Free Agency 2010: Live Blog

12:10AM: DGS should be asleep, but he wants to start with the major transactions that were announced

RFA Signings: Mike Leighton takes 2 years 1.55 cap hit to stay in Philly and compete for the starting job. No real surprise here, more on Leighton later today, when I can combine it with any other splashes the Flyers make.

Retirements: Rod Brind'Amour: a class act, a great guy, and for me, a Hall of Famer

Trades: Toronto and Chicago:

Toronto gets: Kris Versteeg and Bill Sweatt
Chicago gets: Viktor Stalberg, Philippe Paradis and Christopher DiDomenico

Conclusion: Are the 'Hawks under the cap yet? Is Toronto truculent enough yet? Is Burkie happy yet? (I can answer the last one: Not until Kaberle goes). Leaf's and Hawks fans who read this blog, tell me what you think of the deal...I'll add in some of the comments to this post.


12:22am Ok then, all I want is Boucher to be traded for a #6/7 D-man, though he can be AHL'd, the Flyers to keep Coburn, Powe, Carcillo and Asham and please please please find a wing to swing Hamhuis. (DGS predicts the new Flyers D-man will be Toni Lydman, solid puck mover, has NHL experience, fits with the Flyers love of going Finnish)

12:27am DGS wishes that won't come true tonight

1. Getting laid #DGSDateWatch restarts...

2. Anton Volchenkov, Evgeni Nabokov and Ilya Kovalchuk all sign contracts that put the Flyers even with the cap.

3. Flyers lose Scott Hartnell and somehow gain Dustin Byfuglien

4. Pierre McGuire becomes normal


12:30am DGS begins to think about getting drunk after realizing what his life is like...Amy talks him out of it via G-chat...by the way, chat with DGS tomorrow from 2:30-4:30pm on Google Chat, DGS's email is DownGoesSpezza@gmail.com, Amy will make sure to tweet updates as well as she gets a hold of them.

9:16AM DGS sees report linking Dan Ellis to the Flyers, for the record, goalies linked to the Flyers this offseason:

Nabby, Turco, Biron, Price, Ellis, Halak, Niitty, Chris Mason, Steve Mason (seriously, I got an email about it- Amy), Thomas, Hedberg, Theodore, Budaj....

Long story short, Flyers have more goalie options that Harry Potter had Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers...

As for Eclipse: Spoiler Alert: Silver Arrows hit the werewolves, Buffy stakes the vampires, The End

9:22AM DGS realizes we forgot the following goalies on this list of goalies linked to the Flyers: Quick, Bernier, Lalime, Roloson, Weekes, Legace, Caron, Toskala (Yes, seriously, though don't worry, he'd be shot here)....if anyone knows of any other rumors, add them...or make some up too...cleverest scenario wins a prize* from DGS


*- DGS promises to name this person in a post and give them free advertising to any blog/website provided the content is rated PG13 or lower.

1:13PM Flyers trade for Meszaros...what a Meszy move...dammit Homer, pull something big out.


2:18PM Still a goaltending mess. Coburn's back for 2yrs/3.55 cap hit and now Jody Shelley and Sean O'Donnell are in as well. This probably spells the end of Riley Cote in Philly. In unrelated news, Holmgren is trying to sell the truculent Cote to the Leafs

Alex Auld to the Habs, guess that means Dan Ellis hit the open market. Or as multiple twitter accounts have said, Habs get Vesa Toskala lite.

Sergei Gonchar to the Sens...I guess Gonchar is gonna go the Kaberle route...and hate winning

Zybnek Michalek to the Pens...Phoenix to Pissburgh...(typo intentional) Z, I had hope for you, but now you're gonna be Crosby's bitch...and that's just bad.

Alex Tanguay back to Calgary....I love Sutter....and Sather...these guys make JFJ begin to look intelligent (Amy reminded me of the Rask/Raycroft deal, I take this back)

All Time Worst GMs Ever: Sutter, Sather, John Ferguson Jr.


Marty St. Louis contract extension announced, anonymous sources tell me Marty had a hard time signing the contract because he could not see the table where the contract was located.

For those who don't know, I'm open on my facebook page and I'm taking email at the address on the right. I'll post some of the more interesting emails and their answers here as well as answering all of the email personally*.

(*-DGS staff will answer emails, Amy included, there are 5 of us)


2:53PM First Email Answer:


DGS,

Leighton, Boucher, Backlund are already in the mix, but none of these scream long term number 1 goalie. What hopes do the Flyers have?

Jeff


Jeff,

Thanks for being the first to check in. Long term options pretty much involve trades. JvR to LA for Bernier or Quick is a possibility. If the Flyers want to dump salary, I could see Hartnell AND JvR for Bernier or Quick and an LA forward or draft picks. Give it time though, with Turco and Nabby still in play, things can happen.

-DGS

DGS,

Martin Biron to the Rangers, what do you think?

Bill C.


Bill,

Soft goals, inconsistency and flamboyant personality...it screams SATHER GUY!

-DGS





Amy,

Are you cute? Can I have your number?

Steve F.


Steve,

No way in hell, I'm not interested.

-Amy




Down Goes Spezza,

Are you going to miss Riley Cote? It sure looks like he's the odd man out right now.

Kevin L.


Kevin,

I'll miss Cote for his off ice charity work more than being a fight only guy. The guy who I really think I am going to miss at the end of this is Arron Asham, great guy all around and a solid depth player. Who ever picks up Asham is gonna get an underrated player. As for Cote, he might get tossed in as a spare part in a trade, but most likely will be making to trek to the AHL Phantoms for 2010-2011


-Amy



3:03pm Just realized the Shelley deal is a 3 year deal. I realize Shelley burned us for 2 goals in the last 2 games of the season, but for the love of divine entities, THIS GUY IS A MORE EXPENSIVE RILEY COTE!!! WTF WERE WE THINKING?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?! Send him to the AHL NOW please and thanks....


3:08pm Rick Tocchet coached Meszaros last season in Tampa.

“He had the willingness to play hurt, I have to give him credit,” said Tocchet. “I give him a lot of credit. A lot of guys wouldn’t have done that. But there is another level in him and he’s got to find that with the Flyers.”

I just threw up a little...I'm beginning to plot my demise...still taking Emails and Facebook questions though!


3:11PM Toni Lydman to the Ducks, I wanted that Finn, like the Flyers I tend to enjoy Finns

Little known fact about DGS: Amy and Matt both love Finnish metal band Nightwish


3:30PM

Random Coworker of Amy's asked her:

Does Shelley spell the end of Lappy or Carcillo?

Amy: I think it makes the possible loss of Carcillo manageable, but expect to see Cote waived.

Matt: No, it means Cote's on the AHL train, which makes no sense because Cote comes at about half the cap hit.

Luc: Nope, just means Cote's gone.

Jon: Cote's headed to Glens Falls to play for the Phantoms, unless he gets traded




3:47PM

Amy just reminded the rest of the staff that we all hated the Leino trade, Carcillo trade, keeping Carter over Umberger and Asham signing when they all happened. The boys just realized they had no counters to these moves of moves we loved, but then regretted. Results have happened, and while the boys don't like it, they love having a woman as the voice of reason. (Matt, Jon, Luc all disagree)




4:21pm Volchenkov to the Devils. This could be bad...











or not




4:25pm Hamhuis to the Canucks, hometown player signs...that's ok, btw, thx for the 3rd rounder Penguins


4:32PM Matt's getting more depressed by the minute....Flyers July 1 = Twitter Fail Whale


4:44PM Just saw the Blackhawks moved to the Eastern Conference and now play in Atlanta...FML AGAIN!

5:35PM Dinner time with the DGS crew...will check back in around 7pm...Later world!

An Open Letter, to Dan Hamhuis

So apparently Dan Hamhuis would not sign with the Flyers, he wanted to be a #2 D-man, something he would not be able to do in Philly with the likes of Pronger, Carle, Timonen ahead of him. In the interest of intellectual discourse, and following in the spirit of Down Goes Brown and Don't Trade Vinny, we here at DGS present an open letter to Dan Hamhuis.




Hey, egocentric dirtbag!

Listen up! What the hell is wrong with you? We offered you the money you wanted and a chance to win, but no, you have to be the center of freaking attention. In case you didn't notice, you were traded for Ryan Parent. Let's realize this, Ryan Parent has a shot so weak, he couldn't beat Toskala's glove. So now you just got traded to the Penguins, who basically are using you to drive down the price to keep Sergei Gonchar. They don't want you, we did. Had you signed the deal Holmgren wanted to give you, we would have put a Stanley Cup winning team together, dominated the east, and won a cup. But no, for you, it's not about winning, it's not even about money, it's about being the center of attention. Get your head in the game, until then, you don't deserve to win, you don't deserve anything.

By the way, all may be forgiven. If you don't sign in Pittsburgh and come running back to Homer on July 1 begging for his offer, then guess what, you will become a hero to this city, because, not only did you join us, but you stole something from the Penguins. And Chris Pronger will be proud, he stole pucks, you stole picks. Just, don't get yourself suspended for any kind of tampering or anything along the way.

Sincerely,

Flyers Fans

Tuesday Morning Coffee Break: June 29

Hey hey, another coffee break, another day to wonder about what else is going on in the hockey world. Guess what, DGS has the answers, check them out below.

• Grades on the Draft: Brought to you by Puck Daddy at Yahoo sports. He handles this with his normal style and flair, good draft day post, also, saves me the time of grading NHL teams not based in Philadelphia.
• The Hall of Fame: Our Blogging Idol, Down Goes Brown looks at the cases for the Hockey Hall of Fame, he comes with interesting conclusions, hilarity ensues.
• Meet Guy Boucher: DGS's blogging brother, Don't Trade Vinny, helps Bolts fans get to know new coach Guy Boucher by comparing him to previous coach Rick Tocchet. First time I read this, I legitimately almost choked to death on the pizza I was eating.
• Source of NHL Trade Rumors Revealed: Coming to you with Intent to Blow, err..from Intent to Blow, yeah, they have how NHL trade rumors get made, Eklund is again, the worst source ever.

