PhilsFanDrew

I totally agree with Roenick that this team is still missing the upper echelon defensemen.   I agree with Roenick that Mason is currently not an upper echelon goalie, however, I still think his game has upside and he can become elite.  Although one could make the case that with a better defense in front of him Mason could have put up elite level stats last year.   But to be fair and putting my bias aside I would say Mason is probably around the the top of the 2nd tier goalies as of right now.      

@pilldoc

" Now do you trade Schenn EVEN THOUGH you just gave him a big contract extension.  It will make the Flyers look awefully bad if they decide to move Schenn."

Not really.  They signed Schenn for 2 yr/$5 mill.   Thats not really a big contract extension and its not really a contract that signals long term commitment.  Schenn had to know he signed a team friendly deal for the Flyers.   It allows the Flyers to buy time and see if he pans out to be a player they want to invest in long term with big money and it is a friendly cap hit that if they decide to move him the contract is short and palatable for most potential trading partners.   

You know... I will be probably get laughed off this board, but I think the best place they can put Vinny is on the 1st line with G and Voracek.  Honestly.  There is just absolutely no other spot for him.  He can't replace Coots on the third line because playing on a checking/shut-down line is just not his specialty. He can't play on the 2nd line with Simmer and Schenn either; they tried that experiment and it failed.  And you can't play the guy who makes so much money on the 4th line as it just doesn't make any sense...

 

You can yell at me and you can laugh at me, but what do the Flyers have to lose at this point?  I know it's not ideal, but I really believe the 1st line would be the best of two worlds.

I totally agree.  In a perfect world the Flyers would have spent the money they signed on VLC to get a top line winger to play with G and Jake.  Yeah its not ideal to ask you best player to change positions to accommodate an aging/declining center but to me its the most viable option and at least is worth trying early on.  With that said if G gets off to a slow start and its not working they have to pull the plug early and go back to VLC on the 4th line and a PP specialist.   Hopefully a team will be more desperate at the trade deadline and a deal can be made.   

Greetings:

 

As we head into the pre-season and beyond the first thought that comes to mind is our goaltending. Not our D (we know it is slow and creaky), but goaltending. Why?

 

1) Do we know that Mason's "renaissance" is the real deal or a one-season replay of Columbus?  I like the guy and would like to think he has turned a corner. But we need some confirmation.

 

2) If Mason doesn't "work" or is injured--is Emery capable of a long-stretch?  Heck, his lateral mobility will be targeted by any opposition in any single game.

 

3) Can we look to ZeppArz or whomever to bail us out?

 

I was really hoping we'd get a Greis or Lindback into the fold.  Homer's long-term deal for Mason has to work out in the short-term; I don't see much else on the horizon.

 

Best,

 

Howie

1) He's been great since coming to Philly minus a month stretch last year where he wasn't playing his best (neither was the team in front of him though).  The sample size is slightly more than one season.   Bryz had a larger sample size of relative success in ANA and PHX and he was ran out of town.   There are no guarantees either way.   This is a tough market on the goaltender and Mason appears to handle the media and the pressure quite well.

2) No Emery won't be capable of a long stretch.   That would be more concerning if this team was really a contender.   Right now they are still developing their youth and need to fix issues on defense.   If Mason goes down this team as constructed isn't going anywhere anyway and missing the playoffs would mean a better draft pick.   The "we have to make the playoffs at all cost" mentality is one of the major reasons the Flyers haven't won a cup since 75. 

3)Zepp is nothing more than a backup for Stolarz in the AHL and Stolarz is not ready for the NHL.  

I have to agree with Vanflyer here.   At this point Carter is the better player and fits in with the Kings better than Richards.  Richards lack of offensive production is not a one off.  He has been declining ever since he got to LA.   I know this will ruffle some feathers but Mike Richards has always been a little overrated.  He's a very good player but he's not great.   There is no particular skill set that he possesses that makes him great.   I wouldn't say Carter is a great player either but if you are objectively looking at it based on recent performance you can't come to any other conclusion other than Carter is trending up and Richards is trending down.   Going off stats from 3-5 years ago to make the case that Richards is a better player is a fools errand.  Professional sports are a what have you done for me lately business. 

They may not need another Center right now but where they are picking the likelihood is that player is years away from making the NHL anyway.  Outside of Giroux are we sure Schenn, Couturier, Laughton, etc are going to still be Flyers 3-4 years from now?  I would hope that if their pick is up and they have a Center and D-man who they graded out equally that they take the D-man but there is no sense taking an inferior player just because its a position of need.  If drafting was the only way you could improve your team I would agree with taking the position of need but you can also make trades or sign free agents.  

