Bill,
If Poile is the GM for the US in Sochi as has been reported, does the Weber offer sheet affect Homer's standing on the selection committee? I can't imagine that would be a comfortable dynamic.
- Benway

No, it won't affect it. After many years of friendship, the two allegedly weren't speaking for awhile after the Weber offer sheet but since then, it's back to business.

Whatever they self-identity as, in Finland, I'm sure they know Barkov as "that Russian kid playing for Tappara" just like in the US, people tend to refer to Lin as "that Chinese NBA player".
- Tomahawk

I've always found it funny that we have distinctions such as african-american even though many african-americans have been here longer than most "White Americans." No one calls me a Polish American. My family has only been here since the 20's

I don't think the Flyers are disappointed in what they got from Briere. He was a huge part in pretty much all of the seven playoff series they won during his time with the team, had a pair of 30+ goal seasons and three 25+ goal seasons in mostly a second-line role.
- bmeltzer

Highest paid forward... 8 year/ 50 mil contract for mostly 2nd line role???? I'm sure Philly Thought They were getting a speedy top line center to anchor the offense so his contract. I know I thought for sure he'd put a few 100 point seasons after putting up 95 With buffalo. In those terms they had to be at least a little disappointed. I know I am.

Tortorella in Vancouver should be good for some laughs.
- Marc D

I can't wait to see him put a Sedin on the 4th line for "lack of effort"

welllllll we won the draft ticket lottery the Devils were holding so we will be representing the Flyers at the draft next weekend!
- nastyflyergirl

So did I. I am SO going to BOO Nurse if he is selected. Give him the McNabb welcome.

Highest paid forward... 8 year/ 50 mil contract for mostly 2nd line role???? I'm sure Philly Thought They were getting a speedy top line center to anchor the offense so his contract. I know I thought for sure he'd put a few 100 point seasons after putting up 95 With buffalo. In those terms they had to be at least a little disappointed. I know I am.
- SMS4016

Only the absolute elite players in the world put up 100 point seasons these days. I think your expectations were too high.

welllllll we won the draft ticket lottery the Devils were holding so we will be representing the Flyers at the draft next weekend!
- nastyflyergirl

Good for you! Have fun!

No, it won't affect it. After many years of friendship, the two allegedly weren't speaking for awhile after the Weber offer sheet but since then, it's back to business.
- bmeltzer

Thanks! I remember the intial anger being publicized, but hadn't read anything stating they've reconciled.

Thanks! I remember the intial anger being publicized, but hadn't read anything stating they've reconciled.
- Benway

Lovers quarrel

Whatever they self-identify as, in Finland, I'm sure they know Barkov as "that Russian kid playing for Tappara" just like in the US, people tend to refer to Lin as "that Chinese NBA player".
- Tomahawk

And when he dominates for their national team I'm sure they'll stop thinking that. Either way, Nichushkin is the best Russian in this draft.

They paid him like a first line center. He produced more along the lines of a second line center. Obviously not steadily. There were times when he was the best center. There were times when he was the third best.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, his contract was front loaded, so it's not like his current contract paid him like a 1st line center.

I would want to see a few more numbers and see how he stacks up relative to other players who made his coin before I start tossing around words like "overpaid".

Only the absolute elite players in the world put up 100 point seasons these days. I think your expectations were too high.
- PhillySportsGuy

I was just thinking that... Idk, coming out of lockout briere was unstoppable in buffalo. I watch alot of their games. Maybe it was buffalos style. EitheR way paying that big a contract for 70 points is a killer nowadays.

Highest paid forward... 8 year/ 50 mil contract for mostly 2nd line role???? I'm sure Philly Thought They were getting a speedy top line center to anchor the offense so his contract. I know I thought for sure he'd put a few 100 point seasons after putting up 95 With buffalo. In those terms they had to be at least a little disappointed. I know I am.
- SMS4016

No reason to get hung up on line numbers. When you have depth at Center, everyone can't be on the so called top line. Should Pittsburgh not have re-signed Malkin because he plays on the 2nd line? Or is Malkin on the first line, then Crosby is in a 2nd line role? I'm not disappointed at all with Briere as a player. The only thing I'm disappointed in, is that he didn't get to play out the contract here..

