Monday Morning Fly By: Injuries Abound

by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2011 6:00 AM EDT in Morning Fly By

Today's open discussion thread, complete with your daily dose of Philadelphia Flyers news and notes...

Recaps of yesterday's skills competition: [BSH] [Philly Sports Daily] [CSNPhilly] [Frequent Flyers] [Inquirer] [Flyers Faithful] [Flyer Files] [delcotimes.com]
Danny Briere missed yesterday's game with "lower body soreness": [SBNation.com] [CSNPhilly] [Frequent Flyers] [Philly Sports Daily]
Blair Betts left yesterday's game with a "lower-body injury": [Philly Sports Daily]
Now injuries are becoming a problem for the Flyers: [delcotimes.com] [NHL.com] [Inquirer]
Meanwhile, Ville Leino was benched in the third: [CSNPhilly]
Nikolay Zherdev has had himself a great weekend. Take these quotes however you wish: [Philly Sports Daily]
The Phantoms played two games this weekend, first beating the Devils 9-5, where Mike Testwuide notched his first AHL hat trick: Recap: [PostStar.com] Post-Game: [PostStar.com]
Then the Phantoms beat Syracuse 3-0 on Saturday, where Michael Leighton got his 33rd AHL shutout: Recap: [PostStar.com] Post-Game: [PostStar.com] In-Game: [PostStar.com]
Tim McManus gives his answer for who the Phantoms MVP was, and he picked Ben Holmstrom: [PostStar.com]
Michael Leighton saw his game-worn retro jersey go for $1,000 in a post-game auction: [PSPhantoms]
The Phantoms are preparing for their final two home games of the year: [PostStar.com]
Tom Sestito is out for the rest of the season with an "upper-body injury": [PSPhantoms]
A Q & A I did on all things Philly sports: [Home Field Advantage]
Looking at the value of a first-half First Round draft pick: [The Copper & Blue]
Referee Bill McCreary is officially retired: [Puck Daddy]
An interesting look at the Predators defensemen and shots given up in the slot: [On the Forecheck]
A more complete statistical record of the bubble team's last 20 games: [Puck Daddy]

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Comments

Yesterday, I posted optimistic thoughts about our team, and, despite the lackluster result we got against the Rags, I still stand by what I wrote.

The Flyers, despite their underwhelming play for the last 3-to-4 weeks, are still – amazingly – the #1 seed in the conference and #2 for the whole league. A win yesterday would have made me much more optimistic about retaining both of those. However, despite not getting the two points yesterday, they still (somehow) control their own destiny. And that’s really the most you can realistically ask for at the end of the regular season.

I hope the injuries to Betts and Briere (I think we really missed him yesterday) are not long-lived. I also hope that Lavy’s message to Leino was received and understood (Leino played well in the first, but he didn’t have a great second period – still was surprised that he was benched, though).

Three games left, all three winnable – here’s hoping that they get those wins. The Flyers control their own fate regardless of how other teams play this week.

Go Flyers.

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 6:28 AM EDT reply actions

They sure are making winning the division a pain. If we beat Ottawa on Tuesday (which we should) and Pittsburgh lose to New Jersey then we’ve clinched. If we lose to Ottawa (which unfortunately is not out of the question the way we’ve been playing and the way injuries are building up) and Pittsburgh beat New Jersey then all of a sudden we’re 1 point away from falling to 4th and facing Tampa in the playoffs and potentially not having home ice in the second round.

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 Apr 4, 2011 7:00 AM EDT reply actions

Actually it would be two points…Pittsburgh has to pass the Flyers to win the division, just tying in points won’t make a difference, same with Washington, so I guess it’s like 1.01 pts.

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Apr 4, 2011 7:34 AM EDT up reply actions

But our tiebreaker with Washington isn’t guaranteed. Pittsburgh can’t catch our ROW, but Washington is only one behind. They could still theoretically pass our ROW count, even though it isn’t likely for us to get our points in shootouts while they win in regulation or overtime, but it’s mathematically possible.

by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 4, 2011 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Washington also looks to have a relatively easy final 3 games; 1 against the Leafs and then 2 back-to-back against the Panthers. I suspect they’ll win at least 2 of those games, if not all 3. Flyers play the Senators in Ottawa (could go either way for us, but we do have trouble winning up there), and then the Sabres in and the Islanders. I could see us also winning 2 of those, but unfortunately, I could also envision only winning 1 of 3 based on recent injuries.

