We didn't really lose b/c if he was still here he'd be Hirt or fighting with rosehill for a spot on the 4th line ...
#truth
- JoeRussomanno

Flyers gone win

Dude i love Mason and i'm glad we have him. He has been a bright spot and he is still young.
- idiotsallofu

Still young is an understatement. I know he's been in the league forever, but I think he still could be a couple years away from his prime still.

Still young is an understatement. I know he's been in the league forever, but I think he still could be a couple years away from his prime still.
- JAKEw1234

If the team was capable of putting up more than 2 goals a game Mason would be the talk of the town right now. Very pleased with his play since the trade.

Flyers gone win


- jak521

Make the bad man go away!

Flyers gone win


- jak521

Ok, now you're on to something

It is. My #1 favorite book. I just hope it doesn't suck. If it does, I'd really rather they not make it.

My wife's due Nov. 3rd with our first, but if she goes into labor while I'm in the theater...well, sorry hun, Ender and Bonzo are about to have a go at it, you've gotta hold out.
- jmatchett383

Its my 2nd fave book after Dune

So it seems we have folks prescribing all sorts of cures for what ails the Flyers. A few of the more common (or at least most repetitive) ideas are:

- True #1 d-man
- Top line winger or "sniper"
- Third line winger
- The "right mix" on D
- A variety of system or style changes too numerous to list
- More energy
- Time to "gel"

All this makes me wonder what the brain trust in here thinks is the big difference between the Flyers and the Colorado Avalanche? Prior to the season, many in here had identified the Avs as a potential trading partner for Mez because their defense was allegedly so bad they would need him. On paper, the Avs (at least to me) don't look like a vastly superior team than the Flyers. Yet in the standings, and in the stats sheet they clearly are.

They are getting great (and most probably unsustainable) goaltending numbers. That's certainly a big part of it. But the Flyers are for the most part getting great goaltending too. Perhaps not otherworldly like the Avs, but certainly good enough so that it's not our problem.

Is Patrick Roy the second coming of Scotty Bowman? I don't think so. Do they have a true number 1 d-man? No. Do they have an elite sniper? No. Superior third line wingers? Maybe. The "right mix" on D (no doubt Nasty Nate is key here)? No. A superior system? I don't think so.

I don't really think that they have any of those things. Certainly no more than what the Flyers have. What I think they have is a team full of players all playing hard and playing the same way. Sure, the stellar goaltending is helping them now. No question. And no question they will not sustain it. But they are still a very tough team to play against right now. They seem to be all playing the same system, all skating hard every night, and generally playing as cohesive 5-man units on both offense and defense. I guess Roy has to get some of the credit for that, as well as the players themselves.

But I don't see any reason the Flyers, with the exact roster they have right now, couldn't do these same things. And if they did them, I believe they'd be every bit as successful as the Avs have been. So, while all those things mentioned at the top of this post could certainly help if there was some way to magically make them happen, the bottom line is that if this team plays like it can (and should), it will be successful. If it doesn't play that way, I think you have to start looking at the players, not the coaches or the GM. It's not the coach's or the GM's fault that our players won't skate as hard or play as hard as the Avs players are playing now. I'm just not convinced the Avs have more talent. I am convinced that at least thus far, they work harder and skate harder. If the Flyers players won't match that level of effort, then we don't have the team we think we do.

Flyers gone win


- jak521

So it seems we have folks prescribing all sorts of cures for what ails the Flyers. A few of the more common (or at least most repetitive) ideas are:

- True #1 d-man
- Top line winger or "sniper"
- Third line winger
- The "right mix" on D
- A variety of system or style changes too numerous to list
- More energy
- Time to "gel"

All this makes me wonder what the brain trust in here thinks is the big difference between the Flyers and the Colorado Avalanche? Prior to the season, many in here had identified the Avs as a potential trading partner for Mez because their defense was allegedly so bad they would need him. On paper, the Avs (at least to me) don't look like a vastly superior team than the Flyers. Yet in the standings, and in the stats sheet they clearly are.

They are getting great (and most probably unsustainable) goaltending numbers. That's certainly a big part of it. But the Flyers are for the most part getting great goaltending too. Perhaps not otherworldly like the Avs, but certainly good enough so that it's not our problem.

Is Patrick Roy the second coming of Scotty Bowman? I don't think so. Do they have a true number 1 d-man? No. Do they have an elite sniper? No. Superior third line wingers? Maybe. The "right mix" on D (no doubt Nasty Nate is key here)? No. A superior system? I don't think so.

I don't really think that they have any of those things. Certainly no more than what the Flyers have. What I think they have is a team full of players all playing hard and playing the same way. Sure, the stellar goaltending is helping them now. No question. And no question they will not sustain it. But they are still a very tough team to play against right now. They seem to be all playing the same system, all skating hard every night, and generally playing as cohesive 5-man units on both offense and defense. I guess Roy has to get some of the credit for that, as well as the players themselves.

But I don't see any reason the Flyers, with the exact roster they have right now, couldn't do these same things. And if they did them, I believe they'd be every bit as successful as the Avs have been. So, while all those things mentioned at the top of this post could certainly help if there was some way to magically make them happen, the bottom line is that if this team plays like it can (and should), it will be successful. If it doesn't play that way, I think you have to start looking at the players, not the coaches or the GM. It's not the coach's or the GM's fault that our players won't skate as hard or play as hard as the Avs players are playing now. I'm just not convinced the Avs have more talent. I am convinced that at least thus far, they work harder and skate harder. If the Flyers players won't match that level of effort, then we don't have the team we think we do.
- BringBack25

You forgot fire Lavy. Oh wait.......

Dude i love Mason and i'm glad we have him. He has been a bright spot and he is still young.
- idiotsallofu

And he's a huge fan of The Walking Dead.

Flyers gone win


- jak521

I'm confused.

Did Holmgren just trade for Pumpkin Head Guy?

... the Colorado Avalanche?

...
- BringBack25

watched them play the Bs last week. They look really fast. The effort was there and the goaltending too, but the skating speed was impressive.

If the team was capable of putting up more than 2 goals a game Mason would be the talk of the town right now. Very pleased with his play since the trade.
- hereticpride

Stop that positive talk with Steve Mason. You'll spoil the narrative that he sucks and he's washed up and that Sergei Dryden rulez.

Joe Sacco was a terrible coach. They removed him in April, and gave the new guy a full training camp to implement his system.

.....
- Top line winger or "sniper"
....
- BringBack25

trade meszaros + holmgren's bobby clarke bobblehead for nail yakupov?

watched them play the Bs last week. They look really fast. The effort was there and the goaltending too, but the skating speed was impressive.
- Marc D

what is this goaltending thing you speak of!?!
kee ripes man!!!!!

Joe Sacco was a terrible coach. They removed him in April, and gave the new guy a full training camp to implement his system.
- Feanor

"Joe Sacco was also an anarchist."

-Bart Vanzetti

-

watched them play the Bs last week. They look really fast. The effort was there and the goaltending too, but the skating speed was impressive.
- Marc D

Saw that game too, and while the speed was definitely an asset, the thing that impressed me most was that they played as a five-man unit no matter what forward/d pair was on the ice. I think that's what is really making the difference for them. And what the Flyers sorely lack.

So it seems we have folks prescribing all sorts of cures for what ails the Flyers. A few of the more common (or at least most repetitive) ideas are:

- True #1 d-man
- Top line winger or "sniper"
- Third line winger
- The "right mix" on D
- A variety of system or style changes too numerous to list
- More energy
- Time to "gel"

All this makes me wonder what the brain trust in here thinks is the big difference between the Flyers and the Colorado Avalanche? Prior to the season, many in here had identified the Avs as a potential trading partner for Mez because their defense was allegedly so bad they would need him. On paper, the Avs (at least to me) don't look like a vastly superior team than the Flyers. Yet in the standings, and in the stats sheet they clearly are.

They are getting great (and most probably unsustainable) goaltending numbers. That's certainly a big part of it. But the Flyers are for the most part getting great goaltending too. Perhaps not otherworldly like the Avs, but certainly good enough so that it's not our problem.

Is Patrick Roy the second coming of Scotty Bowman? I don't think so. Do they have a true number 1 d-man? No. Do they have an elite sniper? No. Superior third line wingers? Maybe. The "right mix" on D (no doubt Nasty Nate is key here)? No. A superior system? I don't think so.

I don't really think that they have any of those things. Certainly no more than what the Flyers have. What I think they have is a team full of players all playing hard and playing the same way. Sure, the stellar goaltending is helping them now. No question. And no question they will not sustain it. But they are still a very tough team to play against right now. They seem to be all playing the same system, all skating hard every night, and generally playing as cohesive 5-man units on both offense and defense. I guess Roy has to get some of the credit for that, as well as the players themselves.

