Very possibly. I expected them to be in a 6-8 seed this year even with the departures.

Question, if we buy out Briere, we should be able to keep Matt Read after his deal expires correct?
- Hextall271

Perhaps, hard to say without seeing what other moves are made over the next year.

Terrible call... Crosby skates through the entire team all game and goes down there? Come on. He is the strongest player on his skates in the game. Its OT in playoff hockey.. you let them play...
- jak521

I've seen that same call (free hand of a defender impeding a player in the offensive zone) more than I care to remember against Flyers d-men this year.

I can't speak to how they officiated that entire Pens/Isles game, but looking at that call in a vacuum, it did look like a penalty to me.

did we get bullocks yet?
- Philly1980

No.

But I was able to locate my copy of "Never mind the bollocks, here's the Sex Pistols" over the weekend.

No.

But I was able to locate my copy of "Never mind the bollocks, here's the Sex Pistols" over the weekend.
- johndewar

whats IIS and central scouting rank this sex pistols player....

whats IIS and central scouting rank this sex pistols player....
- Philly1980

Johnny Rotten has "offensive" skills.

/enjoy the veal

A Bryz / Mason duo should be healthy for the team. Give the team two guys capable of playing serious minutes which in the end should keep both fresh for a long season.

No.

But I was able to locate my copy of "Never mind the bollocks, here's the Sex Pistols" over the weekend.
- johndewar

Most overrated punk band ever. Dead Kennedys did it so much better.

I found not getting the puck with speed really hurt players like Giroux. It always seemed like they needed to come out of the zone and beat three players. Good defensive teams killed them.
- Hextall271

Exactly. You have to go 200 feet through teams that are back in their neutral zone checking scheme. Or Forwards aren't getting the puck with speed, and can't beat anyone for chances. Dump ins are made with the forwards standing still, and the team isn't moving up ice in a 5 man unit. And there isn't much chance to get on the forecheck like that. 2 sometimes 3 forwards in deep with no chance to get the puck. And one simple pass or bank off the boards, and the other team is on their way on an odd man rush. It was an endless cycle all Season. But some claimed the Flyers defense this Season, moved the puck just as well as in the past.

Most overrated punk band ever. Dead Kennedys did it so much better.
- jmatchett383

Pens thread is a good time today.

Pens thread is a good time today.
- mayorofangrytown

Defending their boy are they?

Defending their boy are they?
- johndewar

As we would were he wearing orange and black.

justsayin

As we would were he wearing orange and black.

justsayin
- Scoob

Oh, no doubt about it.

Defending their boy are they?
- johndewar

Well I do get to relive the "Best of Sidney Crosby: Dives and Dirty Plays"

I've seen that same call (free hand of a defender impeding a player in the offensive zone) more than I care to remember against Flyers d-men this year.

I can't speak to how they officiated that entire Pens/Isles game, but looking at that call in a vacuum, it did look like a penalty to me.
- johndewar

did you see the non-call that led to the Canucks second goal last night?

My entire basis for feeling they'd be a playoff team is that I assumed Laviolette would make adjustments with no Pronger, Carle and Jagr. He didn't.
- Jsaquella

On this whole Lavy's adjustments thing...I think this was not something that necessarily came about because of the loss of Pronger, Carle and Jagr or whatever. In my observation, the forwards inconsistency and ineffectiveness in terms of backchecking, and the gap between the forwards and D, has been an issue for years. I distinctly recall mentioning on these boards about using the commitment to backchecking the forwards were showing as a proxy for how well the team would ultimately fare in most games.

Also, recall that the change was being called for by Homer last off season, before it was known that Carle would be gone...so, they weren't necessarily in response to losing personnel, so much as a necessary change in the style of play in light of how the game is being played, particularly by divisional rivals. Their strong presence in the neutral zone often position them between our D and the forwards who are cheating up at toward the opposing blueline, leaving a big gap and little chance for a cohesive breakout and attack let alone a high percentage pass. When the forwards come back to either carry the puck (the skilled guys like G, Voraceck, Read, Schenn, Coots) or position to take a short pass, it makes it a lot easier on the D and allows the team to move up the ice more as a unit and better challenge opposing neutral zone pressure. Guys like B Schenn, Grossmann and Coby can execute these short passes in transition just fine, and have it be effective, if the help is there. Even if a Matt Carle was here, the commitment of the forwards to support would still have to be there, as he rarely skated the puck out of the defensive zone, prefering short passes most of the time (despite the once a game or so stretch pass that connected).

