Wasn't Malakhov used extensively as well?
- jmatchett383

Yup, he and Markov were playing nearly 30mins a night and were our top pairing at that point.

Idk about that, besides for them we still have Giroux, Voracek, Hartnell, Read, Lecavalier, Simmonds, and even Talbot to score goals. We have one of the deepest top-9s in the entire league. Our success does not rely on 1 or 2 particular forwards playing out of their minds. It's the same philosophy as to why I like goalie tandems better than 1 guy. If your 1 goalie goes cold for a bit, you have no one else. In a tandem you just switch over and feel confident with your 1b goalie.
- JAKEw1234

i agree with you about the flyers depth, but ive always rather had one stud goaltender and then a clear backup. it obviously helps if your backup isnt a total waste and can keep you in a game, but i like having a tender that is the man in net

Klatt played on Mike Modano's line a bit in Dallas (and had 12 goals in the cut-in-half 1994-95 lockout year) and had the pedigree to suggest he could pop a few supporting goals in addition to being a sturdy grinder. The 24-goal season with the Flyers didn't come out of the blue. It was the hockey ignorance of Mike Missanelli that made it sound like it was a miracle that he topped 20 goals.

Apart from the LOD and Brind'Amour, the Flyers had Hawerchuk (declining and injured but still a good player), an entire third line of viable double-digit scorers as well as excellent two-way players in Joel Otto, Shjon Podein and Klatt.

In 1995-96, Falloon had a respectable 22 goals and 46 points in 62 games after coming over from San Jose. People were expecting him to be some 40-goal star because he was the second overall pick in the 1991 draft, but what he did right after coming over from the Sharks was pretty much in line with a second-line scorer's pace (especially with scoring going down around the league). The problem with Falloon was that he HAD to score to contribute, because he had no other game. So he rapidly fell out of favor here the same way he did with the Sharks.

Vaclav Prospal made an immediate impact in 1996-97 after being called up from the Phantoms and had a great first round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken wrist in practice between rounds one and two and had to have surgery -- so he was done for the playoffs.

Dainius Zubrus showed hints of offensive promise as a rookie.

When you add it all up, lack of forward depth really wasn't a big problem for the Flyers in those years. The bigger issue was that they had a generally mobile and decent top six on defense, but a bunch of injury-prone players (Svoboda, Haller), inconsistent ones (Therien, Dykhuis, Yushkevich at that point of his career) and aging/injury prone guys (Kejll Samuelsson)with no depth behind them and goaltending that was OK but not quite good enough.
- bmeltzer

Sounds familiar

Well a lot of people also forget that with the same number of games played, we were in a similar underdog situation 2 seasons ago. I think if last season was a regular length we would have made the playoffs.
- JAKEw1234

Really? Okay, then. I sure don't agree with that. I didn't see any signs of them turning a corner. That five game ending was unimpressive even if they looked a little better.

Obviously I hope you're right.

Wasn't Malakhov used extensively as well?
- jmatchett383

Yes, and he was outstanding. Malakhov always had the talent level to be an elite NHL defenseman but had little motivation -- especially during the regular season -- and was wildly inconsistent. But he brought his A game to Philly in his brief time here.

Actually, all of the Russians on the team that season-- Zhamnov, Malakhov and Markov -- turned out to be valuable acquisitions that year, even though their time in Philly was brief. Too bad Zhamnov's back issues flared up on him again in the playoffs, which cut down on his effectiveness, because he had been an offensive shot in the arm for the team down the stretch and especially in the New Jersey series.

Really? Okay, then. I sure don't agree with that. I didn't see any signs of them turning a corner. That five game ending was unimpressive even if they looked a little better.

Obviously I hope you're right.
- mayorofangrytown

It wasn't just the last 5 games, it was the last 15. They won 11 of their last 15, which does suggest the turning of a corner, seeing as 15 games was a third of the season.

Idk about that, besides for them we still have Giroux, Voracek, Hartnell, Read, Lecavalier, Simmonds, and even Talbot to score goals. We have one of the deepest top-9s in the entire league. Our success does not rely on 1 or 2 particular forwards playing out of their minds. It's the same philosophy as to why I like goalie tandems better than 1 guy. If your 1 goalie goes cold for a bit, you have no one else. In a tandem you just switch over and feel confident with your 1b goalie.
- JAKEw1234

They had pretty much the same team last year. Vinny will help a little but this team needs Schenn and Couturier to take the next steps.

Idk about that, besides for them we still have Giroux, Voracek, Hartnell, Read, Lecavalier, Simmonds, and even Talbot to score goals. We have one of the deepest top-9s in the entire league. Our success does not rely on 1 or 2 particular forwards playing out of their minds. It's the same philosophy as to why I like goalie tandems better than 1 guy. If your 1 goalie goes cold for a bit, you have no one else. In a tandem you just switch over and feel confident with your 1b goalie.
- JAKEw1234

For one of the strongest top nines in the league they sure struggled to put pucks in the net.

