Easy to suggest that is the case, but I can comfortably say that there are far fewer players taking (let alone abusing) pain killers than we are led to believe. I doubt he even took a narcotic.
- jak521

Normally I love your posts jak but I have to disagree.
When I shattered my leg after 2 surgeries and a car wreck which put me on pain killers 3 times in under a year time frame kicking those pain killers was one of the hardest things I ever did. I actually have it up there as a life defining moment - a win. So yeah don't underestimate how much you can depend on it. I've quit smoking as well and pain killers was harder.
I'm not saying everyone is hooked on them but I bet the figure is MUCH higher than you'd initially believe.

If they were selecting in the top 5 there would be plenty to be excited about because they would likely be getting a player NHL ready or very close.

At 11, while it's a deep draft, no guarantees that the player selected ever contributes at the NHL level.
- PLindbergh31

Without that late-season push, they might have felt compelled to slash and burn, trading half the team (and that top-5 pick) away for Ryan Miller, Dustin Byfuglien and Bobby Ryan.

Maybe I'm alone on this but here is my feeling on the young group of this team. A little ways back on this board I read that we could afford to keep Matt Read, while also keeping all of our young players intact. I like Matt Read, I do. The problem for me is, I feel there are no game breakers within this group. There is no question in my mind that the most recent clutch players on this team were Danny Briere and Claude Giroux. Now we've lost Briere. If I had to risk Matt Read to find a guy who can break a game wide open, I would. Maybe the Flyers should put a little more focus on the need of Matt Read but the organization feels that somehow they need to get bigger up front. That could very well mean the movement certain young players. In my mind Claude Giroux, Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are the future faces of this team. Then I see a little more need for Jake Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Scott Hartnell and whatever star we pick up to possibly put Giroux over the top at the elite level. I could very well be wrong. This is just how I feel. I like Matt Read but in 2 seasons he has yet to stand out anymore then anyone else on the roster. I think he's right there on par within development with all our other young players.

Normally I love your posts jak but I have to disagree.
When I shattered my leg after 2 surgeries and a car wreck which put me on pain killers 3 times in under a year time frame kicking those pain killers was one of the hardest things I ever did. I actually have it up there as a life defining moment - a win. So yeah don't underestimate how much you can depend on it. I've quit smoking as well and pain killers was harder.
I'm not saying everyone is hooked on them but I bet the figure is MUCH higher than you'd initially believe.
- FlyersGrace

For reference, Jak is in the sports medicine biz. Of course, I'd be willing to doubt him just for is Delco roots.

But those wins built a ton of confidence...



- Jimmygrazz

And momentum.

Can't forget the momentum.

But those wins built a ton of confidence...



- Jimmygrazz

Absolutely! It's given Fedetenko the swag to think he's a first line player.

He's power walking around like Vinny Mac!

Without that late-season push, they might have felt compelled to slash and burn, trading half the team (and that top-5 pick) away for Ryan Miller, Dustin Byfuglien and Bobby Ryan.
- Tomahawk

Regardless of who they select at pick 11, I will not knock, or praise the pick. Other than what I have read on mock draft websites, and the TV coverage I have never seen any of these kids play.

Regardless of who they select at pick 11, I will not knock, or praise the pick. Other than what I have read on mock draft websites, and the TV coverage I have never seen any of these kids play.
- PLindbergh31

I only care that the 11th pick is a puck moving defenser. Darnell Nurse, Ryan Pulock and Nikita Zadorov are my front runners. I'll give the edge to Ryan Pulock just because he plays with an edge and seems to specialize at creating offense from the blue line. With this said, I can't be mad as long as they take a defenser. Im just rooting for these three.

I'll be interested to see if this positive tone keeps up after we witness Streit get beat wide and out-muscled by opposing forwards, make a few Matt Carle-esque turnovers right in front of his own net, and fires a few pucks right into opponents' shin-pads leading to breaks the other way.

If he were anything close to Kimmo-level, the Islanders wouldn't have hidden him on their third-pairing and limited his exposure to hard matchups.

Small, slow, old... right now, he's still capable of eating some minutes at ES, but as time goes on, he'll likely be confined strictly to PP specialist duty.
- Tomahawk

Pretty amazing he played 23:21 minutes a game while being buried on the third pairing.