Now, if the team is fortunate enough to have a superior puck mover, a defensemen capable of "carrying the mail", that is, he himself carrying/delivering the puck from D to O zone on a consistent basis (think, Pronger Joni Pitkanen, Eric Karlsson, Drew Doughty, Pietrangelo, to some extent Timonen etc.), that can be a great thing to have, and can mitigate the inconsistent forward support to some extent...but even if you have those kinds of players, you still want the forwards to come back, close that gap and support the breakout for things to work best imo.

I guess my point is that, even if the Flyers had a couple more D men that could move the puck better than the current (healthy/active) roster, it wouldn't completely solve the problems related to the inconsistent support from the forwards.

On this whole Lavy's adjustments thing...I think this was not something that necessarily came about because of the loss of Pronger, Carle and Jagr or whatever. In my observation, the forwards inconsistency and ineffectiveness in terms of backchecking, and the gap between the forwards and D, has been an issue for years. I distinctly recall mentioning on these boards about using the commitment to backchecking the forwards were showing as a proxy for how well the team would ultimately fare in most games.

Also, recall that the change was being called for by Homer last off season, before it was known that Carle would be gone...so, they weren't necessarily in response to losing personnel, so much as a necessary change in the style of play in light of how the game is being played, particularly by divisional rivals. Their strong presence in the neutral zone often position them between our D and the forwards who are cheating up at toward the opposing blueline, leaving a big gap and little chance for a cohesive breakout and attack let alone a high percentage pass. When the forwards come back to either carry the puck (the skilled guys like G, Voraceck, Read, Schenn, Coots) or position to take a short pass, it makes it a lot easier on the D and allows the team to move up the ice more as a unit and better challenge opposing neutral zone pressure. Guys like B Schenn, Grossmann and Coby can execute these short passes in transition just fine, and have it be effective, if the help is there. Even if a Matt Carle was here, the commitment of the forwards to support would still have to be there, as he rarely skated the puck out of the defensive zone, prefering short passes most of the time (despite the once a game or so stretch pass that connected).

Now, if the team is fortunate enough to have a superior puck mover, a defensemen capable of "carrying the mail", that is, he himself carrying/delivering the puck from D to O zone on a consistent basis (think, Pronger Joni Pitkanen, Eric Karlsson, Drew Doughty, Pietrangelo, to some extent Timonen etc.), that can be a great thing to have, and can mitigate the inconsistent forward support to some extent...but even if you have those kinds of players, you still want the forwards to come back, close that gap and support the breakout for things to work best imo.

I guess my point is that, even if the Flyers had a couple more D men that could move the puck better than the current (healthy/active) roster, it wouldn't completely solve the problems related to the inconsistent support from the forwards.
- exlund

I agree wholeheartedly. The spacing and turnovers have been a bit of an issue for the entirety of the Laviolette Era.

That said, when they simplified things, and forced the forwards to be more attentive to playing a 200 foot game, keeping the gap between forwards and defense smaller, they had more success. They went on a little run at the end with an AHL defense, scoring more and being more solid defensively.

The last ten games or so is how they should have played all 48, and thy would have ended up a better team if that had been the case.

I believe he meant the forwards, if not bigger, certainly the current crop needs to get stronger:
Couturier 193 lbs, needs to work on upper and lower body strength.
Schenn 192 lbs could use another 5-10 lbs of upper body strength
Simmonds 182 lbs, guy is tough as nails, but he seems to wear down as the season goes. He could really use another 10 lbs of muscle

and other guys are what they are:
Giroux 172 lbs
Read 185 lbs
Talbot 190 lbs

Outside of Hartnell and Voracek, the Flyers have no forwards taking a regular shift that are over 193 lbs. This is why they lose so many board battles. While they certainly don't need more size on D, another top 6 winger 215 lbs or bigger wouldn't be the worst addition in the world, especially if they re-sign Gagne and expect Laughton to make the roster. At the very least Couturier, B Schenn and Simmonds could all use a little time in the gym.
- BiggE

one of the best plyrs i've ever seen along the wall was downie and he checks in ~ 185. the guy with the better stick will win most board battles. while schenn and esp couts could stand to improve their strength, pure bulk will be of little use. DET murdered the lindros-era flyers on the boards in the finals as an example.

I agree wholeheartedly. The spacing and turnovers have been a bit of an issue for the entirety of the Laviolette Era.

That said, when they simplified things, and forced the forwards to be more attentive to playing a 200 foot game, keeping the gap between forwards and defense smaller, they had more success. They went on a little run at the end with an AHL defense, scoring more and being more solid defensively.

The last ten games or so is how they should have played all 48, and thy would have ended up a better team if that had been the case.
- Jsaquella

They've been an issue not just due to the lack of committment to the team defensive game. Which has definitely been an issue. At times the team defense displayed by the forwards is severely lacking. But a large part of it is the personell, and the systems issues. The Flyers simply didn't have the defenseman to execute Laviolette's breakout schemes. And he didn't adjust. As they lost Pronger, lost Carle, and lost Meszaros. They sorely lack the puck moving ability that a high pressure attack system demands. Majority of defenseman can make a simple pass to a forward, or skate the puck up ice and dump it in. But good puck moving defenseman such as Pronger, Carle, and Timonen move the puck a lot quicker, and lot more efficiently then Grossmann, Schenn, and Coburn can. In today's speed game that is the difference between a forward getting a stride on a defenseman for a good scoring chance, or catching a team out of position, and getting an odd man rush. And having a team move up ice as a 5 man unit, with defenseman coming late for good chances. And also being able to get in on the forecheck and pressure teams. If the Forwards are late getting on the forecheck due to slow puck movement. It's an easy out for the opposition. And we saw it all Season.

There is no doubt that a system change of forwards coming back deep for shorter passes, also putting them into better defensive position, would've made this team more competitive. And gave them a much better chance to make the playoffs.

World. Wide. Leader.

They've been an issue not just due to the lack of committment to the team defensive game. Which has definitely been an issue. At times the team defense displayed by the forwards is severely lacking. But a large part of it is the personell, and the systems issues. The Flyers simply didn't have the defenseman to execute Laviolette's breakout schemes. And he didn't adjust. As they lost Pronger, lost Carle, and lost Meszaros. They sorely lack the puck moving ability that a high pressure attack system demands. Majority of defenseman can make a simple pass to a forward, or skate the puck up ice and dump it in. But good puck moving defenseman such as Pronger, Carle, and Timonen move the puck a lot quicker, and lot more efficiently then Grossmann, Schenn, and Coburn can. In today's speed game that is the difference between a forward getting a stride on a defenseman for a good scoring chance, or catching a team out of position, and getting an odd man rush. And having a team move up ice as a 5 man unit, with defenseman coming late for good chances. And also being able to get in on the forecheck and pressure teams. If the Forwards are late getting on the forecheck due to slow puck movement. It's an easy out for the opposition. And we saw it all Season.

There is no doubt that a system change of forwards coming back deep for shorter passes, also putting them into better defensive position, would've made this team more competitive. And gave them a much better chance to make the playoffs.
- MJL

That's pretty much what I meant-the coaches used a system that was ill-designed for the players on hand.

Combining that with poor execution is a recipe for a lottery pick.

one of the best plyrs i've ever seen along the wall was downie and he checks in ~ 185. the guy with the better stick will win most board battles. while schenn and esp couts could stand to improve their strength, pure bulk will be of little use. DET murdered the lindros-era flyers on the boards in the finals as an example.
- isaiah520

Players such as Couturier and Schenn maturing physically and getting stronger will most definitely improve their ability along the wall. It's far more a physical battle then a stick battle.

World. Wide. Leader.
- Jsaquella

Despite the goal draught, leading the team in shots is still a pretty damn impressive stat for good 'ol Steve.

Overheard in the Rangers locker room.

"I have to [stick handle]. If I give it to you, you just shoot. You're a chucker."

"Oh, I'm a chucker."

"That's right, everytime you get the [puck] you shoot."

"I can't believe you called me a chucker. No way I'm a chucker. I do not chuck, never chucked, never have chucked, never will chuck, no chuck!"

Despite the goal draught, leading the team in shots is still a pretty damn impressive stat for good 'ol Steve.
- Scoob

Yep, all the way from Los Angeles

I wouldn't touch Emery, and it's not because I don't like him. The hip injury robbed him of his former lateral movement and quick recovery ability that he used to have. He's had to re-learn the position and change his style to be more of a positional, let-the-puck-hit-me kind of goalie. That works very well in Chicago. It wouldn't work so well with the way the Flyers play, IMO.
- bmeltzer

Any hints from the Flyers having interest or planing to make a run at Mathias Niederberger?

World. Wide. Leader.
- Jsaquella

Steve Nash is my favorite hockey player.