ok so now back to the Flyers, what the hell is wrong with these guys? Did they forget how to play specials teams?
- LJF

Special teams have to get fixed in short order. It doesn't particularly help that Hartnell and Meszaros are injured.

The best way I see to help the PK, is to stop taking so many damned penalties.

I hope we aren't over valueing Coots... but i wouldn't trade them straight up for one another...

I really believe Coots will be something special in this league... i think subban will be a top 2 defender on a bad team.. top 4 on a decent team. I don't think he can do what he does with other teams.
- Flyersgod

Look no further than Malkins production in last years playoffs.

I've seen a few other raise the question on twitter, so I'll monitor the responses.
- Jsaquella

Let us nontwitterers know how it turns out.

He's not a bad player by any stretch. 37 points a year doesn't impress me. No matter how old is he.

His offensive game is nice.. but he's also playing on a montreal team that racks up points on the power play year in and year out.
- Flyersgod

It doesn't sound impressive, but he's still very young. His ceiling is easily a 50+ point d-man. You know how many D-men had 50+ points last year? I will spare you the trouble of looking it up. The answer is five.

Special teams have to get fixed in short order. It doesn't particularly help that Hartnell and Meszaros are injured.

The best way I see to help the PK, is to stop taking so many damned penalties.
- PLindbergh31

A bigger commitment to blocking shots would be nice too...

And stop chasing players around the dzone who have the puck and leaving men wide open...

The penalty kill has gotten worse each year under Lavy. To be fair.. they did lose Richy, Carter, and others...

Special teams have to get fixed in short order. It doesn't particularly help that Hartnell and Meszaros are injured.

The best way I see to help the PK, is to stop taking so many damned penalties.
- PLindbergh31

not possible.

It's almost to the point that we they get called they shouldn't even waste the time just give the other team a goal and keep playing 5 v 5

Let us nontwitterers know how it turns out.
- canadianpenfan

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris

Some are asking about NHL's new 35%/50% variability rules. They only apply to front-loaded deals, not back-loaded ones like Subban's.

For we 'Muricans, Johnston is a senior hockey writer for Rogers Sportsnet

It doesn't sound impressive, but he's still very young. His ceiling is easily a 50+ point d-man. You know how many D-men had 50+ points last year? I will spare you the trouble of looking it up. The answer is five.
- PLindbergh31

When we're talking potential i'll give it to him. But for me potential isn't a guarentee.

I actually think he has a better chance at hitting his potential now that he has a decent contract. Something to continue to play for.

Tired of teams paying players based on potential.

That really is the lone concern. Still worth the risk to me.

Hell, it's just possible he really wanted to stay a Canadien. Bergevin got a great value for the short term, but I suspect if Subban continues to progress in his current career arc, his next deal will carry a $6 or even $7mm cap hit
- Jsaquella

Not sure what Subban was thinking. He might be saying I want to play hockey right now, I will store this in my memory bank, and when two years are up I'm going to the highest bidder. Will he be a RFA or UFA at the end of these two years?

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris

Some are asking about NHL's new 35%/50% variability rules. They only apply to front-loaded deals, not back-loaded ones like Subban's.

For we 'Muricans, Johnston is a senior hockey writer for Rogers Sportsnet
- Jsaquella

See, you got all worried about nothing. Could you imagine if you couldn't have found that out for like another 20 minutes?

When we're talking potential i'll give it to him. But for me potential isn't a guarentee.

I actually think he has a better chance at hitting his potential now that he has a decent contract. Something to continue to play for.

Tired of teams paying players based on potential.
- Flyersgod

No it's not a guarantee. But based on what he's accomplished already, he's being underpaid.

Not sure what Subban was thinking. He might be saying I want to play hockey right now, I will store this in my memory bank, and when two years are up I'm going to the highest bidder. Will he be a RFA or UFA at the end of these two years?
- PLindbergh31

RFA

BTW

Roman Hamirlik had 34 points with montreal... 26 before that... 33 before that...

Montreal loves to use there dmen.

Just saw Markov with 64 points a few years back.. man what coulda been for him and montreal

Devils and Flyers have 10.

Rangers and Pens have 7.

You would think they would even it out more.
- canadianpenfan

Given this short season it's gonna suck, in a normal year back to back games should never happen.

No it's not a guarantee. But based on what he's accomplished already, he's being underpaid.
- PLindbergh31

I know one thing, Dennis Wideman isn't twice as good as him.

It doesn't sound impressive, but he's still very young. His ceiling is easily a 50+ point d-man. You know how many D-men had 50+ points last year? I will spare you the trouble of looking it up. The answer is five.
- PLindbergh31

In addition to that, Subban was +9 on a bad team that scored 14 less goals than it allowed, while playing nearly 25 minutes a night and even in most advanced stats, including the ones the measure defense, Subban's numbers were outstanding.

RFA
- 77rams

Thank you Sir. So Montreal can match any contract. I guess Subban just wants to get back to playing hockey. He figures he's gonna get paid eventually.

Given this short season it's gonna suck, in a normal year back to back games should never happen.
- ob18

No, when you have 5 days off followed by a b2b something is wrong.

Not sure what Subban was thinking. He might be saying I want to play hockey right now, I will store this in my memory bank, and when two years are up I'm going to the highest bidder. Will he be a RFA or UFA at the end of these two years?
- PLindbergh31

He'll be a RFA. Not enough service time.

In addition to that, Subban was +9 on a bad team that scored 14 less goals than it allowed, while playing nearly 25 minutes a night and even in most advanced stats, including the ones the measure defense, Subban's numbers were outstanding.
- Jsaquella

I agree. I just bring up points because they are tangible. He does lots of other good things as you outline here. He's a very good player right now, with a chance to be a legit # 1 guy.

When we're talking potential i'll give it to him. But for me potential isn't a guarentee.

I actually think he has a better chance at hitting his potential now that he has a decent contract. Something to continue to play for.

Tired of teams paying players based on potential.
- Flyersgod

That's how you lock up your future stars at bargain prices. That said, you better be locking up the right player or you might Gomez yourself onto the unemployment line.

No it's not a guarantee. But based on what he's accomplished already, he's being underpaid.
- PLindbergh31

Eh.. i dunno anymore.. valuing players is tough...

He was a -8 one year and a +9 the next...

Del Zotto had 40 points last year... and a +20..37 points 2 seasons before that and a -20...

Del Zotto might actually be the better player...

I agree. I'm just bring up points because they are tangible. He does lots of other good things as you outline here. He's a very good play right now, with a chance to be a legit # 1 guy.
- PLindbergh31

yup. Just wanted to go deeper into the stats and show his overall level of play is already higher than what he's getting paid, and that he's not simply a one trick pony, but a very complete defenseman

Eh.. i dunno anymore.. valuing players is tough...

He was a -8 one year and a +9 the next...

Del Zotto had 40 points last year... and a +20..37 points 2 seasons before that and a -20...

Del Zotto might actually be the better player...
- Flyersgod

In addition to that, Subban was +9 on a bad team that scored 14 less goals than it allowed, while playing nearly 25 minutes a night and even in most advanced stats, including the ones the measure defense, Subban's numbers were outstanding.
- Jsaquella

Hey you look hard enough at stats you'll find one that does what you want it to do.

Look at Leighton. His stats are a complete joke. But some still think he belongs in the NHL..