Flyers' 2010-2011 Season

[flyerman 0]

No moves from the Flyers today. I was hoping they would somehow be able to pick up Upshall as the final piece, but he went to Columbus.

So now we have 14 forwards when Betts and JVR return to the lineup. So that means up front that Carcillo/Shelley, and or Zherdev will all take turns sitting from here on out. Now that it's clear no one wants him, It seems like the team is really trying to get behind Zherdev and give him a push. He got decent ice time on Saturday vs. the Sens, had good jump. He definitely stood out out there. I also noticed the guys encouraging him on the bench.

He's gotta understand that he either plays the system or he won't play from here on out. Does he finally get it? Or will he go back to the dog house? I personally love to watch him play because he is creative and exciting, unlike any player the flyers have with the exception of Giroux. Those two are dynamic together. If we can just get some of Giroux's consistent two-way effort to rub off on Nic, then we will have an unstoppable three-line attack.

Anyone know why Matt Walker has not been called up as the 7th Dman? Is this because of his cap hit? With signing Nick Boynton, looks like Walker won't be given another look this season.

[TeamBlue96 3]

Anyone know why Matt Walker has not been called up as the 7th Dman? Is this because of his cap hit? With signing Nick Boynton, looks like Walker won't be given another look this season.

i'm pretty sure he's injured again -- will be having surgery #2 on the season if he hasn't already.

[EBondo 233]

Knee surgery. It's looking more and more like he's made of glass.

[flyerman 0]

Knee surgery. It's looking more and more like he's made of glass.

Oh I see. He's out for a month. Hence the Boynton move since Bartulis is done.

What do you guys think of Zherdev being part of a regular line with Giroux and Carter? Or will he be sitting again soon?

[TeamBlue96 3]

Oh I see. He's out for a month. Hence the Boynton move since Bartulis is done.

What do you guys think of Zherdev being part of a regular line with Giroux and Carter? Or will he be sitting again soon?

I think they all compliment each other well. Seems that Z has a new fire under his ass. After a private sit down with him, his agent, and Lavi -- he got decent ice time last game and was very noticeable out there. Looked like the players were encouraging him throughout the game. We'll see how long it lasts. Only Z controls his playing time; he has immense talent but has historically disappeared during games.

[troy 12]

That was one game with a hot ass. Unless he manages to play that way the rest of the season I don't see him fitting into the lineup or the NHL.

[TeamBlue96 3]

That was one game with a hot ass. Unless he manages to play that way the rest of the season I don't see him fitting into the lineup or the NHL.

Well...it took a benching of almost 10 or so games and a stint on the waiver wire for him to realize that it's a privilege to be coveted by an NHL team. If he can't get it together after that, i mean....you just don't belong anywhere, not just on the Flyers. I feel like now he has to earn the respect of his peers more than the coach. like you said, one game -- but now i think he really has something to prove.

[Chadd 916]

I'd like to see the Rangers put up four or five more in the third. Richards going for the head shot on Dubinsky and Versteeg throwing an elbow at Gaborik well after the shot should have been penalized.

[camhockey16 5]

well so far its a 6 spot - the only question is if lundqvist will get the SO

[EBondo 233]

I'd like to see the Rangers put up four or five more in the third. Richards going for the head shot on Dubinsky and Versteeg throwing an elbow at Gaborik well after the shot should have been penalized.

Didn't see these because I was at work, but this is exactly the outcome I wanted to see. They need an ego-check, and big time.

[TeamBlue96 3]

man, i would've liked to be a fly on the wall in the lockeroom after that shalacking.

[flyerman 0]

Well a win last night, but not a great one. There's something missing, a chemistry piece. With a revolving door of healthy scrathes, the lines seem to change all of the time. Going down the stretch, the Flyers have to get this sorted out or we're going to have some big problems in the playoffs.

I think Richards really drew the short-end of the stick this year not having consistent linemates. Last night he was playing with Carcillo again, while Zherdev and Nodl sat.

