Solution to Flyers' woes
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Solution to Flyers' woes
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
BOSTON _ This is what we learned from the Flyers’ humiliating four-game sweep at the hands of the Boston Bruins: It turns out, you CANNOT turn the switch on after playing mediocre hockey in the last six weeks of the regular season.
The Flyers blew the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed by wining just seven of their last 21 regular-season games (7-8-6) after Feb. 26. They regrouped and barely beat Buffalo in seven first-round playoff games, then were outplayed from Beantown to Broomall as they were outscored by the Bruins, 20-7, in the conference semifinals.
Boston concluded the series with a misleading 5-1 win Friday night. The game was actually tied at 1-1 early in the third period, and the Bruins scored a pair of empty-net goals toward the end.
Seven goals in four games. That’s an indictment on an offense that struggled toward the end of the regular season and carried it into the playoffs.
Including the end of the regular season and the playoffs, here are the gruesome numbers:
- Claude Giroux, whose playmaking was excellent in the playoffs, had two goals in his last 21 games.
- Mike Richards, who had one goal in 11 post-season games, had three goals in his last 20 games.
- Ville Leino had five goals in his last 25 games.
- Jeff Carter had three goals in his last 14 games. Give Carter a pass for having just one playoff goal in six games because he was bothered by a painful knee injury.
- Kris Versteeg and Scott Hartnell each had one goal in 11 playoff games.
In addition to the lack of offense, the Flyers’ goaltending struggled mightily in the post-season. Some of it had to do with the way coach Peter Laviolette shuffled the goalies like a deck of cards. Some of it had to do with poor play.
It says here that 22-year-old rookie Sergei Bobrovsky is a keeper, but he needs to be eased into the situation. Signing Phoenix’s Ilya Bryzgalov, a soon-to-be free agent, would be the perfect complement to “Bob.” Bryzgalov is also Russian, and he would help Bobrovsky’s development, on and off the ice.
The Flyers will need to be creative to sign Bryzgalov, and it may mean they can’t resign Leino, and that they have to move one of the high-priced defensemen to clear cap space.
Do it. End the goalie madness. Play Bryzgalov, say, 55 games and Bobrovsky the other 27.
If it's too difficult to get Bryzgalov under the cap, then deal for Los Angeles' Jonathan Bernier or Vancouver's Cory Schneider, second-stringers with their respective teams only because they are behind first-rate goalkeepers.
The Flyers skaters wouldn’t say it, but there had to be a feeling of uncertainty, a feeling of being outmatched, created by the seven in-game goalie switches during the 11 playoff games.
That’s not fair to the team. It deserves better.
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BroadStBull.
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Why Leino? Richards get no pass from me. Not very Captainish, and don't think he played well. Flyers have numerous issues. Last year's run masked that. Remember barely getting in the playoffs last year.— glennwilson- The Flyers need to get "bigger & tougher." A Flyer team should never be out-hit in a playoff series. That's the "foundation" this team has been built on for decades. But, this team didn't have that element. And that's got to figure into anything Homer does this summer— Ernie D
- The goalie affects every aspect of the team in front of him. A team will be much more tentative with a Boucher back there as opposed to a Brodeur (in his prime). The forwards can be more agressive in breaking out of their defensive zone and play deeper in the offensive zone if they're not worrying about blocking shots, protecting the goalie.— CousinEddie
- Carter doesn't get no pass, are you kidding? He's a PANSY!!!!!!— The Dude Abides
- Even if you get the goalie from Phoenix,look at the d-men in front of him.Pronger,O'Donnell,Timmonen are all over 35. I don't know how good Carle is and the six d-man[ who is it Syvret, Naah] This leaves you with 2 guys Mezaros and Coburn that are young and legit— whilly
- This is exactly the entire point! The Flyers window of opportunity only lasts as long as Pronger (turns 37 in Oct.) and Timonen (36) are playing, which is probably 2-3 more seasons. The Flyers have no organizational depth at any position, let alone defense. Apparently, the best prospect on the blueline for right now is Danny Syvret. They should trade Carter to the Rangers (or anyone else) for draft picks to recoup the loss of picks in the Versteeg trade. Then they should trade for a goalie, giving up anyone except Giroux, JVR, Briere or a defenseman. — Snap Crackle Propp
- @Hexy, go to love your "address goaltending with out breaking the bank" We did that more then once. I guess you are too young to remember getting Beezer?
