Led by van Riemsdyk and Pyorala, Flyers Beat Red Wings 5-2

by Geoff Detweiler on Sep 22, 2009 11:21 PM EDT in 09-10 Game Recaps

[ Recap ] - [Boxscore] - [Complete Coverage] - [Detroit Reaction]

Opening preseason play at the Wachovia Center seemed to spark the Flyers as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead slightly over seven minutes into the first period, never to look back. James van Riemsdyk scored twice to lead the Flyers, furthering his quest to open the year in Philadelphia.

Overall, there were many positives to take from this game. Ray Emery was strong, stopping 28 of 30 shots. Danny Briere, well aware of the criticism surrounding his injury-filled 2008-2009 campaign, opened the scoring 36 seconds in. Mika Pyorala strengthened his case for a roster spot with a goal and an assist, and Dan Carcillo showed some skills with a breakaway backhander over Osgood's glove en route to a two point game.

Compared to the first three contests this preseason, the Flyers played well throughout the game in all areas. The one thing that continues to linger, though, is the penalties. The team took six minor penalties compared to Detroit's two. Repeat offender Scott Hartnell, however, was not one of those to feel shame. Co-offender Dan Carcillo fell victim to his reputation when an elbowing penalty was called despite Carcillo using his shoulder, only to flare his elbow out after contact. The penalty was called by the far ref, who - believe it or not - had a better angle than the near one. Warranted or not, this is a problem Carcillo will have to deal with throughout the season - possibly longer - until he can alter his image.

For those that missed the game, here are a few things you can take out of it:

Mika Pyorala is making a very strong case to be on this team, despite playing less than 12 minutes tonight.
Though he finished minus-1 on the night - the only Flyer to do so - Danny Syvret had a strong game. If Randy Jones keeps receiving middling reviews, there could be a three-way competition to be the 6th defenseman.
Maybe Dan Carcillo is becoming more focused - blown penalty notwithstanding - as he had two points and was a +2.
Ray Emery can and should be an effective goalie for this team.
Lastly, the running theme of this preseason: JVR is making it hard for Homer and Stevens to send him to the Adirondacks. And that's all he can do.

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Comments

There are no stats for the London game, I have no clue why.

In the other three games, Van Riemsdyk has 3g, 1a, and is a -1. The assist came on the PP, which means he’s been on the ice for 4 goals against in the three games.

by MarioD on Sep 22, 2009 11:26 PM EDT reply actions

In those same three games, playing two, Richards has 1g, 1a, and is a -1. The goal AND the assist both came on the power play, so he’s been on the ice for 3 goals against in the two games.

This was the second best defensive forward in the NHL last year – finishing second in the Selke.

The only people "bothering" with pre-season games are on this site. They do, very much in fact, mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I can’t wait till the season starts and you want to demote players for failing to score in the pregame skate.

In case you forget, you said that.

Broad Street Hockey -
Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Sep 22, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

LoL

You, in one post, just became my favorite personality here Geoff. Cheers!

by BroadStreetBully on Sep 23, 2009 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions

First off, you totally screwed up Richards’ stats. If the goal and assist he scored were on the PP, that means he only has to have been on the ice for 1 GA to be a -1.

Second, your blockquote is a strawman argument.

I don’t think JVR should make the team because he’s not ready. That’s based on the fact that he played NCAA hockey for two years, and five or so AHL games. But if people are going to campaign based on his goal production in the preseason (which I think is worthless), they ought to also recognize his atrocious defense in those games (which should be given equal weight).

Let’s think a moment about Richards’: He’s got a three year track record as a very good defensive player to the point that he was a Selke candidate last season. And you’re saying he’s not played well defensively this preseason (I haven’t watched so I’m taking your word for it). It’s not just a coincidence that he seems to be worse defensively with JVR on his wing, it’s JVR dragging him down.

by MarioD on Sep 23, 2009 4:17 AM EDT up reply actions

JVR haters ( I told you so ) there I said it

Have you watched the games? If you did you might have a different opinion than what the stats are showing. JVR might be a minus player right now but he is a rookie I don’t care if you come for the NCAA or the AHL odds are you going to be a minus player in your 1st dozen or so NHL games. JVR is in the right places gets lots of chance has the speed and strength to play at the NHL level. Who do you want to play on the 3rd line over JVR based on what you have seen so far? He looks better than every option and will only get better.

