I just dont like the guys game. Im not a fan. If you are gonna get a guy who is a fringe 6/7th d-man, he better have one area that stands out, and I prefer that to be nastiness. He just drives me nuts. There is nothing about his game at all that stands out. He doesnt have good foot speed, he isnt a heady d-man.. isnt intimidating, and seems to be a liability when he is on the ice.

Idk.. just wish we had other options...
- jak521

hey! he's taking up space out there. isn't that good enuf for you? we can't all be drivers, we sometimes need passengers as well!

MAB has played admirably and has really helped the Flyers get through the injuries. He has put himself in the NHL mix. But I beleive once he's 100%, Gustafsson is an upgrade over MAB.
- MJL

I have to give MAB credit, he's been much better than I expected.

Yes some mistakes but for a kid who's played 25 or so NHL games out of nowhere I've been impressed.

If he can work on his skating in the off-season he can become a solid 3rd dman in the NHL potentially.

Neither is really hurting the Flyers Cap right now. Sending either down today, versus around the deadline, doesn't save the Flyers any Cap space.
- MJL

Correct me if im mistaken but isnt the cap calculated everyday? So if they were sent down the flyers would be able to spend more at the trade deadline since they would be spending less money daily and it would add up.....

I have to give MAB credit, he's been much better than I expected.

Yes some mistakes but for a kid who's played 25 or so NHL games out of nowhere I've been impressed.

If he can work on his skating in the off-season he can become a solid 3rd dman in the NHL potentially.
- Buts16

his decision making has been a little shaky of late, but he played well last nite and some foot speed could make a big diff.

I just dont like the guys game. Im not a fan. If you are gonna get a guy who is a fringe 6/7th d-man, he better have one area that stands out, and I prefer that to be nastiness. He just drives me nuts. There is nothing about his game at all that stands out. He doesnt have good foot speed, he isnt a heady d-man.. isnt intimidating, and seems to be a liability when he is on the ice.

Idk.. just wish we had other options...
- jak521

If your expecting a veteran 6/7 35 year old defenseman signed to a 700K deal to stand out in any way, then the expectations are the issue.

How does he seem to be a liablilty on the ice? The Flyers recently blew 2 2 goal leads in the 3rd period. Lilja wasn't on the ice for any of them. The Flyers have given up 14 goals I beleive in the last 4 games. Lilja wasn't on the ice for any of them. Lilja has played 29 games. And has been a minus player for 8 of those 29 games. Has he struggles some? Of course he has, that's to be expected. But he's done what he was brought here to do.

Correct me if im mistaken but isnt the cap calculated everyday? So if they were sent down the flyers would be able to spend more at the trade deadline since they would be spending less money daily and it would add up.....
- Jack-Meoff

This is one of the very basic principals of the NHL Salary Cap. When you are using LTIR, by definition, you can't bank Cap space. So as long as they're using the LTIR exemption, whether they send them down now, or a month from now, the savings are the same.

I have to give MAB credit, he's been much better than I expected.

Yes some mistakes but for a kid who's played 25 or so NHL games out of nowhere I've been impressed.

If he can work on his skating in the off-season he can become a solid 3rd dman in the NHL potentially.
- Buts16

I don't know what to make of it but I love MAB.

I think it is the fact that he is a Flyer pick and has come through the Flyers org.

He has been better then advertised. He has been solid and at times really makes the smart headsy play versus just throwing it down the ice or up the boards.

He has had his ugly games but what player hasn't.

GO MAB GO!!!

If your expecting a veteran 6/7 35 year old defenseman signed to a 700K deal to stand out in any way, then the expectations are the issue.

How does he seem to be a liablilty on the ice? The Flyers recently blew 2 2 goal leads in the 3rd period. Lilja wasn't on the ice for any of them. The Flyers have given up 14 goals I beleive in the last 4 games. Lilja wasn't on the ice for any of them. Lilja has played 29 games. And has been a minus player for 8 of those 29 games. Has he struggles some? Of course he has, that's to be expected. But he's done what he was brought here to do.
- MJL

My expectation of him are not too high. I know he sucks, and that he is nothing more than a stop gap 7th dman playing in the top 6 simply because of injuries.

My point is that I have hated the move since day one, and still hate it today. I thought he sucked when he was with Detroit, and that was when he was in his prime. Looking at depth charts league wide, there may not be another #6 d-man I wouldnt take him over..

im really starting to get excited about schenns play and Bill is right, he should have had another goalagainst ottawa but anderson robbed him totally.

coots is playing with alot of confidence right now which is awesome, it seems he feeling his large body out there.

im really excited for these 2 and knowing the fact they are richies and carters replacments makes it even better.

My expectation of him are not too high. I know he sucks, and that he is nothing more than a stop gap 7th dman playing in the top 6 simply because of injuries.

