Joni Pitkanen

[swflyers25]

Has he ever arrived. Tonight, he gets the tying and GWG against the Bruins.
He has 2g and 10a & +14 in 12 games so far. He is playing a lot more physical than his rookie season. Him and Hal Gill almost went at it tonight. In other games he got into with Lindros and Lemieux. He is the total package. I know Ruslan Fedotenko (guy we traded away to get Joni) burned us in the East Finals but I think we got the better player by far. Rusty has 2g and 6a in 15 games. Not very impressive.

Oh well. Here are the goals. Tying goal was from a sweet pass from Forsberg.

"The man is a magician."

http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/media/gameday.asp?CalID=3095

[MadDevil]

Watching the end of the game last night, I was very impressed with Pitkanen, and the Flyers in general (I can't believe I said that). Down 3-1 with under 4 minutes to go, and coming back to win in OT. Pitkanen was buzzing around the Bruins net the entire OT, and it payed off for him.

It looks like so far I'm going to have to eat my words when I said the Flyers could struggle offensively. So far, the Forsberg/Gagne/Knuble line has proven to be one of the top lines in the league, and it seems like the entire team is clicking pretty well right now.

Of course, the regular season has never really been a problem for the Flyers.:D

[swflyers25]

Yes, I think I remember people saying that the Flyers would have trouble scoring in the new NHL. Where are all those people now?

[Madferret]

Yes, I think I remember people saying that the Flyers would have trouble scoring in the new NHL. Where are all those people now?

Cheering for a team ahead of the Flyers in scoring..

:laughing:

[Max Power]

I don?t see how anybody would be saying Philly would have problems scoring goals after Forsberg was acquired. The only thing I thought would be suspect is their D. It still is but Coach Penguin has done a great job so far. I look forward to Dec 22
One thing to note is Forsberg has been killing me in my pools. I stayed away from him because the injury issue but so far he?s been solid and making all around him better

[MadDevil]

Yes, I think I remember people saying that the Flyers would have trouble scoring in the new NHL. Where are all those people now?

Eating their words, like I am.:laughing:

I admit that I thought their forward depth was a bit weak, but the young guys have stepped in nicely for them so far, and Knuble has complemented Forsberg/Gagne nicely. I'm not sure if it'll hold up all year long, but it has so far. If Forsberg stays healthy, I think the Flyers will have a very good line all year, and will be a threat.

But, like in recent years, we'll only know how the Flyers really are when the playoffs roll around. If they can keep it up in the playoffs, they could be a very dangerous team in the East, and the entire league. Time will only tell...

[Mel]

Yes, I think I remember people saying that the Flyers would have trouble scoring in the new NHL. Where are all those people now?

Not sure if you're referring to me. My beef with the Flyers and the "new NHL" was related to the signings of Hatcher, and to a lesser degree Rathje. Not their ability to score. I still think the Hatcher signing was a bad move.

I did absolutely question where the Flyers scoring would come from because they lost 4 of their 5 top scorers from last season. Obviously the Forsberg and Gagne combo has made everybody forget about that, and they deserve a lot of credit for their productivity here to start the season.


RE: Pitkanen - I'm liking this as I claimed him in a fantasy league yesterday :boogie:

Only last night's game didn't count for my team. :slant: :no:

I am an Esche supporter - always been, and he's on one of my rosters as well, but his numbers should be better... he doesn't face all that many shots. his Sv% is teetering on .900 which is low for him.

[swflyers25]

Cheering for a team ahead of the Flyers in scoring..


4.77
4.62

Huge difference. I'll cheer for the team that beat the team you are cheering for.
:thumb:

The only thing I thought would be suspect is their D.

Our defense has been great. Hatcher and Rathje haven't been the liabilities everyone thought they would. Hatcher plays physical and Rathje is smart in his own zone.

Not sure if you're referring to me.

No, not you. A lot of people were saying that without Recchi, Roenick, Leclair, Amonte and Zhamnov we were in trouble for scoring. That we only got Forsberg to replace all of them. Just feels nice knowing they were wrong.

I am an Esche supporter - always been, and he's on one of my rosters as well, but his numbers should be better... he doesn't face all that many shots. his Sv% is teetering on .900 which is low for him

He is improving with each game. He had a few clutch saves last night. He is progressing very well.

