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2011 Off-season Thread

15015 Views 87 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  6298
So...now what? Goaltending was less than average throughout the majority of the playoffs, but the simple fact of why this team didn't win in the playoffs was they didn't play the way they did from Oct 26 to Feb 16 where they went 34-10-4. After that, they went 9-9-7.

They started the season 3-4-1...then figured out how to play some of the best hockey in the league for 48 games (34-10-4), and then pooped in the bed and rolled in it for the remaining 26 games going 9-9-7, giving up the top spot in the East, limping into the playoffs, and then almost getting beat by the 7 seed Sabres.

You'd think the dominant game they played in Game 7 to beat the Sabres would give them the momentum and motivation going into the second round against a team they struggled against this year and they came out as the definition of flat and never really got it going. They played solid in Game 2, but didn't get the job done in OT, then sucked in Games 3 & 4. So, the season is over.

What's the answer?

They were one of, if not the most dominant teams in the NHL for 48 games...with the same two goaltenders they took into the playoffs. Did the goaltenders have some soft games? Sure. But did the rest of the team leave them out to dry in several of them? Absolutely.

I don't think this is a coaching issue. I think the players need to look solely at themselves. Didn't help that they were missing Pronger for the playoffs and Carter for a few games.

A consistent veteran goaltender to mentor Bob couldn't help, but you don't get much better of a teammate than Boosh Bag.

I think Leino and Zherdev are two of the big question marks for UFAs. Boosh is on that list as well, but I can't see him coming back...not after game 3.

For as much as the Flyers dominate when they get the their forecheck going, there were way too many times I saw Zherdev, Leino, and Versteeg, all on different lines, try to walk the puck in and end up turning it over rather than dumping and chasing.

I'm hoping Versteeg is much better next year with a full Flyers training camp under his belt.

Thoughts? Suggestions?
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I don't want to lose Carter or any of those guys, but one of them will be going I think. We have lost some great players in the last few years, but I think this off-season will take the cake.(Lupul, Upshall, Knuble, Sbisa, etc.)
They have other players that would shed good money and not be nearly as big of a loss as Carter. Carle, Versteeg, and Hartnell to name a few.
Great Article on Jeff Carter

Jeff Carter, Two-way Forward

Earlier this year, Geoff wrote an excellent article about what a strong season Jeff Carter was having. Geoff's thesis revolved around the observation that Carter was not merely scoring, but doing it despite taking on tough defensive assignments, going out in the defensive zone against the opponent's best players.

It has become a common refrain on this site, that Carter has matured this year and taken on a much more difficult role, and that it's impressive that we didn't see any slip in his production. I've said as much myself on many occasions.

But I'm not so sure it's true. He definitely did take on challenging assignments, that much isn't in question. However, this may not have been anything new for Carter; I think this year was just the first time we recognized what tough minutes he was playing.
Read the rest here- http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2011/6/1/2200025/jeff-carter-two-way-forward#storyjump
So umm, why did the Flyers let Eriksson walk?
isnt he the flyers top prospect? a goalie ironically

:dunno: literally makes no sense
isnt he the flyers top prospect? a goalie ironically

:dunno: literally makes no sense
I really don't know. He will probably end up being a stud for the Devils and haunt the Flyers for years.
The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have acquired the rights to goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov (breez-GAH-lahf, IHL-yah) from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for LW Matt Clackson, the Flyers’ 3rd round draft choice in 2012 and a conditional draft choice, according to general manager Paul Holmgren.

Bryzgalov, 30, appeared in 68 games for the Coyotes last season, his fourth with the club. He posted a 36-20-10 record, a 2.48 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage while recording seven shutouts. He was also a runner-up for the Vezina Trophy following the 2009-10 season. Bryzgalov was acquired by Phoenix off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks on November 17, 2007.

Bryzgalov was a member of Anaheim’s 2007 Stanley Cup championship squad along with current Flyers defensemen Chris Pronger and Sean O’Donnell. He appeared in 27 games that season, posting a 10-8-6-1 record with a 2.47 GAA and .907 save percentage, and was 3-1 with a 2.24 GAA and .922 save percentage in five Stanley Cup Playoff appearances en route to the championship.
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Flyers contacted Vokoun

http://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-flyers/2011/6/16/2228070/tomas-vokoun-says-the-flyers-free-agency

I would rather see him in orange and black. Like the article says, he'd probably be cheaper and for less years. He's been one of my favorite goalies for awhile now.
Bryzgalov is on twitter.

