Flyers’ Defensive Depth Could Prove Invaluable
NHLHS Philadelphia Flyers Correspondent David Strehle looks at Paul Holmgren's offseason defensive acquisitions and how it affects the club, especially with Chris Pronger's knee injury and NHL investigation into the validity of his contract.
Categories: Around the League, Atlantic, By Teams, Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers Tags: Andrej Meszaros, bill daly, Braydon Coburn, Chris Pronger, Dan Hamhuis, Ilya Kovalchuk, Kimmo Timonen, Matt Carle, Matt Walker, NHL, Oskars Bartulis, Paul Holmgren, Peter Laviolette, Philadelphia Flyers, Ryan Parent, Sean O'Donnell, Simon Gagne, Steve Yzerman
As Expected, Flyers Get Defensive
NHLHS Philadelphia Flyers Correspondent David Strehle takes a look at a busy first day of free agency for Paul Holmgren and the Flyers.
As the National Hockey League’s free agency period officially opened up today, there was no mystery as to what Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren was hoping to acquire.
Defensemen, and possibly a goaltender.
Categories: Around the League, Atlantic, Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers Tags: 2010 nhl free agency, Andrej Meszaros, Arron Asham, Bob McKenzie, Braydon Coburn, Brian Boucher, Chris Mason, Chris Pronger, Dan Ellis, Daniel Carcillo, Danny Briere, Darroll Powe, Evgeni Nabokov, Jody Shelley, Johan Backlund, Marty Turco, Michael Leighton, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Scott Hartnell, sean o' donnell, Simon Gagne
Leighton Signed, Holmgren Kicks Off Free Agency
NHLHS Philadelphia Flyers Correspondent David Strehle takes a look at the Flyers’ signing of Leighton and what may lie ahead on the opening day of NHL Free Agency.
Goaltender Michael Leighton was brought back into the fold yesterday as he signed a two-year, $3.1 million deal.
Categories: Around the League, Atlantic, By Teams, Eastern Conference, Eastern Conference, Morning Papers, NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers Tags: Anton Volchenkov, Braydon Coburn, Brian Boucher, Carey Price, Chris Mason, Chris Pronger, Dan Ellis, Evgeni Nabokov, Kimmo Timonen, Kurtis Foster, Lukas Krajicek, Marty Turco, Matt Carle, Michael Leighton, NHL, Oskars Bartulis, Paul Holmgren, Pekka Rinne, Peter Laviolette, Philadelphia Flyers, Ryan Parent, Zbynek Michalek
With Limited Options, Holmgren’s Creativity Needed
NHLHS Philadelphia Flyers Correspondent David Strehle takes a look at the options that are available to Paul Holmgren and which direction he may choose as free agency approaches.
With very limited options at his disposal as he headed to Staples Center in Los Angeles for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft last week, Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren knew that he would have to come up with some creative ways to improve his club.
Categories: Around the League, Atlantic, Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers Tags: Andreas Lilja, Andy Sutton, antero niitymaki, Anton Volchenkov, Braydon Coburn, Brian Boucher, Chris Mason, Dan Ellis, Dan Hamhuis, Denis Gauthier, Evgeni Nabokov, Jason Strudwick, Kimmo Timonen, Lukas Krajicek, Marty Turco, Matt Carle, Michael Leighton, ned lukacevic, nhl. philadelphia flyers, patrik hersley, Paul Holmgren, sean o' donnell, Steve Yzerman, Tampa Bay Lightning
Flyers Deal Parent to Nashville for Rights to Hamhuis
NHLHS Philadelphia Flyers Correspondent David Strehle takes a look at the Flyers’ acquisition of the rights to defenseman Dan Hamhuis and what it means to the Philly blue line heading into the 2010-11 season.
Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren had said that he wanted to make improvements to his club during the offseason, and he got a start on his to-do list on Saturday afternoon.
With less than a week until the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles, the Flyers and Predators swapped defensemen, with Philly sending Ryan Parent to back to Nashville for the rights to pending unrestricted free agent Dan Hamhuis, along with a conditional draft pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Categories: NHLHS Features Tags: Braydon Coburn, Chris Pronger, Dan Hamhuis, David Poile, Lukas Krajicek, Matt Carle, Nashville Predators, NHL, Oskars Bartulis, Paul Holmgren, Philadelphia Flyers, Ryan Parent
Postseason Run Falls Short; Holmgren’s Offseason Begins
NHLHS writer David Strehle takes a look at Philadelphia’s Cup run that came up just two wins shy, and what GM Paul Holmgren will be looking to do in the offseason.
When Scott Hartnell banged home his second goal of the night to tie up game six at 3-3 with just 3:59 left in regulation, there was a feeling that maybe another miracle was on the horizon for the Philadelphia Flyers.
But this time it was not meant to be, as Patrick Kane somehow snuck a bad-angle shot through Michael Leighton at 4:06 of overtime.
Categories: Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers, Playoff Coverage Tags: Antero Niittymaki, Arron Asham, Blair Betts, Braydon Coburn, Brian Boucher, Carey Price, Dan Ellis, Daniel Carcillo, Danny Briere, Darroll Powe, Evgeni Nabokov, henrik lunqvist, Henrik Zetterberg, Ian Laperriere, Jeff Carter, Marty Turco, Michael Leighton, NHL, Paul Holmgren, Pavel Datsyuk, Philadelphia Flyers, Ryan Parent, Scott Hartnell, Simon Gagne, Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask, Ville Leino
Pros & Cons: Philadelphia Flyers vs Chicago Blackhawks
Our newest feature, Pros and Cons, holds a debate between two of our featured writers as they make an argument for each team in the series. We will continue this series throughout the playoffs as we delve deeper into how these two teams will fare against each other.
