Except last season in a bigger sample size with the Flyers he was not always in his own zone. He had better CA/60 than most of the defense, including guys like Schenn and Grossmann who had very similar usage.
- Feanor

Except in his career in a bigger sample size he has always been in his own zone. Yes, he wasn't shelled for shots in his 50 something games last year. He also helped generate zilch. So what zone was he in? I really don't know -- his numbers were like no event Devils hockey. It was a weird stat season, and one season in his career I call an outlier. His shot against stats this year have returned to career norm. I know you completely ignore NZ stats, but they were just as awful last year. Which was my point: he allows too many entries and then spends his time chasing around his own zone when he could be elsewhere. That was my point in that post: he nips that in the bud (it's old dog, new tricks at this point), his numbers would rise substantially.

If MJL is over your shoulder, tell him I said hi btw.

I compared the GF60 of three D pairings with roughly similar ice times and usage. Cousins has got much less ice time and much easier minutes than Giroux so that's a terrible analogy.

I'm thoroughly amused by the argument that any positive stats MacDonald has are primed for regression due to SSS but any negative stats (just Corsi really, since his Fenwick is strong) wouldn't return to last year's levels given enough games. Brought to you by the same people who assume any possession struggles of the MacDonald-Ghost pairing are all Mac's fault, despite the fact Ghost had similar issues with Manning and MDZ, his two other most common partners.
- Feanor

We all love Ghost but realistically he's an average defender who does get pushed around out there. If we're being honest with ourselves, while Ghost does work hard, he is only really an offensive threat from the blue line.

I would like to see how MacDonald's personal stats compare to Del Zotto's. I feel Mac has been acceptional as Del Zotto's replacement.

tbh I'm surprised it took twenty something pages for MJL to get brought into this. definitely should've played the over

tbh I'm surprised it took twenty something pages for MJL to get brought into this. definitely should've played the over
- BulliesPhan87

Has he been banned? Or has he not left the house for weeks, pouring over the latest CBA details?

Has he been banned? Or has he not left the house for weeks, pouring over the latest CBA details?
- feelingkettle

He's on involuntary vacation.

tbh I'm surprised it took twenty something pages for MJL to get brought into this. definitely should've played the over
- BulliesPhan87

Not at all an insult but Feanor reminds me of MJL when MJL first started posting here. It's just the idea of fact and making sure they're all right, all the time. MJL has actually loosened up in the last 8 or 9 years.

I had no idea this Ray Emery situation was a real thing
- funmaster18

Perhaps they are just amusing themselves

2 pts behind the islanders with a game left remaining against them all but eliminated them from getting that 2nd spot? Maybe they get it maybe they don't. Maybe they miss completely. I'm happy with how they've done considering the playoffs were a pipe dream earlier this season.
- funmaster18

I still think they'll make it. I think Boston's out.

Not at all an insult but Feanor reminds me of MJL when MJL first started posting here. It's just the idea of fact and making sure they're all right, all the time. MJL has actually loosened up in the last 8 or 9 years.
- SuperSchennBros

As with hockey, reputations live on. He's always been straight with me though, even when we feud. My secret is not worrying about if the other guy agrees with me, and to try and keep it fun.

Don't tell anybody, or I'll be ruined.

I compared the GF60 of three D pairings with roughly similar ice times and usage. Cousins has got much less ice time and much easier minutes than Giroux so that's a terrible analogy.

I'm thoroughly amused by the argument that any positive stats MacDonald has are primed for regression due to SSS but any negative stats (just Corsi really, since his Fenwick is strong) wouldn't return to last year's levels given enough games. Brought to you by the same people who assume any possession struggles of the MacDonald-Ghost pairing are all Mac's fault, despite the fact Ghost had similar issues with Manning and MDZ, his two other most common partners.
- Feanor

I'm going to stop responding if you ignore everything I write. You are completely and utterly avoiding any semblance of context in throwing out those stats. I'll go over to the Coyotes blog for that. In Ghost's time with MDZ, they posted POSITIVE relative possession numbers. Look at what I wrote about how the TEAM did possession and scoring wise at various points. Comparing the Flyers now to then is comparing the Kings to the Flames without adjusting for discrepancies. And the Cousins skewed sample size, pdo, unsustainability analogy is perfectly apt. If you can't see that, tough.

I've said before, Ghost is essentially a possession neutral player on his own. He isn't good enough to lift a poor partner, while he is good enough to keep up with a good one. He's partner dependent. AMac isn't partner dependent -- he sinks anyone he is with. So yes, given that he posted ~ +1% stats before AMac showed up, and then magically became team worst with one of the poorer possession d men in the past handful of years in the NHL, I think the root cause is rather evident, not to excuse his own sometimes poor play.

