Thursday Morning Fly By: Kudos, Mr. Seravalli
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 6:00 AM EST
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Today's open discussion thread, complete with your daily dose of Philadelphia Flyers news and notes...
- James van Riemsdyk is dealing with an injury "blip". Sounds like Jen was right in predicting a groin issue though: [Philly Sports Daily]
- Chris Pronger is probably going to return to the lineup though, so that's good: [Philly Sports Daily]
- The biggest news of the day? The Flyers signed two undrafted free agents: [BSH] [Frequent Flyers] [PostStar.com]
- A good breakdown of the two players signed: [HockeyBuzz.com]
- Coincidentally related, Tim Panaccio spoke with the Flyers' Director of Hockey Operations. A rather interesting interview: [CSNPhilly]
- Scottie Upshall has an uncanny ability to score a goal in his first game with a new team: [SBNation.com]
- The Senators confirmed that they will have a new third jersey next year, calling it a "heritage jersey". Awesome: [icethetics]
- Linus Omark scored another ridiculous goal, this time on a move that still had Pekke Rinne fooled 10 minutes later: [SBNation.com]
- Looking at Balanced Zone Shifts and age: [Behind The Net]
- Commence immature and juvenile giggling: Deadspin would be proud of this telestrator drawing: [Puck Daddy]
- Week 20 Power Rankings: [SBN Philly]
- More on what is wrong with the Flyers Power Play: [Philly Sports Daily]
- Not to revisit Richards' comments, but there were a lot of good takes on it yesterday. First, Bill Meltzer with a good line: "That being said, part of a team captain's job is to occasionally take some heat on himself and speak out if he feels strongly about an issue." [HockeyBuzz.com]
- Then, a FGSB came through with a good point: "There is not benefit to being candid or honest because everything upsets everyone, offends everyone else, and the people that agree with you silently nod. But disagreements cause wars while like thinking is often not discussed because what's the point, where's the intrigue." [Flyers Goal Scored By...]
- But lastly, the best article on the Flyers I've read in a while. A must read on who Mike Richards is and how he leads this team: "Though he does not offer much in the way of a quote with the media, Richards is aware of what is being said and what is being written about his teammates. They say that he often comes over to offer a brief word of encouragement after a mistake, turnover or loss." [Daily News]
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Really liked that article about Mike. Of course the thing I left with was, ‘he chews tobacco?’
Now I know for sure my interests have changed. Oscar night I'll be at the Flyers Carnival. I'm so okay with that.
Yeah, I thought that was one disgusting habit reserved for baseball players.
Aristotle was not Belgian, the principle of Buddhism is not "every man for himself", and the London Underground is not a political movement.
I knew it was prevalent from a couple of books written by hockey players, but I would’ve preferred not to have to know Richie fit in with that group.
by DragonGirl0583 on Mar 3, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
But Pat Burrell chews tobacco and won two World Series!?!?!?
As long as I don’t have to see “Yer awsum, Moike” spitting his dip out on TV like I did Burrell, let him do what he wants.
It’s disgusting, but whatevs.
"Darroll can't see it, blind to the eyes;
He came up in your face OOPS POWE SURPRISE!"
Man-crushin' on #36 since he hit his "absolute ceiling" as a rookie in 2008.
Burrell also has a fondness for playing the gimp. /shudders
Aristotle was not Belgian, the principle of Buddhism is not "every man for himself", and the London Underground is not a political movement.
I’m no prude but the whole thing is just gagworthy to me, and not in the way Burrell likes it. Maybe it’s because I don’t find Wilson as humorous as many (I think it’s pretty superficial) and Burrell, despite being a good player for the Phillies, reeks of douche.
Aristotle was not Belgian, the principle of Buddhism is not "every man for himself", and the London Underground is not a political movement.