And for a non hockey perspective on the offseason; WingsWinEh discusses animal mating rituals. Kinda creepy but fun none the less.

Flyers Draft Review

Round 1: Yeah, about that, we got Chris Pronger last July so this pick went to Anaheim.

Round 2: Hey hey, no picks here either, looks like Homer wanted Burkie to have a friend.

Round 3: 89th overall: Flyers take C Michael Chaput

Quotable: “I’m very excited. I actually never talked to the Flyers before the draft or anything so it was quite a surprise,” said Chaput when hearing his name called. “I can bring energy and a lot of work to this team. I think I’m an energy guy pretty much on the ice I can go out there and give 100 percent on every shift. I’m also able to score some goals, so maybe [I am] a third line guy that can bring some offensive game also.”

Size:6'2'' 194
Shoots: Left

DGS Thoughts: 3rd line energy center/forward...could spell the end of Arron Asham or Dan Carcillo in a couple years, I assume Asham will resign for another 2 years at 700k-800k and Carbomb will get a similar deal, only in the 1.1-1.3million cap hit range.

Round 4: 119 overall: Flyers take LW Tye McGinn

Size: 6'2" 205
Shoots: Left

DGS Thoughts: McGinn has some offensive potential, good size at 6'2" 205. He doubled his offensive output in the Q this last year. I like what I've heard on the kid, hopefully this year wasn't a fluke and he can develop. Could be a good depth forward, sort of comparable to David Laliberte in terms of game style.

Round 5: 149th Overall: RW Mike Parks

Size: 5'10 188lbs
Shoots: Right

Quote: “I’m going to play another year in the USHL with Cedar Rapids and then I’m going to attend the University of North Dakota in the fall of 2011 and just start my college career then,” added Parks. “Then I will just take it year-by-year and see how it goes.”

Decent stats, decent size, decent all around, but nothing that really jumps out at me. He talks about playing all 3 zones well, his size compares him to Mike Richards (5'11 195) his willingness to grind it out as a defensive forward screams Blair Betts to me. I see him fitting in like Blair Betts/Sami Kapanen/Darroll Powe in a couple years, developing into a solid 3rd line checker who can be a good PK guy at best, and at worst, he plays out his entry level contract and is a no harm no foul low risk pick.

Round 6: 179th Overall: Nick Luukko D

Size: 6'2" 185lbs
Shoots: Right

The son of the owner, no wonder why. Honestly, though, we could have a gem in the rough here. Also, I like that we finally have a right shooting D-man somewhere in the system, (David Sloane is the other), both are local kids. Luuko will get a few more years to develop when he hits the U of Vermont in Fall 2011.


Round 7: 206 overall Ricard Blidstrand D (Pick acquired from Carolina for AHL C Jon Matsumoto) and 209 overall Brendan Ranford LW

Blidstrand
Size: 6'2" 206lbs
Shoots: Left

Swedish junior player. From what little I've seen on this guy, he reminds me of Lasse Kukkonen...*GULP*


Ranford
Size: 5'10" 182lbs
Shoots: Left

Nephew of former NHL goalie Bill Ranford. Put of decent offensive numbers in the WHL last year. 29G 36A 65P, 83PIMS 72GP. Was a PP threat up there too. Kinda small, comparable in size to Claude Giroux (5'11" 172) but doesn't have Giroux's hands. Another guy who I could see being an NHL depth player, AHL mainstay.




Trades during Draft:

1. AHL C Jon Matsumoto to Carolina for a 7th round draft pick in 2010: (206 overall)

2. D Dan Hamhuis (we're writing you a letter later this week Danny boy) to Pittsburgh for a 3rd round draft pick in 2011

3. 7th Round draft pick in 2011 to San Jose for G Evgeni Nabokov (trade conditional on Nabby signing a contract before July 1)

4. Flyers also apparently talked to Dallas G Marty Turco, offered him 3 yr/$2 cap hit. Turco turned it down...more to come.



Biggest Surprise: Hamhuis being traded to the Pens

Most Obvious Selection: Nick Luukko D, he's the son of Comcast-Spectacor chairman Peter Luukko, yeah, that's why he got taken.


Biggest Disappointment: Not signing Dam Hamhuis

Biggest Win: *If we get Nabby for a 7th rounder, than Homer pulled off a another steal, if not, then dumping Parent and getting a 3rd rounder from the Pens is still a win, even if they sign Hamhuis, more later on the Curious Case of Dan Hamhuis.



So there you go, Flyers thoughts on the draft. All things considered, the lack of picks in the first 2 rounds left the Flyers with the only option of going for depth which they did. Expect most of these guys to possibly get a look at the AHL Phantoms this season, because the Phantoms were horrible this past season and therefore should be retooled.

Where the Flyers go from here:

GOALTENDING!!!!!! Nabby or Turco are the best bets, if they can sign reasonable contracts. I'll rank goalies later this week in detail because of how important this is to the Flyers. I can't remember who said this, but I think this quote hits the nail on the head,

"The Flyers Defense is great, and can make average netminders like Leighton and Boucher look like Vezina winners when they their top game, but the Flyers NEED a goalie who can pick up the D when they have an off night"

Until next time...GO FLYERS!

Ways DGS is Surviving Until July 1

Ok, July 1 is still a few days a way. And with that, DGS has a list of things you can do to survive until then without going crazy, and still getting your hockey fix.

• Sporcle's sports section: A gaming site for trivia and brain teasers, a lot of fun ways to kill time playing the hockey, or other sports related games. A favorite of the DGS Staff when killing time.
• Ctrl/Alt/Del or XKCD : Yes I know, not quite hockey related, but still, a good way to relax and have a laugh, especially useful for players just drafted by the Oilers.
• Photoshopping fun: Ask Don't Trade Vinny about that, seriously funny, and almost always leads to a good time.
  
• World of Warcraft: Seriously, it works for me, that is until I want a girlfriend...(Amy's Note: This can be dangerous for anyone in a relationship.)
• Start Your Own Hockey Blog: In all fairness, you can talk to the world about the sport, and have your views heard...err..read.
  

Things to Do in Anticipation of NHL 11

So, with some new features of NHL 11 being announced, we at DGS got really excited in anticipation of the game's release. After reading that article, we noticed that several things were missing from this game that should be included. Luckily, we have the list right here. So EA Sports, if you're reading, here is what you need to make NHL 11 totally awesome


First off: Mini Games! We all love the, like the mini shoot out game and such, but branch out a little guys seriously. We have a couple ideas for you

Buffet Wars:
Have Tim Thomas, Martin Brodeur, and Kyle Wellwood in line at a buffet table, most food consumed in a set amount of time wins.


Sloppy Seconds:
Basically a game where Sean Avery picks up your favorite players ex, then unleashes a series of silly comments about it.

Auger Mode aka Ref Mode
Basically, you become the referee, if you want to go out and get someone, but don't feel like fighting them, bingo, you have an alternative.





Also, for more realistic game play:

The following things should happen:

-Players refuse to sign contracts with Edmonton
-Marian Gaborik should be injured every time he touches the puck
-Moving Rick DiPietro out of the goal crease results in his receiving a crippling knee injury
-Mike Green will NOT play defense

Have "playoff attributes" for when your team in GM mode hits the post season, this will result in the following changes:

-Any player on the San Jose Sharks having their rating drop from 90 to 0
-Joe Thornton actually ends up with negative attributes in the playoffs
-Jaroslav Halak's rating is equal to those shooting against him
-Ville Leino and Danny Briere get perfect ratings in the playoffs only,
-Alex Semin disappears


Bring in a "dive mode"

Basically, instead of deking, certain players, like Crosby, Carcillo, Max Lapierre will all dive rather than deke around checks.


More Realistic GM Mode:

Need to unload a horrible contract: Don't worry, MTL will trade for it.
Need to acquire first round draft picks: The Maple Leafs are selling.
Need to acquire NHL talent for Vesa Toskala: Calgary's here to help
Need to throw out NTCs like candy: JFJ is in the house


More Realistic Crowds:
ACC is empty
Habs fans riot after games
#ThrowTheSnake
During Senators/Leafs games in Ottawa, Senators players get to hear the Boos
Southern US Markets get next to nil attendance



If we missed something, include it in the comments please.

It is official

Guess what readers: DGS is taking on a 5th person!

Amy D. has officially joined the DGS crew, she's gonna help us out with writing and we look forward to seeing what her creative energy will bring to the team. If you want to reach her, send an Email to DownGoesSpezza@yahoo.com and put "For Amy" in the subject line.

For anyone who's wondering, #DGSDateWatch is NOT over.

-Bio-
Name: Amy D.
Age: 22
Favorite Current Flyer: Simon Gagne, the face of the franchise and longest tenured player
Favorite All Time Flyer: Bernie Parent, the man who gave us our Cups
Favorite Sport Other Than Hockey: Gymnastics, because I was a gymnast in my youth
From: Born in NJ, now in CT, soon to be off to VT
Random Fact: My favorite food is shrimp scampi made with inhuman amounts of garlic.

Amy's comments:

"I'm really happy to be joining the DGS team, I love the Flyers and support the, even though I live Connecticut and am surrounded by Bruins and Rangers fans. This






Yes, we are total losers who hold "press conferences" for our changes in the team

Things Ryan Parent Could Have Been Traded For

Ok DGS back today, with a post from the Real DGS, rather than Amy, who was filling in for me while I was under the weather.

It seems that the Nashville Predators overpaid a bit for Ryan Parent. I mean, talent-wise Dan Hamhuis is far and away above what Parent is, Hamhuis could be a future top d-man on a team, Parent, if he stays healthy and plays to the top of his potential, could be a #3/#4 D-man who sees PK duty.