For one of the strongest top nines in the league they sure struggled to put pucks in the net.
- mayorofangrytown

it doesnt always translate thats for sure. see pens v boston

They had pretty much the same team last year. Vinny will help a little but this team needs Schenn and Couturier to take the next steps.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agreed

For one of the strongest top nines in the league they sure struggled to put pucks in the net.
- mayorofangrytown

Despite having a very weak transition game that really hurt the offense, they were still 9th in league in goals for, above teams like Boston, Vancouver, LA, Detroit, and Edmonton. Not exactly what I'd call struggling, maybe a little bit of a down year, but struggling isn't the right term.

i agree with you about the flyers depth, but ive always rather had one stud goaltender and then a clear backup. it obviously helps if your backup isnt a total waste and can keep you in a game, but i like having a tender that is the man in net
- stayinthefnnet

Idk look at Fluery. He was supposed to be your stud guy. When he couldn't perform in the playoffs, Vokoun was there to save the say. You guys would've been screwed in the 1st round if you had no alternative to Fluery.

They had pretty much the same team last year. Vinny will help a little but this team needs Schenn and Couturier to take the next steps.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree it'd be helpful if they do take those steps but we're still a playoff team even if they just keep an equal production.

Agreed
- jackfrost

IMO the biggest aspect of the Flyers turnaround in 07-08 was the emergence of Richards and Carter. Obviously Timonen had a lot to do with it as well, but none of the guys the Flyers signed this offseason are close to him.

I agree it'd be helpful if they do take those steps but we're still a playoff team even if they just keep an equal production.
- JAKEw1234

If they keep an equal production, they will be a fringe playoff team IMO

I agree it'd be helpful if they do take those steps but we're still a playoff team even if they just keep an equal production.
- JAKEw1234

im not quite as confident as you
the East with the new alignment is gonna be a cluster(frank) next year

im not quite as confident as you
the East with the new alignment is gonna be a cluster(frank) next year
- Crimsoninja

I hope the Leafs miss the playoffs. I don't hate them. I just think it would be funny.

Idk look at Fluery. He was supposed to be your stud guy. When he couldn't perform in the playoffs, Vokoun was there to save the say. You guys would've been screwed in the 1st round if you had no alternative to Fluery.
- JAKEw1234

for the record, i dont know if he qualifies as "the man" in net anymore. if you need your backup to be the knight in shining armor to get you through the first round, you have issues. id rather be one of the teams with that unquestioned solid to stud ranged starter than you live and die with.

I hope the Leafs miss the playoffs. I don't hate them. I just think it would be funny.
- PhillySportsGuy

yes


also i wish Jagr would sign somewhere already. im curious to see where he goes

Yes, and he was outstanding. Malakhov always had the talent level to be an elite NHL defenseman but had little motivation -- especially during the regular season -- and was wildly inconsistent. But he brought his A game to Philly in his brief time here.

Actually, all of the Russians on the team that season-- Zhamnov, Malakhov and Markov -- turned out to be valuable acquisitions that year, even though their time in Philly was brief. Too bad Zhamnov's back issues flared up on him again in the playoffs, which cut down on his effectiveness, because he had been an offensive shot in the arm for the team down the stretch and especially in the New Jersey series.
- bmeltzer

Yeah, I seem to remember Zhamnov being a pretty big offensive threat in the NJ series. That was probably my favorite team aside from 09/10. No elite players, but a collection of very good players led by a captain riding the best offensive play of his career. They actually reminded me of the 80's Flyers' teams.

im not quite as confident as you
the East with the new alignment is gonna be a cluster(frank) next year
- Crimsoninja

that it will. its gonna be crazy

If they keep an equal production, they will be a fringe playoff team IMO
- PhillySportsGuy

They were a 5th seed, 100 point, 2nd round playoff team 2 seasons ago and that was without Pronger, before the emergence of Voracek and Simmonds, with question marks in goal, in Couturier's rookie season, and with Read and Bschenn's modest at best production. We're a better team on paper now then we were then.

I hope the Leafs miss the playoffs. I don't hate them. I just think it would be funny.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd love it, just because I hate the pompous way their fans act despite the fact they haven't won since 1967. That, and the fact that they talk about how their players all suck, but want elite talent in exchange for them in trade scenarios.

for the record, i dont know if he qualifies as "the man" in net anymore. if you need your backup to be the knight in shining armor to get you through the first round, you have issues. id rather be one of the teams with that unquestioned solid to stud ranged starter than you live and die with.
- stayinthefnnet

Ya but he was, I think was my point. Imo it was a mistake to take a goalie 1st overall. That just seems like a recipe for disaster.

yes


also i wish Jagr would sign somewhere already. im curious to see where he goes
- Crimsoninja

It will be somewhere completely random.