Not much reaction to losing Mezzy for the rest of the year...

Is he that out of favor? Or does the collective HB conscience just feel its not that important given the way Gusty and others (i.e. MAB / Manning) have filled in?
- dcflyerfan71

He's already been out 9 games, and to be honest there's been zero reported progress, so nobody's been expecting him back soon.

We've seen updates and progress from Talbot, Kubina and even Lilja. Meszaros has always been indefinite. Plus, at 6-2-1 since he went down, it hasn't been huge problem.

That said, they sure could use the depth in the playoffs. Lilja has played solidly before getting hurt. Gus is a rookie and is experiencing some ups and downs. Manning hasn't been seen enough, despite the encouraging early returns. MAB has a concussion, so he's not an option right now.

My two biggest concerns are Briere providing consistent secondary offense and the defensive depth

Wait, what happened to who now?
- funmaster18

Meszaros -

surgery to remove a "small bone fragment." He'll go under the knife on Wednesday and will miss 6-to-8 weeks, according to the team.

I'm going on record as saying as goes the rest of the Penguins games, so goes the winner of the atlantic.

If Flyers Sweep the last 2 games with the Penguins, Flyers will win the Atlantic.

If Penguins win the last 2, Penguins win the Atlantic.

If they split, the Rangers will win the Atlantic...
- RooNosHockey

I'd say Flyers need to with both remaining games with the Pens -- both of which will be in Pittsburgh -- and the remaining game with the Rangers (at MSG). That's going to be mighty tough to do, but you never know.

I'm going on record as saying as goes the rest of the Penguins games, so goes the winner of the atlantic.

If Flyers Sweep the last 2 games with the Penguins, Flyers will win the Atlantic.

If Penguins win the last 2, Penguins win the Atlantic.

If they split, the Rangers will win the Atlantic...
- RooNosHockey

If the Flyers take care of business for the rest of March-and I mean 8 points or better in the next 6 games-then I agree.

Meszaros -

surgery to remove a "small bone fragment." He'll go under the knife on Wednesday and will miss 6-to-8 weeks, according to the team.
- dcflyerfan71

Ouch. At least it happened now so the youngin's can get more practice. Good thing they got Grossman AND Kubina.

http://tsn.ca/blogs/kerry_fraser/?id=390862

Interesting...
- phi1671

off course. it was an idiotic non-call by the ref and the league. seems like they don't even understand their own rule book language

He's already been out 9 games, and to be honest there's been zero reported progress, so nobody's been expecting him back soon.

We've seen updates and progress from Talbot, Kubina and even Lilja. Meszaros has always been indefinite. Plus, at 6-2-1 since he went down, it hasn't been huge problem.

That said, they sure could use the depth in the playoffs. Lilja has played solidly before getting hurt. Gus is a rookie and is experiencing some ups and downs. Manning hasn't been seen enough, despite the encouraging early returns. MAB has a concussion, so he's not an option right now.

My two biggest concerns are Briere providing consistent secondary offense and the defensive depth
- Jsaquella

The way I see it, even when fully healthy this year, Meszaros taketh and Meszaros giveth away. When he plays aggressively within the game plan, he's extremely effective. But when he plays out of control taking all sorts of foolish gambles (both in the physical and offensive department) and his shots are flying wildly all over the place, he can be a detriment.

If the Flyers take care of business for the rest of March-and I mean 8 points or better in the next 6 games-then I agree.
- Jsaquella

Do you recall the biggest lead the Rags had on the Flyers in the standings this season?

Ouch. At least it happened now so the youngin's can get more practice. Good thing they got GrossmanN AND Kubina.
- funmaster18

"What I absolutely don't like on this hit by Niklas Kronwall is that Kronwall didn't just turn his back to make an exceptionally hard check on a vulnerable player but elevated his entire torso to the point that when contact was made both of Kronwall's skates were off the ice."
-Kerry Fraser

Thats exactly what I was angry about.
- jak521

Here is the whole post.