Parent's kinda useless, sure he's an decent PK guy, but his even strength numbers are kinda scary bad. Also, he handles the puck with the same skill, poise and dexterity as Sean Avery handles words and maturity.

Parent also is shaping up to rival Rick DiPietro for the most injury plagued career. For any NY Yankees fans out there, think about the $39,950,000 mistake called Carl Pavano.

But enough with that, should the Predators attempt to move Ryan Parent, I have a list of things that would be fair compensation.

• A bag of pucks
• Any NJ Devils backup goaltender (only thing in hockey that sees less ice time than Parent)
  
• Vesa Toskala
• Anyone half as good as Alex Daigle
• A spare water bottle
• Anyone JFJ thinks is good
• Joe Thornton Playoff Edition
• Michael Leighton, Road Stanley Cup Finals Edition
• Lee Stempniak: Maple Leafs Edition
• Andrew Raycroft
  

Analyzing the Hamhuis for Parent trade

So Parent is gone and Dan Hamhuis is in...another Dan to worry about...but a good deal for the Flyers. Parent was expendable and his back problems are now Nashville's problems. Hammer if he signs, will be a good addition to an already strong blueline, and if not, well a 7th round draft pick for Parent is still overpaying for him. If the Flyers keep Coburn, then i would say that the Flyers have the best defense in the NHL next year. Pronger, Kimmo, Coburn, Hamhuis, Bartulis and whoever gets that 6th spot, candidates include Danny Syvret, Joonas Lehtuvuori, and any number of possible draft/free agent/trade pickups.

All in all, DGS likes. So do many Flyers fans all over the world.


-Amy

The Curious Case of Ilya Kovalchuk

Editor's Note: This post is written by Amy, NOT DGS.




Ilya Kovalchuk, where will he end up. Well, the DGS SuperSpies have tried to find out, and they have some interesting ideas, as well as what this means for Flyers fans. So with the help of me, the Amazing Amy, DGS made a list of 10 possible destinations and what Flyers fans should think of them.



Team: NJ Devils
Odds: 4:1
Reasons to Go: Will be backed by a Hall of Fame caliber goalie and a great Defensive system
Reasons to Not Go: The Devils aren't exactly known for opening the bank for offensive talents
Meaning to Flyers: If he's in NJ, we're fucked.


Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Odds: 10:1
Reasons to Go: Kovy and Kessel on the top 2 lines, it's bound to work, right?
Reasons to Not Go: Does Toronto have a D that can allow Kovy a chance to win
Meaning to Flyers: Only facing Kovy 4 times a year instead of 6 is a bonus, but I'd fear Kovy in the playoffs


Team: Boston Bruins
Odds: 500:1
Reasons to Go: Kovy/Hall/Savard top line, that's amazing
Reasons to Not Go: Will be traded to Toronto for a decade's worth of first rounders and Luke Schenn
Meaning to Flyers: Kovy in Boston=Bruins as favourites for the Cup in 2011


Team: Washington Capitals
Odds: 25:1
Reasons to Go: An all Russian top line of Ovy-Semin-Kovy sounds nice
Reasons to Not Go: Mike Green would then be the Caps top D-man causing every game to be decided by a score of 9-8
Meaning to Flyers: Really isn't one until the playoffs roll around...


Team: Edmonton Oilers
Odds: 100,000:1
Reasons to Go: I heard Edmonton feels like Russia in winter.
Reasons to Not Go: I heard Edmonton feels like Russia in winter
Meaning to Flyers: It's second best option.


Team: San Jose Sharks
Odds: 85:1
Reasons to Go: "Thornton to Kovalchuk...SHARKS SCORE" would guarantee another San Jose President's Trophy
Reasons to Not Go: Cap issues, lack of playoff success, risk of having to get a ride with Dany Heatley all come to mind
Meaning to Flyers: Again, it's nice to have Kovy out of the east...but I sure wouldn't mind having Kovy on another continent.


Team: Montreal Canadiens
Odds: 100:1
Reasons to Go: A skilled sniper would give the Habs a legit scoring threat
Reasons to Not Go: Other Habs players may be afraid of a giant 6'2" 230lb Russian
Meaning to Flyers: When Habs fans riot after wins against Toronto, the Flyers may have to give up their reputation as the "most brutish fans in hockey, or sport for that matter"


Team: Chicago Black Hawks
Odds: 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000:1
Reasons to Go: After the Hawks implode this team in order to gain cap space, they could restock with Kovy-Toews-Kane as their top line
Reasons to Not Go: Kovy would then need to work for free.
Meaning to Flyers: Hey, at least it keeps him OUT of the Eastern Conference...


Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Odds: 150,000:1
Reasons to Go: Great chance to win a cup
Reasons to Not Go: Flyers already have 8 top-6 caliber forwards
Meaning to Flyers: He becomes our weapon on offense, at the expense of having a goalie next year, seriously, Kovy=Boucher/Backlund in net


Team: Anyone in the KHL
Odds: 3:1
Reasons to Go: $14 million and a chance to be close to home why NOT take it.
Reasons to Not Go: I heard it's cold in Russia...
Meaning to Flyers: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN!!!!


Hope you guys like it.


-Amy

Welcoming a Guest Poster

Hey DGS readers,

Just a quick note, for the next couple weeks, and possibly longer if this catches on, DGS will be written by a close friend of the real DGS, see I've taken ill and I have not had the energy to come up with anything clever regarding this huge NHL issue, so in order to get the word out on it, I'm having my friend Amy take over this post. Enjoy it, or hate it, you, the DGS readers determine Amy's fate as a poster on this blog.

-DGS

Flyers Summer 2010 Offseason Needs, Part 2

Today, I'm gonna look at the defense and goaltending, and think about what this offseason has in store for the Flyers.

Goaltending: (Note: I'm gonna use every goalie who appeared in a game this year)

Ray Emery: UFA
Johan Backlund: Resigned til 2012, terms undisclosed, tho I'm guessing it's around 800k he made this year
Brian Boucher: Contract til 2011, cap it of 925k
Mike Leighton: UFA
Jeremy Duchesne: RFA


Ok, now to go through what I think is gonna happen to each of these guys...

Jeremy Duchesne: If he's resigned, he'll be on the Phantoms at the highest

Ray Emery: Real simple, call me when his health situation is taken care of

Brian Boucher: Possibly trade bait

Mike Leighton: In Leighton We Trust...possibly, I don't know, part of me wants to see the best in him, part of me remembers the guy who was in net in a December 2008 game who blew a 5-1 lead to the Flyers, a game the Flyers won 6-5 in OT...I've done a lot of thinking about Leighton, a lot of watching of videos on the Flyers website or YouTube or www.NHL.com and I see a very bipolar kind of goalie, yeah, I don't know what to think of Leighton anymore

Johan Backlund: I think he's the AHL Phantoms starter next year, could make a run at being the backup though, I'll wait til training camp to make a better prediction.


Oh dear, I just realized, the only thing that's concluded is that the Flyers have a LOT of goaltending questions....gahhh...Bernie Parent can be cloned, right?


Defence:

Chris Pronger: 6.25 million cap hit, will be back
Kimmo Timonen: 6.33 million cap hit, will be back
Matt Carle: 3.438 million cap hit, will be back
Oskars Bartulis: 600k cap it, will be back


By the way: Mike Rathje's 3.5 million comes off the cap! THANK GOD!

Probable D-pairs

Pronger-Carle
Timonen-Coburn?
Bartulis-????


RFA's

Braydon Coburn: 1.3 million cap it for 09-10, probably gonna be asking for 2.5-3million

Ryan Parent: 855K cap hit for 09-10, he's the wild card here

Lukas Krajicek: 700k cap hit for 09-10, could go either way

Danny Syvret: 575k cap hit for 09-10, could go either way as well



Now personally, I think Krajicek and Syvret are expendable, neither really impressed me this year and Bartulis has really shown some flashes of talent, as well as making some rookie mistakes. Parent's interesting, he's never played a full season for the Flyers due to his back problems, and while he has a lot of potential, is really worth the risk of a guy who can only give 50-60 games a year? To me, no, but Paul Holmgren's made a lot of moves that I disagreed with and have worked out well for the Flyers, hence why he's the GM and I'm some (SINGLE) guy sitting in New Jersey behind a computer and hoping to be right.

Im Homer we trust...

Back to the Flyers needs:

The Flyers need a depth D-man, AHL Phantoms had a weak D corps this year, the Flyers don't have a first round (lost in Pronger trade) or second round (lost in Leino trade) draft choice, so the solution for this is trade or Free Agency.

Speaking of D-man Needs, Here's a list of D-man free agents and here's my thoughts on a few of the more noteworthy guys who I feel could possibly fit in Philly.

A friend of mine recently came up with the idea of reuniting Pronger and Niedermayer in Philly, but I doubt that is the solution.

Anton Volchenkov would be nice, but I don't think he's worth the $5million he is as asking for.

Toni Lydman is a possibility if Buffalo doesn't resign him.

Dan Hamhuis is quite possibly the leading candidate, apparently the Flyers aggressively pursued him at the trade deadline, if Nashville lets him walk, I wouldn't mind seeing him in Orange come October.



Also: Free Agent goalies and some notable names and my thoughts


Marty Turco: the DGS head writer/owner tossed his name around the DGS Staff more than a few times during the season out of frustration with Brian Boucher. Turco probably is gonna get ~$2million which makes him affordable to platoon with Boucher, assuming Leighton is allowed to walk. (Leighton's a UFA and it can happen).

Evgeni Nabokov: If the Sharks let Nabby walk, and letting him walk could be the kick that San Jose needs, then Nabby is my top choice for the Flyers net (budget is a problem, but moves can be made) fact is, Nabby could fit in the eastern conference, where I readily admit, there's less competition than out West.

