Sorry Homer, It Just Doesn't Add Up

News Type: Opinion — Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:30 PM EST

sports, nhl, flyers, philadelphia-flyers, peter-forsberg, paul-holmgren

Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren recently said all the Flyers have to do in order to make the play-offs is be 15 or 16 games above .500 the rest of the season. I ran the numbers and that looks easier said than done.

Do the Math

The Flyers have played 35 games which leaves 47 games left in the season. Fifteen games above .500 would mean a record of 31 wins and just 16 losses the rest of the season. In other words, the Flyers need to win 2 of every 3 games from here until the end of the season.

Reality Check

The Flyers have won just 8 games and lost 23 games so far this season. They are in the midst of a 10 game losing streak. They are tied for the fewest goals scored in the league (83) and tied for the most goals given up (136). Their best player, Peter Forsberg, is like Cinderella looking for the perfect skates for his delicate feet. Their goaltenders are both banged up (yes, both of them).

So it's easy for Homer to just say all they have to do is be 15 games above .500 but the probability of it actually happening is very unlikely.

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Michael Sautter's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Puck U, Sports Fans, Sports Writers Guild
Regions: United States , Philadelphia

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{"commentId":448330,"authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

Michael Sautter

A General Manager with a firm grip on reality would be nice, instead the Flyers have Paul Holmgren.

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2 votes

#1 - Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:33 PM EST

{"commentId":452783,"authorDomain":"jaybutler"}

Jay Butler

The team is on a pace to win only 18 or 19 games all season. Holmgren is suggesting that the Flyers have to double that number. Purely delusional.

I am not sure if I would even want an optimistic GM. The coach should definitely be an optimist. But, the GM always has to be looking for improvements in the lineup to give the team that edge. He should be the realist. Either way, Holmgren is dreaming if he thinks that this lineup will be able to instantly start playing that well.

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2 votes

#2 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:38 PM EST

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MICHAEL SAUTTER

Backyard

Sorry Homer, It Just Doesn't Add Up

Do the Math

Reality Check

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