Possibility that JVR won't be able to skate for like a month, and won't be in top game shape. And he'll try and play as soon as he can to help the team. And he will be criticized for his play. Similar to how players were also criticized in the recent past for playing when not being even close to 100%.
- MJL

Just following former scapegoat, Jeff Carter, with the broken foot problem.

Next we'll hear about how he doesn't use his size to his advantage.

I dont know bill there were too many games where he was invisible. That might have been becuase of his injuries and what not. To me the true indicator of his effectiveness is that the team doesnt seem to be missing a beat with out him.
- Philly1980

Just like the Bruins without Marc Savard last year. He sucks and they didn't miss him!

I dont know bill there were too many games where he was invisible. That might have been becuase of his injuries and what not. To me the true indicator of his effectiveness is that the team doesnt seem to be missing a beat with out him.
- Philly1980

The Flyers aren't exactly moving along firing on all cylinders. There is no doubt that have missed JVR and what he can bring to the ice when he's 100%.

You'll never know. And I don't get drinking coffee on an unhappy tummy. Does not compute. At least you aren't Ian Poulter.
- bodiva88

I'm having the stomach flu or something of that nature and my wife just asked me right before I read this if drinking coffee is good for me today

If the forecasts of 6-8 weeks are accurate, Flyers would have to win a round before JVR would even be a possibility. And like you said, he won't be able to skate so his conditioning level goes back to zero etc...
- PLindbergh31

first round will start 6 weeks from now (prob weds), so if they find themselves in a long series in the first round, i gotta imagine he'd be back at some point during it.

the scoring drought of briere's has me a bit concerned he won't flip the playoff switch. he's not really being effective anywhere. it's not like he's getting all these chances and being snakebitten. this team needs him to produce.

hey bro! your being a little harsh dont you think? I have no appreciation for players that are born with a silver spoon in their mouths and dont do squat...regardles of his pace you cant take out that small sampling of game and project him out to be a 30 goal scorer even if healthy....
- Philly1980

I don't care if he was born in a jungle in Africa or if he was Bill Gates' kid. If the guy can play, I'm all for keeping him.

Certainly there are scenarios where I'd be open to moving just about any player. But I try very hard not to scape goat or ride players that are underperforming. It doesn't do me any good to shred a player, be it Bryzgalov or JvR or Briere, I just pull for them to play better and help the team.

Also, JvR is 22 years old. His developmental path was a lot different from guys like Landeskog or Patrick Kane. He played in the USDP and NJ high schools, then went to UNH. He spent under 10 games in the AHL.

For comparison's sake, John LeClair had a similar developmental path, and at age 22, LeClair had played 69 NHL games and had 10 career goals. JVR had that topped at age 20.

the scoring drought of briere's has me a bit concerned he won't flip the playoff switch. he's not really being effective anywhere. it's not like he's getting all these chances and being snakebitten. this team needs him to produce.
- hammarby31

he misses pominville and hecht.

first round will start 6 weeks from now (prob weds), so if they find themselves in a long series in the first round, i gotta imagine he'd be back at some point during it.
- OrangeBlack27

Certainly possible. I don't believe any of the early forecasts anyway. Until the specialists look at him, and determine if surgery is needed etc... speculation is just that.

Who cares that JVR has been struggling this regular season. If he can come close to playing at the level he did last year in the post season I'm very happy....same thought for Briere too.

Wasn't just here, though. I know most people here were tongue-in-cheek about it.

But there were any number of idiots -- the type that angrily yell "hit somebody!" when the team has allowed 2 harmless shots in the last 10 minutes and "shoot!"when there's a maze of players and no angle for a shot -- who were popping up on other message boards, Twitter and (of course) WIP to accuse JVR of malingering the concussion.

Usually I just let that sort of stuff slide, but that made me angry. JVR didn't deserve that. Criticize his inconsistency, sure. Say the injuries are not an excuse for his so-so production, OK. But accuse him of malingering? That's way, way over the line.
- bmeltzer

Love to see that side of you Bill!

Certainly possible. I don't believe any of the early forecasts anyway. Until the specialists look at him, and determine if surgery is needed etc... speculation is just that.
- PLindbergh31

surely. fingers crossed. get well, floating underachiever!

the scoring drought of briere's has me a bit concerned he won't flip the playoff switch. he's not really being effective anywhere. it's not like he's getting all these chances and being snakebitten. this team needs him to produce.
- hammarby31

one thing i notice about briere's hot streaks in the playoffs is he seems to unload his slap shot alot. Either coming down along the wing or in the slot. always seemed to just let it go... if not a goal, would usually create rebounds for follow up chances. I feel he gets away from that at times.. but noticed him winding up more during the sharks game

If the forecasts of 6-8 weeks are accurate, Flyers would have to win a round before JVR would even be a possibility. And like you said, he won't be able to skate so his conditioning level goes back to zero etc...
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, that doesn't bode well.

the scoring drought of briere's has me a bit concerned he won't flip the playoff switch. he's not really being effective anywhere. it's not like he's getting all these chances and being snakebitten. this team needs him to produce.
- hammarby31

The thing with Briere is if he doesn't score, he brings very little else to the table. This slump is concerning. Since the concussion he's done basically nothing. He had the nice assist on Jagr's OT goal in Winnipeg and that has been it.

