That's what I always wonder about with these "pick x-amount of players" polls. I'd like to see something more like "pick 6 of these 15 players for top-6" and "pick 6 of these players for bottom 6." Granted, guys like Brindy could play either, but you don't want Forsberg on your 4th line, unless you want to use the ASG mentality.
- jmatchett383

Thats why I wanted Forsberg in my top 9 and Primeau on my 4th line. That can't happen now unless you're just picking the BPA

If you could be the GM of any NHL team other then the Flyers, which one and why?

For me, Edmonton. They have all those young guys and I think they are only 1-2 moves away from making it big time. I'm not afraid to make a big move to get what I need. As a matter of fact I would likely be talking to St. Louis right now for a Pietrangelo, Halak deal for Yakupov, Nurse, Dubnyak, and a 2nd.

I don't. I thought he had his issues. The team seemed to walk all over him at times, but he was what the young guys needed after being chewed out by Hitch so often. The one thing that always resonated with Stevens teams was their undisciplined play. Penalties and risky plays always seemed to occur. It seemed as if there wasn't enough accountability.
- PhillySportsGuy

He was good for the players, bad for the team. Two (I believe) 10 game losing streaks during his tenure, an inability to beat Pittsburgh during his time, a lack of accountability, etc. etc. Those playoff losses to Pittsburgh were killers.

If you could be the GM of any NHL team other then the Flyers, which one and why?

For me, Edmonton. They have all those young guys and I think they are only 1-2 moves away from making it big time. I'm not afraid to make a big move to get what I need. As a matter of fact I would likely be talking to St. Louis right now for a Pietrangelo, Halak deal for Yakupov, Nurse, Dubnyak, and a 2nd.
- youarewrong

I'm not Cloutier, but that would be a lot to give up. I would offer Yakupov and a 1st rounder for Pietrangelo. Maybe throw in a 2nd rate prospect as well.

Believe it or not, I would take over the Flames. I would love to build a team from the ground up. They are also a team willing to spend money up to the cap. The Oilers aren't that type of team. As long as I got the assurances from ownership that I had time, I would take the Flames.

If you could be the GM of any NHL team other then the Flyers, which one and why?

For me, Edmonton. They have all those young guys and I think they are only 1-2 moves away from making it big time. I'm not afraid to make a big move to get what I need. As a matter of fact I would likely be talking to St. Louis right now for a Pietrangelo, Halak deal for Yakupov, Nurse, Dubnyak, and a 2nd.
- youarewrong

The Toronto Maple Leafs, where you can earn a five year extension for no reason.

I think Hitch and Lavy are both great coaches but I thought Hitch's system was a little to boring so I went with Lavy.

He was good for the players, bad for the team. Two (I believe) 10 game losing streaks during his tenure, an inability to beat Pittsburgh during his time, a lack of accountability, etc. etc. Those playoff losses to Pittsburgh were killers.
- feelingkettle

I don't think the team had enough talent at that time to beat Pittsburgh. I think one of the best things he did was improve the PK and PP in one offseason. The Flyers went from one of the worst special teams clubs to one of the best in one offseason. A lot of that had to do with Kimmo and Briere along with Richards playing the point, but he did a fine job in that aspect.

I guess I'm not as down on him as you. He took over a young team then was given a hodge podge of free agent talent. He then got them to the eastern conference finals then lost in the first round to the eventual stanley cup finals winner.

He was good for the players, bad for the team. Two (I believe) 10 game losing streaks during his tenure, an inability to beat Pittsburgh during his time, a lack of accountability, etc. etc. Those playoff losses to Pittsburgh were killers.
- feelingkettle

Especially when the 2009 series seemed to be the Flyers beating themselves more than anything. So frustrating, that series. That doesn't take away from the Penguins, the Flyers just made it easier on the Pens than they did in 2012.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, where you can earn a five year extension for no reason.
- BulliesPhan87

Especially when the 2009 series seemed to be the Flyers beating themselves more than anything. So frustrating, that series. That doesn't take away from the Penguins, the Flyers just made it easier on the Pens than they did in 2012.
- Flyskippy

In 2008, I was just glad they got a game from the Pens and didn't let them celebrate in our house. They showed fight to win game 4 when they knew the series was over.

In 2009, I kept feeling there was no way they could win the series. It was almost like watching the mid-early 2000s phillies against the Braves. You knew it wouldn't end well.

If you could be the GM of any NHL team other then the Flyers, which one and why?

For me, Edmonton. They have all those young guys and I think they are only 1-2 moves away from making it big time. I'm not afraid to make a big move to get what I need. As a matter of fact I would likely be talking to St. Louis right now for a Pietrangelo, Halak deal for Yakupov, Nurse, Dubnyak, and a 2nd.
- youarewrong

Edmonton is a tough place to work, insofar as, it's tough to get free agents to go there.

But yes, their young talent is pretty damned good.

As for being a GM, there is part of me that thinks "wouldn't it be great to be the GM of the Canadiens when they win their next cup?".......

....And then I sober up and realize that that would be an awful existence (pressure, the press, etc.) in Montreal if you don't win a Cup.

