2013 - 2014 Brief Flyers Season Recap

Well the flyers season in really over, and this really saddens my heart...but I want to be somewhat positive with this recap, so here are some good things:

1-After the start that the flyers had this year, I will take the play-off appearance.
2-G really came on at the end of the season, and even while the Rangers used almost their whole team to stop him during he play-offs, he was still able to put up points.
3-Chief did a great job on turning the team around, I just wonder how long this will last. If we all remember Lavy did the same, and eventually the effect wore off.
4-The Flyers FINALLY have a goalie, and don't need to address that this offseason.  I just gave a sigh of relief as I wrote this.  Ready for this Flyers fans: we have a word called stability in net.  You might have to look it up in the dictionary to know what it means.
5-We have some solid young defenseman in the system, which is something I have not been able to write (or say for that matter) for a number of years.
6-The depth we have in the areas of forwards is incredible, especially at center.

Now here are the bad things:

1-Our defense, good grief.  This might require another write up later, because I even need time to think through what I would do.
2-Yet another huge signing this past offseason (Vinny), and he didn't even play...like at all in the 3rd period....At least Bryz, like played (maybe poorly, but he did at least play).
3-Homer is going to feel the need to make moves this summer (which he probably should), but Homer will be making the moves, so yeah........
4-We were eliminated by the freaking Rangers, and to make matters worse, Bryz is in the second round with the wild (Remember Simmons reaction at the end of the game just before he went through the line to shake hands, yeah that's what I just did)
5-Honestly, it sucks being out of the most exciting time, and watching Richards and Carter still playing...
6-With the comeback this year it still literally hurts that the season is over...I just felt that there was a certain kind of magic with these flyers....they were the comeback kids....but I guess each comeback story has an ending, whether it is happy or sad....#clutchtime is now over....maybe next year it will be #doitforkimmo (if he comes back, which leads to my next and final point)...

Kimmo gets his own section:
7-Finally, Kimmo is more than likely done...this really sucks and hurts....I feel so bad for the guy...He is my favorite Flyer, and my favorite player I have seen play (he might not be the best defenseman to ever play, but he was a good hockey player, and a great guy).  I remember the day that the flyers announced they had acquired his services.   I was so happy, I went around my house screaming (literally).  I will continue to wear his Winter Classic jersey with pride moving forward.

CLOSING: I know it hurts now the day after being eliminated from a chance to lift Lord Stanley's Cup, but this is going to be an interesting offseason, that is for sure.  Flyers fans of my generation (20's - 40's) are famous for saying, "There's always next year", but it's true...and we will all be ready come out screaming and cheering next season....That quote will probably be on my gravestone, but that's ok....As always, GO FLY GUYS!!!!!

Game 1 Summary

Well the Flyers were finally back in action tonight after a very long period off (a very painful time for the fans).  I can not express the words that could even come close to describing the excitement that I had waiting for the game to come on this evening.  The start of Flyers season is the most exciting sports day of the year for me.  Now that we are passed all of my excitement, let's talk about the game.

The game started off great, then went to decent, then finished just plain bad (where Flyers are taking out other Flyers in the offensive zone).  One thing is for sure, Vinny L is going to be a huge asset to this team moving forward.  Bernier stood on his head for the Leafs tonight, and I think that was the Flyers undoing this game.  There is one thing that has carried over from last year, and that is that the Flyers continue to turn the puck over in between the two blue lines.  Scottie H had a really rough game missing wide open nets, turning the puck over, and at times just looking old.  The Flyers powerplay became the powerless play towards the end of the game.  Kimmo I love you bud, but that was a horrible penalty with an empty net, you need to make better decisions than that.

Here is the good news, the defense looks so much better.  Words can not even begin to express how much better and healthier this unit looked.  Say what you want about Streit, but he played a great game and really helps getting the puck up the ice.  Mason played a REALLY good game, and the three goals that he let in could not have been stopped (the last was at the end of the game).  Honestly, it looks like he picked right up from where he left off last year.  The Flyers are also winning face-offs, which is a major improvement from last year.

Three Stars:

3rd: B. Schenn - this kid scored a goal, and got into a fight.  Played a solid two-way game the whole game, and anyone watching can see that he looks better than last year already.

2nd: Vinny L and Mark Streit:  Both of the new guys really stepped up tonight and showed why they needed to be added this off-season.

1st: I hate to give this spot to someone on the other team but Bernier was amazing tonight.  Really nothing else that I can say.

Good, Bad, Ugly (this is something that I am adding this year):

Good:  It looks like the Flyers have really cleaned up a lot of issues form last year.  They ran into a goalie tonight that stood on his head, you just have to tip your cap.

Bad: G. Honestly I got tired by the third period of him trying to do it all himself with people wide open on the wings.  PASS THE PUCK G!!!! I think he will see this on film this week and it should be fixed by Saturday.

Ugly: 1 for 7 on the powerless play.  Need I say any more? It just seemed to get worse and worse as the game went on.

Next Game: Flyers play in Montreal, and this should be an interesting game.  I think Danny B will be highly motivated, and it will be nice to see him again (just not in red and blue).  I think that if they play as hard as they did in the first period tonight they will come out with a win.  I know they lost tonight but I feel pretty good about the season moving forward from here.

2013-2014 Flyers Goalies Evaluation

The Key players this year:  Both Mason and Emery are huge question marks.  If Emery can be anything like he was last year the Flyers got a huge steal in Free Agency.  Mason has the potential to be a fantastic trade from last year, if he can keep his confidence up.  I like the idea of going with two goalies this year and having them work together.  Since Emery is older, this may give him the opportunity to really be a mentor to Mason this year.  Mason is young enough that I really think he has the potential to get his career back on track.  He might just have needed another organization to give him a shot between the pipes.

Youngsters on the rise:  Both Heeter and Stolarz have looked good so far.  I really have enjoyed watching them play, and have enjoyed reading about them so far.  I think that the Flyers are actually beginning to develop the right mindset with goalies and trying to build them up through the system.  I can't even believe that I am writing that.

Names that you shouldn't be surprised to see this year: Between the two I have to give Stolarz the upper hand. The way that he carries himself in net is almost as if he belongs up with the big club.  I do have questions about how well he can move around in net, but I think that the time that he will get playing outside of the NHL will really do him well this year.

Overall Evaluation:  I feel far better about this year's squad of goalies as compared to last year with Bryz.  Neith Mason or Emery may be a big name, but I don't think that we have to worry about them being a problem in the locker room.  Even if they don't work out, they are not locked up for millions for almost years on end.

Flyers 2013-2014 Forwards Evaluation

This is my favorite part of the hockey season!!! Every team has a chance to win the cup and we have a full season of games this year!!!  I think that part of what hurt the Flyers last year was not playing a full 80+ game schedule.  I think that the forward corps of the Flyers is probably the area of the roster where there is the least concern moving forward.

The Key players this year:  I don't see how Giroux doesn't improve from last year, and the same can be said for Scottie.  Lecavalier will be a huge addition for this team, I think that people will love this signing after a few games.  He is the sniper that this team has needed for a little while now, and he will be able to provide some more leadership in the locker room.  Both Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier HAVE to play much better then last year.  One of the only ways for this team to get better is for these two young men to show some growth on the ice.

Youngsters on the rise:  I really think that Laughton has a chance to be a really big contributor this year.  I watched him in the rookie game earlier this week and he was the leader on the ice.  There is no more hesitation when it comes to the decision to shoot or pass.  Matt Read is going to have a huge this year too.  This is one of those guys that I can't explain, but I just have a good feeling about.

Names that you shouldn't be surprised to see this year: Remember this name, because in the next two years he could be a very big player for the Flyers.  Taylor Leier.  This kid is fast, has fantastic control of the puck, and he can really shoot the puck.

Overall Evaluation:  This team has the potential to have a top five offense this year, and the power play should really play well this year.  In all reality I think that this team will settle in the top seven range.  I am sure that Homer will make a move during the season to bring in yet another vet, instead of thinking about the future.  I am pleased overall with how the lines will be formed.  The ball is in Lavy's court and I wonder how he is going to shuffle the lines together.