I'd like to see Briere sit or play much less time. I'd like Mcginn with Schenn and Simmonds because Briere does nothing on the forecheck, doesn't look like hes putting much effort out, and is the worst player on the team in his own zone. Sure he scores clutch goals but he is out on the ice for more goals against than for. Also not to mention all of the idiotic stick infraction penalties he takes. Sorry for the rant
- Richieattack18

Briere offers very little else when he's not scoring. Hard to argue with that.

I think Luke's confidence was shot in Toronto. If he had stayed there, he never would have developed. Now he gets to play in a new place with his brother no less. Seems like it's taken the edge off.
- NickTheKid87

Part of it was definitely confidence, for which all blame rests with Ron Wilson.

Part of it was unrealistic expectations - the pendulum swings pretty hard in Toronto. He never should have played in the league at 18 - nobody should. He would have been so much better off playing another year of junior and going to the WJC.

But honestly, he doesn't have the speed to be a 1st liner. I know, I know, you guys have seen him for 20 games now.

But take a look at his ice time: after being above 20 minutes for the first month, he's now creeping back down. He's now averaging about 4th in minutes per defenceman per game for you in the last 4 or 5 games - which is about where he should be.

He'll never play on your power play - ever. He'll never put up points.

But as to your bolded point above - no doubt about it. When the trade occurred, everyone said that it was a fresh start for both guys.

Looks like that has happened, and that's a good thing.

Despite the negativity directed towards Schenn here, nobody ever made it personal. I don't think you could find a single Leafs fan who would say they "hated" Schenn.

The Bullies are the reason. They glorified goons with Schultz and the like. It's not entirely fair to call them a dirty franchise but it is what it is.
- NickTheKid87

So john ferguson of the habs and terry orielly of the bruins were choir boys? All teams had/have enforcers. The flyers just did it better then. That doesn't mean the franchise has been entirely comprised of phil McCrackens.

I'd like to see Briere sit or play much less time. I'd like Mcginn with Schenn and Simmonds because Briere does nothing on the forecheck, doesn't look like hes putting much effort out, and is the worst player on the team in his own zone. Sure he scores clutch goals but he is out on the ice for more goals against than for. Also not to mention all of the idiotic stick infraction penalties he takes. Sorry for the rant
- Richieattack18

Wouldn't sit Briere because he can still be a game changer but maybe lessen his minutes.

Honestly, who cares....at least we're good every year
- Giroux_Is_God

You're right, thats all that matters. Once in awhile it irritates me that this team is perceived as dirty. Usually after talking to pens fans.

So john ferguson of the habs and terry orielly of the bruins were choir boys? All teams had/have enforcers. The flyers just did it better then. That doesn't mean the franchise has been entirely comprised of phil McCrackens.
- twotoekenn

Not disagreeing that other teams had goons. Flyers' just got the label as dirty and unfortunately it has stuck.

Part of it was definitely confidence, for which all blame rests with Ron Wilson.

Part of it was unrealistic expectations - the pendulum swings pretty hard in Toronto. He never should have played in the league at 18 - nobody should. He would have been so much better off playing another year of junior and going to the WJC.

But honestly, he doesn't have the speed to be a 1st liner. I know, I know, you guys have seen him for 20 games now.

But take a look at his ice time: after being above 20 minutes for the first month, he's now creeping back down. He's now averaging about 4th in minutes per defenceman per game for you in the last 4 or 5 games - which is about where he should be.

He'll never play on your power play - ever. He'll never put up points.

But as to your bolded point above - no doubt about it. When the trade occurred, everyone said that it was a fresh start for both guys.

Looks like that has happened, and that's a good thing.

Despite the negativity directed towards Schenn here, nobody ever made it personal. I don't think you could find a single Leafs fan who would say they "hated" Schenn.
- Atomic Wedgie

Interesting..just checked the stats.. guess who is leading the Flyers in +/- at +6? Yep..Luke.

So john ferguson of the habs and terry orielly of the bruins were choir boys? All teams had/have enforcers. The flyers just did it better then. That doesn't mean the franchise has been entirely comprised of phil McCrackens.
- twotoekenn

Look, I get that you are proud of the two Stanley Cups. If I was a Flyers fan, I would be too.

But any impartial observer will tell you that those two years were the absolute nadir for skill in professional hockey.

Hell, read "The Game" by Dryden - he think that the Habs winning again saved hockey.

And ever since, it's been the focal point of the Flyers' marketing campaign.

You can't have it both ways.

Part of it was definitely confidence, for which all blame rests with Ron Wilson.

Part of it was unrealistic expectations - the pendulum swings pretty hard in Toronto. He never should have played in the league at 18 - nobody should. He would have been so much better off playing another year of junior and going to the WJC.

But honestly, he doesn't have the speed to be a 1st liner. I know, I know, you guys have seen him for 20 games now.

But take a look at his ice time: after being above 20 minutes for the first month, he's now creeping back down. He's now averaging about 4th in minutes per defenceman per game for you in the last 4 or 5 games - which is about where he should be.

He'll never play on your power play - ever. He'll never put up points.