Vesa Toskala: Oh sorry, I meant to talk about NHL caliber goalies.

Martin Biron: He was here once, had some success, but honestly I can't see the Islanders letting him walk with DiPietro's health situation. Seriously, that guy get's MRI's every season at a rate that rivals the 09-10 Flyers net minders.

Dan Ellis: He's another guy the Flyers have been reportedly interested in, could be another option.

Chris Mason: With St. Louis trading for Halak, he's on the market and might be a cheap fit.


I don't know, as I've said before, after Leighton's showing against the Hawks, I'm not sold on him as a #1 guy, and maybe I'm still bitter about the 2000-02 runs, but I don't like Boucher either.



Either way, with no 1st or 2nd round picks Homer's got a lot of work ahead of him with the trade market to make this work. He's done it in the past though, he practically stole Leino from the Red Wings and the Zhitnik for Coburn deal turned out golden for the Orange.

Flyers Summer 2010 Offseason Needs, Part 1

So, with the season over, and sometime to digest the second place finish in the NHL. I will once again say this, congratulations to the Philadelphia Flyers, winners of the Prince of Wales trophy.

Well, with the season officially over, one must now look at the upcoming offseason, so I’m going to post what the Flyers need. For the record, I get all of my salary cap numbers from here so if you need to dispute me on something, that’s my source.

Now in order to start this, I'm gonna look at the 09-10 forwards based on the last lineup the Flyers dressed:


Gagne-Richards-Carter
Hartnell-Briere-Leino
JvR-Giroux-Asham
Powe-Betts-Lappy

Scratches: Carcillo, Cote, Laliberte, Nodl, Ross

How I think 10-11 will shape up:

Hartnell-Briere-Leino (Seriously, after their Finals showing, how can this NOT be the top line)
Richards-Carter-Giroux (Giroux's pretty goals IMO bump him up)
Gagne-JvR-Asham (JvR's been taking shifts in practice at center, like Giroux in 09-10, third line reps will get him experience)
Powe/Nodl/Laliberte-Betts-Lappy

Asham's UFA but if he resigns for say...2 years 750K, I'd be really happy

Carcillo's an interesting case, I have an up and down relationship with him. Asham does everything Carbomb does, with more discipline and better hands, but Carcillo's got a unique energy about him that lends itself to playing in Philly, I'm willing to keep him around for no more than 1.3 Million, at the same time, if we can trade him and land someone like a true #1 goalie


That's right, I peg 11 or all 12 of the forwards to return next year. Scott Hartnell saved his butt by having the Finals that he did, that being said, in my humble opinion, I think he's also the most likely to be moved. More on that later.

Who's expendable

The Player: Scott Hartnell
Why Expendable: Didn't perform well during the season and doesn't fit Lavi's up tempo system
Why He'd Be Wanted: His postseason numbers
Possible Destination: Toronto for Tomas Kaberle, Boston for Tim Thomas, Montreal for a first round draft pick or PK Subban, San Jose (Assuming Nabby stays and Marleau walks) for Thomas Greiss

The Player: Brian Boucher
Why Expendable: His regular season numbers
Why He'd Be Wanted: His 5 playoff games against the Devils
Possible Destination: Montreal, Dallas, San Jose, Chicago
To Montreal: For Carey Price in order to allow the Habs the cap space to keep Halak
To Dallas: for a 2nd round draft pick and a decent prospect D-man
To Chicago: For Dustin Byfuglien, I might be dreaming here but as WWEh noticed, the 'Hawks have massive cap problems next year and they could save ~$2 million
To San Jose: Assuming Nabby leaves and Marleau stays, the Sharks need a goaltender who comes cheap, that's Boucher, the Flyers could hopefully get a 4th round pick and a decent D-man for him

The Player: Andreas Nodl
Why Expendable: Too much depth at forward
Why He'd be Wanted: Solid depth forward, never will be above third line status, comes cheap
Possible Destination: Toronto, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Florida
To Toronto: oh wait, sorry, Burke won't trade for a European
To Montreal: The Habs DID trade for Scott Gomez...so, yeah...maybe Nodl goes here
Tampa Bay: Matt Smaby could play D for us, but honestly, TBL has nothing I'd really be interested in...other than Vinny, but a package of Hartnell, Nodl and Boucher for Vinny...seems fair to me...DTV is gonna shoot himself now...



The Needs:

this is easier to look at:

A real third D-pair
a real goalie


Later this week, I plan on doing a free agency based post with where the Flyers should go

Flyers 2010 Eulogy: A season to remember

As DGB and Bloge Salming did for the Habs, I will eulogize the Flyers. Here we go.


Philadelphia Flyers Eulogy 2010

Flyers Season 09-10 Campaign:
Born October 1, 2009
Died June 9, 2010

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to remember, or possibly forget, a season that was magical, and sucktastic, all at the same time.
We had our ups, trading for Chris Pronger, signing Ray Emery, beating the Rangers in a shootout to earn a playoff birth, spotting the Bruins 3 game and 3 goal leads before crushing their dreams and aiding and abetting riots on the streets of Montreal, having Lavi call the perfect timouts, losing Stevens, Danny Briere and Ville Leino’s post season play, and Dan Carcillo meeting Marian Gaborik for the first time

Word Just In: Montreal riots would have happened anyway…

Then there were the downs: Having to look at Sidney Crosby, listening to Pierre McGuire during the Finals on tv, wondering what happened to the offense, losing Stevens, the regular season play of Leino and Briere, seeing Rick Tocchet on my TV.

And of course, the downright wacky: the goaltender situations…Emery, Boucher, Leighton, Backlund, Duchesne, will be remembered for getting onto the ice, while, Hutton, Caron and Teslak will be remembered for dressing, Pittsburgh’s video guy not sending in the goal, Stephane Auger getting Carcillo, Pronger waving at Eager, Leighton tossing 3 SOs against the Habs, Lavi magically turning games around with a timeout, Chris Pronger stealing pucks and Dan Carcillo flopping around like a fish out water, Cindy Crosby.
But with all that said, it doesn’t surprise me that the Flyers bowed out the way they did. Coming so close, teasing us the whole way with great comebacks and pulling miracles out of helmet-masks. I guess it’s time to talk about some of the memorable moments from birth to death of this season. So without further ado, let’s run down [DAMMIT CARCILLO, NOT THAT WAY!] the biggest moments of the season.

Opening Night:
To be honest I didn’t know what to expect, I knew we had Pronger on D and that made me happy. We had Ray Emery in net, a huge risk and a backup in Boucher which I thought was a huge mistake. Razor had a shutout to open the season and I was happy.
And then it unraveled rather quickly, December rolled around and Stevens was out. Hartnell was sucking, Emery got hurt and Boucher sucked a lot. But then Leighton was claimed on waivers and I felt like the towel was tossed in on this year.
Boucher went down and there was Leighton and, he’s not bad…he’s winning…WE HAVE A GOALIE! Leighton is here to save us all…and OH MY GOD HE’S DEAD! Err…crippled. NO! NO! NO! NOT BOUCHER! Please NOT BOUCHER! Give us Backlund please! Hell, give us Toskala…wait, I’m not gonna say things that I cannot take back. Granted, I think Toskala had a higher save percentage than Jeremy Duchesne...so...but Duchesne stopped every shot from over 150ft.

The ultimate highlight...what if Broad St didn't fight back?




Humor aside, it was a great year, and to everyone else, I leave this season with a few questions.

1. What if Carter didn’t have 2 broken feet during the post season?
2. What if Gagne didn’t have 2 broken toes during the post season?
3. What if the goalies were healthy?

Fact is, we’ll be back next year. BACK WITH A VENGEANCE! LOOK OUT NHL, Flyers will win it all in 2010, and starting next week, I will explain why.

Tuesday Morning Coffee Break: June 8

So, in following the tradition of many other sites, mainly Friday Funnies from Down Goes Brown, and Making Babies with Other Blogs from Blades of Funny as well as #FollowFriday on Twitter, Down Goes Spezza would like to present you with your Tuesday Morning Coffee Break, every so often, I'll post links to some of the best hockey humor that I've found scouring the internets. Who knows maybe I'll end up giving up World of Warcraft for this. In related news: DGS is still single.

• Blades of Funny investigates the Flyers/Habs Sandgate incident. He has quite a few suspects and all of them seem rather interesting. Check it out before sand ends up on your skates
• Down Goes Brown tells us what Ron Maclean was thinking when he saved a drowning man. DGB is comedic gold for anyone who hasn't seen his site yet.
• Stay Classy has the exclusive transcript of a conversation between Jason Spezza and Bryan Murray. Spezza is kind of important to me you know....
• Don't Trade Vinny, my blogging brother, good friend, and all around good (single) guy checks in this week as well, ladies, visit his site and help him out. Anyway, DTV shows us the NHL's charitable side with a post on heroism in hockey.
• Intent to Blow spends a day with Chris Pronger, something that I would love to do but have not been able to.
• Wings Win Eh has an interesting take on life without hockey. Check out these Red Wings fans getting into another sport, competitive spelling. I enjoyed it.
• Bloge Salming's video "How To Pronounce Byfuglien" finally explains many things...
  

Anyway, thanks for reading. Now get back to work before you get fired for reading too much hockey humor!

Caption Contest 6

Ok loyal DGS readers, cheer me up with funny comments about Hossa trying to kick Matt Carle in the junk...

Hossa: "And you think Sami Salo got it bad..."

Game 5 Stanley Cup Finals: Flyers @ Blackhawks Liveblog

Hey everyone! DGS is live blogging this one.

Follow me on twitter as well for more updates and stuff during the game.


