I dunno, alot of that sounds kind of vague and unsubstantiated. "something about him just puts me off" (hmm maybe some hate left from the Cup series when he was in Chicago?). Do you have links to reference those issues you mentioned? Most big D men have their moments of in game "discipline lapses" Pronger sure had his share of suspensions and ill advised penalties, Weber too. Buff's PIM numbers don't imply much of an issue there imo. The defensive miscues, I think aren't more than you'd see from a lot ofhe better, high-producing D men in the league, do you have something that indicates otherwise? I'm not sure where this perception about Buff comes from and/or if it is justified.
- exlund

Like I said, I can't provide references, and I don't know any specifics. Sorry I can't substantiate anything. And yes, part of it may be Hawk hatred. But I just don't have much interest.

I wouldn't take Byfuglien at any price in a trade. I have zero interest.
- MJL

Agree and agree.

I wouldn't take Byfuglien at any price in a trade. I have zero interest.
- MJL

In general and very simplistically, you value work ethic over skill?

At the right price, I'd think you'd definitely have to consider a guy like Byfuglien.

Despite the issues, which seem to be 90% off ice, the guy produces and plays a ton of minutes. He's not one to miss a lot of games and he skates well for such a large man.

His cap hit isn't bad for what he brings, plus he's a former Cup winner.
- Jsaquella

Sounds like a very reasonable take on the player... As far as the off ice issues, I believe they are overblown and also, a person changes over time...as they mature, as they realize their opportunity and their role and responsibilities etc. Seems many here don't want to leave room for any of that when it comes to Big Buff.

Like I said, I can't provide references, and I don't know any specifics. Sorry I can't substantiate anything. And yes, part of it may be Hawk hatred. But I just don't have much interest.
- jmatchett383

Fair enough...thanks for the feedback.

In general and very simplistically, you value work ethic over skill?
- bradleyc4

Sure do! If skill was all that matters. Nikolay Zherdev would still be on the team.

Byfuglien would be the Flyers best dmen.

In general and very simplistically, you value work ethic over skill?
- bradleyc4

He values badgering over reason.

Sure do! If skill was all that matters. Nikolay Zherdev would still be on the team.
- MJL

Okay, that explains 90% of our differences.

Building thru the draft is a lot easier when you miss the playoffs nine years out of 10/ five years out of six.

But St Louis is my second favorite franchise so I wouldn't mind seeing them win a Cup finally. Must be tough on the fans to have never won a championship, and not even made the Finals since 1970.
- Feanor

(frank) that, I am sick of seeing teams with a longer drought than the Flyers win one recently....Chicago, Boston and LA. Bitter

Byfuglien would be the Flyers best dmen.
- Pecafan Fan

in other news, Walter White is a Phillies fan

Byfuglien would be the Flyers best dmen.
- Pecafan Fan

Without a doubt.

in other news, Walter White is a Phillies fan
- vejim

But Heisenberg is a Flyers Fan.

Okay, that explains 90% of our differences.
- bradleyc4

You can think it does whatever you want.

Has anyone seen this video. Funny as anything. Hope I don't get banned:-). Pens fans will hate it though. http://youtu.be/7SS-wk1o0L0
- section32

This is outstanding lol.. What was your name??

in other news, Walter White is a Phillies fan
- vejim

You mean the dead TV character from a completed show almost had himself written into a Phillies jersey but didn't? Ground breaking as always vjm

Sounds like a very reasonable take on the player... As far as the off ice issues, I believe they are overblown and also, a person changes over time...as they mature, as they realize their opportunity and their role and responsibilities etc. Seems many here don't want to leave room for any of that when it comes to Big Buff.
- exlund

I worry mainly about the conditioning. But looking at the guy's stats over the past few years-since he went to Atlanta and because a full time defenseman-the conditioning has been good enough for him to be a 23-24 minute a night player each season.

He's missed only a handful of games, so he's not in bad enough shape that he's out with minor nagging injuries, so that's not a real concern.

Plus, production wise, he's been a huge producer. As a defenseman, he's averaging 0.715 PPG. That's damned impressive.

Without a doubt.
- bradleyc4

I'll take Timonen even at 39 over Byfuglien at any point.

guarantee a drawing with a penis coming out of an armpit wouldn't survive long...
- -davies-

That was a tongue you sicko....


Way to take the already bizarre and make it perverse.

(frank) that, I am sick of seeing teams with a longer drought than the Flyers win one recently....Chicago, Boston and LA. Bitter
- nastyflyergirl

Didn't you admit that you have just recently become a Hockey fan?

This is outstanding lol.. What was your name??
- jak521

Funny darn stuff. I keep watching it over and over.

I worry mainly about the conditioning. But looking at the guy's stats over the past few years-since he went to Atlanta and because a full time defenseman-the conditioning has been good enough for him to be a 23-24 minute a night player each season.

He's missed only a handful of games, so he's not in bad enough shape that he's out with minor nagging injuries, so that's not a real concern.

Plus, production wise, he's been a huge producer. As a defenseman, he's averaging 0.715 PPG. That's damned impressive.
- Jsaquella

Here's the thing.

He's doing nothing but getting older and, unless he becomes a Gary Roberts disciple or something overnight, a man as big as he is tends to break down very quickly and very badly (Hi Ryan Howard!).

I love the numbers that he hangs up. Today.

Where does that leave us when (not if, but when) he breaks down because of his size?

You can think it does whatever you want.
- MJL

I don't have a problem with adding Buff for say, B Schenn as long as they turn around and move one of the other D man (probably Coburn) for a top 6 forward to replace B Schenn. Unlikely, I know. But I would be okay with the move in that scenario.

Here's the thing.

He's doing nothing but getting older and, unless he becomes a Gary Roberts disciple or something overnight, a man as big as he is tends to break down very quickly and very badly (Hi Ryan Howard!).

I love the numbers that he hangs up. Today.

Where does that leave us when (not if, but when) he breaks down because of his size?
- johndewar

You mean in 2 years when he is 30 and his contract is up? I dont know thats WAY to far down the road to think about.....