Leaving aside the usual goaltending drama....below was encouraging to read along with Bob's prospects. Crappy luck for Backlund though....
Quote:
James van Riemsdyk finally looks like a power forward with added muscle up top and will tip the scales at about 206. He also seems very quick on the ice, something his fellow teammates were remarking about after the player scrimmages here prior to camp opening. JVR says he’s never felt this good and is raring to go. ... Nikolai Zherdev will not be in town until late this weekend.
You know I never even considered the fact that Backlund could be on this team. Not sure which I would like better, Leighton/Backlund or Leighton/Boucher. Also that is really exciting to hear that Bobo may be NHL ready this year, though I don't much believe it at this point. However if he has a good camp and plays well, I wouldn't be opposed to having him back up Leighton and possibly take over. Wishful thinking, I know, but still...if it's on the internet, it must be true.
You know I never even considered the fact that Backlund could be on this team. Not sure which I would like better, Leighton/Backlund or Leighton/Boucher. Also that is really exciting to hear that Bobo may be NHL ready this year, though I don't much believe it at this point. However if he has a good camp and plays well, I wouldn't be opposed to having him back up Leighton and possibly take over. Wishful thinking, I know, but still...if it's on the internet, it must be true.
Yeah..Bob being NHL ready so soon is unlikely but I think he'll play a few games by season's end. If we're lucky maybe he'll breakout..but that's wishful thinking given our track record but it's got to change eventually and I'm sure it will with Bob and Eriksson.
As far as Backlund I still don't know why they signed him and actually I didn't think they were going to sign him...
He actually had a solid start. Being honest, they threw in a rookie against a Pens team that was playing very well, I was scared to death. I was calling a 6-7 to 0 blowout. After starting off rusty, into the second he was looking like a real NHL goalie. He was stopping shots and didnt give up many rebound. Hopefully he gets healthy and competes. I think if he wasnt hurt, I would say he would have a shot as being our #1. Sad, I know, but a chance there is. Since he is still somewhat hurt, I have a feeling he will be average.
Bob, as much as I want him to be that franchise goalie and come in as a 21 yr old and dominate.... I dont want to risk it. Let him play in the AHL a full season. MAYBE I would reconsider it if he flat out dominates at camp.
They signed him because they liked the way he played last year and think he can compete for an NHL job.
Maybe so and yes towards the end he was playing well..I just thought given his age and still relative inexperience at both the AHL and NHL level they could have signed a more seasoned goalie like a "Biron type" who is getting just 75K more than Backlund's 800K. There were other options...there were a decent amount of analysts who thought he wouldn't be signed. Hopefully, he turns out ok.
I've heard at various times how much Timmy P likes Bobo. We'll see but I think if it were up to him the Flyers would be Bobo and Backlund. Of course he also thought Ward was a huge signing last year.
Personally I'd like to see Leighton/Backlund and Bobo Riopel with Boucher being ditched but I doubt I'll see it.
Camp will tell all.
On a goalie note did you see that Nabby blew chunks in his KHL debut? Ha.
JVR bulking up and faster than ever is the best news I've heard all summer. seriously.
Cannot wait to see him this year. He is going to be a huge asset this season. Let's not forget that he had 35 points last season playing most of his time on the 3rd line.
Well he wast listed as 200lbs last season and they say he will come in at 206, so maybe 6lbs.
Unless he used roids, then I don't think he could put on 10-15lbs of lean muscle in a few months.
Yeah, it's certainly a huge amount of progress to make. Professional nutrition makes a big, big difference though. Plus he is a skinny 6'3'' guy, so there was room on his frame for the muscle. 15 pounds of muscle over all of the muscle groups on a 6'3'' guy, who's job it is to lift.....that seems possible in the span of 2-3 months.
Yeah, it's certainly a huge amount of progress to make. Professional nutrition makes a big, big difference though. Plus he is a skinny 6'3'' guy, so there was room on his frame for the muscle. 15 pounds of muscle over all of the muscle groups on a 6'3'' guy, who's job it is to lift.....that seems possible in the span of 2-3 months.
Its probably not all muscle which is perfectly fine.
I'm very much pleased to hear about JVR adding some muscle. For a big guy, he was getting outmuscled a lot last season. Now if we can just get some mean streak into him...
