brelic

Seriously? **** you.

Well, Schenn did get 8 points in 4 AHL games, showing that he definitely belongs with the big boys. Problem is, the big club was firing on all cylinders, and really had no room for him without disrupting the roster. A big part of it is that he got injured in training camp, which opened the door for guys like Read, Couturier, and Harry Z to impress the coach, and they did. Read and Couturier, who I think are probably the direct competition for Schenn, earned a roster spot, and deserve to stay here. It will be interesting when he returns...

I know, and it's a total shame because I love the way Richards plays the game *when* he plays it the way we all know he can. He can flat out dominate with hits and cycling and even make nice plays once in a while. I don't know what the real story is behind all the rumours of substance abuse, but something was definitely wrong with Richards in Philly over the last year. He was completely unhappy and it showed on and off the ice. It was time to go.

I figured at the end of his current contract, 2012-2013. You do realize that he'll be 38 at the end of this contract, right? I think any contract after that will be one-year deals at most. Personally, I don't think he'll be playing after this contract.

Haha, did he ever! That is one sad squad.

@pags569 Agreed. I feel for the guy because all these injuries are screwing up his development and rhythm, and others are landing spots ahead of him. When is he due back? Another 3-4 weeks, I take it?

I think Richards and Carter did everything they were asked to do. I will miss Richards in the long run. He'll turn things around... but it had gotten to the point that he needed to be moved. Carter, well, I just don't like the way he plays the game. Soft and on the perimeter. Good riddance. That being said, they both became excellent players here in Philly, but the problem is that they were coddled and seemed to have some sort of sense of entitlement. Homer showed them who really runs the show around here No one is untouchable... well, except Giroux!

Remember when he was brought up last time? Kinda screwed up our rhythm. LOL, now, I'm not saying it's Schenn's fault, but we had something that was working well, so why screw with the lineup???

I'm more blown away that he has outplayed Schenn. I really thought Schenn would come in here and really impress us, but he hasn't really impressed me at all. I don't know that Schenn has a spot on this team right now (even though they *will* make room for him).

LOL, was it really? Man, poor Nash. Excellent player that will never be remembered because of where he played.

Did you see his assist on Giroux's goal last night? That was all Jagr's hard work on the boards to battle with the CBJ player, strip him of the puck, and make a great pass to an open G. Those are the kinds of things I love seeing from not only Jagr, but all of our players. Not just pretty passes, or fancy displays of talent, but plays that are the result of hard work and getting in the dirty areas.

I don't think it's a love affair, he was just the best option they had in the AHL. Kevin Marshall and Marc-Andre Bourdon will probably not be top 4 defensemen in this league, and Bart has them both beat right now in terms of his development and is a serviceable #5/6/7. Gus is a very offensively-minded defenseman, but is small and can have problems in his own zone. We'll see how he continues to develop. We definitely need to restock the cupboard for defensemen, though. We have nothing promising in the pipeline. Kimmo is probably a year away from retiring, and Pronger seems to be entering the phase of his career where durability is an issue. We will regret that contract in a few years because it's a 35+.

That's a possibility, but I'm not really worried about it because the Flyers aren't relying on him for first or second line minutes, and they are not relying on him for offense. I think if it gets to the point where he gets exposed with too many minutes, they can sit him for a few games, or move him down the lineup.

Part of it is that Lilja was making the team no matter what because of his contract and Walker impressed in camp. He got squeezed out, and has to clear waivers. Gus is waiver exempt.

Part of it is that Lilja was making the team no matter what because of his contract and Walker impressed in camp. He got squeezed out, and has to clear waivers. Gus is waiver exempt.

Analysis on the Briere shootout goal by Mike Murphy, Senior VP of hockey operations. http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=2&id=132800 Basically, the player can stop as long as the puck continues to be in motion/forward motion (i.e. stickhandling is obviously allowed). What they're trying to prevent is the spinorama type moves, apparently.

This. Roy made a huge difference. Not sure how Hextall would have turned out if we kept him; maybe he would have regained his rookie form, but we'll never know. SOmeone on another board also made the point that having Sakic was HUGE for not only Forsberg, but for team leadership as well. We didn't have that here.

4-2 Flyers. Voracek gets 2 goals, Couturier has an assist and great PK time. Meanwhile, Carter is banging some OSU chicks.

What is his actual injury? Does anyone know? Sheesh, I thought the ol' vague "upper body injury" was reserved for the playoffs?

Wow, I think the alumni game will be more exciting than the actual game

We have like 10 or 11 guys for the top 9, and they're still figuring out who goes where. Clearly, the top line is set until further notice: Jagr/Giroux/Hartnell What I find curious is that Laviolette insists on substituting Simmonds for Hartnell on the first PP unit. I know Simmonds/G/Jagr had chemistry early on, but Hartnell has 10 points in the last 5 games, and Simmonds is ice cold. Hartnell should be the one on the top PP unit. The second and third lines are a bit of a jumble. JVR/Briere/Voracek Simmonds/Couturier/Read Plus, Schenn will be fighting for a spot in the top 9. Personally, from what I've seen so far of Schenn, he hasn't earned top 9 status. But, his name will make it so. He has been just ok. He's had his chances, but if it's between Couts, Read, and Schenn, I say the first two names have earned it. Drop Schenn to the 4th, and let him earn his stripes: Nodl/Schenn/Talbot And substitute Nodl with the other scrubs when necessary... I know that looks like a 'weak sauce' 4th line, but I don't see Laviolette scratching any of those three very often in favour of Shelley, Rinaldo, or Z. Oh, and give Bobrovsky more starts now until he falters or Bryz steals it back. I have felt more confident with Bob thus far.

The biggest issue I've noticed with Voracek so far is that he doesn't seem to have chemistry with *anyone*. He's been ineffective no matter who his linemates are. The story I was told on him is that he is a great passer... I have yet to really see that. Hell, Couturier has made some nicer passes so far that have led to goals. We might have ourselves another Carter on our hand... but like others have said, Couturier is the bonus.

No, he definitely doesn't look like the guy in the Bruins series, or even the Buffalo series. His play in the playoffs was one big reason why Homer felt he could roll the dice and ship out both Richards and Carter. He better start showing his boss that he was right.

From http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20111104_Flyers_coach_Laviolette_unhappy_with_van_Riemsdyk.html

Fair enough... I guess I really meant Simmonds He needs the talent around him.