Well considering the Preds let go of Trotz, it looks like they are attempting to rebuild and move in a different direction.   So while it is easy to say that the current makeup of the Preds doesn't suit Lavi's style I doubt 2-3 years from now that the roster will be that much similar.   Also given the patience Trotz was shown I don't see Nashville giving Laviolette a short hook if change doesn't happen immediately.   I don't see this hire to make them competitive in the immediate but as a move to introduce a long term strategy at changing the culture.   

If Emery was 2-0 with only allowing 1-2 goals and maybe a shutout in one of the first 2 games I would give stronger consideration.   The last thing the Flyers need at this point is a goalie controversy.   Mason gets the start for me if he is 100%.  Emery played well yesterday and the team got the W but I wouldn't annoint him a "hot hand".   

@doom88 

 

Difference is, those girls still have teeth  

Meth teeth.   Grody

To all:

Boston stars: Lucic,Krejci,Ericksson, and Bergeron plus Chara and Rask. I don't think we have the same talent as these guys.

Blues stars: Backes,Oshie,Steen. Not as loaded as Boston but play well with and without the puck.

Tampa stars: Stamkos, Purcell,Filppula and Bishop. SPEED.

I have a feeling that Emory started against Boston 'cause maybe Mason's confidence is failing a little. If he got blown out by the Bruins, what would that mean if/when we face them in the POs? Perhaps we play solid against Buffalo and he gains confidence. Just my opinion.

Boston:  I will give you Bergeron, Krejci, Chara, and Rask.   Lucic is borderline and if you consider him a star then so is Wayne Simmonds for the Flyers because they are both power forwards that have put up similar numbers.  Erikkson has battled injuries but he's been a disappointment in Boston.   A star prior to Boston but certainly not putting up star numbers. 

Blues:  Steen is not a star.   He's having a star year but this is the first year he's broke 30 goals.   Last year he only had 8 goals in 40 games.  

Tampa:  Teddy Pucell is definitely not a star.  Val Filppula is borderline.   Jake Voracek has put up similar numbers to Filppula this year so by your definition I guess that makes Voracek a star.   Not to mention Jake is only 24 years old.   

Good teams don't look back and blame one bad call for their demise.   Are you going to go back and look at a blown call that the Flyers benefitted from this year and give those points back?   Also in that Devils game the Flyers went something like 0 for 6 on the PP.   They had opportunities, they didn't convert. 

Well, I think we can say that this move has certainly paid dividends for the Flyers.

 

Having a $4.5M "fourth line center" isn't ideal in a capped league, but I think it's clear that the talent level the VLC still possesses is ahead of most of the talent he's going to be facing on the ice in this role.

 

He seems rejuvenated - whether from playing his "natural position" or from the kick in the pants or both. And I think he gives the "fourth" line an extra scoring threat.

 

Might also get a few extra minutes for Rinaldo and Hall, who have been pretty strong in their games since the switch as well.

 

If nothing else, I actually noticed VLC on the ice in the past two games - and in a good way.

 

Great depth for this team and they can roll lines. Could be a real benefit in the playoffs.

I think as long as the Flyers can continue to find diamond in the rough forwards a la Raffl and Read and pay them pennies on the dollar they can afford Lecavalier's salary because they are saving money elsewhere.  Like you said the benefit with Lecavalier's offensive talent on the 4th line is that he won't draw the shut down forwards from the opposition which should give him some chances.  

The Flyers have also been (knock on wood) healthy down the middle this season.  In fact out of all the centers he has been the one that has missed the most time due to injury.   Also interesting to note that I heard on the broadcast the other night that Mike Richards is currently centering the 4th line in LA.   To me that should be very concerning.   Lecavalier has 10 less points than Richards but in 14 less games played than Mike.    Also interesting for as good as everyone claims Richards to be defensively he is a -5 on a team that is very defense oriented.   I'm not suggesting VLC is earning or living up to his salary most nights, just simply pointing out it could be worse.   While Mike Richards plays hard and does a lot of good little things when you make as much money as he does he needs to produce and it hasn't been there since he joined the Kings.

Embarrassing display by US hockey. (both teams). To dominate as much as they did the entire tournament and then not show up in the slightest against Canada is a disgrace. Canada, particularly this year’s team, is not unbeatable. Canada is 100% in the U.S.’s heads.I'm still angry about it and I don't even care that much about Olympic hockey.

