It's become hard to clear the porch in today's NHL. Refs call too many penalties for roughing or cross-checking on what used to be let go. Also, the types of defensemen that do it well -- the Derian Hatcher or Jason Smith types -- are often considered too slow to keep up with the speed of the game today against other teams' top scoring lines. If the Flyers went in that direction, the complaints would shift back to "this D is too slow."

Also, Coburn and Meszaros are pretty strong down low when they are on their games.

More than anything else, I think the Flyers need fewer turnovers on attempting clearing passes and consistent commitment to team D -- which is as much on the forwards as the defensemen.
- bmeltzer

This is all true, but I feel our D men are not doing a good enough job of tying up guys in front of our net. There are ways to use your body and stick without getting penalized and still make a good play. It seems to me that too many of our D do not get/stay in good position to do this.

Or they can trade him for a guy who has been out with a concussion for two weeks, like Victor Hedman
- Jsaquella

I personally believe Bob could be the Lindbergh 2.0. I don't feel he's that right now but if Im wrong so be it. However my saying trade him for that guy was facetious. I definitely wouldn't do that 2real said he would. I think everyone needs to relax with this. If Bob can get an average of 30 starts a season there's no reason to think he won't develop into what i said. Pelle averaged 25 starts a year before his Vezina season.

This is all true, but I feel our D men are not doing a good enough job of tying up guys in front of our net. There are ways to use your body and stick without getting penalized and still make a good play. It seems to me that too many of our D do not get/stay in good position to do this.
- rockychocbill

That is a microchosim of the breakdowns on the team. I wrote a long post about this yesterday. It's hard to get good position defensively when turnovers are created, leading to extended attack time in your zone.

This is all true, but I feel our D men are not doing a good enough job of tying up guys in front of our net. There are ways to use your body and stick without getting penalized and still make a good play. It seems to me that too many of our D do not get/stay in good position to do this.
- rockychocbill

Plenty of times its forwards letting the other team skate freely. The richards goal in the wc is a prime example.

Plenty of times its forwards letting the other team skate freely. The richards goal in the wc is a prime example.
- JoeRussomanno

Defenseman are outnumbered at the goal, how do you seal them off and get good position?

It's become hard to clear the porch in today's NHL. Refs call too many penalties for roughing or cross-checking on what used to be let go. Also, the types of defensemen that do it well -- the Derian Hatcher or Jason Smith types -- are often considered too slow to keep up with the speed of the game today against other teams' top scoring lines. If the Flyers went in that direction, the complaints would shift back to "this D is too slow."

Also, Coburn and Meszaros are pretty strong down low when they are on their games.

More than anything else, I think the Flyers need fewer turnovers on attempting clearing passes and consistent commitment to team D -- which is as much on the forwards as the defensemen.
- bmeltzer

puck movers who can withstand the physicality and pressure of the playoffs are more valuable in today's game. give me a plyr w/ a calm demeanor and superior hockey sense over the old bruiser any day.

I personally believe Bob could be the Lindbergh 2.0. I don't feel he's that right now but if Im wrong so be it. However my saying trade him for that guy was facetious. I definitely wouldn't do that 2real said he would. I think everyone needs to relax with this. If Bob can get an average of 30 starts a season there's no reason to think he won't develop into what i said. Pelle averaged 25 starts a year before his Vezina season.
- JoeRussomanno

Similar to bringing Couturier along with limited minutes.

People are frustrated at the lack of consistency in Bryzgalov's game right now. I'm sure the calls for the backup to get more time would be a bit different if it was Leighton.

Not sure if this was posted?

Phantoms launch new website
Site includes webcam, season ticket, sponsorship information.

http://www.phantomsarena.com/

http://www.mcall.com/news...-20120116,0,4227629.story

I personally believe Bob could be the Lindbergh 2.0. I don't feel he's that right now but if Im wrong so be it. However my saying trade him for that guy was facetious. I definitely wouldn't do that 2real said he would. I think everyone needs to relax with this. If Bob can get an average of 30 starts a season there's no reason to think he won't develop into what i said. Pelle averaged 25 starts a year before his Vezina season.
- JoeRussomanno

I think Bob's a very talented kid who could be a very good starting goalie for a long time. I don't know if he'll ever be a Vezina winner, but he's got talent and work ethic, and managed to overcome not being drafted by a NHL team. Whether it's here or elsewhere, he's got a bright future.

I wouldn't trade for anyone who is currently out with a concussion, simply because you don't know what you are getting. I also doubt that Hedman is available, unless you're offering something massive in return.

As for the length of Bryzgalov's stay, if he rebounds and becomes the goalie that he was in Phoenix, I could see him staying quite a long time. If not, who knows.

Similar to bringing Couturier along with limited minutes.

People are frustrated at the lack of consistency in Bryzgalov's game right now. I'm sure the calls for the backup to get more time would be a bit different if it was Leighton.
- tangent_man

bryzgalov leighton.. same poopty numbers and yet bob out plays both

Defenseman are outnumbered at the goal, how do you seal them off and get good position?
- MJL

Im not sure what you mean, MJL but my last comment wasn't trying to debate yours but reinforce it. The defensemen are outnumbered at the net, I understand that. It's a team effort and was trying to reinforce that.

I think Bob's a very talented kid who could be a very good starting goalie for a long time. I don't know if he'll ever be a Vezina winner, but he's got talent and work ethic, and managed to overcome not being drafted by a NHL team. Whether it's here or elsewhere, he's got a bright future.

I wouldn't trade for anyone who is currently out with a concussion, simply because you don't know what you are getting. I also doubt that Hedman is available, unless you're offering something massive in return.