Yeah, I saw Wilson appear on George Lopez and I didn’t think he was funny at all. But he clearly thinks he is extremely clever and witty, so he has a smug/pompous attitude that makes me hate him even more. Get over yourself, jackass.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
Yes. Another person who sees thru this bullshit act.
Wilson is too contived. I don’t buy it. He tries too hard….like a person trying to act insane (usually for legal reasons) – they usually get caught becuse they over do it.
“Oh, ho! Look at how ridiculous I am in my nautical-themed attire and grey-dyed beard! You must be very amused by my unexpected and unusual appearance! I will now chomp on a pipe and say nonsensical things whilst looking very pleased with myself.”
Grr…
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
Seriously nice stuff by Frankie ’Valli.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
Great article. Terrible website. I don’t want to click links 3 times just to read a whole story. Also what’s with the huge gap between the first couple paragraphs and the last couple paragraphs.
That said, the quotes from Pronger were great. Bringing him here was one of the best moves they made in a while.
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.
I see what you’re trying to do there… Sorry to disappoint you, but it wasn’t me. Maybe it was somebody else, though.
Seriously though, I didn’t “predict” anything. It’s the logical progression of a Flyers player: Tweak groin —> take only a few days to a week off —> return to playing —> re-aggravate groin injury later in the season. How is that a prediction?
by DragonGirl0583 on Mar 3, 2011 9:41 AM EST up reply actions
So it’s a semantics argument? Haha, weaksauce. I wanted to give you props and you’re ducking them.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 9:50 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Okay, would it make you feel better if I take credit for noticing the pattern first?
by DragonGirl0583 on Mar 3, 2011 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
haha, it would.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
Finally it’s game day again.
BOILER UP!! 2010-2011
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
by EREX21 on Mar 3, 2011 9:14 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I’m still remembering the pain of last October/November with all those 5 day breaks; so I’m glad this break is over but I don’t think this one was that bad
by DragonGirl0583 on Mar 3, 2011 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
What’s a Flyers game?
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
One day, the Flyers will build through the draft, but for right now, the strategy seems to be identifying underrated players and acquiring them at bargain prices. Obviously, Leino, Coburn and Meszaros fit into this strategy — Zherdev was supposed to, but he can’t seem to get any playing time to prove his worth. Signing guys like Akeson, Brown and even Brandon Manning also fits into this strategy.
As for when the Flyers might start stockpiling draft picks, that time could come sooner than you think. We can all count and the Flyers have cap issues going into next year (don’t they always?). Moving a high-priced veteran for a couple of draft picks in June seems a likely scenario.
Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life
So long as it’s a forward (Hartnell), I’m okay with that.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 9:37 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I wouldn’t say Leino was identified as an underrated player. Detroit knew he was going to be good, but they just couldn’t keep him in the system. That’s why they gave him away for practically nothing (how’s Europe Tolle?). But when he was first brought into Detroit he was heralded as the next big thing, they just couldn’t give him time to develop with all the great players they already had in their system.
"Chris Pronger sneaked in the back door...banged it home."
Flyers Television Play-by-Play Man: Jim Jackson
If the best deal Detroit could get for Leino was a 5th rd. pick and OKT, I’d call that being “underrated.”
Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life
IDK. I think a lot of teams overlooked him and didn’t realize his potential which, as I said, Detroit noticed and obviously Philly noticed when they made the move. It’s not that he was underrated; it’s that teams didn’t know who he was because he had a hard time playing with Detroit since they couldn’t put him with good line mates since they are so deep. (I may be wrong here and he may have had a couple of games with their top players) Once he got the chance to play with some good players on the Flyers is when he started to show how good he really was. This is all just my opinion with very little research, but just what I have noticed and read over time.
"Chris Pronger sneaked in the back door...banged it home."
Flyers Television Play-by-Play Man: Jim Jackson
He bounced up and down their lineup (playing with Cleary and Zetterberg 21% of the time, and Filppula and Williams 17% of the time), largely because he wasn’t producing.