The real embarrassment was getting waxed 5-0 to Finland.   I don't think its so much Canada being in the US's heads as much as it is Canada being a superior team. Canada much like 2010, got better as the tournament progressed.  The US clearly regressed offensively after the Czech game and the wheels fell completely off in the bronze medal game.   I admit after beating Russia my expectations of the US changed that they almost certainly should medal.   But after looking at it in retrospect they played in the weakest group.   Slovakia was terrible,  Russia was a total fugaze (and the US barely won), and Slovenia is, well Slovenia.   Then they play an anciet Czech team in the quarterfinals.   They had the path of least resistence to the semis and they simply were not ready to play the stiffer competition.  Disappointing given their start in the tournament but realistic if you are honest about what the US team is. 

@jammer2

Actually per the phantoms website he is listed as a RW.   You could also move Raffl up to the 3rd line and call up Vandevelde to play on the 4th line with Rinaldo and Hall.  Bottom line I believe there are better options than Downie within the organization to play that 3rd line role on the wing.  

@aziz

 I think Akeson would fit in on the 3rd line with Read and Couturier.  I agree the Phantoms aren't brimming with forward talent but he certainly is an offensive threat that would be paired with two very defensively responsible forwards.  

@fan4ever

I'm not saying I agree with it.   I'm simply pointing out that I have been under the impression that the guys get at the very least a week or so off to relax and heal a bit. 

@doom88

How much time are the guys that aren't competing in the Olympics getting off?   It was my understanding that the players that aren't going are going home (wherever home is) or going on a vacation during that time.

Agreed...  but if anything has been proven this season is they are not consistent.  They played very good hockey out west but still are out of a playoff spot if I am correct.  The final stretch of games is not easy but they could slip into the playoffs.  It all depends on what Homer and crewdecide at the deadline as wll. 

Yes they are on the outside looking in.   Columbus has more regulation wins with the same points and has a game in hand.   That was a really big win for them last night at Anaheim.   The Flyers are out of the playoff spot because of that 4 game losing streak.   If they could have at least managed one regulation win in that stretch they would be sitting in 6th.   Right now they are 9th.   If they want to make the playoffs they are going to have to earn it.   Very tough finishing schedule after the olympics.   More penguins, bruins,  blues twice, sharks, blackhawks again.   If they make it through that schedule and sneak in they deserve it. 

I get what you are saying but they have to take the points where they can get them with the division being so tight and currently being on the outside looking in.   Not like Chief can say "Ehh just play half hearted and hope for the best so we can save ourselves until after the break." 

As much as I appreciate the effort they still are out of the playoffs.  This team goes on a streak here and there and then they fall back to medicority and I expect nothing else.   Queue another Boston or Washington like game in the future.   Not trying to be negative but there is certainly a pattern that proces this throughout this year and last. 

 

Streaks are nice but they wont get you into the playoffs...

While I agree it is best to take this road trip success with extreme cautious optimism, there is a little bit of a difference between these last two games and the games they won on their streak.   The level of competition was stiffer and they played well for just about 60 minutes each game.   There were stretches during the streak they didn't look well at all.   I think back to the comeback against Columbus at home.   If they play the rest of the season more like they did against LA and SJ, they will likely make the playoffs.   If they play like they did during the 4 game losing streak they are out.   If they play somewhere in between then they won't control their own destiny and will need help from other teams. 

I'd like to see Raffl on the line with Couturier and Read.   With Adam Hall scoring the other night and Raffl scoring last night that 4th line has been more productive than the 3rd line and a big reason has been Raffl's play. 

Gus is obviously having a good impact. Makes me wonder what took so long for him to get out off the press box

I don't understand why he was in the press box to begin with.  This is why the Flyers always look for answers outside the organization at D.    They don't allow their D men to develop properly.   Did Gus look a little tentative and get off to a rough start?  Sure.   But who didn't on D?   To me this is the year they really need to give him a look so they can honestly evaluate if he is going to be in the fold going forward. 

@caluso

I agree with your assessment of Timonen.  I've noticed a lot of stick penalties (tripping, hooking) this year because he has lost that step.  I'm perfectly ok with moving on from Timonen if he can't be resigned for 1/2 or less than his current contract and accept taking a lesser role to mentor a youngster like a Lauridsen, Alt, Manning, etc.

The definitely ratcheted up the compete level and their play positionally has been much better.  Mason looks like he is regaining his form from the start of the year.  Giroux has been outstanding.  Dare I say that Luke Schenn has played well since being paired with Gus.  I think when Timonen gets back, Mez is back to the press box.  I also liked the Voracek goal.  More evidence that they need to keep the forecheck going when they establish a 3rd period lead.  This trip is something to build on.