Who cares where he played the bottom line is he can play with the big boys will only get better from playing time in the NHL.

by chrislanci on Sep 23, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with MarioD

As much as I hate to admit it because Mario and I have had some rather spirited debates about things (ok, one debate, haha), I tend to agree with his take on JVR for a couple reasons.

I know Stevens has come out and said that the roster will be composed of the “best” guys, regardless of cap concerns etc., which definitely leaves open the door for speculation and the possibility for JVR to make the team, I just don’t see it.

1. JVR still needs some seasoning. He’s a kid and despite being very visible in the preseason, he still has a lot to learn. He needs to get some time on the #1 line on the phantoms, seeing a lot of ice time against guys that present a better sampling of what it’s going to be like to play in the NHL. Why waste his talent, playing him only a couple of minutes a night in the NHL? I’m well aware that other franchises have had to thrust youngsters into their lineups (Crosby, Toews, Kane etc.) and they have had success. However, those franchises didn’t boast the depth that this Flyers team does. Also, those youngsters had their struggles in year 1. It makes sense to ease JVR into it, bring him up when our inevitable injury bug hits.

2. No matter what Stevens/Holmgren say, the cap is a concern. Regardless about what his cap hit is, this team doesn’t have a lot of room. Why struggle with it from the jump?

Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com

by HockeyOutsiders on Sep 23, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I screwed up the stats. I can’t count late at night apparently.

Strawman argument or not, it’s your argument. If his offensive strengths don’t mean anything, neither do his defensive lapses. I’m not saying Richards’ hasn’t played well defensively this preseason, but the team in general has played very poorly. In the game where JVR had a goal and finished even, Giroux and Briere were a minus-2. Where JVR had a PP assist, Richards had a PP goal and an assist, and both finished minus-2. Where he had 2 goals and finished a plus-1, Carter and Hartnell had an assist, finishing even and Briere had a goal finishing even.

Bottom line, in every game where JVR scored a point and was on the ice for a goal against, five of our Top 6 forwards – Gagne was even in 1 game played – did the same thing. So, singling out a rookie and saying he’s not ready for the NHL leads to, what about Richards, Carter, Hartnell, Giroux, and Briere? Is JVR dragging them all down? No.

If you haven’t watched the games, you don’t know if he’s ready or not. I used to agree with you – until I watched him play. I’m not saying he needs to start in Philadelphia, but he’s making a strong argument to play. And his stats are the same or better than our top forwards.

Broad Street Hockey -
Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Sep 23, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

You’re taking a wrong turn halfway through what I said. I don’t think his minus defense in the preseason is meaningful. It is not why I want him in Adirondack. I also don’t think his offense in the preseason is meaningful. However, if someone wants to say his offense proves he belongs in the NHL, that (meaningless to me) argument needs to be tempered by the fact that his defense this preseason suggests he belongs in Adirondack. You can’t say only his offensive preseason play is meaningful.

Let me suggest a different bottom line: JVR has been on the ice for a goal against in every game he played.

I meant I hadn’t really watched Richards, so I can’t comment on his defensive play.

by MarioD on Sep 23, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

dude

i play hockey .. just beacuse a goal is scored its not always ur fault .. u can be covering the winger and the d takes a shot from the point and scores .. scoring goals is more important .. jvr should be on the second line atleast .. hes making this team

by jack is better than asante on Sep 23, 2009 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

does anybody really care about +/- anymore? It is not a statistically significant stat over the course of a few games. A whole season or a whole career – maybe.

by SanDiegoScraps on Sep 23, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions