Mad Dog

https://www.tsn.ca/philadelphia-flyers-sean-couturier-out-a-minimum-of-two-weeks-with-costochondral-seperation-1.1578339#:~:text=Philadelphia Flyers centre Sean Couturier,separation%2C the team announced Saturday.&text=Couturier was injured in the,period and did not return. Costochondral rib separation. I guess it could be worse. The whispers were that late last night, the Flyers were afraid he would be gone for the rest of the season. Obviously, it's a big blow, but given the Flyers' depth, I think it's manageable. Also an opportunity for Frost to show what he can do playing in his natural position.

I always liked his game. And he would fit well centering the second line. I mean I would, but it would require some salaries manipulation not to burden the cap too much.

I wouldn't write off the Bruins just yet. Their first line may be the ONLY line they have, but it's a damn good one. And Rask is still one of the better goalies in the game. I do like the way the Flyers look this year, though. Deep, disciplined, committed and... most importantly, finally, FINALLY.... having a premiere netminder. We'll see.

Rad mentioned this date was just a place holder for now. The actual draft day & time in NAHANA wasn't picked yet.... as far as I know. We may need to ping Rad for the final time as we are getting close to the NHL season.

Sorokin is an intriguing option. Being 25 yo, he is not green and not entirely untested as he brings almost 9 years of playing in the KHL. His last 5 years he played for CSKA Moscow - a pretty solid club, albeit no match for NHL. I can see him competing with Varlamov and if not winning the #1 job, at least stealing a lion share of starts from him.

Yes, I am in. Just signed in. Thanks Doc!

To lose to *this* team, at home, would be bad.... REAL bad.

If Raffl's statement reflects the true mindset of the team as a whole (I hope it doesn't), this is DESPICABLE and PATHETIC. Boy.... what a wonderful set-up, isn't it? Why can't *I* only take certain clients of mine seriously and do a crappy job for the rest of my clients!? Effort - or the lack thereof - should not even factor into the equation. And shame on the coach if he sees this and doesn't address it. You are professional athletes. The money you get paid is what 90% of the general population can only dream about getting. And you are telling me that you *deliberately* lie down on the job. I am sorry, but that's as reprehensible as it gets.

Finally!!! Wow. Never thought they would escape St, Louis with a win.

Well... at least they've earned a point - on the road, against the NHL best team, playing a back-up netminder.

Our top scorers are just not getting it done. Pure and simple. Giroux is being a shadow of himself this year...

Infuriating... Just infuriating with this team. Had an opportunity to put this game away. Instead, it is tied and the Blues are storming.

Yeah, I tend to agree. I don't know the Capitals' cap situation, but I can't imagine they would find the way to keep Holtby. Perhaps exactly *because* they feel Samsonov is ready, they signed Backstrom to this deal, which, in my mind, is a bit inflated. But like you said, this deal reflects more on his current value as opposed to the future.

If this was just the numbers, I would've gladly looked the other way. But something about the way he is playing this year is just off. I can't put my finger on it, but he is just not himself this year. In the previous years when he was not scoring, he was always hustling (he was one guy I didn't have to worry about playing hard), creating and making plays... And his passing has always been accurate. This year, I don't see much of that at all. And what bothers me the most, he seems to be taking shifts off and avoiding contact. Not always. Not even in every game. But enough to make me wonder that there may be something going on with him that we don't know.

THAT was one crazy game. Happy for Dubnyk. He clearly needed this win for himself and for the team... Watching this game though made me realize one thing: Christian Dvorak is an absolute future stud in this league, but he needs to stay healthy. And he and Hall can do wonders working together.

For the league minimum, I would.

I can see him and Dvorak clicking quickly... Either way, clearly the 'Yotes think they are very close. We'll see.

With some other coach, I'd say it's possible. This coach is as conservative and old-school as they come. I doubt he will entertain the idea of a d-man actually playing a wing.

Without a doubt key players have to step up. If that doesn't happens, the Flyers will find themselves in the cellar of Eastern conference at no time. It's that simple. Giroux has to start acting and playing like a damn leader and not like just another player. Voracek, JVR and Couturier need to start giving effort not only in waves, but all the time. It's going to be challenging until at least Konecny comes back, and there won't be any more easy rides. They have to approach each game like it's a playoff game. If they won't, it will be over very soon.

We are not looking for sympathy. But the reality is the Flyers are missing key players, and their star players are not performing to the expectations.

Here is another way to ask basically the same question. Will Fletch make a trade?

I am not in medical field, but based on what I know, the answer is no. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and is usually hopeless. Lung cancer is right behind it. Ewing sarcoma is not as ominous and is fairly curable. But again, the key is early detection. I don't know how early they picked it in Oscar.

@pilldoc Thanks for all this info, Doc. Just curious is you encountered any patients with Ewing sarcoma in your practice.

The problem with cancer in general is that even tests won't always signal a problem. It's usually symptoms that make one suspect that something is very wrong. And when they *do* test, it often happens to be too late. Ewing sarcoma is aggressive, but is one of the most curable forms of cancer as long as it's not spread (in which case the survival rate is significantly lower). Let's hope and pray it's not spread and he beats it.

Oh my God.... What a bummer. When something like this happens, hockey is the last thing that comes to mind, obviously. His focus now will be full recovery and being able to enjoy the rest of his life. Ewing's sarcoma, while rare, affects largely teenagers and young adults. The good news is that it is highly curable, especially if caught early. I wish him the best.