7:45pm:

Probable Flyers lineup for tonight:

-Forwards-
Gagne 12-Richards 18 (C)-Carter 17
Leino 22-Briere 48-Hartnell 19
JvR 21-Giroux 28-Asham 45
Powe 36-Betts 11-Laperriere 14

-Defense-
Carle 25-Pronger 20 (A)
Coburn 5-Timonen 44 (A)
Krajicek 2-Bartulis 3

-Goalies-
Leighton 49 starting
Boucher 33 on the bench


-Scratches-

LW Riley Cote 32: Coach's Decision
D Ryan Parent 77: Coach's Decision
D Danny Syvret 26: Coach's Decision
LW Dan Carcillo 13: Coach's Decision
RW David Laliberte 9: Coach's Decision
G Johan Backlund 30: Coach's Decision
G Ray Emery 29: Hip Injury



Blackhawks Lines

Probably will be juggled beyond belief, so I won't even try their forwards

-Defense-

Keith/Seabrook
Campbell/Sopel
Hjallmarsson/Boynton

Yes, if I were Joel Q. I'd drop Hjallmarsson down after that disaster of a Game 4.


DGS Prediction: Flyers 4 Blackhawks 3

Pronger continues to own Byfuglien, Niemi's continues to play like Toskala.

8:09PM I turn on my tv to see Pierre McGuire and Jeremy Roenick...find myself wishing JR spears McGuire.

8:11PM Jeremy Roenick still loves being on tv, Pierre McGuire is still a creepy douche...some things never change.


8:25PM Pierre hasn't talked about the "monster" battle between Byfuglien and Pronger, something may be wrong with Pierre...

8:34PM Down Goes Brown talked about missing NHL items well, one more has been found from that list

The item: A Philadelphia Flyers playoff-caliber goaltender
Missing since: 1996
Case details: Oddly enough, the team's front office seems completely unaware that anything is missing.
Investigation status: If we can't solve it now, there's always next year. And the next. And the next..

Paul Holmgren scoured the Waiver Wire and found Michael Leighton, problem solved


8:40PM Hartnell's hair takes a tripping penalty, cavemen everywhere sue.

8:45PM I will end this live blog because of how the Flyers play when I do this sort of thing...at least later...

8:49PM Pierre still hasn't said monster...

8:51PM The Flyers do this when I live blog...peace out til the intermissions

Where in the world is Dustin Byfuglien?

So I was reading some Puck Daddy earlier and I noticed that he said that Dustin Byfuglien is the "proud new owner of a t-shirt that reads 'Property of Chris Pronger'". Which, for anyone who's watched this series so far, has been kind of true. Pronger has completely nullified Byfuglien's effectiveness in the offensive zone. Earlier today though, I saw something more shocking, a missing person's report asking for the safe return of Byfuglien. This got me thinking, where in the world is Dustin Byfuglien. Well, Down Goes Spezza called the DGS SuperSpies together and we sat down, got some coffee, played some World of Warcraft and then came up with possibilities of where Dustin could have gone. Now, our list is possibly incomplete and therefore if you know where Byfuglien is, please inform us.






Option 1: Dustin Byfuglien caught Hossa Syndrome and is therefore completely useless in the Stanley Cup Finals

Likelihood: Moderate, time will tell if Byfuglien is the new Hossa.

Final Verdict: Possible, we need to see how Byfuglien plays in Toronto next year when, in order to free up cap space, the Hawks send Byfuglien to the Leafs for a century's worth of first round Draft Picks




Option 2: After closing out the Sharks, Byfuglien decided to do something nice and let Joe Thornton suit up for the Hawks in his place

Likelihood: Very Likely, this Byfuglien impostor has been about as useful as Jumbo Joe is during the playoffs.

Final Verdict: I have yet to see a distinct choking motion, and after having watched McNabb play for the Eagles, I know what those look like.




Option 3: Byfuglien is too busy running BP and trying to stop the Gulf Oil Spill

Likelihood: Miniscule, because quite honestly nothings working on either side here.

Final Verdict: Is Chris Pronger keeping the cap from working? If so, then we found Byfuglien



Option 4: Pierre McGuire creeped out Byfuglien causing Byfuglien to pay more attention to McGuire than the game.

Likelihood: Honestly, who hasn't McGuire creeped out.

Final Verdict: McGuire is creepy....

Other things Chris Pronger has Stolen

At the end of Games 1, 2 and 4, Chris Pronger walked off with the game pucks from the ice. He supposedly tossed 2 of them in the garbage. What many people don't realize is that Chris Pronger actually has had a habit of stealing things for a long time. In fact, we here at Down Goes Spezza scored the list of items Chris Pronger has stolen, credit the primary assist to Don't Trade Vinny for this one.

• Dustin Byfuglien: Pronger stole him from the Blackhawks bench before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals and sent him one way to an undisclosed location. The Hawks deny anything is missing, but an analysis of the player who wears Hawks #33 in the series shows that Byfuglien is nowhere to be found.
• Marian Hossa's luck: Pronger stole this from Hossa in the summer of 2007 while on vacation with the cup, when asked why he did this, Pronger replied, "I didn't know there's a rule against that. Show me that in the rulebook."
• Kyle Wellwood's Diet Planner: Pronger was bored one day during a trip to Toronto and noticed that Wellwood had left his diet planner out, Pronger decided as a prank to swipe it, and replace it with another Diet Planner that contained meal ideas such as, "Twinkies with melted butter sauce" and "Fried Chicken and Bacon"
• Alexandre Daigle's Spotlight: During the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Daigle was taken first, and Pronger second, Pronger was so angry that he stole the spotlight from Daigle by actually being a good NHL player.
• Joe Thornton's ability to swallow: When playing in the Western Conference, Pronger stared angrily at Jumbo Joe for minutes on end, since then Thornton has routinely choked every postseason because he remembers Pronger's words.
• Jonas Gustavsson's Heart: During a preseason game against the Maple Leafs, Pronger reached into the chest of Gustavsson and removed his heart in order to replace the one that Pronger lost when he was hit in the chest by a Boris Mironov slapshot, because of this, Gustavsson's heart has routinely exploded during the season. Lee Stempniak was supposedly the only person to see how Pronger did it, however, no witnesses can actually place Stempniak anywhere the Maple Leafs during the time of the crime. Oddly Stempniak turned up in Arizona in March 2010, but has been afraid to say what he saw.
  
• Tomas Kopecky's Helmet Padding: See Don't Trade Vinny's caption to my previous post.
• Ville Leino: Apparently Pronger was the secret behind Paul Holmgren's absolute steal of Leino from the Detroit Red Wings, Pronger called up Ken Holland and threatened to elbow every Red Wings player in the face and cross check Jimmy Howard into another dimension during the Wings April visit to Philly if Holland didn't agree to send Leino to Philly for Ole-Kristian Tollefsen.
• Happiness in Boston: Pronger convinced the Flyers to spot the Bruins a 3-0 lead in the series just to screw with Boston, but then, in a realm of douchebaggery and thievery that set a new bar even for Pronger, he then convinced the Flyers to spot the Bruins a 3-0 first period lead in game 7 only to come back and destroy the Bruins dreams by winning 4-3.
• Dean McCammond's brain: In order to protect his own brain from Chris Chelios, Pronger removed McCammond's brain and sent it to Chelios to appease him.
• Joffrey Lupul's Security of a Steady Home: Pronger as a joke likes to keep Lupul on his toes by occasionally making Lupul move back west. Luckily for Lupul, the first move was the cruelest and Pronger sent him to Edmonton.
• The hair clippers of Scott Hartnell's barber: Seriously, how else would Hartnell look like that?
• Dan Carcillo's Dignity: Pronger told him that the 'Stache looks good.
• Profits from the Construction Industry in Montreal: Pronger slowed down the need for construction in Montreal, Quebec by ending the Habs playoff run in 2010.
• Armando Galaragga's Perfect Game: Pronger grew a beard, ran to Detroit to umpire a game between the Indians and the Tigers, then decided to steal perfection away from Galaragga by calling Jason Donald safe. Now we know why Pronger doesn't have a beard.
  

Caption Contest 5

Hey readers, DGS has a caption contest today! Have fun!

Our Take- Kopecky: Oh God, Hossa really is cursed...

Peter Laviolette's Pregame Speech for Game 4

In order to make sure that the Flyers stayed motivated and were prepared for Game 4. Coach Lavi sat the team down in the lockerroom before the morning skate and delivered an important message. Lavi has a way with words, just look at what his timeout during game 7 against Boston did. Anyway, unbeknown to the Flyers, the DGS SuperSpies were hiding in the Flyers lockerroom during this speech and they got it all on tape. So without further ado, here's the video of what went down this morning:

NHL Blown Calls and the Truth Behind the Almost Perfect Game

Last night, Jim Joyce shocked the baseball world when he blew a call costing Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game. Many were outraged and saddened at the kid's loss of perfection. However, as a huge NHL fan, seeing poor officiating is nothing new to me. As a matter of fact, I can readily come up with a few examples of NHL officiating gone wrong.

Spoiler alert: Kerry Fraser isn't our only offender.

• 1993 Conference Finals: Kerry Fraser blows, and then lies about a high sticking call on Wayne Gretzky which keeps the Leafs out of the Stanley Cup finals.
  
• 2009 Playoffs: Brad May goal overturned because of the "intent to blow" rule.
  
• March 2008/Jan 2010: Flyers fall victim to the Sabres/Bruins because opponents had too many men on the ice while scoring
• 1999 Stanley Cup Finals: Brett Hull ends the Finals with a skate in the crease, replays could have overturned this one but for some reason, they did not.

Now there's also slightly more to this story than meets the eye. See Jim Joyce is in fact, NOT that umpires real name. That's right it's an alias of Stephane Auger, and in fact, the DGS SuperSpies overheard a top secret conversation between Auger and his own reflection in the mirror in the hotel before the game. In fact, we have the transcript of it right here:


Auger: Oh baseball, how I hate thee, all these non-French-Canadiens really bug me.

Auger's Reflection: You know what, you should GET SOMEONE tonight.

