Doomsday in Philthadelphia
The newest question circulating around Flyer nation is…
When will Peter Laviolette step down from being the coach?
Signs of frustration are apparent, and rightfully so. So, if the fans are that frustrated, you can imagine how the organization must feel. Replacing a coach usually is the first attempt to problems within a team. So when the Flyers handed Stevens a pink slip and hired Laviolette quickly signing him to a three-year contract, a fix was expected.
So Flyers nation, we can all understand frustration, but let’s get a grip. Is there a way for GM Paul Holmgren to right the ship and avoid a season like 2006-07? Hopefully, but I don’t think it will be either certain or quick.
I caught a story today over at Habs Inside/Out, which they reported a rumor that might make a lot of sense for both clubs involved. Of course, if this trade was close to happening, it might not go down as such now due to last night’s Flyer game. Regardless, the trade rumored is…
Categories: Atlantic, Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, Northeast, Philadelphia Flyers, Trade Rumors Tags: Braydon Coburn, Brian Boucher, Carey Price, Hal Gill, Jaroslav Halak, Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne, Tomas Plekanec
Add Marty Turco to the Trade Market?
The latest live chat by Mike Heika’s Stars Blog reveals interest in Marty Turco by one team that desperately needs help between the pipes: the Philadelphia Flyers. Turco, an impending free-agent and life-long Star, certainly would seem different outside a Dallas uniform.
As rumors swirl around a possible Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux for Ilya Kovalchuk swap, this reporter feels the Flyers really need to address their goaltending situation. As successful as the team has been over the years, their one downfall has always been a weak goalie. Forcing a star player, and most likely rental, to adapt in a couple of months while gutting part of the core to do so.
This year the Flyers play between the pipes struggled mightily. Between Brian Boucher, Ray Emery and now Michael Leighton the team sports a hefty2.85 GAA and .897 SV%, certainly not statistics you would see on a Stanley Cup contender.
With rumors in Dallas leading to both Turco and Mike Ribeiro exiting the greater state of Texas, the cash strapped Stars may by default go into a full rebuild. Beleaguered defenseman Braydon Coburn may show some interest as well as other young trade chips Mika Pyorala, David Laliberte or Darroll Powe.
Categories: Atlanta Thrashers, Atlantic, Dallas Stars, Eastern Conference, Pacific, Philadelphia Flyers, Southeast, Trade Rumors, Western Conference Tags: Braydon Coburn, Brian Boucher, Claude Giroux, Darroll Powe, David Laliberte, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jeff Carter, Marty Turco, Michael Leighton, Mika Pyorala, Mike Ribeiro, Ray Emery
Quarterly Review: Projected NHL Trophies
With Atlanta playing their 20th game last night, the first quarter of the 2009-2010 season is officially over. Seeing as this is a milestone within the season we thought it would be a good idea to discuss the trends emerging around the NHL.
The article’s intent is to show who would win the NHL awards if the season finished today. Of course these players will most likely NOT win the awards, NHLHS just likes having fun with small sample sizes and hot streaks.
Whether it be injury or inability there are plenty of surprises when compared to preseason predictions. Teams such as the Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings and the Buffalo Sabres find themselves at the top of the standings, surprising most pundits.
We will outline the NHL trophies and why we think these players as of right now are deserving of them. In addition, we will include the projected nominees so you can see our train of thought. We hope you enjoy this mini-series which should continue throughout the NHL season.
Click the link below to see our award winners and tell us what you think in the comments section!
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Antero Niittymaki, Anze Kopitar, Brad Richards, Braydon Coburn, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Chris Pronger, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Dan Boyle, Dany Heatley, Detroit Red Wings, Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers, Evgeni Nabokov, Ilya Bryzgalov, James van Riemsdyk, Jason Pominville, Joe Sacco, Joe Thornton, John Tavares, Justin Williams, Kimmo Timmonen, Lindy Ruff, Los Angeles Kings, Matt Carle, Mike Green, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Nicklas Backstrom, Patrick Marleau, Patrick Sharp, Pavel Datsyuk, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Ryan Miller, Ryan O'Reilly, Ryan Smyth, San Jose Sharks, Thomas Vanek, Todd McLellan, Washington Capitals, Zach Parise
Restoring the Rosters: Atlanta Thrashers
Based on Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.
- Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
- I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).
Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.
With 6 out of their 11 total drafts in the top 5, 2 more in the top 10 and 2 more in the top 15, the Thrashers drafting has failed them in the long run. With Little more of a RW, the team is yet to develop a legitimate top 6 center at all. The teams depth is lacking at both forward and goaltending with way too many question marks.
The lineup for the Atlanta Thrashers is as follows.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Restoring the Rosters Tags: AHL, Alex Bourret, Andrew Kozek, Boris Valabik, Braydon Coburn, Brett Sterling, Brian Pothier, Bryan Little, Carl Klingberg, Circling the Bases, Colin Stuart, Danick Paquette, Dany Heatley, Darcy Hordichuk, Daulton Leveille, DEL, Derek MacKenzie, Evander Kane, Garnett Exelby, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jeremy Morin, Jim Slater, Joey Crabb, Kari Lehtonen, KHL, Matthew Pouliot, Mike Weaver, Nathan Oystrick, NHL, Ondrej Pavelec, Patrick Stefan, Riley Holzapfel, SEL, Simon Gamache, Spencer Machacek, Tobias Enstrom, Zach Bogosian
