I took Steve Mason with an open mind. I knew the track record in Columbus, had read some of the stories about him not having the best work habits and not communicating well with the coaches.

He played well in his short stint and signed the one year deal. He played well, with a couple of lulls in the middle of his first full season, but rarely allowed things to snowball on him the way they often seemed to do in Columbus. Mason had a bad habit of having a goal against turn into two or three.

Reese has done a great job with him and more, Mason is more mature, works his ass off and has a great mental approach to the game that he himself admits was lacking in his younger days. I leaned to being onboard with Mason early last season and by the stretch run I was fully down with him. All he's done since then is play at an even higher level.


It's great for him and even better for us. Just hope he stays healthy
- Jsaquella

I think this guy is gonna go Beast Mode when they return to the playoffs -- I really do. If he stays healthy, I'll ride with this guy

Ryan Rishaug ‏@TSNRyanRishaug 1m1 minute ago

Winnipeg has officially put Evander Kane on IR retro to 2/2

Ryan Rishaug ‏@TSNRyanRishaug 1m1 minute ago

Winnipeg has officially put Evander Kane on IR retro to 2/2
- Jsaquella

what does this mean

what does this mean
- Winning

He hurt, boo

what does this mean
- Winning

They're buying time -- he doesn't have to be a scratch to not play, he can get treatment for the injuries he does have, doesn't have to be around the team, and they can figure out what the (frank) to do next

I think this guy is gonna go Beast Mode when they return to the playoffs -- I really do. If he stays healthy, I'll ride with this guy
- AllInForFlyers

I have to consider goalie an unqualified strong spot for the Flyers. Mason's handled everything thrown at him very well. He makes big momentum saves, doesn't allow bad goals often and it's a rare day when he's can be listed among the reasons for a loss.

what does this mean
- Winning

They can fill his roster spot and keep him away from the team as they try to deal him.

See, the thing about MacDonald is this: You have to run your bench properly with him.

He is not someone who can play 23-ish minutes against top talent without getting exposed. And yeah, it would be nice if he could be deployed against stiff competition, at his salary level.

But at the same time, you can play him 18-ish minutes against average NHL competition and not even know he was there -- and that's not a bad thing, considering I definitely notice who was on the ice when the puck's in the back of the net

He's adequate in the proper role. He has some tangible assets that make him viable in that role. Yeah, in a perfect world, he makes less money. But he's still a Top 6 defenseman and you can run a playoff-caliber defense with him on it
- AllInForFlyers

MacDonald is no different then most players. They all have a role. MacDonald can handle his fair share of top competition, not just every shift all game long, as evidenced in past games matched up against top players, and playing 7 minutes on the PK against the Pens in recent games. I think you give an accurate description, MacDonald is just a steady top 4 defenseman who doesn't make a ton of mistakes. I think that he's not a flashy player, bothers some people along with the contract. No doubt he is a little overpaid, but watch him play, and there is no doubt that he is a good solid 2nd pair puck moving defenseman. What I'd like to see is him using his speed and puck skills to make more of an impact offensively. I think he's been miscast in a shut down defensive role for too long, that part of his game has been suppressed. Like to see him become more aggressive on the offensive side of the puck.

I have to consider goalie an unqualified strong spot for the Flyers. Mason's handled everything thrown at him very well. He makes big momentum saves, doesn't allow bad goals often and it's a rare day when he's can be listed among the reasons for a loss.
- Jsaquella

That's one of the huge things -- (knock on wood), but he gives up so few goals that have a stench on them, I actually am fairly stunned when he does

Tessier (Jets blogger) has a bit of a piece on the Kane thing.

Again, the dude got paid. The pissy attitude, even if a scenery move might help him.. Stay the (frank) away from a bad apple.

Tessier (Jets blogger) has a bit of a piece on the Kane thing.

Again, the dude got paid. The pissy attitude, even if a scenery move might help him.. Stay the (frank) away from a bad apple.
- flyer_nutter

simmond will help him

simmond will help him
- Winning

4 real? Go make another alt fool.

what does this mean
- Winning

he has hurt feelings

4 real? Go make another alt fool.
- flyer_nutter

sequin 2,0

We just ate PLind for lunch
- PhillySportsGuy

Kinda like how Eli and Coughlin eat Brady and Bellichicks lunch in Super Bowls!!!

Kinda like how Eli and Coughlin eat Brady and Bellichicks lunch in Super Bowls!!!
- PLindbergh31

kind like how the eagles ate the giants lunch the last number of years

Just got done reading the MDZ article on Broad Street, and while I don't dispute the numbers they used -- numbers are numbers, and I believe they tell a story -- as always, you have to be careful that you don't fall into the trap of thinking they tell you a complete story.

OK. The focus of the Broad Street article is clear: Don't get fooled by the production; there are too many shots against being generated when Del Zotto's on the ice.

Again: OK. But here's where eye-test, stats and what a team needs from the type of player MDZ is don't mesh.

Yes: Del Zotto is gonna get caught on pinches. It's gonna happen. And when he gets caught, there are gonna be shots against, and sometimes, there are gonna be goals.

But does that mean he isn't doing his job when he's actually in the defensive zone? In other words: When Del Zotto is deployed in the defensive zone, is he more likely to be on the ice when a shot is taken?

That's what raw data doesn't indicate. But my eye-test indicates that no, Del Zotto is at no more risk for giving up shots in the defensive zone in the normal course of play than any other defenseman the Flyers have.

There is risk is Del Zotto's game, and yeah, that means shots against. It'll mean the same thing if/when Ghost comes up. It'll mean the same thing if the Friedman kid makes it.

I don't need Del Zotto to be Braydon Coburn. I already have a Braydon Coburn.

The Flyers need a defenseman who can join the rush. That's how this game is played is now -- you have to have a guy who can carry the puck, or come late, or pinch and keep a play alive.

Can Del Zotto improve his decision making? Of course. You would love for him to never get caught.

But make no mistake: Scoring at 5v5 is one of the hardest (frank)ing things to do in the NHL.

You have to generate shots and scoring chances. Del Zotto helps the Flyers do that, and it's not as simple as saying, "the Flyers are outshot when Del Zotto's on the ice."

Yes to the talent, yes to the position he plays

Swallowing real hard on the cap hit -- I don't mind making moves, don't necessarily question his attitude, but at the end of the day, is he really producing like a $6 million player?

He's got $6 million talent. But that's just not the same thing
- AllInForFlyers

I think every one is probably exactly were you are.....not a sure thing but in the right circumstance....sky's the limit.

Id take E kane for the rigth price. I would consider read,alt,haag and coots as long as I would be able to dump 2 dman contracts like mcdonald and grossman. If I would need to combine grossman with read and say haag I would do it. If coots would have to be in play I would be hesitant.

Just got done reading the MDZ article on Broad Street, and while I don't dispute the numbers they used -- numbers are numbers, and I believe they tell a story -- as always, you have to be careful that you don't fall into the trap of thinking they tell you a complete story.

OK. The focus of the Broad Street article is clear: Don't get fooled by the production; there are too many shots against being generated when Del Zotto's on the ice.

Again: OK. But here's where eye-test, stats and what a team needs from the type of player MDZ is don't mesh.

Yes: Del Zotto is gonna get caught on pinches. It's gonna happen. And when he gets caught, there are gonna be shots against, and sometimes, there are gonna be goals.

But does that mean he isn't doing his job when he's actually in the defensive zone? In other words: When Del Zotto is deployed in the defensive zone, is he more likely to be on the ice when a shot is taken?

That's what raw data doesn't indicate. But my eye-test indicates that no, Del Zotto is at no more risk for giving up shots in the defensive zone in the normal course of play than any other defenseman the Flyers have.

There is risk is Del Zotto's game, and yeah, that means shots against. It'll mean the same thing if/when Ghost comes up. It'll mean the same thing if the Friedman kid makes it.

I don't need Del Zotto to be Braydon Coburn. I already have a Braydon Coburn.

The Flyers need a defenseman who can join the rush. That's how this game is played is now -- you have to have a guy who can carry the puck, or come late, or pinch and keep a play alive.

Can Del Zotto improve his decision making? Of course. You would love for him to never get caught.

But make no mistake: Scoring at 5v5 is one of the hardest (frank)ing things to do in the NHL.

You have to generate shots and scoring chances. Del Zotto helps the Flyers do that, and it's not as simple as saying, "the Flyers are outshot when Del Zotto's on the ice."
- AllInForFlyers

It's another one of those articles that thinks a defenseman can be looked at in a vacuum, as if he is the only player on the ice. The Flyers are outshot or outchanced when Del Zotto is on the ice. What would be more accurate to say is that Del Zotto, and whoever else is out there on the ice with him is being outshot.
You're 100% right, the Flyers need a defenseman, actually they need more then one who can joint the rush. You just aren't going to score enough or generate enough offense in this league with just a 3 man attack. The Flyers desperately need some of the elements that Del Zotto brings to the ice, and to the team. What you hope is that the player plays well enough in his own end, and makes the right decisions on when to go and when to stay. Del Zotto has been doing that lately, and is more then competitive in his own end. He is not going to be mistake free in his game. On the one play, Giroux has the puck, and Del Zotto comes down the slot, if Giroux sees him and passes to Del Zotto instead, he has a point blank chance in the dead slot. And hopefully, the rest of the team is smart system wise to cover for a defenseman moving up on the play. Always dangerous against a fast transition team like the Isles. Just can't sit back and play all chip and chase hockey with your defenseman sitting back in the neutral zone waiting for the puck to come back their way. Need to play as a 5 man unit up and down the ice, in all 3 zones. While I agree somewhat that Del Zotto might be slightly over hyped, but so is Schultz! Del Zotto brings some dynamic play to the Flyers back end that they desperately need. Can't teach that. The areas where there are some issues in his game, such as decision making, you can teach.

Id take E kane for the rigth price. I would consider read,alt,haag and coots as long as I would be able to dump 2 dman contracts like mcdonald and grossman. If I would need to combine grossman with read and say haag I would do it. If coots would have to be in play I would be hesitant.
- jmdodgeser4

Jets have no need for a d-man. That's the strength of the crew.

I just find it a little funny, and not because I don't understand someone disliking Winnipeg. You get paid millions of dollars to do a job that most dream of. Sit down, shut the (frank) up and enjoy it. If you want out then do it the right way, but he has been a punk ass female dog the whole time in the city.

I don't want that on the Flyers. What happens when he gets his ice time reduced a little for the first time? Pouts and starts more trash? (frank) off. Spoiled ass cocky rich kid.

what does this mean
- Winning

That he is headed for an ugly divorce from the franchise

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2...mmonds-girardi-sutter-ott

All overrated team…with Simmonds

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2...mmonds-girardi-sutter-ott

All overrated team…with Simmonds
- PhillySportsGuy

Written by another author who should put the spreadsheets down and watch the game.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2...mmonds-girardi-sutter-ott

All overrated team…with Simmonds
- PhillySportsGuy

Maybe Captain Obvious could've delved a little deeper and stated that the Flyers have struggled as a whole at ES for years and that Simmonds is a symptom, not necessarily a cause

Give the guy a center who can win draws and a winger who can make plays, like they did when they just had Straka and White with him, and Simmonds sure looks like a player at ES. Looked better with Laughton and Schenn, too

Next step is getting Straka-Laughton-Simmonds together for a look -- I need to see that poop, and soon