My point is that I have hated the move since day one, and still hate it today. I thought he sucked when he was with Detroit, and that was when he was in his prime. Looking at depth charts league wide, there may not be another #6 d-man I would take him over..
- jak521

Well then it's obvious to me that you made up your mind before he even played a game and there's no objectivity there. Because he doesn't suck, and hasn't sucked. He has been exactly what he was brought in to be. I don't care what's on the depth charts league wide. I've seen players that suck, to use that term, and Lilja isn't it.

im really starting to get excited about schenns play and Bill is right, he should have had another goalagainst ottawa but anderson robbed him totally.

coots is playing with alot of confidence right now which is awesome, it seems he feeling his large body out there.

im really excited for these 2 and knowing the fact they are richies and carters replacments makes it even better.
- mydoglicks

OMG, that play in Ottawa where he got robbed drove me nuts! Great play by Anderson, but right there when we couldn't get the 5th goal to put it away, I knew we were in trouble. That and the WC game really had me frustrated with the team..

im really starting to get excited about schenns play and Bill is right, he should have had another goalagainst ottawa but anderson robbed him totally.

coots is playing with alot of confidence right now which is awesome, it seems he feeling his large body out there.

im really excited for these 2 and knowing the fact they are richies and carters replacments makes it even better.
- mydoglicks

I agree! Not to mention Schenn centering the 3rd line moved Talbot up with Briere's line and I feel Briere has been playing better since the move.
Go Flyers!

My expectation of him are not too high. I know he sucks, and that he is nothing more than a stop gap 7th dman playing in the top 6 simply because of injuries.

My point is that I have hated the move since day one, and still hate it today. I thought he sucked when he was with Detroit, and that was when he was in his prime. Looking at depth charts league wide, there may not be another #6 d-man I wouldnt take him over..
- jak521

There is a comfort zone with players and their minutes and if they play beyond their comfort zone there weeknesses wll be exposed. Now, does he suck, well each person has thier own opinion and I'm not going to bring out stats or charts to try to change your opinion. You have that right.
I think teams try to match up against him to expose his faults and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't work.
For the most part, we all will remember the poop job someone does versus the good job they will do from time to time.

Just like some didn't peg MAB to be a good pro d-man. Sometimes the system that is being played may not match up with the players abilities. So, now he may be in a system that he's more comfortable to play in and we the fans are seeing the positive results and faults at times.

Well then it's obvious to me that you made up your mind before he even played a game and there's no objectivity there. Because he doesn't suck, and hasn't sucked. He has been exactly what he was brought in to be. I don't care what's on the depth charts league wide. I've seen a player that sucks, to use that term, and Lilja isn't it.
- MJL

How am I being objective? I said in the beginning of the season that I didnt like the move but would wait to see how it panned out.. didnt think he was terrible to start, but soon there after didnt like the guys play. I understand that he is doing exactly what he was brought in to do... and that is why I dislike the move. If I were being objective I would have been bashing the guy since day one, rightfully so or not.

You can say you think he is good or doesnt suck. Thats based on your opinion.. I can also say that I would rather see someone else take his spot, because in my opinion he is by far the weakest link on defense.

There is a comfort zone with players and their minutes and if they play beyond their comfort zone there weeknesses wll be exposed. Now, does he suck, well each person has thier own opinion and I'm not going to bring out stats or charts to try to change your opinion. You have that right.
I think teams try to match up against him to expose his faults and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't work.
For the most part, we all will remember the poop job someone does versus the good job they will do from time to time.

Just like some didn't peg MAB to be a good pro d-man. Sometimes the system that is being played may not match up with the players abilities. So, now he may be in a system that he's more comfortable to play in and we the fans are seeing the positive results and faults at times.
- phi1671

Wow, a reasonable response!

I have said at times that he has done well, when I feel he has. I have never been someone to ignore the positives that I see. Unfortunately for Lilja (in my eyes) the positives have been scarce. At 700k, its not a terrible signing, but I would prefer to not have him playing at all.

How am I being objective? I said in the beginning of the season that I didnt like the move but would wait to see how it panned out.. didnt think he was terrible to start, but soon there after didnt like the guys play. I understand that he is doing exactly what he was brought in to do... and that is why I dislike the move. If I were being objective I would have been bashing the guy since day one, rightfully so or not.

You can say you think he is good or doesnt suck. Thats based on your opinion.. I can also say that I would rather see someone else take his spot, because in my opinion he is by far the weakest link on defense.
- jak521

The facts back up my opinion. The 6/7 defenseman is the weakest link on every team. That's why he's a 6/7 defenseman making 700K. He clearly doesn't suck. He has struggled at times, no doubt. But so have other players such as Meszaros in the beggining of the Season. Overall Lilja has been solid in his role, just as he was last night.

