ruxpin

Hey, MT.

Definite kudos on the St. Louis pick. I'm glad you didn't take my bet or I'd have owed you money. I'm not a huge Hitchcock fan either, but I do have to give him some credit. Talent or no, I still don't think they are where they are without the coaching change. It just seemed like a rudderless ship. I wish I could blame my initial doubt of St. Louis on the then coach, but I really underestimated the talent on the team. Good call.

Miller has played 55 games. Myers 52. Ehrhoff 65.

Pronger? 13. Cry me a river Rick.

Fine. But if he does cry you a river, try not to go riding a rental bike near it. K?

I don't know. It seems to me the Lauffs are right about where they should be, given their team. At the beginning of the year, they were playing well over their heads and now they're playing a little worse than what they actually are. It all balances out.

You can argue for a coaching change, I suppose, but I really don't know that it was warranted.

@mojo1917 THIS game was not about defense. And I didn't see the Edmonton game, but it doesn't seem that one was, either.

But defense has been an issue. Team defense/gap/etc has been bad, backstopped by putrid goaltending. It seems they are slowly correcting the defense thing, but man, does goaltending have a long way to go.

I mentioned this in another thread . Could it be that Bryzgalov's eyesight has changed subtlety ? Is the black cage causing him problems?

Some of these goals that go through him or just miss his glove to get behind him are almost sad to watch. Whatever the problem is it doesn't seem like he is capable of working through it.

It is a lot of pressure on the other 5 guys to have that kind of liability to constantly compensate for

I think you're onto something, @mojo1917. And that's actually what scares me a little. You'd think that something mental would result in bad positioning or taking chances or even being a moment too SOON rather than too late. But he seems to waive at pucks with his glove and you wonder what he's doing. Maybe it IS an eyesight thing.

Something is really wrong though more than simply committing too quickly or bad goalie coaching (although I also think both of those are involved, too).

Mike Keenan-this team needs a swift kick in the ***

Please tell me that was joking.

@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.

Maybe CHL would have made him better. Or maybe it would have proved that he really isn't all that.

how about we lump guys we let walk in free agency too, rusty fedotenko, justin williams went on to be effective players for stanely cup champions in the last 10 years. those guys halve half of JvRs natural ability... he didn't explode but he continued his career simon gagne, i thought he was one clean check away from a life like primeau's...but he's still going.

...but not since December 26th, because he very well may have met that one clean check.

Periodically, like in last year's playoffs and in short spurts this year, JVR shows something that makes you think he could be REALLY good. And then he goes back to sleep. He irritates me to no end.

But I actually think that aside from being injured quite a bit this year, he's been on the wrong line(s) for much of it when he IS healthy. I would really like to keep him with Giroux for a bit and see what shakes out. I don't trade him yet, but I don't think he has much rope left.

Bernier isn't Bob, to me. But I bet it's because I'm not as high on Bob rather than that I'm higher on Bernier. I just don't have ANY faith in Bob. He's Nitty Part Deux for me.

Tocchet will be a Flyers coach someday. It's gotta happen. Not sure if he'd be any good... but that's how the old boys network rolls here in Philly. It's the only explanation for Chief running our PP.

Wanna make a bet?

I see a "like this" button on almost every post. Except for some reason, yours and rad's. I think they're trying to tell you something.

I think "they" might be! There is a "like this" button on your post. There is a "like sheep" button on podein's. But not on rad's post or mine. WTF? I wonder if it is a thread moderator thing. I'll have to look at HF101's.

Why was it "necessary" to sign a journeyman waiverwire rider to a two year contract?

Leighton should have gotten an invite to camp, not a two year deal.

We really do need a "like" button.

Choking.

LMAO

In a clear effort to beat @ruxpin to the punch, let me be the first to predict that the addition of Carter will not help LA's offense, not much at least. If it weren't for Quick they'd be even more screwed than they are.

I hope they have really strong end glass in the Staples Center. It's about to get tested...a LOT.

Seriously, what the hell are they doing in LA?

Since the lockout, the Flyers have been horribly inconsistent, lack-luster for large stretches, incapable of playing 60 minutes, run out several coaches, etc.

So what do they do in LA? Why, reassemble the above team. Apparently because playing in LA will turn out better than playing on the right coast. I don't get it.

Could he possibly be worse than Bryz? I think not.

I'm going to answer that with a resounding YES.

If people want to boo lack of effort, etc., I think that's well within their right as a paying customer. You go to a restaurant and the food/service is crap, you let the server or manager know. You could use barber, mechanic, plumber, whatever as more examples. The paying customer has a right to let the provider know if his product/server doesn't meet requirements and/or expectations. I guarantee you that the server, manager, barber, mechanic, plumber, etc., don't make nearly the money that a pro-athlete does. How many times have we conveniently been told by players and front office people that "this is a business." That's right. They're not idols or whatever. They represent a company; a business.

The difference is at a game, you don't have the opportunity to speak directly to the person providing the lousy product or service. All you have left to express your displeasure is to boo. So if, as a paying customer to that business, the goalie or whomever is producing a lousy product, you let them know it. Is booing rude? I don't think so. Maybe at a funeral or a wedding or somethng, but not at a sporting event. It's a business. You tell them when they are doing well, by cheering; you tell them when they are doing poorly, by booing.

