the flyers legacy of failure developing dmen extends back 20+ yrs- inexcusable.
- isaiah520

But let's ignore their legacy of developing plenty of players that they drafted.

What happened in the first period? Flyers were all over them. It's a team game. As far as I'm concerned, the Goaltender makes a few saves that in my opinion, he should've made. And the topic of conversation today is much different. Instead, it's panic and talk of the Coach being fired. And losing sight of the big picture.
- MJL

The Devils turned the puck over in their zone uncharacteristically in the first period and the Flyers took advantage of it. After the Devils tightened up in their own end the last two periods the Flyers had no answers.

the flyers legacy of failure developing dmen extends back 20+ yrs- inexcusable.
- isaiah520

Longer than that.

Outside of Jimmy Watson, who have they developed that became a good player for them for an extended period? Chris Therien.

They do a good job in other areas. They've always been more a team that brings in quality defensemen from other teams after they've had growing pains there.

Like Marty or hate him, you have to love the assist he got last night.
- strongsupporter

Bryz has a couple of assists this year

It was like a game of hot potato last night. So frustrating to watch.
- ggunky

I'm not sure what the adjustment is that can beat the Devils, short of the Flyers just all around playing better.

Longer than that.

Outside of Jimmy Watson, who have they developed that became a good player for them for an extended period? Chris Therien.
- Jsaquella

they have this thing for centers

The Devils turned the puck over in their zone uncharacteristically in the first period and the Flyers took advantage of it. After the Devils tightened up in their own end the last two periods the Flyers had no answers.
- PLindbergh31

I disagree. The Flyers forced those turnovers with the pressure they were applying on the Devils.

Flyers will take this one budaj is brutal

Flyers will take this one budaj is brutal
- camby

he will have a career game tonight

I'm not sure what the adjustment is that can beat the Devils, short of the Flyers just all around playing better.
- BulliesPhan87

I would say they could start with a 60 minute effort.

Do you feel that Holmgren's intention was to start the season with the current blue line?

Do you feel that if he could possibly land an upgrade without trading away pieces he sees as cornerstones that he wouldn't make that deal?
- Jsaquella

Of course not. But he had to have calculated that if the OS didn't work, and Carle left he was going to be in a heap of trouble. He swung for the fences and came up empty. There seemed to be no contingency plan, all the eggs were essentially in the Weber basket, while that situation played out the Flyers were hamstrung from making other moves.

Laviolette wasn't given a great hand to play to start the season, and with the injuries to Hartnell and Meszaros it turned into 7/2 off suit.

they shed michalek because he failed there...
- isaiah520

They still have paul martin though...

The Devils turned the puck over in their zone uncharacteristically in the first period and the Flyers took advantage of it. After the Devils tightened up in their own end the last two periods the Flyers had no answers.
- PLindbergh31

I thought the Flyers had their chances in the 2nd and 3rd periods. I think they hit 3 posts. The problem is in their own zone, they're having problems even using the boards to get the puck out of the zone.

Flyers will take this one budaj is brutal
- camby

Boucher is probably going to play for the Flyers. Who knows how he plays tonight. And if Lilja is inserted into the lineup it wouldn't surprise me if the Habs scored 7 goals.

I would say they could start with a 60 minute effort.
- ggunky

That's where it starts. We've seen a few of those this season, I'd like to see it more often. Another big thing is that a lot of core players are really young. I know it sounds like a broken record, but the foundation of this season's roster is inexperienced, we'll simply have to live through their growing pains.

And, of course, injuries plus a big Pronger shaped hole on the blueline, but we've done that to death more than anything else.

I thought the Flyers had their chances in the 2nd and 3rd periods. I think they hit 3 posts. The problem is in their own zone, they're having problems even using the boards to get the puck out of the zone.
- ravishingone

The dumping and chasing plays right to the Devils hands. How many times did the Flyers dump the puck in, and Brodeur acted as a third D last night? Brodeur made a brilliant outlet pass to Kovalchuk that lead directly to the Ponikarovsky goal.

