Voracek isn't a player you move for money reasons.
- MJL

Was interesting today that when asked about Voracek, Homer focused on the areas where he thinks Voracek still needs to improve -- namely, his shooting and willingness to shoot.

Sounds to me like Flyers and Svoboda's price points are not all that close at this point. I don't think Voracek will be dealt, but it could be a problem negotiation that I think may go pretty deep into summer.

I have a feeling Shelley may not play many games for the Flyers.
- stveshdy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShKRulVm52M

Bill, you're very professional and take the high road. Unlike everyone else on here, including myself.

Assuming the $$$ could be managed through various moves, what is the one player that could be realistically added to this team to push them over the top.

Maybe the question should include 2 players, as I'm assuming Suter will be in the mix.

For all the great things Briere does in the postseason....there's Game 2 NJ series Briere. That just can't happen when your one of the leaders on a young team like this.
- Just5

Briere is never going to be very good defensively; though I do think he's made efforts to be less of a liability. I will say this -- there aren't many players who truly care as deeply as Briere and Timonen.

Briere declined to speak after Game 5 because it appears he wasn't happy with the compete level of members of the team -- of course, he didn't name names, nor should he -- and he didn't want to say anything out of frustration that he'd regret later.

Exact quote:

“Obviously there was lots of frustration. Especially frustration the way Game number 5 went, I think the Devils we all saw deserved to win, the way they played, the fore-check. In that game, there was a lot of frustration, because I was always – you know, growing up playoff hockey was always about warrior type games and players. There was a lot of frustration with the way that last game was played, with guys staying on the ice left and right and not missing a shift. Before, I said if I go out there and say something stupid, better to just not talk at this point. But overall, looking at the five games, they deserved it. They played hard, they fore-checked hard, they played it smart.”

I like Briere, but the subject always changes. The cap hit on Briere is crippling. $6.5 is Crosby or Stamkos like #s.

Briere can score in the playoffs and as you mentioned, the regular season. But there are weaknesses to his game, and is not dominant on the ice. He maximizes his God given talents, and I like him as a player and a person. But in a salary cap world I am shocked we are having a debate.
- Daman

I get the loyalty/veteran/mentor/babysit angle, but...

65 points for 6.5 million does not qualify as bang for the buck.

Was interesting today that when asked about Voracek, Homer focused on the areas where he thinks Voracek still needs to improve -- namely, his shooting and willingness to shoot.

Sounds to me like Flyers and Svoboda's price points are not all that close at this point. I don't think Voracek will be dealt, but it could be a problem negotiation that I think may go pretty deep into summer.
- bmeltzer

If he can convert on more of the scoring chances he creates he'd be a real gem.

Voracek isn't a player you move for money reasons.
- MJL

I dont know if anyone will agree with me, but I think Voracek would be a hell of a replacement for Jagr on the top line with Hartnell and G.

Briere is never going to be very good defensively; though I do think he's made efforts to be less of a liability. I will say this -- there aren't many players who truly care as deeply as Briere and Timonen.

Briere declined to speak after Game 5 because it appears he wasn't happy with the compete level of members of the team -- of course, he didn't name names, nor should he -- and he didn't want to say anything out of frustration that he'd regret later.

Exact quote:

“Obviously there was lots of frustration. Especially frustration the way Game number 5 went, I think the Devils we all saw deserved to win, the way they played, the fore-check. In that game, there was a lot of frustration, because I was always – you know, growing up playoff hockey was always about warrior type games and players. There was a lot of frustration with the way that last game was played, with guys staying on the ice left and right and not missing a shift. Before, I said if I go out there and say something stupid, better to just not talk at this point. But overall, looking at the five games, they deserved it. They played hard, they fore-checked hard, they played it smart.”
- bmeltzer

Doesn't look like Danny cares about much besides scoring goals. If he really cares that much, wouldn't he have at least gained a clue about how to play anywhere outside of the offensive zone?

I dont know if anyone will agree with me, but I think Voracek would be a hell of a replacement for Jagr on the top line with Hartnell and G.
- jak521

They need a boanfied sniper on that line....Voracek is more of a playmaker.

Hartnel-Grinder work in the muck
Giroux-playmaker
????-sniper

Was interesting today that when asked about Voracek, Homer focused on the areas where he thinks Voracek still needs to improve -- namely, his shooting and willingness to shoot.

Sounds to me like Flyers and Svoboda's price points are not all that close at this point. I don't think Voracek will be dealt, but it could be a problem negotiation that I think may go pretty deep into summer.
- bmeltzer

So it looks like it will end up being a 1 year deal again.

I dont know if anyone will agree with me, but I think Voracek would be a hell of a replacement for Jagr on the top line with Hartnell and G.
- jak521

If Jagr doesn't return, I think that's what they'll do.

So it looks like it will end up being a 1 year deal again.
- LW2530

Very well could be, yes.

Doesn't look like Danny cares about much besides scoring goals. If he really cares that much, wouldn't he have at least gained a clue about how to play anywhere outside of the offensive zone?
- OrangeBlack27

I think he's considerably better defensively -- at least in the RS -- than he was even a few years ago. But he'll never win a Selke Trophy and he'll always be vulnerable defensively against bigger and stronger forwards. He has worked to improve defensively.

