I'm thinking Hartnell could be a one hit wonder when it comes to the number 38
- SuperSchennBros

Hartnell has already proven he's not a one hit wonder in this League. He may not reach 37 goals again. But there's no reason why he can't be around the 30 goal mark, as well as providing the consistent physical play. And with playing with Giroux, who knows what could happen.

At the start of the summer when I first noticed this site, many wanted a 4th line center. Why? What is the harm in having Talbot center the 4th line and then having him fill in one of the top nine slots in case of injury? We still have Ben Holmstrom. I feel our bottom nine and depth in the minors is alright for now. We really just need to get Giroux someone to play with and a possible replacement for Timonen for the near future.

I think we're really going to miss Jagr
- SuperSchennBros

What is the harm it? Nothing really. Except that the Flyers are a better team with Talbot playing a top 9 role versus 4th line Center. Too many focus strictly on offense. And don't look at the parts of the game that really help a team win. And it's about the mix of players. Jagr is 40 years old. Time to move on and give younger players bigger roles.

What is the harm it? Nothing really. Except that the Flyers are a better team with Talbot playing a top 9 role versus 4th line Center. Too many focus strictly on offense. And don't look at the parts of the game that really help a team win. And it's about the mix of players. Jagr is 40 years old. Time to move on and give younger players bigger roles.
- MJL

Couldn't disagree more. The younger players wanted Jagr back. Plus players like Pronger and Jagr were real inspiratilnal leaders to these kids. Briere and Timonen can lead but I really feel those kids loomed up to two living legends.

Hartnell has already proven he's not a one hit wonder in this League. He may not reach 37 goals again. But there's no reason why he can't be around the 30 goal mark, as well as providing the consistent physical play. And with playing with Giroux, who knows what could happen.
- MJL

30 is no 40

I will respectfully say this. If not for a third line start and a Giroux concussion, Hartnell could have got 40. However, he has to do it again and the odds are against him. He worked hard last summer but Hartnell still has bad habits.

Maybe I'm wrong but the majority has spoken that the penguins are the moat hated flyers rivalry but hasn't there been much longer bad blood with the Devils? Scott Stevens had to answer to a flyer a lot in his career but as far Mario. Felt there was a respect factor there. There certainly is no respect for Crosby on our end today.

Couldn't disagree more. The younger players wanted Jagr back. Plus players like Pronger and Jagr were real inspiratilnal leaders to these kids. Briere and Timonen can lead but I really feel those kids loomed up to two living legends.
- SuperSchennBros

What the younger players wanted is irrelevant. Plenty of leaders on this team. It would have been nice to have Jagr back for another year. But the good news is that players such as Voracek will be given an outstanding opportunity to move up and play with Giroux. And that is far more important to this team's future then any intangibles or inspiration that a 40 year old Jagr could bring this upcoming Season.

30 is no 40

I will respectfully say this. If not for a third line start and a Giroux concussion, Hartnell could have got 40. However, he has to do it again and the odds are against him. He worked hard last summer but Hartnell still has bad habits.
- SuperSchennBros

He doesn't need to get 40. He just has to be around that 30 goal mark and bring a consistent physical game. 35 is a very realistic target for Hartnell.

top 5?
- ob18

Rangers are Top 3, since John Tortorella took over. I really dislike that guy. The HBO special for last years outdoor game, just confirmed my dislike.

As a franchise, it's hard to hate them... It seems we have a lot in common; Big cities, Their fans on both side are generally loud and rude, Both teams are willing to spend big bucks, Always seem to be in the race - but fail to get their, etc... Theirs a couple Rangers that I would love to see in B&O - Callahan, Lundqvist to name a few.