I don’t think you can say he was “underrated” when he scored 11 points in 55 games. That’s not producing.
There’s a reason he was going to be waived. It’s because he was playing terrible hockey.
He had a good 13 games in the 08-09 regular season, then followed it up with 13 points in 62 games. He wasn’t “underrated”, he was a bust.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
There’s a lot to be said here with consistency, opportunity, etc.
But yeah, they got lucky. Just like with Bob.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
I remember reading an interview I think he did in the offseason. He said that when he came to the NHL, they were trying to make him play differently because his puck possession style “didn’t work” in the NHL anymore.
When he finally reached the conclusion that It wasn’t working for him and he decided that he was going to play his game from that point on and hopefully he would get on a team that would let him be himself.
Luckily for us, that ended up being the Flyers.
I remember reading this too. I still find it amusing though, because I love how well he controls the puck and I think that’s why he works so well on that line.
"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27
Yeah, I love his puck handling skills too. The way he just steers through as much traffic as you want to put in front of him and then dishes it off to Briere/Hartnell/whoever for the goal.
From the awards and scoring numbers he put up in Finland, you’d expect big things from him. But as was said above, Detroit tried to force him to do something different. His style might not put up as many points here as it did in Finland, but it’s still damn useful.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
Some of that is that he should shoot the puck more than he does. He seems to look for the pass quite a bit.
"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27
I’m not to sure… He wasn’t having a great year, but they knew he still had a lot of potential. But I think they had cap issues, and if they demoted him to the AHL he probably would’ve be claimed off waivers. They may have just been glad to get a pick instead of losing him for nothing.
by DragonGirl0583 on Mar 3, 2011 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
But that’s not my point — 28 other teams had a chance to make a better offer for Leino and none of them did. The Flyers had the best offer. Sure Detroit knew he was worth more, and the Flyers probably knew it , too. But no other team was willing, or able, to make a better offer. I think Leino is worth much more than a mere 5th rd. pick and OKT. Just my observation.
Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life
You say that now.
But a guy with 13 points in his last 62 games (after 9 in his first 13) isn’t worth much. In hindsight, sure. But what would you give for a guy who’s got a career 75 games and 22 points? Not much. At all.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
I have an issue with some of the quotes from that article on the PP, but one really stood out for me.
"I think we move the puck all right, we just need to get it to the net," Mullen said. "The way all the PKs are today, everybody’s trying to block that middle of the ice and a lot of teams do a good job of blocking shots so you gotta find ways to get it through."We move the puck alright? Really? They do some of the time, but I don’t think I would eliminate it as part of the problem.
I said yesterday that Joe Mullen’s quotes weren’t inspiring any confidence from me in his coaching ability, and these additional quotes kind of reinforce that. Maybe I’m wrong, and I’d be glad to be wrong, but something seems to be missing.
It does seem like he’s trying to make an excuse. Sure, blame it on the other team’s PK.
Training for the Phillies 5K Run on March 26th. Hoping I don't embarrass myself :-)
by LeepinLizardz on Mar 3, 2011 10:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Have to agree here. Most teams are doing the clog the middle strategy on the power play. And yet other teams have come up with ways to beat it. What are they doing? There is no reason why with the talent they and wide skill sets they posses it should be this stagnant.
"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27
I’d say a larger problem is our zone entrance. Too often we waste 30+ seconds because our forwards dipsy into the zone, and then instead of curling back or dumping it into the corner, they treat it like a 5 on 5 situation and take a chance at the net, or try a tough pass into 3 defenders when our 5 guys aren’t close to setup yet.
This drives me f’ing CRAZY to watch. In any situation, trying a pass through 3 defenders is a BAD idea.
