jammer2

@aziz I had the same thought process....even going two rounds was a nice learning experience for the kids....a lot of them were just getting their feet wet. WIth that many rookies on the roster, the learning curve is a realistic obstacle. The one thing I don't get about Bryz, his inherant lack of knowing where he is in the net. He can't track the puck at all, never seems to really know where it's at...espcially behind the net coming out. He really, really fails when it comes to centering himself in net, when he resets for a shot, he always seems to set up shop out of position. Don't even want to talk about his puck handling skils, or lack thereof. I don't understand why Lavi didn't straight up forbid him to handle the puck unless he absolutley has to. A goalie who does not know how to automatically re-positon himself is a like a secreatry not knowing the home row keys...it's a basic fundamental.

You just don't win the cup letting in soft goals, it's been proven over time. At the very least you need solid reliable goaltending (as we all know). This guy gives up to many softies, at least one or two a game on average. Well, only nine years left, on the bright side.

@Bakanekimiwa You could be right bak, maybe we should learn from the lessons of RIchards (ie to early...maturity etc). It does really look like G's team, so if he has the C (or not) nothing can tarnish that. Maybe best to leave it alone.

Who would have thought years ago....when the great "who is better" debate over Crosby and OV was filling up blogs everywhere....that a 22nd overall pick, a kid who was passed over by every OHL team and had to cling to a free agent invite in the neighbouring QHL to sustain his career, would surpass them both.....funny how these things work out huh? At this point, it's fair to say, the Flyers would not trade Giroux for Crosby or OV straight up....a shocking turn of events....but that's how I see it anyways. A bit off topic, but just echoing the words of Bob McKenzie earlier today....give G the C, this is his team, no doubt about it.

Like many Flyer fans, I'm disgusted with some of the Pens actions, but I say....let cooler heads prevail. Keep your eyes on the prize, stay out of the box as much as humanly possible, and let the Pens dig themselves thier own hole....don't retaliate if at all possible. And yeah, just wanted to say, Crosby will never be elite like Gretzky. Wayne never batted gloves or crap like that, he would simply score a goal on the next shift if he got really mad. Wanye = true professional, Sid = little teenaged girl tamtrums. Just glad the rest of hockey is getting to know the real Sid.

@Illflyaway Kind of a running joke in Canada, it's called Nunavut because the tax payers want Nun-of-vut....of the 31K living there, prob 90% on social assistance of some type. I reallize it's not a booming economy or anything close up there, but damn, move to where the jobs are after a while...at least my take. Edit, I also realize the Federal Govt is willing to take the Welfare hits to secure strongholds in the North...a good policy in my books. If you don't secure strong holds (esp areas like the Queen Elizabeth Islands etc) then other countries will try and move in and question your right to those places. Russia for one is constantly trying to push the envelope on the Northern passageways, trying to bully their way in. Places like Nunavut make nice command posts and give easier access to the far north.

@Vanflyer HA HA.....hilarious van, yes...it would seem a different colour may do the job quite nicely!! Hey, maybe that's why million dollar quarterbacks wear red jersey's in NFL practice...who knew?!?!

The more I see of Gross, the more I like him. If his demands are reasonable (around 2.0-2.5 a year) I'm gung-ho for resigning him. As steady as they come. I want to see more of Kubina before judgeing him, but what I have seen so far leads me to believe he should be resigned also. Bye-bye Carle.

What's going on is Mason is (was) on a bit of a hot streak. He got hurt in the last game, cut for 15 stiches, so expect them to go back to sucking.

@yave1964 Yet another true story....about 13 or 14 years ago I met Lindy Ruff. It was in the Windsor Spitfires bar after a game. I assume he was there to scout, but not sure. Anyways, he was either out of smokes or didn't want to use his own, but he bummed two off me and a few off my buddies. He was pretty aloof and a fairly obnixious drunk. All in all, not a plesant guy, just the way I thought he would be.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=389764 Yes people, apparently, the *next* one will arrive soon. This 15 year old phenom center is curretnly plying his trade in the Greater Toronto Hockey League. If he applies for exceptional status (ie the path Lindros, Tavares and most recently Exblad have taken) he will be the first pick overall in the next OHL draft. Should be interesting to watch.

@hf101 I'd be ok with 5 fights a year. At least that let's the kids go ape s**t if one of their buddies is cheap shotted or speared etc. It's enough to be a deterrant but still allows the kids to somewhat police themselves.....no fighting at all would be worse for concussions IMHO, the stickwork would be unreal. Even so, I can see opposing coachs trying to goad divisions rivals tough guys into using one of his *5* fights.

@radoran I agree with your general line of thinking rad. I think some of the garbage we were exposed to at philly.com made a lot of us overly suspicious, but in reality, different posters, different site altogether...so a different approach/mentality is in order. From my perspective, this site was set up to discuss hockey and avoid the mob mentality that a lot of us are used to. It may sound a bit childish and simplistic but a lot of us have to realize (myself included) that just because some posters cheer for other teams it does not mean they are trolls looking for trouble. I realized I jumped the gun, felt bad for my part and thus the apology.

@radoran A) Never said anything about taunting. B)Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but when making a statement like "When all is said and done, I still will take Ryan Miller over any goalie in the world" (regardless of the forum) you can bet it's going to get some flack/response. Even Peluga admitted it was over the top...a fellow Sabre fan, so it's not hard to see why a Flyers fan (or *any* other fan for that matter) would think it's an odd statement. It almost seemed like it was meant to entice a negative response, which is why I thought it was Rick. Digity informed I was wrong, so I politely apoligized. Don't see the big deal here.....

