Worth a watch!
Monthly Archives: September 2013
Devils win 4-1, school Flyers young players
Flyers need to up the intensity for the regular season
The New Jersey Devils scored 3 goals in the second to finish off the Flyers in a 4-1 victory at the Prudential Center.
Matt Read’s shorthanded goal in the 3rd was the only thing that stopped a shutout in goal after Cory Schneider had departed, replaced by Keith Kinkaid.
The Flyers played a fairly young team giving them the opportunity to shine. Unfortunately that backfired against a strong New Jersey team who seem to find a way to beat the Flyers each time they play.
With the regular season starting soon Philly will have to pick themselves up and look to get to the dirty areas and compete. The Devils outworked as well as outclassed the Flyers last night which is a familiar tale from matches gone by.
Cody Franson finally signs; is a one-year contract enough Leafs fans?
One more year? Franson led all Maple Leafs’ defensemen last season with 29 points.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and defenseman Cody Franson have reached agreement in terms for a one-year contract, according to NHL.COM
The deal, is reported to be worth $2 million.
This very much looks like a stop gap contract to me, but it’s better for Franson to be signed up to a one-year contract then no contract. With the salary cap looking to go up next year Franson will be hoping for another good year to earn an improved deal.
What do you think Leafs fans? Chuffed?
Mason and Emery will thrive together
Mason posted a .944 save percentage and 1.90 goals-against average last season for the Flyers
Steve Mason looks set to start against the New Jersey Devils tonight in net as the Flyers stick with their rotation policy.
Now some writers have been questioning the strength of the Flyers in net. Not an unreasonable topic to consider with the Flyers history of woes in net.
However this season I feel Flyers fans should be looking on with renewed optimism.
Speaking to CSNPHILLY.COM Mason responded to the questions around the Flyers net.
“People are making such a big deal out of it,” Mason said. “Razor [Emery] and I are both competitive guys, we both want to play, and only one can play at a time. Regardless of who’s in the net, we want to be supportive of one another and for the team.
“If Razor wins his next start, it’s great, it’s good for our team. If I win my next, it’s great. We’re not going to put any negative spin on it. It’s nice having two guys that are hungry to play.”
“Everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” he said. “I’m not sure where they’re having Razor and myself ranked, but if it’s a low position, it would be a great feeling when you get to prove them wrong.”
Mason certainly believes that both himself and Emery can do well for the Flyers. Philly needed to have a season where there is competition for the starting role. This has been lacking in years gone by and allowed too much media pressure on whoever might protect the net. Spreading the pressure out over two players will allow the Flyers to answer the question they hear every season.
Will the Flyers be vulnerable in net?
This season I can say, with confidence, no!
Voracek Hurt as Devils Continue Series Dominance
Great review of the positives the Flyers can take from Tuesday’s loss to the Devils.
The Flyers dropped another close affair Tuesday night, 2-1, to the hated Devils. But the loss that put the orange and black at 1-3-1 in the Preseason was hardly the big news. Star forward Jake Voracek took a tumble into the opposing net after being blatantly hooked down by Devils captain Bryce Salvador on a breakaway. Voracek was awarded a penalty shot on the play, but he was clearly shaken up, and was unable to capitalize after colliding with netminder Corey Schneider and then the post. The 24-year old Czech attempted to return for one more shift but appeared to be in some discomfort. It’s unclear the severity of the ‘upper-body injury’ but it’s probably a safe assumption that he will not play in Thursday’s rematch with New Jersey.
But, despite the 2-1 score and the loss of a key performer, there were some positives to take from the game:
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Cleary not needed, Raffl, McGinn or Laughton?
Signed in Detroit
Flyers fans took a collective sigh of relief when the news came through that Dan Cleary has signed in Detroit for a further year according to NHL.com
“I’m sorry to everybody for the drama that was created. It’s just not my style,” Cleary told the team’s website after arriving in Traverse City, Mich. for training camp. “Social media at times can be frustrating, but that’s the world we live in and I apologize to all of the writers, the Philly writers, but I’m a Red Wing and I’m proud to be a Red Wing.”
Apart from making the Flyers look a little stupid there appears to be no hard feelings Dan and I wish you all the best in Detroit. Flyers fans can forget the previous article I wrote about why you being a Flyer was the wrong move for the organisation and we can move onto another more current issue. Who should be filling the 3rd line left wing spot?
Holmgren has managed to see the light it seems and the position is open for competition according to csnphilly.com
“We were anxious to look at a few guys in that position anyway, so that’s certainly a good thing for us,” Holmgren said. “Tye McGinn, Mike Raffl…there’s a number of guys. Scott Laughton? Who knows? There should certainly be competition for a couple of spots up front I would think.”
Competition for spots is what I think is needed. With a host of players ready to take the 3rd line spot I have evaluated the options below.
Not wanted by front office?
Simon Gagné
The fans favorite would slot into the third line for the Flyers but has seemingly been ruled out by the front office.
“Holmgren also says Flyers “closed the door” on Gagne a couple days ago.” @sbaickerCSN
The Flyers seem set on a winger with a more physical presence and Gagné does not fit the bill. I would expect this position to be filled by a younger player coming through the system.
Can the center play wing?
Scott Laughton
The Flyers number one prospect is my favorite to make the team this year providing he has a good camp. The Flyers know his potential as a two way player but there are doubts whether he can be a full time winger.
