Flyers Faithful Asks About Nodl, the Deadline, and Other Things

When asked to respond to some questions about Andreas Nodl and others from Flyers Faithful, I happily obliged.

So if you want to see the Nodl argument put succinctly, go there.

over 1 year ago Geoff Detweiler 33 comments 0 recs |

Comments

One name that popped into my head worth pursuing at the trade deadline is Chris Kelly of the Sens. Sure — he’s another center. But he’s a versatile player who’s team-first. He’s not outstanding as a scorer, but excels as third line type player who works hard every shift, plays solid defense and makes few mistakes. If he could convert to winger, he’d fit in perfectly on a line with Nodl and Richards.

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Feb 5, 2011 2:20 PM EST reply actions

If there’s one thing this team needs right now, it’s definitely looking to replace JVR. We should also consider moving up Nodl to the first line.

by jrphi2002 on Feb 5, 2011 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

/ sarcasm?

Man Crushin on Bob since 2010

by orangeandblack20 on Feb 5, 2011 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

So what would you do? I get you want a scoring winger to bump Nodl off Richards’ wing — point taken. But who would you trade for that’s available? Cole? Voracek? Stillman? Somebody not rumored to be available yet?

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Feb 5, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Matt Clackson and Garrett Klotz are most certainly not returning.

Shocking and depressing!

/complimemtary sarcarm meter calibration post

Set your JVR in 2011.
Merry Cliffmas and Happy Halladays....Phils toys that will be used all year.

by Bud in TN on Feb 5, 2011 2:54 PM EST reply actions

Seriously.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 5, 2011 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

You point out that Briere’s line gets favorable matchups now and I assume you’re saying they won’t get that in the playoffs. Please refresh my memory but what kind of matchups did Briere’s line get in last year’s playoffs? They played quite well last year. And would you trade Bartulis for Woywtika to improve on our 7th Dman?

by mtitanic on Feb 5, 2011 3:28 PM EST up reply actions

I’m not saying they won’t get those, I’m saying teams would be smart to avoid those matchups. I don’t really know what matchups they had last year.

Would I trade Bartulis for Woywitka? Nah. Not much to gain there.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 5, 2011 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

I was thinking that he would have more experience than Bartulis, especially against WC opponents, for roughly the same cap hit. Affordable experience, so to speak, not saying it’s a major upgrade. As a UFA he may be an option for next year too.

by mtitanic on Feb 5, 2011 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

I like him, I just don’t see Bartulis for Woywitka as making much sense. Is he better? Probably. But he’s older.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 5, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

But he’s older.

Yeah, yeah, OK, OK. So 27 is already too old for you? 3 years on Bartulis is too much for you? 650K/ year is too much for you? I’m not trying to argue w/ you, I’ll leave that to the others, but Timmo and Pronger aren’t spring chickens either and SOD is old enough to be your father and you aren’t advocating they be dumped. Although I suppose it’s unfair to compare Woywitka to Timmo & Pronger, but still. Younger and cheaper than Walker and you already speculate that Bartulis won’t be back next year. So…is it the 50K difference for sitting in the press box that bothers you?
/shakes head, mutters “darn kids!”

by mtitanic on Feb 5, 2011 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

I think with 27 is that it’s the default age a player can claim free agency regardless of time played…..not sure about the time played bit.

by j reed on Feb 5, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

Woywitka will be UFA at the end of the season. But that’s not what I’m getting at. It’s the seemingly dismissive tone in “But he’s older.” that got my goat. Like that’s a bad thing? Timonen, Pronger, and O’Donnell all came here in their mid to late 30’s but I never heard anyone gainsay the value of their experience. I just think that little moves like what I proposed may make a bigger difference in the long run than most would imagine.

by mtitanic on Feb 5, 2011 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

We can agree that the talent difference is marginal, right?

The cap hit is marginal, right?

So why would you trade a younger player, with two additional years at $600k for a soon-to-be UFA?

You don’t need insurance on D (Matt Walker), you aren’t improving by much if at all, and you’re getting rid of a value contract for an expiring contract. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 5, 2011 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

In a word, experience. Walker aside, since he can only help out in the playoffs this year and most likely won’t return next year.
Cap hit marginal-agreed.
Talent difference marginal-well, maybe. Hard to say exactly but compared to Bartulis’ playoff performance last year…?
Age difference marginal-yes.
Contract status-negligible, in my opinion, as that can be changed if/when desired.
Difference in overall experience (games played, WC play, etc.) is, in my opinion, the difference. But since I know of know method of quantitative analysis to evaluate experience, I know you can’t be swayed. Somehow I just feel more confident if he were our 7th D than Bartulis.
About a year ago the Flyers traded for a guy now 27, and a pending UFA, that no one knew and couldn’t crack an NHL lineup. Just sayin’. Feel free to take a swing at me now.

by mtitanic on Feb 6, 2011 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

know of no method

by mtitanic on Feb 6, 2011 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

But that’s the thing: This year, the upgrade to Woywitka for the next 30 games isn’t worth losing a younger, very cheap player for the next two years.

In the playoffs, Walker is #7. So you’re only getting Woywitka for the regular season, and you’re giving up two years worth of $600k #7 defensemen. That’s just not worth it to me.

Are you talking about Krajicek in that last sentence?