Normally I love your posts jak but I have to disagree.
When I shattered my leg after 2 surgeries and a car wreck which put me on pain killers 3 times in under a year time frame kicking those pain killers was one of the hardest things I ever did. I actually have it up there as a life defining moment - a win. So yeah don't underestimate how much you can depend on it. I've quit smoking as well and pain killers was harder.
I'm not saying everyone is hooked on them but I bet the figure is MUCH higher than you'd initially believe.
- FlyersGrace

At the same time side effects of narcs basically include all forms of sedation and lower respiratory rates.

For these guys to be on them long term, the side-effects could effect their game more than the pro's of killing the pain.

(1 year of nursing school skills haha)

I only care that the 11th pick is a puck moving defenser. Darnell Nurse, Ryan Pulock and Nikita Zadorov are my front runners. I'll give the edge to Ryan Pulock just because he plays with an edge and seems to specialize at creating offense from the blue line. With this said, I can't be mad as long as they take a defenser. Im just rooting for these three.
- dingo8urbaby

I think the rule of thumb the Flyers use of drafting the best player available is a good one to have. I wouldn't pigeon hole myself into drafting a specific position. Sure I would love for them to do a much better job of drafting and developing defenseman, but unfortunately that isn't an Organizational strength.

As other posters have brought up, there is more than one way to build a defense core. Whether it be through drafting, FA, or trades. The best way is a combination of the three.

I think the rule of thumb the Flyers use of drafting the best player available is a good one to have. I wouldn't pigeon hole myself into drafting a specific position. Sure I would love for them to do a much better job of drafting and developing defenseman, but unfortunately that isn't an Organizational strength.

As other posters have brought up, there is more than one way to build a defense core. Whether it be through drafting, FA, or trades. The best way is a combination of the three.
- PLindbergh31

Just for poops and giggles, and because I like your kind of dark humor, what would be your reaction if the Flyers brought in Leighton as Mason's back-up.

Streit cannot play top minutes in all situations. He is not a player that you want to use on the PK, or against top lines. He is an average at best defender. Very good offensively, but not very good defensively.
- MJL

I'm not so sure he's a player I would have signed. There is no question we need to generate offense from the blue line but I hate the price tag and I hate that he has shortcomings in 2 important areas. 5 on 5 and the PK. We just bought out a high priced center that doesn't play much D. Now we are about to sign a defender who doesn't defend!

Normally I love your posts jak but I have to disagree.
When I shattered my leg after 2 surgeries and a car wreck which put me on pain killers 3 times in under a year time frame kicking those pain killers was one of the hardest things I ever did. I actually have it up there as a life defining moment - a win. So yeah don't underestimate how much you can depend on it. I've quit smoking as well and pain killers was harder.
I'm not saying everyone is hooked on them but I bet the figure is MUCH higher than you'd initially believe.
- FlyersGrace

Oh I totally agree.. im not saying that they arent easy to become dependent upon... they are the most abused drug in the US.. and are frowned upon im my office. We try to keep people away from narcotics as best as possible.

What I was saying, is that just assuming an injured player is on narcotics is a bad assumption. Local anesthetics and non-narcotic pain meds vastly out way narcotic use. Hell, most of the guys that are using narcotics dont even get them from the team.

Just for poops and giggles, and because I like your kind of dark humor, what would be your reaction if the Flyers brought in Leighton as Mason's back-up.
- flyer_nutter

It wouldn't shock me. Because it's what they have done the last 3 years. It would be nothing short of a disgrace if it happened again.

Normally I love your posts jak but I have to disagree.
When I shattered my leg after 2 surgeries and a car wreck which put me on pain killers 3 times in under a year time frame kicking those pain killers was one of the hardest things I ever did. I actually have it up there as a life defining moment - a win. So yeah don't underestimate how much you can depend on it. I've quit smoking as well and pain killers was harder.
I'm not saying everyone is hooked on them but I bet the figure is MUCH higher than you'd initially believe.
- FlyersGrace

Question for you. You won tickets to the draft too right? Did you get the follow up e-mail expalining how to pick up the tickets?

