Flyers never been better with Timonen

by Teemu H on Nov 30, 2010 11:44 AM EST in Philadelphia Flyers News From Europe

Two months into the season, Kimmo Timonen says the Flyers are better and more balanced than ever during his time in Philadelphia.

"Absolutely. By far."

"Now we’ve been able to maintain our own level for a longer period of time. We’ve had some good stretches before as well, but not this kind of consistency. We used to play 3-4 good games, but immediately followed them with 3-4 bad games. It used to be a rollercoaster."

Timonen says the key to consistency has been good offense.

"We have three lines that work well offensively and they seem to have some healthy competition between them on which line can score more goals."

"And improved goaltending has given us confidence."

"The forwards have played well. Even if we have allowed some goals, we’ve been able to win games."

Timonen says the Flyers have adjusted their game plan a little from last season.

"Now we play more with the puck."

When things are going well, there’s always the risk of the team starting to think they can win games by just showing up. Timonen says the whole team is aware of it.

"The coach reminds us about it every day, so we’re well aware of it. It doesn’t help at all to be a good team now. You have to be a good team all season."

"We still have a long way to go."

This report was based off of a Finnish-language story in the publication Veikkaaja.

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Kimmo Timonen: NHL most underrated player

by MathB on Nov 30, 2010 11:48 AM EST reply actions

Damn right. They’d be lost without him.

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Nov 30, 2010 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

I completely agree that he is vastly underrated and we’d be lost without him, like you guys said. I think he was a tremendous stabilizing influence on our locker room before Prongs got here, and I was all for giving him the C when Smith left because I wasn’t sure Richie was ready at the time. He’s so smart back there and deceptive and efficient, he may not draw much attention but he’s really important to us.

BTW, I totally misinterpreted the headline at first, as if it was trying to say that Timonen didn’t make the team better. Whew.

by DragonGirl0583 on Nov 30, 2010 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

He’s underrated sure, but a little bit overrated in terms of salary

inter arma enim silent leges

by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Nov 30, 2010 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

It’s definitely high, but I think there’s a market factor involved, too. The year we signed Briere, Kimmo, and Hartnell was definitely a “Bid High” summer for free agents. The first year they were all here, Briere make $10M, Hartnell made $5.2M, and Kimmo made $8M in actual salary. I think alot of UFAs got overpaid the summer between 06-07 and 07-08. For this year, Prongs makes more than Kimmo does, and Briere makes the same.

by DragonGirl0583 on Nov 30, 2010 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

This is why I maintain Briere really isn’t that bad of a contract. In the context of his peers he makes pennies. Drury and Gomez were signed 2 a pair of the worst contracts in hockey that offseason.

Formerly... "You don't have to be sweet, to be good"

by Ed Van Chimp on Nov 30, 2010 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

I agree, in the context of when they were signed they aren’t bad contracts. However, when you have to make decisions on value for cap hit, you have to look in the context of the current market.

Geoff has Boosh, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Nov 30, 2010 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

He really is. I’m sure players in the NHL know this and see we have a wholly solid d-core. However, when they think Philly, they worry about Pronger and our #1 pairing first. Come important games and playoffs, Timonen surprises everyone and completely shuts down everything. Aside from this he is a great leader on our team and plays his heart out every shift. Every single game he’s blocking shots and limping off the ice, only to be out there the next shift.

by phinally on Nov 30, 2010 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for the read. Love kimmo, such an important facet of this team

by phinally on Nov 30, 2010 12:17 PM EST reply actions

I know this team has a lot of talent, but every time we lose a game I still get a sinking feeling in my stomach that it could be the start of a tailspin like we had last year. Anybody else get this? I know it is unlikely barring injuries, but I just can’t buy in until I see this level maintained well into January.

Formerly... "You don't have to be sweet, to be good"

by Ed Van Chimp on Nov 30, 2010 12:55 PM EST reply actions

every time we lose a game I still get a sinking feeling in my stomach that it could be the start of a tailspin like we had last year. Anybody else get this?

I don’t. The Flyers went through their hell last year immediately before (1-6-0) and after (2-7-1) Laviolette became coach.

From December 23 until the end of the regular season last year, they went 26-17-4. Winning percentage: .553
This year, they’re 15-6-4. Winning percentage: .600
Average Winning Percentage Under Laviolette Since December 23, 2009: .577

That percentage, in and of itself, is a 47-win season. 47 wins = 94 points, plus overtime/shootout losses will likely put you over 100 points for the year.

Barring serious injuries to all of their key players, the Flyers should be in good shape. They just have to stay healthy and keep playing the best that they can.

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Nov 30, 2010 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

So what you’re telling me is that other than losing a lot of games in a row twice last year we were good…. That probably holds true for 75% of the NHL. It was the same thing in 07-08. This is a streaky team that scores in bunches and then goes on droughts. When you are built like that you are prone to slumps, the difference this year is that we have a great blue line and good goaltending.

Formerly... "You don't have to be sweet, to be good"

by Ed Van Chimp on Nov 30, 2010 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

I think that the improved team this year makes all of the difference though:

Lavy all season expecting exceptional play while punishing if it isn’t given;
Bobrovsky with Boucher & Leighton waiting in the ranks;
Leino;
Much improved 3rd pairing eating tons of minutes and not being a liability;
Giroux and JvR another year older;
Zherdev?;
Carle & Coburn should be stronger after the playoffs;
and most importantly, knowing what it takes.

Basically, they seem to be in a much better shape then previous years.

by phinally on Nov 30, 2010 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

2007-08 – 1st year after The Year That Shall Not Be Named; a team in transition.
2008-09 – A team trying to live up to expectations; Richie’s first year as captain; highest point total of the John Stevens Era after an 0-3-3 start.
2009-10 – A hot mess until December 23.

Those teams had three things in common:

1. John Stevens.
2. Immaturity.
3. Not knowing how to live / play up to expectations.

John Stevens has been gone for almost a year now. The team grew the hell up and learned how to play under Laviolette, and thanks to guys like Pronger. And, as you said, it’s a better team all around.

So long as they stay healthy, I don’t really expect the deep funks that have plagued the Flyers since the end of the lockout.

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Nov 30, 2010 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

Haha, yes! That is exactly the feeling I get.

by philiafan14364 on Nov 30, 2010 7:38 PM EST up reply actions

i don't fear a slump...

if anyone fails to play well they’ll send them to the pahntoms which should be ample motivation!!!!i

by Elmo the faithful fan on Nov 30, 2010 3:29 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, there are plenty of people like Carcillo, Wellwood, Leighton, Bartulis, and maybe Walker sitting ready to jump in someone’s spot. We are pretty deep and everyone knows they have to stay on top of their game. Lavy has also made this very clear in sitting Zherdev and JvR so far.

by phinally on Nov 30, 2010 4:30 PM EST up reply actions