Only the absolute elite players in the world put up 100 point seasons these days. I think your expectations were too high.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agreed.

Only the absolute elite players in the world put up 100 point seasons these days. I think your expectations were too high.
- PhillySportsGuy

Also at the time he signed his contract it was the standard for highest paid players. It was a huge contract 6 years ago

So did I. I am SO going to BOO Nurse if he is selected. Give him the McNabb welcome.
- youarewrong

If we get Nurse at 11 it would be great on so many levels.....booing Mcnabb when he comes to games is just an added bonus

Well, his contract was front loaded, so it's not like his current contract paid him like a 1st line center.

I would want to see a few more numbers and see how he stacks up relative to other players who made his coin before I start tossing around words like "overpaid".
- johndewar

Overpaid is a relative term. It's purely based on opinion. I thought Briere was paid at the level of a perennial all star center. He made the all star game a couple of times I believe. I'm not disappointed with his Flyers career. If I had it over again, I would have still signed him even though Richards and Carter emerged as elite players that same season.

Renaud Lavoie ‏@RenLavoieRDS

3 teams are in the running for Jonathan Bernier. Kings are going to take the best offer from Maple Leafs, Flyers or Wild. #RDS

No reason to get hung up on line numbers. When you have depth at Center, everyone can't be on the so called top line. Should Pittsburgh not have re-signed Malkin because he plays on the 2nd line? Or is Malkin on the first line, then Crosby is in a 2nd line role? I'm not disappointed at all with Briere as a player. The only thing I'm disappointed in, is that he didn't get to play out the contract here..
- MJL

Crosby and malkin both put up 100 point season, dominate games, win MVP awards. They are the exception to the rule. Most TeAMA 2nd line center isn't close in pay or point production or at least expected point production. If g sign a 8/ 50 something mil contract and only puts up 7o points I'd be pissed and disappointed. Point being top line center has to be dominate. Always has always will. Yeah their are a few exceptions out their to point at but for the most part gotta be dominating games fairly consistently for team to succeed.

Renaud Lavoie ‏@RenLavoieRDS

3 teams are in the running for Jonathan Bernier. Kings are going to take the best offer from Maple Leafs, Flyers or Wild. #RDS
- bradleyc4

i dont like this entire affair

Renaud Lavoie ‏@RenLavoieRDS

3 teams are in the running for Jonathan Bernier. Kings are going to take the best offer from Maple Leafs, Flyers or Wild. #RDS
- bradleyc4

I guess Backstrom is as good as gone for the Wild

welllllll we won the draft ticket lottery the Devils were holding so we will be representing the Flyers at the draft next weekend!
- nastyflyergirl

i "won" too, i think they gave them to anyone who enetered, which makes sense

Overpaid is a relative term. It's purely based on opinion. I thought Briere was paid at the level of a perennial all star center. He made the all star game a couple of times I believe. I'm not disappointed with his Flyers career. If I had it over again, I would have still signed him even though Richards and Carter emerged as elite players that same season.
- PhillySportsGuy

I would have loved to see them have more faith in what they already had in-house in terms of centers... in hindsight, a short rebuild probably would have served them better than the immediate reload path they pursued.

Same thing this summer... I'd have been ecstatic if they had eschewed Streit in favor of giving the ball to Gus and letting him run with it. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gus average more minutes at ES than Streit when the season is over.

i "won" too, i think they gave them to anyone who enetered, which makes sense
- Don'tForgetTocchet

i didn't win

Crosby and malkin both put up 100 point season, dominate games, win MVP awards. They are the exception to the rule. Most TeAMA 2nd line center isn't close in pay or point production or at least expected point production. If g sign a 8/ 50 something mil contract and only puts up 7o points I'd be pissed and disappointed. Point being top line center has to be dominate. Always has always will. Yeah their are a few exceptions out their to point at but for the most part gotta be dominating games fairly consistently for team to succeed.
- SMS4016

I don't think you understand what I'm saying. I don't believe the Flyers signed Briere to match up against the likes of Crosby head to head. They needed scoring and they wanted to sign the best point producer available. Anytime you sign the best offensive player on the market, you are going to overpay. They were fine with that. Sometimes you need to overpay.

I think your expectations were far too great.