The other side of the what-if coin: there's also the possibility that he could have performed the same (or worse) than Emery did in those first three starts, right?

Emery wasn't terrible.
- Tomahawk

He wasn't terrible, but the Rangers were exploiting his lack of side-to-side mobility. Mason kept them more honest. I think Mason wins Game 3.

Well that and that he obviously has pics of the Angel's GM having sex with underage farm animals.
- BiggE

At that point, I'd think the species of the animal would be of more concern that the age.

I mean, no one wants to have sex with an old chicken when there's a sexier younger one around. AMIRITE!?

The other side of the what-if coin: there's also the possibility that he could have performed the same (or worse) than Emery did in those first three starts, right?

Emery wasn't terrible.
- Tomahawk

No he wasn't, but the goals Emery DID let in were ones that Mason would have had a much better chance of stopping due to his better lateral movement.

The prospect cupboard is much better, and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms should actually ice a competitive squad this coming season, so that's a bonus. I might actually try to catch a game or two up there.

* Now a member of the San Jose Sharks, former Flyers left winger Tye McGinn celebrates his 24th birthday today.

He doesn't get to have birthdays any more.

Maybe maybe not. Mason had a bad game 5 so your are under the impression he would have had another stellar game in games 1 and 3 and not subpar.

Regardless, did you think the flyers outplayed the Rangers that series?
- psuhockey

As much as I hate to say this the NYRs had a real good team this year. They rolled 4 skating lines, to the Flyers 2 and 1/2 lines.
They had a solid top 4 D and their third pair didn't suck badly enough to exploit.
Their goalie is elite. The Flyers D is a ways behind in talent compared to the NYR's D.

With the Flyers who have G and Jake and now a goalie and a top shut down C in Couts, they should be good enough to make the playoffs especially in the East. To compete for a cup at this point, well I don't know.

The prospect cupboard is much better, and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms should actually ice a competitive squad this coming season, so that's a bonus. I might actually try to catch a game or two up there.



He doesn't get to have birthdays any more.
- wolfhounds

Will the following vets make the Phantoms roster at some point this season:

David Laliberte
Denis Hamel
Danny Syvret

It seems like these guys end up on the roster every other year or so.

The Rangers won the series so yes they did. But not to the extent you seem to believe they did.
- MBFlyerfan

Maybe you saw something different than I did. Even if they were equal to the Rangers, the Rangers were lucky to get to the finals IMO and were no match for the Kings. Lundqvist kept them close but who cares about close at this point.

My point is do the Flyers as currently constructed match up against the best teams in the league, which for the most part are out west. IMO they are not even close to the Kings, Blawkhawks, Blues, Sharks, and Ducks and now possibly the Stars. So I don't see them as a contender and IMO there isn't a single player out there that makes them one.

As much as I hate to say this the NYRs had a real good team this year. They rolled 4 skating lines, to the Flyers 2 and 1/2 lines.
They had a solid top 4 D and their third pair didn't suck badly enough to exploit.
Their goalie is elite. The Flyers D is a ways behind in talent compared to the NYR's D.

With the Flyers who have G and Jake and now a goalie and a top shut down C in Couts, they should be good enough to make the playoffs especially in the East. To compete for a cup at this point, well I don't know.
- Marc D

I don't think their roster, right now, is deep enough to compete for a Cup. Stranger things have happened, but I don't think anyone would call them a legit contender. But they have a plan, and if they stick to it, they may be a contender in the near future.

To compete for a cup at this point, well I don't know.
- Marc D

It's like year 2/3 of a 5-year plan... steady as she goes is enough for me.

Maybe you saw something different than I did. Even if they were equal to the Rangers, the Rangers were lucky to get to the finals IMO and were no match for the Kings. Lundqvist kept them close but who cares about close at this point.

My point is do the Flyers as currently constructed match up against the best teams in the league, which for the most part are out west. IMO they are not even close to the Kings, Blawkhawks, Blues, Sharks, and Ducks and now possibly the Stars. So I don't see them as a contender and IMO there isn't a single player out there that makes them one.
- psuhockey

If the Flyers had a Shea Weber-esque defender on the roster, they become at the very least a contender to make the Finals. A player like that (or Chris Pronger) covers up for so many deficiencies on the rest of the roster on both sides of the puck. He may not win them a Cup, but he can give them a legit shot.

The other side of the what-if coin: there's also the possibility that he could have performed the same (or worse) than Emery did in those first three starts, right?

Emery wasn't terrible.
- Tomahawk

I agree, Emery wasn't terrible. I don't think it really mattered who was in net. Henrik Lundqvist is a world class goaltender and arguably the best in the league (top 3). We couldn't even get past the Tangets defense to get to Lundqvist. That's not good. Claude Giroux was practically a none factor. this is all a recipe for a lost cause.

