to hate; hate to

Perfect combo, but do the Flyers have the need for him? Does he make Hartnell and Simmonds redundant?
- Flyskippy

Clarkson could make Hartnell redundant. I can't see any scenario in which Simmer isn't on this team for many years to come.

Without context, it just seems so misguided.

Which top team has made it a mandate to "get bigger", gone out and done it, and have it work for them?

How about "get better"?
- bradleyc4

homer's more of a poker player, than a template driven strategist.

EDM has made it known that they would trade down from #7.
- bradleyc4

I wonder what they would want... another pick? Read? Couts and Schenn?

Clarkson could make Hartnell redundant. I can't see any scenario in which Simmer isn't on this team for many years to come.
- FlyerGuy

Only one scenario: repeatedly turning over pucks in the neutral zone with no-look/high-risk passes that turn into chances the other way.

Aside from that one scenario played out over and over, I agree.

homer's more of a poker player, than a template driven strategist.
- isaiah520

Explain.

i heard that he's pissed that Matt Walker didn't clean the house before moving out.
- wilsonecho91

That got a legitimate LOL....well done.

Yes! Then we can all complain when they're not ready in September -- of this year or any year prior to 2016.


- Flyskippy

some of us i guess

I for one, like the idea of "getting bigger".

Too many times this team was pushed around, and failed to even get a cycle game going. There are forwards on this team that can continously engage in a punishing cycle game but they are inconsistent in the matter.

I'd be more in favour of a guy like Morrow, but Zubrus is an interesting name.

The ditch diggers often do not get a lot of the attention that the players with flare have, but imo never get enough credit. As long as its a good deal, I am all for this team being a more punishing, and a harder team to play against up front.

A real good punishing cycle like LA employs, is what to keep building toward imo. They have the skill up front this crew, but they need some more consistent snarl in the trenches.

"Local product that isn't really local" > "Some dude from anywhere else with more skill"

Tangradi gets no love. Tony Voce should get another shot here, I guess - from Kjell Samuelsson.


- Flyskippy

No love for Moorestown's TJ Brennan?

I for one, like the idea of "getting bigger".

Too many times this team was pushed around, and failed to even get a cycle game going. There are forwards on this team that can continously engage in a punishing cycle game but they are inconsistent in the matter.

I'd be more in favour of a guy like Morrow, but Zubrus is an interesting name.

The ditch diggers often do not get a lot of the attention that the players with flare have, but imo never get enough credit. As long as its a good deal, I am all for this team being a more punishing, and a harder team to play against up front.

A real good punishing cycle like LA employs, is what to keep building toward imo. They have the skill up front this crew, but they need some more consistent snarl in the trenches.
- flyer_nutter

Well said.

Clarkson could make Hartnell redundant. I can't see any scenario in which Simmer isn't on this team for many years to come.
- FlyerGuy

I'd love to add a player like Clarkson and would prefer him over Clowe.

Imho a team can never have enough forwards with size, grit, and an ability to create havoc in front of the net.

This team far too often looks for the pretty play.

Clarkson could make Hartnell redundant. I can't see any scenario in which Simmer isn't on this team for many years to come.
- FlyerGuy

with homer as GM, anyone could go except G perhaps.

No love for Moorestown's TJ Brennan?
- johndewar

Never heard of him (by comparison), thus he can't really be local.

Short answer: No

youarewrong
- jak521

Explain, or are you just trying to be funny?

I watch the playoffs and see players such as Joel Ward and Jason Chimera. That's the type of player that the Flyers need to add to the lineup. Strong on the puck, bring a phyusical element. And can chip in the odd goal. And won't break the bank on the Cap. It's possible that Tye McGinn can supply that type of play to the lineup.
- MJL

I could see that from McGinn. He's got some toughness to him.

I for one, like the idea of "getting bigger".

Too many times this team was pushed around, and failed to even get a cycle game going. There are forwards on this team that can continously engage in a punishing cycle game but they are inconsistent in the matter.

I'd be more in favour of a guy like Morrow, but Zubrus is an interesting name.

The ditch diggers often do not get a lot of the attention that the players with flare have, but imo never get enough credit. As long as its a good deal, I am all for this team being a more punishing, and a harder team to play against up front.

A real good punishing cycle like LA employs, is what to keep building toward imo. They have the skill up front this crew, but they need some more consistent snarl in the trenches.
- flyer_nutter

I really like Brenden Morrow, but would have preferred to get him years ago to now.

Explain, or are you just trying to be funny?
- youarewrong

a bit of both.

I think it is way more important to surround your team with two way talent then it is to look for the offensively gifted. I also think there needs to be balance on defense.