Sarauj, Latvija!

by LVHokejs on Apr 4, 2011 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the correction. Personally I don’t think it matters as Washington will end up with more points than the Flyers.

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Apr 4, 2011 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Have you seen what the Caps’ blue line looks like? They’ll be dressing their their 7th and 10th D at best, and possibly their 9th and 10th D against TOR.

The injury situation is fugly. Caps max out at 3 points over the final 3 games, imo.

Patron saint of quality footwear.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 4, 2011 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s a legitimate point, but you aren’t going to out-pessimist a bunch of Philly fans.

by Snevik on Apr 4, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow. It’s almost heartening to think that there is a fan base as gun shy as ours.

/Not really.

Patron saint of quality footwear.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 4, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t care if they are dressing the corps of Ghandi and Mother Teresa and I would still think that over the next three games, which is all I was ever talking about that they will end up with more points than the Flyers.

It has nothing to do with pessimist but just a belief. They are playing better than the Flyers and right now, I am not sure that they aren’t the better team.

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Apr 4, 2011 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, the Devils were officially eliminated.

Shame we didn’t put money on it like you wanted to.

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 Apr 4, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

At least I went out on a limb.

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Apr 4, 2011 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

haha, I enjoy the comfort of ground.

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 Apr 4, 2011 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I completely agree that they are making things harder on themselves than they really need to – no question about that.

In case that anyone thinks that I’m constantly looking at things through rose-colored lenses, I assure you that I’m not. The game against Ottawa is a huge one. If we lose it in regulation time, we’ve officially blown every bit of the cushion we had accumulated during the first 2/3 of the season. As it stands right now, we still have that cushion, but only the very last thread of it. We simply can’t underachive anymore without having negative repercussions in the standings.

I’m actually completely amazed that we still have the #1seed. We sure haven’t done much to deserve it recently. Just goes to show how good we were in the first 50-to-60 games. I think once we get all of our injured players back, we’ll be back on track. BUT, they should be able to win the next three games regardless – let’s hope they do.

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Ambidexterity

… the teams really needs a kick in the ass right now … Any word on when Leighton will have his glove switching done so they can bring him up?

by ic0n67 on Apr 4, 2011 8:15 AM EDT reply actions

Geoff, Geoff, Geoff…there is no such thing as luck. Tsk tsk tsk.

I like that Lavi doesn’t call Leino out in public. However, I’d love to be a fly on the all when he chews his ass out in the locker room.

Lastly, I FUCKING HATE SHOOTOUTS. Give me the playoffs, NOW!

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.

by KreiderDesigns on Apr 4, 2011 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

No such thing as luck?? Who ARE you?

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 Apr 4, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Teams have learned that they can stop Briere and Leino by using a trap against that line. Leino really needs to stop trying to make the extra fancy play cause all he’s doing anymore is turning it over at a rate that make Z look like Crosby.

Samesis

by JpH89 on Apr 4, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

It only took them 100 games to figure it out…

Wait, maybe… maybe they are slumping?

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 Apr 4, 2011 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

i see what you did there Geoff

Clever girl

inter arma enim silent leges

by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Apr 4, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Who institutes a trap against one line?

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Apr 4, 2011 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

The Mets.

Defending Carter until 2021...

by Pardini36 on Apr 4, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

The Great Gazoo

by j reed on Apr 4, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

:(

Makes me think of the Lappy interview where he said he’d start wearing visors even though it made him look like Gazoo.

I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.

Chem and Gus to the restaurant.

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Apr 4, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Without Briere, Betts and Pronger, our team is just that much weaker.

It’s worrying.

Mourning Gagne forever.

by ToddtheFox on Apr 4, 2011 8:56 AM EDT reply actions

I see what you did there. It is strangely odd that those three are the ones injured.

Sarauj, Latvija!

by LVHokejs on Apr 4, 2011 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Without Briere, Betts and Pronger, our team is just that much weaker.

Wasn’t there an entertaining rap video that someone on the site made of them last year (and aren’t you punning on the lyrics of it)? (LVHokejs, is that what you were referring to?)

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

that’s the one.