The online world was euphoric to see that the subject of secret negotiations is the only one talking — even if it is only in 140 character spurts. On Friday morning, Ilya Bryzgalov himself broke the silence on Twitter.

Bryzgalov’s Twitter handle, @bryzgoalie30, is confirmed according to multiple outlets. So what has the Russian goalie had to say? Some of his tweets are in English, including his first: “Hi guys!!! #Bryzgalov”

Others, however, have come through in Russian and are translated here courtesy of Google Translate…
Read the rest here- http://phillysportsdaily.com/flyers/2011/06/17/ilya-bryzgalov-joins-twitter/
With the 8th overall pick the Flyers select center Sean Couturier. A two way player, especially known for his defensive game.

http://phillysportsdaily.com/flyers/2011/06/24/flyers-select-sean-couturier-at-no-8/
SEAN COUTURIER
NORTH AMERICAN SKATER
DRUMMONDVILLE, QMJHL
FINAL RANK: 6 MIDTERM RANK: 2
POSITION: CENTER SHOOTS: LEFT
HEIGHT: 6' 4" WEIGHT: 197
BORN: DECEMBER 7, 1992 HOMETOWN: BATHURST, NB
BORN IN: PHOENIX, AZ, USA
DRAFTED: PHI (1ST ROUND / 8TH OVERALL)
PROFILE
SCOUTING REPORT
VIDEO
• Through the first round of the 2011 playoffs, he was second on the Voltigeurs with eight points (3-5--8) in their four-game series win over Chicoutimi.

• After finishing in a tie for fourth in league scoring with 96 points (36-60--96) this season, Couturier was named the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Most Valuable Player, the Top 2011 Draft Prospect and selected a First-Team All-Star. He also finished second in the league with a plus-55 rating.

• He was the youngest and only draft-eligible player on Team Canada at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships, winning a silver medal. He also won a gold medal with Canada’s Under-18 team at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament.

• Couturier led the QMJHL in scoring with 96 points (41-55--96) in 2009-10, becoming the first 17-year-old to lead the league in scoring since Sidney Crosby of the Rimouski Oceanic in 2004-05. He also led the team with a plus-62 rating while often playing against the opposition’s top players.

• His father, Sylvain, was drafted 65th overall by Los Angeles in 1986 and played 33 games with the Kings between 1988-89 and 1991-92 – he is now the General Manager of the Acadie-Bathurst Titans in the QMJHL.

• Couturier played for the Notre Dame Hounds in 2007-08, winning the Saskatchewan Midget AAA championship alongside Jaden Schwartz (14th overall by St. Louis in 2010) and Brandon Gormley (13th overall by Phoenix in 2010).

FAVORITES

NHL team: Montreal Canadiens
NHL player: Evgeni Malkin
Shootout move: “One hand”
Goal celebration: “Fist Pump”
Video game: Mario Cart and NHL
Movie: Slapshot
Actor: Adam Sandler
Website: RDS.ca
Restaurant: East Side Mario’s
Sport (other than hockey): Baseball and Football
Breakfast food: Pancakes
Superhero: Spiderman

STATISTICSSEASONTEAMLEAGUEGPGAP
PIM
2010-2011 Drummondville QMJHL58 36 60 96
36
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Powe was traded to Minnesota for a third round pick in 2013 and Nodl signed a 845,000 dollar contract, 2 years.
I don't know how to feel about this deal.
He is a hard hitter that helps a lot on the PK. I think we will need to find another penalty killer to replace him.
The Flyers need to find a mature experienced forward. The team is getting younger each day.

Nice, I like the way Nodl is developing. He is doing well playing 2-way. Most of his points came in the first 1/3rd of the season. He is starting to mature. I would like to have seen maybe 3yr contract. Good $'s worth for $845000 i think.
Simmonds is a guy who brings the body a lot so he needs to step up and replace Powe in the hits column. As for the PK, as of right now I think it's looking like Betts-Nodl and Giroux-Versteeg, which isn't that bad.
Two top teams drop out of Jagr running. Flyers and Habs seem to be popular ones now.
Two top teams drop out of Jagr running. Flyers and Habs seem to be popular ones now.
Well, if he wants to play with a team of midgets, MTL is the team for him.
Jagr sign for 1 year 3.3 million. Helps the PP out, but price isn't cheap at all.
We've signed Voracek for 2.25. Maybe Versteeg will be shipped out to Florida since Tallon loves the ex-Chi players.
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