One of the problem is the Flyers have six natural centermen. Powe is fine playing on the wing on the 4th line with Betts, and Richie and Briere are locked in center this season. But Giroux and Carter are both better in the middle than the wing. So there always seems to be a lack of an anchor and consistency on those lines.

I like Zherdev, Giroux and Carter together. There's enough defense there to allow Zherdev to do his thing. But I'm probably dreaming if he's back in the doghouse again, especially if Lavy is playing Shelley and Carcillo over him against the lowly Oilers.

Here's what I'd like to see for offensive punch:

JVR - Richards - Versteeg

Zherdev - Giroux - Carter

Hartnell - Briere - Leino

Carcillo - Betts - Powe

I see some Flyers definitely off of their game. Leino seems to be struggling at times making bad turn overs, doesn't seem like himself out there. Hartnell seems to be dry and playing a bit flat. O'Donnell hasn't been too sharp as of late which makes me wonder if he is playing hurt.

One of the biggest holes is the big shot from the point on the PP. Only Pronger has a big shot back there. Coburn routinely misses the net. Carle and Timmo don't have much power. Meszaros had a great wrist shot but needs time to unload it. I think we should move Giroux back and let him shoot the puck more. He's got a deadly one-timer but you hardly ever see it. This is where someone like Brian Rolston could have really helped us if we could have snatched him up earlier in the season.

[troy 12]

It is strongly rumored Leino is still dealing with the hip issues that caused him to have surgery this offseason. I've never really thought Giroux has that powerful of a shot, and I think you lose a lot of his playmaking by leaving him at the point. If you wanted to move a forward back there, I think it would be interesting to see Briere. His shot is stronger than Giroux's and he's still a righty, but once again there's a sacrifice; being the down-low activity Briere creates. Richards makes the most sense as a forward on the point, he's had success there in the past and doesn't seem to have a proclivity to any spot on the ice or role on the PP.

[flyerman 0]

It is strongly rumored Leino is still dealing with the hip issues that caused him to have surgery this offseason. I've never really thought Giroux has that powerful of a shot, and I think you lose a lot of his playmaking by leaving him at the point. If you wanted to move a forward back there, I think it would be interesting to see Briere. His shot is stronger than Giroux's and he's still a righty, but once again there's a sacrifice; being the down-low activity Briere creates. Richards makes the most sense as a forward on the point, he's had success there in the past and doesn't seem to have a proclivity to any spot on the ice or role on the PP.

Thought Leino was playing hurt. Makes sense. What about O'Donnell?

Yeah I know Giroux is good on the half-wall, Briere is really good down low. They have used Richie on the point from time to time without a lot of success. JVR even got some time back there. I've seen some one-timers Giroux has taken and they are wicked. He could QB it back there. Danny Syvret was one of the only Flyers Dmen last year, other than Pronger, who could really bring the big slapper. I sure wish Coburn would get it together. He's a big guy and if he ever gets his shot on net we'd have something there!

[Chadd 916]

One of the problem is the Flyers have six natural centermen. Powe is fine playing on the wing on the 4th line with Betts, and Richie and Briere are locked in center this season. But Giroux and Carter are both better in the middle than the wing. So there always seems to be a lack of an anchor and consistency on those lines.

Carter is actually much more effective on the wing than in the middle, especially compared to Giroux.

One of the biggest holes is the big shot from the point on the PP. Only Pronger has a big shot back there. Coburn routinely misses the net. Carle and Timmo don't have much power. Meszaros had a great wrist shot but needs time to unload it. I think we should move Giroux back and let him shoot the puck more. He's got a deadly one-timer but you hardly ever see it. This is where someone like Brian Rolston could have really helped us if we could have snatched him up earlier in the season.

Timmonen has a great shot from the point and has been the shooter in the past with the Flyers and the Predators. Having a setup guy opposite him to feed him or work the puck down low if he is covered would be my preferred setup.