I really like Brenden Morrow, but would have preferred to get him years ago to now.
- Flyskippy

Morrow wont be here imo when this team goes for a cup run. Even though yes he would have been nicer to have a number of years ago.

He is there to provide much needed veteran leadership, and show the kids the right way to play.

If he can show in these playoffs that he has some game left under the most strenuous of games, I'd make a call to his agent.

Edit: If Holmgren does indeed deliver on the "getting bigger" aspect I will be one happy camper. I know not all agree, but this team was soft up front this season imo. Or wasnt hard to play against in the trenches and on the cycle game enough.

When will the Flyers realize that BPA is subjective. If you value big 2-way forwards higher then speedy snipers, you will have 2-way forwards higher on your list.

IMO its time for the Flyers to project skilled scorers and Offensive defenseman higher on thier list then Large defensive defenseman and 2 way forwards with "offensive upside".

Once you re-align your rankings, then you can still take the BPA, but it would be a completely differnt type of player.
- youarewrong

I'll help explain. First, how do you know they don't realize it's subjective? Silly question. Of course, it is subjective: it's subject to their rankings and organizational needs.

The Flyers *signed* Erik Gustafsson as a free agent. The needs of the team aren't always and cannot always be met via the draft.

Finally, there's too much assumption, conjecture, and quite frankly begging the question in your post. You are "assuming the initial point" regarding the Flyers' decisions is factual.

a bit of both.

I think it is way more important to surround your team with two way talent then it is to look for the offensively gifted. I also think there needs to be balance on defense.
- jak521

I absolutely agree about the defense. Need some puck movers desperately. I am just saying, they have the 2 way talent already, so now they need to look at their team and say, these are the attributes we need to make this team better, and place players like that higher on thier draft board.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers at Worlds, 'Getting Bigger', Forwards in Draft
- bmeltzer

The one thing I noticed during the year (and it did improve by the end) was the extremely poor passing game between the Flyer's skaters. There were zero tape to tape passes, and Forwards who were lucky to catch it in their skates and be able to get it onto their stick would often have a defender draped all over them by that point. Nothing hit anyone in stride allowing defenders the ability to take the puck away.

I thought Giroux was one of the only players who possessed a superior passing game. Which is one of the things I attribute to Voracek's big season. But everyone else just seemed off as far as timing. And I guess with little to no practice time, that became a huge problem.

Morrow wont be here imo when this team goes for a cup run. Even though yes he would have been nicer to have a number of years ago.

He is there to provide much needed veteran leadership, and show the kids the right way to play.

If he can show in these playoffs that he has some game left under the most strenuous of games, I'd make a call to his agent.

Edit: If Holmgren does indeed deliver on the "getting bigger" aspect I will be one happy camper. I know not all agree, but this team was soft up front this season imo. Or wasnt hard to play against in the trenches and on the cycle game enough.
- flyer_nutter

Only a 1- or 2-year deal, though. He's 34 -- will be 35 in January.

Explain.
- Flyskippy

he goes into every off season w/ a different idea of what kind of team he wants to build. after the brilliant '08 makeover, we proceeded to hunting the puck, getting bigger, then getting that core defenseman, then getting bigger, faster, stonger, younger and last year it must have been mostly smaller, slower and weaker ( )

it's been discussed ad nauseum how it would be preferable to decide what kind of team they would like to be and build, draft, trade and coach around that. the obvious example is DET, but i think NJ and BOS would also qualify as examples. such an approach breeds org patience and prudence and would be unlikely to result in a bryz type move. no one can make a cogent argument that the flyers fit this profile.

Only a 1- or 2-year deal, though. He's 34 -- will be 35 in January.
- Flyskippy

Perfectly reasonable to give him a 2 year deal imo. Along with a guy like Streit.

Saving cap space is good and all, but its going to leave Holmgren sitting with a thumb up his ass when he could have signed a player to make the team better, but he chose to just "save cap space".

Remember the attitude this team seemed to play with when they had the year of the suspensions? When they had Lappy and when Pronger was playing? They need that back.

I'll help explain. First, how do you know they don't realize it's subjective? Silly question. Of course, it is subjective: it's subject to their rankings and organizational needs.

The Flyers *signed* Erik Gustafsson as a free agent. The needs of the team aren't always and cannot always be met via the draft.

Finally, there's too much assumption, conjecture, and quite frankly begging the question in your post. You are "assuming the initial point" regarding the Flyers' decisions is factual.
- Flyskippy

I think people made it very clear it is not based on orginizational need. Over and Over again. The drafting of Laughton is perfect example that there is valdity to my assumption. Considering they already had Couturier, Schenn, and Cousins that are similiar players in the same position.