I felt Briere didn't play well for most of the game, in fact at one point, I said he was a liability...but then came OT and the Big Game Hunter emerged.
- Jsaquella

I think he's still searching for a line. He just doesn't seem confident and comfortable on the ice.

talbot is still day to day, correct?
- Crimsoninja

To my knowledge, yes.

I've been watching alot of their games and while secondary scoring is a big problem I don't think it's their biggest problem. When Hank isn't playing, or playing well, they are not that good. Add to that their defense hasn't been nearly as good as it was at the start of the year and you have a 5th place team ripe for a first round exit. Or at least I hope.
- canadianpenfan

They also seem to be trying to give Girardi a bit of a break. He's been playing about 5-7 fewer minutes than he was through the first few months, when he was seeing almost 30 a night. Lately he's been playing 22-24 pretty consistently.

I think he's still searching for a line. He just doesn't seem confident and comfortable on the ice.
- phi1671

I will be surprised if he doesn't have some kind of injury announced when the season ends.

The team game is something to behold right now. Everything seems to be coming together beautifully. After yesterday, I'm really ready for playoffs hockey.
- BulliesPhan87

im exited too bro. but they did get pretty dominated for 40 mins yesterday. i realize bryz played awesome but they still have alot of work to do...

Just the way he worded it like it was just Crosby and Letang for a few games...

The state of Pennsylvania has been ravaged all year. Good teams push through
- canadianpenfan

Bill tweeted yesterday that the rest of the east has to be hoping for a keystone state showdown in the first round. Nobody would want to play either team.

The Flyers have D-Man depth regardless if it's Gus, MAB and now Manning. That's a step in the right direction.
MAB is hurt right now and Gus is already up. Barts is also hurt but would need to pass through re-entry waivers. So, the call went to Manning.

/Lieght
- phi1671

I've only seen a few games this year, but I thought Blake Kessel looked pretty good in the few that I saw. Don't know when we'll see him called up, if ever. He really tops out as a bottom pairing guy, but who know's.

I think he's still searching for a line. He just doesn't seem confident and comfortable on the ice.
- phi1671

Bill, do you think the slow starts have anything to do with overall amount of young guys on the team?

All I'm going to say is Nicklas Grossmann was a huge pick up for the Flyers.
- roenick97

Bill had been tootin' that horn all year saying they should get him. What an awesome pick up and spot on analysis by Bill. Need to resign him.

They also seem to be trying to give Girardi a bit of a break. He's been playing about 5-7 fewer minutes than he was through the first few months, when he was seeing almost 30 a night. Lately he's been playing 22-24 pretty consistently.
- Jsaquella

For a guy that blocks as many shots and hits as much as he does, I found it incredible he was playing 30 minutes a night.

New Pens blog up I'm sure you'll all enjoy

im exited too bro. but they did get pretty dominated for 40 mins yesterday. i realize bryz played awesome but they still have alot of work to do...
- Crimsoninja

Yeah, they were weak through most of the first 40. In fact, they were deservedly booed off the ice after the second period. The result would show why they play at least sixty minutes.

They also seem to be trying to give Girardi a bit of a break. He's been playing about 5-7 fewer minutes than he was through the first few months, when he was seeing almost 30 a night. Lately he's been playing 22-24 pretty consistently.
- Jsaquella

Is it possible Staal made them worse? He's had a rough year.

For a guy that blocks as many shots and hits as much as he does, I found it incredible he was playing 30 minutes a night.
- mochoson

Yeah, that kid is a warrior...that's what really sucked about 24/7...I found I actually liked most of the guys on the Rangers

Bourdon is not and has never been a good skater. I don't know that isn't blatantly obvious. It was easily the biggest deficiency in his game when he was drafted and it's still nothing to sneeze at. I will say that since his Junior career has ended, his skating has gotten much better.

He just has a really awkward stride and no real foot-speed. While their are dmen who are just as bad or even worse skaters then Bourdon with established, full-time roles in the NHL now, I just don't see him ever being one of them. I'd love for him to prove me wrong though. He is certainly still young enough.

As for Manning, isn't that why any AHL dmen is called up? Because of injuries? The Flyers have had plenty of dmen miss time with injuries since he was drafted. Him not earning a call-up until this year is prove enough why. He's had a rough start to his pro-career thus far.
- mochoson

You used the time in thier career of when Bourdon and Manning were recalled. The only reason Manning had even a chance of being recalled this year, in his first Pro Season is due to the number of injuries that they've had on the backend.

There is no issue with Bourdon's skating that is going to keep him out of the NHL. I disagree completely that he lacks foot speed or is an awkward skater. I haven't seen that in his time this year with the Flyers. In fact Bourdon has shown this year, that he certainly has potential to be an NHL defenseman.

Is it possible Staal made them worse? He's had a rough year.
- canadianpenfan

It is possible. The amount of time he missed has definitely hampered his game and conditioning. That said, they played well for a bit after he returned.

Thanks Jsaq.







http://www.theglobeandmai...to-injury/article2342449/


- canadianpenfan

Get a more up to date article.. that was from Feb 17.. Since we have had at least 5 players out per game... I'm not saying you guys dont have more, but it is damn close...

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Comeback Kids
- bmeltzer

You used the time in thier career of when Bourdon and Manning were recalled. The only reason Manning had even a chance of being recalled this year, in his first Pro Season is due to the number of injuries that they've had on the backend.

There is no issue with Bourdon's skating that is going to keep him out of the NHL. I disagree completely that he lacks foot speed or is an awkward skater. I haven't seen that in his time this year with the Flyers. In fact Bourdon has shown this year, that he certainly has potential to be an NHL defenseman.
- MJL

Agree to disagree, friend.

- 2Real

This is the only good post you'll ever make in your life. Promise.

button and jaffee just awarded the pens the cup on nhl network. season's over, boys.

Yeah, that kid is a warrior...that's what really sucked about 24/7...I found I actually liked most of the guys on the Rangers
- Jsaquella

This is interesting. I think I hate the Rangers more then I did before 24/7. For me it's always been the Devils and then the Pens but now because of all the lead up to the Winter Classic, I hate the Rangers.

Dubinsky, Avery and Rupp are guys I want nowhere near this team at any points of their careers. Brian Boyle, Ryan Callahan and Henrik Lundqvist seem rather likeable.

This is the only good post you'll ever make in your life. Promise.
- mochoson

i know you're just kitten so i'll let this one slide

I wasn't gonna touch that one. Both the Flyers and Pens have been beat to Hell this season.
- Jsaquella

Apparently the flyers are only 11th in the league in man games lost? Would have thought it was more? We may have more individuals that have sustained injuries than other teams though.

i know you're just kitten so i'll let this one slide
- 2Real

Ok meow that's enough