Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Laviolette vs. Hitchcock, Team of 2000s Final Forwards

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Laviolette vs. Hitchcock, Team of 2000s Final Forwards
- bmeltzer

Foppa, Carts and Kapanen.

As for why I voted for Laviolette over Hitchcock, I feel he did a slightly better job as Flyers head coach. That said, If I was going to hire a guy today to run my team, I'd take Hitch before Laviolette.

top of the morning to all...
nice readership bill

Foppa/Kappy/JR

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Laviolette vs. Hitchcock, Team of 2000s Final Forwards
- bmeltzer

Looking at the vote so far, So much for picking two wingers and a center. Then again, It is probably fitting that the team of the 2000's is dominated by centers lol. Art imitating life and all that.

For my part I picked JVR with Forsberg and JR.

Foppa, Kapanen and Jagr were my picks, JR just missed the cut.
I listened to Bill and went with 1 center and 2 wingers.

top of the morning to all...
nice readership bill

Foppa/Kappy/JR
- phi1671

seconded, all of it.

A second year of Jagr would have put him over JR.

Sami, Forsberg, JR...anyone else is just sacrilege

seconded, all of it.

A second year of Jagr would have put him over JR.
- jmatchett383

I agree...
JR has some gas left in the tank and i loved her personality. Foppa, even with his bad feet when he came here, he still put up some good numbers. Kappy, just because of his heart and what he gave for the team. You need players like that.

Looking at the vote so far, So much for picking two wingers and a center. Then again, It is probably fitting that the team of the 2000's is dominated by centers lol. Art imitating life and all that.

For my part I picked JVR with Forsberg and JR.
- TheGreat28

Drafted as a center = will play wing

My top 10 list for the day: The top 10 PK duos in Flyer's history:

1. Bobby Clarke/Bill Barber
2 hall of fame players who worked their tails off, need I say more? They were relentless and were shorthanded threats every moment they were on the ice. Considering how often the Bullies were shorthanded, the job they did is even that more amazing!

2. Dave Poulin/Brian Propp
Poulin was as good a penalty killer as I have ever seen and Propp was the perfect complement to him. Much like Clarke and Barber, they were always a threat to score shorthanded. On a side note, Poulin's goal while 2 men down against Quebec in the 1985 playoffs, was the most exciting goal I have ever personally witnessed.

3. Ian Laperriere/Blair Betts
Yet another combo that just out worked the opponents powerplay. Both were fearless shot blockers and absolutely relentless when came to defensive play. Along with Bobby Clarke, Lappy had the most heart of any player to ever wear the orange and black.

4. Craig MacTavish/Shjon Podein
A great combo of smarts and speed, they were brilliant together during the shortened 95 season.

5. Claude Giroux/Max Talbot
There is a good reason why Lavy puts this pair out to start every kill: They are that darn good! A great combo of speed, smarts and determination.

6. Rod Brind'amour/Trent Klatt
Another pair that simply outworked the opposing powerplay.

7. Mike Richards/R.J. Umberger
Richards was a threat to score shorthanded every time he was on the ice while Umberger used his speed and reach very well to break up plays high in the defensive zone.

8. Rick Macleish/Ross Lonsberry
The 2nd duo for the Bullies was nearly as good as the first. Macleish was always a threat to score a shorty while Roscoe was an extremely intelligent player who seemed to always be in the perfect position to break up a play. Considering the Bullies seemed to spend half of every game shorthanded, having 2 excellent pairs was a must.

9. Keith Primeau/Sami Kapanen
A great combo of size and reach (Primeau) and speed and smarts (Kapanen)

10. Joel Otto/Shjon Podein
Otto seemed to never lose a defensive zone draw and used his great reach to his advantage while Podein used his speed combined with hard work to form an excellent duo.

Honorable Mentions:
Orest Kindrachuk/Terry Crisp
Ron Sutter/Murray Craven
Keith Primeau/Simon Gagne

Could one day make the list:
Sean Couturier/Matt Read

Sami, Forsberg, JR...anyone else is just sacrilege
- Pyzik

The only reason I went with Jagr over JR was that Bill asked for 1 center and 2 wingers, Roenick certainly deserves to be on this squad.

Sami, Forsberg, JR...anyone else is just sacrilege
- Pyzik

Yep, I agree.

My top 10 list for the day: The top 10 PK duos in Flyer's history:

1. Bobby Clarke/Bill Barber
2 hall of fame players who worked their tails off, need I say more? They were relentless and were shorthanded threats every moment they were on the ice. Considering how often the Bullies were shorthanded, the job they did is even that more amazing!

2. Dave Poulin/Brian Propp
Poulin was as good a penalty killer as I have ever seen and Propp was the perfect complement to him. Much like Clarke and Barber, they were always a threat to score shorthanded. On a side note, Poulin's goal while 2 men down against Quebec in the 1985 playoffs, was the most exciting goal I have ever personally witnessed.

3. Ian Laperriere/Blair Betts
Yet another combo that just out worked the opponents powerplay. Both were fearless shot blockers and absolutely relentless when came to defensive play. Along with Bobby Clarke, Lappy had the most heart of any player to ever wear the orange and black.

