I love this young group of Flyers.  Reed, Scheen, Couturier, Simmonds, Voracek make up the best group of young Flyers forwards of my lifetime possibly.  I can't wait for vanRiemsdyk to get back on the ice and provide the team with even more depth.  I hope that in the offseason, the Flyers dump Briere and his $8 million dollar cap hit somewhere else. His cap hit after this season would go down to $3 million if he was on another team.  $8 mil for him is not worth keeping him around, but $3 mil would be a steal if he went to another team.  I know he has a NTC but they should see if he would be open for making a list of suiters.  With Jagr being 40, they sure could use another top line forward next year.  Zach Parise or Rick Nash would obviously be a great addition.  
- TonyBazz

Something tells me MJL will have something to say about this comment.

I love this young group of Flyers.  Reed, Scheen, Couturier, Simmonds, Voracek make up the best group of young Flyers forwards of my lifetime possibly.  I can't wait for vanRiemsdyk to get back on the ice and provide the team with even more depth.  I hope that in the offseason, the Flyers dump Briere and his $8 million dollar cap hit somewhere else. His cap hit after this season would go down to $3 million if he was on another team.  $8 mil for him is not worth keeping him around, but $3 mil would be a steal if he went to another team.  I know he has a NTC but they should see if he would be open for making a list of suiters.  With Jagr being 40, they sure could use another top line forward next year.  Zach Parise or Rick Nash would obviously be a great addition.  
- TonyBazz

Two things. First of all Briere's Cap hit isn't 8M, it's 6.5M. And his Cap hit would not go down to 3M if he was on another team. It would still be 6.5M.

It certainly is high. I consider Toews to be the best 2 way forward in the NHL. He can dominate at both ends of the ice. We've already seen what Couturier's defensive checking game is like. We'll see if his offensive skills develop in the NHL, and what the ceiling is there.
- MJL

What do you think Couturier's offensive game will be around (points per year)?

Something tells me MJL will have something to sat about this comment.
- roenick97

Oh yeah I'm sorry $6.5. Still way too much for 16 goals.

What do you think Couturier's offensive game will be around (points per year)?
- stveshdy

I'm hoping he can be a player who can put up around 70 pts or so. Just to be clear, that may be the high side of his potential. You just never know how that's going to go. But he has that ability.

Oh yeah I'm sorry $6.5. Still way too much for 16 goals.
- TonyBazz

But it's not way too much for a top playoff scorer.

I'm hoping he can be a player who can put up around 70 pts or so. Just to be clear, that may be the high side of his potential. You just never know how that's going to go. But he has that ability.
- MJL

Thats about where I had him at. I can see him hitting 80 points if things go his way. We are talking about a 19 year old kid. His offensive game needs to develop more at the NHL level but what kid at that age doesn't (minus the elite guys)?

But it's not way too much for a top playoff scorer.
- MJL

I agree if he lights it up in the post season I will withdraw my statement. He always does, but he looks bad this year besides last night. I say send him to Toronto.

I agree if he lights it up in the post season I will withdraw my statement. He always does, but he looks bad this year besides last night. I say send him to Toronto.
- TonyBazz

If it were only that easy.

I agree if he lights it up in the post season I will withdraw my statement. He always does, but he looks bad this year besides last night. I say send him to Toronto.
- TonyBazz

So why jump the gun? And Briere isn't going to agree to go to Toronto.

I agree if he lights it up in the post season I will withdraw my statement. He always does, but he looks bad this year besides last night. I say send him to Toronto.
- TonyBazz

It's been a rough season for building chemistry. Once we're healthy, a game or two later another player gets hurt. We're lucky to be where we are in the standings. If you're impressed with out line up now, wait until playoffs. JvR should be ready for the first round and Meszaros should be good to go in the middle of the second (Should we get that far).

It's been a rough season for building chemistry. Once we're health, a game or two later another player gets hurt. We're lucky to be where we are in the standings. If you're impressed with out line up now, wait until playoffs. JvR should be ready for the first round and Meszaros should be good to go in the middle of the second (Should we get that far).
- roenick97

I wouldn't expect a whole lot out of JVR in the playoffs.

And from what I've read, Meszaros' season is over.

It will sure be interesting how things shake out for the first round matchup. I'm hoping its the Pens in the first round. Love me a good Pens playoff series its been too long.

I wouldn't expect a whole lot out of JVR in the playoffs.
- MJL

Or Mez for that matter.

I agree if he lights it up in the post season I will withdraw my statement. He always does, but he looks bad this year besides last night. I say send him to Toronto.
- TonyBazz

This is the part of the conversation where Briere's NMC and his family situation come into play. I don't think he's going anywhere.

It's been a rough season for building chemistry. Once we're healthy, a game or two later another player gets hurt. We're lucky to be where we are in the standings. If you're impressed with out line up now, wait until playoffs. JvR should be ready for the first round and Meszaros should be good to go in the middle of the second (Should we get that far).
- roenick97

Guys will go down certainly in the playoffs, I expect one more Jagroin at least. Just hope its not your big guns

Thats about where I had him at. I can see him hitting 80 points if things go his way. We are talking about a 19 year old kid. His offensive game needs to develop more at the NHL level but what kid at that age doesn't (minus the elite guys)?
- stveshdy

It's a circle of life in the NHL. The older talents such as Briere and Timonen retire around the time the younger talents mature enough to play to their potential. I have no doubt Sean Couturier will turn out to be what we expect them to be. Especially since he's able to do it now at such a young age.

