WOW...so far a thread with very little ridiculous trade talks..

I guess the NHL was trying to make the game more marketable for the fans when coming back from the lockout. It was something new and different but over time its lost its appeal imo. I understand they cant have teams playing all night during the regular season bc of travel. Just play 4 on 4 hockey for 10mins (OT) and get rid of the shootout. If the game ends in a tie so be it.
- stveshdy

I understand the logic-they wanted to avoid having teams play for ties and it was exciting and new and all that.

I never had a problem with ties. Sure, I'd rather see a winner and loser, but if you have a game like the Flyers and Isles, neither team deserved to get lumped with the L. Both goalies played very well and the Flyers as a team deserved a better fate.

WOW...so far a thread with very little ridiculous trade talks..
- Buzzo

Yeah, but school is out now, so watch out.

The Almighty tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he's pretty sure you're franked.
- RooNosHockey

Oh yea Satan shows up every night asking me when I'm ready

Yep. That's all you can do is practice it. Maybe some more advanced work and video on shooters/goalie tendencies etc.

I hate the shootout personally, as do most hard core hockey fans, I don't have to tell you why it was put into the rules, you know full well. It unfortunately is here to stay by the looks of it, the Flyers improving at shootouts will make us despise it slightly less.
- PLindbergh31

Exactly. As long as it's a part of the game, there should be focus on it.

Guys like Zdeno Chara and Chris Pronger are vital to winning in this league. How often are they involved in a shootout?
- Jsaquella

Interesting point. What about 4-on-4 after regulation, and you play until someone scores just like the playoffs?

WOW...so far a thread with very little ridiculous trade talks..
- Buzzo

U probably just jinxed it. I can see a poster named after an olde city drinking member showing up asking when Bryz and Shelley are going for Nash and Carter.

Morning all,

I've got an interesting Flyers related story from my weekend at a work conference in Quebec City.

Was there with other military people from accross Canada.. ran into one of my buddies who is a Detroit fan and knows I'm a Flyers fan. Saturday morning, he says, "I am gonna make your day.. come meet this guy who works at my unit".. I was like WTF? I go over, and meet a fella wearing a nametag which says Read. He says, this is Matt Read's dad.. I was blown away..small world. We got to talking about Matt and how great this year has been..told him congrats. We starting chatting about the team's play osf late, how Matt was being used in games etc.. He could tell that I am a die hard fan. I say to him, I am going to see them on the March 17th game in Boston. He tells me, some of Matt's family are going to that game and that he can ask Matt to sign me in to meet he and some of the players if I want. I was like YOU'D DO THAT FOR ME? He laughed and said it's no issue. Matt likes doing stuff like that. I told him that if it wasn't a bother that it would mean a lot to me and my GF..(more to me LOL). We exchanged info and he said he'll give me the deets to make it happen.

Also, after the Saturday debalce and the Kubina trade, we spoke again and discussed the issues the team was having etc. He said he had been emailing back and forth with Matt all eveing and morning discussing where he is positioned on the PP.. Such a small world. His father seemed to be a genuinely nice man who is soo proud of his son. I think it is so kind of him to offer to help a HUGE fan of the team his son plays for. Any of you who saw me at buzzgate a few years back know that I am still on cloud 9..because I think I may get to meet a few of the players.. I am crazy psyched!!! Pray it all works out.,

PS: happy with the two moves on D Homer made.. but it takes a back seat to this!!!
- Hextall271

This is awesome! Can't wait to hear about your weekend in Boston.

I understand the logic-they wanted to avoid having teams play for ties and it was exciting and new and all that.

I never had a problem with ties. Sure, I'd rather see a winner and loser, but if you have a game like the Flyers and Isles, neither team deserved to get lumped with the L. Both goalies played very well and the Flyers as a team deserved a better fate.
- Jsaquella

I can live with the shootout bc it actually doesnt hurt the game come playoff time (does help teams point wise). Playoffs are the most important thing and continueous OT in hockey is one of the most exciting events to watch.

Interesting point. What about 4-on-4 after regulation, and you play until someone scores just like the playoffs?
- wolfhounds

I think that that could be too much to ask, given the physical nature of the sport.

I think if they played a 10 minute OT, 4 on 4 or 5 on 5, and gave nobody a point for ties, you wouldn't see many teams sit back and play for the point. That was the argument when they first started having OT-teams are sitting back and playing for the point. That gave birth to the 3 point game.

Now the shootout means there's more 3 point games than ever before.

Too much is made of his ability in shoot outs. It won't matter come playoff time.
- funmaster18

correct.

but.... i do understand the fan frustration of watching the 40+ shot game with no goals and losing in the end because a PeeWee goalie would have stopped the exact same shots in the shootout - none

Exactly. As long as it's a part of the game, there should be focus on it.
- Jsaquella

No question. And is seems like Laviolette has incorporated shootout work more into practice.

As crazy as it sounds, game 82 in 2010, with the Flyers having more skilled players, and the Rags having Lundqvist play out of his mind just to keep them in that game, an overtime could have easily ended with Boucher giving up a soft goal.

No question. And is seems like Laviolette has incorporated shootout work more into practice.

