you better have a damn good replacement lined up, GIG.
- OrangeBlack27

Touche...

I think you fans are as sensitive as Bryz...a good match
- vejim

Fascinating wording, 'you fans'. As in there's a clear separation between fans and yourself.

Intended, or Freudian slip? It's in the eye of the beholder.

Carle - under market value, I would sign him
Jagr - his leadership is invaluable and if he is happy with 1st or 2nd line duties with some PP time, I would re-sign him as well.

Bryz - I could care less how he acts as long as he stops the puck. Coming to a new club is tough in itself but coming to Philly (one of the toughest markets to play in) is a huge transition.
Maybe my reading comprehension is lacking but when I read the interview, I didn't feel he was ripping the fans.

"You did everything you could on the ice, you go to the locker room and someone yells some nonsense at your back. They're ready to eat you alive. It's unpleasant, because we are all people.


"You should understand that I am not speaking out against the fans. Philadelphia has great fans. They are the majority. They are always with the team in difficult times."

This sounds to be that he got tired of dealing with the media. He tried to be funny with them and it didn't help him. He got serious with them and they killed him for it. He tried to get out of talking to them and the media cried that they will file a complaint.



Beyond staying up on the Flyers, it's time to enjoy the nice weather and even attempt golf myself.

Fascinating wording, 'you fans'. As in there's a clear separation between fans and yourself.

Intended, or Freudian slip? It's in the eye of the beholder.
- BulliesPhan87

as in you Bryz fans

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Packing Up
- bmeltzer

The Voracek negotiations seem likely to be Holmgren's biggest internal task. He played very well and exceeded expectations, yet had periods during the year where the offense wasn't coming for him. I expect his deal to be like the Simon Gagne contracts of old, where talks just dragged on until August.

Seeing Holmgren hopeful on Carle is a good sign, especially if he can get a "discount".

Bryzgalov's play obviously was up and down, but in his interview with Natalia Bragilevskaya gave us a window in that most of the beat writers slammed shut with their harsh treatment of Bryz. Perhaps if they had not worked their agenda, and took a guy who is funny and who was more than happy to gab with them and provide great quotes, they could have run with it all year long and had the insight that they're supposed to provide with their access.

The local media had the goose that laid the golden eggs, and killed him in order to make McNuggets. Then they turned around and female doged because there were no more ommlets. Since Bragilevskaya's interview went public, both Sam Carchidi and Randy Miller have written hit pieces, shredding Bryz for ripping the fans, when Bryzgalov made it clear he was not attacking the fans.

Sadly, the best Flyers coverage is not provided by the local newspapers, tv or radio, despite the access they get. It's provided by bloggers like Bill, who report on the sport out of love for it, and cover the team out of passion.

As for Richards and Carter and the possibility of them winning a Stanley Cup, good for them. I wish them well. I won't be celebrating it, but I hold no ill will for them.

+1

Of course, perhaps Bill put it best: "I will repeat what I have said many times: I have no time or patience for critics who crow with gleeful negativity at bad times and then disappear when things are going well."

EDIT: Leight
- BulliesPhan87

Stop feeding the trolls and they will go away.

Other then everyone getting healthy, and getting some defensive help, I would really like Couturier and Schenn to put on some body mass to go along with his size. I think JVR and Simmonds also have to spend a little more time in the weight room.

I am a troll because Bryz sucked this year and you guys dont want to admit it

as in you Bryz fans
- vejim

Freudian slip, then. Got it.

The Voracek negotiations seem likely to be Holmgren's biggest internal task. He played very well and exceeded expectations, yet had periods during the year where the offense wasn't coming for him. I expect his deal to be like the Simon Gagne contracts of old, where talks just dragged on until August.

Seeing Holmgren hopeful on Carle is a good sign, especially if he can get a "discount".

Bryzgalov's play obviously was up and down, but in his interview with Natalia Bragilevskaya gave us a window in that most of the beat writers slammed shut with their harsh treatment of Bryz. Perhaps if they had not worked their agenda, and took a guy who is funny and who was more than happy to gab with them and provide great quotes, they could have run with it all year long and had the insight that they're supposed to provide with their access.

The local media had the goose that laid the golden eggs, and killed him in order to make McNuggets. Then they turned around and female doged because there were no more ommlets. Since Bragilevskaya's interview went public, both Sam Carchidi and Randy Miller have written hit pieces, shredding Bryz for ripping the fans, when Bryzgalov made it clear he was not attacking the fans.

Sadly, the best Flyers coverage is not provided by the local newspapers, tv or radio, despite the access they get. It's provided by bloggers like Bill, who report on the sport out of love for it, and cover the team out of passion.

