I Hope Paul Holmgren Is Happy.

by Flyersfan94 on Sep 28, 2010 8:02 PM EDT

So without fail the Flyers have goalie issues to the start the season. Even before Michael Leighton's "minor back injury" we had reason to worry, what the hell are we supposed to think now? Brian Boucher will most likely be the starter, and Johan Backlund will most probably back him up seeing they want Sergei Bobrovsky to get started in the AHL. So once again Holmgren has left us with no back-up plan.

When Leighton was originally re-signed, I made a prediction: He will either be sub-par or he will get injured. So far both have been proven. He wasn't playing great (but I guess you can't really judge his play by watching two games) and was then injured. So we have lost our so called "starting goalie", and have to rely on Boosh for a month.

So we now have issues right off the hop, and honestly it's a real piss off. We can't aquire a goalie for several reasons. One, no one worthy of taking is available, and two we already have an overload on goalies. So I'd just like to congratulate Paul Holmgren for once again failing misserably. He took a gamble on Leighton for the starter, a back-up most of his career, with no back-up plan what so ever.

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The last time we relied on Boosh for a month, he got us into the playoffs despite almost no help… then took us into the second round, and probably would have gotten us to the third round.

by OrangeNblacK on Sep 28, 2010 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

Happy? No, I think Homer’s an inaugural graduate of the “Berube School of Never Showing Emotion.” Remorseful? Nah. The team will be fine. Somehow, they always are.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Sep 28, 2010 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly

With our defense, i think Boosh will be fine in net.

The only question is how long Leighton will be out, and whether or not his back will even get better. I had a bulging disk from hockey my senior season in highschool and it lingered for well over a year, and that was including being shutdown from any workout/fitness program. It is painful on the best days, and paralyzing on the bad days. So we will find out just how serious this is.

by kahuna915 on Sep 28, 2010 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

With this team’s system and this defensive group, I could play goal on this team!

Phigment

by Phigment on Oct 2, 2010 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I never thought Leighton was better than Boosh by any significant margin, so I see us at exactly the same place as we were before in terms of quality. With Backlund (once he’s healthy) in the roster we can ensure that Nic’s in the AHL instead of the ECHL and Bob’s getting enough playing time rather than backing up for Backs.

I do feel sorry for Leighton though, and hope he makes a speedy recovery. It would be best for our long-term if he was traded though. It would’ve been best for our short-term that he was never signed but whatever…

Simon Gagne may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home, but at the end of the day, he will always be a Philadelphia Flyer.

by PursuitOfLappyness on Sep 28, 2010 9:56 PM EDT reply actions

I think there was a backup plan, you have Backlund and Boosh, who you have to believe Homer was comfortable with if Leights got injured. I’m not sure how many more goalies you wanted. If they got Chris Mason, who I wanted, instead of Leights, and he got injured in preseason, we would be in the same scenario…Backlund and Boosh. So I’m not really seeing how he failed since the Flyers clearly have depth in the Goaltender position. Did he fail to upgrade over the off season, sure, but he didn’t fail to have depth, which I think is the gist of your post.

And as POL said, there isn’t a significant margin between Leights and Boosh, and frankly, I think Backlund, if he can get healthy, may be better than both of them by the mid way point.

Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Sep 29, 2010 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

I agree with you 100% on everything you said. I am hoping for Backlund to steal the show come the Disney on Ice road trip as well.

by chrislanci on Sep 29, 2010 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

From the goalie moves this summer, it’s fairly obvious that they are waiting for one of the young goalies to step it up. Leighton is signed for 2 years, and Boucher here for just one.

Shame they’re doing it in a year we’re supposed be considered strong contenders for the cup…

"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 Sep 29, 2010 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

I've said it before, I'll say it again ...

With the defense the Flyers can put on the ice this season, it doesn’t matter WHO is in goal. Add to that Betts looking healthy, Powe’s return to form, Carter remembering his defensive responibilities, and if we can just get Lappy’s head straight – opposing teams may only get 15 shots on goal per game.