For someone who likes analytics, you seem to be guilty of every cardinal sin in the book stats-wise. Post what you want about this, I'm done. It's for you and you alone at this point.

I still think they'll make it. I think Boston's out.
- mayorofangrytown

Not originally from Detroit but I live here. With the Islanders, Bruins, Wings and ourselves scratching and clawing to make the playoffs, I would love to see the Flyers and Wings make it, with one of the Bruins and Islanders bumped out.

Obviously if it comes down to us or Detroit, Detroit can pound salt.

Emery to start vs. Holtby Wednesday, e5

“@NHLFlyers: Free agent goaltender Ray Emery will report to the #Flyers on a try-out basis. Emery will join the team at morning skate Wednesday.”
- feelingkettle

I didn't see this coming, but I love the move. I'm a big Emery fan personally. I wonder if they just would trust Emery more if he's required to get into game action in the playoff push. Maybe they don't think stollie is ready or just don't want to throw him into this pressure.

I didn't see this coming, but I love the move. I'm a big Emery fan personally. I wonder if they just would trust Emery more if he's required to get into game action in the playoff push. Maybe they don't think stollie is ready or just don't want to throw him into this pressure.
- Hextall271

I think it's a pressure thing. It would be unfair to put the weight on him right now.

I love Ray Emery!

I'm sorry but I love Ray Emery.
- SuperSchennBros

Totally agree. Let the white hummer ride the streets of Philly once again!

As with hockey, reputations live on. He's always been straight with me though, even when we feud. My secret is not worrying about if the other guy agrees with me, and to try and keep it fun.

Don't tell anybody, or I'll be ruined.
- BulliesPhan87

I have the up most respect for MJL and believe me, him and I have battled. I'm talking back in the days when you could say anything on here.

I have the up most respect for MJL and believe me, him and I have battled. I'm talking back in the days when you could say anything on here.
- SuperSchennBros

he's def loosened up since even my rookie year here (either on the tail end of the old days, or the beginning of the Dark Ages I'm told we live in)

This Vesey thing is still getting a lot of play on the radio today.

I think it's a pressure thing. It would be unfair to put the weight on him right now.

I love Ray Emery!
- SuperSchennBros

When he got hurt in 2010 and we let him go, I really thought he was done. The fact that he got surgery, then worked his way back with Anaheim then signed in Chicago and did great helping them to a cup really speaks to his love for the game and dedication. I was so happy when he was signed as a backup. He played really well in the 2014 first round series IMO. I think he can step in and be competent if need be. It's some insurance with a guy you know and who gets along with the guys on the team.

This Vesey thing is still getting a lot of play on the radio today.
- mayorofangrytown

I'm watching prime time sports and they are talking about it.

When he got hurt in 2010 and we let him go, I really thought he was done. The fact that he got surgery, then worked his way back with Anaheim then signed in Chicago and did great helping them to a cup really speaks to his love for the game and dedication. I was so happy when he was signed as a backup. He played really well in the 2014 first round series IMO. I think he can step in and be competent if need be. It's some insurance with a guy you know and who gets along with the guys on the team.
- Hextall271

I'll be at the Joe (Joe Louis) in a week from tomorrow. I've seen Ray start at least 5 times. I'm super happy for the guy. I never thought I'd see him throw in a Flyers jersey again.

I'm watching prime time sports and they are talking about it.
- Hextall271

I think it's because everyone is focused on Toronto being the beneficiary of this kids decision. If it wasn't for the Toronto connection this would just be any other college player making his way to August 15th. There's a ton of college kids who have done this.

People were calling out Toronto all last summer. Now it's come to a head.

- wilsonecho91

I texted you a pic

This Vesey thing is still getting a lot of play on the radio today.
- mayorofangrytown

you're a MvW listener, right? I started listening to today's, but had to stop only a few minutes after they start on the Vesey thing. Did it get as heated as Wyshynski suggests?

I think players should have to write an essay to join the team they want. If it's approved, they get to sign there, if it's rejected they're sent to edmonton.
- BulliesPhan87

Or eggmonton, as my son says.

I'll be at the Joe (Joe Louis) in a week from tomorrow. I've seen Ray start at least 5 times. I'm super happy for the guy. I never thought I'd see him throw in a Flyers jersey again.
- SuperSchennBros

Me either. You never know. I saw Leighton play for Chicago the other day haha.

I've seen Ray start twice. In 2010, if he had stayed healthy I wonder what would have happened. He was solid until he went down. I sometimes forget that he was the starter at the beginning of that epic year.