Easier said than done though. The commitment to team defense must improve significantly. The defense core doesn't have a true top pairing guy, and the majority of forwards aren't exactly defensive stalwarts.
- PLindbergh31

Kimmo Timonen is still a legitimate top pairing guy. And Coburn can be a nice compliment.

Easier said than done though. The commitment to team defense must improve significantly. The defense core doesn't have a true top pairing guy, and the majority of forwards aren't exactly defensive stalwarts.
- PLindbergh31

Thats a big thing for me. Teaching or preaching team defense are great and all, but some players are just not great at it. Thats not something horrific, its just the way the game goes. Some players are better at some things, or more complete overall.

Everyone knows the D needs to be improved. I would definately like to see a little bit more of a culture shift on the offense. Players who have grit, and better defensive awareness need to be brought in. I will always be a guy that prefers a hard forechecking emphasis team wide. That doesnt mean you need to have players that arent good defensively. No more Zherdev's, etc.

Kimmo Timonen is still a legitimate top pairing guy. And Coburn can be a nice compliment.
- MJL

I love Timonen, he's probably my second favorite Flyer behind Giroux, but at 37 coming off multiple injuries, I have to disagree that Kimmo is a legitimate top pairing defenseman at this stage of his career.

The stuff with throwing his D under the bus will do nothing positive, that definately needs to stop.

Honestly I think too much is being made of what he should say, shouldnt say, or if he should have access to the media. That itself just makes it a bigger issue.

Let him wear a backwards thong and a diaper on his head, I could care less. He needs to get back to having fun and just playing.
- flyer_nutter

I dont care how he is in interviews. If that is the way he feels he needs to be when things go wrong that is how he should be.

I loved the other day how Philly media pundits were screaming about Andy Reid and his lack of personality and saying how they need a coach with some personality.

I'm thinking to myself, what a bunch of hypocrites you all are. We have to let Bryz be Bryz. He comes here and when he has trouble he tried to go to the place he knows within himself to try to get out of it and the media and fans smacked him hard for it. Instead of letting him do what he knows. The slump gets prolonged and now he is a bum and a bust and the local radio station creates a campaign to run him out of town. (literally)

I want Bryz to talk about Tigers and the universe and unicorns and little pixie fairies that fly around his bedroom for all I care. Whatever place he needs to go to be comfortable. (frank) the fans, (frank) the media, their opinions don't count.

So with two buyouts it's really only a matter of time now before Pronger's days as a Flyer are over. Do we see a new Captain named this season?

Thats a big thing for me. Teaching or preaching team defense are great and all, but some players are just not great at it. Thats not something horrific, its just the way the game goes. Some players are better at some things, or more complete overall.

Everyone knows the D needs to be improved. I would definately like to see a little bit more of a culture shift on the offense. Players who have grit, and better defensive awareness need to be brought in. I will always be a guy that prefers a hard forechecking emphasis team wide. That doesnt mean you need to have players that arent good defensively. No more Zherdev's, etc.
- flyer_nutter

Couldn't agree more Sir.

I love Timonen, he's probably my second favorite Flyer behind Giroux, but at 37 coming off multiple injuries, I have to disagree that Kimmo is a legitimate top pairing defenseman at this stage of his career.
- PLindbergh31

Coming off of a few injuries doesn't make a player a lesser player. Look at the numbers from last Season. He is still a top pairing defenseman in this League. There is no question about that.

Couldn't agree more Sir.
- PLindbergh31

Do not draft or get guys like scheifele, for example. I dont want any more players brought in with questionable defensive games or questionable effort. The Flyers when I think of them, are thought to be a hard to play against hard working team, I want to see more of that injected into the lineup through time.

So with two buyouts it's really only a matter of time now before Pronger's days as a Flyer are over. Do we see a new Captain named this season?
- hereticpride

I would think Giroux would be named Captain. I think he is more than capable of handling it. Many say the C is just a letter on a players sweater, but it's much more than that. Giroux leads by example he's become a top 10 player in the League and a players on ice performance goes a lot further than any words that can be said.

Thats a big thing for me. Teaching or preaching team defense are great and all, but some players are just not great at it. Thats not something horrific, its just the way the game goes. Some players are better at some things, or more complete overall.

Everyone knows the D needs to be improved. I would definately like to see a little bit more of a culture shift on the offense. Players who have grit, and better defensive awareness need to be brought in. I will always be a guy that prefers a hard forechecking emphasis team wide. That doesnt mean you need to have players that arent good defensively. No more Zherdev's, etc.

Do not draft or get guys like scheifele, for example. I dont want any more players brought in with questionable defensive games or questionable effort. The Flyers when I think of them, are thought to be a hard to play against hard working team, I want to see more of that injected into the lineup through time.
- flyer_nutter

JVR sent packing for a gritty D man and Fedetanko brought in. I'd say that's a good start.