On the other play you questioned, as Jakub Voracek turned and moved up the side wall with the puck he was exposed to a hit. Using Steve Tambellini's philosophy, Voracek must take some responsibility to be aware of his environment but so must his attacker.

What I absolutely don't like on this hit by Niklas Kronwall is that Kronwall didn't just turn his back to make an exceptionally hard check on a vulnerable player but elevated his entire torso to the point that when contact was made both of Kronwall's skates were off the ice. By utilizing this elevation Voracek's head became the principle point of contact as Kronwall snuck a peek and drove his left shoulder into the jaw of Voracek. Voracek's hands reached for the sky as he lay on his back not knowing where he was in the moment.

By plain and simple definition this is an illegal check to the head as defined in rule 48; "A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted."

If any minor alteration in body posture by Jakub Voracek immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit is used as a loop hole to avoid the penalty or further action, I say rubbish. The fact that Kronwall elevates and checks up with skates off the ice at impact demonstrates to me that the head area of Voracek was the intended target. (Even if it wasn't it became the principal point of contact).This kind of checking culture must stop. Legal checks must be delivered below the neck of an opponent. Incidents such as this must be dealt with on a consistent basis on and off the ice.

All inconsistency does is create confusion! Wouldn't you agree "Signed Confused?"

He's already been out 9 games, and to be honest there's been zero reported progress, so nobody's been expecting him back soon.

We've seen updates and progress from Talbot, Kubina and even Lilja. Meszaros has always been indefinite. Plus, at 6-2-1 since he went down, it hasn't been huge problem.

That said, they sure could use the depth in the playoffs. Lilja has played solidly before getting hurt. Gus is a rookie and is experiencing some ups and downs. Manning hasn't been seen enough, despite the encouraging early returns. MAB has a concussion, so he's not an option right now.

My two biggest concerns are Briere providing consistent secondary offense and the defensive depth
- Jsaquella

and mezzy could be back if we advance in the playoffs far enuf...

- isaiah520

- isaiah520

I noticed on sunday he's got both N's on his jersy now. I'm probably the last to see this, but good stuff.

and mezzy could be back if we advance in the playoffs far enuf...
- isaiah520

Really with Grossmann and when Kubina comes back Meszaros was argueable the 6th D-man... I like Mesz, but its not as big a loss once Kubina comes back.

I noticed on sunday he's got both N's on his jersy now. I'm probably the last to see this, but good stuff.
- BulliesPhan87

He had to earn the second N and damn it, has he ever!

Here is the whole post.

On the other play you questioned, as Jakub Voracek turned and moved up the side wall with the puck he was exposed to a hit. Using Steve Tambellini's philosophy, Voracek must take some responsibility to be aware of his environment but so must his attacker.

What I absolutely don't like on this hit by Niklas Kronwall is that Kronwall didn't just turn his back to make an exceptionally hard check on a vulnerable player but elevated his entire torso to the point that when contact was made both of Kronwall's skates were off the ice. By utilizing this elevation Voracek's head became the principle point of contact as Kronwall snuck a peek and drove his left shoulder into the jaw of Voracek. Voracek's hands reached for the sky as he lay on his back not knowing where he was in the moment.

By plain and simple definition this is an illegal check to the head as defined in rule 48; "A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted."

If any minor alteration in body posture by Jakub Voracek immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit is used as a loop hole to avoid the penalty or further action, I say rubbish. The fact that Kronwall elevates and checks up with skates off the ice at impact demonstrates to me that the head area of Voracek was the intended target. (Even if it wasn't it became the principal point of contact).This kind of checking culture must stop. Legal checks must be delivered below the neck of an opponent. Incidents such as this must be dealt with on a consistent basis on and off the ice.

All inconsistency does is create confusion! Wouldn't you agree "Signed Confused?"
- RooNosHockey

Not to open up this can of worms, but I agree whole heartedly with Fraser. Shanahan blew this one. But it's going to happen occasionally. We saw a similar hit in the Boston game against Thornton I beleive by Coburn. Coburn did it legally in hitting a vulnerable player and avoided the head.

