Any news on Matt Read playing tonight?>
- Winning

Not that I have heard of.. he wasnt cleared last I'd heard.. Saturday might be a better bet.

You still have to think about it. If he can fetch a young mobile dman with upside.

Good game by the boys. Cooter and vinny look completely ineffective with each other. Cooter needs read back in a big way
- Just5

Would like to see Dowine/ Coots and Read back together when Read returns. They where playing so well before Vinnie returned.

Once Vinny is fully healthy and can take faceoffs I would move him back to 2C. I still think BSchenn's long term future here is as a LW.

Zajac not at practice? No injury reported. Lamiorello to speak shortly at presser. Hmm?

Once Vinny is fully healthy and can take faceoffs I would move him back to 2C. I still think BSchenn's long term future here is as a LW.
- Feanor

Aren't you discounting that Schenn's recent big boost in production coincided with him moving back into the middle? I don't think the book is closed on him being in his natural position for the long term.

Kind of why I was frustrated with them investing heavily in another C when all their hot prospects were natural C's... made really no sense to bring a vet to play in front of them (or behind them).

Zajac not at practice? No injury reported. Lamiorello to speak shortly at presser. Hmm?
- Winning

I read they moved Loktionov to center between Zubie and Jagr.

Zajac not at practice? No injury reported. Lamiorello to speak shortly at presser. Hmm?
- Winning

Rich Chere is reporting that it's just a maintenance day for Zajac.

I was happy that they got the two points last night and ecstatic about the road trip. I'll admit that I was losing my poop when they allowed the tying goal shorthanded though after Braden gets robbed on the doorstep seconds earlier... Fack... how does that happen??? Glad Schenn buried the winner in OT.

I didn't expect they'd be better than .500 on that grueling trip. 5-1 is phenomenal and since the 1-7 start this team has shown a lot of guts climbing into 2nd in the Div. The backbone all season has been solid tending and if it continues, we should make the playoffs.

Steve Downie is a UFA at seasons end. Currently makes 2.65million/year.

Do we re-sign?

Jack Johnson sounds pretty damn bitter:

http://bluejacketsxtra.di...b-frustrates-johnson.html

Jack Johnson sounds pretty damn bitter:

http://bluejacketsxtra.di...b-frustrates-johnson.html
- johndewar

His own coach sold him down the river... probably worse than Yzerman/St. Louis.

They need someone that can be a number 1 puck moving defenseman for the next 5-10 years. At minimum 5 years until we see what we have with Ghost, Alt, Konin, and Morin. At most 10 if we get someone younger.

And we need a sniper.
- youarewrong

I don't think it is that far out to see those guys (Morin, Ghost etc.) start to make an impact. While it is generally true that D men take longer to develop, there are numerous exceptions and I believe some of these guys will step up and show they're ready earlier than others...everyone is different.

I said earlier in the season that I didn't feel like the team was a contender and that the window for true contention is likely 2-3 years away. What I wanted to see in the short term was letting the younger players play through their lumps, develop and learn how to win...I understand the mentality of wanting to make changes to win NOW, as this has been the M.O. of the org. since forever, but that has its shortcomings...Holmgren seems to have a plan that involves being more patient with the team's youth and letting them develop as opposed to making short term moves that ship off young talent and picks for supposed upgrades and quick fixes. This also means that fans have to be patient...it's been a while since Homer has traded away young assets or picks...we're starting to see the benefits of that patience. If there are moves to make, I'd rather they be the older players with questionable contracts....VL, Streit, maybe Hartnell...as younger prospects develop and graduate, spots need to open up, so that may become an imperative...but for now, I'd keep this thing going just as it has been. I said toward the very end of the horrific early season run that sooner than later the Flyers would turn things around and start scoring goals and it wouldn't be because they added a sniper or a puck moving D man...it would be because they started learning what it took to win, gained confidence and started to gel as a team...that's what we're seeing...they should stay the course imo.

Jack Johnson sounds pretty damn bitter:

http://bluejacketsxtra.di...b-frustrates-johnson.html
- johndewar

"“I’m not going to sit here and bank on injuries,” he said. “Quite frankly, I’m able now to solidify plans for February, and it’ll be nice to not have to worry about anybody watching you play, just go out and play your season. It’s something I’m just putting out of my mind. It’s over to me.” - See more at: http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/01/08/olympic-team-snub-frustrates-johnson.html#sthash.y216UJSF.dpuf"

Translation: Yeah, I know our team has literally zero fans.

Aren't you discounting that Schenn's recent big boost in production coincided with him moving back into the middle? I don't think the book is closed on him being in his natural position for the long term.
- Tomahawk

He also put up points early on as LW to a healthy Lecavalier.

"“I’m not going to sit here and bank on injuries,” he said. “Quite frankly, I’m able now to solidify plans for February, and it’ll be nice to not have to worry about anybody watching you play, just go out and play your season. It’s something I’m just putting out of my mind. It’s over to me.” - See more at: http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/01/08/olympic-team-snub-frustrates-johnson.html#sthash.y216UJSF.dpuf"

Translation: Yeah, I know our team has literally zero fans.
- BulliesPhan87

How is Morin doing this year?

"“I’m not going to sit here and bank on injuries,” he said. “Quite frankly, I’m able now to solidify plans for February, and it’ll be nice to not have to worry about anybody watching you play, just go out and play your season. It’s something I’m just putting out of my mind. It’s over to me.” - See more at: http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/01/08/olympic-team-snub-frustrates-johnson.html#sthash.y216UJSF.dpuf"

Translation: Yeah, I know our team has literally zero fans.
- BulliesPhan87

That's hilarious..

How is Morin doing this year?
- PhillaBully

Statistically he has improved offensively thus far..

22 points in 32 games including 6 goals..

I havent actually watched him play though

Was hoping to hear your analysis as to why Giroux was left off the Canada roster.
- PhillySportsGuy

I will touch on that tomorrow. Tough to do that on b2b game-day blogs, since the focus of those is always on game at hand.

I will touch on that tomorrow. Tough to do that on b2b game-day blogs, since the focus of those is always on game at hand.
- bmeltzer

What, you don't work 24 and 7???

I will touch on that tomorrow. Tough to do that on b2b game-day blogs, since the focus of those is always on game at hand.
- bmeltzer

It was my bad. I skimmed the lineups and didn't see your last comment.

Any news on Matt Read playing tonight?>
- Winning

No chance. He hasn't even practiced yet -- or so much as skated on his own -- all week.

No chance. He hasn't even practiced yet -- or so much as skated on his own -- all week.
- bmeltzer

I'm starting to get nervous about his 'day to day status'

I'm starting to get nervous about his 'day to day status'
- PhillySportsGuy

The Flyers' historical reporting on injuries has not exactly engendered trust in their public injury pronouncements.

For Phillies fans out there--

Chris Wheeler and Sarge have been relieved of broadcasting duties.