Maybe I'm wrong but the majority has spoken that the penguins are the moat hated flyers rivalry but hasn't there been much longer bad blood with the Devils? Scott Stevens had to answer to a flyer a lot in his career but as far Mario. Felt there was a respect factor there. There certainly is no respect for Crosby on our end today.
- SuperSchennBros

As for the Devils... I'm too jealous and respect the organization; 3 cups since 1995, Marty - he's hard to hate, They seem to go far into playoffs with a team that isn't full of flashy player (or big egos). Sure most Flyer fans hated Stevens, but not a one of them wouldn't have wanted him to play for the Flyers. And, the hate for Scott is waning - he hasn't played since 2004.

I have always had a hatred for the Leafs that mostly centers around my serious dislike for Darcy Tucker and Tie Domi. I recent years their irrelevance has tempered my vitriol.

As for the Rangers, It has been mostly indifference, and when my favorite player (Lindros) joined them, I found myself even rooting for them on occasion when they weren't hurting the Flyers. (I know)

The team I can NOT abide, from their fans, to their stinking city, to their poopty black and gold colors, are the Penguins. It is not merely an offshoot of my serious dislike for anything Pittsburgh, I hate the Penguins on a visceral level dating back to the days of Mario and Jagr, Matthew Barnaby, and now Horseface Malkin, that female dog Crosby who starts all kinds of crap and then hides behind the refs, and my new public enemy #1, James "I lose my cool when Im getting slapped around" Neal.

Hate them all.

the pens should have been the only choice on that survey.

I have always had a hatred for the Leafs that mostly centers around my serious dislike for Darcy Tucker and Tie Domi. I recent years their irrelevance has tempered my vitriol.

As for the Rangers, It has been mostly indifference, and when my favorite player (Lindros) joined them, I found myself even rooting for them on occasion when they weren't hurting the Flyers. (I know)

The team I can NOT abide, from their fans, to their stinking city, to their poopty black and gold colors, are the Penguins. It is not merely an offshoot of my serious dislike for anything Pittsburgh, I hate the Penguins on a visceral level dating back to the days of Mario and Jagr, Matthew Barnaby, and now Horseface Malkin, that female dog Crosby who starts all kinds of crap and then hides behind the refs, and my new public enemy #1, James "I lose my cool when Im getting slapped around" Neal.

Hate them all.
- MBFlyerfan

a-(frank)ing-men

He doesn't need to get 40. He just has to be around that 30 goal mark and bring a consistent physical game. 35 is a very realistic target for Hartnell.
- MJL

Why is 35 a realistic park for Hartnell? Nothing has stop Hartnell from being a consistent 30 goal scorer. I think the reasons he hasn't been is right in front of us. He has limits and short comings. Jeff Carter should be a consistent 40 goal scorer. He isn't. It's a tough league. If Talbot were to score 20, that would be fantastic but that might be asking a lot for these power forwards and grinders to step it up with the limits they have. The key is, do it again. Talbot's 20 is like Hartnell's 40 and we have lost some skilled personnel. This doesn't help. Sure Briere can step it up and help but even he is now a year older.

the pens should have been the only choice on that survey.
- flyerscup2011

No way. The Flyers and Devils have just as much regular season and playoff bad blood in recent years

Why is 35 a realistic park for Hartnell? Nothing has stop Hartnell from being a consistent 30 goal scorer. I think the reasons he hasn't been is right in front of us. He has limits and short comings. Jeff Carter should be a consistent 40 goal scorer. He isn't. It's a tough league. If Talbot were to score 20, that would be fantastic but that might be asking a lot for these power forwards and grinders to step it up with the limits they have. The key is, do it again. Talbot's 20 is like Hartnell's 40 and we have lost some skilled personnel. This doesn't help. Sure Briere can step it up and help but even he is now a year older.
- SuperSchennBros

Why isn't it realistic for Hartnell? He scored 37 goals last Season. He's scored 30 goals previously. And he'll likely be playing next to one of the best offensive players and one of the best playmakers in the NHL in Giroux. Every player has limits and shortcomings. That doesn't make Hartnell unique. He may or may not reach it. But there's no reason why he can't score around 35 goals again.

The Flyers have plenty of skill in the lineup offensively. Even without Jagr returning, and JVR traded, the Flyers still have one of the deepest offenses in the entire League.