Also, I love seeing this:

Offensive Leaders

POINTS
1. PETER FORSBERG 28
2. DANIEL ALFREDSSON 26
3. ERIC STAAL 26

GOALS
1. SIMON GAGNE 16
2. DANIEL ALFREDSSON 14
3. JAROMIR JAGR 14


ASSISTS
1. PETER FORSBERG 24
2. JASON SPEZZA 20
3. JOE THORNTON 18

BUD LIGHT PLUS/MINUS
1. JONI PITKANEN 16
2. WADE REDDEN 15
3. DANY HEATLEY 15

Also, as far as Joni goes, he might be on the way to be considered for the Norris:

1 BRYAN MCCABE D TOR 16 5 15 20 -5
2 LUBOMIR VISNOVSKY D LAK 15 6 12 18
3 JOHN-MICHAEL LILES D COL 14 5 11 16
4 JONI PITKANEN D PHI 13 4 11 15 16

[Madferret]

Our defense has been great. Hatcher and Rathje haven't been the liabilities everyone thought they would. Hatcher plays physical and Rathje is smart in his own zone.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that the pairing that plays the bulk of the PK for Philly. The worst PK in the league I might add?
Other than that Philly has been pretty solid all 'round. Hard to argue or challenge anything else really, Philly's played great so far.

[Mel]

A lot of people were saying that without Recchi, Roenick, Leclair, Amonte and Zhamnov we were in trouble for scoring. That we only got Forsberg to replace all of them. Just feels nice knowing they were wrong.

Well in fairness, you can't say they were wrong just yet, there's a long season ahead of us. The "old" Flyers got to game 7 of the Eastern finals and missed by a goal. It does stand true that last season's version (going by what we've seen so far) had a much more balanced attack than the Forsberg/Gagne show. They were also a more experienced veteran team. They also held the GAA lower than this bunch. There are still question marks before you pack their bags for the Stanley cup finals.

But you can't ask for a much better start than they've gotten. Aside from Forsberg... Gagne, Knuble, Pitkanen and a few others have most definitely quieted the doubters, myself included.

Especially Gagne, I'd have to say of all the players who are putting themselves on the map this year by taking it to the next level... Gagne and Spezza are really making a name for themselves. Staal is another one but everybody still thinks his numbers are a fluke... that he'll get cold, but I'm not so sure about that.

He is improving with each game. He had a few clutch saves last night. He is progressing very well.
That's good to hear. :thumb:

[Max Power]

Our defense has been great. Hatcher and Rathje haven't been the liabilities everyone thought they would. Hatcher plays physical and Rathje is smart in his own zone.


I haven't watched enough Philly to come to my own conclusion but most of the analyst are still saying Philly's D is suspect. Not bad but still questionable. Other then that I?ve heard nothing but good thing. In all honesty it?s still the start of the season but it?s good to see Philly do well as I always love our games. Well, other then the last one where Ottawa came out flat and lifeless =]

[swflyers25]

It does stand true that last season's version (going by what we've seen so far) had a much more balanced attack than the Forsberg/Gagne show.

Just Petey and Simon?

SIMON GAGNE PHI 13 16 8 24
MIKE KNUBLE PHI 13 8 7 15
JONATHAN SIM PHI 13 6 1 7
PETER FORSBERG PHI 13 4 24 28
JONI PITKANEN PHI 13 4 11 15
JEFF CARTER PHI 13 4 1 5
MICHAL HANDZUS PHI 13 3 10 13
MIKE RICHARDS PHI 13 3 9 12
MIKE RATHJE PHI 13 2 5 7
DERIAN HATCHER PHI 10 2 2 4

Looks balanced to me. ;)

They also held the GAA lower than this bunch.

13 games into the season, I think it will go down more as the season goes on.

There are still question marks before you pack their bags for the Stanley cup finals.

That's great but I never said that they were going to the Finals.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that the pairing that plays the bulk of the PK for Philly. The worst PK in the league

It's not just them. It helps to have Primeau out there and Desjardins which are both out right now. Same with Kapanen and Stevenson, they are both great PK guys. We do have the most SHG though. We're improving in that area.

[Mel]

13 games into the season, I think it will go down more as the season goes on.

Wait a minute, it only took you 13 games to declare that all the scoring skeptics were "wrong", you just said it above.

But when it's pointed out that their GAA has risen 1.11 goals-per-game from last season ... you say it's only 13 games...

Hmmm how convenient. ;)

:nod:

[Madferret]

It's not just them. It helps to have Primeau out there and Desjardins which are both out right now. Same with Kapanen and Stevenson, they are both great PK guys. We do have the most SHG though. We're improving in that area.

- Primeau hasn't been out long enough to say his absense is the reason.
- Desjardins has missed 1 game, besides he's more of a PP defenseman.
- Stevenson has never even killed a penalty in a Flyers jersey so his impact isn't even known.

Just Petey and Simon?

SIMON GAGNE PHI 13 16 8 24
MIKE KNUBLE PHI 13 8 7 15
JONATHAN SIM PHI 13 6 1 7
PETER FORSBERG PHI 13 4 24 28
JONI PITKANEN PHI 13 4 11 15
JEFF CARTER PHI 13 4 1 5
MICHAL HANDZUS PHI 13 3 10 13
MIKE RICHARDS PHI 13 3 9 12
MIKE RATHJE PHI 13 2 5 7
DERIAN HATCHER PHI 10 2 2 4

Looks balanced to me.

Wha? Out of the 130 pts (54 G) you posted up there Forsberg, Gagne & Knuble account for 67 (30 G) of those pts. That's a little over 50%, hardly balanced IMO. Take that lines production away and you're in major trouble.

[swflyers25]

Wait a minute, it only took you 13 games to declare that all the scoring skeptics were "wrong", you just said it above.

But when it's pointed out that their GAA has risen 1.11 goals-per-game from last season ... you say it's only 13 games...

Hmmm how convenient.

Well, how many people thought that the Flyers only got Forsberg to replace the following guys in Recchi, Roenick, Zhamnov, Leclair and Amonte? A lot.

Tony Amonte -- CGY 17 3 6 9
Zhamnov -- hasn't played a regular season game yet
Jeremy Roenick -- 14g 3g 2a 5pts
Recchi -- 6g and 12a
Leclair -- 5g and 5a

Forsberg -- 4g and 24a
MIKE KNUBLE PHI L 13 8 7 15
JONATHAN SIM PHI L 13 6 1 7
JEFF CARTER PHI C 13 4 1 5
MIKE RICHARDS PHI C 13 3 9 12

67 pts for the Flyers new additions
42 pts for the former Flyers

Clarke doesn't look so dumb getting rid of guys like Roenick, Amonte, Zhamnov, Leclair and Recchi. It was time for guys like Richards and Carter to play on the team. We didn't get anywhere with Leclair and Recchi, we won nothing. Time to move on.

But when it's pointed out that their GAA has risen 1.11 goals-per-game from last season ... you say it's only 13 games...
Hmmm how convenient.

Mel, try and find me a team whose GAA hasn't risen in the new NHL. :thumb:

- Primeau hasn't been out long enough to say his absense is the reason.
- Desjardins has missed 1 game, besides he's more of a PP defenseman.
- Stevenson has never even killed a penalty in a Flyers jersey so his impact isn't even known.


Primeau has turned into a defensive center, his job is killing penalties. Not having him hurts. Desjardins has exceled with the new rules. He can be out there for PP or PK. Oh and this one I like:

Stevenson has never even killed a penalty in a Flyers jersey so his impact isn't even known.

http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/sightsound/highlights/media/051007%5C1793.rm

Thanks for coming out.

Wha? Out of the 130 pts (54 G) you posted up there Forsberg, Gagne & Knuble account for 67 (30 G) of those pts. That's a little over 50%, hardly balanced IMO. Take that lines production away and you're in major trouble.

Take away the production and we would be in trouble. However, with an 8-1-1 record in the past 10 games it doesn't appear that many people can stop the production.:laughing:

[Mel]

Well, how many people thought that the Flyers only got Forsberg to replace the following guys in Recchi, Roenick, Zhamnov, Leclair and Amonte? A lot.

Tony Amonte -- CGY.............
That completely avoids my point. Why is 13 games enough to prove the offensive critics wrong but not prove the defensive critics right?
Mel, try and find me a team whose GAA hasn't risen in the new NHL.
Another side-step. Is 13 games a proper measuring stick or is it not? Is it only adequate when it makes the Flyers look good?

But since you asked... I gave a quick look at the top 5. The first 4 all have a lower GAA from last year: Ottawa, Detroit, Minnesota, NY Rangers.

But forget that... Let's buy into your premise that every team has a worse GAA in the new NHL. Then we must look at league rankings to measure. The Flyers went from 6th place overall last season to 21st place this season.

Only New Jersey, who suffered losing 2 of the game's best defensemen and the game's best goalie to injury, have had a bigger free-fall in their GAA rank.

The Flyers were supposed to improve defensively. 20% of the cap tied up for 4 years in two defensemen and this is the result? If it's early enough to decare the scoring questions solved, then it is also early enough to be concerned about this team's lack of defense (and it's poor penalth kill).

[Madferret]

Oh and this one I like:

Stevenson has never even killed a penalty in a Flyers jersey so his impact isn't even known.

http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/sightsound/highlights/media/051007%5C1793.rm

Thanks for coming out.

I'm sorry I was wrong, He's played 1 regular season game (4 shifts for a total of 9 minutes) in a Flyer jersey. He must be sorely missed.

[swflyers25]

I'm sorry I was wrong, He's played 1 regular season game (4 shifts for a total of 9 minutes) in a Flyer jersey. He must be sorely missed.

TURNER STEVENSON -- PHI Games played - 3

Selective reading on your part?

Then we must look at league rankings to measure. The Flyers went from 6th place overall last season to 21st place this season.

League rankings in what?

20% of the cap tied up for 4 years in two defensemen and this is the result? If it's early enough to decare the scoring questions solved, then it is also early enough to be concerned about this team's lack of defense (and it's poor penalth kill).

I have no problem with Hatcher and Rathje. Both of them have been good investments. I don't see a lack of defense. We have a crappy penalty kill, I know that. However, the PK doesn't just get done with defensemen. The guys that have been key PK guys aren't in the lineup right now. Sorry if you or Mel don't agree that they have an effect but they do. I think I know the team a little better. We have had a lot of 5 on 3s so I would imagine that a few goals might be scored when we are in that situation.

[Madferret]

TURNER STEVENSON -- PHI Games played - 3



You know what, you're right. I misread his GP's. I apologize.
I still think he hasn't played enough for Philly to say his absence impacts the PK.

[MadDevil]

Turner Stevenson killing penalties.:laughing: :laughing:

Sorry, I just find that amusing, considering he never did it with the Devils, but then again this is the same guy whose career high goal total is a whopping 14, and that came in his last season with the Devils.

The Flyers have played well so far this year, but without the Gagne/Forsberg combo lighting it up, they would be struggling offensively. I still think too much of their offense is coming from one line right now, and while it might work in the regular season, the playoffs are another matter entirely. What happens if they play a team like Ottawa in the playoffs, who can contain the top line with guys like Chara, Redden, Philips, and Volchenkov?

I do believe the Flyers will finish near the top of the Eastern Conference again this year, but I still have doubts about them getting back to the ECF. I could end up being wrong on this, but then again it wouldn't be the first time.:D

[Mel]

League rankings in what?

GAA = Goals Against Average.

2003 - 2004: 2.27 (6th in NHL)

2005 - 2006: 3.38 (21st in NHL)

[PDO]

GAA = Goals Against Average.

2003 - 2004: 2.27 (6th in NHL)

2005 - 2006: 3.38 (21st in NHL)

There is no place for logic in the Flyers forum, Mel. :no:

Pitkanen is a great talent. I know the Oilers were trying to move up to get him in his draft year. He's got a bit of everything and should be a #1 defenseman in the near future for years to come.

[swflyers25]

PDO, how was I supposed to know what ranking was referring to? There are rankings for many things in the NHL. Or didn't you know that.

There is no place for logic in the Flyers forum, Mel.

Especially when you post in the forum. :thumb:

[Iced Tea]

Pitkanen to to miss four to six weeks
Associated Press
Posted: 1 hour ago

VOORHEES, N.J. (AP) - Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Joni Pitkanen was scheduled to have surgery Wednesday to repair a torn abdominal muscle.

The 22-year-old Finn, fourth in scoring among NHL defensemen with 23 points, is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks.Link (http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/5142046)

[charlio lemieux]

I know alot of poolies who will be freaking at that news. Pitkanen was one of the most popular picks this year.

Too bad.