Sarauj, Latvija!

by LVHokejs on Apr 4, 2011 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

At least Betts isnt out with an “upper-body injury”

by philiafan14364 on Apr 4, 2011 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

What’s everyone’s thoughts if we end up playing Carolina?

I mainly ask because I’ll be in NC towards the end of the playoffs.

I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.

Chem and Gus to the restaurant.

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Apr 4, 2011 10:16 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Personally, I’d love to play them. If we nail down the #1 seed, I think we’ll beat anyone who’s in the 8-spot.

Now, if we slide down the seedings, I think we win round 1, but after that, I’d be a bit apprehensive over some of the potential match-ups.

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I really need to buy a BSH shirt now haha. I’ll be in Raleigh.

I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.

Chem and Gus to the restaurant.

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Apr 4, 2011 10:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

You don’t own one yet???

Defending Carter until 2021...

by Pardini36 on Apr 4, 2011 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Not yet. My plan was to get one by the playoffs, but it depended on where I was going for which one I would get. If I was going to MA, I was going to get the Lavy Timeout shirt as a subtle “HAHAHAHAHAHA”. Now I’m not sure which one.

I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.

Chem and Gus to the restaurant.

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Apr 4, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Not so subtle if you were going to MA would be the “choke” one!

by JLS89 on Apr 4, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Can’t guarantee you wouldn’t get a beer dumped on you for wearing that one up in the Gah-den.

Sarauj, Latvija!

by LVHokejs on Apr 4, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Bruins fans are tough too… I think you would be killed in Boston for wearing that shirt

by JLS89 on Apr 4, 2011 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s the point, haha. I wouldn’t want to get myself killed.

I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.

Chem and Gus to the restaurant.

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Apr 4, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Ooh, that just gave me a shirt idea. Six skaters plus a goalie on the shirt, with the caption “Too Much Man” under them.

Bob.

by The Dark on Apr 4, 2011 12:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 4 recs

Rec’d. Seriously, rec’d.

I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.

Chem and Gus to the restaurant.

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Apr 4, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Rec’d as well. :)

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I wish I could give it two thumbs up.

I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.

Chem and Gus to the restaurant.

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Apr 4, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Thoughts on who should be on it – Pronger, Timonen, Richards, Briere, Giroux, JvR, and Bob? That way, it’s at least a plausible breakdown (2 D, 4 F, G), and it’s a blend of the biggest faces and the top young guys.

Of course, this is all subject to the PTBs running with this…

Bob.

by The Dark on Apr 4, 2011 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Speaking man-shirts, did we ever follow through with a “I Am The He” shirt? Or even just “The He” underneath his picture?

by Snevik on Apr 4, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

#1 Seed

It won’t matter in round 1, but it’s huge for round 2…There will likely be at least 1 first round upset, and the #1 seed gets to play them in round 2, while the #2 seed gets the winner of Tampa-Pitt.

Defending Carter until 2021...

by Pardini36 on Apr 4, 2011 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

Yep.

That’s part of the reason why we want (perhaps, need) it. Getting it would also guarantee that we wouldn’t have to play Boston until the conference final (if both teams go that far, that is).

I have no fear playing PIT – playing Tampa doesn’t thrill me, but I also don’t think they’re as good as they were earlier this year. I just don’t want to play Boston before the ECF (or at all, really).

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Boston doesn’t really scare me for some reason, though i agree they should. The Rangers scare me more than anyone, though yesterday’s game makes me feel better about it.

Defending Carter until 2021...

by Pardini36 on Apr 4, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Tim Thomas worries me.

Sarauj, Latvija!

by LVHokejs on Apr 4, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Afraid he’ll eat you?

I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.

Chem and Gus to the restaurant.

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Apr 4, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

No dirtiness intended. Because I know someone here will think of it that way.

I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.

Chem and Gus to the restaurant.

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Apr 4, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope, just you.

Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Apr 4, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

You never know. People take a lot of things here as innuendo.

I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.

Chem and Gus to the restaurant.

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Apr 4, 2011 12:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Oh I know, but I don’t see Hintzy around this morning.

Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Apr 4, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry, been a busy week. But I think (hope) I might be getting back to normal now, at least for a few days.

Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!

by hintzy64 on Apr 5, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. He’s re-found his Vezina-winning form (not that he will win it this year, but he’s MUCH better than last year).

