At what point did Parent go from having great potential to just not good?
- PhillySportsGuy

When they realized as a shut down defenseman, he couldn't cover is bed.

OK, fine. But are we judging players based on All-Star appearances? Why not by hair length?
- bradleyc4

On the head or do you have something else in mind?

Down the stretch last season, when Coburn, Meszaros and Grossmann were out and they used Gervais, Gustafsson, Manning and Lauridsen in the top six, they went 11-5 and beat 9 playoff teams. They had a solid transition game because they adjusted what they were doing.

I counted, just in the first period, 5 times where they came out of the zone last night and there were 2 or 3 Devils between the defenseman carrying the puck and the nearest Flyer forward. You can't do that often and suspect success, talented defensemen or not.
- Jsaquella

Almost as if the Devils knew exactly what the Flyers were going to do huh?

Flyers jersey...
- mayorofangrytown

This. The jersey magically zaps most mere mortals of defensive abilities.

Ryan Parent might be available.
- jmatchett383

I though Ryan jones was a Hybrid of Ryan Parent and Randy Jones. Try sleeping without nightmares now!

Not just you. I think they need a new warm-up routine... Soccer ain't doing it.
It's infuriating knowing that 3/4 of the team won't show up till the 2nd period.
- FlyersGrace

We need some more mature, hardworking vets on the team like Pronger and Jagr were. I think the rest of the team expects to be like Giroux and be able to turn it on at any time.

Almost as if the Devils knew exactly what the Flyers were going to do huh?
- MBFlyerfan

You know what they say.
If you can't beat em, have sex with their wives.

OK, fine. But are we judging players based on All-Star appearances? Why not by hair length?
- bradleyc4

"Good idea!"
- Michael Handzus

Down the stretch last season, when Coburn, Meszaros and Grossmann were out and they used Gervais, Gustafsson, Manning and Lauridsen in the top six, they went 11-5 and beat 9 playoff teams. They had a solid transition game because they adjusted what they were doing.

I counted, just in the first period, 5 times where they came out of the zone last night and there were 2 or 3 Devils between the defenseman carrying the puck and the nearest Flyer forward. You can't do that often and suspect success, talented defensemen or not.
- Jsaquella

Laviolette adjusted the Flyers right out of a potential top 5 pick.

Almost as if the Devils knew exactly what the Flyers were going to do huh?
- MBFlyerfan

Pretty much. It's the same thing that the Rangers do, and it's very similar to what Tampa Bay used to do to them under Boucher.

Unfortunately for Boucher, he didn't have a good defense or goalie

Laviolette adjusted the Flyers right out of a potential top 5 pick.
- PLindbergh31

It's possible. But the tweaks they made last year made them a team that won a lot more consistently after they had a bunch of injuries.

Down the stretch last season, when Coburn, Meszaros and Grossmann were out and they used Gervais, Gustafsson, Manning and Lauridsen in the top six, they went 11-5 and beat 9 playoff teams. They had a solid transition game because they adjusted what they were doing.

I counted, just in the first period, 5 times where they came out of the zone last night and there were 2 or 3 Devils between the defenseman carrying the puck and the nearest Flyer forward. You can't do that often and suspect success, talented defensemen or not.
- Jsaquella

(Just pointing out that with Bruno Gervais playing, that gives you two RH's in the Top 6. It makes it easier! I'm just saying!).


But seriously, though, this is the most crucial aspect of this team this year: Can they get the puck out of their own zone, especially against defensive-oriented teams, so they can score 5 on 5?

I really don't worry about this team -- except for that. I just don't think the Flyers can carry Coburn AND Grossmann AND another non-puck mover -- and I don't think Meszaros is good enough as a puck mover for what we need.

We need some more mature, hardworking vets on the team like Pronger and Jagr were. I think the rest of the team expects to be like Giroux and be able to turn it on at any time.
- youarewrong

When they had Jagr they got swept by the Rangers in the regular season and went 3-8-1 vs the Devils in the regular season and playoffs combined.

(Just pointing out that with Bruno Gervais playing, that gives you two RH's in the Top 6).


But seriously, though, this is the most crucial aspect of this team this year: Can they get the puck out of their own zone, especially against defensive-oriented teams, so they can score 5 on 5?

