The team defense is their biggest issue right now and will be unless they start drafting/developing dmen or trade a promising forward for one or two, that won't change.
- aantny88

Sure it can. By going out and getting a Leddy or OEL they wont resolve a single (frank)ing problem they are currently having. Why? Simply because the attention to team defense is thrown out the window in order to focus on aggressive forecheck and offense.

Instead of having 3 forwards deep on the puck, with a pinching D-man... why not settle back a bit and make a team beat you from their blue line out. The reason the Flyers are such an easy team to play against, and score against is because they are constantly chasing the play. Puck gets down deep and we get three guys stuck.. Opposing d-man makes a simply chip around the boards where their winger gets into a foot race with our pinching d-man.. they get it by the d-man and its an odd man rush with our weak side winger trying his balls off to get back.

You want to begin to resolve our woes in net? Do it by correcting the 18 skaters in front of him who refuse to play a sound defensive game.

exactly....get out of my head
- nastyflyergirl

But it's nice and warm here, and a Cheers re-run just started.

I say move Talbot back to Pittsburgh for Derrick Pouliot. I know he's been one of our best players but word is the Pens REALLY want him back and while I hate the idea of giving Pittsburgh anything they might want... I would love to Liberate a future big scoring defensemen from them, and we need that more than we need to hurt our State Rivals. Obviously I would not trade Max for just anyone or want to get rid of him, he's been one of our best players. But for the right price I'd trade almost anyone.
- flyler

I doubt they trade Pouliot. I think the most he nets is Maatta, and that is only if the Pens get desperate in they're desire to land Talbot.

But if they call offering Pouliot, I'm accepting in a heartbeat.

So you are for blowing the team up?
- strongsupporter

i don't see how trading Talbot and Rusty is blowing the team up. I say we need some retooling. Trade Talbot and Rusty while they still have some Value. I think they are fourth line players that could be found in free agency.

a few articles on college free agents

http://nhl.si.com/2013/03...-top-college-free-agents/

the whole article
http://www.westerncollege...rospects-in-the-ccha-wcha
- nastyflyergirl

lose JVR, get TVR. That would be nteresting...

I doubt they trade Pouliot. I think the most he nets is Maatta, and that is only if the Pens get desperate in they're desire to land Talbot.

But if they call offering Pouliot, I'm accepting in a heartbeat.
- Jsaquella

Quite possibly, a rivalery like this one, neither team is going to want to look foolish. But I'll let you in on a secret. I don't want to trade Talbot. He IS one of our better players and locker room guys. I'd be open to Maatta but I'd push for Pouliot or Depres.

lose JVR, get TVR. That would be nteresting...
- flyler

TvR was in the Flyers' prospect camp last summer, I believe.

Quite possibly, a rivalery like this one, neither team is going to want to look foolish. But I'll let you in on a secret. I don't want to trade Talbot. He IS one of our better players and locker room guys. I'd be open to Maatta but I'd push for Pouliot or Depres.
- flyler

I don't want to trade him, either.

When I say I'd listen to offers, it only means that if I get a good enough return, then I'd move the player.

Boychuck(again) and Komisarek on waivers

Per Dreger, Komisarek will report to a new team if claimed. He will accept a demotion...mis-read the twee.

TvR was in the Flyers' prospect camp last summer, I believe.
- johndewar

Yeah as were a lot of Flyer player/coaches kids and brothers. I'm sure that's what the article was hinting at. When asked about it, I believe he said he liked the Organization and had a lot of good experiences and encouragement from his Brother. Brotherly love... the world can be a funny place sometimes...

FACT: Bears eat beets...
- tk71

FACT: Tigers like cinnamon

FACT: Tigers dont like pepper

Sure it can. By going out and getting a Leddy or OEL they wont resolve a single (frank)ing problem they are currently having. Why? Simply because the attention to team defense is thrown out the window in order to focus on aggressive forecheck and offense.

Instead of having 3 forwards deep on the puck, with a pinching D-man... why not settle back a bit and make a team beat you from their blue line out. The reason the Flyers are such an easy team to play against, and score against is because they are constantly chasing the play. Puck gets down deep and we get three guys stuck.. Opposing d-man makes a simply chip around the boards where their winger gets into a foot race with our pinching d-man.. they get it by the d-man and its an odd man rush with our weak side winger trying his balls off to get back.

You want to begin to resolve our woes in net? Do it by correcting the 18 skaters in front of him who refuse to play a sound defensive game.
- jak521

And so the discussion begins about it being Laviolette's "system" that is the problem...I'm so sick and tired of hearing that as the main excuse for this teams woes this season. The defensemen chip the puck off the glass or up the boards to get it out of the zone because outside of Kimmo not one of them can make a decent stretch pass or carry it out of the zone on their own. An OEL or equivalent dman won't fix all this teams problems, but I (frank)ing guarantee if this team had Weber, no way in hell this squad is 12th in the east. You think Lavy coaches the d to pinch when they already have 3 down low? Doubtful...mental errors on idiots like Gervais' part that cause that to happen. It's no wonder he was signed for cheap cause he flat out sucks.