But as to your bolded point above - no doubt about it. When the trade occurred, everyone said that it was a fresh start for both guys.

Looks like that has happened, and that's a good thing.

Despite the negativity directed towards Schenn here, nobody ever made it personal. I don't think you could find a single Leafs fan who would say they "hated" Schenn.
- Atomic Wedgie

He'll never be a franchise defenseman obviously but he could be a premier shutdown guy. I think the comparison to Adam Foote has a very real possibility of coming to fruition. I know that's what we're all hoping for here in Philly.

Interesting..just checked the stats.. guess who is leading the Flyers in +/- at +6? Yep..Luke.
- Hextall271

And Mark Fraser of the Leafs is second in the league at +13.

Know what I mean?

He'll never be a franchise defenseman obviously but he could be a premier shutdown guy. I think the comparison to Adam Foote has a very real possibility of coming to fruition. I know that's what we're all hoping for here in Philly.
- NickTheKid87

If JVR becomes John LeClair, and Luke Schenn becomes Adam Foote, that wouldn't be good.

I don't think that will happen though.

And Mark Fraser of the Leafs is second in the league at +13.

Know what I mean?
- Atomic Wedgie

Is he really a +13? Geez

i just tested this out:






Todd Cordell ‏@ToddCordell
Ilya Bryzgalov IS the universe apparently pic.twitter.com/6JQEcBw9AD
Retweeted by notbryzgoalie30

Wouldn't sit Briere because he can still be a game changer but maybe lessen his minutes.
- NickTheKid87

He has more chance of being a game changer in negative way than positive imo. Whether its his pathetic defense or a stupid penalty. If they play him, it should only be in overtime

He'll never be a franchise defenseman obviously but he could be a premier shutdown guy. I think the comparison to Adam Foote has a very real possibility of coming to fruition. I know that's what we're all hoping for here in Philly.
- NickTheKid87

I think he's probably more of a Luke Richardson.

But that's not so bad, is it?

If JVR becomes John LeClair, and Luke Schenn becomes Adam Foote, that wouldn't be good.

I don't think that will happen though.
- PLindbergh31

Why would that not be good though?

Look, I get that you are proud of the two Stanley Cups. If I was a Flyers fan, I would be too.

But any impartial observer will tell you that those two years were the absolute nadir for skill in professional hockey.

Hell, read "The Game" by Dryden - he think that the Habs winning again saved hockey.

And ever since, it's been the focal point of the Flyers' marketing campaign.

You can't have it both ways.
- Atomic Wedgie

I can't stand Dryden and of course he's going to say his Habs teams saved hockey because he's an egomaniac. It's BS and he's perfect in his current role as a politician. I would say the nadir of hockey was probably the New Jersey trap era and boring games or the fox puck. Or maybe the lockout that cancelled a season?

A lot of Leafs fans you talk to are older and remember the 67 cup and also like to add that the golden years of the NHL were when it was only the original six. I don't see how that's the case when one of 2 teams win almost every year.

I think he's probably more of a Luke Richardson.

But that's not so bad, is it?
- Atomic Wedgie

Not really. Richardson was a good player.

He has more chance of being a game changer in negative way than positive imo. Whether its his pathetic defense or a stupid penalty. If they play him, it should only be in overtime
- Richieattack18

They need him on the 2nd PP unit though.

Why would that not be good though?
- NickTheKid87

First reason being, Foote was injured a bunch.

Look, I get that you are proud of the two Stanley Cups. If I was a Flyers fan, I would be too.

But any impartial observer will tell you that those two years were the absolute nadir for skill in professional hockey.

Hell, read "The Game" by Dryden - he think that the Habs winning again saved hockey.

And ever since, it's been the focal point of the Flyers' marketing campaign.

You can't have it both ways.
- Atomic Wedgie

of course he thinks that, because he's a cornelian lawyer who hated the flyers. lucky for the habs, bernie wasn't in net in 76. personally, i don't care about the label, but i do think it's overplayed and isn't an accurate representation of the makeup of the team over the history of the franchise. and it's not like the mid 70s teams were without skill and won solely by pounding the snot out of everyone. HOFers on that team and they had a great coach. the flyers have fallen just short or near short a number of times with very good teams not comprised of more than 1 or 2 tough guys and those teams weren't particularly dirty.

i think they market the team with the bullies approach because they simply don't know what else to do.

First reason being, Foote was injured a bunch.
- PLindbergh31

Well I don't think the comparison means that he'll be a carbon copy.

The Bullies are the reason. They glorified goons with Schultz and the like. It's not entirely fair to call them a dirty franchise but it is what it is.
- NickTheKid87

Dave "20 Goal Scorer" Schultz?

Well I don't think the comparison means that he'll be a carbon copy.
- NickTheKid87

Understood. Would you trade LeClair for Adam Foote? With the benefit of hindsight, I sure the hell wouldn't

If JVR becomes John LeClair, and Luke Schenn becomes Adam Foote, that wouldn't be good.

I don't think that will happen though.
- PLindbergh31

JvR is going to turn into another Corey Perry!