4. Craig MacTavish/Shjon Podein
A great combo of smarts and speed, they were brilliant together during the shortened 95 season.

5. Claude Giroux/Max Talbot
There is a good reason why Lavy puts this pair out to start every kill: They are that darn good! A great combo of speed, smarts and determination.

6. Rod Brind'amour/Trent Klatt
Another pair that simply outworked the opposing powerplay.

7. Mike Richards/R.J. Umberger
Richards was a threat to score shorthanded every time he was on the ice while Umberger used his speed and reach very well to break up plays high in the defensive zone.

8. Rick Macleish/Ross Lonsberry
The 2nd duo for the Bullies was nearly as good as the first. Macleish was always a threat to score a shorty while Roscoe was an extremely intelligent player who seemed to always be in the perfect position to break up a play. Considering the Bullies seemed to spend half of every game shorthanded, having 2 excellent pairs was a must.

9. Keith Primeau/Sami Kapanen
A great combo of size and reach (Primeau) and speed and smarts (Kapanen)

10. Joel Otto/Shjon Podein
Otto seemed to never lose a defensive zone draw and used his great reach to his advantage while Podein used his speed combined with hard work to form an excellent duo.

Honorable Mentions:
Orest Kindrachuk/Terry Crisp
Ron Sutter/Murray Craven
Keith Primeau/Simon Gagne

Could one day make the list:
Sean Couturier/Matt Read
- BiggE

I'd probably move up Mike Richards on this list.

Otherwise, a good read!

Going with 1 center & 2 wingers AND using the fourth line needs as inspiration, I vorted Handzus (Go Slovakia!) centering Kapanen and Fedotenko.

Sami, Forsberg, JR...anyone else is just someone else's opinion
- Pyzik

FTFY

The only reason I went with Jagr over JR was that Bill asked for 1 center and 2 wingers, Roenick certainly deserves to be on this squad.
- BiggE

JR has played wing plenty of times in his career...and I don't foresee an issue with having a center playing "out of position" as the Flyers like to do that quite frequently.

Roenick
Roenick
Roenick

oh and Kapenen and Carter

My top 10 list for the day: The top 10 PK duos in Flyer's history:

1. Bobby Clarke/Bill Barber
2 hall of fame players who worked their tails off, need I say more? They were relentless and were shorthanded threats every moment they were on the ice. Considering how often the Bullies were shorthanded, the job they did is even that more amazing!

2. Dave Poulin/Brian Propp
Poulin was as good a penalty killer as I have ever seen and Propp was the perfect complement to him. Much like Clarke and Barber, they were always a threat to score shorthanded. On a side note, Poulin's goal while 2 men down against Quebec in the 1985 playoffs, was the most exciting goal I have ever personally witnessed.

3. Ian Laperriere/Blair Betts
Yet another combo that just out worked the opponents powerplay. Both were fearless shot blockers and absolutely relentless when came to defensive play. Along with Bobby Clarke, Lappy had the most heart of any player to ever wear the orange and black.

4. Craig MacTavish/Shjon Podein
A great combo of smarts and speed, they were brilliant together during the shortened 95 season.

5. Claude Giroux/Max Talbot
There is a good reason why Lavy puts this pair out to start every kill: They are that darn good! A great combo of speed, smarts and determination.

6. Rod Brind'amour/Trent Klatt
Another pair that simply outworked the opposing powerplay.

7. Mike Richards/R.J. Umberger
Richards was a threat to score shorthanded every time he was on the ice while Umberger used his speed and reach very well to break up plays high in the defensive zone.

8. Rick Macleish/Ross Lonsberry
The 2nd duo for the Bullies was nearly as good as the first. Macleish was always a threat to score a shorty while Roscoe was an extremely intelligent player who seemed to always be in the perfect position to break up a play. Considering the Bullies seemed to spend half of every game shorthanded, having 2 excellent pairs was a must.

9. Keith Primeau/Sami Kapanen
A great combo of size and reach (Primeau) and speed and smarts (Kapanen)

10. Joel Otto/Shjon Podein
Otto seemed to never lose a defensive zone draw and used his great reach to his advantage while Podein used his speed combined with hard work to form an excellent duo.

Honorable Mentions:
Orest Kindrachuk/Terry Crisp
Ron Sutter/Murray Craven
Keith Primeau/Simon Gagne

Could one day make the list:
Sean Couturier/Matt Read
- BiggE

I'd put Richards-Gagne on there in the top 5.

EDIT: I'd move Podein & Otto up, as well.

Foppa, JR and THE GREAT JEFF CARTER!!!!

Foppa Carter and Roenick. I know I know.

I'd put Richards-Gagne on there in the top 5.
- Flyskippy

I actually thought Richards was better with Umberger, but either pair was very good.

If Carter gets in over Kapanen..........

I actually thought Richards was better with Umberger, but either pair was very good.
- BiggE

Richards was a superior PK guy no matter who he was with.

I actually thought Richards was better with Umberger, but either pair was very good.
- BiggE

I realize it really expands the field by listing guys more than once but I'd put Richie on twice: Richards & Umberger and Richards & Gagne.

If Carter gets in over Kapanen..........
- Flyersgod

I know seriously