Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Error of Leaving No Margin, Mason, Huskins + Lauridsen

boom

Three games in three far-apart cities in less than 96 hours. That's a tough task for any team in the NHL.

They did look quite tired.

Huskins has been solid. For me, the biggest surprise has been Gervais's renaissance. Impressive.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the keepers in the next couple weeks.

It would be interesting to see Mason vs the Islanders on tuesday. He played great in the 3rd yesterday and his puck handling was incredible.

so if things go south we buyout bryz and danny which opens a lot of cap space, find another goalie to tandem with Mason (ie emery), retain huskins for depth and look to find one/two top 4 dmen.

sound about right?

It would be interesting to see Mason vs the Islanders on tuesday. He played great in the 3rd yesterday and his puck handling was incredible.
- Chris48

I didn't get tosee the third. So he was playing the puck well was he?

It would be interesting to see Mason vs the Islanders on tuesday. He played great in the 3rd yesterday and his puck handling was incredible.
- Chris48

Gotta give him a shot sooner or later. And if he can play well with our current defensive lineup, that will definitely count in his favor.

And there's nothing wrong with giving Bryz a little rest. And some competition might reinvigorate him.

I didn't get tosee the third. So he was playing the puck well was he?
- Hextall271

Didn't have many chances, but on the PK he took the puck and cleared it out of the zone up the middle...something we haven't seen from a keeper in a long while. Was a pleasant sight.

Didn't have many chances, but on the PK he took the puck and cleared it out of the zone up the middle...something we haven't seen from a keeper in a long while. Was a pleasant sight.
- wolfhounds

yep

The flyers still struggle when the opposing team gets setup in the offensive zone. The have been better at getting to the puck first, but still have issues once the teams start cycling down low

Didn't have many chances, but on the PK he took the puck and cleared it out of the zone up the middle...something we haven't seen from a keeper in a long while. Was a pleasant sight.
- wolfhounds

I am sorry I missed that... reminiscent of Hextall..

so if things go south we buyout bryz and danny which opens a lot of cap space, find another goalie to tandem with Mason (ie emery), retain huskins for depth and look to find one/two top 4 dmen.

sound about right?
- Manitobakid

Yup. With the current standings I have them taking Nurse in the draft, but with the lotto who knows. I would love to see a deal with StL for Shattenkirk but only time will tell if Homer is prepaired to make that kind of move.

Yup. With the current standings I have them taking Nurse in the draft, but with the lotto who knows. I would love to see a deal with StL for Shattenkirk but only time will tell if Homer is prepaired to make that kind of move.
- hereticpride

I think Homer has to make move like that.,. we can't go into next season with this D, and there are no UFA's that can help.. It may very well be a schenn plus picks or prospects type deal for a Dman like Shattenkirk.. I am just hoping Homer finds a willing dance partner and doesn't ,overpay.. I suspect all this will go down at the draft.

Another great post, Bill.

I certainly would like to see Mason start vs the Isles, and hopefully more games after that. Although I remain hopeful that our slim chance at making the playoffs comes true, I think it's equally important for the Flyers to find out what they have in Mason.

The problem is that Lavy doesn't seem to have a good feel for when to play the backup. He's had several chances this year to rest Byrz and give Boosh or Leighton a game, but has stubbornly refused to do it.

It makes me wonder just exactly how many games Mason will get over these few few weeks. My guess is that he'll get the Isles ... and maybe one more down the stretch.

Another great post, Bill.

I certainly would like to see Mason start vs the Isles, and hopefully more games after that. Although I remain hopeful that our slim chance at making the playoffs comes true, I think it's equally important for the Flyers to find out what they have in Mason.

The problem is that Lavy doesn't seem to have a good feel for when to play the backup. He's had several chances this year to rest Byrz and give Boosh or Leighton a game, but has stubbornly refused to do it.

It makes me wonder just exactly how many games Mason will get over these few few weeks. My guess is that he'll get the Isles ... and maybe one more down the stretch.
- FlyerGuy

Im good and ready to see Mason as well. I've seen some fans poo-pooing that trade but I thought it was a necessary one and third Rounders haven't been a big deal to this organization in the past. As to your observation about Boosh and Leighton, My guess is, Lavy understands that those guys, at this point are not really even usable goalies anymore, especially on a team that has needed wins desperately and those two simply are not viable options as backups. I wouldn't ascribe stubborn-ness to the situation as much as necessity, that has dictated the perceived overuse of Bryz this season, and he responded in his usual fashion, Overpaid, Mid level, bordering on mediocre play....

Another great post, Bill.

I certainly would like to see Mason start vs the Isles, and hopefully more games after that. Although I remain hopeful that our slim chance at making the playoffs comes true, I think it's equally important for the Flyers to find out what they have in Mason.

The problem is that Lavy doesn't seem to have a good feel for when to play the backup. He's had several chances this year to rest Byrz and give Boosh or Leighton a game, but has stubbornly refused to do it.

It makes me wonder just exactly how many games Mason will get over these few few weeks. My guess is that he'll get the Isles ... and maybe one more down the stretch.
- FlyerGuy

Hard to play someone that you don't trust. If you were the coach would you have played Boosh or Leighton, I know I wouldn't.

3 days between games and 4 pt game against a team ahead of them... Bryz definitely starts

Hard to play someone that you don't trust. If you were the coach would you have played Boosh or Leighton, I know I wouldn't.
- LJF

There is/was something just not clear or right about how Laviolette handles this team. What on earth happened in the locker room after the first period. It was pretty clear from the post game that SOMETHING was said by someone...

on the How not to handle your goalie front...Laviolette has been bad at it since he came to Philadelphia. Mason's ability to handle the puck ALONE would be helpful to the team. But rest assured...Lavy will find a way to wrong foot the situation....I can feel it.

3 days between games and 4 pt game against a team ahead of them... Bryz definitely starts
- nin9999

When you really need a win, go with the goalie ranked 40th out of 46 in save percentage.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...ct/year/2013/seasontype/2

When you really need a win, go with the goalie ranked 40th out of 46 in save percentage.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...ct/year/2013/seasontype/2
- Feanor

Too bad they can't amnesty buy out him mid season huh?

The flyers still struggle when the opposing team gets setup in the offensive zone. The have been better at getting to the puck first, but still have issues once the teams start cycling down low
- funmaster18

I'm glad there are others here that can see what ails this team without harping on the goaltender.

When you really need a win, go with the goalie ranked 40th out of 46 in save percentage.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...ct/year/2013/seasontype/2
- Feanor

How many of those other goalies had to play every game just about for their team?

Hard to play someone that you don't trust. If you were the coach would you have played Boosh or Leighton, I know I wouldn't.
- LJF

There were at least 3 or 4 games this year when the general consensus here was "I'm surprised Bryz is starting."

Also, not to defend Boosh or Leighton, but it's not like Bryz has been sporting a .930 save pct and a 2.2 gga.

When you really need a win, go with the goalie ranked 40th out of 46 in save percentage.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...ct/year/2013/seasontype/2
- Feanor

40th out of 46, and 29th among starters. Simply awful. That 4th goal Winnipeg scored yesterday Bryzgalov didn't move until the puck was in the net. Embarrassing.

Amazing two years after the owner uttered the words never again, the Flyers are right back to square one when it comes to goaltending. Only this time they paid through the nose to get there.

Too bad they can't amnesty buy out him mid season huh?
- Hextall271

I think it's too bad he hasn't maintained his level of play from early in the season. In the Flyers first game in Winnipeg back in February, Bryzgalov was excellent. Yesterday, not so much.

How many of those other goalies had to play every game just about for their team?
- JoeRussomanno

Other than Pavelec in Winnipeg none. Falls on the General Manager for not having a legitimate backup.