Laughton looked good in the five games he played last season and will be looking to make the jump to the senior team this season. If Laughton does not make the team Flyers fans will hope to see him play at the World Junior Championships.
Fight for the spot on the wing?
Tye McGinn
McGinn would be a very versatile option for the Flyers if he is to make the team. Last season he even played on the top line with Giroux when Hartnell was injured.
This gives Lavi some flexibility with his lines as McGinn adds the physical presence that the Flyers are looking for in a winger. Out of all the options, if McGinn has a good camp I expect his experience last season to turn Lavi’s head.
NHL ready?
Michael Raffl
A somewhat wildcard that the Flyers are riding high on Raffl is favored by some to claim the spot as his own. Playing on a line with Thomas Vanek at the IIHF World Championships has helped Raffl’s profile and the Flyers seem to believe he is NHL ready.
Whether he needs to spend some time in the AHL to adjust to the North American game remains to be seen. If he can adjust quickly in camp then the winger could be the natural selection ahead of McGinn and Laughton, especially if the Flyers believe Laughton needs more time to develop.
For now who gets the place it is too close to call. I like the idea of any of McGinn, Laughton or Raffl playing with the Flyers next season. Which leads me to ask, why were the Flyers interested in signing Dan Cleary in the first place?
Daily Dose of Hockey Links (14 Links)
Some great links from our friends at High Action Hockey!
- Jamie Erdahl replaces Funayama as Bruins sideline reporter! Bout God Damn Time!
- JJ Watt’s first love was playing hockey
- Ovi Tailgating the Skins Eagles game yesterady [PHOTOS]
- Ray Emery’s New Mask is Hot Fire
- Luongo’s reply to the reporters
- Gym Motivation: John Tavares Workout Video
- Jonny Quick signed a fans half eaten grilled cheese once…
- Bruins Ice Girls Facebook Page. You’re Welcome!
- Ovi could miss season opener
- NHL 14 Soundtrack
- Team Canada Might Have a Black Third Jersey?
- Ovechkin being Ovechkin at media day [VIDEO]…
- Bobby Ryan Interviews Sens Fans About Bobby Ryan
No one notices it’s actually Bobby Ryan interviewing them…the kid with the band-aid below his nose is not to be trusted. - These NHL Logo Redesigns are actually pretty good
Bergeron, Campbell ready for training camp
Bergeron and Campbell being ready will help the Bruins get off to a strong start to the season.
The Bruins are set to open training camp on Wednesday, September 11. With less than one month to go before the regular season kicks off, things will be all business when the Black and Gold take to the Ristuccia Arena ice. All eyes will be on Boston’s newcomers, but the health of two invaluable veterans is what’s drawing attention as camp draws near.
Gregory Campbell and Patrice Bergeron are both coming off of significant injuries. Campbell suffered a fractured fibula in the Eastern Conference Finals and Bergeron tore rib cartilage that led to a punctured lung in the Stanley Cup. Their importance to the Bruins success is more than apparent. So will they be ready for participation in training camp?
Bergeron is confident he’ll be healthy enough for the start of camp and fully ready to play in the season opener without any limitations.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Bergeron told…
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Flyers overpay for Cleary
How much? Flyers add Dan Cleary.
Paul Holmgren has done something I never thought he would do again, surprise me. Several of his trades I have been dubious about but not since the day he sent Mike Richards packing have I been surprised with his flamboyant trades and signings.
According to NHL.com Dan Cleary will be signing in Philly:
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported Monday night that the veteran left wing will sign a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers worth an average of $2.75 million per year. The deal is not expected to become official until the end of the month, according to St. James.
Now there are several elements about this deal that I do not like but I could go on forever. Instead I have broken down the four most prominent issues I have with the deal to try and understand Holmgren’s rationale.
- Not re-signing Simon Gagné.
As a result of signing Cleary Holmgren has ended any chance of the Flyers re-signing Gagné for next season. Not only a fans favorite, Gagné re-found his form on the ice scoring in his first game returning from the LA Kings. Gagné is a better offensive player who the players and fans both look up to. - The cap hit.
$2.75 a year is too much money. If this was a bargain end of window deal then this article would have a completely different feel. This deal puts the Flyers further over the cap hit and means that they will have to dump salary somewhere. Andrej Meszaros would be my first choice but that brings us onto my next point. - Another forward at the expense of defense?
With the Flyers needing to add speed on the blueline Dan Cleary’s arrival will likely mean the salary dump of a defenseman. The Flyers struggled getting the puck out of their zone last season and trading an injury prone PMD for a 3rd line winger with dodgy knee’s makes no sense. Meszaros’ trade value can only rise and Holmgren will get very little if anything in return for Meszaros or whoever he chooses to trade. - 3 years?!
I can only assume that Holmgren forgot that he has used his buy-outs this season as this is the only logical explanation for giving Cleary a 3 year contract. Luckily it’s not another 35+ contract; $2.75m is an over-payment especially for 3 years.
I could add several other reasons but these are the main four that came to mind. Cleary is a good locker room guy and will add some grit to the 3rd line with Sean Couturier. I truly hope that Holmgren knows something that other Flyers fans don’t and proves me wrong.
Teemu Announces His Decision With Awesome Video
Thanks for the upload. Great to see Teemu back in the NHL for a final season!
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