Why isn't it realistic for Hartnell? He scored 37 goals last Season. He's scored 30 goals previously. And he'll likely be playing next to one of the best offensive players and one of the best playmakers in the NHL in Giroux. Every player has limits and shortcomings. That doesn't make Hartnell unique. He may or may not reach it. But there's no reason why he can't score around 35 goals again.

The Flyers have plenty of skill in the lineup offensively. Even without Jagr returning, and JVR traded, the Flyers still have one of the deepest offenses in the entire League.
- MJL

I think the inspiration of losing a Jagr can hurt Hartnell. Has Hartnell always had the perfect work ethic? Has he become a perfect skater over the course of a summer? Will he stay away from all the bad penalties? I'm not saying he can't repeat. I am asking if he can, which is a good question.

I think the inspiration of losing a Jagr can hurt Hartnell. Has Hartnell always had the perfect work ethic? Has he become a perfect skater over the course of a summer? Will he stay away from all the bad penalties? I'm not saying he can't repeat. I am asking if he can, which is a good question.
- SuperSchennBros

I think your overvaluing the effect of Jagr not returning. Hartnell was a very good player long before Jagr arrived in Philly. Hartnell will likely continue to be the same player as he was last year. Why would he need to become a perfect skater? I seriously don't follow that logic. Would Jagr returning with his "inspiration" make Hartnell a better skater? And he will continue to at times take bad penalties.

1 Rangers
1a Devils
2 pens
3 lightning(not only for 03-04)
4 caps
5 rangers ahl team

I think your overvaluing the effect of Jagr not returning. Hartnell was a very good player long before Jagr arrived in Philly. Hartnell will likely continue to be the same player as he was last year. Why would he need to become a perfect skater? I seriously don't follow that logic. Would Jagr returning with his "inspiration" make Hartnell a better skater? And he will continue to at times take bad penalties.
- MJL

Hartnell isn't likely to continue being the player he was last season because he is only just now reaching a career high later in his career. It only becomes harder in the nhl as you get older and especially as a power forward. He needs to do it again before there can be any certainty. I think you are debating just to debate. Hartnell's career has been nothing short of up and down, much like his play on the ice. I like Scott Hartnell a lot. I hope he can do it again but there is no way of knowing of what he will continue to be until we see the result of this season. You have no way of knowing if he can score 35 goals this season, likely or unlikely. The last time Hartnell scored 30, his totals went down the next season. I can hope for Hartnell but I will not expect.

One more year of jagr hurts nothing. There is zero question that Jagr left a positive impact on the youth on this team.

Hartnell isn't likely to continue being the player he was last season because he is only just now reaching a career high later in his career. It only becomes harder in the nhl as you get older and especially as a power forward. He needs to do it again before there can be any certainty. I think you are debating just to debate. Hartnell's career has been nothing short of up and down, much like his play on the ice. I like Scott Hartnell a lot. I hope he can do it again but there is no way of knowing of what he will continue to be until we see the result of this season. You have no way of knowing if he can score 35 goals this season, likely or unlikely. The last time Hartnell scored 30, his totals went down the next season. I can hope for Hartnell but I will not expect.

One more year of jagr hurts nothing. There is zero question that Jagr left a positive impact on the youth on this team.
- SuperSchennBros

You obviously misunderstand what is meant by continuing to be the same player he was last year, so I'll qualify it. Hartnell will continue to be the same physical player capable of scoring around the 30 goal mark. And I'll also qualify that. It could be a little less, could be a little more. And I'll also repeat that I think he is capable of reaching the 35 goal mark playing with Giroux. And you have no way of knowing that he can't score 35 goals again.

As far as Jagr is concerned. I didn't say that one more year of Jagr would hurt anything, nor did I question the positive impact that he had on the team.
But the "inspiration" that you speak of that Jagr brought, is a luxury, not a necessity. And I'll repeat that it's far more important to give increased roles and responsibilities to the younger players such as Voracek, then it is to bring Jagr back.