Ya, when you get past the health and age issues, and just look at this group for it's skill, I don't understand why people think this is a bad D group. It's a very skilled group, especially when you consider that Gus is looming outside the top 6 there, too. Kimmo is a #2 dman. Schenn and Streit are both #3 dmen, Coburn is a #4 (maybe a #3 depending how you look at it). Mez is a #4, and Grossmann is a solid #5 guy. Real good group when healthy, I think.
- JAKEw1234

Now, put age and health (and reality) back into the equation...

#1: None,
#2: Kimmo,
#3: None,
#4: Coburn, Schenn,
#5: Streit, Mez
#6: Grossmann, Gill
#7: Gus, Gervais


And Streit/Schenn is an alarmingly slow-footed duo.

I think so. We can move the puck. hit some people. In the third you can team Schenn back with Kimmo then Grossmann with Coburn band have 2 really good lines. And if....If...IF...Lavi were to have a little more sense about the forwards playing a little more defense, we could be set. IMO.
- Deasr1

See but he won't do that

Now, put age and health (and reality) back into the equation...

#1: None,
#2: Kimmo,
#3: None,
#4: Coburn, Schenn,
#5: Streit, Mez
#6: Grossmann, Gill
#7: Gus, Gervais


And Streit/Schenn is an alarmingly slow-footed duo.
- Tomahawk

Calling Streit slow-footed is very pessimistic. He's not a total speedster, but he definitely isn't slow. Schenn is slower, but he's also no slug. You're whole ranking is kind of pessimistic, I think.

Calling Streit slow-footed is very pessimistic. He's not a total speedster, but he definitely isn't slow. Schenn is slower, but he's also no slug. You're whole ranking is kind of pessimistic, I think.
- JAKEw1234

Streit's always been a below-average NHL skater... and he's only gotten worse with age. I'd wager that Schenn's actually faster than him.

Same problem as always. A bunch of 3-4 D men don't make up for not having a legit top pairing guy(Kimmo isn't one anymore, LSchenn isn't there yet)
- hereticpride

Just having a #1 defender doesn't fix everything. Look at Nashville last year, or the 09-10 Flyers who needed a miracle just to make the playoffs despite having Pronger in the lineup for all 82 games.

They placed Pronger on LTIR today?
- MJL

According to Dave Isaac, yep

http://blogs.courierposto...ake-opening-night-roster/

At 5:01 p.m., one minute after the deadline that teams had to file their rosters by, the Flyers put Pronger on long-term injured reserve.

Panaccio, too, says Pronger will be placed on LTIR tonight, to allow them to recall Hall

http://www.csnphilly.com/...roster-will-change-opener

Later this evening, the Flyers will place Chris Pronger on long-term injury (LTIR) which will given them enough salary cap room to move Hall back onto the roster on Tuesday. Holmgren said Hall would come back.

Same problem as always. A bunch of 3-4 D men don't make up for not having a legit top pairing guy(Kimmo isn't one anymore, LSchenn isn't there yet)
- hereticpride

That's when the coaching staff has to adjust, and the players need to accept that they need to do a better job playing 200 feet, rather than starting a track meet when they get possession of the puck.

Just having a #1 defender doesn't fix everything. Look at Nashville last year, or the 09-10 Flyers who needed a miracle just to make the playoffs despite having Pronger in the lineup for all 82 games.
- Feanor

Well I never said one top D man and poop around him was the answer. I'll gladly take a weaker 3rd pairing if it means we have a stronger 1st. Having so much money tied into the D and having no number 1(or 2 even) to show for it is embarrassing.

Now, put age and health (and reality) back into the equation...

#1: None,
#2: Kimmo,
#3: None,
#4: Coburn, Schenn,
#5: Streit, Mez
#6: Grossmann, Gill
#7: Gus, Gervais


And Streit/Schenn is an alarmingly slow-footed duo.
- Tomahawk

even if systems play is optimized, these defense realities currently put a ceiling on this team and will continue to do so until a top pair guy is brought in.

