The keystone to the Flyers success this season has been the elevated play of their youth core. During his trial period last season Flyers GM, Paul Holmgren, made it perfectly clear that his youth core would not be broken up. This decision is paying dividends thus far this season.
While Timonen, and Briere were the "big acquisitions" during the offseason it is clearly not their play that is having the biggest impact on the team. They are contributing, and I can not say we would be where we are without them, but had the rest of the team not played to the level they are this would be the second dissapointing year in a row.
Fortunately as fans we do not have to bear another season similar to last. We can instead give credit where credit is due. At the season's halfway point we can appreciate Paul Holmgren's efforts and decision making, John Steven's coaching, and the team's collective effort. As long as they play consistent, and remain healthy we can look foward to seeing our kids in the playoffs rather than wonder which golf course they are teeing off on.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Pros and Controversy.
With two capable goalies to choose from John Stevens is riding the hot into New York tonight to take on the boys in blue. I have already read the word controversy at least 5 times in the past 24 hours. As of right now, I do not think that is the case, but Frank could be making a strong argument that states otherwise. In the beginning of the season Nitty was asked what he thought of having Biron as the clear cut starter for the season. While I don't know the exact quote I do remember it being something to the nature of, "It doesn't matter to me, because I'm going to take my job back anyway." Nitty has made the most of his starts this season and has earned each one he got. I commend John Stevens for rewarding Nitty with the start tonight, but I also thing the Sweden Finland match up always plays into this decision as well. A game against Lundqvuist will always make it a bit easier for Nitty to elevate his play.
There have been some reports that we could see some players back in the lineup tonight, but the roster moves show that it may not be as many players as initially reported. The big news is that Gagne is possible to return, which would be huge for the team, and more specifically Briere. It doesn't appear Upshall or Smith will be back in the lineup. Kapanen is probably going to be out again as well. The only player that has been sent down is Potulny. They may be keeping to other kids as insurance, and scratch them right before the game, but I think we will see some more Phantoms in the game tonight.
Around the NHL:
There has been some interesting buzzing going on around the NHL that deserves some attention. First and foremost, welcome back to hockey Bob Clarke. Clarke recently interviewed with TSN.ca and supported Steve Downies eye shattering punch to Jason Blake. It was te first time someone actually acknowledged that this was an incident that Blake brought upon himself. Thanks, Bob, I don't miss you as a GM but any support you have to offer during this time of sissified hockey speak up, please.
Alex Ovechkin has been reported as rejecting the Caps contract extension. I can't blame him either. This is an organization that drafted one of the most talented players in the league and in the three years he has been with the team done nothing to put a solid supporting cast around him. This is a team that by now should be competing for a playoff spot with him on the roster, instead they are going to lose the only draw the DC market has to hockey.
And finally, Foresberg rumors are afoot. Of course the Flyers would want a healthy Foresberg, who wouldn't? Let's just wait and see how it pans out. I am tired of hearing about Peter golfing with Timonen so he must be returning to Philly.
There have been some reports that we could see some players back in the lineup tonight, but the roster moves show that it may not be as many players as initially reported. The big news is that Gagne is possible to return, which would be huge for the team, and more specifically Briere. It doesn't appear Upshall or Smith will be back in the lineup. Kapanen is probably going to be out again as well. The only player that has been sent down is Potulny. They may be keeping to other kids as insurance, and scratch them right before the game, but I think we will see some more Phantoms in the game tonight.
Around the NHL:
There has been some interesting buzzing going on around the NHL that deserves some attention. First and foremost, welcome back to hockey Bob Clarke. Clarke recently interviewed with TSN.ca and supported Steve Downies eye shattering punch to Jason Blake. It was te first time someone actually acknowledged that this was an incident that Blake brought upon himself. Thanks, Bob, I don't miss you as a GM but any support you have to offer during this time of sissified hockey speak up, please.
Alex Ovechkin has been reported as rejecting the Caps contract extension. I can't blame him either. This is an organization that drafted one of the most talented players in the league and in the three years he has been with the team done nothing to put a solid supporting cast around him. This is a team that by now should be competing for a playoff spot with him on the roster, instead they are going to lose the only draw the DC market has to hockey.
