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Flyers defense: Pronger Timonen Coburn Carle Meszaros Lilja/Gus/MAB/Walker Coyotes defense: Yandle Ekman-Larsson Schlemko Klesla Aucoin Morris Rozsival Is that Coyotes defense really better than ours? Morris is overrated, Rozsival is bad, and Ekman-Larsson was a rookie last year, so probably prone to some mistakes. Aucoin, well, I don't know much about his defensive play... but he's pretty old. I would love to have Yandle, but he's their #1, so of course we would want him here. I just don't see how that defense is so much better than ours (if at all!). So I wouldn't say that our defensemen are unable to do the job; I really believe that if you swap their 6 for our 6, you'd probably end up with the same result.. i.e., we would still be bad defensively. And Bryz being overrated? Absolutely. I was happy they went after him because in my mind, *anything* was an upgrade over that clusterf*&k that we had last year. But 9 years AND an NMC for a 31 year old goalie???? Sheer stupidity. Guess he didn't learn from the Pronger contract debacle. I'll say it again: there is no way in hell that Bryz lasts nine years in Philly. Book it!

That;s exactly it. I'm hoping it's just part of the maturing process... though our #22 overall pick is WAY more developed than our #2 overall Just sayin'

Because you said that he was shaping up to be what you expected, which implies a goaltender with a >3.00 GAA and <.900 sv%.

Most frustrating = Bryz. Runner Up = JVR. I say JVR because even though his production is up, he seems very selective in when he ups his game and when he doesn't. Part of it might be that he's still maturing (he's only 22) and growing into his role, but when you see him dominate one game or a period, and then become invisible the next, that's frustrating.

LOL, good point! What's better? A 15 year contract to a goalie made of glass, or a 9 year deal with a guy who frequently gets lost in the woods?

Yup, Bob totally saved our bacon yesterday... start him until he falters. Maybe Derek Morris is on to something...

I know the Flyers are rich, but would they really be willing to just throw away $45M dollars remaining on a contract and chalk it up to just a bad contract?? I have a hard time believing that. They're running a business. And he's tradeable... regardless of the NMC or contract, he's tradeable. After riding the pine for a few months, I'm sure he'd be willing to get moved somewhere.

So, it is him, or the Flyers? As in, if you put Quick or Price or Thomas back there, would it be any different?

Why he heff to get lost in woods?

This. 100% in agreement.

My tables didn't paste properly... I'll try again later.

Gus is still injured. Had wrist surgery last week and will be out I think 4-6. EDIT: Bourdon looked good actually. He got burned on one play that resulted in a breakaway against, but for his 2nd game, he looked decent. He has a cannon of a shot, but I'm not sure he's hit the net yet, lol (but because of traffic not because he's got Carteritis).

I'll go first then. He's a bum.

Couple of notes for tonight's game... Jagr is 'hopeful' for tonight, and Coburn will 'likely' play. Marshall was returned to ADK, but since Pronger is still out with a virus, Bourdon will play tonight as well.

Bourdon will play tonight in place of Pronger, who is out with a 'virus'. Looking forward to seeing more of MA Bourdon. Seemed like he was fading with the organization, but nice to see him getting a shot to prove he belongs. Also, guess that means Schenn is probably 2-3 games away from returning.

Hey, I never said it would be easy A new CBA might change things or allow for one-time buyouts, etc. And, I'm sure that there are all sorts of creative ways to get rid of a player. I hope I'm wrong and that Bryz ends up having a great career here. I'm just saying that I'm not sold on him, and the chances that he actually plays (as in, not retire) before 40 are slim. There are about 5 guys in the entire NHL that are 40+ so it's the exception rather than the rule to play that long. Bryzgalov had 2 good years in Phoenix. Before that, he was decidedly average (hovering around 2.50 and .900 sv %). And so far this year, he's been average as well. Granted, we've had a huge roster turnover and our defense has had its injuries. But shouldn't an elite goaltender steal games for you when you have no business winning? I have not seen Bryz do that yet. I don't think I've even really had a "wow, how did he save that???" moment this season with Bryz. He has, however, let in some deflating goals, and has had more than a few stinkers. There's more bad than good so far. I know, early in the season, early in a 9 year contract.... I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, for now. But that's why I want to keep a guy like Bob around, because Bryz just doesn't give me that confidence that everything's settled in goal.

I guess I'm probably in the minority who is not sold on Bryz. I honestly haven't been overly impressed with him so far in the season. I've mentioned it before, but I would bet my Rickenbacker 4003 JG Bass that Bryz will not be the starter here for 9 years, let alone even *be* in Philly for 9 years... not the way we chew up and spit out goalies here. I would keep Bob or make sure I get a promising goalie prospect in return. We have **** in the pipeline, and my guess is that someone else will be our starter within 4-5 years. It would be a crying shame if we move a promising backup because of salary before dumping a useless Shelley on waivers to reclaim cap space.

I think JVR read this thread because he had a great game last night. I would say he was the best Flyer on the ice (though that ain't saying much)... strong on the puck, driving the net, and staying with the play. Playoff JVR

So what happened to Prongs and Coburn?

I don't think it's the points so much as the hockey sense and effort. His play lately is a little too reminiscent of Carter. But look at a guy like Read, and even when he's not getting points, he is involved in a play every time he's on the ice. Second efforts, hitting, killing penalties, cycling. He's 'visible' all the time. I still like him, and his production is up from last year, so we can't complain too much... it's just that I was hoping we'd get a little more Playoff JVR.

Sorry, but Crosby coming back is WAY WAY bigger than a November game between Ottawa and Boston. If it's Boston/Vancouver, you might have a point, but changing the game to the Pens was the right call, IMO. And, yes, of course some franchises are more important than others. Do you disagree with that? Should Columbus be given the same TV consideration as the Flyers? **** no!

Whoa, seriously? I had no idea Pronger and Coburn were hurt... I missed the 3rd period of the Jets game... what happened?

Totally agree. Lupul/Staal/Kessel would be a sick line.

I think the injuries we have coupled with Simmonds mediocre play opens the door for Schenn (though not that it was closed or anything, lol). Just to be clear, I never said I didn't want Schenn on the big club, only that while the team was hot, why disrupt anything for an unknown commodity? Wait till the team cools down or people get injured. I think Winnipeg 'cooled' us down (figuratively and literally). I mentioned before I'd like to see JVR/Briere/Schenn again for a better look, and move Simmonds to the 4th. I think we would have 4 incredibly balanced and dangerous lines. H/G/J JVR/B/S V/T/R Simmonds/Couturier/Rinaldo You could argue that Coots belongs on the 3rd over Talbot, but the way he's playing with Voracek and Read, I think he's earned his spot up there for a while.

I definitely think there's a market for a guy like Staal, but I agree that Philly ain't that market.