So basically sign someone like Turco? lol— Nitroglycerin - Guys like Beezer, and Hackett actually made money. That is my point. Why pay for an aging has been, when you can get talent for cheap. The goaltending position is not valued in todays NHL. Paying top dollar for that position hurts teams ability to be competitive. Of the 12 goalies that made over 5 million dollars a season, 7 missed the playoffs this year. Money is better spent on defence and forward. Some teams are having success with those goalies. Boston is one...although they would have given Thomas to any team that offered them a draft pick last year. And Vancouver, who has Luongo signed until 2022...and that signing will cripple the team for years to come.
I would have liked the Flyers to sign Turco last offseason. He would have been an upgrade to what they had, and has playoff experience. After a year of inaction this season, I don't think he is worth the risk.— Hexy4GM - Trade a defenseman? How about we trade an overpaid forward?! Hartnell? Carter?— absinthetic8
- a lot of you people are morons. There is no "perfect" playoff goalie. Only one starting goalie wins the cup each year, and since there are no dynastys, numbers will prove that its a combination of great goaltending (not just hot goaltending) and great play by forwards and defense. You do need a top rate goalie to give you the chance, along with all of the rest of the pieces. Do you have to be hot at the right time, yes; and even a little lucky. What makes that top goalie a requirement is that you have to have a net minder that can steal a game for you...look at Roloson, he is above average, playing on a team with a tough style of hockey to beat, and he is stealing games. Will the Bolts win it all, tough to say but they have knocked out the Pens and Caps. Lets be honest, Vokoun or Bryz may or may not be the answer, but they will give you a better chance to win. With their skills and the ability to steal a game could, it could take some pressure of the forwards and defense. Yes, the forwards and defense need tweaking, as does the special teams coaches.— bsbullie
- what exactly does Vokoun give you a better chance to win? his 3-8 playoff record tells me that he actually gives you a better chance to lose than most. Or did you mean Bryzgalov's 0-4 record this season, and his 4.36GAA and .879 sv%. The Stanley Cup is the toughest trophy in sports to win. One player may be able to win a game, but it takes a team to win a 7 game series. In the NHL playoffs, it is the hardest working team that wins the series...if you need an example of that, watch the Nashville/Vancouver series. — Hexy4GM
- As far as I see it there are 5 "untouchables":Giroux,JVR,Timonen, Pronger, and Richards. Everyone else, including Carter should be on the block.— BG in So.Cal
- I also think there is an issue with Lavy, as with Boudreau in Washington. Lavy lost control of his team late in the season and thru the playoffs, which is uncharacteristic of Lavy....only time will tell whether its his fault or the players, or both. The clock may be ticking with Lavy and Homer...— bsbullie
- How do you have a captain who has the personality of a desk chair. This guy showed no emotion when the Flyers needed a spark. JVR and Giroux are the future, they were the two who stood out and showed some heart in Game 4. The rest appeared defeated and accepted their fate. Need a goalie, some bigger offensive players and a new captain. Pronger's absence obviously hurt, his play in Game 1 was indicative of the fact he was hurt and should not be held against him. Put the C on his chest nest year. Snyder will do what it takes to win, he is starving for a cup it has only been since 75 he drank from it.....— philscheapowners
- you start your 7th paragraph with " it says here...",.....what,...do you have the official NHL scouting report in front of you?,....or is it just another one of your opinions written on a piece of paper?,.....go back to sleep— SyddBarrett