I really don't worry about this team -- except for that. I just don't think the Flyers can carry Coburn AND Grossmann AND another non-puck mover -- and I don't think Meszaros is good enough as a puck mover for what we need.
- AllInForFlyers

The Devils made it to the Cup Final in 2012 with a defense that was very similarly constructed to the Flyers current group. Outside of Zdlicky they didn't have many good puck movers, they just played to their strengths and limited mistakes.

I know it was pre-season, but w/o guys like Rinaldo and Simmonds in the lineup, I thought the Flyers looked very soft last night.

I'm still very concerned about the back-end.

It's possible. But the tweaks they made last year made them a team that won a lot more consistently after they had a bunch of injuries.
- Jsaquella

Absolutely. I never advocate tanking, but it was very frustrating to see them lose time after time when the games still mattered, and all of a sudden when they were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention come on like gang busters.

If Morin doesn't pan out, it's one more thing I can add to my laundry list of complaints.

Seriously, Laviolette may have thought he was coaching for his job at the end of the year, that along with the injuries made him adjust.

The Devils made it to the Cup Final in 2012 with a defense that was very similarly constructed to the Flyers current group. Outside of Zdlicky they didn't have many good puck movers, they just played to their strengths and limited mistakes.
- Jsaquella

Huh. You don't consider Andy Greene a fairly decent, maybe even slightly above-average, puck mover? Maybe I overrate him a bit, but I thought he was good in that role for them.

does anybody play NHL 14 HUT?

The different level consumables are killing me. Plus, I can barely scrape together a NHL roster. I'm in division 7 right now, I think--maybe even 6.

I know it was pre-season, but w/o guys like Rinaldo and Simmonds in the lineup, I thought the Flyers looked very soft last night.

I'm still very concerned about the back-end.
- flyguy12

I think Rinaldo brings energy every shift. You notice him out there.

He hasn't practiced or played in pre-season games to my knowledge. I would guess he's not going to be ready for the start of the season.

It's possible. But the tweaks they made last year made them a team that won a lot more consistently after they had a bunch of injuries.
- Jsaquella

IMO, too much credit is given to whatever simplifications were made... fact is, with a ragtag D, the forwards had to be more conscientious about maintaining closer gaps because frankly there were a lot of guys behind them who they knew weren't able to thread a long pass through NHL defenders. The only adjustment they have to make to replicate the late-season recipe would be to bench any D for making more than a 12ft pass.

(Just pointing out that with Bruno Gervais playing, that gives you two RH's in the Top 6. It makes it easier! I'm just saying!).


But seriously, though, this is the most crucial aspect of this team this year: Can they get the puck out of their own zone, especially against defensive-oriented teams, so they can score 5 on 5?

I really don't worry about this team -- except for that. I just don't think the Flyers can carry Coburn AND Grossmann AND another non-puck mover -- and I don't think Meszaros is good enough as a puck mover for what we need.
- AllInForFlyers

Coburn confuses me the most.

Here's a guy who has the skills to carry or pass the puck out of the zone without any problem, but he has his issues.

does anybody play NHL 14 HUT?

The different level consumables are killing me. Plus, I can barely scrape together a NHL roster. I'm in division 7 right now, I think--maybe even 6.
- KGBflyers10

The whole HUT thing is very confusing to me. You "buy" a pack of cards and get random players and then have to put them into a lineup or something? I've actually enjoyed the new Be A Pro, Live the Life. As a defenseman for the Kelowna Rockets, I am leading the league in goals (35 in 35 games), assists, and PIM (200+ to 60-).

Oh, I lied:

I do worry about if they're going to have enough goals on the third line, if Couturier doesn't break out, and I can see some scenarios where the fourth line doesn't score at all.

Man, the season looks a lot better if someone would just promise me that Couturier gets 15 or so goals and 40 or so points.

Huh. You don't consider Andy Greene a fairly decent, maybe even slightly above-average, puck mover? Maybe I overrate him a bit, but I thought he was good in that role for them.
- AllInForFlyers

He's a decent one...but the Flyers have Streit, Timonen and Gustafsson who can all move the puck, as well or nearly as well as Greene.

I know it was pre-season, but w/o guys like Rinaldo and Simmonds in the lineup, I thought the Flyers looked very soft last night.

I'm still very concerned about the back-end.
- flyguy12

Luke Schenn didn't play last night either, and I agree, they did look soft.