Zherdev and JVR Silencing Critics

Early in the season, people were quick to jump on the play of Nikolay Zherdev and young James van Riemsdyk, calling them out for various reasons but those days seem to be long gone for good reason.

The Top 10 Players You've Never Heard Of

Now I don't mean to offend any serious fans by saying these are players you've never heard of.  This is just my list of the top ten players in the league that no one talks about or appreciates but do their jobs the best.  Every team has a couple of players that do things crucial to winning but don't show up on the score sheet so they don't get talked about.

10. Milan Lucic (Boston Bruins). If you don't live in the New England area, you may not have heard of Milan Lucic.  This 6'4" 220 pound left winger is one of the most dominating forces on the forecheck.  Lucic uses every pound he has to his advantage when taking opposing defenders to the board with force.  Lucic disrupts play and causes hell for a defender trying to make a clean break out pass.  This creates room for his very skill team mates like David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron to create scoring chances.

9. Travis Moen (Montreal Canadiens).  Travis Moen is a big winger who is great along the boards.  He works the ugly area's and isn't afraid to sacrifice his body for the team.  Also, Moen is one tough customer.  If you go after one of his team mates, be sure that you'll be hearing from Travis Moen.  at 6'2", 215, he has a lot of size to throw around.

10 Things the Flyers Proved This Year

1) Coach Laviolette makes his own decisions

Whether you like it or not, Laviolette is pulling the strings. This is a breath of fresh air after a coach, John Stevens, who towed the company line. Laviolette manages the personnel his way and I don't agree with it all the time but at least he is not afraid to make tough calls.

2) Flyers are still missing that last scoring winger

Laviolette and the Flyers run a 3 scoring line attack, meaning they need 6 scoring wingers. They currently suit 5 up a night. These five would be Zherdev, Hartnell, JVR, Leino and Carter or Giroux (whichever is not playing center). Instead of going out and getting that sixth winger, they have inserted a carousel of defensive and checking wingers into that last slot. These types would be Powe, Nodl, Wellwood, and Carcillo. That one extra scoring winger would give us 10,15,20 more goals a year and allow for all  three lines to reach their full offensive potential.