What's the issue here? Does it HELP the person or persons on the receiving end? It doesn't have to, but it can. Does it help to tell your server that your food was bland or cold or whatever? Or that the service was slow? It doesn't have to. The server can get pissy or spit in your food or whatever. Or they can try to make it right. Maybe it doesn't help your visit but it's improved for another time. If a player wants to internalize it and respond with "oh, woe is me. They booed." Well, screw them. Or, if they want to go back to practice and say "damn, I sucked. I was too busy thinking about my dog" and work harder or smarter or whatever. Great. The booing is an attempt to express displeasure with the product. What that product/service provider does with that information is up to them. What they do with that information says more about their character than it does about the effect or ineffect of booing.

This is, after all, a business, and these people are not only supposed to be professionals, they're getting paid quite well.

@Green Man

You make good points. The description probably fits me well, but in this case I really was on the "he's a good goalie who has allowed trying to live up to a huge contract get to his head." I'm still hoping that is the case. But the more he talks, the more he sounds like a looney toon. I actually do like that he has some personality about him (unlike the above contrast to Richie). I just wish he'd start stopping the puck so we can get on with it.

well honestly do you think he's the one seeking out the media? The philly media is going at him relentlessly after games, practices, etc b/c he's not living up to expectations and he's known for being a bit "out there" and giving good quotes. Last night's game he was relevant b/c of his comments about not wanting to play in Winnipeg if the Coyotes moved there. Richards got chastized for NOT talking to the media when they were hounding him constantly, now Bryz talks "too much". Philly fans are just NEVER happy.

Fair point.

@phlfly

I buy that it was sarcasm, which only changes the way in which it was stupid. I'm late to the "pile on Bryz" game, but I'm there now.

@Digityman

Alternative: "I'm really good at hunting; I just thought my friend was a bird."

"I'm very faithful in my marriage. By the way, dear, have you met my son?"

Okay, so I'm reading this article:

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20120222_Flyers_put_on_a_late_show.html

And I'm starting to wonder if Bryzgalov is Rick. Seriously, the dude is coming across equally as retarded.

Does he really think the mocking from the Peg fans was cheering? Does the NHL have random substance abuse testing?

You can bring in all the Rick Nashs you want, until Bryzgalov is gone this team is a waste of forward talent. I'd keep them both.

Completely agree. I don't move either of them for any package including Nash. I just don't think he (Nash) addresses a weakness. And I'm really not sold on Mason, so that doesn't really even sweeten the deal for me.

But since this was posed as a hypothetical, I'll play the "if a gun was held to your head and you HAD to pick Schenn or Coots" I guess I move Schenn. To me, Couts looks like a guy who could develop over time into a faceoff/penalty kill/shut down guy. Schenn MIGHT be redundant with other pieces we have. I'd hate to move either, but I guess I'd want to keep Couts out of the two.

I get the desire to move Bryz, but I wonder if he is actually the one involved with these talks. I bet it is Bob.(Bryz makes more sense vs. Nash's cap number, but I think they're talking Bob.)

Assuming it's Bryz, though, I'm not really thrilled. While Nash could be fun, I don't think he addresses any problem we have. We are fine on offense. And while I was quite late to the party in becoming convinced that Bryz is horrible, i don't think Mason is much of an upgrade. Sure, he costs less so you're more in line for getting what you're paying for...but I *REALLY* hate the idea of a Mason-Bob tandem in net. Really hate it. If they turn around and then trade Bob for a competent goaltender, then maybe I can stomach it better. But I really think Bob = Nitty, so let's just say I'm not a fan.

I hope I can hold Homer to his word about letting Leighton rot.

Yeah, let Leighton rot. I really don't like him. You'd think the guy stole my bicycle or something with how much I don't like him.

I agree, but the difference is that Bob is only 23. I'd rather keep him and find out for sure, over the next 5 years, if he has another level or if this is it. Nabokov probably gives us a better chance for a playoff run if the stars align (i.e. if we don't face the Rangers or Bruins in the 1st round), and we don't know how much difference Kubina and Grossman will make on our blueline, but I'm thinking a lot.

Bourdon was brutal yesterday (5 turnovers all by himself compared to 6 total for the Pens) and he needs to go back to ADK. It was great exposure for him to play with the big boys, but he needs more seasoning.

But, forgive me if I'm not super excited about going into the offseason with Bryzgalov and Nabokov as our goalies, and basically having to decide between re-signing a past his prime Nabby or some stiff like Leighton to back up our $51M headcase.

If you can trade JVR, Bryz, Read or Schenn, and a 1st for Nash and Mason, you do it.

Bryz is a colossal mistake and if you can parlay that into tangible assets instead of taking a $40M 'capital loss' business expense, I would think your bosses would be much happier.

I don't think Bryz is moveable and was talking with that assumption. I was previously thinking that Bryz WILL be better next year once he can get past this horrible season. However, the more he talks, the more I'm beginning to think this is simply wishful thinking and unlikely.

I think Grossman (in particular) and Kubina will make a huge difference on the blueline. But I don't know that defense is going to help THAT much when our goalies are giving up multiple gimmies a game. I agree with you on Bourdon. He's been brutal for awhile and needs to go down to continue to season.

Nabby has actually done extremely well this year. Better than I was expecting. Behind a better team, he probably does quite well. But at the same time, he's never shown he would be spectacular (by any stretch) in the playoffs. I'm afraid Bryz makes too much to sit on the bench, but any combo with Bryz as the number one is going to be less than good.

If you can move Bryz, go ahead. I really don't want to include Read in any trade and would be an untouchable right now, for me. I wouldn't be happy about moving Schenn right now, either. I guess forward line is our position of strength and you have to trade something to get something, yadda yadda, but I'm not a huge fan of the Nash/Mason idea. First, I think Nash is overkill and doesn't address a real need, and I don't trust Mason for being anything more than a Marty Biron. I think the Columbus thing would be yet another mistake.