the flyers D looked so old and slow
- vejim

loved the look on Timo's face when Bryz put the puck in the net...oh F___K, why did I do that?

Maybe an intern wrote it and it was so bad they had to remove it.

I do wonder sometimes if those guys actually write everything posted, or if some of those "article" are like letters from a congressman, written by interns.
- eayost

That blog was strange because the first sentence contradicted the title...I thought that was odd for Mack's style....

As stated by Bill there was zero respect for the Flyers defenseman in the offensive zone. The Devils werent even covering the Flyers point guys. They were all get down low and outnumbering the Flyers.
- stveshdy

The Rangers would have played the Flyers the same way, or any team for that matter. Take away the high percentage scoring areas, and collapse down low. You can always get in the shooting lane and block a shot. And a point shot is a low percentage shot. Take away the high percentage shots and give them the low ones.

they need to get approval
- phi1671

Of course they do. But a player does not have to show that he is trying to play.

Bill,

I want to thank you for making another season of Flyers' hockey enjoyable. The uncertainty going into this season - and even more so after Captain Pronger went down to an injury - had many of us guessing what we have here in Philadelphia. I am optimistic (as ever) that this team is on the cusp of many good years here. While one could say they've had success since the 2007-08 season, I think the young core here means they will be competitive for years to come. Here is what I shared with a friend of mine who sent me an email entitled "Horrible" with one sentence in it, "why do I even watch?":

Because this isn't our year - and wasn't supposed to be our year after the makeover last summer. This is the year the young guys (Couturier, Read, Gustafsson, etc.) and new youngish guys (Schenn, Simmonds, Voracek, Grossmann, etc.) get baptized into playoff Flyers hockey along with the rest of the core. Most of this team will be back - and around for years to come.

Laviolette is the right coach, I believe. Carle won't be back (won't fit under the cap after his large raise). Jagr might be back. 1 forward will probably be traded for a defenseman unless Pronger makes a surprising return.

Bryz won't have to adjust to a new city & system, 24/7, the (mostly) clueless and arrogant Philly press, etc. Bob might be dealt with a cheaper backup taking his place.

Lineup might look something like this:

Hartnell - Giroux - Briere
Simmonds - Schenn - Read
JVR - Couturier - Voracek
Wellwood - Talbot - Rinaldo
X: Zolnierczyk, Sestito, Shelley

Coburn - Grossmann
Timonen - Gustafsson
Pronger (?) - Meszaros
X: Lilja, Bourdon

G: Bryzgalov, Bobrovsky

That's with the most minimal changes (removal of UFA's). Couturier, Read, Wellwood, Zolneirczyk, and Gustafsson will only get better as they fill out and grow as players. Keeping Laviolette means growing the whole group together. Also, remember that Giroux, Grossmann, Coburn, and Meszaros aren't all that old either.

Keep your chin up,
Skip
- Me

I'll catch you on Twitter,
Skip

That blog was strange because the first sentence contradicted the title...I thought that was odd for Mack's style....
- JIMI-JAMES

For those of us who didn't get a chance to read it:

What did we miss?

Sure, we can never prove anything 100%, but the issue remains why the Devils did not execute in game 1 then? I am not saying that the Devils completely changed their philosophy. But I suspect that after playing game 1, and having a couple more days to get over the FL series, they made some changes. For example, as Bill points out, we were constantly outnumbered in the Devils zone along the boards. And that is because their wingers came in low and were not scared of our own D pinching and getting open for a shot, or our forwards winning those battles and feeding the puck back up to the point for a shot. A reaction to that could have been one of the D pinching on the forecheck every now and then. But I don't remember this at all.
- PT21

How didn't the Devils execute in game 1? The game went to OT. How often did the Flyers get a forecheck going where the defense could pinch in? Very rarely. Bordeur was a huge part of that, alleviating the pressure immediately and moving the puck smoothly to an open man to get it going the other way. You have ot have the opportunity to do something, to do it.

system issue or personnel issue (not saying trade the personnel, but symptomatic of a really young and talented forward corps)?
- OrangeBlack27

Little of both I guess.

Exactly why I said most. He played very well. His skating is insane.
- jak521

he was dreadful last night, but really emerged as a terrific all-around player for us. really glad he's on our club.

It is ridiculous to change one teams' entire style in the 8th month. I am looking for subtler changes, augmentations, covering of deficiencies etc.

Brodeur has done his puckhandling thing for decades and their have been other times when we have managed to beat it with a soft dump-in or a hard wraparound the glass. If carrying the puck-in was so difficult for us facing their 2-2-1 system, then I would have liked to see more of the soft sumps or along the glass style entries. But most of our dump-ins were the conventional style.
- PT21

The Devils played in the 2-2-1 very little in the Series. The Devils took away the Flyers time to make correct plays and place the puck in the right spot on the dump in. Most times it was a challenge and puck battle just to get the puck in the Devils zone in any manner.

