FD19372

Nothing to think about here. No way in HELL would I trade our captain and best player for a POTENTIALLY GREAT player in five years, Seth Jones or whoever. If Homer did that, he should immediately be taken to a mental ward.

Howie, I'd rather put a fridge on wheels in front of the net, it be less of a stiff than Leighton (and it would cover more net). Nice to know how much this team still values goaltending. Leighton must have damning evidence against Homer, and threatened to use it against him if he didn't get playing time. I just don't understand the mindset of the organ-eye-zation. I'd like to be a fly on the wall when they're discussing personnel decisions.

Yes, indeed Ron! Especially, uh, since we score 6 goals a game.

Hexy27, I would hire someone with a fresh perspective, who has previous experience as a GM, with a somewhat different philosophy on personnel. The team needs a little bit of a fresh perspective on how to do things outside of the Clarkes and Holmgrens of the world. As much as I liked them as players, it doesn't necessarily translate to being a great GM. I wouldn't want Brian Burke in here, though. He's no better IMO. The problem is Mr. Snider would be more likely to bring in a Ron Hextall from his old-boy network, than take a chance of really shaking things up considerably. Maybe Hexy would be a good hire, but they need somebody who would have the brass ones to stand up to him and say "I'll run it my way, look at my track record, trust me." It might not be received well though. Just like Jeffrey Lurie wants things run a certain way for the Eagles (i.e. Luries is a west coast offense guy). Maybe they can talk Stan Bowman out of Chicago or Ray Shero out of Pittsburgh, lol. Who knows?

I'd rather buy out or try and trade Coburn, if possible. The guy is on the ice for almost every goal the Flyers give up, and takes dumb penalties. Leave Bryz alone, the defense in front of him is inconsitent at best, although getting slightly better (though with Grossman hurt maybe not so much), but Coburn is either turning the puck over or losing a man in front of the net for a big goal against. I hope getting back Meszaros will help, but he probably won't very much right away. Anyway, Bryz is the best goalie the Flyers have had since Hextall's 1st tour here. I didn't like the LONG term deal Homer gave Bryz, but he's not the biggest problem with the team. Not even close.

If the guy he Harry Z hit was indeed injured, he should get 4 games. If not, then 2 at the most. The problem is two-fold for me, (1) he left his feet to hit the man at full speed (2) he was just let off the hook for a questionable hit last game.This one looked worse, even though the Sens player didn't have his head up, and left himself vulnerable to a potentially serious injury. If he's going to be a feared but good player (and I like that element to Harry's game) he has to be able to be more aware of time and situation for doing something like that. That major power play could have cost the Flyers in a close game today in a season where EVERY game means something.

Nah, I'd rather move him for a d-man who can skate. We're too slow back there.

I'm sensing a little sarcasm from you, ruxpin . I will admit Avs/Blues was a great game last night, though. I needed a half a pack of cigarettes, 4 shots of whiskey and about 5 tylenol after Flyers/Pens last night. I picked up NHL Center Ice, so I wouldn't miss games like Hawks-Canucks and, of course, Flyers-Pens. You know, just in case these networks have the occasional brain fart and not have the game on. I've basically hated ESPN the day they decided to put the NBA on, and stop covering NHL games. Talk about a crap product.

Sorry Tanner, uh, I can think off of the top of my head two dirtier players for sure. Raffi Torres and Matt Cooke, one of whom is a teammate of his, and one who was. I have no idea what the hell he's talking about.

I think it was the most exciting regular season game in the last couple years.

I think the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry was the best in sports, and still could very well be. Bruins-Canadiens is always up there. I also think Duke-North Carolina in college basketball is great. However, I think over the last 4 or 5 years (especially since last year's playoffs) the Flyers-Pens has become the best rivalry in sports. I needed a bottle of Tylenol, vodka, and the day off from work later today after the game last night. Go Flyers!

Tye McGinn, we welcome you! Make us forget about JVR. Oh, I already did. Brayden Coburn, you're welcomed to leave. Oh I'm sorry, did I play this wrong?

