Blogging With the Enemy: Q&A With Rangerland.net

With the Flyers season rapidly coming to a close and some huge division games coming up, we again sat down with the guys at Rangerland.net to vent some frustrations and tell them how much we hate their team get their perspectives.  This took place over a few days, going back to last Sunday, which helps explain the dated references and changing moods of the participants.

Rangerland: So, getting it started, the first question I have is an obvious one. What the f*** is going on down there? It must be frustrating times for you guys. The ten-game slide, the next 7 or 8 where they were really looking like they had put it together again, then the last few games, including that stinker today on NBC. Is this one on Billy Penn as well?

The 700 Level: I wish I knew. The easy answer is that injuries have decimated every aspect of the team but the goaltending. Mike Richards, Joffrey Lupul, Derian Hatcher, and of course Simon Gagne have all missed significant time, with their absences overlapping. Chemistry goes out the window when the lines have to constantly be shuffled, and I think the Flyers are lucky to be in the playoff hunt at all.

But I hate to rely on excuses, and the biggest problem has been the team just taking periods off. Every time I turn around lately, this team is either starting a game down a goal or blowing a third period lead and losing in OT. It gets difficult to pin that kind of thing on injuries, and some fans are really sensing a lack of proper motivation and the fabled “sense of urgency.” Naturally, the rumors in Philly are swirling that coach John Stevens could be on the chopping block.

The thing I try to keep in perspective is that this team was in dead last in the league last year, and they’ve shown enough improvement to possibly make the playoffs. Their two biggest foes are inconsistency and injury, and the two are of course related. But there was a time when the team sat at #2 in the conference, so we’re pretty disappointed at how awful a turn the season has taken.

How are things in NY? Despite the Flyers woes, it looks like they’re still only 3 points behind the Rangers. Will the MSG boys be one and done, or are they the real deal?

RL: You’ve hit on something important there - that despite the 13-game point streak, they’re back in the muck after only two crappy losses over the weekend. That streak really masked some lackluster play for them. First, they relied way too heavily on the shootout - under old NHL scoring rules, the streak would have been something like 7-1-5 instead of 10-0-3. Still a nice run, but they were way too conservative at the end of it. The power play has also been abysmal over that same stretch, though I’m not too sure how important the PP really is as a predictor of postseason success. Lastly, some of their stars have been on scoring droughts at the worst possible time - Gomez, Drury, and Jagr have all hit bad slumps over the last few games or weeks.

As for the playoffs, who knows. We have no idea how and if this team will come together. Gomez was pretty good in the playoffs near the end of his Devils career, Lundqvist rebounded nicely last spring after a horrible rookie playoff campaign, and, of course, Drury’s postseason exploits are legendary. So maybe they’ll have a nice run.

What’s your take on the schedule format, with all these divisional games at the end of the season like this?

T7L:  I enjoy the division-heavy finale in principle, but with as badly as the Flyers are playing, it’s just that much more painful right now. In the beginning of the season, the Flyers had stirred up some of the greatness that is the hockey rivalry with several teams, but whereas I was looking forward to games against the Pens and Rangers earlier in the year, these days I’m just hoping to not get blown out on national television right now. (last Sunday vs. Pens: Fail.)

A non-hockey fan asked me today how the Flyers were still in the playoff hunt despite completely falling apart in recent months. I answered that 1) everyone makes the playoffs, and 2) the points-awarding system is forcing parity upon the league. The Flyers have lost quite a few games in OT or the shootout, but earning that 1 point is keeping them in a race that several years ago would have left them in the dust.

Who are your heroes and goats so far this season?

It seems as though Henrik isn’t much of a fan favorite in NY. How do you feel about his extension?

RL:  Man - if Henrik isn’t a fan favorite, someone really needs to tell him that. I think that guy could have an unscreened 50-foot wrist shot hit him in the chest and still hear the “HEN-RIK” chants from the Garden Faithful. He’s started to get the sarcastic cheers when he stinks up the joint, but for the most part he’s still a pretty popular guy.

As far as the contract goes, I’ll be annoyingly equivocal (it’s the lawyer in me) and say that while I really wish that Sather had been a little more aggressive in negotiations and strung him out a little more, a la Lou Lamoriello, I’m kind of resigned to the fact that this is what happens with two-time Vezina finalists approaching RFA status in the “new NHL.” You just have to hope he has a little pride, and doesn’t shit the bed. Either way, though, I’m happy for him, as his grooming and wardrobe costs are pretty high. $41 million buys a lot of haircuts.

