Flyers 2013

[troy 12]

I really hate this team. Being consistently inconsistent is infuriating. They have played like a confused team all season. I generally like Laviolette, but the loss to the Panthers following the victory over the Penguins is the sort of thing that hints at a coach not getting across. I find the defense to not have the proper talents to play his system. If they continue to middle I hope they sell hard, because I see this team performing much better a season from now.

[EBondo 233]

I've never been so confused watching a Flyers team in my life. I don't think Lavy's job is in jeopardy, but he doesn't have the right players for the type of system he wants to use. He needs to do some tweaking here. Its just be timing frustrating as hell to watch the team put up efforts like they did against New York and Pittsburgh, and then come back with an effort like last night. Sure, they may be tired, Boosh probably should have played last night, but that's still no excuse.

[SydNap 25]

Team is definitely built weird. Bryz is a big butterfly goalie that would do well on a lockdown-defense type of team, where he's not required to make a ton of saves while moving. This is not the style they play, nor do they have the defensive personnel to play that way...but it seems they're trending that way. It's obvious they aren't good enough to be real contenders, so I would be ok selling and trying to add some pieces for a run in the future. I still don't think Bryz is a shutdown goalie capable of stealing a game all by himself...but those are hard to get.

[EBondo 233]

Team is definitely built weird. Bryz is a big butterfly goalie that would do well on a lockdown-defense type of team, where he's not required to make a ton of saves while moving. This is not the style they play, nor do they have the defensive personnel to play that way...but it seems they're trending that way. It's obvious they aren't good enough to be real contenders, so I would be ok selling and trying to add some pieces for a run in the future. I still don't think Bryz is a shutdown goalie capable of stealing a game all by himself...but those are hard to get.

I have to agree with you re: Bryz. I still wish they would get a legitimate backup goalie. Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton aren't cutting it, and that's gonna be the same throughout the year. Gustafsson has some upside, I've always liked him. But the defense just needs to get better, and faster. Schenn, Timonen and Grossmann are slow as molasses. And Timonen isn't getting any younger. I loved the idea of re-signing him, but not for 6 mill. I just don't get this team at times.

[SydNap 25]

I have to agree with you re: Bryz. I still wish they would get a legitimate backup goalie. Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton aren't cutting it, and that's gonna be the same throughout the year. Gustafsson has some upside, I've always liked him. But the defense just needs to get better, and faster. Schenn, Timonen and Grossmann are slow as molasses. And Timonen isn't getting any younger. I loved the idea of re-signing him, but not for 6 mill. I just don't get this team at times.

Agreed re: the defense. I think they know they're not good enough (hence the "big" shots they took this summer). I expect the same things this coming summer (chasing big moves). I actually like the way Grossmann is playing, but they do need help on D, and frankly another banger up front (I wish Simmonds would be that guy, but he doesn't like to bang around as much as I thought he would).

[pizzakid13 5]

Coburn is brutal. Always late. And lazy.

Pronger going down really hit them hard.

Hartnell will help.

[Dr. Funk 6]

As a Pittsburgh native/Penguins fan moving back to Eastern PA (lived in West Chester for three years), I'm confused by both of these teams when they play each other. I'm sort of over the rivalry, to be honest - the games are so out-of-hand, I don't think that you can take much away from them.

Not certain about a lot of the Flyers' personnel moves of late. Didn't like the JVR-for-Schenn deal. While I know that he's always hurt, I think JVR has a lot of game/can really help a team. I understand why they dealt him, but they didn't get enough in return (in my mind). Not sure there's a worse deal on the books than the one they gave Bryzgalov - never understood that one from the start, despite his great year in Phoenix. Like EBondo, I love what Timonen brings to the table - but not at that price. However, I did like the Bruno Gervais deal; think he's a pretty solid contributor at that price.

Do they amnesty Bryzgalov at season's end? If so, what do they do in net? What about the Luongo rumors? They're always "in" on big names, so the deadline should be interesting.

[Chadd 916]

If Bryz doesn't take them deep in the playoffs, I think he's bought out in the off season. The Flyers have to have the most turnover in the last decade or so. They make trade after trade every year and have no patience at all.

[Dr. Funk 6]

Totally agree, Chadd. Tough to become consistently productive if you're turning over half the roster every year. I dislike that the Pens are continuously auditioning guys to play with Malkin and Neal. Instead, pick someone and give him a shot for the rest of the season; same thing with Bennett. I can't imagine what it'd be like for the Flyers/their fans to have that much movement on an entire team. Has to be extremely frustrating.

[EBondo 233]

Flyers deal a conditional late-round pick to the Kings to bring back Simon Gagne. Love Gagne, but I think this is setting up something bigger.

[bolt91 31]

Flyers deal a conditional late-round pick to the Kings to bring back Simon Gagne. Love Gagne, but I think this is setting up something bigger.

Like?

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Eric Lindros?

[bolt91 31]

LOL

[EBondo 233]

Eric Lindros?

I was thinking along the lines of Peter Forsberg...I mean 2/3 of the former line is here already. haha

[troy 12]

Flyers deal a conditional late-round pick to the Kings to bring back Simon Gagne. Love Gagne, but I think this is setting up something bigger.

Like?

Eric Lindros?

FORSBERG!

[EBondo 233]

Chris Pronger scheduled to meet with the media today at 12:00. Sources are saying it's to announce his retirement..

[SydNap 25]

He won't formally annnounce. If he does, his money goes onto Flyers cap. I think he's there just to talk about his symptoms and struggles..

[EBondo 233]

There were rumors. He can retire whenever he wants to, honestly.

[troy 12]

I don't think he'll retire until the contract is up, there's really no need to and though it is less than ideal, having him "active" helps the team. I can't wait til July 2, 2013, when the Flyers ship out whoever and $20MM straight cash for Weber.

[pizzakid13 5]

He won't formally annnounce. If he does, his money goes onto Flyers cap. I think he's there just to talk about his symptoms and struggles..

i thought that he was a cap hit no matter what because he was a +35 FA?

[Chadd 916]

i thought that he was a cap hit no matter what because he was a +35 FA?

As long as he is "active", they can put him on IR or long term IR and get the cap space back. As soon as he retires officially, his contract counts against the cap and they can't get the space back via IR/LTIR.

[hamstercaster 2]

There should be an addendum in the CBA for that though. I understand why the rule is in place and it makes sense but in the case of a player who's got a career ending injury, if he retires, the money should come off the cap. It's not like Pronger did this on purpose to help the Flyers. They made a tweak to the CBA in order to accommodate teams on compliance buy outs so why not do the same for this situation which could very well happen again.

[pizzakid13 5]

Does he hold a roster spot?

[Chadd 916]

Does he hold a roster spot?

No, players on the IR do not occupy a roster spot

[pizzakid13 5]

1. unless the flyers put together a streak in the next 10 days, i would try and sell. there is no reason to try and keep high priced players like briere and timmonen when the future is down the road. their experience would help a contender. the flyers might have to buy off a little of the contract but probably worth it.

2. homer has to be on the hot seat if you ask me, not the coach. his gamble on trading carter and richards for unproven youth could backfire. vorachek/simmonds look good but maybe a sophomore slump for schenn and cutourier. if they do not improve next year, it looks bad. honestly, after watching schenn, i am really surprised he was such a high prospect. nice player and all, but not a stud. he doesnt seem to be really great at any one thing.