Here is the whole post.


- RooNosHockey

Why? He obviously read it...

Why? He obviously read it...
- tangent_man

So everyone else could read it, IMO he left out the best part...

Here is the whole post.

On the other play you questioned, as Jakub Voracek turned and moved up the side wall with the puck he was exposed to a hit. Using Steve Tambellini's philosophy, Voracek must take some responsibility to be aware of his environment but so must his attacker.

What I absolutely don't like on this hit by Niklas Kronwall is that Kronwall didn't just turn his back to make an exceptionally hard check on a vulnerable player but elevated his entire torso to the point that when contact was made both of Kronwall's skates were off the ice. By utilizing this elevation Voracek's head became the principle point of contact as Kronwall snuck a peek and drove his left shoulder into the jaw of Voracek. Voracek's hands reached for the sky as he lay on his back not knowing where he was in the moment.

By plain and simple definition this is an illegal check to the head as defined in rule 48; "A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted."

If any minor alteration in body posture by Jakub Voracek immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit is used as a loop hole to avoid the penalty or further action, I say rubbish. The fact that Kronwall elevates and checks up with skates off the ice at impact demonstrates to me that the head area of Voracek was the intended target. (Even if it wasn't it became the principal point of contact).This kind of checking culture must stop. Legal checks must be delivered below the neck of an opponent. Incidents such as this must be dealt with on a consistent basis on and off the ice.

All inconsistency does is create confusion! Wouldn't you agree "Signed Confused?"
- RooNosHockey

Thanks, but I read it and was just quoting that one part in particular..

Not much reaction to losing Mezzy for the rest of the year...

Is he that out of favor? Or does the collective HB conscience just feel its not that important given the way Gusty and others (i.e. MAB / Manning) have filled in?
- dcflyerfan71

I think maybe people are immune ti the injuries that there has been so many. But make no mistake about it, neither of those players you mention can replace Meszaros. They can fill in, but not replace him. Luckily with the additions of Grossmann and Kubina, when he comes back. They have the depth to withstand iit.

The way I see it, even when fully healthy this year, Meszaros taketh and Meszaros giveth away. When he plays aggressively within the game plan, he's extremely effective. But when he plays out of control taking all sorts of foolish gambles (both in the physical and offensive department) and his shots are flying wildly all over the place, he can be a detriment.
- bmeltzer

He is an inconsistent player, no question. That said, I'd rather him be healthy so he's an option than have to turn to a rookie.

It would be great if he was able to find consistency with a new partner, like Coburn has with Grossmann.

Do you recall the biggest lead the Rags had on the Flyers in the standings this season?
- funmaster18

I believe it was 11 points.

Really with Grossmann and when Kubina comes back Meszaros was argueable the 6th D-man... I like Mesz, but its not as big a loss once Kubina comes back.
- RooNosHockey

It absolutely is a big loss. It's taken a top 4 quality 2 way defenseman out of the lineup. Regardless of what number is arbitrarily assigned to him.

Not to open up this can of worms, but I agree whole heartedly with Fraser. Shanahan blew this one. But it's going to happen occasionally. We saw a similar hit in the Boston game against Thornton I beleive by Coburn. Coburn did it legally in hitting a vulnerable player and avoided the head.
- MJL

Legal checks must be delivered below the neck of an opponent. Incidents such as this must be dealt with on a consistent basis on and off the ice.

This is the key to the whole thing. They want to stop head shots, they're gonna have to start calling/suspending every hit above the shoulders.

Good luck with that, however.

It absolutely is a big loss. It's taken a top 4 quality 2 way defenseman out of the lineup. Regardless of what number is arbitrarily assigned to him.
- MJL

Yea I agree.. i dont get that rationale.

Also, in the playoff injuries happen. With a healthy Meszy.. if a guy like Coburn or Timonen were to go down.. he would (imo) be the guy to fill that role... Thats lost now. Losing Meszy is huge, regardless of how the other guys have played.