I really didn't like the couts talbot Rinaldo line that always seemed to be out there right after our powerplays, which usually was against the Bozak line. Pretty big mismatch i think
- phatpat44

Not much choice when the players who played on the PP, make up the bulk of the other lines.

I agree with your assessment of hartnell but if I only have to pay vanek 2 mill more a year than hartnell then deal deal deal. Vanek is way better than hartnell. Vanek is a vet Also but still younger than hartnell and a captian this season. Well respected. He'd be good for 40 to 50 goals innphilly. Look what he does on a poopty sabres team
- SMS4016

Hey, if you can get Vanek for Hartnell, sign me up!

Hey, if you can get Vanek for Hartnell, sign me up!
- MJL

I like Hartnell, but I would personally drive him to Buffalo to make that deal happen.

do you think the flyers are better than your leafs? i rate them about even.
- isaiah520

Yeah, I'd say were very close. Similar forward depth (remember, were missing Clarkson) you probably have a better defense on paper, just have to play to their capabilities but our goaltending is better for sure.

You replaced Bryzgalov and Briere with Lecavalier, Streit and Emery. And Meszaros and Grossman are healthy, which would probably be one of the best 3rd pairings out there. You're an improved team and I expect you to bounce back and make the playoffs again like you do everytime you come off a bad season

do you think the flyers are better than your leafs? i rate them about even.
- isaiah520

I really like both teams forwards. Alot of depth and depth wins in the playoffs. 3 good lines each.

I really dislike both teams D, i like your D a little better to be honest. Both teams won't get past the 2nd round with D corps that we have.

I like our goaltending better. Safe to say, both teams could miss the playoffs, but i don't think anyone would want to play either of us come playoff time.

I like Hartnell, but I would personally drive him to Buffalo to make that deal happen.
- johndewar

No doubt, but put it on the list of what will never happen.

Great write up as usual Bill!

This is how I'm looking at the big picture for this year:

So last season the Flyers had a lot of factors going against their chance for success. Poor 5 v 5 play, boatload of injuries, poor team defense and suspect goaltending.

YET - they finished the season 3 wins away from a playoff spot. Right?

I get that there are several changes to this year's circumstances compared to last season's (full 82 game schedule, new division format/playoff format, changes to the roster) but as long as the Flyers stay relatively healthy and have even a somewhat better season than last year, I'm not worried about their playoff chances. Flyers might be a low seed, but I think they'll make the playoffs.

Especially if they can come out with the same effort as last night's first period with any sense of consistency.

I appreciate all the information in the be format. However I dont come here for an in depth synopsis since I watch most of the games. I kind of like the old format and more of your respected opinion Bill!
- Just5

i think i agree

Thank you all for the feedback on the new post-gameday format. Going forward, what I think I will do is add a "final thoughts" section to the blog and add more of the miscellaneous commentary and individual player observations that don't fit in the other sections.
- bmeltzer

I think the 2nd Leaf goalie deflated them. In the 2nd period, when the Flyers were ahead 1-0, I felt that if the Flyers got 1 more goal before the Leafs, the game would be over.
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly right, end the 1st up 2-0, its a completely different game.

If I didn't watch last year or the playoffs with the devils is be pretty satisfied with the overall effort last night, but having seen all that I'm concerned when teams clamp down. The flyers do not know how to clamp down and they don't know how to penetrate a team that is clamping down.

I do know I was much more pleased with the effort than I expected after the preseason. Well see what they do the next couple of weeks.
- funmaster18

this

they looked WAY better than i thought they would after seeing that last preseason game

That's not the question I'd ask. The question I'd ask it's what's better out of this choice.

Read-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Talbot-Couturier-Schenn

or

Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Talbot-Couturier-Read

I'd choose the latter.
- MJL

IMHO the best choice would be:

Schenn-Lacavalier-Read
Talbot-Couturier-Simmonds

Maybe it would be best if you dont watch at all. You see what you want to see in that game. They played a good game. The other goalie stole the show. I saw marked improvement over last year, and I expect it to continue.
- youarewrong

Well put. It's all abouT progress with the young core

IMHO the best choice would be:

Schenn-Lacavalier-Read
Talbot-Couturier-Simmonds
- BiggE

Thats not bad. How about this...

Simmonds-Giroux-Voracek
Hartnell-Lecavalier-Read
Schenn-Couturier-Tabot
Hall-Laughton-Rinaldo

i thought streit looked bad, he made a poor effort on a keep on the powerplay and overall made bad passes and bad decisions with the puck

LOVE IT!!!

Laughton back to juniors? Why?

EDIT: Not sure why they would put him on the initial roster if they were going to send him back before he gets a game in. Maybe they'll wait until later in the season to recall.

http://t.co/atk0q7pkz0

Hey, if you can get Vanek for Hartnell, sign me up!
- MJL

Sign vanek as free agent, trade hartnell for 1st round pick. Maka me very,very,

Where has stvshdy been? (Spelling?)

I like Hartnell, but I would personally drive him to Buffalo to make that deal happen.
- johndewar

YOh put I'm on a plane I'll pick him up at the airport

Laughton back to juniors and Newbury called up

Philadelphia Flyers ‏@NHLFlyers 1m
ROSTER UPDATE: Laughton has been loaned to @Oshawa_Generals & Newbury has been recalled from @PhantomsHockey. MORE: http://nhlflye.rs/GBih0B

Another goon!

Laughton back to juniors? Why?

http://t.co/atk0q7pkz0
- mcefalu

And they call up newbury, sweet

Laughton back to juniors? Why?

Not sure why they would put him on the initial roster if they were going to send him back before he gets a game in. Maybe they'll wait until later in the season to recall.

http://t.co/atk0q7pkz0
- mcefalu

It's weird. They could have done that on September 30th and not have had to waive Hall, right?

So Newbury (a goon is the 13th forward) and Rosehill becomes a regular!