A season of ups and downs

by Joseph Birmingham

Sunday January 17, 2010 

A season of ups and downs thumbnail

Three weeks ago many would have written the Flyers off.  Three months ago, many would have picked them to win the Atlantic.  The truth is, this season is not following any logical path, and just when you think the home team can’t do anything right, they have a streak like they have gone through in the past 10 games, going 7-2-1.  Discount the stinker against Ottawa, and they have looked as good as anyone in the conference.

At just past the halfway point of the season, the Flyers sit poised on the edge of the playoff bracket with 49 points in 46 games.   They are third in the Atlantic in wins, but also lead in losses and are currently last in points. But they are only two points out of third and a solid playoff spot.

What is it about this team ?   Why are they so streaky ?  A lot of it has to do with their schedule.  The rest has to do with the play of two key players.   Veteran winger Simon Gagne is rounding into form after returning from injury with a five-game point streak and four goals and 10 points in his last seven games.  Michael Leighton has gone 8-1 in goal since being picked up off waivers from Carolina.

The reason the Flyers looked awful up until Christmas was simple; they were not scoring and ther combination of Emery and Boucher was giving up nearly 3 goals a game.    In one five game stretch in December they allowed 22 goals against.   If you discount an awful 7-4 loss to Ottawa, in their last ten games they have given up 19 goals total.   Flyers fans are now on the edge of their seats waiting to see if the team reverts to it’s lackluster performance of the fall, or if the pickup of Leighton and the resurgance of Gagne will prove enough for this team to play catchup and play it’s way back into contention.

I have to say Emery has proved to be the biggest disappointment in Philadelphia professional sports this year.  He has moved from being the key to the Flyers return to success, to riding the bench after hovering near .500 through 21 starts with a 2.83 GAA.  The Flyers will not be able to carry three goalies on the roster for very long, so the question now is, can they salvage anything with a trade of Emery ?    I don’t see him contributing anything significant to the team for the rest of the year, and Boucher is normally as reliable a player in the net as Emery and is costing the team $675,000 less.  Emery is only on a one year contract, and may still hold some value to a team that is struggling in goal.   Incidentally, the Flyers are currently over the cap by just about the amount of Emerys salary, so a trade before the end of the year for a younger player may help in several areas.

Speculation is that Boucher is odd man out and Emery could return to goal after Leightons 8 game winning streak was snapped on Thursday.  In about 2 hours we will see just who new coach Peter Laviolette calls to start against Washington.   If Emery loses today and looks as bad as he has in recent weeks before his injury, it may devalue any trade potential he still holds and leave the Flyer stuck with pushing Boucher in a trade.  Personally I would stick with Leighton, who has had the hottest hand in net for the Flyers this year.  To me,  one loss does not warrant switching players and may create a confidence issue in the goalie who, at this juncture, can be considered responsible for rescuing the Flyers season.

Filed Under Flyers

Comments

6 Responses to “A season of ups and downs”

  1. king ed on January 17th, 2010 4:46 pm

    how is he the biggest dissapointment this yr? he started out good for his return into the NHL then the team started to slump which isnt all his fault then he got injuired like any other player could get this yr,if he comes back and is consistant and his team plays good defense and keeps scoring goals for him then i think he has an average yr.

  2. joseph birmingham on January 18th, 2010 5:54 pm

    Emery earned another loss, saved 17 of 22 and allowed 4+ goals, AGAIN ! The Flyers can not afford to allow that many goals if they are to have a shot in the Atlantic this year. I say, let Leighton play. Emery simply doesnt have it, not right now, and I believe if Laviolette continues to play him, the Flyers won;t make the playoffs.

  3. king ed on January 19th, 2010 9:38 pm

    win tonight!

  4. Silver and Green on January 21st, 2010 8:52 pm

    Emery looks pretty damn good tonight. And great to see Avery get knocked out like a sissy.

  5. king ed on January 21st, 2010 9:45 pm

    yup emery… biggest disapoinment of the year.. just got a shutout on his 3rd game back, good defense tonight

  6. king ed on January 21st, 2010 9:50 pm

    im sorry 4th back

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