The final stage has been set and tonight, the 2010 Stanley Cup finals begin live from the United Center in Chicago at 8 p.m. EST.
We hope you have enjoyed our pros and cons debate throughout the playoffs. For the final time, we present our debate. Thank you for all the reading you have done over the course of the season.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, Atlantic, By Teams, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers, Western Conference Tags: Antti Niemi, Braydon Coburn, Brent Seabrook, Brian Boucher, Chris Pronger, Danny Briere, Dave Bolland, Duncan Keith, Dustin Byfuglien, Jeff Carter, Jonathan Toews, Kimmo Timonen, Kris Versteeg, Lukas Krajicek, Marian Hossa, Matt Carle, Michael Leighton, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Paul Holmgren, Ryan Parent, Scott Hartnell, Simon Gagne, Ville Leino
Flyers Defining Meaning of “Team”, Force Game Six
NHLHS writer David Strehle takes a look at Philadelphia’s big 4-0 victory in Boston Monday night to again avoid elimination, and examines the process of how an inconsistent Flyers team may be coming together just at the right time.
The Philadelphia Flyers have had some special teams through the years, teams that hold a place in the heart of the Philly faithful. Even teams that have not won the Stanley Cup are held in high esteem, right up there with the Cup-winners of 1974 and 1975.
Categories: Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers, Playoff Coverage Tags: Boston Bruins, Braydon Coburn, Brian Boucher, Chris Pronger, Claude Giroux, Marc Savard, Michael Leighton, Mike Richards, Milan Lucic, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Scott Hartnell, Simon Gagne, Ville Leino
Battle-Weary Flyers Awaiting Round Two Opponent
NHLHS writer Dave Strehle looks at the break period the Philadelphia Flyers are having in between rounds one and two of these 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Who’s next remains to be determined.
They were the last NHL team to secure a spot in the postseason, but the first to move on to the second round. And even though they have no idea which team they will face in round two at this juncture, the Philadelphia Flyers are enjoying their break between series.
Especially with such gut-wrenching games over the past two weeks. They had to battle for their very postseason lives down the stretch, clinching a spot with a shootout win over the New York Rangers on the last day of the regular season.
For some teams, such a layoff in between series could be a disruption of their momentum. But this may just be a blessing in disguise for the Orange-and-Black. It’s a time to nurse the injuries for the walking wounded.
Categories: NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers Tags: Arron Asham, Braydon Coburn, Chris Pronger, Danny Briere, Ian Laperriere, Jeff Carter, Kimmo Timonen, Matt Carle, Mike Richards, NHL, Peter Laviolette, Philadelphia Flyers, Simon Gagne
It Keeps Getting Better
Five days in, seven overtime games and ten road wins later, the playoffs have been all that we could expect and more.
In what has been discussed time and time again, the National Hockey Leagues second season, also known as the Stanley Cup Playoffs, is all about goaltending.
Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings, Brian Boucher of the Philadelphia Flyers, Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks, Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins, Ilya Bryzgalov of the Phoenix Coyotes, Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres, Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators, Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks, Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Antti Niemi of the Chicago Blackhawks, Brian Elliot of the Ottawa Senators, Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings, Jaroslav Halak of the Montreal Canadiens, Craig Anderson of the Colorado Avalanche as well as both Jose Theodore and Seymon Varlamov of the Washington Capitals have not only stepped up to make some amazing saves but have been able to keep each and every series even or close enough to it.
Categories: Around the League, Atlantic, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Eastern Conference, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, Northeast, Northwest, Ottawa Senators, Pacific, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Playoff Coverage, San Jose Sharks, Southeast, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Andrei Kostitsyn, Antti Niemi, Braydon Coburn, Brian Boucher, Brian Elliot, Craig Anderson, Evgeni Malkin, Evgeni Nabokov, Henrik Zetterberg, Ilya Bryzgalov, Jaroslav Halak, Jimmy Howard, Jonathan Quick, Jose Theodore, Marc Andre Fleury, Martin Brodeur, Mike Richards, Nickas Backstrom, Nicklas Backstrom, Patrick Sharp, Pekka Rinne, Peter Forsberg, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Miller, Seymon Varlamov, Sidney Crosby, Tuukka Rask
Red-Hot Thrashers Sweep Flyers in Home-and-Home
NHLHS writer Dave Strehle takes a look at the Philadelphia Flyers’ weekend home-and-home series with the Atlanta Thrashers.
Heading into the weekend, the Philadelphia Flyers had to feel pretty good about things. They had just beaten the Dallas Stars 3-2 Thursday night and held their destiny in their own hands. They had tied the Ottawa Senators for fifth place and had a game in hand on both Ottawa and the Montreal Canadiens, the team that had been nipping at their heels.
Categories: NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers Tags: Braydon Coburn, Brian Boucher, Colby Armstrong, Daniel Briere, Don Waddell, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jeff Carter, Johan Hedberg, Johnny Oduya, Matt Carle, Michael Leighton, Mike Richards, Niclas Bergfors, Ondrej Pavelec, Paul Holmgren, Rich Peverley, Ron Hainsey, Todd White
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, By Teams, Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, Northeast, Philadelphia Flyers 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, By Teams, Dallas Stars, Eastern Conference, Pacific, Philadelphia Flyers, Southeast, 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