As for Richards and Carter and the possibility of them winning a Stanley Cup, good for them. I wish them well. I won't be celebrating it, but I hold no ill will for them.
- Jsaquella

Times 2

as in you Bryz fans
- vejim

"We" are fans of whoever is on the team trying to help win. Apparently you pick and choose individual players who you are a fan of.

A lot of players have lousy first years their first UFA season on a new team. It happens. It'll be more troublesome if it happens again next year. I'm expecting it won't

I am a troll because Bryz sucked this year and you guys dont want to admit it
- vejim

Who has posted anything saying they don't think Bryzgalov needs to get better next season?

i love that you hate ny. love it.
- hammarby31

I don't so much hate the Rangers as a team. There are a lot of players on the team that I admire, starting with their captain, several defensemen, a couple of particularly likeable ex-Flyers (Fedotenko and Biron), and Lundqvist.

However, I personally dislike their coach and their GM. Tortorella is a bully of a coach. Overall, I think he's a good coach -- very good with Xs and Os and getting favorable matchups. But his hubris gets in the way sometimes. He is so convinced of his own genius that he's actually gotten in the way of his own team's success more than once both in Tampa and New York.

Sather is still living off the reputation of building 1980s Edmonton dynasty an has made more bad than good decisions in the last quarter century. I find Slats' insufferable much of the time.

I also dislike the misplaced haughtiness of a large percentage of the fan base. This is a team that has one Stanley Cup since 1940, is 18 years removed from the last one and still has yet -- although they still very well may do so after Game 7 -- to advance past the second round since 1997.

Finally, I think the New York media (as well as Canadian) were the ones who created and still perpetuate the image of the Flyers' team as a goon squad . They also love to play up the boorishness of Philadelphia fans, when there is equal percentage of idiots -- and a larger number because of the sheer size of their metro area -- in New York.

So there you have it. I respect the Rangers as a team but I can never root for them under any circumstances.

Stop feeding the trolls and they will go away.


- ggunky

You and rule #7 are correct. I have no regrets, though.

I don't so much hate the Rangers as a team. There are a lot of players on the team that I admire, starting with their captain, several defensemen, a couple of particularly likeable ex-Flyers (Fedotenko and Biron), and Lundqvist.

However, I personally dislike their coach and their GM. Tortorella is a bully of a coach. Overall, I think he's a good coach -- very good with Xs and Os and getting favorable matchups. But his hubris gets in the way sometimes. He is so convinced of his own genius that he's actually gotten in the way of his own team's success more than once both in Tampa and New York.

Sather is still living off the reputation of building 1980s Edmonton dynasty an has made more bad than good decisions in the last quarter century. I find Slats' insufferable much of the time.

I also dislike the misplaced haughtiness of a large percentage of the fan base. This is a team that has one Stanley Cup since 1940, is 18 years removed from the last one and still has yet -- although they still very well may do so after Game 7 -- to advance past the second round since 1997.

Finally, I think the New York media (as well as Canadian) were the ones who created and still perpetuate the image of the Flyers' team as a goon squad . They also love to play up the boorishness of Philadelphia fans, when there is equal percentage of idiots -- and a larger number because of the sheer size of their metro area -- in New York.

So there you have it. I respect the Rangers as a team but I can never root for them under any circumstances.



- bmeltzer

I love this post.

I am a troll because Bryz sucked this year and you guys dont want to admit it
- vejim

No, you're a troll because you are making outlandish and ridiculous statements that are supposed to antagonize and get reaction, rather than actually talking about hockey. The only time you post is when things are depressing and add little or nothing to the conversation.

Your purpose isn't to further the discussion, it's to screw with people and be a clown.

Times 2
- phi1671

3

I don't so much hate the Rangers as a team. There are a lot of players on the team that I admire, starting with their captain, several defensemen, a couple of particularly likeable ex-Flyers (Fedotenko and Biron), and Lundqvist.

However, I personally dislike their coach and their GM. Tortorella is a bully of a coach. Overall, I think he's a good coach -- very good with Xs and Os and getting favorable matchups. But his hubris gets in the way sometimes. He is so convinced of his own genius that he's actually gotten in the way of his own team's success more than once both in Tampa and New York.

Sather is still living off the reputation of building 1980s Edmonton dynasty an has made more bad than good decisions in the last quarter century. I find Slats' insufferable much of the time.
hey Bill, what do you think about Bryz and his good month of march?
I also dislike the misplaced haughtiness of a large percentage of the fan base. This is a team that has one Stanley Cup since 1940, is 18 years removed from the last one and still has yet -- although they still very well may do so after Game 7 -- to advance past the second round since 1997.

Finally, I think the New York media (as well as Canadian) were the ones who created and still perpetuate the image of the Flyers' team as a goon squad . They also love to play up the boorishness of Philadelphia fans, when there is equal percentage of idiots -- and a larger number because of the sheer size of their metro area -- in New York.

So there you have it. I respect the Rangers as a team but I can never root for them under any circumstances.



- bmeltzer

No, you're a troll because you are making outlandish and ridiculous statements that are supposed to antagonize and get reaction, rather than actually talking about hockey. The only time you post is when things are depressing and add little or nothing to the conversation.

Your purpose isn't to further the discussion, it's to screw with people and be a clown.


- Jsaquella

who are you to judge anyone?

If the Rangers win Game 7 tomorrow, I become a Devils fan in the Conference Finals. If the Rangers come out of the East, I will root for the winner of the Los Angeles series against Phoenix.
- bmeltzer

Like any orange-blooded Flyers fan I hate the Rangers ... but I can't for the life of me root for the Devils, no matter what scenario. Plus, I think Hank is more likeable than Marty.


In the meantime, go Caps and go Yotes.

No, you're a troll because you are making outlandish and ridiculous statements that are supposed to antagonize and get reaction, rather than actually talking about hockey. The only time you post is when things are depressing and add little or nothing to the conversation.

Your purpose isn't to further the discussion, it's to screw with people and be a clown.


- Jsaquella

I think Bryz sucked this year

who are you to judge anyone?
- vejim

It's just an opinion, like you have. Don't like it? Develop a thicker skin.

I don't so much hate the Rangers as a team. There are a lot of players on the team that I admire, starting with their captain, several defensemen, a couple of particularly likeable ex-Flyers (Fedotenko and Biron), and Lundqvist.

However, I personally dislike their coach and their GM. Tortorella is a bully of a coach. Overall, I think he's a good coach -- very good with Xs and Os and getting favorable matchups. But his hubris gets in the way sometimes. He is so convinced of his own genius that he's actually gotten in the way of his own team's success more than once both in Tampa and New York.

Sather is still living off the reputation of building 1980s Edmonton dynasty an has made more bad than good decisions in the last quarter century. I find Slats' insufferable much of the time.

I also dislike the misplaced haughtiness of a large percentage of the fan base. This is a team that has one Stanley Cup since 1940, is 18 years removed from the last one and still has yet -- although they still very well may do so after Game 7 -- to advance past the second round since 1997.

Finally, I think the New York media (as well as Canadian) were the ones who created and still perpetuate the image of the Flyers' team as a goon squad . They also love to play up the boorishness of Philadelphia fans, when there is equal percentage of idiots -- and a larger number because of the sheer size of their metro area -- in New York.

So there you have it. I respect the Rangers as a team but I can never root for them under any circumstances.



- bmeltzer

You sir, are the epitome of awesomeness

As for me....

I don't so much hate the Rangers as a team. There are a lot of players on the team that I admire, starting with their captain, several defensemen, a couple of particularly likeable ex-Flyers (Fedotenko and Biron), and Lundqvist.

However, I personally dislike their coach and their GM. Tortorella is a bully of a coach. Overall, I think he's a good coach -- very good with Xs and Os and getting favorable matchups. But his hubris gets in the way sometimes. He is so convinced of his own genius that he's actually gotten in the way of his own team's success more than once both in Tampa and New York.

Sather is still living off the reputation of building 1980s Edmonton dynasty an has made more bad than good decisions in the last quarter century. I find Slats' insufferable much of the time.

I also dislike the misplaced haughtiness of a large percentage of the fan base. This is a team that has one Stanley Cup since 1940, is 18 years removed from the last one and still has yet -- although they still very well may do so after Game 7 -- to advance past the second round since 1997.

Finally, I think the New York media (as well as Canadian) were the ones who created and still perpetuate the image of the Flyers' team as a goon squad . They also love to play up the boorishness of Philadelphia fans, when there is equal percentage of idiots -- and a larger number because of the sheer size of their metro area -- in New York.

So there you have it. I respect the Rangers as a team but I can never root for them under any circumstances.



- bmeltzer

Can almost sweep all of Slats' bad moves under the rug thanks to this coup:

New York Rangers traded Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto to the Montreal Canadiens for Christopher Higgins, Ryan McDonagh, Doug Janik and Pavel Valentenko.

Though I'm sure he had no clue what he was getting in McDonagh.

Can almost sweep all of Slats' bad moves under the rug thanks to this coup:

New York Rangers traded Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto to the Montreal Canadiens for Christopher Higgins, Ryan McDonagh, Doug Janik and Pavel Valentenko.

Though I'm sure he had no clue what he was getting in McDonagh.
- OrangeBlack27

I will still never understand this trade, at least from the Canadiens perspective.