I agree on all of these points I might be in the minority here, but I think the organization flaws and philsophy that you are referring to comes down to one man, and it isn't Homer, it's Ed Snider. The owner (I think at least in our case)picks the GM, who in turn picks the coach. I really believe he wants to win at least more Cup so VERY badly in his golden years, that I think he could care less about the farm system development and wants to win right now. The problem is he probably isn't going about it the right way. To take this a few steps further, it took the Flyers organization this long to come to terms with the fact that the goalie is, IN FACT, important. Just like he possibly didn't like Russians for a while. If you want to win, you have to adapt to the way the game is played and won. He seems to forget that the last time he won the Cup his D and, especially his goalie, were the reasons why (and having Bobby Clarke there helped.) Their power play is a big issue, however, and I would place some of the blame on Lavy for that.

So, this team minus Jagr and that stud d man Carle aren't capable of beating the Pens again in the playoffs? I think as good as he is, they can live with losing Voracek for that offensive dman. I think if they can go and get 1 mobile dman, that can play decent minutes, they can beat EITHER of those teams again, particularly the Pens, again. I think Hartnell coming back will help the O a lot.

Colorado_Al, I totally agree with your assessment. I will add one more thing from what I've observed. Defensively, this team SORELY lacks a guy who has some wheels and can skate the puck out of the zone. It drives me nuts how many times I see blind clearing attempts out of desperation, laziness or whatever. I can't tell you how many times I've seen them at even strength, let alone short-handed, try to clear the zone by caroming the puck off the glass, or worse yet trying to lob it up the middle. I don't think their personnel is good enough to skate the puck out successfully on a repeated basis. Now that Timonen has lost a step, he doesn't even do it. Coburn loses the puck when he tries to do it. They need to add that element, badly or teams will just pin their ears back and forecheck the hell out of them, and dare them to do anything about it. Oh wait, they already do. Homer needs to be on the phone now for a dman who can skate. If they don't get one it might be enough, with the teams they are competing against in their division, to cost them a playoff spot. I don't and can't blame Bryz for any of this. Are their forwards playing great? No, but I think you can manufacture goals with average to above average forwards.If your defense can't move the puck, I think your team will probably suck. The Flyers are a prime case and point for this. Just my two cents. What do you guys think? "Good night, good hockey". - Gene Hart

I think that is a very well thought out trade scenario. Kane would be one of the few players I would trade Couts for. Problem is, who plays D? I think this means we'll see a lot more of a very good, but injury-prone Meszaros, and Coburn (God forbid). I've also mentioned the need for offense, but I think it can be manufactured, especially once Hartnell comes back. This team DESPERATELY needs a puck moving d-man. Subban would have been a good fit here. I said before the season they needed a physical d-man, but I think Schenn has filled that role.

They have always had the system in place and succeeded with it. I thought it would be longer than it has that they would be contenders, since Stevens and Neidermayer retired, but here they are. They believe in defense and goaltending being what really matters. Now we finally have a goalie in Bryz, as much as everybody wants to pick on him, who is capable of stealing a game or two. They are also smart enough in management to get hungry players who want to win, and are willing to sacrifice numbers for the good of the team. They got Kovalchuk to even buy into it, because he was so hungry to win after years in hockey purgatory, in Atlanta. Oh yeah, they still have Brodeur, who's still better than most goalies in the league. Amazing.

Looks like the Habs never showed up, lol.

"Bringin the Pain2" or how about for the whole line, The brothers Schenn and the "The brother from another mother" ?

Who needs Iginla? We have Sestito!

LOL. Thanks, ruxpin. I don't even remember JVR on this team lat year. I guess that pretty much sums up how much this team will miss him. They won't.

So far, from what I've seen, I like McGinn more because he gets involved in the play and is willing to pay a price in front of the net and stay there. JVR was the same way during his rookie year, but I think McGinn is stronger in front of the net and has a nastier edge. McGinn seems to be around the puck a lot, and hits when he doesn't have it, whereas I thought JVR disappeared on certain shifts.

When you are at full speed and you LEAD against a defenseless player's head with your elbow, there is NO WAY to defend it. Erskine should get at least 4 games for a dirty hit. If he doesn't, there is total anti-Flyer bias in the league offices, and the league, including Shanahan will look like a joke.

Did he 'get us there', or did a TREMENDOUS D led by Pronger, get us there, with him being the beneficiary? He was a one-trick pony, and since Chicago exposed him, he hasn't been NHL quality. I will admit though that the d played lazy last night, but he should not start another game in Orange and Black when every point is magnified in this type of season.

He is the SINGLE REASON they lost the Cup in '09, and continues to not be a capable NHLer today. He stinks, and stunk once again versus the Lightning tonight.