Howie58

Jam: I just wrote FlyerRod on another thread that if it weren't for Mase, this year would be a disaster. The team offense is generally inept. The turnovers leave me breathless and angry. Best, Howie

Rod: Watching this team two days in a row brings back memories of the Cup years...victories by one goal were frequent in that era with Bernie, Ashbee, et. al. But there were Clarkes and Leaches to get the puck in the opponents' net. Without Mason, this season is godforsaken. Best, Howie

I would say we were fortunate tonight that Mason's work kept us in the game. Otherwise...more poor offense. Howie

Flyerrod: I agree they are playing a sound defensive game. But I don't think most of the shots on Pavelic were high quality. It is true the first period was 12-2 in shots. But as the game wore on the Flyers seemed to fall back on their heels. I do not see much offensive flow from this team. Our high shot totals may not be translating into goals because they are not tough shots from with 15-20 feet. Best, Howie

Congratulations! I hope all three of you spend many more games together in good health. Invoking Spock...Live long and prosper. Best, Howie

Greetings: I was at the game today. The Flyers' lack of offense was stunning. Hartnell's goal was opportunistic. Coots' was an unassisted SH. Five-on-five, the team looked genuinely inept. Mason is the MVP so far. It would be hard to reckon where this team would be without their goaltending. Homer has collected a lot of high draft picks. But the parts are really a lot less than the whole. This next road trip will be a really critical test. But I still don't see this team finishing at .500. Best, Howie P.S. It was my first game at WFC in five years. It is a lot more exciting than Sunrise.

Jam: I just wrote Brelic the next stretch on the road will say a lot about the team. If we head into 2014 on a low note all but goal would seem touchable but the cost of contracts may limit our deck clearing. Who would pay for some of these people? Howie

Brelic: The next stretch on the road will say a lot about this gang. There are no slugs the next two weeks. Peace, and happy Turkey Day.

Greetings: I think we may be seeing the "true" Flyers; a group that isn't as bad as we thought but not as good as the recent streak hinted. We may be lucky to finish .500. Best, Howie

Greetings: My two cents: 1) I seem to recall a post some time ago that the coaching change impact in the NHL is greater than in the other big sports. 2) There is the old regression to the mean effect. We started terribly...far below expectations. Now we making up for it. The real question may be where we go in the next 10-15 games. They may be the best indicator of "real" status. That said, our goaltending is probably the best it's been in a generation. And as others have said, Berube may be coaching to the players he has on hand. His tight-checking, defense first approach may be best for his staff. Best, Howie

Canoli: There is street wisdom in your point. My only concern that hasn't come up in the thread is budget bucks. With the cap increase I hope we can keep both. The question may be what each expects with a possible resigning. Visiting in the region...up in Boston now but flying in for Turkey Day...will be at Black Friday game with brother. Best to you...and lay off the the canoli and other chow...keep in battle trim.. (smile). Best, Howie

Howdy: WC, good to see you. Potvin was canned as an announcer from my backyard Panthers....there must have been a reason. The 3rd period "outburst" was something we'd expect from this team at some point. It didn't hurt that their goalie was not too sharp. Mason earned his keep. As a long-time fan it's interesting to see the team go back to defensive roots. I grew up with lots of 3-2, 2-1 wins. Berube's system is taking hold. Peace, Howie

Sir Canoli: Good to hear from you...hope all is well! Coots is not getting a lot of love on this board. He is certainly not an offensive threat. Maybe the guy was oversold/billed at draft. Peace, Howie

I only caught the last period and OT. The tying goal was a screened blast. The team looked tired except for OT. I can't fault Mason for our OT woes. Five out of six points on a road trip ain't shabby. Coburn is playing as well as any time in his career. Overall good stuff. Best, Howie

It's hard to say if our coach has instilled a new system or the team is playing up to where they should be. One way or the other they are working hard. Best, Howie

This was a complete effort against a respectable club. I hope the momentum carries forward. Mason got a richly deserved shutout. The guy has carried this squad and it was good to see teammates salute him at the end. Putting a fourth forward on the PP may be a very wise move for this club. It is nice to see some improvement. Best, Howie

Howdy: I think my backyard Florida Panthers and the Flyers represent a study in contrasts. You could argue that the Panthers have been chronic underspenders who don't keep the good draft choice they accumulate because of salary limitations. This builds a losing culture that makes it tough to attract quality UFAs even if they were affordable. The Flyers overspend on past-their-prime UFAs and don't give their draft picks time to mature. These are contrasting models that have (at least this year) similar results. You can replace Dineen with Horacek. And you can switch out Lavy for Chief. But you still get cellar dwellers. I think the long-term question we have to ask is where we are historically? Is this a repeat of the 1990-93 stretch (I think) with no playoffs? Are we facing a kind of dark ages until the expensive headaches Homer has gotten us are off the books via retirement or trade? I can't say. What I've said here before is that our history since the first strike suggests tremendous inconsistency between and within seasons. From my vantage--that is the result of short-sided opportunism versus long-term drafting and developing. By chance we will have an occasional deep playoff run. Otherwise we will be mediocre. Best, Howie P.S. It is Memorial Day. We owe a lot to the people who protect our right to post here as we see fit.

Mason continues to look sharp. His critical saves played a big part in this win. At least one part of this ream looks reasonably good. Best, Howie

Greetings: No stick No Mobility No Effort, Maybe Gill is the second best Homer off season move. If he isn't a healthy scratch Saturday, Berube should go on medical pot. Howie PS. Maybe reefer before the game is what this dog needs.

Greetings! It is boring to watch. And I see little hope. Best, Howie

Agreed! And if you recall, Fred Shero admired the euros (particularly the Russians) because they emphasized the quality rather than the quality of shots!!! Best, Howie

Greetings: It would not surprise me if one or more of these folks are let go by trade deadline. But at this juncture, I see very little demand for overpriced, under-productive players. And with Holmgren at the helm, what difference will it make? Sorry for sounding bummed. Howie

Greetings: I am worried that Mason's behavior at the end of the game is a sign of cracking. He looked petrified after the tying goal. Then he bounded to the locker room after the loss. He may be losing it. Given the lack of support, I can understand his behavior. But it may be sign of something deeper. Like..."what the f..bomb am I doing....." He will be our Gilles Milloche...playing well for a suck-face team. Peace, Howie

Perhaps Hal Gill is the secret weapon! Best, Howie

I am not sure about the new waiver gig after the strike but wonder if someone would get waived as a signal. I don't even know who would be wanted but to put a Coburn or other on waiver would be interesting. When the GM admits it was painful to watch...not only should he go but I have to wonder if a new architect would have any hope of rebuild with the contracts we have. Peace, Howie