I haven't looked at it closely yet _ I'll make my picks next week _ but I am really high on Anaheim and Washington. Last year, I picked Chicago over Tampa Bay before the season started and, somehow, that actually happened. I also picked 14 of the 15 playoff series correctly, so I have no where to go but down in my picks! :)
Good question. I was hoping one of the inexperienced D-men, such as Provorov, made the team because they can use a shot of youth. Maybe Laughton makes the team and starts asserting himself. Or maybe the biggest surprise will be that B. Schenn and Couturier take a major step forward. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
It was just a way to meet with the reporters and get to know about them in a relaxed setting. Lots of new coaches have done that. Even Lavy.
To me, Laughton will never be more than a solid third-liner, but he is the type of player a winning team needs.
Voracek would get my vote. Funny. Unpredictable. Always accessible.
They were a slow team last year; a bit quicker this season.
Could be a top-line or second-line RW. The kid also has great leadership qualities. Excellent move by Hexy to move up to 24 to draft him. The Flyers desperately needed some quality forwards in their system.
There's a chance he wins the third-line C spot in the hope he gets off to a quick start and draws some trade interest. I will say this: No one works harder at practices.
I wouldn't split them up. Why mess with a good thing? That's why it is SOOOOO important that Couturier steps up his game as the second-line C. A second-line with Gagner (or Schenn)-Coots-Simmonds needs to have a productive season.
Several Flyers will be UFAs or RFAs after the season. RFAs: B. Schenn, Gudas, Manning. UFAs: Gagner, Raffl, White, L. Schenn, Medvedev.
Giroux and Voracek could contend for the scoring title, and Mason (though a longshot for the Vezina because of a sketchy D in front of him) is emerging as one of the league's better goalies.
He has probably been their best player in camp. Anxious to see what he does against "A" teams.
If it got them an outstanding F prospect, it's not outlandish to think someone in that group could be dealt down the road.
Gagner has had just a so-so camp. He looked lost in the first period vs. the Rangers on Monday _ it was his first game back at C _ but he got better as the game went on. He has a lot to prove after the comments made by Maloney, and he is playing for a contract. Will the motivation lead to a breakthrough season? We shall see.
Agreed. It was time to part ways with Grossmann; he was a steady stay-at-home defender, but it was time to get younger. I like taking a chance on Gagner.
They have talked about that since the outset of training camp. The good news is this: Seven of their 10 October games are against teams that failed to make the playoffs last year. (Then again, the Flyers failed to make it, too.)
Yeah, it was embarrassing.
They MUST if they are going to get into the playoffs. Paging Matt Read, B. Schenn, Sean Couturier, R. J. Umberger et al. Those guys are going to have to improve their production or it will be another long season.
Remember, arguably the Flyers' best D pair (MDZ-Medvedev) didn't play in that game, so I think you will see a better D effort with them in the lineup. But to answer your question, I do think Ghost will be back at some point during the season.
That's the hope. The Flyers' failures against lightweights last year cost Berube his job.
I think it WILL be an exciting season. Lots of positives: Medvedev is going to greatly improve the D. It will be fun to watch the development of Couturier, B. Schenn, Raffl and Gagner. Giroux and Voracek could be the NHL's highest-scoring duo, and Wayne Simmonds could become a 30-goal scorer. Add the fact the Flyers finally have a high-quality goalie, the intrigue of a new college coach....and, well, it should be an interesting ride.
If "it" is a championship.....5 percent. If "it" means they will be competitive in most games...70 percent.
So you are saying you would rather have Mike Richards?
They don't have enough speed, but they improved in that area....and they have some speedy prospects knocking on the door.
Can't say I have heard anything on it. When I do, I will pass it along.
It's just a shame they didn't bring him here five years earlier.
!Thanks for all the great questions (except for one from an R. Miller). Appreciate you taking the time. Enjoy tonight's game...and the season
Last one before I have to get out of here.....B. Schenn has not earned it yet. That will be decided by his play this year.
