Matsumoto scores two for Canes vs Islanders

by Travis Hughes on Nov 3, 2010 11:51 PM EDT in Philadelphia Flyers News

The Flyers never gave Jon Matsumoto much of a chance during his time in the organization, and after rookie call-up Eric Wellwood shined in his NHL debut with the Flyers on Tuesday night while Matsumoto, ironically making his own NHL debut against his old club, struggled, it made us feel pretty good about the move.

Not that one game really matters all that much or defines a career or anything. Matsumoto proved that pretty well tonight, scoring two of Carolina's seven goals in a 7-2 rout of the Islanders. SB Nation's Hurricanes blog, Canes Country, has video of Matsumoto from the locker room after the game.

He's not ours anymore, but you've gotta feel good for the guy while you continue to wonder why the Flyers never gave the perennial 30-goal AHL scorer a chance with the big club.

Tweet Comment 29 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I dont think he struggled against us. Granted he didnt carry the team on his back, but I think he played a solid game

by philiafan14364 on Nov 4, 2010 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

I wonder about how the Flyers brass handle a lot of things when it comes to the baby club.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by doubleh on Nov 4, 2010 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

wonder why the Flyers never gave the perennial 30-goal AHL scorer a chance with the big club.

And why they gave him away for basically nothing…

by philiafan14364 on Nov 4, 2010 12:14 AM EDT reply actions

The same reason it’s always been… log jam at center.

That being said though, I think they could have given him a shot to play with Giroux and JVR on that third line last year. Yes, it would have been a very inexperienced line, but I think it could have been a pretty dynamic line also.

But that’s all in hindsight now. I’m happy for the guy. He’s finally getting a legitimate shot in the NHL after putting up consistently good numbers in the AHL.

by Asher12 on Nov 4, 2010 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Good for him.

What was that awful song playing in the background?

Mourning Gagne forever.

by ToddtheFox on Nov 4, 2010 12:47 AM EDT reply actions

More signs that the Flyers are doing a terrible job managing the AHL players.

Along those same lines, Danny Syvret has been given a chance in Anaheim and has been performing pretty well, including getting quality time on the Duck’s power play unit.

by Gizmoitus on Nov 4, 2010 1:33 AM EDT reply actions

Some of this has to do with the amount of talent on this team. It’s hard to push your way into a line up with this much talent. Hell, even Zherdev is having trouble finding a spot.

"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27

by Mike B on D on Nov 4, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Syvret was better last year than Lukas Krajicek, Ryan Parent, and Oskars Bartulis. It wasn’t a talent issue, it was the Flyers not wanting to play him.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Nov 4, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Didn’t Syvret get hurt last year?

by chrislanci on Nov 4, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, he did.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Nov 4, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

You think Syvert was better then any of them? Really? Parent had a down year, but Syvert sucked just as bad as him when he was playing. Bartulis and Krajicek may have had bad postseasons, but they were both really good in the regular season. Again, you know the numbers better then me, but I was never impressed with Syvert when he was up.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Nov 4, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Syvret played a lot better than all three of them over the course of the season.

He had a terrible weekend in October/November (The Flyers gave up about 3 goals in three games, Syvret was on the ice for all three), but outside of that, he was the Flyers 5th best d-man last year.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Nov 4, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I think that injury had a lot to with why he wasn’t used. When we got Lucas that put us in a bad spot cap wise to let Danny back in.

by chrislanci on Nov 4, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree. I don’t think it was for cap reasons though, I think it was a chemistry thing (Parent and Krajicek played together more than Syvret and anybody) but mostly Lavy’s stubbornness (failure to sit Parent in the playoffs).

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Nov 4, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Two teams we beat, beat eachother. With the help of this kid.

Let's do it again

by Cillo stache on Nov 4, 2010 6:46 AM EDT reply actions

THAT’S what i was expecting from him. Good to see him doing well, and it’s a shame he couldn’t make the team here. That said, I’m glad they sent him somewhere that will give him the opportunity he deserves. Hope he does well, just not against us. ;)

"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27

by Mike B on D on Nov 4, 2010 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

That’s awesome. Good for him. I still feel bad because at the Carnival one year I bolted from his line when I was next to go get Sami Kapenen’s autograph (He couldn’t sign at the time anyway, sigh)

Flyers Fans: We've survived Lock-outs, Lindros and Cooperalls. If you want to get rid of us, you'll have to split an atom or two.

by KreiderDesigns on Nov 4, 2010 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

I was at a phantoms game and after the game the players auctioned off the jerseys for charity. I was trying to get his jersey, but I was only going up to $200 and it sold for $350.

Fun fact, Briere and Giroux were playing for the phantoms that game(Briere was on a rehab assignment), and both their jerseys sold for over $600. I though that was pretty cool.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Nov 4, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I always though this kid had some talent.. Saw him at a few phantoms games, and I always called him up in my NHL franchise (last 2 years)… good for him, hope he plays great against 28 other teams

Bartulis for #7 D-man.. at least he speaks Russian?

by Orange and Black And Blue on Nov 4, 2010 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

The 700 Level is saying Panaccio reported (I don’t see it in his Twitter feed) that a bunch of Flyers are growing mustaches for Movember.

I want to see Pronger with a giant handlebar mustache. BOO-YA!

I love the Flyers so much I even went to Bobby Clarke Day Camp.

by billy_pilgrim on Nov 4, 2010 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

Apparently Pronger has a hard time growing facial hair. So your giant handlebar mustache might just be a pre-teen school dance patch.

by OriginJM on Nov 4, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Proves one thing Matsmuto is still a perennial AHL 30 goal scorer. The Islanders are just an extremely overpaid AHL team IMO.

by chrislanci on Nov 4, 2010 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

Moto was always a class guy. He was definitely the jokester of the prospects, but he had the talent to back it up. he deserved better from us, so I’m happy to see him getting the chance somewhere.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Nov 4, 2010 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

I think the Flyers did well by him like they usually do. Send a player somewhere where he can get the playing time they deserve and allow them to further their career.

by chrislanci on Nov 4, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions