Flyers gone win


- jak521

Hey its PLind, bout time he showed up to the party

Hey they go after free agents and trade deadline grabs constantly ... Just do what it really takes to win I.E build an identity that is proven to win and STICK with it. Enough with ea sports general managers already
- JoeRussomanno

Yea but if you play the EA Sports system right, you can get some shweet deals

I say you are high on show polish. Flyers 5 to 1
- Deasr1

I say 6-1. G gets 2 hat tricks, dominates, and plays goalie to get a shut out

I would like to apologize for letting the flyers get me so upset that I'd be argumentative with people about them. Part of my 12 step program to just giving up seeing our team win a cup in our lifetime.

why can't we ever get a guy like downie??

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

why can't we ever get a guy like downie??
- hogweed

I'm... not sure ... if you're kidding...

Yea but if you play the EA Sports system right, you can get some shweet deals
- bigmookalookie

EA sports pre salary cap was great fun making trades!

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

One word, Amen! The Coach was changed. Now it's up to the players. I think we saw progress in terms of 5 on 5 play against Detroit. It's a start.

Please win tonight Flyers. I'm not going to want to come see what this place is like heading into a Pens game with a team that can only beat the Panthers.

I'm... not sure ... if you're kidding...
- JAKEw1234

i'm being facetious

I would like to apologize for letting the flyers get me so upset that I'd be argumentative with people about them. Part of my 12 step program to just giving up seeing our team win a cup in our lifetime.
- SMS4016

Somehow, I get the impression this apology isn't very sincere.

I say 6-1. G gets 2 hat tricks, dominates, and plays goalie to get a shut out
- bigmookalookie

They win 10 to -15 G has 3 hat tricks and has 3 double sick breakaways and the refs take points of f the socre board from the Nucks

Somehow, I get the impression this apology isn't very sincere.
- BulliesPhan87

Arguing on hockeybuzz is like arguing with your brother. Without the fists of course

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.
- BringBack25

He only played two games for them before he was injured for the season.

EA sports pre salary cap was great fun making trades!
- Hextall271

They win 10 to -15 G has 3 hat tricks and has 3 double sick breakaways and the refs take points of f the socre board from the Nucks
- Deasr1

Nice, G will rule the hockey world yet again

Please win tonight Flyers. I'm not going to want to come see what this place is like heading into a Pens game with a team that can only beat the Panthers.
- hereticpride

If the Flyers can beat the Nucks and the Pens, I can see this team gaining a lot of confidence to get back on track. In other words, DONT (frank) THIS UP FLYERS

If the Flyers can beat the Nucks and the Pens, I can see this team gaining a lot of confidence to get back on track. In other words, DONT (frank) THIS UP FLYERS
- bigmookalookie

I agree. If they lose both these games, I think a change will be made. There have been some dumb rumor ideas out there. However, I think something is on the stove, and tonight and Thursday night will be the telling sign

I agree. If they lose both these games, I think a change will be made. There have been some dumb rumor ideas out there. However, I think something is on the stove, and tonight and Thursday night will be the telling sign
- Deasr1

What kind of change? A trade? I think the Flyers want to use the upcoming break that they're going to have as sort of a "mini training camp" to try and get some things straightened out.

What kind of change? A trade? I think the Flyers want to use the upcoming break that they're going to have as sort of a "mini training camp" to try and get some things straightened out.
- MJL

don't you mean the real training camp? not the worst one in 40 years?

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.
- BringBack25

I think the Flyers are getting better towards that 5 man unit thing with Berube in there. I really see some improvement.
Hasn't translated into wins yet.

What kind of change? A trade? I think the Flyers want to use the upcoming break that they're going to have as sort of a "mini training camp" to try and get some things straightened out.
- MJL

Just seeing the record from the past, I could see a trade if they get beat pretty bad by both teams. Homer knows he is on the hot seat. I think something is up in that office. I hope we win and just stay the course. I wasn't a huge fan of the Streit signing, only because I thought Gus could grow into his role and cheaper. I loved the Bunny and Emery signings. I think Homer will give the team this week so see if they can compete with these two teams, if not.....Who knows.

don't you mean the real training camp? not the worst one in 40 years?
- 2Real

Can't change the past. Take advantage of the week off and continue to work on the breakouts and special teams. I would prefer that they give Berube at least 20 games or so before making any trades.

being from Western BC I really want the Flyers to win tonight otherwise I will not hear the end of it

Can't change the past. Take advantage of the week off and continue to work on the breakouts and special teams. I would prefer that they give Berube at least 20 games or so before making any trades.
- BiggE

I agree. I would like them to givethe team time to grow. I remember when they hired Lavy, they lost a few games at the beginning. Then sneaked their way into the playoffs. The rest is history. Sneaking in became a lot harder to do. But they aren't that far behind. They just need to get some confindence and play as a cohesive unit for 60 minutes.