Because it's not really true. We're no worse than we were last year when fully fit.
Those saying there's nothing that makes us better than the Rangers must be new. How many times does this club need to step it up when it matters before you hold some hope? The Rangers are known play-off chokers and the Bruins....well, let's ignore the Bruins. We finished 7th in the East and went to the finals. Anything's possible and if anyone wants to give up this season already then losers exit at the next stop.
Because it's not really true. We're no worse than we were last year when fully fit.
Those saying there's nothing that makes us better than the Rangers must be new. How many times does this club need to step it up when it matters before you hold some hope?
I hope the Flyers win the Stanley Cup. Don't confuse hope with blind optimism. Their goaltending has been putrid, they've let leads slip away, and they are constantly chasing the game because of an early goal allowed. In October and November they were torching teams in the first period, now they resemble the team that struggled down the stretch in the second half.
All most of us are simply saying is that (in our opinion) the team is better suited acknowledging they have a better chance at a cup next year so don't weaken next years roster to plug one hole.
So that we can move two steps (one net step) forward:
From: Eastern Conference First/Second Round Team
To: Stanley Cup Championship Competitor
We'll see if it pays off.
Bryzgalov needs to go.
We need to spend his money on defense.
We need to be patient with vanRiemsdyk, Voracek, Couturier, Schenn, Simmonds, Read, and Giroux. Basically don't start trading people.
Not to argue with the hilighted part... but how do you suggest this happening with Bryz having a full No Move Clause?
Not only does Homer have to find a trade partner who is willing to take an under-performing Goalie, but they must be able and willing to do so at such a high Cap hit and for eight more seasons... Seems for that to happen he must be playing well enough for the Flyers to keep him... Compound that with the fact that Bryz has to be willing to waive this NMC and be willing to relocate to that city and play for that team; he hold just about all the cards at this pint.
It can be argued that the next CBA may allow an amnesty clause that allows a team to remove a player from their roster at the cost of the contract... which is painful as it is... but will a player who has a No MOVE Clause be exempt since he has signed a contract with mutual agreement that he will not be able to be moved at any cost without his waiving that clause?
I believe that even if they could make Bryz feel unwanted enough to waive his NMC, finding an able and willing dance partner is an unscalable hurdle.
Edit: I'd like to see the bolded part changed to... "Bryzgalov needs to play consistently up to his ability".
But seriously, they are in okay shape given the loss of Pronger. Things sure would look different if they had him in there.
Bryzgalov has been lackluster. In all likelihood that will change.
Still, this team is porous enough defensively to eliminate any real Cup run this year.
It would be helpful if the young guys got a taste of playoffs.
So if they can make a chemistry deal where they send some veteran away for decent young talent, I'd say go. But there should be no urgent buying or selling, in my opinion.
It is a simple poll to see how people feel at this point... over half a season after the big moves that altered the course and the core of the team.
I was thinking about my evolving thoughts and feelings starting with not knowing what to think and then how I fully expected the team drop back and fight for a playoff spot... then with the Rookies stepping up and showing so much promise keeping them among the elite... then the absence of Pronger and the non-clutch goaltending versus the outstanding goaltending of the Bruins and Rangers... I came t the realization that it might be settling into place as it was set up to be; a younger and more talented team that needs time to grow... a team that is taking a step backwards in order to take the next step and progress to being an elite team in the NHL and winning the Stanley Cup again.
I wanted to know what everybody else was feeling and if they were okay with the present course of the team.
I dont want to see any young forward talent go. But I want Bryz gone and I want Bob as a starter. Take the money you save from Bryz and put it into our D
Because it's not really true. We're no worse than we were last year when fully fit.
Those saying there's nothing that makes us better than the Rangers must be new. How many times does this club need to step it up when it matters before you hold some hope? The Rangers are known play-off chokers and the Bruins....well, let's ignore the Bruins. We finished 7th in the East and went to the finals. Anything's possible and if anyone wants to give up this season already then losers exit at the next stop.
We replaced our two best defensive players on the team with two rookies, and we went from having a deep 4th like capable of killing penalties, to a bunch of hacks. Our best defensemen is out for the season because the candle on the other side of the room burns his brain like the fire of a thousand suns. And our goaltender is one or both of a mental midget and/or a malcontent. And if our post-All-Star Break performance is any indication, those rookies are starting to hit the hall aside from Schenn.
We're further away from where we were last season, that's not necessarily a bad thing, because this team is set up to do better down the line. I've said all year that if we get back to where we were last season it would be a great success given that 1/3 of our lineup played a cumulative total less than 10 NHL games before this year.
They took a step back. Don't let the standings fool you. The Bruins were playoff chokers too before they weren't.
I just don't want to see any crazy moves at this point. If we can keep all of our players minus a few and upgrade the defense that will go a long way towards helping out whoever is in net at the time. Unless Bryz starts to show something, something should be done with him because it is way to much money for a run of the mill goalie.
We replaced our two best defensive players on the team with two rookies, and we went from having a deep 4th like capable of killing penalties, to a bunch of hacks. Our best defensemen is out for the season because the candle on the other side of the room burns his brain like the fire of a thousand suns. And our goaltender is one or both of a mental midget and/or a malcontent. And if our post-All-Star Break performance is any indication, those rookies are starting to hit the hall aside from Schenn.
We're further away from where we were last season, that's not necessarily a bad thing, because this team is set up to do better down the line. I've said all year that if we get back to where we were last season it would be a great success given that 1/3 of our lineup played a cumulative total less than 10 NHL games before this year.
They took a step back. Don't let the standings fool you. The Bruins were playoff chokers too before they weren't.
This has got nothing to do with the standings, we're no worse than we were last year. The PP is substantially better, the PK is almost exactly the same, we're still getting decent scoring support from the second and third lines, our defence is equally as bad and the netminding (somehow) has slightly improved. This is all with Pronger having missed the majority of the year and Briere, Giroux, Jagr and JvR all missing substantial time.
Frankly, PP aside we look like exactly the same team as last year, rookies or not. This team is one that's capable of wowing us but is going to limp into the play-offs like a scolded dog.
Why did he get fired in Carolina do you know or anyone else? This system is great for offense but come playoff time teams tighten up on defense and it seems predictable with what we do so we always are chasing the puck. Maybe the system is just outdated. Still though if Bryz comes on strong this team has a chance.
I would like to see them trade JVR and Carle for a defense prospect and a young stay at home defenseman. Somebody to help us now by replacing Carle and another prospect to grow along with all the rookies.
To be honest, I think this team took a step forward. As someone mentioned, they're just as good at this point as they were last season, and they have on some nights up to 7 rookies in the lineup. What other kind of team in the league has that many rookies in their lineup any given night? This is a heck of a team so far. Reminds me a lot of the 84-85 team where Murray Craven, Peter Zezel, Rick Tocchet and Derek Smith were all rookies with the club.
Schenn, Couturier, Read, Zolnierczyk, Sestito (who I can't believe I'm sold on), and Rinaldo are going to be something else in a few years. What makes it impressive right now is just how well adjusted to the pro game these guys are. In the next three seasons, these guys are going to be very important players in the lineup.
We need to be patient with vanRiemsdyk, Voracek, Couturier, Schenn, Simmonds, Read, and Giroux. Basically don't start trading people.
well someone from that group will have to go if your looking to add a top 4 defenseman this season. Unless you want to part with a 1st.
I just hope that Holmgren doesnt panic and do something stupid. A bad Feb. leading up to the deadline could just tell how desperate and if he decides to make a panic deal. If the deal isnt right I would rather they just roll with what they have and deal see what happens. But I am not counting on it.
Why did he get fired in Carolina do you know or anyone else? This system is great for offense but come playoff time teams tighten up on defense and it seems predictable with what we do so we always are chasing the puck. Maybe the system is just outdated. Still though if Bryz comes on strong this team has a chance.
Maybe now we know the only way a Laviolette coached team can win anything is for a goalie to stand on his proverbial head for 8 weeks...
I would rather them sit on their hands because at this point there is no reason to expect a single acquisition to put us ahead of the Rangers or Bruins.
Agreed.
Unless the Bruins or Rangers get injured, (along with the danger of a healthy Penguin team, should they ever be healthy), I don't see how this team, even with the addition of, say, Suter, would be in a position to win the Cup. Surely any team can win once in the playoffs, but the odds would be greater not to and the loss associated in acquiring a player like Suter would have greater long term negatives.
I believed that Pronger was the key to any chance for a Cup, When he was injured, I assumed this team could not compete.
The team needs to wait for the offseason, assess Pronger (who I believe to be finished), and then try to obtain a solid d-man.
The team needs to keep Bryzgalov (not like they could get rid of him anyway) and see how he does next year. This year is just a bad one.
well someone from that group will have to go if your looking to add a top 4 defenseman this season. Unless you want to part with a 1st.
I just hope that Holmgren doesnt panic and do something stupid. A bad Feb. leading up to the deadline could just tell how desperate and if he decides to make a panic deal. If the deal isnt right I would rather they just roll with what they have and deal see what happens. But I am not counting on it.
February is always bad for the Flyers. I hope Holmgren can realistically look at this team and not see it through rose colored glasses. I expect JvR to be traded for a rental who doesn't resign with the team, or whose resigning makes us part with even more players.
I would like to see them trade JVR and Carle for a defense prospect and a young stay at home defenseman. Somebody to help us now by replacing Carle and another prospect to grow along with all the rookies.
I would love to see this if they could do it. Who would be a young defense prospect you would like to see the Flyers get?
