I am a die-hard fan, but because I live outside of the Philly area, and because I waork this insane swing shift I have yet to see a single Flyers game this year. It's driving me crazy, but I soooo count on reading game reports on the web. Thank you. Now, my question, how does the start this year compare to last year's hot start? I see the PP is going strong again and wonder if it will fade away once again. Also, how does LeClair really look? I read that he has scored a few since he's been back, but I also read about how he seemed very uninterested in the preseason. Can somebody please let me know what you think if you've actually been able to watch the games??? Thanx, I'm dying here!!!!!
This start is a hell of a lot better than last year, imo. Last year, I didn't see the Flyers dominate anyone the entire year like they have a few times this year. I believe that the PP is here to stay because of one guy, Joni Pitkanen. He's sooo good at keeping the puck in, moving it to the open man, skating to the middle of the ice, and getting his shots through. This team has looked good in a lot of games (exception being the Jersey game, where they got tired, imo) and they have 3 lines that are all scoring basically every night. I believe the only question is in net. This is the first year in a while that I believe if the Flyers pick up a goalie like a Kolzig, they will win the cup. They have looked that good. As for John, he's been playing fairly well, though his linemates have been awesome (Williams and Handzus). He looked a little slow out there in the Jersey game, but his strength and balance seem to be the best i've seen since 2000. That is very encouraging for the Flyers offense and the Flyers PP.
That was more than I could have asked for. Thanks so much. `I forgot all about Pitkanen, although I greatly anticipate seeing him on the ice for the first time. It's kinda hard to believe he could live up to my expectations now. How does he compare with Niiniimaa? Does he bang much??? I don't know if it's Kolzig, but Clarke has played tight with the money this offseason/season, maybe he will make a big move for us if we need it. I think he really likes Esche though.
This start is a hell of a lot better than last year, imo. Last year, I didn't see the Flyers dominate anyone the entire year like they have a few times this year. I believe that the PP is here to stay because of one guy, Joni Pitkanen. He's sooo good at keeping the puck in, moving it to the open man, skating to the middle of the ice, and getting his shots through. This team has looked good in a lot of games (exception being the Jersey game, where they got tired, imo) and they have 3 lines that are all scoring basically every night. I believe the only question is in net. This is the first year in a while that I believe if the Flyers pick up a goalie like a Kolzig, they will win the cup. They have looked that good. As for John, he's been playing fairly well, though his linemates have been awesome (Williams and Handzus). He looked a little slow out there in the Jersey game, but his strength and balance seem to be the best i've seen since 2000. That is very encouraging for the Flyers offense and the Flyers PP.
Why? He's taken a team to the cup finals, he makes all the saves he's supposed to make and some spectacular ones (see the save on Gagne). He does everything that we were hoping Hackett could do and more. He's one of the top 7 goalies in the league, if he's not the answer in net, who is?
As for Pitkanen vs. Niinimaa, I think Joni is already almost as good as Janne. He is that good already and his potential far exceeds that of Janne, though Janne is a very good defenseman in his own right.
Speaking of Ninimaa, why did we trade him again? I liked McGillis a lot but i think with Ninimaa in the line up our defence would be even more sound than it already is. A ninimma and Pitkanen FINN connection on D would have been sweet.
Speaking of Ninimaa, why did we trade him again? I liked McGillis a lot but i think with Ninimaa in the line up our defence would be even more sound than it already is. A ninimma and Pitkanen FINN connection on D would have been sweet.
Yeah. Actually, the two are friends too. Janne was something of a mentor to Joni as he started to emerge, and corresponded regularly. If Clarke hadn't pissed him off so much, it would be sweet to get him back.