Maybe it should read "reformedpenguinsfan" since I have retired my Lemeiux jersey ... and purchased an Orange and Black Pronger jersey.

by MaximumTalbot on Sep 30, 2010 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

Although the defense will be great, I think statements like these

it doesn’t matter WHO is in goal, opposing teams may only get 15 shots on goal per game

are probably a bit too optimistic

Backing Backlund for 2010-2011
Mourning Gagne forever.

by ToddtheFox on Sep 30, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I kid – but only on the square. With the six (seven?) defensemen that the Flyers have, the majority of shots should be either blocked or easily handled. Surely, having Marty Brodeur in his prime would be helpful, but is it really necessary? I think not.

Maybe it should read "reformedpenguinsfan" since I have retired my Lemeiux jersey ... and purchased an Orange and Black Pronger jersey.

by MaximumTalbot on Sep 30, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought it was 8 defenseman. Yeah I know what you’re saying, but I don’t think it’ll be a free ride to the Jennings. If Lavvy’s system stays similar to last season pre-playoffs, then there will be odd-man rushes. From memory, that’s not something Leighton or Boosh are very good at defending.

Backing Backlund for 2010-2011
Mourning Gagne forever.

by ToddtheFox on Sep 30, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Point well taken.

Maybe it should read "reformedpenguinsfan" since I have retired my Lemeiux jersey ... and purchased an Orange and Black Pronger jersey.

by MaximumTalbot on Oct 1, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Don’t get me wrong, I get what you’re saying (and I hope you’re right), but I don’t imagine the season going that easily.

Backing Backlund for 2010-2011
Mourning Gagne forever.

by ToddtheFox on Oct 1, 2010 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

One could and many have also said Marty B was a produce of the Devils insane Defense and Trap Clutch and Grad take no penalties system.

by chrislanci on Oct 1, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally I am all for Leighton staying on LTIR for as long as possible. Freedom for moves at the deadline, and quite frankly a vastly superior goaltender in Brian Boucher. Michael Leighton is the Jonathan Cheechoo of goal-tending. Last year was the equivalent of Cheechoo’s Joe Thorton fueled 56 goal seasons, only ours was propelled by Prongs and Kimmo.

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

by Ed Van Chimp on Sep 30, 2010 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

More time in Lavvy’s system should cut down on the odd man rushes some. Whoever is in net will have to face some shots and they’ll have to be stopped. Leighton did play very well, when the team in front of him was on it’s game. But he has weaknesses. Same with Boosh. Some shots will get through and will need to be stopped. No way I would ever agree that Boosh is vastly superior though. And even a great defense can’t block every puck. It’s a LOOOOONG season to be taking that much damage each night.

"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 Sep 30, 2010 6:43 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t remember many odd man rushes by the Habs or Devils in the playoffs last year.

by chrislanci on Oct 1, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Neither do I. I get the feeling Lavvy changed the system.

Backing Backlund for 2010-2011
Mourning Gagne forever.

by ToddtheFox on Oct 1, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he changed it some to fit the personnel he had. Just like he will change it some this year. That and strategic time-outs are the sign of a good coach.

Memo to self- buy that t-shirt from the store.

"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 Oct 1, 2010 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly. I think when he first came to Philly he was trying his up-tempo style, and it didn’t fit with the players skill. The ability to adapt is a very good sign

Backing Backlund for 2010-2011
Mourning Gagne forever.

by ToddtheFox on Oct 2, 2010 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions

There was no conditioning for it so they wore down at the end of games. Plus it was still a new system, so he had little time to fully implement it. Another bonus is that the 3rd line is now a true scoring line. Last year it tended to be a mix that did not do either well enough.

"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 Oct 3, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Correct

Some of the final regular season games it almost seemed like we were employing the trap at times…

Simon Gagne may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home, but at the end of the day, he will always be a Philadelphia Flyer.

by PursuitOfLappyness on Oct 4, 2010 7:14 AM EDT up reply actions