i don't like doing the lines-thing in here but i'm not a big fan of the blogged lines

couturier should stay with read and simmonds on the second line and voracek should move up with hartnell/giroux.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I'd be surprised if that's not the case.

It looked like he was head hunting from that angle
- Scottie Upshall

Nothing dirty or illegal about that hit. Just a real solid takeout.

Nothing dirty or illegal about that hit. Just a real solid takeout.
- MJL

I think that hit proves that the league needs to rethink the shoulder pads.

I think that hit proves that the league needs to rethink the shoulder pads.
- Scottie Upshall

It may be so, but that hit wasn't to the head, so if that caused a concussion, it wasn't from the shoulder pads being too hard.

There's an interesting article by Jeff Klein in the NY Times this morning about fighting in the NHL. It asks the question, "Does fighting help NHL teams win?".

It may be so, but that hit wasn't to the head, so if that caused a concussion, it wasn't from the shoulder pads being too hard.
- MJL

That shoulder pad looks like it hit him right under the chin

That shoulder pad looks like it hit him right under the chin
- Scottie Upshall

Possible.

There's an interesting article by Jeff Klein in the NY Times this morning about fighting in the NHL. It asks the question, "Does fighting help NHL teams win?".
- Dkos

Link?


Edit: I found it. Good article. I think it speaks the truth.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 1/22/12 vs Bruins
- bmeltzer

Relying on the rookies to this degree is really making me nervous. I can't figure out how we are going to maintain our standings position with all of these injuries. We have played just OK hockey since the Winter Classic against mediocre teams. Only flashes of brilliance here and there and G and Jags have fallen asleep ( I get Jags is injured and has been). i feel moves are coming and while we need a stay at home clear the porch D-Man, now we are getting thin up front. UGH!

looks like he got hit in the face to me

looks like he got hit in the face to me
- Don'tForgetTocchet

yep shoulder pad to the head

RIP Joe Paterno

The next few weeks will tell. After the All-Star break, the club will have Jamie Benn and Mike Ribeiro back and the club should have a healthy lineup for the first time since October. If the team does not climb back into playoff contention with the next few weeks, I think you could see some moves.

From what I've heard, about a dozen teams have asked the Stars about the availability of Nicklas Grossman. But the Stars want to re-sign him to a long-term contract before he hits the UFA market this summer.

Sheldon Souray got off to a tremendous start this season but has had injury issues and his play has really come back down to earth. Perhaps he could be moved if the Stars do not pick up after the break.

The Stars would be happy to deal Adam Pardy, who has been a bust this year, but I don't see too many teams who would want to take on his contract.

Mark Fistric is an RFA after this season. He may be available in the right deal, although he's bumped Pardy out of the starting lineup and Glen Gulutzan seems to have more faith in him than Marc Crawford did.
- bmeltzer

It's cool to have your knowledge of two NHL teams handy for questions.

Right now, I really think for the Flyers, that being prudent is the right course.

I have read some encouraging news on JvR, but he's not skating yet. Briere, obviously nobody will know for a little while anyhow. Jagr's groin injuries are becoming very worrisome.

There's a real possibility they could be missing half of their top six for a good chunk of time.

Under that scenario, that vaunted forward depth to use to address needs on defense is gone, IMO. If a trade is made, it had better address the depth up front as well as the depth of the defense.

Relying on the rookies to this degree is really making me nervous. I can't figure out how we are going to maintain our standings position with all of these injuries. We have played just OK hockey since the Winter Classic against mediocre teams. Only flashes of brilliance here and there and G and Jags have fallen asleep ( I get Jags is injured and has been). i feel moves are coming and while we need a stay at home clear the porch D-Man, now we are getting thin up front. UGH!
- section32

The Flyers even with the injuries, are still a playoff team. I completely trust Read and Couturier. I don't even look at them as Rookies. Thinking back through the Season, it's hard to come up with blatant errors that either player has made that really hurt them in a game. And I look at it this way, they are not a team for this year, they are a team of the future. And those rookies, with the experience they're gaining, is going to be a big boost in the future.

