Mostly agree, but what are the Rangers concerns?

It's boring to say, but the Flyers are likely the 3rd - 5th best team in the east, which will likely be reflected with their seeding and record.

Personally, no one talks about it, but I would like to see a reverse of last year's trend, whereby the Flyers give up early goals and play from behind. Also, they were unable to protect leads. I think that type of play is unsustainable. We need to get up early and hold leads. May require some mental adjustments and changes in style of play.

Good day. Cheers!
- Daman

Rangers are one of the few teams that do not appear to have concerns right now. I guess the Wade Redden situation could be an issue for them.

I don't know about playing from behind, that causes teams to expend a ton of energy when you have to do it often. I prefer the Flyers improve upon playing with leads. As I said in an earlier post, it wouldn't surprise me if the Flyers were in the 4-5 range in the standings, just as it wouldn't surprise me if they missed the playoffs.

John Shannon ‏@JSportsnet

NHL Regular Season to start Jan 19, ends April 27. SC Playoffs start May 1, could go as long as June 28
- ob18

Thats music to my ears!!!

That means that boring stretch has been shortened!

Ahhh.. It feels SO nice to be back on this website with actual hockey around the corner.

Bill, I dont think I need to explain to you how thankful we are all for your amazing work to keep us sane during this long and ragged void, but nevertheless, THANK YOU!

I am pumped!!! Lets go Flyers!
- jak521

Thank you. The support of my readers is what kept me going during the interminable lockout. I hope everyone knows that I mean that from the bottom of my heart, and it's not just a platitude.

John Shannon ‏@JSportsnet

NHL Regular Season to start Jan 19, ends April 27. SC Playoffs start May 1, could go as long as June 28
- ob18

if that is the case, have to think the draft will be first weekend in July and free agency later than 7/1?

Tom Sestito has the mumps.

Here we go, what's next Bird Flu for Giroux.

Rangers are one of the few teams that do not appear to have concerns right now. I guess the Wade Redden situation could be an issue for them.

I don't know about playing from behind, that causes teams to expend a ton of energy when you have to do it often. I prefer the Flyers improve upon playing with leads. As I said in an earlier post, it wouldn't surprise me if the Flyers were in the 4-5 range in the standings, just as it wouldn't surprise me if they missed the playoffs.
- PLindbergh31

I would be surprised if they missed the playoffs.. if not only because of their offensive weapons.

The defense is suspect to say the least, but praying that they stay healthy, they could get the job done.

I think another interesting thing to keep in mind is the possibility of camp invites..

Tom Sestito has the mumps.

Here we go, what's next Bird Flu for Giroux.
- PLindbergh31

Chicken pox for Couturier?

Tom Sestito has the mumps.

Here we go, what's next Bird Flu for Giroux.
- PLindbergh31

wha's going on dood

I would be surprised if they missed the playoffs.. if not only because of their offensive weapons.

The defense is suspect to say the least, but praying that they stay healthy, they could get the job done.

I think another interesting thing to keep in mind is the possibility of camp invites..
- jak521

Short season, anything can happen. A rash of injuries can derail any teams playoff chances. A 5 game losing streak in a 48 game schedule can cripple a team.

wha's going on dood
- bigmookalookie

Mookster, what is the good word my friend

glad hockey is back. I am happy they didn't just let a season get lost. I'll be ready for the puck to drop on the 19th.. Boom

Mookster, what is the good word my friend
- PLindbergh31

Ahhh just doing the police thing here. For a city the size of about 15-18 thousand, its an active little city.

if that is the case, have to think the draft will be first weekend in July and free agency later than 7/1?
- nastyflyergirl

Could make things interesting, I'd imagine they'll have the draft them free agency that following Monday just so they aren't at the same time.

Mookster, what is the good word my friend
- PLindbergh31

Hell I got into a pursut 15 months in and right before xmas I saw a kid jump off a bridge, trying to do serious injury to his body. Kid wound up being ok but lol crazy stuff

Ahhh just doing the police thing here. For a city the size of about 15-18 thousand, its an active little city.
- bigmookalookie

Kansas right? Have you run into this huge, hulking, beastly man driving his RV?

Thank you. The support of my readers is what kept me going during the interminable lockout. I hope everyone knows that I mean that from the bottom of my heart, and it's not just a platitude.
- bmeltzer

I should hope not!

anything in the new agreement about allowing or disallowing players to play in the Olympics in 2014?

Available UFA's

Defense: Mike Commodore, Colin White, Jim Vandermeer, Pavel Kubina, Milan Jurcina, Kurtis Foster, Brad Lukowich, Brett Lebda, Radek Martinek, Sean O’Donnell Shaone Morrisonn, Mike Mottau, Randy Jones, Jeff Finger, Chris Campoli, Alex Henry, D Cam Barker, Bryan Rodney


There are a few I would be interested to see get a camp invite.. not saying just outright signed, but to see what they have to offer.

Kansas right? Have you run into this huge, hulking, beastly man driving his RV?


- PLindbergh31

No but I did see the RV around a Walmart... I was looking for the driver but I was unable to locate

Available UFA's

Defense: Mike Commodore, Colin White, Jim Vandermeer, Pavel Kubina, Milan Jurcina, Kurtis Foster, Brad Lukowich, Brett Lebda, Radek Martinek, Sean O’Donnell Shaone Morrisonn, Mike Mottau, Randy Jones, Jeff Finger, Chris Campoli, Alex Henry, D Cam Barker, Bryan Rodney


There are a few I would be interested to see get a camp invite.. not saying just outright signed, but to see what they have to offer.
- jak521

Agreed! Competition for a spot, and some depth are good things. There are a few guys on that list I would prefer over Lilja and Gervais. Gervais was a healthy scratch a good portion of the season last year on a dreadfully bad defensive TB Lightning team.

Could make things interesting, I'd imagine they'll have the draft them free agency that following Monday just so they aren't at the same time.
- ob18

Trade deadline sometime in late March?

anything in the new agreement about allowing or disallowing players to play in the Olympics in 2014?
- kej83

Nope. That's one of the points that still needs to be tweaked.

Trade deadline sometime in late March?
- canadianpenfan

Media have been guessing early April, like the 3rd or 4th

Trade deadline sometime in late March?
- canadianpenfan

Haven't seen that but it would make sense.

Cosmonaut Bryzgalov will be fantastic this year
- ob18

I totally agree. Now that he's a bit more settled, I can see him having a solid year even with our thin defence. That's why this whole talk of buying him out is such madness IMO. I just don't see going back to patch work tandem as being better than Bryz.