I don't think the team had enough talent at that time to beat Pittsburgh. I think one of the best things he did was improve the PK and PP in one offseason. The Flyers went from one of the worst special teams clubs to one of the best in one offseason. A lot of that had to do with Kimmo and Briere along with Richards playing the point, but he did a fine job in that aspect.

I guess I'm not as down on him as you. He took over a young team then was given a hodge podge of free agent talent. He then got them to the eastern conference finals then lost in the first round to the eventual stanley cup finals winner.
- PhillySportsGuy

Like I said, he did some good things out there ( ). But when you have two 10 game losing streaks under your tenure, and have meltdowns in the playoffs, that is not good for the team as a whole.

I think he's a good assistant coach, but didn't have the answers as a head coach when things weren't going well.

I don't think the team had enough talent at that time to beat Pittsburgh. I think one of the best things he did was improve the PK and PP in one offseason. The Flyers went from one of the worst special teams clubs to one of the best in one offseason. A lot of that had to do with Kimmo and Briere along with Richards playing the point, but he did a fine job in that aspect.

I guess I'm not as down on him as you. He took over a young team then was given a hodge podge of free agent talent. He then got them to the eastern conference finals then lost in the first round to the eventual stanley cup finals winner.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't know if they didn't have enough talent, but in hindsight, Stevens vs. Bylsma was not a coaching matchup we were going to win.

I think Stevens will be better for his experience in LA.

Especially when the 2009 series seemed to be the Flyers beating themselves more than anything. So frustrating, that series. That doesn't take away from the Penguins, the Flyers just made it easier on the Pens than they did in 2012.
- Flyskippy

Agreed. Those playoffs were frustrating to watch. Even when they won, it was a slog. That Caps series in Round 1 was not enjoyable, except for the result of game 7.

I don't know if they didn't have enough talent, but in hindsight, Stevens vs. Bylsma was not a coaching matchup we were going to win.

I think Stevens will be better for his experience in LA.
- johndewar

Let's not forget that the 2012 Fleury was much different than the 2008 and 2009 Fleury that the Carter/Richards teams faced.

That's what I always wonder about with these "pick x-amount of players" polls. I'd like to see something more like "pick 6 of these 15 players for top-6" and "pick 6 of these players for bottom 6." Granted, guys like Brindy could play either, but you don't want Forsberg on your 4th line, unless you want to use the ASG mentality.
- jmatchett383

Yes, I'm including Forsberg in the runoff. If he gets in and I arrange lines, Foppa gets a top 6 spot. Richards is my 3C and Primeau the 4C.

Agreed. Those playoffs were frustrating to watch. Even when they won, it was a slog. That Caps series in Round 1 was not enjoyable, except for the result of game 7.
- feelingkettle

That was the game I converted my friend to a hockey fan. I was in my apartment and when Lupul scored the whole place erupted. There were thick walls, but you could hear screaming from all over.

I know, but it seems Lavi is more willing to bench guys or put them on the 4th line for stupid penalties (not that it helps). I always liked Stevens and was never in favor of the team firing him.

I think management always felt he wasn't the guy to take the team to the next level, but he would help the young guys develop their offensive game.
- PhillySportsGuy

I haven't seen Laviolette do much benching or demoting for guys taking penalties. I recall he demoted Hartnell and benched him, but that's all I can recall.

Yes, I'm including Forsberg in the runoff. If he gets in and I arrange lines, Foppa gets a top 6 spot. Richards is my 3C and Primeau the 4C.
- bmeltzer

Sweet!

Gagne-Forsberg-Knuble
Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
LeClair-Richards-Recchi
XX-Primeau-XX

Let's not forget that the 2012 Fleury was much different than the 2008 and 2009 Fleury that the Carter/Richards teams faced.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, Fleury aside, they had some pretty good veteran players on that 2009 Pens team that they never really replaced.

Sergei Gonchar, Scuderi, The Battleship Gill, Petr Sykora (tons of playoff experience)....

I haven't seen Laviolette do much benching or demoting for guys taking penalties. I recall he demoted Hartnell and benched him, but that's all I can recall.
- MJL

I can't imagine what a guy like Hitch would have done with Hartnell.

I can't imagine what a guy like Hitch would have done with Hartnell.
- johndewar

"Is all that hair the brains oozing out of your skull? Why don't you cut it off since you don't seem to use it anyway."

I can't imagine what a guy like Hitch would have done with Hartnell.
- johndewar

1) Shave Head,
2) Humiliate,
3) Bag skate the rest of the guys while Hartsy eats his jelly donut,
4) Throw a blanket party.

I can't imagine what a guy like Hitch would have done with Hartnell.
- johndewar

I'm sure they would've battled. I still think Laviolette is a very good coach. I just don't think he did a good job last season. I think he needs to place more emphasis on the defensive side, and demand more from the players in that area. But it has to start with the Coach. Other Coaches have shown that you can be aggressive, but do it smartly. Instead of doing it recklessly.

I'm sure they would've battled. I still think Laviolette is a very good coach. I just don't think he did a good job last season. I think he needs to place more emphasis on the defensive side, and demand more from the players in that area. But it has to start with the Coach. Other Coaches have shown that you can be aggressive, but do it smartly. Instead of doing it recklessly.
- MJL

But three men in deep on every shift is exciting! Especially for the defensemen and the goalie when they come back the other way!