Flyers Expectations

[The Croz Man Cometh]

This could get ugly, but I want to know what everyone thinks the Flyers will do this year will all the turnover.

In: Bryzgalov, Simmonds, Voracek, Jagr, Talbot, Lilja, Schenn, Couterier

Out: Carter, Richards, O'Donnell, Zherdev, Leino, Versteeg, Carcillo
(help me if I missed anyone of importance)
Ok, there are a few more fringe guys, but I think that's the majority of the big guys.

But for regular season, where does everyone see the Flyers finishing?

 

[SuperFlyer13]

Well this is a loaded question because who really knows. We got rid of some good players and received some good players. But if I had to take a guess, unless they Gel really quick, I'll say 5th or 6th in the east.

 

[The Croz Man Cometh]

Well this is a loaded question because who really knows. We got rid of some good players and received some good players. But if I had to take a guess, unless they Gel really quick, I'll say 5th or 6th in the east.

It is a tough question, no doubt. But with all the turnover, they could take awhile to gel. But with a legitimate #1 goalie for the first time in years, and some solid defensemen that really haven't had much change, that part of their game should stay solid. It could be the offense that gives them some trouble to begin the season.

 

[SuperFlyer13]

It is a tough question, no doubt. But with all the turnover, they could take awhile to gel. But with a legitimate #1 goalie for the first time in years, and some solid defensemen that really haven't had much change, that part of their game should stay solid. It could be the offense that gives them some trouble to begin the season.

Well I 'd like to say we filled in the missing pieces, but yea I think offense may be a problem at first but I think we'll have a stronger PP unit and with Bryz we might actually win a few more of those 2-1 or 1-0 games . I would love to say we're cup contenders but every team is a contender til the season starts, lol.

 

[flyersfan4706]

5-7th in the conference. If Pronger and Kimmo stay healthy. And JVR and Giroux show progression.

 

[The Croz Man Cometh]

Well I 'd like to say we filled in the missing pieces, but yea I think offense may be a problem at first but I think we'll have a stronger PP unit and with Bryz we might actually win a few more of those 2-1 or 1-0 games . I would love to say we're cup contenders but every team is a contender til the season starts, lol.

How will the PK be now without Richards? I always remember him being near the point picking off passes.

I don't know other forwards that are on there. He is the only one that stood out to me. You did gain Talbot, who is a great guy on the PK too. So maybe it won't suffer at all.

 

[The Croz Man Cometh]

5-7th in the conference. If Pronger and Kimmo stay healthy. And JVR and Giroux show progression.

How long is he out for to start the year?

And I think they might be expecting a lot out of JVR a little too early. I think next year will be his breakout year.

 

[banditshcky11]

I've spent the better part of the last month contemplating this question and I'm still not sure where they'll end up. As it's been said team chemistry is important in the NHL and without it no team regardless of the talent of its players can be successful over the long haul. However I think they will still be challenging for a top 3 seeding due to the fact that they'll be a much tougher team to play against this season.

As far as the out going players. I really believe that only Richie and Powe will be missed on this team. The "dry island" crap aside Richie was a natural leader and went out there and competed every night, I'm not saying he was the player we all wanted but we have to give him credit for his effort. Powe was the guy who got no credit but could do whatever you needed him to. Take a face-off? Sure, kill penalties? Of course go, out and hit everything that moves? Did you have to ask, score a goal here or there? Yea I can do that too. The rest have already been replaced by incoming players as far as stats go. Carter and Leino were far too inconsistent, O'donnell was a serviceable 6th but getting too old, Carcillo is a nut case; Boucher is one hell of a back-up but not a starter.


The addition of Bryz fills a need for a bon afide top 10 NHL goalie, he's been phenomenal during the regular season on a team that doesn't give much scoring support and isn't full of top quality D-men. Simmons & Talbot add some more physical play and agitation to a team that seemed to lose its balls against Boston this year. Jagr should help on the PP as long as they play him conservatively at even strength. Schenn is a wildcard at this point, he's an immensely talented physical player who has a rare scoring touch (reminds me of a guy named Richards) who if he can transition to the NHL this season would provided a huge & unexpected boost to this team.

It's going to be an interesting season, but I'm more excited this year then last year since I don't have to hear the "they're the favorite to win the cup" at the open of free agency.

 

[DChero]

I unfortunately expect great things from this team. There is a possibility that this is the last run for guys like Jagr and Pronger, so they'll be hungry. Not saying that they'll both retire after this season, but they aren't exactly on the upside of their careers.

 

[awaz]

I unfortunately expect great things from this team. There is a possibility that this is the last run for guys like Jagr and Pronger, so they'll be hungry. Not saying that they'll both retire after this season, but they aren't exactly on the upside of their careers.

if pronger retires 2 years in to that asinine contract extension i will break homer's legs myself.

my thoughts on the team:
i see it being a lot like nashville and phoenix have been in recent years, but with more talent up front.. defensively they should be pretty good, obviously in goal they should be good.. and up front they have a lot of 'pest' to them.. simmonds, hartnell, nodl, giroux, and talbot will all be very good on the forecheck and cause a lot of disruptions that will lead to turnovers in the neutral and offensize zones..

someone mentioned the PK taking a hit, i actually think it, and the pp, will be better this year than it has been in years past..

talbot replaces powe on the top unit with blair betts, i think that unit will be better.. richards/roo were the 2nd unit last year, my guess is this year some combination of schenn/simmonds/nodl/westwood (if he makes the team) will take over the 2nd unit.. might be a bit of a step down, but i think its worth it to save giroux for goal scoring situations.. one thing that will come down is the SH goals, richards was a wizard when it came to SH scoring opportunities, cant take that away from him

obviously the PP gets a boost from jagr and hopefully simmonds will beast in front of the net (something the flyers didnt have at all last year).. voracek can replace richards' "playmaking" on the PP easily i think.. jvr and giroux should also increase their production with more playing time on the PP.. and i think mesz steps in as the PP QB on the top unit

obviously like everyone said chemistry will be tricky, but chemistry wasn't very good last year either according to reports.. i think they brought in good chemistry guys in simmonds and talbot.. they already have strong veteran leadership that wants to win in pronger, briere, timonen.. and i think lava will lean on them to show the young guys how it's done..

one thing i'm banking on is the D stepping up though.. (paging coburn and mesz to the top pair, it's time).. i dont think pronger will provide a whole lot this year, i think he's going to be out for a good amount of time, and when he gets back i think he'll be a slower version of himself.. i dont like an old guy having back surgery in the offseason and then not being confident about it.. and timonen was GASSED last year.. he cant play top pair minutes anymore

in summary, i said the flyers were getting 5th a month or so ago, and i'm going to stick to it

 

[puckhead]

I must admit that I read the thread title to the tune of Lowered Expectations

 

[DChero]

Richards and Carter seem like the only significant loses. All that did was give more playing time to the other young stars. I don't really see a decline.

 

[4thstreet]

I see them in top 4 with Caps,Pens and Bruins.

I also see them going 82-0,but maybe that's just me and Verizon.

 

[DChero]

I also see them going 82-0,but maybe that's just me and Verizon.

One game at a time, sir.

 

[awaz]

I see them in top 4 with Caps,Pens and Bruins.

I also see them going 82-0,but maybe that's just me and Verizon.

is it time to start growing the beard?

*looks around furtively*

 

[Vadered]

Anywhere from 1st to 10th. Too much change to really pin down a spot. Ask me 81 games from now.

 

[awaz]

Anywhere from 1st to 10th. Too much change to really pin down a spot. Ask me 81 games from now.

cheater.

 

[DChero]

It's a really tough division too. With the Devils, Penguins and Rangers all expected to be significantly better, it's hard to nail down how they'll compete having to play them 6 times each.

Factor in the games with Washington, Tampa, and Boston, and it's going to be tough in the East.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Anywhere from 1st to 10th. Too much change to really pin down a spot. Ask me 81 games from now.

cheater.

If it's anything like the last two years he could be wrong after 81 games anyhow.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Obviously everybody focuses on Carter and Richards, so I'll skip them.

I think the Leino and Versteeg departures will hurt more than people think. You're talking 53 and 46 points, respectively (though Versteeg's production down the stretch after the trade wasn't what they would have liked obviously).

Talbot, although a SC hero, has a career high of 26, and Schenn is obviously a mystery given his grand total of 9 NHL games to date.

Voracek and Simmonds should be great additions though.

Net though, I think more points walked out the door than came in, so the key will be whether Philly can successfully re-position themselves as a D first team they'll be OK.

Of course, the selfish opinion in me hopes they finish poorly, or at least below the Sabres