Auger: Any idea who?

Auger's Reflection: No, but when the opportunity arises, you will know what to do.

Auger: Sounds fantastic, tonight, I am out to get the Detroit Tigers in someway.

Auger's Reflection: Yes, and when you do, it will be fantastic.


Anyway, during the game, Auger decided it was time to get Armando Galarraga and therefore, with the game on the line, Auger pulled out a safe call from nowhere.

Flyers Strategies for Winning Game 3

As we have seen, the Flyers dropped 2 out in the Windy City to fall into a 2-0 situation. However, in order to come back, the Flyers have devised a slightly devious strategy for coming back. Just like the Boston series, the Flyers have a few tricks up their sleeves, and we here at DGS know just what they are. So, loyal readers, here is your list of Flyers strategies for Game 3.

• Dan Carcillo will now only hit members of the Blackhawks.
• Flyers goaltenders finally were told that Patrick Sharp and Ben Eager no longer play on their team, also Mike Leighton finally was informed that he doesn't play for the Blackhawks anymore.
• Will confuse Chicago scorers by having every goalie that dressed this season suited up and on the ice during pregame warmups.
  
• Chris Pronger will confuse the Hawks by bringing the extra pucks onto the ice.
• When getting his ride to the game, local Cab Drivers have been instructed to not give correct change to Patrick Kane
• The team will remind Marian Hossa that he is in fact, still Marian Hossa
• Super secret agents kidnapped opposing Finnish goaltender Antti Niemi and replaced him with another famous Finnish goaltender, Vesa Toskala. (DGS Note: This also happened during the Game 7 Timeout in Boston).
• Since we have hockey in June, the Flyers, stealing a Habs idea, will put sand in the tunnel from the Hawks bench to the locker room to remind them that it's almost beach front vacation time.
• Ruined Duncan Keith's morale by saying "hey, I'm real happy for you and all, and Imma let you finish but I just want you to know that Lappy came back from the best injury ever, best injury ever"

It's not so bad, is it...

I think the title says it all. The question of course is, "Is being down 2-0 the nail in the coffin?" The answer is "it might be, it could very well be, but as the Flyers proved against the Bruins, it ain't over until the last game is played"

The Flyers have the talent to come back, they have the tools and Lavi has shown he's can rally the troops with the right timeouts and at the right times.

Is a change in goal the answer?

Maybe, just maybe the team can be sparked by Boucher in net, stranger things have happened, see Flyers 2009-2010 season.


Now, before I bow out into a pit of despair and depression from being down 2-0 and the fact that I'm still single...I do have some humor for today. A bunch of possible situations that are worse than what the Flyers are in right now...



1. They could have finished in last place and not had a draft pick to show for it...luckily that award went to the Toronto Maple Leafs

2. They could have had a season characterized by horrible goaltending and drama caused by changing Captains midseason....that honor went to the Carolina Hurricanes

3. They could have no idea where there home games are being played next year due to the impending sale of their team to an unknown buyer....that winner of that prize, the Phoenix Coyotes

4. They could tease us every year with a team that looks stacked and owns everything in sight during the regular season only to choke horribly in the playoffs...I'm looking at you San Jose

5. They could play in a city that riots after every single win...Est cette vraie, Montréal?


Also, when it comes to the players:

Mike Leighton and Brian Boucher COULD be Robert Esche and Roman Cechmanek or Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki, of course, the way injuries went this season, there were 50/50 odds of us entering this series with Backlund/Duchesne in net...

Chris Pronger COULD be Randy Jones

Playoff Briere COULD be Not-Playoff Briere

Mike Richards COULD be NOT BOBBY CLARKE 2010

Simon Gagne COULD be Eric Lindros 2.0



Anyway, hopefully something turns around for the Flyers back in this city...

Game 2 Stanley Cup Finals: Flyers @ Blackhawks DGS Live Blog Edition

Hey everyone: DGS is live blogging this one so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Also, click Refresh frequently to make sure you see the latest from DGS.

For more DGS related humor: follow me on Twitter


7:55pm: Showered, dressed, ready to go! Flyers lineup should be as follows

Up Front
Carcillo 13-Richards 18 (C)-Carter 17
Hartnell 19-Briere 48-Leino 22
Gagne 12-Giroux 28-Asham 45
Laperriere 14-Betts 11-Powe 36

Defense Pairs
Pronger 20 (A)-Carle 25
Timonen 44 (A)-Coburn 5
Bartulis 3-Krajicek 2

Goaltenders
Michael Leighton 49- in Net
Brian Boucher 33- waiting in the wings



8:02pm Pierre McGuire appears on my television, he opens his mouth and I instantly want to kill him.

8:04pm My pick for the Flyers leader tonight: Mike Richards, just got a feeling he's due for a big game

8:10pm Jeremy Roenick could stick Millbury and McGuire...and put them out....will we be that lucky?

8:58pm Leighton saves us!

9:00pm First intermission. Someone send the refs for pregnancy tests cuz they sure missed a period.

9:13pm Did I mention Pierre McGuire annoys the hell out of me?

9:19pm Finally the 2nd period begins...

9:42pm Leighton scares me for the first time...but he saved us anyway.

9:47pm Asham gets stoned by Niemi, seriously...what happened to the failures of Finnish goalies

9:52pm FML FML FML FML FML FML

10:01pm Second period over...hoping for change

10:24pm Simon says: FLYERS GET ONE BACK!!!!!

10:42pm This surge is stronger than Katrina on New Orleans...

10:56pm and it's over...FML

Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 Review

It is not the end of the world. DGS can tell you that

• Brian Boucher was the best goalie out there tonight, both in Save Percentage and GAA.
• The Flyers can keep Dustin Byfuglien off the score sheet
• Marian Hossa might win?
• The Flyers have come back from worse
• This game was close the whole time
• Roy Halladay was perfect
• Niemi is very beatable
• That vaunted Hawks D can be penetrated
• Gary Bettman ruined hockey, again
  

Stanley Cup Finals Preview: Flyers and Blackhawks

With the Finals approaching, and my Flyers still alive in the hunt for a chance to hoist delicious cake, I mean the Stanley Cup. In a slight change of pace, we will only discuss the pros and cons of each team separately rather than in point/counterpoint format. Why am I changing the rules, because the NHL will probably change rules as well to screw the Flyers this series. Fuck you, Bettman.

Flyers

Pro: Have 2 goalies each with 6 wins this postseason and have the best GAA and Save % out there.

Pro: Did not sign Marion Hossa this offseason

Pro: Made the best trade of the year sending Ole Kristian Tollefsen to the Red Wings for Ville Leino. Read that again, a part time, injury prone 8th D-man for a near point per playoff game dynamic dangling top 6 left winger,

Pro: Oh bloody hell, just read the 7 signs that the Flyers will win the cup this year .


Con: Have limited experience in winning.

Con: May be burned out from upsetting too many favorites

Con: May be out of perfectly timed time outs.


Blackhawks

Pro: Have dynamic forwards Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Dustin Byfuglien and Patrick Sharp who are capable of scoring a big goal when needed.

Pro: Goalie Annti Niemi can swallow up any puck in his crease. [Warning: Puck may never be seen again]

Pro: Have a great D-Corp with guys like Seabrook, Keith, and Campbell

Con: Have a contract that puts Marion Hossa on the ice for them

Con: Campbell lacks a collarbone, Keith has no teeth

Con: Niemi's a rookie, and rookie goalies don't win

Con: They're out Pizza Crawling

Con: Patrick Kane's in such epic shape...NOT!




Analysis: Flyers in 6, and that's the bottom line, cuz DGS said so!

A Review of the Conference Finals

Western Conference Finals:

Sharks/Hawks

DGS Said: Hawks in 6

Last Inquiry on the Series: Have the Sharks choked enough yet?

The Verdict: Hawks swept, which I guess means that our idea of a Sharks epic choke was to be fulfilled.




Eastern Conference Finals:

Flyers/Habs

DGS Said: Flyers in 6

Last Inquiry on the Series: Have the riots on Montreal stopped yet?


The Verdict: Flyers in 5...hey what do you know I got them both right in terms of results, just off in the games.



Later this week, I'll have a post previewing the Stanley Cup Finals. Humor and such to follow.



GO FLYERS!

35 Coincidences Regarding the number 35

Yes, you read right. The Number 35 has been coming up quite a bit for the Flyers this year. Just to prove it here are the 35 coincidences involving the number 35 this year for the Flyers.



1. Flyers top 2 centers Jeff Carter, 17 and Mike Richards, 18 have numbers that add up to 35

2. Jeff Carter was taken 11th overall in the NHL draft, Richards, 24th overall, 11+24=35

3. Sebastian Caron and Jeremy Duchesne both wore #35 at times this year, 2 different players both dressing with #35

4. The Flyers came back from being down 3-0 in a series to win it, the last time that happened, 35 years earlier in 1975

5. The Flyers last Stanley Cup win was in 1975, see 35 years ago yet again.

6. Flyers season team MVP was Chris Pronger, he's 35 years old

7. The Flyers top D-pairing on the PP unit is Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen, both are 35

8. In November, 2009 Ian Laperriere took 105 stitches to the face after being hit by a puck, 35x3=105

9. In April, 2010, Ian Laperriere needed 70 stitches to close up yet another shot block wound, 35x2=70

10. Flyers top rookie James van Riemsdyk finished the regular season with 35 points

11. When Mike Leighton relieved Brian Boucher due to Bouch's injury against Boston, Leighton played 35 minutes

12. So far in the playoffs, Mike Richards, the top scoring forward has 21pts and Chris Pronger, the top scoring D-man has 14pts, 21+14=35

13. In 17 games to get to the Finals, the Flyers have allowed 35 goals.

14. Lord Stanley's Cup weighs 35 lbs.

15. The Flyers own the NHL record for consecutive games without a loss, 35 games in 1980.

16. The Flyers lost 35 regular season games this season.

17. The Flyers dressed 35 different combinations of forwards during the regular season.

18. The Flyers dressed 35 different players this season, 28 skaters, 7 goalies.

19. So far in the playoffs, the Flyers have only 3 players with 10+ assists, Richards, 15, Pronger, 10, Carle 10, 15+10+10=35

20. So far Mike Leighton has faced 210 shots in net, 35x6=210

21. Ville Leino's line since coming in for the injured Jeff Carter:

13GP 12P +4 6PIMS 13+12+4+6=35

22. Simon Gagne, the longest tenured Flyer, has 35 shots on goal so far this postseason

23. The Flyers got 35 regular season goals from the Defense position, 32 by D-man, 3 PPGs by Richards in a defenseman's spot on the powerplay

24. Michael Leighton has played 35 [Regular season and playoffs] games for the Flyers since being claimed on Waivers in December.