Now, put age and health (and reality) back into the equation...

#1: None,
#2: Kimmo,
#3: None,
#4: Coburn, Schenn,
#5: Streit, Mez
#6: Grossmann, Gill
#7: Gus, Gervais


And Streit/Schenn is an alarmingly slow-footed duo.
- Tomahawk

All just numbers that really don't mean squat. The Flyers defenseman are capable. If the Flyers play a solid team game, this defense will be fine. No need to even argue the misrepresentations you've made here, such as labeling Grossmann a #6 defenseman.

See but he won't do that
- JAKEw1234

I'm encouraged by the reports on what they are working on in practice. But as always, they will need to actually do it on the ice.

Calling Streit slow-footed is very pessimistic. He's not a total speedster, but he definitely isn't slow. Schenn is slower, but he's also no slug. You're whole ranking is kind of pessimistic, I think.
- JAKEw1234

It's very pessimistic. The Flyers are certainly missing that top stud defenseman that they've had in the past. Timonen is no longer that player, but he's still a very good player. Overall the Flyers defenseman are solid if they play up to their potential, and they get the support they need to succeed.

Streit's always been a below-average NHL skater... and he's only gotten worse with age. I'd wager that Schenn's actually faster than him.
- Tomahawk

I think average is more accurate to describe Streit's skating from what I've seen. We just need him to move the puck well, provide points from the backend, and to hopefully play adequately defensively.

Well I never said one top D man and poop around him was the answer. I'll gladly take a weaker 3rd pairing if it means we have a stronger 1st. Having so much money tied into the D and having no number 1(or 2 even) to show for it is embarrassing.
- hereticpride

#1 defenseman aren't readily available. Not easy to replace an aging Timonen, or a franchise player like Pronger.

even if systems play is optimized, these defense realities currently put a ceiling on this team and will continue to do so until a top pair guy is brought in.
- isaiah520

If the Flyers are going to play the style they have played in the recent past, then I agree. They need a true #1. But there are other ways if they drastically improve their team game.

Streit's always been a below-average NHL skater... and he's only gotten worse with age. I'd wager that Schenn's actually faster than him.
- Tomahawk

Streit is only 35. He'll get quicker with some experience. That's why Homer signed him to a 4 year deal.

Shrewd one that Homer

Streit is only 35. He'll get quicker with some experience. That's why Homer signed him to a 4 year deal.

Shrewd one that Homer
- 77rams

Nobody can slate faster then the puck!

Well I never said one top D man and poop around him was the answer. I'll gladly take a weaker 3rd pairing if it means we have a stronger 1st. Having so much money tied into the D and having no number 1(or 2 even) to show for it is embarrassing.
- hereticpride

Yeah it's so embarrassing that a freak injury maimed their #1 Dman.

Yeah it's so embarrassing that a freak injury maimed their #1 Dman.
- Feanor

It is embarrasing! I mean look how fast Detroit replaced Nik Lidstrom! And how fast NJ replaced Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer!

Yeah it's so embarrassing that a freak injury maimed their #1 Dman.
- Feanor

Theyve had more than ample time and assets to address the need...

Theyve had more than ample time and assets to address the need...
- hereticpride

So you think it's that easy to replace a player like Chris Pronger? List for me the #1 defenseman that have been available and/or moved to another team, since Pronger got injured. What #1 defenseman do you think the Flyers missed the boat on by not acquiring that player? Or failed to attempt to acquire?

Or should they have already drafted and developed a # 1 defenseman in that time?

Theyve had more than ample time and assets to address the need...
- hereticpride

For the love of god....

This is sarcasm right?

did we fire hot lava and replace him stevens yet?

did we fire hot lava and replace him stevens yet?

Max Domi in the 1st period of his 1st game after being sent back to London delivers a flying elbow, so far no suspension.