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Around SBN: Events Cause Mariners To Lose To Rangers

What Could Have Been.

The Flyers' goalie issues have been well documented over the past decade or so. We have seen many goaltenders come in and out of the Flyers' dressing room since Ron Hextall. We have seen guys like John Van Biesbrook, to guys like Roman Chechmanek (just the name scares me). We all knew that we had to solve this goaltending issue sooner or later, and still we are again faced with the same problem this off-season. As of now, we have arguably the worst goaltending tandom in the N.H.L. But last year, I (and many others) had thought that  this problem had finally been resolved.

Star-divide

When Ray Emery signed, I (like most) was scepticle of the move. We had all heard of his history. Arrogant, self-absorbed, etc. His behavior had led to a banishment to Russia for one year. But we had all forgotten about the tremendous skill that Emery posseses. He was incredibly athletic, and strong with is legs too. He had also led Ottawa to the Stanley Cup Final against a very strong Anaheim Ducks team in 2007.

So Emery was now the next goaltender in the Flyers' net. Most fans probably thought he would wind up the same as every other goalie that played for the Flyers in the past decade. Play for us for 1-3 years, have hot streaks but never play well enough at the best of times. Fans would wait to see how this experiment played out.

But what many forget was that Emery was playing for his career. This was his last shot to make a return to the N.H.L., so he knew he had to play his ass off, and that he did. Emery started the season with a shutout, and a 12-5-1 record with a save % of around .923. He was also being considered for the Canadian Olympic team. Then his play started to go down, which we sooner found out was due to injury. Yet even when he returned he picked up right where he left off, posting two more shut-outs. But once again injuries (and this time a season ending and possibly career ending one) stopped him in his tracks.

Personally, I think that if Emery was in the net for the Chicago series, we would have won the Stanley Cup and he would have also been our goalie for the next five years to ten years to come. He is a young guy with tons of potential and talent, and it is a shame what happened to him, because he is a great goaltender and is the perfect fit for the Flyers.

Now, I know this is a long shot, but if I was Holmgren, I would talk to Ray Emery and his doctors to see how his healing is coming along. If Emery gets the green light saying he can play in time for next season, I would try him for another year. If not, I wish Ray the best recovery possible and hope he can find a starting job somewhere else.

This item was written by a member of this community and is not necessarily endorsed by Broad Street Hockey.

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rewatching highlights from the games at the beginning of the season, he played out of his mind and definitely, i think, won games for us. there was absolutely no team defense in front of him and the defense that was there were guys like okt and syvret a lot of the times. i was really sad to see him go down.

by rmg4519 on Jul 2, 2010 1:40 PM EDT reply actions  

As of now, we have arguably the worst goaltending tandom in the N.H.L.

Nah, that goes to Edmonton. In any case, Emery is almost certainly not returning to the NHL. And it’s not because of lack of skill, but avascular necrosis of the hip/s is a pretty serious issue.

Also, what’s everybody’s problem with Roman Cechmanek? Yeah, he’s a headcase, but he put up outstanding numbers in the regular season and was fine in the postseason. It’s not his fault the team scored two goals for him over 5 games in 2001-02 (and he only gave up 7 goals over those 5 games).

by Ben Feldman on Jul 2, 2010 1:43 PM EDT reply actions  

Agreed. Cechmanek was actually pretty good. He was just depended on far too much to pull a rabbit out of his hat every start in the postseason. (The thing is, in about half of his starts, he would succeed.)

#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)

by Orange and Black Forever on Jul 2, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

Why is he considered a headcase? For yelling at his team from center ice during a game? I never understood why they call him that. Imagine calling your team out for giving up during a playoff game… How unthinkable!

"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 Jul 3, 2010 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

I think it has something to do with the unibrow.

by Ben Feldman on Jul 3, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions  

I also think if we had Meszaros and O’Donnell to match up against CHI 3rd line on the road over Bartulis and an over played Pronger/Kimmo things could have ended differently too. But now that Blackhawks 3rd and more is in ATLANTA we just have to focus getting past Crosby and Ovi both have the Winter Classic Magic working for them this season. Thanks Bettmen you douche.

by chrislanci on Jul 2, 2010 2:11 PM EDT reply actions  

I really do miss Emery. I was one of the few people I know who was excited about signing him. I thought he was going to be our answer in goal for years to come. We were taking a chance on him due to his past behavior issues, but giving him a chance to come back to the NHL and revive his career. He came here, and he was definitely a changed man after spending a season in Russia.

As you said, he played very well in the beginning of the season. He was doing all of this while re-adjusting to the NHL sized rinks but he seemed to be doing a great job, and I was expecting him to get better as the season progressed, and was even thinking of him being in the running for the Vezina if he kept that play up. His decline was because of his injury, and unfortunately he ultimately went down with that nasty hip injury, probably for his career. I agree that if we had him healthy during the playoffs, we would have had a better shot at winning it. But we got very far with what we had, made an improbable run, came pretty close to the cup. This year we have even better defense, and I think that Leighton can have the potential to do well with a whole season and good preparation for the offseason.

#1 Flyers Fan in New York

by Lindbergh 31 on Jul 2, 2010 2:11 PM EDT reply actions  

Emery’s condition is so bad that walking normally is in question, so playing Goalie is out of the cards.
I admire his attempt and I am glad he earned redemption in quite a few fans eyes. (including my own)
I wish him well, b/c he still has an uphill battle.
He has to find a new career, and he will certainly have to sacrifice a lot more luxuries he is accustomed to having.
As long as he continues to maintain his sobriety I believe he will find success when all is said and done.

bread. butter. cheese. VICTORY!

by Prometheus74 on Jul 2, 2010 5:16 PM EDT reply actions  

I agree somewhat, but, consider this:

If Emery never gets hurt, Stevens never gets fired.

by The DTrain on Jul 2, 2010 8:45 PM EDT reply actions  

Stevens was way too relaxed for the bunch of kids we had at the start of the season
We needed Lavy to shape them up and make them grow up a bit like they are now becoming

bread. butter. cheese. VICTORY!

by Prometheus74 on Jul 2, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

But I think your right that Emery injury certainly helped the process start for Stevens getting canned

bread. butter. cheese. VICTORY!

by Prometheus74 on Jul 2, 2010 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think his bad coaching pretty much did him in. Look at how they played (say, in November?) and how they could play (playoffs).

"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 Jul 3, 2010 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

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