[EBondo 233]

Here's what I'd like to see for offensive punch:

JVR - Richards - Versteeg

Zherdev - Giroux - Carter

Hartnell - Briere - Leino

Carcillo - Betts - Powe

If you ask me, this has to be the lineup for the playoffs. Regardless of Zherdev's defensive inabilities, he's a better option to have out there over Shelley. And Carcillo has at least some form of a skillset.

I think the power play problems have a lot to do with Pronger. I don't think he's been anywhere close to his normal effective self. I really think these injuries have hampered him, especially this last one (by the way, he's not playing tonight). They're trying too hard on the PP and it's failing every time.

[TeamBlue96 3]

the more i watch Mezaros, the more i'm impressed; i feel like he's really found his game again and even better than when he was with Ottawa. Great signing by Homer.

He moves the puck well, very underrated stick handler, and has a physical element that flies under the radar thanks to cannonballs like Carcillo and Powe.

on the topic of the powerplay, it's nice to see him rip one-timers; he's got a way with getting off no matter what angle it comes at him. It seems everyone else on this team won't take a one-timer unless it's perfectly in the wheel house.

[gilbois 1]

the more i watch Mezaros, the more i'm impressed; i feel like he's really found his game again and even better than when he was with Ottawa. Great signing by Homer.

You also have to love the Mezaros flamingo goal celebration.

[EBondo 233]

Meszaros in my mind, aside from a few subpar games in the middle of the season, has been playing Norris-like hockey.

[TeamBlue96 3]

worst game of the season vs the Trashers? yes, i think so.

[flyerman 0]

worst game of the season vs the Trashers? yes, i think so.

Turnovers are killing us. Real bad ones last night by Versteeg and Leino. The Flyers need to get focused or this is going to be a really short run, dare I say. Pronger's hand is obviously worse than original reported. We'll see if he plays on Tuesday. Richards needs to get the ship steadied now. I'm very concerned with what I see with this team.

[troy 12]

the more i watch Mezaros, the more i'm impressed; i feel like he's really found his game again and even better than when he was with Ottawa. Great signing by Homer.

He moves the puck well, very underrated stick handler, and has a physical element that flies under the radar thanks to cannonballs like Carcillo and Powe.

on the topic of the powerplay, it's nice to see him rip one-timers; he's got a way with getting off no matter what angle it comes at him. It seems everyone else on this team won't take a one-timer unless it's perfectly in the wheel house.

He was actually acquired via trade, when Homer was wheeling with all the second rounders last summer. But still a shrewd move, Meszaros has been very solid.

I think having the four defenseman ahead of him preclude him from any sort of Norris discussion. He hasn't been consistently with the toughest assignments or producing points.

[TeamBlue96 3]

OVI sitting out vs. the Flyers tomorrow night....they apparently want to 'rest' him for the playoffs; interesting. I guess they really think playing the Flyers in Philly is that rough? Kind of humbling as a Flyers fan, kind of embarassing if i were a Caps fan. Last time i checked, this isn't football where teams rest players in week 16 or 17.

[maxamillion 3]

OVI sitting out vs. the Flyers tomorrow night....they apparently want to 'rest' him for the playoffs; interesting. I guess they really think playing the Flyers in Philly is that rough? Kind of humbling as a Flyers fan, kind of embarassing if i were a Caps fan. Last time i checked, this isn't football where teams rest players in week 16 or 17.

He's resting a nagging issue for the next 7-10 days. I don't think they think playing here is all that bad, especially with all the success he has against the Flyers.

[TeamBlue96 3]

He's resting a nagging issue for the next 7-10 days. I don't think they think playing here is all that bad, especially with all the success he has against the Flyers.

Oh, i know it's to rest a nagging issue. At this point of the season, who doesn't have a nagging issue? Even if it is Ovi, why should he get preferential treatment over others that play harder and grittier? That would annoy me a little bit as a fellow teammate. I'd rather just make some ish up about how i'm hurt, instead of come out and say that i was being rested because i'm needed for the playoffs. The popular term this season has been 'undisclosed' upper or lower body injury.