Starting to get nervous.

I have a 30 pack and steaks ready to go
- Jsaquella

So where is my invite?

Pretty amazing he played 23:21 minutes a game while being buried on the third pairing.
- Feanor

Quick Poll: New Flyers Whipping Boy, 2013-14:

A) Fog-horn Coburn.
B) Cooter McGavin.
C) Super Schenn Bros.
D) The Ghost of Matt Carle.
E) [insert goalie name here].
F) Maybe someone really cool that we don't even know about yet (the waitress' panties)

Question for you. You won tickets to the draft too right? Did you get the follow up e-mail expalining how to pick up the tickets?

Starting to get nervous.
- youarewrong

Mail 500$ to Simba in the Congo and he will send you the tickets UPS overnight rush.

The cost is for printing and shipping/handling.

I think the rule of thumb the Flyers use of drafting the best player available is a good one to have. I wouldn't pigeon hole myself into drafting a specific position. Sure I would love for them to do a much better job of drafting and developing defenseman, but unfortunately that isn't an Organizational strength.

As other posters have brought up, there is more than one way to build a defense core. Whether it be through drafting, FA, or trades. The best way is a combination of the three.
- PLindbergh31

Maybe this idea of drafting the best player available is the reason we haven't won a Cup since the mid 70's. Within 6 years we feel we need to trade away home grown personel because we're tired of waiting.

At the same time side effects of narcs basically include all forms of sedation and lower respiratory rates.

For these guys to be on them long term, the side-effects could effect their game more than the pro's of killing the pain.

(1 year of nursing school skills haha)
- flyer_nutter

That was my other point... HAD Bergeron been on oxycodone or the like... his game would suffer more than battling the pain. His response time would be significantly affected and he would struggle to keep his stamina.

Quick Poll: New Flyers Whipping Boy, 2013-14:

A) Fog-horn Coburn.
B) Cooter McGavin.
C) Super Schenn Bros.
D) The Ghost of Matt Carle.
E)
- Moose_15[insert goalie name here].
F) Maybe someone really cool that we don't even know about yet (the waitress' panties)

I find it interesting that its moving more and more toward coaches and management, and away from the players.

Absolutely! It's given Fedetenko the swag to think he's a first line player.

He's power walking around like Vinny Mac!


- PLindbergh31

I don't know, but that walk just puts me in a really bad mood.

Pretty amazing he played 23:21 minutes a game while being buried on the third pairing.
- Feanor

You might want to consult his even-strength TOI during the playoffs. The effect of line-matching him away from both Crosby and Malkin had a dramatic effect on his ES TOI -- the only dman who played the majority of the series who spent less time at ES was Matt Carkner.

He plays a ton on the PP... that's why his overall TOI looks so impressive.

Maybe I'm alone on this but here is my feeling on the young group of this team. A little ways back on this board I read that we could afford to keep Matt Read, while also keeping all of our young players intact. I like Matt Read, I do. The problem for me is, I feel there are no game breakers within this group. There is no question in my mind that the most recent clutch players on this team were Danny Briere and Claude Giroux. Now we've lost Briere. If I had to risk Matt Read to find a guy who can break a game wide open, I would. Maybe the Flyers should put a little more focus on the need of Matt Read but the organization feels that somehow they need to get bigger up front. That could very well mean the movement certain young players. In my mind Claude Giroux, Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are the future faces of this team. Then I see a little more need for Jake Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Scott Hartnell and whatever star we pick up to possibly put Giroux over the top at the elite level. I could very well be wrong. This is just how I feel. I like Matt Read but in 2 seasons he has yet to stand out anymore then anyone else on the roster. I think he's right there on par within development with all our other young players.
- dingo8urbaby

I'm sorry I didn't read this post the whole way through, but I agree this team has a nice collection of young guy, but no players that can steal a game other then Giroux. So people saying to just sit back and do nothing and let the young guys grow, I'm afraid they wont grow into a special team.

That is why I think moving up and getting a Nichushkin or Barkov is important for the team. They also need to move someone at center to address a young defense. Then I think you can sit back and let the team develop, while filling out the team with needed role players and vets.