And finally, Foresberg rumors are afoot. Of course the Flyers would want a healthy Foresberg, who wouldn't? Let's just wait and see how it pans out. I am tired of hearing about Peter golfing with Timonen so he must be returning to Philly.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Atlanta gets Downied.
Downied - a term used by the cult following of Steve Downie to describe, killed, destroyed, hurt, or even diagnosed with a deadly illness.
The reality of this phrase is that it proves, even to those that use the term, that Steve Downies reputation precedes him. Downie tied the game up tonight in the second period with a goal that honestly, I did not see.
My sister was busy giving birth all day today so I had to fulfill my obligations as an uncle to visit the new addition. Luckily she is cute and it was worth it.
From the point of the game I did see though, Downie was very much in line. This may come as a shock to some, but part of Downie making it in the NHL will be controlling his temper. Outside of his outbursts he is a very clutch hockey player with more heart than most teams have let alone one player. He does not do anything exceptionally well, but he seems to be very coachable, and while he may better himself, he will never truly change his game. This is very refreshing for us as Flyers fans and exciting to boot.
In addition to Downies solid, and controlled, play the rest of John Stevens Phantoms successfully made a big impact tonight. Carter was just 5 seconds away from breaking the Flyers record for fastest back to back goals. This fact is incredible considering he netted 2 in just 13 seconds. More importantly another young player is developing his game at the right time. Scott Hartnell turned all the little things he does into a 3 point with a short handed goal and 2 assists. Seeing Hartnell get rewarded for his consistently solid play is nice as a fan that notices Scott in a positive way on a nightly basis regardless of whether he shows up on the score sheet. I am not just saying that because his wife is hot either, but for all the Hartnell bashers out there, when you piss and moan about him not scoring . . . he really is.
Nitty put up another solid performance tonight, but will more than likely get a break Thursday. He is the hot hand right now, but both goalies have been playing well so I expect to see Biron against the Rangers. But, for the love of God, John Stevens if the game goes to a shootout PUT IN NITY. A cold Nity in a shootout is better than a statuesque Biron.
Cote also put up a solid performance in tonights victory, proving more and more that he deserves his spot on the team. He knows he role, worked hard to get there, and loves every second he gets on the ice, and seemingly ever 5min he gets in the box. 12 fighting majors on the year and he was pretty pumped after this one. After delivering a crushing blow along the boards, he delivered a few more in the form of left hands to Thornburns face. Belted out a Rick Flair "Woooooo!" and left the ice high fiving teammates and Atlanta fans as well. Usually I have this underlying hate for people that walk around loving their jobs, but with Riley it is different.
My overall evaluation of this win would be Textbook. They did everything you need to do in hockey to win on the road. Weather the storm, open it up when things settle down, and lock it back down when you get the lead. Kudos to John Stevens for coming with the right plan, and the players for executing.
My Jerry Springer final thought would be:
Is there any way we can get Clement in the booth as a permanent fixture?
The reality of this phrase is that it proves, even to those that use the term, that Steve Downies reputation precedes him. Downie tied the game up tonight in the second period with a goal that honestly, I did not see.
My sister was busy giving birth all day today so I had to fulfill my obligations as an uncle to visit the new addition. Luckily she is cute and it was worth it.
From the point of the game I did see though, Downie was very much in line. This may come as a shock to some, but part of Downie making it in the NHL will be controlling his temper. Outside of his outbursts he is a very clutch hockey player with more heart than most teams have let alone one player. He does not do anything exceptionally well, but he seems to be very coachable, and while he may better himself, he will never truly change his game. This is very refreshing for us as Flyers fans and exciting to boot.
In addition to Downies solid, and controlled, play the rest of John Stevens Phantoms successfully made a big impact tonight. Carter was just 5 seconds away from breaking the Flyers record for fastest back to back goals. This fact is incredible considering he netted 2 in just 13 seconds. More importantly another young player is developing his game at the right time. Scott Hartnell turned all the little things he does into a 3 point with a short handed goal and 2 assists. Seeing Hartnell get rewarded for his consistently solid play is nice as a fan that notices Scott in a positive way on a nightly basis regardless of whether he shows up on the score sheet. I am not just saying that because his wife is hot either, but for all the Hartnell bashers out there, when you piss and moan about him not scoring . . . he really is.
