Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Edge Blue Jackets in OT, 2-1

Kris Draper was a great 4th liner for the wings back in the day

Neuvirth was strong. Big 2 points on the road for the Flyers. Columbus controlled the puck and pushed play for most of the game but the Flyers did a good job of limiting quality chances.

Konecny quickly becoming Mr. Clutch.

I look forward to this team getting some playoff experience.

How does this bounce back by Nuevy affect their goalie shopping?

Byfuglien is a pig

Neuvirth was strong. Big 2 points on the road for the Flyers. Columbus controlled the puck and pushed play for most of the game but the Flyers did a good job of limiting quality chances.
- MJL

Filled with inaccuracies

Keep feeding TK the puck...you get the feeling he’s going to make a play whenever the puck is on his stick.

How does this bounce back by Nuevy affect their goalie shopping?

It doesn't. Still need two NHL goalies you trust enough to play. Also, Neuvirth didn't suddenly become less injury-prone or less hot-and-cold. When he is on his game, he can steal games. When he's off, you hold your breath on every perimeter shot.

Re the goaltending:

A move has to be made, period. This is a playoff team and they need 2 legit NHL goalies for the stretch drive. They really don’t have a choice.

Re the goaltending:

A move has to be made, period. This is a playoff team and they need 2 legit NHL goalies for the stretch drive. They really don’t have a choice.
- BiggE

Who would have thunk we'd be saying the Flyers are definite buyers at this point of the season in September?

Who would have thunk we'd be saying the Flyers are definite buyers at this point of the season in September?
- dragonoffrost

‘‘Tis a fine thing indeed!

Keep feeding TK the puck...you get the feeling he’s going to make a play whenever the puck is on his stick.
- Sublime55

Konecny is impressive right now. He has taken a big step this season. It's a credit to the player and the coaching staff.

Re the goaltending:

A move has to be made, period. This is a playoff team and they need 2 legit NHL goalies for the stretch drive. They really don’t have a choice.
- BiggE

agreed, i actually think Hextall needs to make 2 moves, 1 for the goalie and either a D or forward. I would consider moving 1 of the 3 4th liners a step in the right direction and 1 of the moves.

Make sure it is a hockey trade and I dont think they should overpay but they owe it to THIS team to give them a shot at making some noise in the playoffs.

Missed the game but glad to see Coots, Simmonds and TK making plays yet again.

Re: Neuvirth's play affecting a goalie search. It doesn't. The goalie search isn't about him. It's about the totally unqualified backup sitting on the bench. I'm not really sure why people fail to grasp this.

Missed the game but glad to see Coots, Simmonds and TK making plays yet again.

Re: Neuvirth's play affecting a goalie search. It doesn't. The goalie search isn't about him. It's about the totally unqualified backup sitting on the bench. I'm not really sure why people fail to grasp this.
- hereticpride

i agree but I get it. They are hoping the Flyers can make do until Elliot is back for the playoffs, that way they dont have to give up any assets for a short term solution.

i agree but I get it. They are hoping the Flyers can make do until Elliot is back for the playoffs, that way they dont have to give up any assets for a short term solution.
- wcorvette

But then you're going to run Neuvirth into the ground. They can't start him for a month and a half straight.

Any goalie that is available out there is going to be an upgrade over Lyon. It's not going to cost much.

Now if they don't make a move and Neuvirth gets hurt right after the trade deadline it's going to be an absolute poop show for Hextall to answer for.

agreed, i actually think Hextall needs to make 2 moves, 1 for the goalie and either a D or forward. I would consider moving 1 of the 3 4th liners a step in the right direction and 1 of the moves.

Make sure it is a hockey trade and I dont think they should overpay but they owe it to THIS team to give them a shot at making some noise in the playoffs.
- wcorvette

Agree 100%

But then you're going to run Neuvirth into the ground. They can't start him for a month and a half straight.

Any goalie that is available out there is going to be an upgrade over Lyon. It's not going to cost much.

Now if they don't make a move and Neuvirth gets hurt right after the trade deadline it's going to be an absolute poop show for Hextall to answer for.
- hereticpride

Exactly

agreed, i actually think Hextall needs to make 2 moves, 1 for the goalie and either a D or forward. I would consider moving 1 of the 3 4th liners a step in the right direction and 1 of the moves.

Make sure it is a hockey trade and I dont think they should overpay but they owe it to THIS team to give them a shot at making some noise in the playoffs.
- wcorvette

I would not make any significant deal for a forward or defenseman unless it was a deal for the future. Other than making a reasonably cheap deal for a goaltender with the right contract, I would not give up any future significant assets for a playoff rental.

But then you're going to run Neuvirth into the ground. They can't start him for a month and a half straight.

Any goalie that is available out there is going to be an upgrade over Lyon. It's not going to cost much.

Now if they don't make a move and Neuvirth gets hurt right after the trade deadline it's going to be an absolute poop show for Hextall to answer for.
- hereticpride

why I do agree with you

Agree 100%
- BiggE

I dont think you mess with the chemistry to much, 4th line upgrade which shouldn't be expensive or difficult

Keep feeding TK the puck...you get the feeling he’s going to make a play whenever the puck is on his stick.
- Sublime55

Playing really well....getting a chance to finally play with skilled players has made all the difference....last year at the World championship,they had him with Marner and McKinnon and he looked like a different player.

But then you're going to run Neuvirth into the ground. They can't start him for a month and a half straight.

Any goalie that is available out there is going to be an upgrade over Lyon. It's not going to cost much.

Now if they don't make a move and Neuvirth gets hurt right after the trade deadline it's going to be an absolute poop show for Hextall to answer for.
- hereticpride

I think they are still high on Lyon....he may get a spot start soon....if it goes like the last one then Hextall really has no choice but to add a goalie.

i agree but I get it. They are hoping the Flyers can make do until Elliot is back for the playoffs, that way they dont have to give up any assets for a short term solution.
- wcorvette

The great thing about Hextalls job of rebuilding is that he has accumulated a vast number of assets that can and should be used for times like this...they don’t need a goalie of the future type, but a solid vet ...ie Niemi or Johnson.

I think they are still high on Lyon....he may get a spot start soon....if it goes like the last one then Hextall really has no choice but to add a goalie.
- landros 2

That's probably fair enough. But man his 5-hole was so unbelievably bad in those starts. And he had some positioning issues on top of that too. I'm not sure if he's had enough time back in the AHL to tighten up his game.