It will sure be interesting how things shake out for the first round matchup. I'm hoping its the Pens in the first round. Love me a good Pens playoff series its been too long.
- Just5

I'm not opposed to it but I like to see the Rags in round one. This is a team that has had the better record against us this year. They have been atop the Eastern Conference standings all year and I would love the opportunity to take them down.

I'm fine with whoever the Flyers play bc you have to beat good teams in the playoffs no matter what. Just a matchup versus the Rags interests me.

I wouldn't expect a whole lot out of JVR in the playoffs.

And from what I've read, Meszaros' season is over.
- MJL

If JvR has been playing as well as he has been with the chronic injuries he's had, the only disappointment would be another injury. As far as Meszaros, I read 6 to 8 weeks.

Giroux wasn't suppose to be back in time for the Winter Classic or possibly for the rest of the season. Kimmo Timonen's season was over when he was diagnosed with a blood clot in the 2008 players. Chris Pronger's career was suppose to be over. I'm not counting this team out for a far run or any of the injured players to get healthy enough to play.

If JvR has been playing as well as he has been with the chronic injuries he's had, the only disappointment would be another injury. As far as Meszaros, I read 6 to 8 weeks.

Giroux wasn't suppose to be back in time for the Winter Classic or possibly for the rest of the season. Kimmo Timonen's season was over when he was diagnosed with a blood clot in the 2008 players. Chris Pronger's career was suppose to be over. I'm not counting this team out for a far run or any of the injured players to get healthy enough to play.
- roenick97

JVR will be healthy enough to play in the playoffs. That's not the issue. It's how effective he can be in playoff Hockey not being in game shape, and having to play his way back in a high level of Hockey environment. Expectations for his production should be reasonable and take the situation into account.

I've read the Meszaros will not play again this Season.

JVR will be healthy enough to play in the playoffs. That's not the issue. It's how effective he can be in playoff Hockey not being in game shape, and having to play his way back in a high level of Hockey environment. Expectations for his production should be reasonable and take the situation into account.

I've read the Meszaros will not play again this Season.
- MJL

JvR has already had these issues already this season. He's already been out along period of time and within his return on some nights I thought he was our best player.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...aros-undergo-back-surgery

http://www.canada.com/spo...urgery/6336035/story.html

http://www.foxnews.com/sp...eszaros-has-back-surgery/

http://articles.philly.co...ody-injury-scott-hartnell

For the most part, yes if we have an early exit Meszaros won't be back. If we manage to get far, Meszaros is still possible to play. All reports say he's out 6 to 8 weeks. Being back in the middle of the second round is wishful thinking on my part but the 3rd round is possible should we reach the 3rd round.

I don't think it would ever happen. That Flyers/Pens 5 OT game was one of my favorite games ever. There is nothing like overtime in playoff hockey. The drama is so thick you can cut it with a knife. The NHL knows better to try and screw with that.
- PLindbergh31

Me too. I find it hard to live through them live (and my right side neighbor spends the whole time looking like she's ready to throw up). But there's nothing better than winning a multi-OT game. The crowd going berserk or completely silent (depending on the home v away status of the winner), the winning team pouring off the bench like playful puppies, and the losers not being able to get off ice fast enough.

JvR has already had these issues already this season. He's already been out along period of time and within his return on some nights I thought he was our best player.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...aros-undergo-back-surgery

http://www.canada.com/spo...urgery/6336035/story.html

http://www.foxnews.com/sp...eszaros-has-back-surgery/

http://articles.philly.co...ody-injury-scott-hartnell

For the most part, yes if we have an early exit Meszaros won't be back. If we manage to get far, Meszaros is still possible to play. All reports say he's out 6 to 8 weeks. Being back in the middle of the second round is wishful thinking on my part but the 3rd round is possible should we reach the 3rd round.
- roenick97

A very reliable source in Howard Eskin reported that Meszaros will not play again this year. We'll see. We've all seen the same reports.

JVr hasn't had the injury he's has now, previously this Season. JVR has a broken foot and has been on crutches. That means he hasn't been able to skate. To ask him or expect him to come back in the playoffs and play as one of the best players, is unreasonable. If it happens great. But in my opinion, based on what we've seen with this type of injury, I think there's a very good chance that JVR will struggle.

It will sure be interesting how things shake out for the first round matchup. I'm hoping its the Pens in the first round. Love me a good Pens playoff series its been too long.
- Just5

I'm all for it but I will guarantee at least one blow out loss within the series that makes everyone turn against Bryz for at least one evening.

A very reliable source in Howard Eskin reported that Meszaros will not play again this year. We'll see. We've all seen the same reports.

JVr hasn't had the injury he's has now, previously this Season. JVR has a broken foot and has been on crutches. That means he hasn't been able to skate. To ask him or expect him to come back in the playoffs and play as one of the best players, is unreasonable. If it happens great. But in my opinion, based on what we've seen with this type of injury, I think there's a very good chance that JVR will struggle.
- MJL

Where are these Meszaros reports? If he's sure, why not report it? I'm going with what the Flyers have released and what's being reported.

This isn't the first foot injury nearing playoff time that we've all seen. Was JvR doing light skating with a concussion, hip and abs injuries?