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I doubt the first round will go to seed. Facing any of Boston, Pitt, and Tampa is a scary second round to me, but really, nerves will be high and whoever we face will pose a threat.

Moral: we shouldn’t worry about second round opponents.

by Snevik on Apr 4, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Let’s just start by beating the snot out of OTT tomorrow.

"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."

The views expressed by FLYERROB do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to BSH

if no one has claimed JVR, can he be my man-crush?

by boknows71 on Apr 4, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Agree with both statements.

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh no the bubble is back

by j reed on Apr 4, 2011 11:57 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

...

Shiny one.

I'm the Pronger. Basically? Run.

Chem and Gus to the restaurant.

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Apr 4, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Benching Leino in the 3rd when both Briere and Betts are out…that’s the sound of getting thrown under the bus.

by j reed on Apr 4, 2011 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

Leino had a horrible second period.

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

by mikefive on Apr 4, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, he did. I would almost say he was dogging it, but I know that Leino is better than that.

I think this Lavy-message will get through loud and clear (and immediately).

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

So he didn’t deserve a chance to redeem himself? Esp. someone with his skills in a low scoring game?

by j reed on Apr 4, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, that’s the coach’s prerogative – that why he gets the big bucks, as the expression goes.

This benching won’t extend to tomorrow. I bet Leino will be Leino in Ottawa.

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I've always been me, whatchutalkingbout?

"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."

The views expressed by FLYERROB do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to BSH

if no one has claimed JVR, can he be my man-crush?

by boknows71 on Apr 4, 2011 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice photo! :)

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

no way that forehead is regressing

by j reed on Apr 4, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

That is one powerful forehead.

I think this is my favorite photo of him – a perfect “don’t-fuck-with-me” look.

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

or “what do you mean I make 1 too many moves with the puck and then turn it over” look

or “so you’re Geoff” look

"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."

The views expressed by FLYERROB do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to BSH

if no one has claimed JVR, can he be my man-crush?

by boknows71 on Apr 4, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally, I’m glad he’s finally getting the same treatment Zherdev got, if to a lesser degree.

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 Apr 4, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Apr 4, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

okay but

In this stituation your 2 men down. That means other players have to take up the slack. I would think that fresher legs trumps the added fatigue in this scenario.

by j reed on Apr 4, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Speaking of fatigue in the opposite way…this is Leino’s first complete NHL season…

Something to think about.

Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Apr 4, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

That is a good point. I had forgotten about that.

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

There’s a lot of fatigue talk recently (not just the Flyers, across teams). Do we think the impact for most teams evens out, or does it have a huge impact on playoff performance, like with starting goaltenders? Do you think we can track this independent of injuries based on regular season games played by the 18 skaters a team throws out their for game 1?

by Snevik on Apr 4, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

The only thing I want to point out is that people who are thinking Leino will be the same player in the play offs this year, might want to consider that fact.

Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Apr 4, 2011 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ll agree. I’m just wondering if there’s anything to be learned from these numbers, and to-date I was shown a remarkable disinterest in doing the legwork myself.

by Snevik on Apr 4, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I have shown*

by Snevik on Apr 4, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I would speculate it evens out…but I’m too lazy to try to prove it.

Injuries is the thing that doesn’t even out.

Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Apr 4, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d be up for trying to prove it, except that the small sample size of any given playoff run will mean there’s a huge amount of noise, and I’m not prepared to try to dig up a huge number of players on their first 80-game season to even the noise out.

by Eric T. on Apr 4, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d be more interested in a wider view of playoff wins v. regular season games played by their skaters. But, again, I have no idea how to collect that data except by hand.

by Snevik on Apr 4, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

How do we get you prepared? I’d recommend starting off with a good breakfast and some light cardio…then we can see how you’re feeling from there.

Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Apr 4, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Remember, this is my longest season as a writer yet. You have to expect some fatigue.

/actually not true, I once had an analysis blog up for a whole year, but that was almost ten years ago now, so expect some atrophy

by Eric T. on Apr 4, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a large enough sample size to tell if you’re any good at this. I predict your writing regresses to the mean (i.e. a week’s worth of +/- articles).