Heroes? I don’t know if anyone’s played well enough, for long enough, to be called a hero, and actually, I’m not sure anyone has played badly enough, for long enough, to be called a goat. As I’ve said, Jagr, Drury, Gomez, and Henrik have all had some badly timed slumps, but none of them have been epically sucky, and most have actually carried the team at times. Brandon Dubinsky has really come on strong in the second half, and has certainly endeared himself to the fan base for his willingness to get his ass kicked by clearly superior fighters.

Speaking of goats and bad contracts, I’m trying to figure out how it’s mathematically possible for a guy to have 65 points in 72 games, and still be a -25. Especially when his linemates, for the most part, are at least 20 points better than him in that category. How are you guys feeling about the Briere contract now? (For the record, he was my first choice for available UFAs last summer, so I’m not criticizing the signing.)

T7L:  I think most Philly fans are OK with the Briere contract, because we knew it was too much the day he signed it. However, the signing showed that last year, which was historically bad, would be an aberration. Even if Danny is a bit overpaid for a few too many years, his signing was still the key indicator of a sea change in Philly.

I groan every time I hear the excuse that his key linemate (Simon Gagne) went down with an injury. Sure, his numbers might be down a bit versus what they would be with Gagne in the lineup, but most of the other Flyers have seen increases with Gagne being out. Briere was a potential captain for this team, and we expected more from him, no matter what injuries should emerge. It would have been encouraging to see Danny at least keep pace, but instead we’ve seen a drop off and an absolutely embarrassing plus/minus rating. He simply must do better, but at least for now, I don’t think Flyers fans regret his signing. When the free agency period hits and we’re approaching our cap number, we may be singing a different tune…

The keys to improving this Flyers team, and I fear it’s too late for this season, are to add a playmaker (which was supposed to be Briere), improve team defense, and in my opinion, solidify the goaltending situation.

RL:  So they just need offense, defense, and goaltending, and other than that they’re good?

Sorry man, couldn’t resist.

Anyway, on the off chance that we still have any of our readers with us, let’s wrap this up. What are your predictions for the two games against the Rangers Friday and Tuesday, and how the Flyers will finish up? The Rangers have to lose a few eventually, and the Flyers always show up at MSG, so I’ll say that the Rangers win Friday, 3-1, and lose at MSG on Tuesday 4-3. They’ll catch the Sens and Pens, though, and finish 4th in the East.

T7L:  All joking aside, it does feel like the Flyers are that far away from being a legit Cup contender. They’re not particularly dominant in any area, except the power play. They can score pretty well, but you get the feeling they could go cold at any time, and they need a catalyst.

I agree with your predictions on the upcoming games. The Flyers haven’t been great at home this year, so there’s nothing to indicate they’ll come out hot tonight. I passed up club box seats so I could watch the NCAA Tournament (both remaining Philly teams play tonight). I’d settle for a split (my expectations have really fallen), but the Flyers could really use the boost of sweeping the set.

Thanks to Mike and the team at Rangerland for extending the invitation. We hope to have more to gloat about after the next two games.

Comments

[Camp Tiger Claw]

"the ten-game slide, the next 7 or 8 where they were really looking like they had put it together again, then the last few games, including that stinker today on NBC."

For a second there I thought you were talking to me.

/Bruins fan

[Chamomiles Davis]

CD: RL, is it true you do not care for the gays? What's the deal?

[Mike B.]

That article has certainly sparked some debate on our message boards:

http://rangerland.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4793&st=0

Personally, I would chuckle a little when the chant would start up, because I think that most people don't mean to actually offend gays when they chant "Homo Larry." But if it's causing fans to be intimidated and/or offended, then it's ridiculous, and MSG should do what they can to stop it.

[Tartan69]

But if it's causing fans to be intimidated and/or offended, then it's ridiculous, and MSG should do what they can to stop it.

And therein lies the difference between Rangers fans and Flyers fans.

[Paul]

I'm not surprised that any sports fans chant something like this, and as Philly fans we can't criticize the Rangers fans for this chant because Philly fans have made homophobic remarks before. However, if some jackass from new york brings up santa and snowballs, I'll say it's a shame their mother didn't choose abortion.