think that Briere and Bryzgalov are the most likely candidates. Briere simply for the cap space it would create, plus his age. Bryzgalov because his deal is a long term backloaded deal that he could possibly retire before it expires. If he does that, the Flyers will get nailed with a significant cap hit for a retired player.

I just want to see a solid effort...right the ship...
one game at a time

Agree Jasq. No reason to buy out Walker as he is in the last year of his deal. And buying out Meszaros makes little sense. Both in terms of his deal, and if the Flyers feel they want to move on from him, he is tradeable for an asset in return.

Some are harping on the Flyers need for a puck mover. I agree there is a need. But the Flyers entire offense does not rest on getting that player. That is but one reason of many as to why the Flyers are struggling offensively. And why Giroux is struggling offensively. Both can be improved without making a trade.

And if the Flyers were to trade Couturier for Keith Yandle, as some suggest. I'd immediately call for Holmgren's head.

First off, Bill, it's ok to sleep (3:47 AM?!). Secondly, that Caps first line has gotten to be one of the oddest lines in the history of the game.

Looking at that Caps lineup makes me feel a little better about ours.. Hopefully Knuble can get on the board tonight against a former team, also hoping Briere lights the lamp to get the ball rolling

Anyone else having issues with hockeybuzz today?

SCLAR

I think the issue comes up trying to reply.

yes, bryz and Danny are the buyout candidates and the price for puck moving dmen feels steeper when the GM has less assets to deal...

If it's true that the price for puck moving dmen feels steeper when the GM has less assets to deal, then it's a good thing that the Flyers have some quality assets to deal.