I don't care if he was born in a jungle in Africa or if he was Bill Gates' kid. If the guy can play, I'm all for keeping him.

Certainly there are scenarios where I'd be open to moving just about any player. But I try very hard not to scape goat or ride players that are underperforming. It doesn't do me any good to shred a player, be it Bryzgalov or JvR or Briere, I just pull for them to play better and help the team.

Also, JvR is 22 years old. His developmental path was a lot different from guys like Landeskog or Patrick Kane. He played in the USDP and NJ high schools, then went to UNH. He spent under 10 games in the AHL.

For comparison's sake, John LeClair had a similar developmental path, and at age 22, LeClair had played 69 NHL games and had 10 career goals. JVR had that topped at age 20.
- Jsaquella

So what are you saying lets wait till hes thirty to produce like leclair and in the meantime pay him now for that future production. What i was trying to say, was that he doesnt deserve the contract hes getting next year! That is all.

welcome home
- Crimsoninja

Yeah, that doesn't bode well.
- MrBuzzcut

He's missed long stretches this year and the Flyers played well. It makes another injury to a forward really compromise the depth, and there is no way they escape the next 20 games unscathed from injuries.

The timing of this injury really blows, had it happened before the trade deadline, almost assuredly Holmgren would have done something.

So what are you saying lets wait till hes thirty to produce like leclair and in the meantime pay him now for that future production. What i was trying to say, was that he doesnt deserve the contract hes getting next year! That is all.
- Philly1980

Did Homer jump the gun on term and dollars for JVR? Maybe. But it could be a gamble that really pays off if he turns out to be a consistent 35+ goal scorer at a 4.25 hit. that's 750k less per year than what James Neal just got.

Actually, he's not telling them anything today. Complete off day.
- bodiva88

Perhaps we need a tongue in cheek emoticon here as well.
JVR is going to milk his broken foot all summer to avoid himself being traded on draft day.

So what are you saying lets wait till hes thirty to produce like leclair and in the meantime pay him now for that future production. What i was trying to say, was that he doesnt deserve the contract hes getting next year! That is all.
- Philly1980

He was paid on his potential. When you sign a guy who is 22 years old and developing, you do it based on what you think he's capable of doing in the future, not necessarily what he's done in the past.

JvR has struggled this year. He's also had to deal with injuries and inconsistent line mates. He's not the first young player to have a setback in his development, and he won't be the last.

What I am saying is that it's not real smart to write a guy off at age 22, when similar players-like LeClair and Blake Wheeler-exploded into scoring stars between the ages of 24 and 26.

My main objection was to "Got to have somebody to hate"...why?

So what are you saying lets wait till hes thirty to produce like leclair and in the meantime pay him now for that future production. What i was trying to say, was that he doesnt deserve the contract hes getting next year! That is all.
- Philly1980

Actually I think he said 25... just saying

I dont know bill there were too many games where he was invisible. That might have been becuase of his injuries and what not. To me the true indicator of his effectiveness is that the team doesnt seem to be missing a beat with out him.
- Philly1980

the pens haven't really missed a beat this season without Sid......so.....

He was paid on his potential. When you sign a guy who is 22 years old and developing, you do it based on what you think he's capable of doing in the future, not necessarily what he's done in the past.

JvR has struggled this year. He's also had to deal with injuries and inconsistent line mates. He's not the first young player to have a setback in his development, and he won't be the last.

What I am saying is that it's not real smart to write a guy off at age 22, when similar players-like LeClair and Blake Wheeler-exploded into scoring stars between the ages of 24 and 26.
- Jsaquella

Im sorry i dont pay for potential....espescially for a player who last year was getting benched for his lazyness.

Blake Wheeler has blossomed into their most consistent offensive player. While it's not a given that any player fully reaches their potential, there are so many examples to draw from and stats that show he's progressed (despite battling injuries).

Just sucks that he broke his foot. Even if he can come back for the playoffs, he's going to be so rusty from not being able to skate much.
- bradleyc4

yeah this season is really becoming a wash for him. such a shame.