I heard Brad Jones is available. Those who remember the darkest days of the five years of missing the playoffs will get the reference.

For those who were not around (or born) yet, when the Flyers acquired Jones before the 1991-92 season, Russ Farwell touted the acquisition like he'd just signed the second-coming of Bobby Hull and Doug Jarvis all rolled up into one, saying, "Jones is one of the fastest skaters anywhere in hockey, with excellent hockey sense and a lot of untapped offensive potential."

Jones lasted one season in Philly and wound up a healthy scratch for much of the season. He never played in the NHL again after that season.
- bmeltzer

So Columbus is looking to add fast players while giving away Carter and Nash. Makes sense. We can send them Harry Z.

I heard Brad Jones is available. Those who remember the darkest days of the five years of missing the playoffs will get the reference.

For those who were not around (or born) yet, when the Flyers acquired Jones before the 1991-92 season, Russ Farwell touted the acquisition like he'd just signed the second-coming of Bobby Hull and Doug Jarvis all rolled up into one, saying, "Jones is one of the fastest skaters anywhere in hockey, with excellent hockey sense and a lot of untapped offensive potential."

Jones lasted one season in Philly and wound up a healthy scratch for much of the season. He never played in the NHL again after that season.
- bmeltzer

Flyers seem to have had a bunch of players like that... guys who were destined to be great but fizzled out. List includes: Pavel Brindl, Pat Falloon, Jiri Dopita, Jody Shelley, Alex Daigle, Ryan Sittler

So the team targeted the defense, made it bigger, stronger and in my opinion much better (time will tell). From here... what else is there to do before the TDL?

Another depth veteran forward? Backup goalie upgrade?

That's about it right?

Nash is clearly out of the question because it would be impossible to make it work financially.

Why is that even an option for the clowns writing those ads? Is the NY Daily News printing similar ads with Lundqvist? How bout the Pittsburgh Post Gazette with Fleury? How bout the Tennessean in Nashville with Rinne? and so on and so forth.

My point is Bryzgalov's performance feeds the drama and negativity monster that all these folks thrive on. It's not going to change anytime soon, unless Bryzgalov performs at an elite level.
- PLindbergh31

The sad part is they know what they are doing. Inciting rage that will hopefully lead to hits on a link or web page.

Bryz needs to be better we all know this. I dont think you can ever say "elite level" when mentioning Bryz. The expectations are too high for this goalie imo. He is the next tier below those players, to think he is on the same level as those others is crazy (Lundqvist, Fluery, Rinne).
- stveshdy

Whether those expectations are crazy or not, they are what they are. To many Bryzgalov was brought here to be the "savior" and compensated as such. Part of that is attributed to Ed Snider's comments after last years playoffs. That's the reality of it.

Bryz needs to be better we all know this. I dont think you can ever say "elite level" when mentioning Bryz. The expectations are too high for this goalie imo. He is the next tier below those players, to think he is on the same level as those others is crazy (Lundqvist, Fluery, Rinne).
- stveshdy

He played at that level two seasons ago -- and it was not merely a "system thing". Phoenix still had plenty of breakdowns that first year under Tippett, but Bryzgalov played out of his mind until they realized they could make the playoffs and brought it a little more help. He was less consistently good last year (although the stats were comparable).

Flyers seem to have had a bunch of players like that... guys who were destined to be great but fizzled out. List includes: Pavel Brindl, Pat Falloon, Jiri Dopita, Jody Shelley, Alex Daigle, Ryan Sittler
- jak521

Almost slipped that one in there.

It was tested in preseason and early in the season and didnt work well. All 3 had slow starts.
- RooNosHockey

What? When?

Hartnell started the season on the 3rd line with with 2 rookies (I believe Couturier and Read). When that line wasn't clicking, he was placed on the top line and never looked back. I haven't seen Briere, Voracek and Hartnell at all together at any extended period of time this season...at all.

What? When?

Hartnell started the season on the 3rd line with with 2 rookies (I believe Couturier and Read). When that line wasn't clicking, he was placed on the top line and never looked back. I haven't seen Briere, Voracek and Hartnell at all together at any extended period of time this season...at all.
- roenick97

I am coming to this conversation late but... it's not being suggested to move Hartnell off of Giroux's line is it?

I'm still trying to figure out how JVR can go from being out indefiniately to playing in a game three days later. It doesn't make sense to me and I don't remember reading anything about it. Was there an explanation?

~Thanks.

The sad part is they know what they are doing. Inciting rage that will hopefully lead to hits on a link or web page.
- funmaster18

Yep. No question.

Whether those expectations are crazy or not, they are what they are. To many Bryzgalov was brought here to be the "savior" and compensated as such. Part of that is attributed to Ed Snider's comments after last years playoffs. That's the reality of it.
- PLindbergh31

In other words, the reality is that people will set their expectations to levels higher than are even conceivably achievable and then when the athlete misses the mark, they can b!tch like maniacs and demand trades ignoring his contract and complete lack of value to the rest of the league?

He played at that level two seasons ago -- and it was not merely a "system thing". Phoenix still had plenty of breakdowns that first year under Tippett, but Bryzgalov played out of his mind until they realized they could make the playoffs and brought it a little more help. He was less consistently good last year (although the stats were comparable).
- bmeltzer

His numbers are comparable but I dont think he is on the same level as those goalies. If I give anyone a choice to pick two of Lundqvist, Fluery, Rinne or Bryzgalov there is no one who will pick him over those guys. I think he is in the next tier but not on that level with the "elite" imo.

I'm still trying to figure out how JVR can go from being out indefiniately to playing in a game three days later. It doesn't make sense to me and I don't remember reading anything about it. Was there an explanation?

~Thanks.
- Vipers53

Huh? JvR was out for like 3 weeks wasn't he?

Wasn't he out the entire time Briere was out and more?

I'm still trying to figure out how JVR can go from being out indefiniately to playing in a game three days later. It doesn't make sense to me and I don't remember reading anything about it. Was there an explanation?

~Thanks.
- Vipers53

Indefinitely means Unspecified, meaning, could return at anytime.

If I remember correctly the early season lines were:

Simmonds-Giroux-Jagr
Hartnell-Briere-Voracek
JVR-Talbot-Nodl/Read
Read'Nodl-Couturier-Rinaldo
- RooNosHockey

It was...

JvR-Giroux-Jagr
Voracek-Briere-Simmonds
Hartnell-Couturier-Read
Rinaldo-Talbot-Harry Z

Schenn was hurt, Nodl couldn't crack the line up.

Lucky Bastard!

I ran into Matt Read's family at the Red Wings Game in Detroit. There were a group of 4 heading into the Joe and they were all wearing Matt Read jersey's. I said to them as we were heading in "Big Matt Read fans eh?" This really pretty lady of the group replies "Yes, these are Matt Read's Parents" with a big smile. I have a certain shyness about not wanting to bother anyone so they can enjoy their game (and their lives LOL) so I I wished them good luck. They thanked me and I walked away.

Some people don't get it though. Maybe I don't push enough but others might push too much. A couple hours before the game I had nothing to do so I headed to the Joe 2 hours early. I found a small group of people in Flyers jersey's waiting for the bus to show. So I waited with them to see the Flyers play. Moments after waiting, Cars and Cars of people showed up looking to get their stuff signed as if it was owed to them. The bus shows up, the players get off the bus and head directly into the Joe (most wearing headphones). Jagr was the only one who looked up and smiled (It was only half the team not the whole team). People took it so personal that they didn't sign anything. They don't seem to understand that we lost the night before and they have to keep their heads into the games.

I guess this is a statement of the difference between myself and some fans. You're very lucky though. If you're lucky to get noticed and get this sort of chance, run with it.

Good Luck to you.
- roenick97

when I was a kid i'd wait for signatures and the guys would always take time after the game. I'd never think to bother them beforehand. I have run into them at times in hotels and found them very ice for the most part.

You saw a hockey game that lasted 60 minutes. That's what you paid for. I don't get this "I paid good money" excuse. Does the fine print entitle one to bad behavior?
- Flyskippy

So what happened at (after?) the game? I was incommunicado last weekend...

Whether those expectations are crazy or not, they are what they are. To many Bryzgalov was brought here to be the "savior" and compensated as such. Part of that is attributed to Ed Snider's comments after last years playoffs. That's the reality of it.
- PLindbergh31

All im saying is hes not an "elite" goalie in the NHL. He is the tier below it no matter what the expectations are. If you think he is Lundqvist, Rinne, Fluery you bought a fake product. He is a good goalie but not on that level, imo.

What? When?

Hartnell started the season on the 3rd line with with 2 rookies (I believe Couturier and Read). When that line wasn't clicking, he was placed on the top line and never looked back. I haven't seen Briere, Voracek and Hartnell at all together at any extended period of time this season...at all.
- roenick97

I believe the argument the first few months was to put him with briereto try and get them both going. I don't think hartnell saw any time with briere early on.

In other words, the reality is that people will set their expectations to levels higher than are even conceivably achievable and then when the athlete misses the mark, they can b!tch like maniacs and demand trades ignoring his contract and complete lack of value to the rest of the league?
- OrangeBlack27

People can do as they wish. I'm not one who throws out ridiculous trade proposals and such, but if people want to do that, it's their right.

when I was a kid i'd wait for signatures and the guys would always take time after the game. I'd never think to bother them beforehand. I have run into them at times in hotels and found them very ice for the most part.
- nastyflyergirl

really hoping my adam burt signature will be worth something some day.

Nash for Giroux?
- RooNosHockey

Yes right after they name Shelley captain

In other words, the reality is that people will set their expectations to levels higher than are even conceivably achievable and then when the athlete misses the mark, they can b!tch like maniacs and demand trades ignoring his contract and complete lack of value to the rest of the league?
- OrangeBlack27

Exactly

In other words, the reality is that people will set their expectations to levels higher than are even conceivably achievable and then when the athlete misses the mark, they can b!tch like maniacs and demand trades ignoring his contract and complete lack of value to the rest of the league?
- OrangeBlack27