25. Michael Leighton debuted this season in Flyers game #35

26. 35 is a multiple of 7: Ian Laperriere, 14, JvR, 21 Claude Giroux 28, Jared Ross 42, Ryan Parent 77 all are skaters who wear numbers that are multiples of 7, there are 5 of them, 7x5=35

27. Mike Richards won the Toyota Cup for the Flyers, he had 35 first place points in that.

28. In getting the Flyers to the cup, maligned forward Scott Hartnell had 3 goals and 5 assists, 3/5.....35

29. Hartnell also had 20 shots and 15PIMs 20+15=35

30. 35 is also a multiple of 5: Coburn 5, Nodl 15, Pronger 20, Carle 25, Backlund 30, Duchesne 35 Asham, 45 are all on the playoff roster, 7 players with a multiple of 5 on their number. 5x7=35

31. Lukas Krajicek finished the season with 35 PIMs

32. Chris Pronger/Kimmo Timonen both take 35 shifts a game

33. Matt Carle was voted the most improved Flyer on the team, he had 35pts this season

34. In the finals, Ville Leino 22, will replace Dan Carcillo 13, on the top line, 22+13=35

35. There are 35 facts on this list.

Other Michael Leighton Accomplishments, warning NSFW

Wow! Just wow! No, seriously WOW!!!!

Who is this guy? Who is Michael Leighton?

Do you know who Michael Leighton is?

The insane minds of DGS do, and we are going to share important Michael Leighton exploits with you.




1. Michael Leighton counted to infinity, twice

2. Michael Leighton does not check his closet for monsters, monsters check their closets for Michael Leighton

3. Only the good Lord, and possibly Bernie Parent, can save more than Michael Leighton

4. Michael Leighton can touch MC Hammer.

5. Michael Leighton does NOT stop pucks, he just scares them into not crossing the goal line.

6. Michael Leighton's icy blue eyes are in fact made of ice.

7. When Bruce Banner gets angry, he turns into the Hulk, when the Hulk gets angry, he turns into Chuck Norris, when Chuck Norris gets angry, he turns into Michael Leighton

8. Michael Leighton wins staring contests with statues.

9. Wilt Chamberlain once claimed to slept with 10,000 in his lifetime, Michael Leighton calls this a Tuesday morning coffee break.

10. Michael Leighton can make Kyle Wellwood lose weight, he just hasn't tried.

11. Michael Leighton's tears cure cancer, sadly, Michael Leighton has never cried.

12. There is no theory of evolution, only a list of creatures that Michael Leighton allows to live.

13. What is 2+2? Answer: Michael Leighton

14. Michael Leighton knows where both Pi and E end.
[Note: He tried to tell us, but Kyle Wellwood ate the paper with the proof...something about wanting more pie...]

15. Michael Leighton can divide by zero.

16. Michael Leighton smells what the Rock is cooking.

17. Michael Leighton wouldn't trade Vinny.

18. Michael Leighton is the guy who actually knocked out Brown and Spezza.

19. Michael Leighton will change the questions when you think you know the answers.

20. Michael Leighton can "get" Stephane Auger.

Caption Contest 4

In Honor of the Flyers taking a 2-0 lead earlier tonight, DGS posts up another caption contest!

Hockey Dictionary For Dummies

So, last Friday I got called a "Puck Bunny" in a totally hilarious gaffe by our friends at Don't Trade Vinny. He then posted a series of other misused hockey terms. We here at Down Goes Spezza noticed that his list was somewhat incomplete and in the interest of public knowledge, we have decided it best to include some other highly misused terms in hockey.



"Back to [player name] at point position"

Implied Meaning: Phrase used by Versus/Washington Caps television announcer Joe Beninati to explain a puck that has been passed back to a D-man on the Blue Line

Actual Meaning: In a stroke of luck, Beninati actually sounds intelligent when he says this because normally he sounds like a guy who knows nothing about hockey. In all fairness, he doesn't realize that he is getting this right, and is probably attempting to say "the puck is passed back to the player that I'm pointing to" but screws it up like he does everything hockey related.



"Flyers Starting Goaltender"

Implied Meaning: The goalie in net for the Philadelphia Flyers

Actual Meaning: Some guy who doesn't need crutches and hasn't had an MRI in the last 2 weeks.


"Flyers Backup Goaltender"

Implied Meaning: The goalie on the bench for the Philadelphia Flyers

Actual Meaning: An anonymous face that's about to get 45 minutes of NHL time when the guy ahead of him gets hurt. Also, more people have held this title then heads taken off by Matt Cooke.


"Ian Laperriere has a broken face"

Implied Meaning: That Lappy is hurt and unable to play.

Actual Meaning: Lappy blocked a shot, but he is good to go.


"Non-Successful Southern Expansion"

Implied Meaning: The idea that hockey would work in places like Phoenix, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami or LA.

Actual Meaning: Ask Sami Salo.





"Happy Habs Fans"

Implied Meaning: Fans of the Montreal Canadiens are joyful because of a win.

Actual Meaning: Break out the riot gear, there will be flaming cars and debris everywhere in downtown Montreal.



"John Ferguson Jr's GM Skills"

Implied Meaning: John Ferguson Jr. made a decision while GM that helped the team he was employed for.

Actual Meaning: The secret of the Bruins that allowed them to last in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs until the second round.



"Toronto Maple Leafs 1st Round Draft Pick"

Implied Meaning: The pick the Leafs will have in this years NHL Entry Draft

Actual Meaning: PHIILL KEESSSSEELLLL!!!!!!


"Brodeur's Pads"

Implied Meaning: The goalie equipment of the NJ Devils netminder, Martin Brodeur.

Actual Meaning: The buildup of last weeks trip to the buffet line

NHL Conference Finals Previews

Since Down Goes Spezza seems to have a mind crazy enough to work in these playoffs. We, the DGS brains, have decided that we are going to sort out this mess

Up first, we have the Western Conference Finals

#2 Chicago and #1 San Jose

San Jose Sharks

Pro: Have dynamic forwards such as Thornton, Heatley, Setoguchi and Marleau who can take over a game and own it.
Con: All of whom are due for their annual postseason choke job.

Pro: Have an experienced goalie in Evgeni Nabokov who played for Team Russia in the Olympics.
Con: And when the going got tough, he choked like the rest of the Sharks

Pro: This year's NHL playoff theme is "History will be made" which is possibly a sign that the Sharks will not choke for a change.
Con: This year's NHL playoff theme is "History will be made" which is possibly a sign that the Sharks will choke in a way so epic that the Bruins won't be remembered as the biggest chokers in 2010.




Chicago Black Hawks

Pro: Have a really versatile player in Dustin Byfuglien who can turn around a game as a shut down defense-man or power forward
Con: May be unable to actually get to the games because of his role in the pizza crawl.

Pro: Have a great set of defense-man such as Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Brian Campbell.
Con: It's also possible that Brian Campbell's lack of a collarbone could be a problem.

Pro: Goalie Antti Niemmi has a habit of swallowing pucks and keeping them out of the net.
Con: Of course, sometimes he also loses them altogether.


-Analysis-

Real simple, Sharks choke, and Hawks in 6

#7 Flyers and #8 Canadiens

Flyers

Pro: Totally own the size advantage over them midget Habs forwards
Con: Totally might have issues getting a puck past Halak.

Pro: Will get a momentum lift by getting Jeff Carter back from injury.
Con: Per league rules, will have a goaltender go down to injury as well.

Pro: Mike Leighton is amazing
Con: Mike Leighton has never been this far in the postseason before.




Habs

Pro: Have a set of skilled forwards who can turn a game around.
Con: They're still tiny!

Pro: Halak is an amazing goalie on a Cinderella run.
Con: Look how it turned out for him in the Olympics

Pro: Have shut down Ovechkin and Crosby and Malkin, the 3 best players in the league offensively.
Con: Never had to stop an attack as balanced as the Flyers.


-Analysis-

The Flyers are far too balanced to get downed by the Habs, Flyers in 6. Montreal still riots anyway.

Oh my God!!!!

Guess what? They did it!

So, walking from the end of game 3, when the Orange and Black were down 3-0 in the series, I will post a timeline of important events from game until now.

Game 3: Well FML! Grats to Boston

Game 4: Thank God it wasn't a sweep

Game 5: Ok guys, thanks for teasing me

Game 6: Holy Shit! we might actually do it

Day before Game 7: FML, I'm single again...

Game 7: LIFE IS FUCKING BEAUTIFUL!


We can do it! COME ON HABS! JUST BRING IT!

Game 7 Preview: Flyers at Bruins

Two weeks ago, when this series started, I was fairly confident I would be writing this post.

One week ago, when the Flyers were down 3-0, I was ready to toss this post in the garbage.

Now, I have to write it.


Flyers at Bruins game 7, and Down Goes Spezza has all you need to know to pick a winner.

The DGS minds were 50/50 in round one game sevens...we already picked a winner in round 2, the odds are against us, but we will not back down, we will not quit.

DGS is so nervous, that humor may be hard to embrace for this post, but I will try anyway.



-Flyers-

Pro: Have Mike Leighton, statistically the Flyers best goalie during the season, in net for game 7
Con: Should Leighton go down, the next 2 goalies on the Flyers depth chart have about 55 minutes of NHL experience

Pro: Ville Leino is finally playing as advertised when the Flyers got him, BTW, thanks Red Wings Fans!
Con: Ville Leino sure seemed a little uneasy about scoring on countryman and friend, Tuukka Rask.

Pro: Dan Carcillo hasn't taken any dumb penalties this series, or post season for that matter.
Con: NHL record in PIMs...

-Bruins-

Pro: Only 3 teams in sports history have come back from being down 3-0
Con: The pattern of hockey for teams that came back from 0-3 to force a game 7 is lose-win-lose-win-lose...

Pro: Last time an 0-3 became a 3-3 involving a Boston sports team the Boston team came out on top
Con: Last time an 0-3 became a 3-3 involving a Boston sports team the 0-3 team won the series

Pro: Can take solace in the fact that Tim Thomas is available if Rask should need to be lifted.
Con: Rask is rustier than an old lead pipe.



-Final Analysis-

It's in Boston, but I like my team and their chances: Flyers 3, Boston 2

Round 2 Habs at Pens Game 7 Preview

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages, the Blogosphere proudly brings to you, it's Best Game 7 Prediction Formula in the WORLD! The Insane One, his lovely girlfriend, they are DOWN GOES SPEZZA! And if you are not, down with that...

ahem,

Anyway, we have another Game 7 coming up tomorrow, and we here at Down Goes Spezza have predictions and analysis as only we can deliver.

Montreal at Pittsburgh


Same formula as before, Pros and Cons for each team followed by a prediction.


Habs:

Pro: Gave one of the 2 Hot 2 Handle AO sticks to Michael Cammalleri which allowed him to light up the Penguins this post-season.
Con: Stick may have been used to start bonfires in post game 6 riots.

Pro: Maxim Lapierre puts a new meaning in the term hometown hero.
Con: Maxim Lapierre may have dove too far down to help again.

Pro: Jaroslav Halak is a solid goalie bringing his total underdog team ever closer to the promised land.
Con: Look how it turned out for him in the Olympics.




Penguins:

Con: Have a roster stacked with top 5 draft picks stockpiled from a tank job in the early 2000s
Con: May need to restock roster with more top 5 draft picks from a tank job to begin the new decade.

Pro: Sidney Crosby recently found his lost scoring touch which helped keep the Pens competitive in Game 6
Con: Sidney Crosby has a habit of punching guys down under which could lead to Hal Gill removing Crosby from the game.

Pro: Are the top seeded team remaining in the east.
Con: We saw how top seeded Washington fared in the first round.


-Analysis-

I think it's safe to say that Halak has one more miracle in him before choking out in the next series. I'll even put a score down for this one: Habs 3 Pens 2 in OT.

Behind the Scenes: The Truth In the Flyers plans for Game 5

My wonderful DGS Spies uncovered some interesting facts about Game 5 between the Flyers and Bruins, tonight at 7pm EDT in Boston. In order to take away some of the surprises, we have decided to post them up for you to see.

• The Flyers have elected to hold out Dan Carcillo due to injury. Apparently his whole idea of mind over matter became so powerful, that he actually got hurt from a non-existent hit.
• The Flyers will have Mike Leighton as the backup goaltender tonight, while it's much of a secret, it does help the Flyers chances of winning because the team can look to the bench and see a new face sitting in the backup goaltender's spot.
• Marc Savard finally cleared up the supposed threat spoken by Mike Richards during that scrum, Richards did not threaten to injure Savard keeping him out for 6 more weeks. He merely stated that Savard would be taking a 6 week vacation after the Flyers come back to win the series in 7.
• Continued practicing the super secret technique of playing Simon Says against the Bruins, basically "Simon Says GO FLYERS!"
• The Flyers have hopefully switched Tuukka Rask for another famous...rather, infamous Finnish goaltender, the one, the only, Vesa Toskala
• And to be safe, have made sure that the Bruins have another Flyers bench warmer on their bench as well, that's right, Jeremy Duchesne is gonna replace Tim Thomas
  

Caption Contest 3

Simon Says: Let there be game 5

Simon Also Says: This post is another caption contest.

Caption Contest 2

Good afternoon DGS readers. Caption Contest #2 is up today, have some fun, cheer me up since it seems my team is dead in the water.

Signs Your Team Is Not Going to Make It Out of the Second Round

A lot of office pools were destroyed by the shocking upsets in the first round. Luckily, the brilliant, if not insane, minds here at Down Goes Spezza have some idea of what’s going on. Hey, we went 50/50 on the game 7 picks in the first round, and we had the Habs over the Capitals so that shows that we know our stuff, or possibly that we got entirely lucky. Anyway, here is our list of signs that your team is going to lose in the second round.

1. Your goalie is choking faster and more violently than Joe Thornton.

2. You’re pretty sure that your 3rd line is now a bunch of AHL guys

3. Your best goaltenders are injured.

4. Eklund just reported that your team will win the series

5. Maxim Lapierre just dove to draw a penalty during the post-series handshake.

6. Your captain is ready for a round 3 matchup against the media

7. The biggest victory in sports in your town involved a taser

8. Your top center took a bite out of Danny Carcillo and didn’t choke.

9. When the coach was asked if injured star players could return to help out he replied “help out with what?”

10. You are facing a team who has the defending Vezina Trophy winner glued to the bench.

Why Dan Carcillo No Longer Kicks Ass

Dan Carcillo no longer kicks ass. There I said it. I will say it again just to prove that I have some intent of being serious. Dan Carcillo no longer kicks ass.

I have no problem with Carcillo attempting to draw penalties on the other team, I have no problems with him playing physical, getting involved and grinding it out all for the benefit of the team.

I have a problem with embellishment, I have a problem with diving.

The Wachovia Center is a no diving zone, just ask any Flyers fan about Sidney Crosby and you will learn that.

But, Dan Carcillo is just turning into someone, someone we all know and love...err hate, very much, and that someone is Sean Avery.

That's right, Dan Carcillo is now officially in Sean Avery territory....if you take out the whole making off color comments about women and possible racism and hatred of French-Canadians which we haven't seen from Carcillo just yet.

But that's OK because we here at Down Goes Spezza have an idea. See, Carcillo is an RFA at the end of the season, and that means, that he no longer needs to be a problem. Arron Asham is perfectly capable holding his own in fights and the Flyers can go out and get another Ian Laperriere type guy who can kill penalties and be physical.

If Carcillo is gone, it would be a positive for the Flyers, if he stays, hey, maybe this whole diving like Crosby thing can work out in our favor too, this could be a win-win. I hate divers, and that is why Carcillo no longer kicks ass.

Consolation Prizes for Teams Eliminated in the First Round

So with Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs having begun, many people wonder what the teams who were eliminated are up to. Well, guess what, we here at Down Goes Spezza know what's going on.

For instance some players/teams/coaches have big plans for the offseason. So, for your benefit, here are the big offseason plans of those eliminated in the first round.




Chris Durno: Now can find a way to end up on the Maple Leafs so Down Goes Brown’s Durno dreams can be complete.

Phoenix Coyotes: Are now free to decide where they should move to.

Ilya Kovalchuk: Has plenty of time to mull over the cost/benefit analysis of playing in the KHL

Martin Brodeur: Might actually have time to engage in an offseason conditioning plan, this is helped by the fact that Kyle Wellwood is still playing and therefore Brodeur doesn't have a bueffet buddy. Wait, that means Brodeur is alone in the all you can eat line...

Ottawa Senators: Have plenty of time to keep an eye out for coaches in need of a job for the invariable firing of Cory Clouston 3 weeks into next season, to help them, both John Stevens and Rick Tocchet are available. In related news, whichever guy doesn’t get hired can be the coach 10 weeks into next season when the Senators change coaches again.

Jose Theodore/Peter Budaj: Can be well rested for next year when one becomes the next Flyers starting goalie. By the way guys, the position is cursed, injuries happen.

Mike Green: Lots of time to possibly learn how to play defense, or if that fails, can fall back into acting career.

Alex Ovechkin: Can use the free time to continue to work on his tryout for the Washington Nationals

Alexander Semin: Maybe can actually do something so this way I can make fun of him

Brooks Laich: Can open up a successful tire changing business

Yann Danis: Wait a minute, I think he’s still glued to the bench, has someone told him the season’s over yet?

Washington Capitals Fans: Can hide the biggest weakness of themselves, the fact that they don’t actually know anything about hockey.

Why Losing Game 1 is NOT the end of the world

Real simple idea behind this post. It's some reasons why losing game 1 was not the end of the world for the Flyers. I don't intend to have any wit or sarcasm in this post, but hey, things happen and maybe something funny will pop up.

1. After being out of it for 8 days the Flyers showed a lot of rust early on, that should come off as the series goes on.

2. The Flyers proved that Rask is beatable. Rask isn't as inhuman as some make him out to be, in related news, the guy who drafted this guy is a genius. (whoops, I meant JFJ is a moron for trading him.)

3. Dan Carcillo can stay in control of himself and play solidly.

4. The Powe/Betts/Nodl line has a lot of potential as checkers.





Things that the Flyers need to win:

1. Brian Boucher needs to not dip into one of his cold streaks.

2. The Flyers need to win faceoffs

3. The Flyers need to keep traffic in front of Rask

4. While I don't wish injuries on anyone, the Flyers need to take advantage of the lack of Sobotka, and Sturm and get to Boston in Game 2.

5. Richards/Pronger need to rally the troops and keep the team unified.

6. Danny Briere needs to be more responsible in the defensive zone, I'm not asking for Selke award winning stuff, but he needs to be in the right place at the right time.