But I don't see any reason the Flyers, with the exact roster they have right now, couldn't do these same things. And if they did them, I believe they'd be every bit as successful as the Avs have been. So, while all those things mentioned at the top of this post could certainly help if there was some way to magically make them happen, the bottom line is that if this team plays like it can (and should), it will be successful. If it doesn't play that way, I think you have to start looking at the players, not the coaches or the GM. It's not the coach's or the GM's fault that our players won't skate as hard or play as hard as the Avs players are playing now. I'm just not convinced the Avs have more talent. I am convinced that at least thus far, they work harder and skate harder. If the Flyers players won't match that level of effort, then we don't have the team we think we do.
- BringBack25

Friedemann was examining the same thing on the radio today. (Not in comparison to the Flyers of course but the Oilers) He noted three essential differences. Goaltending, team defense and a player who "stirs the drink" for the team. He thinks a player like Steve Downie has had a big impact on team cohesion. He sticks up for players, brings jump to the game and contribute offensively. He called him a heart and soul player for the AVs.

Just what I heard. Maybe that heart and soul player is already on our team but they aren't asserting themselves.

So it seems we have folks prescribing all sorts of cures for what ails the Flyers. A few of the more common (or at least most repetitive) ideas are:

- True #1 d-man
- Top line winger or "sniper"
- Third line winger
- The "right mix" on D
- A variety of system or style changes too numerous to list
- More energy
- Time to "gel"

All this makes me wonder what the brain trust in here thinks is the big difference between the Flyers and the Colorado Avalanche? Prior to the season, many in here had identified the Avs as a potential trading partner for Mez because their defense was allegedly so bad they would need him. On paper, the Avs (at least to me) don't look like a vastly superior team than the Flyers. Yet in the standings, and in the stats sheet they clearly are.

They are getting great (and most probably unsustainable) goaltending numbers. That's certainly a big part of it. But the Flyers are for the most part getting great goaltending too. Perhaps not otherworldly like the Avs, but certainly good enough so that it's not our problem.

Is Patrick Roy the second coming of Scotty Bowman? I don't think so. Do they have a true number 1 d-man? No. Do they have an elite sniper? No. Superior third line wingers? Maybe. The "right mix" on D (no doubt Nasty Nate is key here)? No. A superior system? I don't think so.

I don't really think that they have any of those things. Certainly no more than what the Flyers have. What I think they have is a team full of players all playing hard and playing the same way. Sure, the stellar goaltending is helping them now. No question. And no question they will not sustain it. But they are still a very tough team to play against right now. They seem to be all playing the same system, all skating hard every night, and generally playing as cohesive 5-man units on both offense and defense. I guess Roy has to get some of the credit for that, as well as the players themselves.

But I don't see any reason the Flyers, with the exact roster they have right now, couldn't do these same things. And if they did them, I believe they'd be every bit as successful as the Avs have been. So, while all those things mentioned at the top of this post could certainly help if there was some way to magically make them happen, the bottom line is that if this team plays like it can (and should), it will be successful. If it doesn't play that way, I think you have to start looking at the players, not the coaches or the GM. It's not the coach's or the GM's fault that our players won't skate as hard or play as hard as the Avs players are playing now. I'm just not convinced the Avs have more talent. I am convinced that at least thus far, they work harder and skate harder. If the Flyers players won't match that level of effort, then we don't have the team we think we do.
- BringBack25

A .985 team SV% is unsustainable?

As for the big difference, chalk it up to the season only being 5-6 games old for most teams. Regression toward the mean is a force of nature -- Flyers will get better, the Avs will get worse.

Sam Carchidi
@BroadStBull
JVR injured in prax today; may not play tonight.

Al, I've finally convinced these Flyers fans they lost the Schenn trade, and I still haven't leaped!

What is going on?
- Atomic Wedgie

Denial is your best friend lol. Like they say when the going get tough, just don't give a (frank)

Friedemann was examining the same thing on the radio today. (Not in comparison to the Flyers of course but the Oilers) He noted three essential differences. Goaltending, team defense and a player who "stirs the drink" for the team. He thinks a player like Steve Downie has had a big impact on team cohesion. He sticks up for players, brings jump to the game and contribute offensively. He called him a heart and soul player for the AVs.

Just what I heard. Maybe that heart and soul player is already on our team but they aren't asserting themselves.
- mayorofangrytown

Hmmm, I definitely buy the goaltending and team defense part. As for the person who stirs the drink for the Avs, I think it's their coach more than any player. Downie does have (as we know) an edge to his game and will stick up for folks. But they had him last year too and I didn't see them playing this way. Not sure I buy that part.

trade meszaros + holmgren's bobby clarke bobblehead for nail yakupov?
- MrBigglesworth

The Clarke bobble head alone is worth Eberle and Nail