Nitty put up another solid performance tonight, but will more than likely get a break Thursday. He is the hot hand right now, but both goalies have been playing well so I expect to see Biron against the Rangers. But, for the love of God, John Stevens if the game goes to a shootout PUT IN NITY. A cold Nity in a shootout is better than a statuesque Biron.
Cote also put up a solid performance in tonights victory, proving more and more that he deserves his spot on the team. He knows he role, worked hard to get there, and loves every second he gets on the ice, and seemingly ever 5min he gets in the box. 12 fighting majors on the year and he was pretty pumped after this one. After delivering a crushing blow along the boards, he delivered a few more in the form of left hands to Thornburns face. Belted out a Rick Flair "Woooooo!" and left the ice high fiving teammates and Atlanta fans as well. Usually I have this underlying hate for people that walk around loving their jobs, but with Riley it is different.
My overall evaluation of this win would be Textbook. They did everything you need to do in hockey to win on the road. Weather the storm, open it up when things settle down, and lock it back down when you get the lead. Kudos to John Stevens for coming with the right plan, and the players for executing.
My Jerry Springer final thought would be:
Is there any way we can get Clement in the booth as a permanent fixture?
The NHL.
The NHL has changed, no doubt about it. The ref's have become ultimately responsible for the outcome of more and more games, every hit and punch is subject to league review, and instead of players policing the game it is now up to the league to protect the players.
While I certainly miss elements of the old game. I have come to terms that this is the NHL now and if I am to be a fan I must watch with a certain understanding that things just aren't the same anymore.
With all that in mind, there have only been a couple times this season that I have actually been dissapointed with the result of league/on ice decisions.
-The Jones hit. (A standard was seemingly set by the league about hits from behind, that has not been carried out since.)
-The Boulerice suspension. (I get the new standards, and understand that a suspension was in order, but 25 games? That puts his check on Kesler up there with the worst punished hits in the history of the league.)
I can deal with most of the other stuff that has been happening. Even the Downie suspension. The biggest glaring problem I am seeing now are the fans! Read some comments on articles regarding the Flyers hits, or suspensions. I have seen people wanting, Downie, Boulerice, Hartnell, and Jones banned from the league. The Flyers fined, or penalized. Stevens suspended. It is sickening. The days of the I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out fans are all but gone. The only two teams I can see keeping the spirit of hockey alive are the Anaheim Ducks, and our Philadelphia Flyers.
That could not make me any happier.
While I certainly miss elements of the old game. I have come to terms that this is the NHL now and if I am to be a fan I must watch with a certain understanding that things just aren't the same anymore.
With all that in mind, there have only been a couple times this season that I have actually been dissapointed with the result of league/on ice decisions.
-The Jones hit. (A standard was seemingly set by the league about hits from behind, that has not been carried out since.)
-The Boulerice suspension. (I get the new standards, and understand that a suspension was in order, but 25 games? That puts his check on Kesler up there with the worst punished hits in the history of the league.)
I can deal with most of the other stuff that has been happening. Even the Downie suspension. The biggest glaring problem I am seeing now are the fans! Read some comments on articles regarding the Flyers hits, or suspensions. I have seen people wanting, Downie, Boulerice, Hartnell, and Jones banned from the league. The Flyers fined, or penalized. Stevens suspended. It is sickening. The days of the I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out fans are all but gone. The only two teams I can see keeping the spirit of hockey alive are the Anaheim Ducks, and our Philadelphia Flyers.
That could not make me any happier.
A new year, a new blog.
As an ademate hockey fan and devoted Flyers fan I have decided to create a blog to allow outsiders to enjoy, or not, my thoughts, analysis, and obscure opinions about the Flyers, and everything associated with them.
This is in an attempt to eliminate the morning e-mail and open up to more than just the "Flyers" group in outlook.
Coming soon will be an evaluation of the season and players to date, along with the coaching staff.
Beware this may get crazy.
This is in an attempt to eliminate the morning e-mail and open up to more than just the "Flyers" group in outlook.
Coming soon will be an evaluation of the season and players to date, along with the coaching staff.
Beware this may get crazy.
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