Coming off of a few injuries doesn't make a player a lesser player. Look at the numbers from last Season. He is still a top pairing defenseman in this League. There is no question about that.
- MJL

Just when it was starting to get good and fun, another DEBATE has to begin. Way to go sir.

I dont care how he is in interviews. If that is the way he feels he needs to be when things go wrong that is how he should be.

I loved the other day how Philly media pundits were screaming about Andy Reid and his lack of personality and saying how they need a coach with some personality.

I'm thinking to myself, what a bunch of hypocrites you all are. We have to let Bryz be Bryz. He comes here and when he has trouble he tried to go to the place he knows within himself to try to get out of it and the media and fans smacked him hard for it. Instead of letting him do what he knows. The slump gets prolonged and now he is a bum and a bust and the local radio station creates a campaign to run him out of town. (literally)

I want Bryz to talk about Tigers and the universe and unicorns and little pixie fairies that fly around his bedroom for all I care. Whatever place he needs to go to be comfortable. (frank) the fans, (frank) the media, their opinions don't count.
- MBFlyerfan

Bottom line is that he needs to stop the puck. If he does and plays well, then the fans and the media will take joy in his quirkiness. If he play poorly, then his personality will become the focus and the fans and the media will go off on a bunch of tangents that really have nothing to do with it.

Just when it was starting to get good and fun, another DEBATE has to begin. Way to go sir.
- flyer_nutter

That is what an internet forum is for Nutter. Feel free to add to the conversation on Timonen. My response was talking Hockey and about the players. What is your response talking about?

Just when it was starting to get good and fun, another DEBATE has to begin. Way to go sir.
- flyer_nutter

No sense of going any further. Timonen should be a Monster in 2025!

I would think Giroux would be named Captain. I think he is more than capable of handling it. Many say the C is just a letter on a players sweater, but it's much more than that. Giroux leads by example he's become a top 10 player in the League and a players on ice performance goes a lot further than any words that can be said.
- PLindbergh31

I think this season will be crazy for a lot of reasons. I'd like to see them hold off on Giroux getting the C and give it to Kimmo. I just have memories of the whole Richie BS.

Although I would have no real issues if they give it to Giroux. Everyone knows the kid will get it eventually. He has earned it many times over.

I would think Giroux would be named Captain. I think he is more than capable of handling it. Many say the C is just a letter on a players sweater, but it's much more than that. Giroux leads by example he's become a top 10 player in the League and a players on ice performance goes a lot further than any words that can be said.
- PLindbergh31

I agree. I wouldn't mind if they went Kimmo for one year either before giving it to Giroux. After Kimmo is gone I'd like to see Briere and Coburn as the Alternates.

Do not draft or get guys like scheifele, for example. I dont want any more players brought in with questionable defensive games or questionable effort. The Flyers when I think of them, are thought to be a hard to play against hard working team, I want to see more of that injected into the lineup through time.
- flyer_nutter

Yes, less french pastry and much more steak and potatoes!

No sense of going any further. Timonen should be a Monster in 2025!
- PLindbergh31

You think so? Kovy will be playing for a contract that year.

Just when it was starting to get good and fun, another DEBATE has to begin. Way to go sir.
- flyer_nutter

Lets make it so we all agree on everything so we can shut the place down and go do some woodworking!

I think this season will be crazy for a lot of reasons. I'd like to see them hold off on Giroux getting the C and give it to Kimmo. I just have memories of the whole Richie BS.

Although I would have no real issues if they give it to Giroux. Everyone knows the kid will get it eventually. He has earned it many times over.
- flyer_nutter

I don't have a problem with that. I think Talbot would make a fine Captain as well. The Captain doesn't always have to be the best player.

No sense of going any further. Timonen should be a Monster in 2025!
- PLindbergh31

I love Timonen, he's probably my second favorite Flyer behind Giroux, but at 37 coming off multiple injuries, I have to disagree that Kimmo is a legitimate top pairing defenseman at this stage of his career.
- PLindbergh31

In a short season I expect great things from him. This lockout benefits in two ways, longer time for his body to recover and less wear on his body in this season.

Starting next year will be a different story.

Lets make it so we all agree on everything so we can shut the place down and go do some woodworking!
- MBFlyerfan

I'll let you work my wood any day good sir.

In a short season I expect great things from him. This lockout benefits in two ways, longer time for his body to recover and less wear on his body in this season.

Starting next year will be a different story.
- LJF

The only thing that could be a factor is how compressed the games are over the schedule.

In a short season I expect great things from him. This lockout benefits in two ways, longer time for his body to recover and less wear on his body in this season.

Starting next year will be a different story.
- LJF

A short season helps no question, but don't forget you are cramming 50 games into a very short period of time. That means more back to back games, and 3 games in 4 nights. That will take it's toll on older players.