I think Doan finishes his career in Phoenix. Not sure the Flyers want to spend that kind of $ on a forward when defense is needed.
- stveshdy

They can add whomever they want on defense, but if the whole team doesn't play better on D, it won't matter.

It's never been as simple as go out and sign Suter or trade for Weber or whatever. If the team as a whole doesn't step up their execution on defense, it won't matter.

They have to do a better job of not running around, making sure they don;t overpursue, eliminate the backdoor plays and make sure that the forwards help out more. Little stuff like failed clears killed them against NJ. They'd fail to clear, spend 20-30 extra seconds in their own end, and be stuck with tired guys or force a bad line change, like the OT loss in game three.

They can add whomever they want on defense, but if the whole team doesn't play better on D, it won't matter.

It's never been as simple as go out and sign Suter or trade for Weber or whatever. If the team as a whole doesn't step up their execution on defense, it won't matter.

They have to do a better job of not running around, making sure they don;t overpursue, eliminate the backdoor plays and make sure that the forwards help out more. Little stuff like failed clears killed them against NJ. They'd fail to clear, spend 20-30 extra seconds in their own end, and be stuck with tired guys or force a bad line change, like the OT loss in game three.
- Jsaquella

Agreed but it is tough to ask one of the youngest teams in the league to play like veterans. Also tough when your D is as banged up as we were.

That being said, you are 100% right and that is the goal. If you play any kind of sport you know that supporting the puck/ball/whatever is of utmost important. You also learn to defend areas and the most "dangerous man".

As crazy as this sounds... look at the Rags. Everyone has said how much of an idiot Sather is.. and he has made some stupid moves, but in the process he has created a very strong team.

Subtracting Gomez and adding McDonagh.. Getting Gaborik, Richards.. but building around the other guys.

I think we (the Flyers) are in a perfect situation right now.. Be patient, make a few core moves (adding guys not out of desperation, but smaller moves like a 5-6th d-man and 3rd4th line center)... it will pay off.
- jak521

Yeah, building around the core is critical I think. So define the core.

IMO - G, Coots, Schenn, Grossmann, Coburn, Mez, JVR

To a lesser extent Simmonds, Read.

I would only break up core for Weber.

They can add whomever they want on defense, but if the whole team doesn't play better on D, it won't matter.

It's never been as simple as go out and sign Suter or trade for Weber or whatever. If the team as a whole doesn't step up their execution on defense, it won't matter.

They have to do a better job of not running around, making sure they don;t overpursue, eliminate the backdoor plays and make sure that the forwards help out more. Little stuff like failed clears killed them against NJ. They'd fail to clear, spend 20-30 extra seconds in their own end, and be stuck with tired guys or force a bad line change, like the OT loss in game three.
- Jsaquella

Thats my biggest issue...

Here is an example.. Everyone praised Danny B.. He was Mr. Clutch again this year..
However, he also was a -6 in 11 games despite scoring 13 points.. being on the ice for 19 goals against.. really doesnt help your team.. no matter how much you are scoring. Its a recipe for disaster.

The forwards all together need to get their poop organized, and play hard nosed to way hockey. Get back so its not a 3v2 every time. Win board battles. Give your d-men an outlet. That should be the primary concern heading into next season... not whether or not they can land Weber.

You are also right. Note that "Briere" wasn't in my core.

What you are describing is discipline. To be honest, it can be boriing.

Watching a lot of these playoff games you see first D-man flip puck to 2nd D-man (often behind the net).

Then to a forward in the middle.

Then a quick pass or dump into other zone. Other team repeats.

Not a lot of space in the playoffs. I think over time, having a guy like G will be invaluable.

Good day to all.

Yeah, building around the core is critical I think. So define the core.

IMO - G, Coots, Schenn, Grossmann, Coburn, Mez, JVR

To a lesser extent Simmonds, Read.

I would only break up core for Weber.
- Daman

I can see myself doing it, unless it was too good to be true. In order to get Weber you almost HAVE to over pay.

They will want one of either G or Coots.. at least I would.. and even with G they would probably want something else. If it were Coots they would probably want Coots, one of our prime d-men, and a pick.

I dont think Weber is worth changing the team.

Instead..

Sign a forward and a solid top 6 d-man.

Hartnell-G-Czechie
Read-Briere-Simmonds
JvR-Coots-Schenn
Wellwood-Talbot-3rd/4th swing UFA.

Timonen-Carle
Coburn-Grossmann
Meszy- D-man
Lilja/Gusty/MAB

Bryz/Bob

Thats a damn good team.

Thats my biggest issue...

Here is an example.. Everyone praised Danny B.. He was Mr. Clutch again this year..
However, he also was a -6 in 11 games despite scoring 13 points.. being on the ice for 19 goals against.. really doesnt help your team.. no matter how much you are scoring. Its a recipe for disaster.

The forwards all together need to get their poop organized, and play hard nosed to way hockey. Get back so its not a 3v2 every time. Win board battles. Give your d-men an outlet. That should be the primary concern heading into next season... not whether or not they can land Weber.
- jak521

Not exactly, since his points were often on the PP he wasn't on for 19 goals against. Not that your point isn't a good one, but the data is inflated.

Thats my biggest issue...

Here is an example.. Everyone praised Danny B.. He was Mr. Clutch again this year..
However, he also was a -6 in 11 games despite scoring 13 points.. being on the ice for 19 goals against.. really doesnt help your team.. no matter how much you are scoring. Its a recipe for disaster.

The forwards all together need to get their poop organized, and play hard nosed to way hockey. Get back so its not a 3v2 every time. Win board battles. Give your d-men an outlet. That should be the primary concern heading into next season... not whether or not they can land Weber.
- jak521

I agree with this....Danny B line was horrible defensively.... ...We still love you Danny B.

Not exactly, since his points were often on the PP he wasn't on for 19 goals against. Not that your point isn't a good one, but the data is inflated.
- bodiva88

Cant believe I forgot to add that...

Just to fix it.. He had 4 pp points.. so he was on the ice for 15 goals against.

Just saw that vokun signed with the pens. Interesting move to acquire him as the back up there.

So I had a mens league game last night and witnessed probably the most amazing goal I have ever seen..

My right winger chips a puck down from our blue line to my left winger who was streaking.. the puck looks like its gonna go past him, and down for an icing when he dives... with one hand on his stick stretches out and collects the puck with the very tip of his stick... brings the puck in close as he is on his knees makes a move and burries it backhand-forehand-backhand while standing up...

There was a good 45 ppl watching up in the bar.. all went nuts.. our bench.. even more nuts... the other team, smacked their sticks on the boards..

I am trying to get video of it.. and I will post it if i can.

Still cant get over it.

So I had a mens league game last night and witnessed probably the most amazing goal I have ever seen..

My right winger chips a puck down from our blue line to my left winger who was streaking.. the puck looks like its gonna go past him, and down for an icing when he dives... with one hand on his stick stretches out and collects the puck with the very tip of his stick... brings the puck in close as he is on his knees makes a move and burries it backhand-forehand-backhand while standing up...

There was a good 45 ppl watching up in the bar.. all went nuts.. our bench.. even more nuts... the other team, smacked their sticks on the boards..

I am trying to get video of it.. and I will post it if i can.

Still cant get over it.
- jak521

Neat stuff.

In these days of video phones and youtube there is a lot of amazing plays for the world to see. Recently one that I saw was the H.S. kid throwing a football everyway imaginable (now in college I believe).

Please post.

Agreed but it is tough to ask one of the youngest teams in the league to play like veterans. Also tough when your D is as banged up as we were.

That being said, you are 100% right and that is the goal. If you play any kind of sport you know that supporting the puck/ball/whatever is of utmost important. You also learn to defend areas and the most "dangerous man".
- Daman

I'm not discounting the ages, but simply pointing out that throwing a ton of cash at Weber or Suter isn't going to suddenly make the Flyers a defensive juggernaut.

The other thing is, rookies like Couturier and Read were asked to play big defensive roles all year long and did pretty well. Some of the biggest offenders in terms of poor forward defensive play were veterans.

Thats my biggest issue...

Here is an example.. Everyone praised Danny B.. He was Mr. Clutch again this year..
However, he also was a -6 in 11 games despite scoring 13 points.. being on the ice for 19 goals against.. really doesnt help your team.. no matter how much you are scoring. Its a recipe for disaster.

The forwards all together need to get their poop organized, and play hard nosed to way hockey. Get back so its not a 3v2 every time. Win board battles. Give your d-men an outlet. That should be the primary concern heading into next season... not whether or not they can land Weber.
- jak521

Briere was bad defensively. He did score some huge goals, but he did manage to be out for quite a lot of goals against.

The thing is, Briere's defensive shortcomings are not an unknown. That could be an area where coaching could have found a way to maybe protect him more.

Briere was bad defensively. He did score some huge goals, but he did manage to be out for quite a lot of goals against.

The thing is, Briere's defensive shortcomings are not an unknown. That could be an area where coaching could have found a way to maybe protect him more.
- Jsaquella

At least if you're blaming Briere you aren't blaming Bryz. But Homer should be sure to find guys whose names don't begin with B in future.

Briere was bad defensively. He did score some huge goals, but he did manage to be out for quite a lot of goals against.

The thing is, Briere's defensive shortcomings are not an unknown. That could be an area where coaching could have found a way to maybe protect him more.
- Jsaquella

The fix would be to put him with 2 wingers like he had in Buffalo that can limit or hide his limitations defensively.

At least if you're blaming Briere you aren't blaming Bryz. But Homer should be sure to find guys whose names don't begin with B in future.
- bodiva88

Bryz needs to be better, as well. Look at Quick. The Devils had several really good chances and he flat out robbed them. He's not the reason they lost, but I'd like to see Bryz steal some games, too, as he did during March

The fix would be to put him with 2 wingers like he had in Buffalo that can limit or hide his limitations defensively.
- ob18

That's one way. Another would be to have the wingers handle the defensive role of center, ike the Oilers did with Gretzky and Kurri

That's one way. Another would be to have the wingers handle the defensive role of center, ike the Oilers did with Gretzky and Kurri
- Jsaquella

And that's another way

And that's another way
- ob18

Unfortunately, the Flyers did neither.

Briere was bad defensively. He did score some huge goals, but he did manage to be out for quite a lot of goals against.

The thing is, Briere's defensive shortcomings are not an unknown. That could be an area where coaching could have found a way to maybe protect him more.
- Jsaquella

Frustrating.

The fix would be to put him with 2 wingers like he had in Buffalo that can limit or hide his limitations defensively.
- ob18

Or move him to the wing, in general.

The fix would be to put him with 2 wingers like he had in Buffalo that can limit or hide his limitations defensively.
- ob18

or move him to wing.

If you are a center, you almost need to be defensively competent...

Leight: B-rad with the steal!

or move him to wing.

If you are a center, you almost need to be defensively competent...

Leight: B-rad with the steal!
- jak521

And they have three defensively competent (if not better) centers on the roster (for the top three lines).

And they have three defensively competent (if not better) centers on the roster (for the top three lines).
- bradleyc4

EXECUTE HIM!!