Of course not. But he had to have calculated that if the OS didn't work, and Carle left he was going to be in a heap of trouble. He swung for the fences and came up empty. There seemed to be no contingency plan, all the eggs were essentially in the Weber basket, while that situation played out the Flyers were hamstrung from making other moves.

Laviolette wasn't given a great hand to play to start the season, and with the injuries to Hartnell and Meszaros it turned into 7/2 off suit.
- PLindbergh31

This is what I find hard to understand. It's as if everyone wants to pretend that there is a surplus of top defensman laying around and are available. What contingency plan are you expecting? Here is the plan. The Flyers still had Timonen, Coburn, Grossmann, Schenn, and Meszaros. That is still a solid group.

That's where it starts. We've seen a few of those this season, I'd like to see it more often. Another big thing is that a lot of core players are really young. I know it sounds like a broken record, but the foundation of this season's roster is inexperienced, we'll simply have to live through their growing pains.

And, of course, injuries plus a big Pronger shaped hole on the blueline, but we've done that to death more than anything else.
- BulliesPhan87

The days of him stealing pucks.

poop like that is what this team misses. Swagger.

The dumping and chasing plays right to the Devils hands. How many times did the Flyers dump the puck in, and Brodeur acted as a third D last night? Brodeur made a brilliant outlet pass to Kovalchuk that lead directly to the Ponikarovsky goal.
- PLindbergh31

That was one of the biggest factors in the game. And alleviated a lot of opportunities for the Flyers to get on the forecheck.

I thought the Flyers had their chances in the 2nd and 3rd periods. I think they hit 3 posts. The problem is in their own zone, they're having problems even using the boards to get the puck out of the zone.
- ravishingone

And they needed the Goalie to make a couple of saves on shots that were savable. Fine line between the 5-2 loss and a 3-2 win.

The dumping and chasing plays right to the Devils hands. How many times did the Flyers dump the puck in, and Brodeur acted as a third D last night? Brodeur made a brilliant outlet pass to Kovalchuk that lead directly to the Ponikarovsky goal.
- PLindbergh31

Absolutely, the dumps were maddening. Just pointing out they still had plenty of opportunities to score. My problem with the team this year is how bad they are at even chipping the puck out of the zone using the glass. Read's turnover was a killer. Coburn has had many issues chipping the puck off the glass to clear the zone. Are they worried about dumping it over the glass for the penalty? I don't know, but even the simple plays to relieve pressure in their own zone aren't being executed properly.

This is what I find hard to understand. It's as if everyone wants to pretend that there is a surplus of top defensman laying around and are available. What contingency plan are you expecting? Here is the plan. The Flyers still had Timonen, Coburn, Grossmann, Schenn, and Meszaros. That is still a solid group.
- MJL

Well Meszaros has been gone for 3 weeks now, and now Timonen is injured. So I guess being unlucky again has thrown a monkey wrench in the Flyers plans.

Absolutely, the dumps were maddening. Just pointing out they still had plenty of opportunities to score. My problem with the team this year is how bad they are at even chipping the puck out of the zone using the glass. Read's turnover was a killer. Coburn has had many issues chipping the puck off the glass to clear the zone. Are they worried about dumping it over the glass for the penalty? I don't know, but even the simple plays to relieve pressure in their own zone aren't being executed properly.
- ravishingone

That is one area where I'd like to see the Flyers adjust. I think they need to add some Center breakouts. Have the Center come back deep for a short high percentage pass, and then have the Wingers break off the boards. Teams pressure and collapse along the wall as they know that's where the puck is going. And the Flyers are constantly in 50/50 puck battles and having to get pucks through people. Not many free breakouts for the Flyers. Teams are obviously game planning that against the Flyers.

The days of him stealing pucks.

poop like that is what this team misses. Swagger.
- flyer_nutter

Well, swagger and his damn steady play on the back end. It still stings, losing him.

Well Meszaros has been gone for 3 weeks now, and now Timonen is injured. So I guess being unlucky again has thrown a monkey wrench in the Flyers plans.
- PLindbergh31

Take any other team, and remove 2 top 4, if not 3 defenseman from their lineup. Where would they be?