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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 6, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

Get to the law library.

by jrphi2002 on Feb 5, 2011 3:32 PM EST up reply actions

Is this supposed to be funny, or are you just trying to be a dick?

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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 5, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

I’m worried about your studies is all!

by jrphi2002 on Feb 5, 2011 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

It must be a nice skill to be able to argue so well that you make people insanely angry. And I’m not being the least bit sarcastic in commenting that. I truly admire the skill.

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Feb 5, 2011 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

He doesn’t make me angry. I just feel bad that he doesn’t really understand hockey. One day he’ll get it. I’ll help!

by jrphi2002 on Feb 5, 2011 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

haha, thanks. It comes in handy.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 5, 2011 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

Clearly we are seeing a variation of the

Zherdev Effect or the Nodl Conundrum – Confusing the get-away driver with the safecracker.

by j reed on Feb 5, 2011 3:26 PM EST reply actions

Geoff – Are there any scenarios that you see Jason Arnott getting picked up by the Flyers? He would provide another big body for the rugged playoffs, and the playoff experience thing. I am not sure if the Flyers could afford him, or what the Devils would demand in return.

by NickFotiu4HOF on Feb 5, 2011 5:18 PM EST reply actions

I’d say no if for no other reason then the two teams being Division rivals. Would Arnott be nice to have? Sure, but he better not cost much.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 5, 2011 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

If the Flyers have a “hole” in their top 9, it is the Nodl spot. He started out great with the production, but has really been invisible offensively lately. The up side is that his defensive coverage is what got him on the team and that he is still very good in his own end. I would like to see Laviolette healthy scratch him and play Carcillo in that spot to motivate Nodl again. In the offensive zone he is not going into the dirty places to score. He just needs to re-focus a touch. Other than that, if the Flyers pick somebody up, Nodl would fit great on the 4th line with Betts and Powe. That would give 4 quality NHL lines.

I am not a big fan of Eric Cole and hope we don’t go down that route.

Phigment

by Phigment on Feb 5, 2011 5:41 PM EST reply actions

I don’t understand this:

In the offensive zone he is not going into the dirty places to score.

We saw him make tons of plays against Tampa Bay, but most people are criticizing him for not finishing great scoring chances. Now we hear that he isn’t getting in places to score?

And why would coaches bench a guy who’s job is to play defense because he isn’t scoring? What message does that send to the player? It’s like the Mitch Hedberg skit: Hey, you’re a stand up comic. Great. Can you act?

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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 5, 2011 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

What are you Nodl’s cousin or something? We are allowed to criticize him if we don’t think he’s not being productive enough. That may not be his primary responsibility, but that doesn’t mean we don’t wanna see it. It’s not unreasonable to ask a guy playing with Richards and JVR to chip in a goal or assist along the way. I do agree that he tends to get in the dirty areas and work hard, but to no avail.

I’ve never criticized his effort nor his defense, I just don’t think he’s a very good hockey player right now. He’s ok, but not as irreplaceable as you are holding him out to be.

Do us all a favor, Drexel. If we want to discuss replacing Nodl, why don’t you ignore us and let us pretend to know anything about hockey? You think we’re all idiots, so just ignore us.

by jrphi2002 on Feb 5, 2011 7:58 PM EST up reply actions

Do us all a favor, Drexel. If we want to discuss replacing Nodl, why don’t you ignore us and let us pretend to know anything about hockey? You think we’re all idiots, so just ignore us.

Thank god I wasn’t drinking my coffee when I read this, because I would have spit it all over my screen. Mainly that Geoff thinks we’re all idiots, yet all you do is throw insults around when you can’t justify your ridiculous comments. I’m surprised anyone is even responding to you anymore, as you’re obviously just an asshole looking for fights.

I'm kind of a dick.

by Vansteel on Feb 6, 2011 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

It’s not unreasonable to ask a guy playing with Richards and JVR to chip in a goal or assist along the way.

Which he does. He has five fewer points than JvR, in about 100 fewer minutes. He has three fewer goals, on 35 fewer shots. Unlike JvR, he has a shorthanded goal.

I just don’t think he’s a very good hockey player right now.

Then you’re an idiot. He’s among the team leaders in Quality of Competition and Defensive Zone faceoffs, yet he has the second-lowest Goals Against Per 60 Minutes of all forwards. He’s one of the top two or three defensive forwards on this team, yet that’s only “ok” in your book. Maybe you should root for the Thrashers – they don’t like defense either.

Bob.

by The Dark on Feb 6, 2011 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

I agree that if we pick up a solid two-way forward, moving Nodl to the 4th line would be an option. I vehemently disagree with replacing Nodl with Carcillo. Nodl has the second-lowest GA/60 of all forwards at 1.84 (Shelley has a 1.33). Carcillo has the highest GA/60 on the team, at 3.52. Now, some of that may be effects from linemates – Powe has the second-worst, at 2.64, though Betts is roughly average at 1.91. However, replacing one of our top defenders with someone who has not been solid on defense this year strikes me as a really bad idea.

Bob.

by The Dark on Feb 5, 2011 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

So if anybody saw the comments, well… I’m done.

“a healthy Chris Osgood” is better than Tomas Vokoun because “I know what I see”.

So, to everybody here, thank you for not being that close-minded.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 5, 2011 6:45 PM EST reply actions