For those of us who didn't get a chance to read it:

What did we miss?
- Atomic Wedgie

Basically the title said Bryz didnt get the job done, but the article stated it wasn't his fault...I just found it to be an odd contradiction..not Mack's usual style of writing IMO..

How didn't the Devils execute in game 1? The game went to OT. How often did the Flyers get a forecheck going where the defense could pinch in? Very rarely. Bordeur was a huge part of that, alleviating the pressure immediately and moving the puck smoothly to an open man to get it going the other way. You have ot have the opportunity to do something, to do it.
- MJL

The Flyers were all over the Devils for the last 40 mins of the game. They created havocs and had multiple chances. The Sykora 3rd goal was completely against the run of play.

Little did we know that would be the last time we saw such offensive dominance.

Basically the title said Bryz didnt get the job done, but the article stated it wasn't his fault...I just found it to be an odd contradiction..not Mack's usual style of writing IMO..
- JIMI-JAMES

As a general rule, writers write the stories, editors write the headlines.

Just saw photos of G doing the pregame soccer ball thing with the guys last night. Then on ice with them after the handshake. He may not have a C on his jersey. But he sure has a C in his heart. (And mine. )

As a general rule, writers write the stories, editors write the headlines.
- Atomic Wedgie

Correct. Which is why I'll never get on a writer for the headlines.

The Devils played in the 2-2-1 very little in the Series. The Devils took away the Flyers time to make correct plays and place the puck in the right spot on the dump in. Most times it was a challenge and puck battle just to get the puck in the Devils zone in any manner.
- MJL

They did when defending. or call it 1-2-2. 4 guys in the neutral zone, in two pairs.

The Flyers were all over the Devils for the last 40 mins of the game. They created havocs and had multiple chances. The Sykora 3rd goal was completely against the run of play.

Little did we know that would be the last time we saw such offensive dominance.
- PT21

That is a case of the Flyers playing like they were supposed to play, not the Devils not executing. It's all about who wants it more, who is more committed. Both teams play a sound system and have a sound game plan. Who is going to force their will on the other team? That's what it comes down to. That's what it always comes down to. In a nutshell.

They did when defending. or call it 1-2-2. 4 guys in the neutral zone, in two pairs.
- PT21

They did it very little. Late in games in a couple of 3rd periods.

the flyers may not be top of their craft this year, but you certainly are, Bill.

I can't really see that as a problem.

With the NHL battling public perception that it isn't doing enough to protect players from head injuries, I doubt they will play hardball and try to force Pronger back onto the ice.

"Hey Chris, you still trying to come back?"

"Yes, Gary, I am. Still a no-go."

"Okalie-dokalie."
- Atomic Wedgie

That is a case of the Flyers playing like they were supposed to play, not the Devils not executing. It's all about who wants it more, who is more committed. Both teams play a sound system and have a sound game plan. Who is going to force their will on the other team? That's what it comes down to. That's what it always comes down to. In a nutshell.
- MJL

I will respectfully disagree that the same team that showed such resilience during the year suddenly lost their heart and will for 4 games in a row. And twice went for 15 mins odd without a SOG. I think it was the system that beat them.

Not a bad year at all. Disappointing finish, but overall solid year. Best part is, if Bryz come back a little better, the rookies come back a little stronger, and our defense comes back healthier (with an addition or 2?) and this team is poised to surpass this season's finish.

I haven't felt this positive after losing a playoff round before and rightfully so, as the flyers have a bright future.

I will respectfully disagree that the same team that showed such resilience during the year suddenly lost their heart and will for 4 games in a row. And twice went for 15 mins odd without a SOG. I think it was the system that beat them.
- PT21

I didn't say that they lost their heart and will. I said that one team imposed their will over the other. There always has to be a winner, and a team that is better. Players win games, not systems. The system is just the vehicle. Without any gas in the tank, the vehicle goes no where. The players provide the fuel that makes the system work. Take away the Devils dominance on the boards and outnumbering the Flyers on the puck, and the system wouldn't have meant squat.

Just saw photos of G doing the pregame soccer ball thing with the guys last night. Then on ice with them after the handshake. He may not have a C on his jersey. But he sure has a C in his heart. (And mine. )
- bodiva88

question:

what is your opinion on people leaving early?

I saw a few tweets last night of people ripping fans calling them not real Flyer fans because they were leaving early?


My take:
if leaving early or staying late constitutes the difference between a real fan versus a fake fan, we have a lot of misguided people.
- phi1671

I waited til every player left the ice then actually stayed a little longer to talk to a few people who have sat around me the last 3 years. with the prices being jacked up a lot next year, quite a few are not coming back.