Bryzgalov's lows are always well publicized, to make an understatement.
- BulliesPhan87

And a goodly portion of those doing the publicizing don't know which end of a hockey stick to hold.

And a goodly portion of those doing the publicizing don't know which end of a hockey stick to hold.
- Scoob

No, but they know the one thing that matters: sports fans love to hate losing.

Great blog again Bill. You hit the nail right on the head

And so the discussion begins about it being Laviolette's "system" that is the problem...I'm so sick and tired of hearing that as the main excuse for this teams woes this season. The defensemen chip the puck off the glass or up the boards to get it out of the zone because outside of Kimmo not one of them can make a decent stretch pass or carry it out of the zone on their own. An OEL or equivalent dman won't fix all this teams problems, but I (frank)ing guarantee if this team had Weber, no way in hell this squad is 12th in the east. You think Lavy coaches the d to pinch when they already have 3 down low? Doubtful...mental errors on idiots like Gervais' part that cause that to happen. It's no wonder he was signed for cheap cause he flat out sucks.
- aantny88

I do, because it's happened with just about every defenseman on the team. If it was just Gervais or just Foster, I'd say, yeah, those two suck and it's not something that is systemic.

The system and coaching encourage aggressiveness and this group just isn't the kind of group that can pull it off. Not just pinching at ill advised times, but the overall aggressive style that Laviolette employs and encourages.

FACT: Tigers like cinnamon

FACT: Tigers dont like pepper
- KINGKENZO

I thought tiger liked models and skiers?

I don't. I think they are committed to Weber as their franchise player for many, many years to come. Had Suter stayed in Nashville, I think Weber may have been available for a blockbuster return. Once Preds matched Flyers offer sheet on Weber, they made clear he's staying put at all costs.
- bmeltzer

I understand the commitment part, but they must be hurting this year and in the summer? thats close to 27 mill for 60 some odd home games...thats a lot to be paying someone... almost 500k a home game...I doubt they make that in ticket sales?

Bring in a mackinon and you could sell that to the fanbase at a much much cheaper cost...

This scenario would be more likely if nashville were to miss the playoffs...

I'm also not 100% against a buyout, assuming he can be replaced with something more than a stopgap.

I could easily see them buying out Bryz, signing Ray Emery and trading for a Ben Bishop type and go with a platoon like the Hawks have with Emery and Crawford.

I could also see them throwing significant assets at a team with a good young goalie and adding a veteran back up after buying out Bryz.

Me, I'd rather wait and see. There's no rush on buying him out, right now and waiting also means the payout period is two fewer seasons.
- Jsaquella

Smart and patient. Two characteristics lacking in the Flyers fanbase.

Quite possibly, a rivalery like this one, neither team is going to want to look foolish. But I'll let you in on a secret. I don't want to trade Talbot. He IS one of our better players and locker room guys. I'd be open to Maatta but I'd push for Pouliot or Depres.
- flyler

The Pens aren't going to trade their best prospects for a 4th liner.

Boruk syas he thinks that Giroux's next deal will be 8 years, $71-72mm...my guess is 8 years $60-$65mm

I do, because it's happened with just about every defenseman on the team. If it was just Gervais or just Foster, I'd say, yeah, those two suck and it's not something that is systemic.

The system and coaching encourage aggressiveness and this group just isn't the kind of group that can pull it off. Not just pinching at ill advised times, but the overall aggressive style that Laviolette employs and encourages.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, when a stay-at-home type like Grossmann is pinching aggressively, it's systemic.

No, but they know the one thing that matters: sports fans love to hate losing.
- BulliesPhan87

Sports fans also hate idiot sports reporters.

And so the discussion begins about it being Laviolette's "system" that is the problem...I'm so sick and tired of hearing that as the main excuse for this teams woes this season. The defensemen chip the puck off the glass or up the boards to get it out of the zone because outside of Kimmo not one of them can make a decent stretch pass or carry it out of the zone on their own. An OEL or equivalent dman won't fix all this teams problems, but I (frank)ing guarantee if this team had Weber, no way in hell this squad is 12th in the east. You think Lavy coaches the d to pinch when they already have 3 down low? Doubtful...mental errors on idiots like Gervais' part that cause that to happen. It's no wonder he was signed for cheap cause he flat out sucks.
- aantny88

I have seen every single d-man pinch this year more than ever. Grossmann down below the net? Why because he pinched and won a battle... Timonen getting burnt on a pinch?

Its not just about systems.. its about playing smart hockey. Gervais isnt the only one pinching.. they all are.. And yes, that is because with Lavys system they stress applying pressure and keeping the puck in the offensive zone.

Boruk syas he thinks that Giroux's next deal will be 8 years, $71-72mm...my guess is 8 years $60-$65mm
- Jsaquella

I thought that after seeing what Anaheim just did. Imho it'd be tough to get more than those guys got.