@Miller Time Sorry for the case of mistaken identity bro. Got you mixed up with another poster who most are not fond of here. Anyways, a heart felt welcome is in order, and again sorry for the mix up earlier. This is a great site, hope you enjoy it!

@Miller Time Give it up Rick...you're still lame....off the meds?

@Pegulaville26 Ahhhh, just saw the Sabre symbol and thought it was you, my sincere apoligies....thought you had more sense then that....pretty bizarre statement.

@Pegulaville26 How do you start out by saying you're not delusional, but finish by saying you would take Miller over any goalie in the world??? Really....I mean....*really*??? Ryan Miller is a better than average goalie, that's it....not great by any strectch of the imagination. Lundy is so much better than him, it's really not even close. No playoffs for you, Winnipeg will crush the dream starting tonight. Perhaps Lieno can get a hat trick tonight and almost double his season output.....LOL!

@doom88 ha ha....Parent (Mr.deer in headlights) was certainly one of them doom.....

@JackStraw yep, I think the whole idea was to not have a defense pairing that the other teams would be able to target during the playoffs. As good as Bourdon looked throughout the season, opposing teams circle the rookies and look for them to get on the ice. Forget who it was at the moment, but the Hawks picked on our 5/6 pairing endlessly. They played less than 10 minutes a game and *always* seemed to allow a goal against. That's what Grossman and Kubina represent, the inability of opposing coaches to exploit an obvious weakness. Of course, it's all moot if the tenders preform like they have been, but at least they will get some help ie boxing out and clearing the crease...making it easier on them.

@JackStraw Agree jack, just because you're not a cup fav does not mean you become a seller. Besides, giving up Carle for picks would be totally counterproductive to acquring Grossman and Kubina....the whole idea was to bolster the defense, not subtract a playoff savvy vet (although I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of Carle....playoff experience is playoff experience.....can never discount the value of being there many times before). Homer saw the goaltending was what it was....so chose to do the next best thing, bolster the defense around the tenders....at least that's my take.

I really think Cody Hodgson can be the #1 star center the Sabres have longed for. All he needs are talented players around him. Having said that, I believe the Canucks won this trade in the long term. I've been adament from the start, Kassian will be a star. In 3 years he will be putting up Lucic numbers and he's every bit as tough....in other words, the kind of power forward that exist's on about 5 or 6 teams in the league. Add in the young physical Gragnani, who very well could become one of the better 3-4 shutdown guys in the leauge....I like the long term return Vancouver got, The days of finger pointing at the Sedin's will soon be over....ended by the fist of Kassian. The one downfall of Kass is the skating.....it has to improve if he is to become elite. He has gotten better since his Windsor days, but still needs work in that department. Don't know anything about Sulzer, so my take might be a bit screwed up...if he is substantial, it's a lot more even. Anyways, I see a 80 point center (minimum) in Cody....but I see a 30 goal 30 assist madman in Kassian, who will punch out 97% of the league. I really Gragnani.....but not sure how old he is right now. I don't for the life of me understand the Gaustad trade....a first rounder for him is OUTRIGHT highway robbery. I can only assume the market for grinders who add a tad of offense dried up to the point the Preds were desperate. This deal is outrageous. Gaustad is a gritty hard worker, nothing more....a dime a dozen player.....wow, ....just....wow. I'd much rather have Steve Ott for a first rounder....but he's not worth that either. What is the matter with the Preds??? Edit....ok, just read that Gaustad has 98 hits and 40 blocked shots this season....this really ups his overall value, still not worth a 1st rounder in my eyes...but it's not all about points, Gaustad is the type of guy you need on the 3rd and 4th lines to go far in the playoffs. I'm mildly surprised by his hit total. I also didn't know he was top 10 last year in the NHL in face off wins. When you're checking line center is winning face offs, he can play against the top pp late in the game and you get some much needed puck possession late in the game....a big advantage....ok, this makes a *bit* more sense now.

@mojo1917 I honestly believe that mojo, don't want to get into a big NCAA, CHL debate, but JVR would be a much different player right now if he had taken the CHL route. He really needed the 90 plus games these guy play (ex, reg.season and playoffs combined). Of course a big variable is also coaching, which I can't really comment intelligently about, cauase I know squat about the New H. coaching staff.

@Bakanekimiwa Offensive woes aside, I think Coburn is worth the cap hit. He is a seasoned vet with a LOT of playoff experience on his side, not something easily overlooked. I like his positioning, but like many others, just wish he would use his big frame to intimidate a lot more than he does. His skating ability combined with size and respectable positioning make him a valuable commodiity...thus the raise. I'm ok with it. It is hard to believe he's the longest tenured Flyers....wow, Homer has overhauled this roster....but still, no goalie.

Many know, I'm usually on the side of patience.....devloping our young kids to their full potential. Everybody has seen the flashes of brillance out of JVR, his playoff performance was stunning. This year has been a huge dissapointment, but I'm a tad gun shy on dealing a youngster with that much obvious talent. The points Can and Rux made....very, very valid. His heart is not in this as far as I can tell. He does not play for the love of the game, it's a business venture for him....and a business he would rather not be in IMHO. Taking this into consideration, I'd put the oars in the water....just what could we get and how will it impact the team. A few things....first off, because of JVR's immense talent, we must get a return that reflects that...not a return based on this years unflattering stats. Second, he must never come back to haunt us....a trade to the Western Conference is a *must* for me. Bottom line, if we don't fix the goaltending, this team will never, ever win a playoff round....so any JVR trade must address that problem, in other words Bob is traded with him in a package deal (assuming Bryz the bum is untradeable). Also agree with rux on Bob, I like his Nitty comparision, decent at times....but just blah....good from far, but far from good IMHO.