They need a boanfied sniper on that line....Voracek is more of a playmaker.

Hartnel-Grinder work in the muck
Giroux-playmaker
????-sniper
- Philly1980

jagr's 19 goals don't exactly count as being a sniper.

can't count on hartnell to score 37 goals every year, but i think if you put voracek with them, you could expect similar goal totals for that line. hartnell's come down 7-10, g's up 2-3, jake's up 4-6.

I think he's considerably better defensively -- at least in the RS -- than he was even a few years ago. But he'll never win a Selke Trophy and he'll always be vulnerable defensively against bigger and stronger forwards. He has worked to improve defensively.
- bmeltzer

He was absolutely dreadful defensively in these playoffs, but maybe this season's injuries had something to do with that?

He's obviously an elite finisher, I'm just not sure if his offensive output exceeds his defensive deficiencies.

jagr's 19 goals don't exactly count as being a sniper.

can't count on hartnell to score 37 goals every year, but i think if you put voracek with them, you could expect similar goal totals for that line. hartnell's come down 7-10, g's up 2-3, jake's up 4-6.
- OrangeBlack27

I'd like to give Read a shot there...great wheels and he can snipe. He has his first season in the books. He is Patrick Sharp reincarnated.

I'd like to give Read a shot there...great wheels and he can snipe. He has his first season in the books. He is Patrick Sharp reincarnated.
- Just5

hopef, sir. hopef.

Bill, you're very professional and take the high road. Unlike everyone else on here, including myself.

Assuming the $$$ could be managed through various moves, what is the one player that could be realistically added to this team to push them over the top.

Maybe the question should include 2 players, as I'm assuming Suter will be in the mix.
- Daman

First of all, thank you.

I don't think you can say if the club adds one particular player or two guys, they'll have enough to go all the way. I think they need to improve a bit in terms of team defense (and that means forwards as well as defensemen and goalies). I'd like to see a Dman who is more of a power play threat added. I'd like to see a bit more grit and size up front in certain spots.

All in all, though, I think it's a matter of playing the right way at the right time. If the Flyers had played NJ like they played the Penguins in Game 6, I think we'd be talking about the Flyers in the EC Finals now. Instead, the Devils were the team that found that sort of plateau and stayed there.

I like Briere, but the subject always changes. The cap hit on Briere is crippling. $6.5 is Crosby or Stamkos like #s.

Briere can score in the playoffs and as you mentioned, the regular season. But there are weaknesses to his game, and is not dominant on the ice. He maximizes his God given talents, and I like him as a player and a person. But in a salary cap world I am shocked we are having a debate.
- Daman

I have no problems having Briere on this team at that Cap hit.

Where to?
- ggunky

far away

That was my question before-can Laviolette adjust? The adjustments he made either didn't work, or didn't get executed properly, which means that there's work to be done.
- Jsaquella

There's a third possibility - he didn't make any adjustments.

I honestly think that's the most likely scenario. I think he just kept expecting his team to execute his system better, and for whatever reason they never did. I have no facts on which to base this, it's just a feeling I have based on what I heard and read from him during the series (yes, I know that's all coach-speak and likely not indicative of what's really going on at practice).

But I just feel like Lavy believes that if his team plays like it should, they can beat any team, any system. So he didn't try to make adjustments, he just tried to get them to play better. Sadly, the didn't.

I'm not even sure that's not the right approach. Maybe trying to tweak the system or make an adjustment during a series is a recipe for disaster, especially with such a young team. All I can tell you for sure is that for going on two years now this team has struggled mightily against tight checking, defensively sound, hard forechecking teams. And I'm honestly not sure what is the best way to address that going forward. But I sure as hell hope Lavy can figure it out.

I would have said the same thing about Scotty Upshall a number of years ago.
- Daman

I wouldn't have.

I dont know if anyone will agree with me, but I think Voracek would be a hell of a replacement for Jagr on the top line with Hartnell and G.
- jak521

I agree with you. But I also might want Voracek with Briere.

First of all, thank you.

I don't think you can say if the club adds one particular player or two guys, they'll have enough to go all the way. I think they need to improve a bit in terms of team defense (and that means forwards as well as defensemen and goalies). I'd like to see a Dman who is more of a power play threat added. I'd like to see a bit more grit and size up front in certain spots.

All in all, though, I think it's a matter of playing the right way at the right time. If the Flyers had played NJ like they played the Penguins in Game 6, I think we'd be talking about the Flyers in the EC Finals now. Instead, the Devils were the team that found that sort of plateau and stayed there.
- bmeltzer

I agree Bill. A top line Sniper isn't a need for this team. Figuring out what they're going to do with the defense, and getting a solid 2 way physical Winger are the needs.

Doesn't look like Danny cares about much besides scoring goals. If he really cares that much, wouldn't he have at least gained a clue about how to play anywhere outside of the offensive zone?
- OrangeBlack27

If you actually watch his skating in the defensive zone and trace his steps throughout the series, he actually spells out (frank) DEFENSE. One letter for every goal against while he's on the ice.