2 flyers questions

[Wingfan]

Is Forsberg a go for the start of the season and do they have a clear cut #1 starter in goal this year?

[Flyermania]

Forsberg might miss a few games to start the season, but that's about it. As far as the goaltending situation, there hasn't been a definitive naming of the #1 but the general consensus is it will be Niittymaki.

Hope that helps!

[Wingfan]

thank you! And so does my fantasy team!

[Feindbild]

I think i will come over from Germany to kill Hitch if he names Esche the #1 Guy in net... Niitty is just YOUNGER, BETTER, BETTER and uhm... MUCH BETTER than this Esche Guy. When did Esche EVER prove himself as a good Goalie? Niitty won the Calder Trophy with the Phantoms as MVP and a Silver Medal @ Torino as "Best Goalie". Was also a big mistake by Hitch to put Esche in the Goalieposition for the Playoffs (where Niitty plays best: under pressure) and we all paid for it :-(

[Ryan20]

Originally Posted by Feindbild

I think i will come over from Germany to kill Hitch if he names Esche the #1 Guy in net... Niitty is just YOUNGER, BETTER, BETTER and uhm... MUCH BETTER than this Esche Guy. When did Esche EVER prove himself as a good Goalie? Niitty won the Calder Trophy with the Phantoms as MVP and a Silver Medal @ Torino as "Best Goalie". Was also a big mistake by Hitch to put Esche in the Goalieposition for the Playoffs (where Niitty plays best: under pressure) and we all paid for it :-(

I'll say this, the only we didn't get swept in the playoffs, was because of Esche. The two big losses were hardly his fault, barely anybody else showed up. I don't think Hitch made a bad choice. Either way I feel comfortable with both of these guys in the net.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Feindbild

I think i will come over from Germany to kill Hitch if he names Esche the #1 Guy in net... Niitty is just YOUNGER, BETTER, BETTER and uhm... MUCH BETTER than this Esche Guy. When did Esche EVER prove himself as a good Goalie? Niitty won the Calder Trophy with the Phantoms as MVP and a Silver Medal @ Torino as "Best Goalie". Was also a big mistake by Hitch to put Esche in the Goalieposition for the Playoffs (where Niitty plays best: under pressure) and we all paid for it :-(

Fifty Five saves.

Fifty Eight shots.

Go bury yourself. :(

[Feindbild]

Originally Posted by Ryan20

I'll say this, the only we didn't get swept in the playoffs, was because of Esche. The two big losses were hardly his fault, barely anybody else showed up. I don't think Hitch made a bad choice. Either way I feel comfortable with both of these guys in the net.

IMO Niitty would have just been the way better choice. Esche was not really bad, but he did look bad on some of the goals they got and honestly i think we wouldnt have gotten them with niitty. Just my opinion. I've seen Niitty many times during the lockout in the AHL and have seen him @ the Olympics. This guy has worldclass and would sure be a contender for the Vezina when his Coach would give him more Confidence and would show the Confidence he's got in him better. Esche was a mediocre Goalie before he came to the Flyers, had one and a half good seasons but is really not the kind of goalie i want to see in the flyers goal.

[Feindbild]

Originally Posted by Andy

Fifty Five saves.

Fifty Eight shots.

Go bury yourself. :(

I've seen this Game and honestly... i wont bury myself now and i wont change my opinion about Esche. Niitty is and was the better Goalie and hopefully will be #1 next year.

[Sekkes]

Esche and Nitty are both solid goaltenders and to say that Nitty is "BETTER BETTER BETTER" then Esche is simply not true. Nitty is also only 2 years younger then Esche, it's not like its a 6/7 year difference. Nitty has the potential to become better then Esche yes, but not everybody lives up to their potential.

IE Alexander Daigle

[InfidelAppel]

Originally Posted by Sekkes

Nitty has the potential to become better then Esche yes, but not everybody lives up to their potential.

While, I do think Niitty definitely will live up to his potential, I agree with you, and I'm glad at least some one out there is of like mind.

Esche is a very, very good goaltender, and trying to say otherwise is retarded.

In '03-'04 he was fantastic. He was a huge part of the Flyers making it to the Conference Finals, and had a solid season in general (40 GP, 21 wins, 2.04 GAA, and .915 save %). He was also damn good in the World Cup of Hockey.

Last year, he was a little sluggish in the beginning of the season because he didn't play during the lockout. And then once he got rolling, he was pretty good before he got injured. Once he came back, he had to shake off the rust, and the injury lingered a bit, resulting in playing only a few games here or there while more or less alternating with Niitty. Their numbers were practically identical, too. Esche played 40 games, had a 2.97 GAA, and an .897 save percentage. Niitty played 46 due to Esche's injuries, posted the same 2.97 GAA, and had a .895 save %. Esche was 22 - 11, with one shutout, while Niitty was 23 - 15 with two shutouts.

Esche thrives on confidence and starting games; in '03-'04 Hitch gave him the reins and he was great; last year, he didn't get that same situation but then when all the pressure was on him - in the playoffs - he was outstanding. The first game vs. Buffalo was absolutely ridiculous, and he was good all series. It's not his fault that the defense was torn apart, leaving him with absolutely no help. He also has the experience of going far in the playoffs and playing with his back against the wall. Niitty may have won the Calder but it's just not the same.

I think Niitty will take the #1 job soon. Maybe late next year (maybe Esche will get traded at the deadline in a package deal for a solid d-man), maybe for the playoffs, or else for the '07-'08 season. Niitty is a little younger but definitely has more potential he hasn't tapped. I just think we should keep Esche around at least for the first half of the year; I don't want to rush Niitty into the starting position yet, but I think he'll take it in time.

Just my two cents.