Too much statjoke?

by Snevik on Apr 4, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I considered posting an article on Friday on how Meszaros and Carle were our MVPs based on their +/-.

by Eric T. on Apr 4, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

“Pronger is 15th on the team. What a complete bust of a trade.”

by Eric T. on Apr 4, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

And Nodl’s right?

by j reed on Apr 4, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Leino:

’08-09: 87 total games (57 AHL reg season, 10 AHL playoffs, 13 NHL reg season, 7 NHL playoffs)
’09-10: 74 total games (55 NHL reg season, 19 NHL playoffs)
’10-11: 78 NHL reg season so far

Nodl:

’08-09: 81 total games (39 AHL reg season, 4 AHL playoffs, 38 NHL reg season)
’09-10: 85 total games (65 AHL reg season, 10 NHL reg season, 10 NHL playoffs)
’10-11: 64 NHL reg season so far

Neither of them is having a huge change in workload over recent years, but Leino is much more likely to set a career high in games played.

by Eric T. on Apr 4, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Four Things:

1. Their roles are different, Leino is there to produce points…
2. Nodl doesn’t have absurd numbers in last year’s playoffs that some people will expect him to duplicate this year.
3. Nodl played 65 AHL games, 10 NHL games, then 10 playoff games in the NHL last year (85). The previous year he had 39 AHL, 38 NHL games, and 4 NHL playoff games (81). Leino’s longest season of North American hockey was in 08/09 Where he played a combined 87 games, 67 of which were in the AHL. He was a man amongst boys in the AHL that year though.
4. Nodl has played 64 games this year, to Leino’s 78.

He might not be fatigued at all, who knows. Maybe 08/09 was enough to get acclimated. I just want to point out that he was a key point producer in last years run, but he did that with fresh legs.

Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Apr 4, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Copycat.

by Eric T. on Apr 4, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I just wanted to whether or not he's played a full season or not.

by j reed on Apr 4, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Whoops

there was supposed to be a thanks in there.

by j reed on Apr 4, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

How bad did Leino look in the second period? Maybe he just doesn’t fit in this system. I’m not sure benching him will fix that.

by Snevik on Apr 4, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Didn’t he fit the system for first 2/3’s of the season?

"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 Apr 4, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe this is the treatment to get their fee moving.

"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 Apr 4, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

“Feet moving”?

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

No, their fee. Maybe if we start charging them for bad plays they’ll stop.

Err… yeah… that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

/proofread fail

"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 Apr 4, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

No, stick to the story – it’s wonderful! :)

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Holmstrom just got called up per Flyers facebook.

"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."

The views expressed by FLYERROB do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to BSH

if no one has claimed JVR, can he be my man-crush?

by boknows71 on Apr 4, 2011 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

Orange and Black Forever beat me to posting this in the Glen Falls article… but Mandi Schwartz passed away last night.

Puck Daddy wrote a wonderful write up. http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Mandi-Schwartz-inspirational-Yale-hockey-player?urn=nhl-wp1709

When I saw this last night, I was deeply saddened because as a student at Quinnipiac, Yale is our biggest hockey rival. Setting rivalries aside, Quinnipiac Athletics always participates and supports “Mandi’s March” which is a fundraising race to support Mandi. I believe it’s sportsmanship and respect at it’s finest because we support Yale Athletics and help a school located 15 minutes away. (I apologize for the personal story and sad story this afternoon)

by JLS89 on Apr 4, 2011 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

How about voting for the Obligatory Adjective Award?

Which Flyer has had a specific descriptive modifier attached to his name most during the reporting of the regular season?

The enigmatic Zherdev
The gritty Shelley (usually formulated as the noun “grit”)
The useless ___________________________
The journeyman Leighton (more from last year)

Other nominees?

by flyersfaninchicago on Apr 4, 2011 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

I would not vote for enigmatic. Put that back that on the table for debate.

by Snevik on Apr 4, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Cantankerous Pronger.

Patron saint of quality footwear.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 4, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Last year, it was the useless (Riley) Cote or Parent (as in Ryan, not Bernie – an unfortunate similarity in spelling of last names; good thing they aren’t pronounced the same way.)

I don’t know about this year…hmmm…have to think about it.

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

by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 4, 2011 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

im so glad that mccreary finally retired … so many times i wanted to jump on teh ice and toss him a beating

"fortune favors the bold"

by IraqWarVeteran on Apr 4, 2011 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

i was coming to say this too. i HATE him, so effing terrible and always against the flyers. i’m super surprised no one’s said anything about him before you.

by captj on Apr 4, 2011 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions