Random thoughts on Flyers, Newsroom, etc
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Random thoughts on Flyers, Newsroom, etc
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
While on vacation, here are a handful of observations, most of which are Flyers-related:
- The Flyers had 103 points last season, one in which their lineup included Jaromir Jagr, Matt Carle, James van Riemsdyk and Andrej Meszaros (for a while). If the season started today, they have the look of a team that would collect, say, 93 points.
- Barring the signing of Shane Doan or a trade for Bobby Ryan or Keith Yandle, the Flyers will need continued improvement from their talented sophomores if they are going to be considered a serious contender.
- The good news: The Flyers will have LOTS of cap room when Meszaros and/or Chris Pronger go on LTIR, so they will be able to make a major move during the season.
- More good news: The regular season means little. Just get hot at the right time (see the Flyers in 2010 and the Kings last season) and you can go far in the playoffs. Yes, the Kings had Jonathan Quick, but I have a hunch Ilya Bryzgalov is going to have a bounce-back season.
- If I’m setting the odds, the Rangers are the Stanley Cup favorites.
- Off hockey for a second, The Newsroom has charged past Breaking Bad as TV’s best show.
- Saw “The Watch” last week. It may not be the worst movie ever made, but it is a strong contender. It almost makes “Jack & Jill” look good. Almost.
- I thought the Flyers should have gotten more in the JVR trade, but with Meszaros expected to miss a good part of the season and the Flyers failing to sign either Ryan Suter or Shea Weber, Luke Schenn is suddenly more valuable than van Riemsdyk would have been.
- I’m in the minority, but I think the NHL season will start on time. Quite simply, there’s too much to be lost by a lockout.
- Unlike last year, I’d be shocked if a rookie earned a spot on the Flyers during training camp. Defenseman Brandon Manning will try to prove that theory wrong.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
Comments (44)
Really Sam? A show that doesn't even have 10 episodes yet is better than a multiple Emmy winning drama that is the critical darling of cable TV to a show (that I do like btw) that has had no where near the sparkling reviews and has largely been up and down since a very strong pilot. Stick to hockey, sport.— jpolin- LOL— jqberlin
- Yeah agreed. To even consider The Newsroom a good show on its own is a stretch. To compare the two and say it's "charged" past Breaking Bad is ludicrous! Did you just throw that in there to rile some feathers? Haha. I agree about Bryz this season too, his hot streak at the end of the season was too sustained to be a fluke. He's got the talent!— jma46
- Sammy, do you really think that headcase goalie we have will have a better year knowing that the defense has gotten worst?— farley
- Pronger and Mez missed most of last year anyway. Carle out, Schenn in, Grossmann for a full year, Gus and MAB with more experience under their belts, although Timmo is a year older. I would call it a wash with last year at the very least. — Sidewinder7
- Matt Carle is going to be severely missed. The ratio of scoring chances created, versus those faced, was great for Carle. Far and away, the worst defenseman in that aspect was Grossmann.
Carle skates the puck out of his own zone. The Flyers forwards are constantly flying the zone to cheat on offense. Having a lumbering giant like Grossmann responsible for getting the puck to them is going to be an issue. Luke Schenn is not an offensive player at the NHL level (nor has he been at any other level).
The defense is nowhere even close to a "wash"
Coburn will have to step up and become the best D man on the team. He has the ability to take over a game when given a chance.— Hexy4GM - You are pretty awful Sam.— Favorthabold
- For those on Yahoo, is this the Chris Chase of Philly?— neddyflanders
- sorry Breaking Bad is best series bar none,— bigtom blew3
- Just get hot at the right time. Yep. Sounds like a plan: One that has never led to The Stanley Cup for the Flyers.
I'd rather see some upgrades--otherwise this season's forecast should be disappointing with a slight chance of amazing (if players somehow rise to the occasion). 
Mostly bad reviews for The Newsroom around the country, due to the lack of realism. I watched the first 2 episodes, and I agee with the critics. The character played by Emily Mortimer is particularly unbelievable.— 1980- The Newsroom is a fine piece of political litmus paper: those who like it have their politics instantly revealed.
§
- Is "Breaking Bad" some kind of code for what we should expect from the flyers this season???— bigdaddyG
- Point 4 is the only point of relevance. You need to get into the playoffs and go from there. Obviously, having the best(or one of the best)regular season records is meaningless. You need a hot goaltender and a team committed to shut down defense in the playoffs to hoist the Cup in June. Can Bryz do that? Didn't look like it. Can the Flyers defense commit to shutting down the opposition? Didn't see that either. This team's ability to score goals is there; this team's ability to shut down the opposition isn't. Unless Bryzgalov steps it up and Holmgren somehow brings in a top level defenseman, this team will again make an early exit from the playoffs.— syddan26
- I'll wait until October 11 to start my criticism of this team. Sure, when you look at the disappointment of missing out on Weber and Suter, it makes this offseason appear much worse than it is. It's not awful. Not great, but not awful. Sam's right in saying the regular season means little. The Flyers aren't going to miss the playoffs so most of you can start complaining in april, not now. On a side note, haven't seen The Newsroom but I'm hard pressed to believe it's better than Breaking Bad.— The Oneness
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Broad Street Bull is the Inquirer's blog covering the Philadelphia Flyers and the National Hockey League.
Reach Sam at scarchidi@phillynews.com.
Sam Carchidi
Inquirer Staff Writer
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