"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27
Agreed, I always yell at the TV when we try to make passes through a clump of the other team’s players. It’s irritated me since I was old enough to start thinking about what the players were doing, instead of just enjoying watching it because it was exciting. (Though I remember it used to be more of a problem doing that in our end…)
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
Wow, Trevor Gillies is a super asshole.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Trevor-Gillies-ejected-for-Cal-Clutterbuck-hit-f?urn=nhl-328912
I'm kind of a dick.
Alright well I can’t make the link button work, sorry no hot linking.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/sports/hockey/03fighter.html?ref=hockey
Via the Flyers
Per Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, the Flyers have recalled RW Ben Holmstrom from Adirondack.
The Flyers are the deepest team in the NHL, the Phillies have four aces. Man is it great to be a Philly sports fan right now.
I’m guessing he’s just the emergency forward because even with those two out we’d still have a full line up. I’m guessing JVR and Carcillo are sitting out tonight and Betts and Zherdev are playing.
The Flyers are the deepest team in the NHL, the Phillies have four aces. Man is it great to be a Philly sports fan right now.
Wow. So long Jon Kalinski.
P.S. I like the move.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
I’m confused. I’m all for testing Holmstrom out… but JVR & Carcillo are left wings; why did we just call up a RW?
by DragonGirl0583 on Mar 3, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
Can’t be, JVR and Carcillo are apparently scratched today and Holmstrom isn’t in Philly so Z has to play.
The Flyers are the deepest team in the NHL, the Phillies have four aces. Man is it great to be a Philly sports fan right now.
But Holmstrom will be here in time for the game. They wouldn’t bother to call him up if he wasn’t able to get here, surely.
Still, would you throw in a guy who didn’t have time to prep with the team yet? Z was by far the best player against Ottawa so there is no reason for him to be benched.
The Flyers are the deepest team in the NHL, the Phillies have four aces. Man is it great to be a Philly sports fan right now.
Holmstrom plays all forward positions, including center.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
That makes me feel better. So hockey’s future describes him as a defensive forward, is that true? Because that makes me believe Betts can’t go tonight.
by DragonGirl0583 on Mar 3, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
Yup. Least that’s what Tim says.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
You seem surprised that Kalinski will not be back. I’m reasonably certain that he and Legein, Bordson, Klotz, Clackson, Ryan, and Stewart are all gone after the season and I have been for a while now.
Eh. I really shouldn’t be surprised, no. But I think Bordson may return. Stewart and Ryan I’m not sure about yet. The others? Yeah, they’re gone.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
Because Ryan would be cheap? Because we might need Stewart if all 3 of Leighton, Backlund, and Boosh are gone? Not that I think all 3 will be gone, but it could happen.
Because Ryan could be counted on as a veteran presence on a young team, that can also chip in some points. Stewart: If the team decides against Riopel and/or Kovar. I agree, Stewart is unlikely, but I don’t know.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
So just anyone think we’ll see Mr. Zherdev on the ice tonight?
Training for the Phillies 5K Run on March 26th. Hoping I don't embarrass myself :-)
by LeepinLizardz on Mar 3, 2011 10:28 AM EST via mobile reply actions
*does anyone
Training for the Phillies 5K Run on March 26th. Hoping I don't embarrass myself :-)
by LeepinLizardz on Mar 3, 2011 10:28 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
LETS GO FLYERS ! BEAT THE MAPLE LEAFS !
1) That Ottawa Jersey is Atrocious ! Nothing makes you look like a LOSER than a Big Fat ZERO on their Chest. And before people rip me – yes I know its an O for Ottawa and not a Zero but – c’mon – it looks like a big fat ZERO ! Maple Leaf fans used to tease Senator fans and tell them that that O (when they had it on their shoulders) was a Zero and it represented how many Stanley Cups that the Modern Day Senators have won (NOT the old Senators from the 1920’s)
2) the additions of these Undrafted Players are awesome – I am not sure but I think that the addition of forward Testwuide was aquired the same way last year.
3) glad to see Pronger in the lineup – I just hope he is at 100% – If he isnt, then why is he playing ? Didnt we pick up Boyton and have Gustafsson ?