One fun fact I read a while back is that the Flyers are very close to surpassing the Habs for first in all time reg season winning % if you can imagine. Not sure the numbers, but If the Habs crap the bed, and we have another solid 100 pt plus season, that may happen.
- Hextall271

that's great and all, but the habs have 7 cups since '68. they've won those 7 cups out of 8 trips to the final. we have 2 cups. they have one of ours, which is a part of their 2/8 record.

Wow, a reasonable response!

I have said at times that he has done well, when I feel he has. I have never been someone to ignore the positives that I see. Unfortunately for Lilja (in my eyes) the positives have been scarce. At 700k, its not a terrible signing, but I would prefer to not have him playing at all.
- jak521

I'd prefer Pronger to be playing and Gustafsson healthy and in the lineup, with Lilja being the 7th, but unfortunately, that's not going to happen. So Lilja is going to have to play more. And he hasn't been a liability. Hopefully the Flyers can add a player and make an upgrade, and improve the team for the rest of the year. But until then and or if it happens, Lilja is going to have to play and help hold down the fort. And by virtue of not being on the ice for a lot of goals against, he has done just that to this point.

If your expecting a veteran 6/7 35 year old defenseman signed to a 700K deal to stand out in any way, then the expectations are the issue.

How does he seem to be a liablilty on the ice? The Flyers recently blew 2 2 goal leads in the 3rd period. Lilja wasn't on the ice for any of them. The Flyers have given up 14 goals I beleive in the last 4 games. Lilja wasn't on the ice for any of them. Lilja has played 29 games. And has been a minus player for 8 of those 29 games. Has he struggles some? Of course he has, that's to be expected. But he's done what he was brought here to do.
- MJL

overall, i'm happy with lilja. he's doing what they need him to do for the most part. i don't think we're talking modry, kraijek, parent territory here.

I don't know what to make of it but I love MAB.

I think it is the fact that he is a Flyer pick and has come through the Flyers org.

He has been better then advertised. He has been solid and at times really makes the smart headsy play versus just throwing it down the ice or up the boards.

He has had his ugly games but what player hasn't.

GO MAB GO!!!


- ggunky

mab has done a very nice job. his play has dipped a bit in recent games, but that's to be expected. do i want to go into the playoffs with him as a #6? i'd prefer a solid veteran rental because i don't want lava to shorten his bench and run his top 4 into the ground. it never works.

I didn't get to see the game last night enough to assess the overall play because my internet feed lagged pretty bad at times.
Did seem like a lot of the hurricanes shots were lobs to the net or not very good chances. When there were good chances Bob did a good job.

I am not expecting 54 points from the second half of the season due to the front 4 D guys getting worn out and the rookies hitting a bit of a wall.

I am waiting for the 1st line to get their stuff together and at least get some points against the islanders. Jagr does seem like he is hurting that line but Hartnell nor Giroux got any points off of the PP.
Not concerned overall about them they will come around.

Wow, a reasonable response!

I have said at times that he has done well, when I feel he has. I have never been someone to ignore the positives that I see. Unfortunately for Lilja (in my eyes) the positives have been scarce. At 700k, its not a terrible signing, but I would prefer to not have him playing at all.
- jak521

He's doing what he was brought in to do...the results are mixed....but he's an aging guy which I think each team needs to help out with the younger guys. His cap hit is low enough that he doesn't ruffle my feathers.
We all don't know why they didn't didn't sign OD. Maybe he wanted a raise...we don't know. At this point, i don't care...it's water under the bridge.

yeah, i'm not going to respond to tell you that your "opinion" is wrong, that's just stupid. I just take what you have to say and see where it goes...

Overall it's always easy to point out the negative, look at the news and everything around you. the first thing that comes to mind is negative crap. Just like when we talk about G, the first thing is that he hasn't scored in three games but on the positive side he's still being teamed up with the other teams top checking line. this will help the other lines gain a little more time and space.

that's great and all, but the habs have 7 cups since '68. they've won those 7 cups out of 8 trips to the final. we have 2 cups. they have one of ours, which is a part of their 2/8 record.
- hammarby31

I see your point, but for a '67 expansion franchise to be even in the same conversation even when it comes to regular season success as a team that dominated the sport for decades at a time is impressive to me. Let alone the fact that we may pass them.

We have an awful record all time in the finals. Since the mid 70's runs we just seem to not come through in the final round (granted sometimes it was due to major injuries) I wish we were more like the Oilers who I think are 5 series wins and 2 losses.

overall, i'm happy with lilja. he's doing what they need him to do for the most part. i don't think we're talking modry, kraijek, parent territory here.
- hammarby31

agreed. i have no problem with him.

OMG, that play in Ottawa where he got robbed drove me nuts! Great play by Anderson, but right there when we couldn't get the 5th goal to put it away, I knew we were in trouble. That and the WC game really had me frustrated with the team..
- Hextall271

Schenn really Carter'd that play didn't he.