Looking forward to Cooter seeing extended 2nd line minutes/ maybe some PP time. Maybe they could throw him a bone on the PP? I know Shelley really earned his time yesterday on the unit, that was great to see
- Just5

Cooter deserves greater minutes. Although, I'd rather see Cooter playing with Simmonds and Read. Lately, he seems to have some chemistry with these guys. On the other Schenn hasn't really found his place yet. I'd throw him in with Talbot and Jake. Briere was the sniper on that line and wasn't getting it done. I think Schenn could benefit from Jake's playmaking, and Talbot provides the energy.

Cooter deserves greater minutes. Although, I'd rather see Cooter playing with Simmonds and Read. Lately, he seems to have some chemistry with these guys. On the other Schenn hasn't really found his place yet. I'd throw him in with Talbot and Jake. Briere was the sniper on that line and wasn't getting it done. I think Schenn could benefit from Jake's playmaking, and Talbot provides the energy.
- leon neon

Couturier played 18 yesterday. I think that he stays with Simmonds and read. Voracek might go up with Giroux. Who knows.

The Flyers even with the injuries, are still a playoff team. I completely trust Read and Couturier. I don't even look at them as Rookies. Thinking back through the Season, it's hard to come up with blatant errors that either player has made that really hurt them in a game. And I look at it this way, they are not a team for this year, they are a team of the future. And those rookies, with the experience they're gaining, is going to be a big boost in the future.
- MJL

They have relied heavily all year on this group of kids and they have responded. They have given little reason for me to doubt it will continue.

I agree that they are a playoff team. My sole worry is trading some of the youth for quick fixes.

They have relied heavily all year on this group of kids and they have responded. They have given little reason for me to doubt it will continue.

I agree that they are a playoff team. My sole worry is trading some of the youth for quick fixes.
- Jsaquella

personally, I think Holmgren is smarter then that then making that mistake.

It may be so, but that hit wasn't to the head, so if that caused a concussion, it wasn't from the shoulder pads being too hard.
- MJL

Hard shoulder pads still contribute to the jarring effect leading to some of these concussions

Only a matter of time before players are forced to be covered in bubble wrap when playing.

Does anyone know for sure if the baseline testing became more strict this year or is it a carry over from last?

Seems to me that these concussion issues have been there since the beginning, but with increased testing it's bringing them to light more. I am noticing league wide that most of them are occurring, not by devastating body checks, but by other means of incidental contact.

My biggest fear is watching a watered down league, not because there are too many teams, but because a large percentage of players are on the shelf due to concussion issues. Maybe the league will add a sub category to the LTIR called LTCR (C stands for concussion).

Just my opinion, but I feel a major step in resolving this is by increasing the size of the ice surface. I hate to see that happen since I love the muck & grind of the game, but if that means having a game where players aren't constantly on top of each other and watching depleted teams compete then so be it. Although I have a hard time seeing it changing for at least a decade or more to implement those changes to retro-fit or build new arenas.

personally, I think Holmgren is smarter then that then making that mistake.
- MJL

I do as well, but I worry that the fire to win may trump smarts.

Hard shoulder pads still contribute to the jarring effect leading to some of these concussions
- Just5

Sure they do.

Relying on the rookies to this degree is really making me nervous. I can't figure out how we are going to maintain our standings position with all of these injuries. We have played just OK hockey since the Winter Classic against mediocre teams. Only flashes of brilliance here and there and G and Jags have fallen asleep ( I get Jags is injured and has been). i feel moves are coming and while we need a stay at home clear the porch D-Man, now we are getting thin up front. UGH!
- section32

Its hard to deal our supposed forward depth when we have had 5 forwards out with concussions at some point this year. Just have to battle through this, at least the all star break is upon us. It sucks looking at the Bruin lineup, they've been so healthy all year

I do as well, but I worry that the fire to win may trump smarts.
- Jsaquella

What I worry about is pressure from above.

What I worry about is pressure from above.
- MJL

That would be the fire that I worry about.