Howie58

FC: Unfortunately, the electronic media do not allow for libations. But in spirit, I can toast you tonight. Peace, Howie

Congratulations on the new job. I hope it goes well. Homer may be facing some unpleasant realities. And I have to wonder if good free agents who might have come to the team in past years reckon this is a time to stay away. Stay thirsty my friend.

These reporters are probably going to "pay" for their candor with reduced access to the team. I also suspect Homer's recent outbursts show frustration...and the fact that he has to take some of the blame for what's happened. Plan B (no Weber, etc.) must have been lacking. Work is really tiring me these days..the merlots help but not too much. Middle-age and budget cuts are taking their toll. Good to hear from you... Howie

Greetings All: I've found the articles in the Inquirer and elsewhere on Snider and his frustration with the season to be very interesting. I have a link to one; there have been others. http://us.yhs4.search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7piWRIpRz10A7SIPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTBybjFrcjVnBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNARjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkAw--/SIG=13gn3ublq/EXP=1368044822/**http%3a//articles.philly.com/2013-05-05/sports/39044157_1_ed-snider-erik-gustafsson-shea-weber In so many words, Snider is "teflon" like, and blames the schedule, injuries, and God-knows what else for a bad season. The broader design issue, and his short-term outlook, receive no attention. The upshot as Carchidi and others note, is that we have an owner who does not understand that his decisions (Buying Bryz's services is perhaps the most recent) have led to one of the longest droughts in championship among the major leagues. I also thought the poll last weekend about "stay" and "go" in the Inquirer was telling. While the majority of voters wanted Lavy to stay, the majority wanted Homer to go. The bottom line is simple: the reporters and fans understand that short-term expedience will not yield a Stanley Cup. The articles also support my view that Snider and his minions do a good job keeping the Flyers in the upper-middle class (Snider takes pride in our Finals appearances) but the big enchilada is distant. FYI--the articles blame the fans in part--they expect winners every year...though the frustration this year tells me even the great unwashed are POed with where this team is heading. Maybe we are seeing a change. Maybe the youngsters on the team stay...etc. But my head and gut say that Snider/Homer will stay expedient. That is a recipe for long-term frustration. Best, Howie

I owe the board an apology. By predicting excellence we will probably tank. Our runs in '08 and '10 were flukes. I might jinx the rebuild. Best, Howie

My concern is that we have lots of turnover...players and coach...heck, maybe even GM is Comcast decides its investment is losing its luster. That could signal a longer rebuild. Best, Howie

Greetings: Short-term we are wondering about draft picks, goal, resigning. Fine. Now the toughie: When do we return to the NHL's upper middle class? I am not saying elite. I am not even saying challenge for the Cup. I am saying one notch better than making the playoffs, which in this league, may not be saying much. Will we get there next year? Will it take two years? Or has the poop really hit the fan and we have only one foot in the grave? My belief is that it will take at least two years to get back to the top 10 or so. Our forwards may not be as good as we thought. We know what the D is, and the goal situation is a question mark. My other feeling is that if this team isn't 6-4 or better after 10 games, we have a coaching and/or GM change that brings more uncertainty and chaos. Thoughts? Best, Howie

We welcome Mr. Akeson---who knows, maybe this guy adds some scoring punch.

I was going to post a thread like this, but glad Bak started. So here is my take. Let me start with the following: I think Flyers' history prior to the first strike should be all but-forgotten in assessing where we are today. The salary cap and rule changes have made for a very different reality. We are well past the days where the same six teams were almost always in the Finals. In fact--I don't think we've had a repeat Cup winner since the "lost season." So, what does that leave us? Homer was candid about it earlier this week. Inconsistency. We have had two flukey Cup runs. Two seasons out of the Playoffs. And four seasons that were good to OK in terms of points with an important asterisk--sub-par play against better than .500 teams. My take is that Homer (and his patron Snider) is the principal culprit. And the last few weeks may bear out the problem and the solution. Homer is an excellent opportunist. For all we know, Mason may be the real deal. And...maybe Voracek will be one of Homer collected first-rounders who stays consistently good...not like a Steve Eminger or nose-picker Pitkanen. But on the other hand--a group of no-name AHLers and youngsters outperforms the vets. Maybe that's the other side of the coin. A group of not-so-hot picks who have time to play and develop together may be a better base than Homer's usual opportunism. Bottom line--I think Homer probably needs to go. Unfortunately, that might not happen. So I suspect Lavy may be scapegoated. Meanwhile, I almost don't care about where we draft. Why not follow the Blackhawks' experience and keep a cadre of players together and see how they gel. Best, Howie

TZ: It is a strange end to a stranger season. Let's hope it is the beginning of a new era on the upside. Best, Howie

Greetings: I understand the draft pick concern but think there is a bigger "problem" with a late-season pickup: Does it take Lavy and Homer off the hook when they may need to stay there? I might argue a change in coach or GM might mean as much as the pick. Howie

OH: I think he was either dehydrated or cramping. He finished the game and seemed to be OK. At least that is what I saw and heard. Bryz did not go in. So it was not serious. Howie

Greetings: So, on back-to-back nights we take out MTL and NYR. And we do with the likes of Manning and Rosehill (tonight's 3rd star) and Mason playing like he deserved the 51 million contract. They have energy and Kimmo plays like he is 10 years younger. Maybe the injuries and the early season ebbs and flows are leading to a new core that has some energy and togetherness. I suspect Mez is probably done. But we may have Gus or Manning or Lauridsen. So, even if this season is "lost" it may have some long-term payoffs. Howie

Alberta: I wonder how much more we will see of him this season. I suppose more rather than less if he is a replacement for 30. Peace, Howie

Greetings: I thought Mason looked steady and balanced. He squared well to the shooter and made some good passes out. Unlike Bryz, he did not make every save look like an adventure. Howie

We may have seen the future. Mason looked OK. Bryz is inconsistent. I wonder if Mason gets a start next game.

THe HNIC feed I am getting on Center Ice is really down on Bryz and his season. They see a guy who plays small and looks uncoordinated. Best, Howie

Jammer-I agree and if I were a betting man, I'd bet he stays with a hometown discount. He is respected by peers and a fan favorite. Peace, Howie

Well, I guess RJ wants to hang on to what he's got. LOL.....

Greetings Over Friday Merlot! Well, I agree...probably a nose or two better than Bruno....Foster...Lilja...and the other merry-go-round of 2nd-3rd tier folks at our back line. Keep fingers crossed. Best, Howie

TZ: I agree. You actually pay attention because they aren't dogging it. Best, Howie

Howdy: The guy was a second round draft pick in 1999. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Hall He is your quintessential journeyman. But he may be durable and a team guy. He is a faceoff expert...and we need that. Best, Howie

Lupul's "sandwich" set the tone for the game. The guys didn't rollover. That said...Bryz was strange, even by his standards. Howie

Helium, hydrogen...or pot...or hot air? Peace, Howie

Bobo may have found a home there with clear starting role and less media/fan attention. Mason may find a new home with a good franchise. We give the guy a start and see. I suspect Bryz's ironman role will diminish to give this guy a few starts, especially if playoffs become less likely. Truth be told, I'm happy Cal Heeter is backing up tonight...would almost like to see if our system can generate any f.....(ing goalie... Peace, Howie