you're also gonna need lundy to poop the bed the rest of the way and I just don't see him being bad for that long of a stretch. Now perhaps elliot could beat him out for it? Otherwise I'd say Bryz would be a long shot.
- JoeRussomanno

I know, it won't happen. I don't even care if he wins Vezina, I just want him to keep playing the way he has been playing.

His early struggles will hold him back from even being considered.
- stveshdy

If he posted a shutout in each of the remaining 13 games people wouldn't even remember his early struggles.

Then who was supposed to be the 6th dman then?
- JoeRussomanno

Nobody. It was up for grabs between Lilja, Gus, and Walker ( ) I'd say. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone though, in that mix.

Then who was supposed to be the 6th dman then?
- JoeRussomanno

Whoever won the job in camp. And I think they expected Gustafsson to take a large chunk of playing time. There is no way they expected Lilja to be a regular. That doesn't make sense on any level.

If he posted a shutout in each of the remaining 13 games people wouldn't even remember his early struggles.
- keatondixon

The people that vote would but us Flyer fans wouldnt.

Walker, Lilja, Gust, Marshall were all suppose to compete for that spot during camp.
- stveshdy

only gusty had an outside shot...it was liljas job to lose. they were talking up walker, but that was prob to try and get a taker for that dead weight.

only gusty had an outside shot...it was liljas job to lose. they were talking up walker, but that was prob to try and get a taker for that dead weight.
- isaiah520

Whether Lilja is or isnt the number six coming into the season doesnt matter at this point. The Flyers have depth there and Lilja cap hit is low. He is a veteran who can step in if needed.

IMO I feel they let him compete for it.

only gusty had an outside shot...it was liljas job to lose. they were talking up walker, but that was prob to try and get a taker for that dead weight.
- isaiah520

It wasn't an outside shot at all. Nor was the 6th spot Lilja's to lose. Lilja's spot was secure as the veteran 7. They had every intention of working Gustafsson into the mix. Hence his recall in late October. But his wrist injury took him out of action.

Whoever won the job in camp. And I think they expected Gustafsson to take a large chunk of playing time. There is no way they expected Lilja to be a regular. That doesn't make sense on any level.
- MJL

they signed him for 2 yrs to take o'donnell's place at least the first yr...talk about spin

they signed him for 2 yrs to take o'donnell's place at least the first yr...talk about spin
- isaiah520

There is no spin here on my part. I've been right about Lilja since day 1. You wrote him off before he even played a game for the Flyers. We've seen how it has turned out.

I'm glad he's signed for two years. He's done a nice job in his role.

Whether Lilja is or isnt the number six coming into the season doesnt matter at this point. The Flyers have depth there and Lilja cap hit is low. He is a veteran who can step in if needed.

IMO I feel they let him compete for it.
- stveshdy

lilja is the classic case of a value w/ limited exposure. thank heavens, homer added kubina and especially grossmanN

See that's why I preach amnesty for him if it is a reality. Don't get me wrong if there was no cap I probably wouldn't be whining. Just I think we might get caught in a scott gomez situation. Hope I'm wrong.
- JoeRussomanno

I dont want that

The people that vote would but us Flyer fans wouldnt.
- stveshdy

I'm looking at his gamelog now because I'm writing a piece on him for b/r, I gotta say from NOV to mid December he wasn't bad. A Few poopty games but not awful. I think that stretch of 6 games after the shuout was what really did him in. I'll still say the vancouver game where he allowed 4 wasn't all that bad by him. He did have like 2 go in off his defenseman. That was the beginning of that streak where all the flukey defelctions bit him in the but.

lilja is the classic case of a value w/ limited exposure. thank heavens, homer added kubina and especially grossmanN
- isaiah520

Lilja is the classic case of exactly what he is, and what he was brought here for. Veteran defensive depth.

lilja is the classic case of a value w/ limited exposure. thank heavens, homer added kubina and especially grossmanN
- isaiah520

Those acquisitions were huge for the Flyers. I didnt think the Flyers were true contenders until they added two defenseman and they did.

I dont want that
- bigmookalookie

yea but 6.5 mill cap hit for a guy that can barely hit 20 goals for the next 3 years is steep. It's not like he's a two way forward either. Briere is a strict one way guy.

yea but 6.5 mill cap hit for a guy that can barely hit 20 goals for the next 3 years is steep. It's not like he's a two way forward either. Briere is a strict one way guy.
- JoeRussomanno

Yeah, he has really been one of our worst defensive zone players lately.. Hard to watch him sometimes

yea but 6.5 mill cap hit for a guy that can barely hit 20 goals for the next 3 years is steep. It's not like he's a two way forward either. Briere is a strict one way guy.
- JoeRussomanno

oh yeah I agree, Its (frank)ing scary, but seems like it is going that way.

Lilja is the classic case of exactly what he is, and what he was brought here for. Veteran defensive depth.
- MJL

Lilja has done a good job. I actually like that Homer signed him for 2 yrs bc it saves you from having to find another veteran yet again in the offseason. They know what they have in Lilja for next season as well.

lilja is the classic case of a value w/ limited exposure. thank heavens, homer added kubina and especially grossmanN
- isaiah520

I'm just thankful to not have to watch Parent and Krajicek...

Lilja has done a good job. I actually like that Homer signed him for 2 yrs bc it saves you from having to find another veteran yet again in the offseason. They know what they have in Lilja for next season as well.
- stveshdy

Exactly. He is cost effective, and fills the role nicely.

I'm just thankful to not have to watch Parent and Krajicek...
- keatondixon

yea, not so good times

I'm just thankful to not have to watch Parent and Krajicek...
- keatondixon

Im actually disappointed that Bartulis couldnt turn the corner after his injury. I thought he had some potential to be a solid 3rd pairing defenseman in the NHL. Since the injury his game has tailed downwards.

Im actually disappointed that Bartulis couldnt turn the corner after his injury. I thought he had some potential to be a solid 3rd pairing defenseman in the NHL. Since the injury his game has tailed downwards.
- stveshdy

between gusty, bourdon and maybe even manning, the flyers have some decent 3rd pairing candidates. replacing carle will be problematic as he has developed into a solid top 4 guy who will likely fetch ~ 5.5MM per.

Makes sense. He's a good player. It's a shame he couldn't hang with the big boys instead of that pylon Lilja
- Giroux_Is_God

Lilja looked pretty solid tonight