Will the following vets make the Phantoms roster at some point this season:

David Laliberte
Denis Hamel
Danny Syvret

It seems like these guys end up on the roster every other year or so.
- jmatchett383

I vote for Laliberte because his name is the most fun to say and it makes me think of apple pies, gun racks and fireworks. Then Syvret. We've already got a Hamel(s) in the area, so he definitely shouldn't be signed.

I'm pretty sure my method for choosing is bulletproof.

If trading Lecavalier becomes a distraction, it's a distraction of the club's own making, not the player himself.
- SuperSchennBros

Does it matter whose making it is?

The bottom line is, that they brought in a player in an effort to make the team better. It hasn't worked out the way either the team for the player envisioned. The team brought in the guy that doesn't fit with what they're trying to do & the player hasn't played well it's a two-way street.

The key now is to avoid allowing it to become a distraction. That's on the player and the team, not just the team

Mason plays that whole series the Flyers win it.
- MBFlyerfan

Kreider plays the whole series the rangers sweep it

At that point, I'd think the species of the animal would be of more concern that the age.

I mean, no one wants to have sex with an old chicken when there's a sexier younger one around. AMIRITE!?
- jmatchett383

Does it matter whose making it is?

The bottom line is, that they brought in a player in an effort to make the team better. It hasn't worked out the way either the team for the player envisioned. The team brought in the guy that doesn't fit with what they're trying to do & the player hasn't played well it's a two-way street.

The key now is to avoid allowing it to become a distraction. That's on the player and the team, not just the team
- Jsaquella

True and true. I think it will be the media who tries to make it a thing. VLC is a class guy so he wont make any waves, I'm pretty convinced of that.

I agree, Emery wasn't terrible. I don't think it really mattered who was in net. Henrik Lundqvist is a world class goaltender and arguably the best in the league (top 3). We couldn't even get past the Tangets defense to get to Lundqvist. That's not good. Claude Giroux was practically a none factor. this is all a recipe for a lost cause.
- SuperSchennBros

Look at Game 1. All 4 Rangers goals are scored on bad rebounds and/or (in 3 cases, both) lateral puck movement, 2 areas where Mason is markedly better than Emery. Mason may not stop the 2nd goal, but he probably gets the other 3.

As much as I hate to say this the NYRs had a real good team this year. They rolled 4 skating lines, to the Flyers 2 and 1/2 lines.
They had a solid top 4 D and their third pair didn't suck badly enough to exploit.
Their goalie is elite. The Flyers D is a ways behind in talent compared to the NYR's D.

With the Flyers who have G and Jake and now a goalie and a top shut down C in Couts, they should be good enough to make the playoffs especially in the East. To compete for a cup at this point, well I don't know.
- Marc D

Agreed, the Flyers are solid, but not a real contender yet. However I do think they are moving in the right direction.

If trading Lecavalier becomes a distraction, it's a distraction of the club's own making, not the player himself.
- SuperSchennBros

That was my point about VL being a real pro.

I think/hope he will put his own interest behind what is best for the team and keep it that way in his interactions with media.

Still it has to be tough for him.

If the Flyers had a Shea Weber-esque defender on the roster, they become at the very least a contender to make the Finals. A player like that (or Chris Pronger) covers up for so many deficiencies on the rest of the roster on both sides of the puck. He may not win them a Cup, but he can give them a legit shot.
- jmatchett383

Frankenstein these 4 players down into 2 and we're gold.

Frankenstein these 4 players down into 2 and we're gold.


- wolfhounds

Who would you combine? I'm thinking that I'd like a Samayne Ghosorin and a Travert Sanhagg.

Frankenstein these 4 players down into 2 and we're gold.


- wolfhounds

Haag and Morin = Horin (in Philly? Yes please)

Ghostisbhere + Sanheim= Ghosteim

Haag and Morin = Horin (in Philly? Yes please)

Ghostisbhere + Sanheim= Ghosteim


- jak521

Sounds like a bad German "metal" band.

Agreed, the Flyers are solid, but not a real contender yet. However I do think they are moving in the right direction.
- BiggE

Top center
Top Winger
Shut down C
Goalie
Franchise D/legit #1 pair D

They are missing a very big key piece.

Also the best teams go 12-13 forwards deep... guys they can use in a playoff series
flyers still a bit short on depth IMO.

I do like the direction they are going. I hope one of Morin/Ghost/Hagg/Sanheim realizes their potential, but still not sure any of them become the top dog they need on the D. We will see.

Who would you combine? I'm thinking that I'd like a Samayne Ghosorin and a Travert Sanhagg.
- jmatchett383

Samayne Ghosorin sounds like the name of a Star Trek villain.