As for the length of Bryzgalov's stay, if he rebounds and becomes the goalie that he was in Phoenix, I could see him staying quite a long time. If not, who knows.
- Jsaquella

I hope Bob can stay and we can get about 5-6 good years out of Bryz.

I hope Bob can stay and we can get about 5-6 good years out of Bryz.
- JoeRussomanno

As long as both are here, I'll root for both. I'd love to keep both and have both play great.

Not sure how doable that will be long term. Bob's going to want to be a starter. The Flyers will control his rights, but he could easily go to the KHL to force their hand, or demand a trade.

I just don't see him willing to wait 5 or 6 years to get a shot. I'd guess he doesn't want to wait 3 or 4 either.

I hope Bob can stay and we can get about 5-6 good years out of Bryz.
- JoeRussomanno

bob will be old by then

puck movers who can withstand the physicality and pressure of the playoffs are more valuable in today's game. give me a plyr w/ a calm demeanor and superior hockey sense over the old bruiser any day.
- isaiah520

That's really the game today. It's a skating passing game. We need a Crease clearer is the new catch phrase now. That's not what we really need. Now that doesn't mean they can't use a defenseman. They can. But clearing the crease is not the issue. Puck management and team defense, along with subpar goaltending is.

If anyone wants to see an example of this, take a look at the last game. Look at the Kostitysin goal, and watch Timonen. If the initial shot didn't score, how would Timonen have cleared the crease? Tackle the guy, cross check, or push him out. As Bill said, it would likely lead to a penalty. But realize why the Predator was able to get inside position on Timonen.
Then watch the Spaling goal highlight. And watch how the Preds are skating up ice 3 on 2, with 3 Flyers forwards trailing the play, and free reign to skate the puck in a straight line through the neutral zone, right to the net. How were the defenseman going to clear the porch there, if there was a rebound? Again what, tackle them going to the net? Not going to happen.
The issues Bill mentioned are the problem. And adding a "crease clearing" defenseman, isn't going to change much if the other problems aren't changed.

Im not sure what you mean, MJL but my last comment wasn't trying to debate yours but reinforce it. The defensemen are outnumbered at the net, I understand that. It's a team effort and was trying to reinforce that.
- JoeRussomanno

My comment was also meant to reinforce your comment. My question was rhetorical.

bob will be old by then
- 2Real

Indeed, a decrepit 28 years old

Indeed, a decrepit 28 years old
- BulliesPhan87

yup that's old

That's really the game today. It's a skating passing game. We need a Crease clearer is the new catch phrase now. That's not what we really need. Now that doesn't mean they can't use a defenseman. They can. But clearing the crease is not the issue. Puck management and team defense, along with subpar goaltending is.

If anyone wants to see an example of this, take a look at the last game. Look at the Kostitysin goal, and watch Timonen. If the initial shot didn't score, how would Timonen have cleared the crease? Tackle the guy, cross check, or push him out. As Bill said, it would likely lead to a penalty. But realize why the Predator was able to get inside position on Timonen.
Then watch the Spaling goal highlight. And watch how the Preds are skating up ice 3 on 2, with 3 Flyers forwards trailing the play, and free reign to skate the puck in a straight line through the neutral zone, right to the net. How were the defenseman going to clear the porch there, if there was a rebound? Again what, tackle them going to the net? Not going to happen.
The issues Bill mentioned are the problem. And adding a "crease clearing" defenseman, isn't going to change much if the other problems aren't changed.
- MJL

It's a very good point. I have been guilty of using the crease clearer term. What I'd like to see is a guy who will prevent forwards from getting inside position down low on set shots, that come from being in the offensive zone, rather than transitional plays.

Like the last loss against the Sens, the second goal, where Bryzgalov was in the crease with two Ottawa forwards...A Hal Gill in that kind of situation would have been nice.

Wayne Fish reporting that Betts wants to sit down and discuss his future with the Flyers brass. He wants to return this year.

As long as both are here, I'll root for both. I'd love to keep both and have both play great.

Not sure how doable that will be long term. Bob's going to want to be a starter. The Flyers will control his rights, but he could easily go to the KHL to force their hand, or demand a trade.

I just don't see him willing to wait 5 or 6 years to get a shot. I'd guess he doesn't want to wait 3 or 4 either.
- Jsaquella

Oh no doubt. But wasn't part of this bryzgalov fiasco because Bob told them he wasn't ready? Not sure if that was true or not, if so I'd say he's willing to pay his dues. furthermore what good will going to the KHL do? he's still getting as many starts here as he would over there, no?

Wayne Fish reporting that Betts wants to sit down and discuss his future with the Flyers brass. He wants to return this year.
- Jsaquella

They could use him.

Oh no doubt. But wasn't part of this bryzgalov fiasco because Bob told them he wasn't ready? Not sure if that was true or not, if so I'd say he's willing to pay his dues.
- JoeRussomanno

My recollection is that Bob had some confidence issues in the playoffs, and Laviolette reacted by forgetting he existed and Snider told Holmgren that he wanted the goalie spot addressed once and for all.

From the very first, this year, Bob has said he's playing to be the number one.

As far as the KHL threat, that's how Varlamov forced a trade. He felt that he should be the starter in DC, and after they signed Vokoun, he told them he'd go play in Russia. So they moved him.

Wayne Fish reporting that Betts wants to sit down and discuss his future with the Flyers brass. He wants to return this year.
- Jsaquella

think about how good the Habs would have been this year.

think about how good the Habs would have been this year.
- wilsonecho91

If his shoulder is OK and he can win faceoffs...I'd keep him