Location: "All train compartments smell vaguely of sh*t. It gets so you don't mind it" Joined: 12.26.2006
Apr 20 @ 4:25 PM ET
Neither was the 0 games played when you criticized Holmgren for the deal. And it wasn't a complete evaluation either when JVR got off to a hot start in the beginning of the Season either. 40 games is enough to see the potential that he has. To see the level that he has played at. And to see how he took on the added responsibility and increased minutes due to the injuries, and how he responded. He could certainly regress in the future. But right now, the trade looks very good for the Flyers - MJL
Certainly possible, almost as possible as getting a skate blade to the achilles or a Raffi Torres type check to the head in open ice. Kimmo plays hurt, but the general point is why play hurt in meaningless games? Is Kimmo getting any closer to getting his name etched on the Stanley Cup by being a team guy and gutting out these last 4 games? - ravishingone
Your points are valid. All of them.
It's really a moot topic, but I just feel, being the warrior he is, he'd have none of it.
Location: Wading in the velvet sea, PA Joined: 03.16.2008
Apr 20 @ 4:29 PM ET
I see them having a hard time against those two, or other really defensive teams because of two things.
-they get outworked along the walls, where those teams choose and excel at playing their games
-goaltending mistakes/player mistakes that are truly magnified when playing such teams.
I think Briere had it right when he said they aren't patient. Panic and press a bit too much, which just plays into the hands of those teams. On the other hand its not as if the Flyers are attacking non-stop and the other teams just counter attack. The Flyers are caught in their own zone for long periods of time, unable to win those board battles. - flyer_nutter
I agree with this. Although, I feel like the vets on the team, like knuble gags and rusty win more of the puck battles alobg the walls. I feel like the younger guys on the team struggle here, but Im not sure if its because of a lack of experience at the nhl level or poor positioning or something else altogether.
The mistakes are most definitely magnified when they play patient teams. I'm hoping patience will come with age and experience.
It's really a moot topic, but I just feel, being the warrior he is, he'd have none of it. - Giroux_Is_God
I would agree with you. I would at least hope Lava tries to use the young d-men as much as possible these last 4 games. I would be disappointed if Kimmo is in the top 3 of minutes played amongst the defense these last couple of games.
It's really a moot topic, but I just feel, being the warrior he is, he'd have none of it. - Giroux_Is_God
I think is it more likely that he would still have to look the other players in their eyes and in his heart he is no quitter. That is just another reason the players follow his leadership.
Location: Unleash the Peanuts, MB Joined: 10.16.2008
Apr 20 @ 4:51 PM ET
I think is it more likely that he would still have to look the other players in their eyes and in his heart he is no quitter. That is just another reason the players follow his leadership. - ncflyer27613
Maybe not as much with the emergence of Luke Schenn, but Timonen is still by miles imo the best d-man on the team.
I'd like to see him return alongside Schenn for another year. Mentorship for young d-men is a great thing!
Been really impressed with his ability to negate 2 on 1 rushes this year. Seems to do it pretty often. Maybe he can pass that on to Luke, who I still remember sliding himself completely out of the play that one game.
Location: best smile, 14 without fake tees Joined: 03.28.2008
Apr 20 @ 5:05 PM ET
Maybe not as much with the emergence of Luke Schenn, but Timonen is still by miles imo the best d-man on the team.
I'd like to see him return alongside Schenn for another year. Mentorship for young d-men is a great thing!
Been really impressed with his ability to negate 2 on 1 rushes this year. Seems to do it pretty often. Maybe he can pass that on to Luke, who I still remember sliding himself completely out of the play that one game. - flyer_nutter
You know what else about Kimmo? He makes nearly every D partner he plays with better.
Coburn was tremendous with him. More recently Bruno f-ing Gervais looked like a legit NHL defenseman when paired with Kimmo. Gusty looks good with him. He definitely helped Luke Schenn this year, but Schenn to his credit has played well with less stellar partners too.
I agree with this. Although, I feel like the vets on the team, like knuble gags and rusty win more of the puck battles alobg the walls. I feel like the younger guys on the team struggle here, but Im not sure if its because of a lack of experience at the nhl level or poor positioning or something else altogether.
The mistakes are most definitely magnified when they play patient teams. I'm hoping patience will come with age and experience. - fecondo
I think some of it is that a lot of the younger forwards on this team need to get stronger. Couturier, Simmonds and Schenn could all stand to put on 5-15 lbs of muscle in the offseason. Couturier would also benefit from building up his lower body strength which would go hand in hand with him taking some power skating lessons.
and when you criticized it yourself.... - isaiah520
I questioned the deal when it was first made, and wondered if it was a good deal. But even before a game was played, I sat back, looked at it and kept an open mind. My initial reaction was just a gut reaction. For most of the Season, especially when JVR got off to a fast start, you questioned the trade and criticized Holmren for it during the current Season. Now that the trade is looking very good from the Flyers perspective. You changed to it's only 40 games and we have to wait and see how it turns out.
I questioned the deal when it was first made, and wondered if it was a good deal. But even before a game was played, I sat back, looked at it and kept an open mind. My initial reaction was just a gut reaction. For most of the Season, especially when JVR got off to a fast start, you questioned the trade and criticized Holmren for it during the current Season. Now that the trade is looking very good from the Flyers perspective. You changed to it's only 40 games and we have to wait and see how it turns out. - MJL
......this, ladies and gentlemen, is a ridiculous argument
Location: That matters less than you hope it does Joined: 07.20.2007
Apr 20 @ 6:28 PM ET
..yeah I had read that about Pulock and Ristolainen being converts from forward...eurokockey still lists Risto as a forward in the stats (why?)... from what I could tell Pulock's D game has developed nicely (on a bad team). He's physical and rarely gets beat and can get the puck up the ice quickly in transition. This complements a dynamic offensive game that features a 101 MPH slapper and a quick accurate wrister. His ability to qb the pp and lead or join the offensive charge from the blueline while playing well defensively make him a nice pick for the Flyers imo. Still, I have Nurse just ahead of him for his size and overall upside...then Morrissey, Hagg, (as far as D)... - exlund
Hagg is also a very interesting prospect but he's more towards the middle to early 20's for a pick probably.
Location: That matters less than you hope it does Joined: 07.20.2007
Apr 20 @ 6:37 PM ET
If Zadorov showed more consistency in his offensive game, he'd be a riser. I'm just a fan of his size & mobility package.
I'm really starting to like Pulock even more, too. - Jsaquella
I read of Pulock before the season and he was the first person I asked CHL scouts about before the season began. Very solid looking prospect.
Zadorov I think because they have solid depth and only use 1 d-man on the power play allows Dale Hunter & his brother Mark who is also the GM but took over coaching the D late in the season the chance to bring him along at a slower pace.
I read of Pulock before the season and he was the first person I asked CHL scouts about before the season began. Very solid looking prospect.
Zadorov I think because they have solid depth and only use 1 d-man on the power play allows Dale Hunter & his brother Mark who is also the GM but took over coaching the D late in the season the chance to bring him along at a slower pace. - ob18
Very true. Pulock got to play more situations, which accelerated his development. I love his smarts.