As crazy as it sounds, game 82 in 2010, with the Flyers having more skilled players, and the Rags having Lundqvist play out of his mind just to keep them in that game, an overtime could have easily ended with Boucher giving up a soft goal.
- PLindbergh31

Yep. But that's part of the game. I'd have zero issue if a guy got hauled down on an OT breakaway and scored on the penalty shot, because that's an earned shot, through a hockey play.

correct.

but.... i do understand the fan frustration of watching the 40+ shot game with no goals and losing in the end because a PeeWee goalie would have stopped the exact same shots in the shootout - none
- GoFlyersGoSlovakia

Just as frustrating as watching a 40+ shot game where the team can't put one past the goalie. In regulation and the shootout.

Yep. But that's part of the game. I'd have zero issue if a guy got hauled down on an OT breakaway and scored on the penalty shot, because that's an earned shot, through a hockey play.
- Jsaquella

Very true. For some crazy reason I was confident the Flyers were going to win that shootout. I have no idea why, just had a gut feeling.

Very true. For some crazy reason I was confident the Flyers were going to win that shootout. I have no idea why, just had a gut feeling.
- PLindbergh31

The Rangers one? Yeah, I had a really good feeling that game, too...I have no idea why, either. Should have been terrified.

This game tonight will be very difficult to win. Winnipeg is tough at home, Byfuglien, and Kane are back, and they have had the Flyers number this year.

I think Winnipeg is actually going to end up winning their division, Florida is starting to struggle, and Washington looks like a shot team. All of a sudden a # 6 seed wouldn't be that appealing. Not to mention that would be the worst possible travel situation for a first round series.

I don't want esche out of Russia but I want someone who will come here and make an impact. Bryz and Bob do have raw talent. I see Bryz as having maybe a mental issue. A guy like Khabby would really connect with him and I think Bryz could take him seriously. Had a discussion with a good acquiantance on twitter about Bryz's focus.
Guy told me Bryz's contract should be all he needs to focus. But mental aspects in sports are coached. Fred Shero was a great coach b/c he knew how to push his teams buttons. By pushing buttons I don't mean getting them to act like animals either. The Flyers were brawlers in those days but they still had to play hockey. I really think Bryz needs a coach to get him playing more than just good fundamentals, he needs a mentor to get him playing on such a big stage. I don't know that Reese is doing that with him. And nothing against Reese but the Flyers might have to look at bringing in a guy I'm speaking of to salvage this thing in the offseason, hope it doesn't get to that point either.
- JoeRussomanno

I meant Esche as a goalies coach...

We do not need a third goalie! That should have been learned last year. However I think after the season if Khabby retires or leaves edmonton I'd really like the Flyers get him here. He would be a FANTASTIC mentor to both Bryz and Bob. Yes Bryz is 31 but you don't stop learning at that age either (yes I'm older and still learning). Sorry but I just think Jeff Reese has run his course, however I'm willing to see how this season plays out.
- JoeRussomanno

Bryz doesn't WANT a mentor or attempted correction. He has his ways and wants to stick by them. That's probably where he's butted heads with Reese, who is a very hands-on "teaching" goalie coach.

This game tonight will be very difficult to win. Winnipeg is tough at home, Byfuglien, and Kane are back, and they have had the Flyers number this year.

I think Winnipeg is actually going to end up winning their division, Florida is starting to struggle, and Washington looks like a shot team. All of a sudden a # 6 seed wouldn't be that appealing. Not to mention that would be the worst possible travel situation for a first round series.
- PLindbergh31

Jets are getting hot at the right time, and neither Washington or Florida is playing that well.

Bryz doesn't WANT a mentor or attempted correction. He has his ways and wants to stick by them. That's probably where he's butted heads with Reese, who is a very hands-on "teaching" goalie coach.
- bmeltzer

Okay now correct me if I'm wrong but that's a legitimate knock on Bryz. Considering he's struggling, he needs to open up and take the coaches input. Wow that's very telling Bill.

The Rangers one? Yeah, I had a really good feeling that game, too...I have no idea why, either. Should have been terrified.
- Jsaquella

Yeah. Briere, Richards, Giroux vs. Christansen,(who has some crazy shootout %) Parenteau, and Jokinen seemed to give the Flyers a distinct advantage. But Lundqvist vs. Boucher was the frightening part.

WOW...so far a thread with very little ridiculous trade talks..
- Buzzo

I'm pretty happy with what Homer has done so far. The only thing I think we NEED is a checking line, but I'll be okay if that doesn't happen. We are deep at forward, and at this point we might as well hold onto them until the draft and determine our needs then. Maybe we can get Briere to waive his NTC so we can afford some UFA d-men...

I'm ready for a new goalie coach... Bob's puck handling is much better, but I see little improvement in any other part of his game... Its almost like Reese has taken Bob's ability to make the spectatular saves away, and the soft ones still goes in. Same with Bryz... Time for a new goalie coach... Someone call Robert Esche out of Russia...
- RooNosHockey

Call robert esche?? Are we that desperate??

Okay now correct me if I'm wrong but that's a legitimate knock on Bryz. Considering he's struggling, he needs to open up and take the coaches input. Wow that's very telling Bill.
- JoeRussomanno

Maybe its the coaches "input" that is messing with Bryz....