Compltely ignore my feeble arguments that the Flyers offense was fine last week. After looking incredibly bad against Edmonton and Minnesota, it is apparent that my statement that the offense is fine is wrong. It's not fine. And with the huge Kovalchuk trade this week, things are getting worse.
I have come to the conclusion that it will take an almighty effort for the Flyers to make something of the season. Yes, they did beat the Devils and an incredible second half effort on Monday and, for the most part, have had the Devils number this season. However, a powerhouse has been constructed in Newark with adddition of Kovalchuk, combine that with the never lose Capitals, the high powered and physical Penguins, and the stifling defense of the Sabres...yeah bad news for Flyer fans.
The thing that baffled me more than anything this week was that the Flyers had a combined one goal against goalies named Jeff Delslauries and Anton Khudobin. Yeah, I never heard of them either.
Saturday's game was magnified by a Flyer offense that played in a panic. After blowing many good chances in Edmonton, they insisted on throwing every puck possible at Khudobin in Minnesota. Unfortunatly, none of these chances were very good and this kind of play carried over to the Devil game, at least the first half of the game.
The Olympic break is here and with it some time for management to sit down and take a long, hard look at this hockey team. They need consistent scoring, they need defense depth, they need a solid, healthy goalie. With no much money invested in overpaid players, the cap won't allow for all these changes. Question is, will the Flyers make moves to go for the win, or accept things for what they are and hope for the best come playoff time?
Thumbs Up This Week
1. Michael Leighton- For a goalie that has been thrusted back into the starting job, he played exceptional this week. Three goal allowed in three game is superb. What's not superb is that he was 1-2 this week.
2. Chris Pronger- Pronger had a good week defensively, which is more than I can say for anyone else on the team. Two assists against the Devils helped his cause a bit too.
3. Anton Khudobin- For a goalie making his first NHL start, he stayed solid and consistent throughout, despite facing a barrage of shots. For that, he gets a once in a lifetime appearence on this chart.
Thumbs Down This Week
1. Jeff Carter- Regardless of what any other Flyers fans tell you, Carter's hit on Salema was a dirty, dirty hit. Look in slow motion and he gets his forearm in the face of Salema. Should have been suspended in my opinion.
2. Stupid Shots- I learned how to shoot the puck at the net when I was six, but by the NHL you should be creating plays, not randomly taking shots on goal, rookie goal notwithstanding. Poor offensive playmaking.
3. Peter Laviolette- The fiery, intense coach from a couple months ago has been fading in the background a little bit more lately. It's crunch time, Peter, time to step up your game a little bit.
My Flyers Picks This Week
The Olympic Break is approaching and with it is my final Fly-By until after the Olympics. Also with it is the final three Flyers games before the break. Last week, I went a terrible 0-3 with my picks. This week will hopefully be different. Give the Devils the benefit of a doubt and a win tonight in the blizzard of 2010. This weekend will be a spli home and home with Montreal, win at home Friday, loss north of the border on Saturday.
Last Week 0-3
Season 19-14
Wed. at New Jersey LOSS
Fri. vs Montreal WIN
Sat. at Montreal LOSS
It's Happy Time!!!
Happy Birthday Mike Ribeiro- the Dallas Stars center turns 30 years old today. The former 2nd round pick by the Canadiens has really blossomed into a solid playmaker when he signed with the Stars in 2007. He has 34 points in 44 games so far this year.
Happy Anniversary to Mike Liut- the former St. Louis Blues all-star goalie shut out the Wales Conference for 30 minutes as the Campbell Conference won the 1981 All-Star game 4-1, on this day 29 years ago.
Happy Trails to Ole-Kristian Tollefsen- the Flyers finally dealt you away to the Red Wings for Ville Leino. You didn't last long on Detroit, being sent down to Grand Rapids of the AHL a few days later.
Around the NHL
Atlantic- The big news this week is the trade that send Ilya Kovalchuk and Anssi Salema to New Jersey from Atlanta for Johnny Oduya, Niclas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier, and a draft pick. Advantage: New Jersey. Kovalchuk may be a rental, but he's a damn good rental and may be the Devils missing piece to the puzzle.
Northeast- The NHL announced this week the the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Phoenix Coyotes, and San Jose Sharks will ALL open up next season in Europe. This seems to me like the NHL is looking at possible Euopean expansion sooner rather than later, especially with the success of the KHL.
Southeast- The Trade Chronicles: Part 2- The Thrashers fire sale continued yesterday as they dealt goalie Kari Lehtonen to Dallas for Ivan Vishnovsky and a draft pick. Advantage: Even. This was salary shredding deal for Atlanta and the Stars don't get a ton out of this either.
Ventral- The Blue Jackets fired Ken Hitchcock (finally this week) after a disappointing season this year. Excellant move by a Columbus team that was going in a different direction, personnel wise, than Hitchcock wanted. His defensive minded system did not fit the offesnive players on the team.
Northwest- In a recent shuffling of AHL teams for 2010-11, the Edmonton Oilers will put their newest AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City next season, the first AHL team ever based in the city. Good for the people out west, they have supported the Thunder in large numbers and should do the same for this AHL club.
Pacific- The trade chronicles: Part 3- The Hurricanes sent Niclas Wallin to San Jose for a draft pick. Advantage: San Jose. They were in need of more defense and Wallin is a solid all-around defender the Sharks need. Big advantage to them.
What To Watch This Week
Wednesday- Philadelphia at New Jersey 7:00 Hockey Night on Yahoo
Thursday- Washington at Ottawa 7:00 Hockey Night on Yahoo
Friday- Phoenix at Colorado 9:00 Hockey Night on Yahoo
Saturday- San Jose at Buffalo 7:00 CSN Bay Area
Sunday- Nashville at Pittsburgh 1:00 FS Pittsburgh
Monday and Tuesday- Olympic Break, watch the Winter Games!!!
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