FLYERROB ! YOU STAY AWESOME FLYERS FANS ! www.naawayland.com Robert Wilson
Reimer ? Or Sherminator ?
You Tell Me !
FLYERROB ! YOU STAY AWESOME FLYERS FANS ! www.naawayland.com Robert Wilson
OT
FWIW, I came across this observation of former Flyers Aaron Asham and Mr. Hilary Duff:
http://gettoourgame.blogspot.com/2011/02/sushi-with-hilary-duff.html
So is this another stereotypical example of a nice girl who’s married to a dick?
The only report we have of Comrie’s actions are from a guy who repeatedly calls him grumpy and fat? Seems like it’s more an example of a dick exaggerating a story.
Yeah, maybe Comrie just tired of dudes seemingly hitting on his wife. These guys were probably predisposed not to like Comrie from the get-go.
Aristotle was not Belgian, the principle of Buddhism is not "every man for himself", and the London Underground is not a political movement.
Stephen Whyno is leaving Philly Sports Daily for the Washington Times. He starts there March 12.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
The only thing he is getting from me is an unfollow.
NOTE BEFORE I GET KILLED: I will unfollow not out of spite, I wish him nothing but the best, but I do not like having too many followers on Twitter. It clogs up my Twitter feed too much, so most of the time, I keep people I follow on Twitter to local writers, a few national writers I enjoy, and my friends. While I think Whyno is one of the best beat writers the Flyers have, when he starts tweeting about the Capitals, it becomes clutter on my feed as I do not care about the Capitals calling up some minor leaguer in their farms system for one game. So yeah, I unfollow because his tweets are irrelevant to me and I do not like people I follow tweeting about news I careless about. However, if i am ever concerned about Caps news, his profile will be the first that I visit.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Oh, gross.
Yeah. I’ll unfollow him too.
Training for the Phillies 5K Run on March 26th. Hoping I don't embarrass myself :-)
by LeepinLizardz on Mar 3, 2011 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
I thought it was the Post that was the rag…
Aristotle was not Belgian, the principle of Buddhism is not "every man for himself", and the London Underground is not a political movement.
Oh Post is a good paper…Times, not so much. At least when I was there. Post has had some trouble of late but I think it’s partly due to the general crisis with city newspapers. I meant sideways as in he might not have moved up the journalism ladder.
Well, the Post’s sports coverage isn’t good, so maybe that’s what I was thinking about.
Gotcha.
Aristotle was not Belgian, the principle of Buddhism is not "every man for himself", and the London Underground is not a political movement.
I thought The Washington Times totally dissolved its sports section? Guess not. Good for him.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 3, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve been lurking around here for a while, but I finally decided to join up…maybe today wasn’t the best day to do so though…
Anyways, Hi.
"Our bottom six should be nicknamed The Intangibles." -Plea From A Cat Named Felix
Leafs fan till the end!
haha, welcome.
And jump in any time.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
Hi!
We love DownGoesBrown, and, from what I understand, Leafs fans in general.
Welcome!
Training for the Phillies 5K Run on March 26th. Hoping I don't embarrass myself :-)
by LeepinLizardz on Mar 3, 2011 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
Aw geez you guys are all so friendly. Thanks!
"Our bottom six should be nicknamed The Intangibles." -Plea From A Cat Named Felix
Leafs fan till the end!
by whyevenbother on Mar 3, 2011 7:03 PM EST up reply actions
Boosh or Bobs tonight?
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.
Brian Bobrovsky.
Sergei Boucher.
Michael Leighton. /shudders
"Darroll can't see it, blind to the eyes;
He came up in your face OOPS POWE SURPRISE!"
Man-crushin' on #36 since he hit his "absolute ceiling" as a rookie in 2008.
Carter out with flu
Source. tim Pannacio on twitter
hope no one else gets sick
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