Also, as a general note, I'm sick and (frank)ing tired of people poopting on Coburn and Grossmann. These guys are paid UNDER what they'd get if they hit the open market. People female dog and moan about them all day because they expect them to be perfect shutdown defenders who are mobile, have 100 MPH slapshots, and are without fault. To those people, screw your (frank)ing heads on.

Every member of the defense (save Schenn and Timonen) had an absolutely abysmal year last year. That includes Gustafsson up until the very end. But if you look at the defenses around the league, Coburn and Grossmann are on par or better than what most of the NHL can offer in their 4-6 D spots. I'm sorry Coburn had a horrible season where the entire team sucked and that he hasn't produced at the same clip he did in 07/08. I'm sorry Grossmann is about an unsexy as a player can be, only being one of the better bottom-3 defensive defensemen in the league.

You heard the saying "The Grass Isn't Always Greener?" That's what you'd get if you just "dumped" one of these players. They'd go off to a team that actually plays with a good team defense, and although they'd be the same players and play to the same level, you'd all be moaning about how good they are, and why they never played like that here. In short, you can all go (frank) yourselves and actually learn why this highly competent defense can't seemingly function.
- jmatchett383

Coburn needs to be paired w/ Kimmo or a guy like Carle again... they're in danger of completely losing him as a player if they keep pairing him w/ Grossmann or Streit. It's sad to see such a good player w/ confidence at nil.

Found my new victory GIF...



FLYERS WINNNN!!!

Well, they're doing alright with the cap right now, and $10.5M comes off the books after this year, and they'll have 1 spot to replace. If it's not Mez they trade, they'll have 2 spots to replace.
- jmatchett383

I am hoping Gusty becomes a regular top six.
Kimmo and Mez will be gone, and Homer will likely get a free agent big name D man.

So
Free agent/Fat Schenn
Coburn/Streit
Gusty/G-NN

Could be good, depending on who Homer can get in that FA spot.

Found my new victory GIF...



FLYERS WINNNN!!!
- jak521

I am hoping Gusty becomes a regular top six.
Kimmo and Mez will be gone, and Homer will likely get a free agent big name D man.

So
Free agent/Fat Schenn
Coburn/Streit
Gusty/G-NN

Could be good, depending on who Homer can get in that FA spot.
- Marc D

Would be even better if a guy like Alt or Manning impress this season in the AHL and at camp next year. Alt looked like a bottom pair guy this training camp, so I'm hopeful for him.

Coburn needs to be paired w/ Kimmo or a guy like Carle again... they're in danger of completely losing him as a player if they keep pairing him w/ Grossmann or Streit. It's sad to see such a good player w/ confidence at nil.
- Tomahawk

I thought the Coburn/Gervais pair was a disaster for Braydon.

The other thing I don't read much about is the Coburns just had another baby, and also I believe have another young child. He can't be getting much rest at the home front.

These things can affect your day, I know.

Found my new victory GIF...



FLYERS WINNNN!!!
- jak521

I'm going with

I thought the Coburn/Gervais pair was a disaster for Braydon.

The other thing I don't read much about is the Coburns just had another baby, and also I believe have another young child. He can't be getting much rest at the home front.

These things can affect your day, I know.
- Marc D

That's crap. The NHL is just like NHL14, and players should be able to play like robots every night.

I like those guys, but feel some of them have the same skill sets.
The main problem isn't Coburn or G-NN.

It's that Kimmo and now Streit are on the downside of their careers and still are expected to be the puck transition offensive defenseman.
Not saying anything you don't know here, so apologies.
- Marc D

Defensive guys who can't move, are constantly hemmed in their own zone, and can't clear the puck out are liabilities.

I also understand that there's a large faction of fans who are willing to overlook these things, though, because these players are trying really hard.

Defensive guys who can't move, are constantly hemmed in their own zone, and can't clear the puck out are liabilities.

I also understand that there's a large faction of fans who are willing to overlook these things, though, because these players are trying really hard.
- bradleyc4

Yep. That's me. I never admit the players have any faults. Let's trade them for a bag of pucks and call up Manning, Konan, and Lauridsen and watch them fall apart under the weight of a full NHL schedule.

Yep. That's me. I never admit the players have any faults.
- jmatchett383

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Found my new victory GIF...



FLYERS WINNNN!!!
- jak521

I'll go with this:

I'm going with
- jmatchett383

Wow someone else who watches scifi. Not everyone knows the Dr Who reference
Maybe the Tardis should be the bench.... hide extra players who arent tired and just have them switch jersies

I'll go with this:


- funmaster18

Lindsay Lohan once wore a hockey helmet?

Actually, Coburn's been their 2nd best defenseman. That's not saying much, but in this abbreviated season, he has. As for his turnovers, he has the 2nd lowest amount (3) on the team while playing the 2nd most ice time. So I wouldn't call hima turnover machine more than anyone else of the team save Grossmann (0 so far).
- jmatchett383

That can't be right. Grossmann made a terrible turnover in the defensive zone early in the 1st period against the Panthers.

Defensive guys who can't move, are constantly hemmed in their own zone, and can't clear the puck out are liabilities.

I also understand that there's a large faction of fans who are willing to overlook these things, though, because these players are trying really hard.
- bradleyc4

It is not always so black and white.

With the right partner Coburn could be a very effective #4 and Grossmann has a skill set that is very useful I think too.

I am hoping the Flyers are starting to move away from their paradigm that size is the most important thing for defenseman, although the Morin selection shows they still value size/reach and those things.

That can't be right. Grossmann made a terrible turnover in the defensive zone early in the 1st period against the Panthers.
- Feanor

He's listed at 0. I remember him having to chase a guy down as he came in, but I don't remember him turning it over.

Found my new victory GIF...



FLYERS WINNNN!!!
- jak521

Is that Lupul?

Is that Lupul?


- Marc D

My favorite Lupul story:
He and Richards were at a party and were talking to these 2 girls. So Richards and this girl go upstairs, and Lupul goes to take his girl upstairs and she says no. Lupul turns to her and yells, "DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?"

He's listed at 0. I remember him having to chase a guy down as he came in, but I don't remember him turning it over.
- jmatchett383

Here it is, the first play on this highlight reel.

http://www.nhl.com/gamece.../icetracker?id=2013020039

My favorite Lupul story:
He and Richards were at a party and were talking to these 2 girls. So Richards and this girl go upstairs, and Lupul goes to take his girl upstairs and she says no. Lupul turns to her and yells, "DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?"
- jmatchett383

he should have pulled out his guitar and sang her a love song

I miss the old town crew

I am hoping Gusty becomes a regular top six.
Kimmo and Mez will be gone, and Homer will likely get a free agent big name D man.

So
Free agent/Fat Schenn
Coburn/Streit
Gusty/G-NN

Could be good, depending on who Homer can get in that FA spot.
- Marc D

"Fat??? Whoa, there. That's MY nickname."

- Fat Balloon, er, Pat Falloon

Brad is the straw that stirs the drink -- or the oil that pops the corn.

Here it is, the first play on this highlight reel.

http://www.nhl.com/gamece.../icetracker?id=2013020039
- Feanor

Can't watch it at work, but I'll take your word on it. Like I said, I don't remember it, but I wasn't keeping track in my head, so I believe you.

Here it is, the first play on this highlight reel.

http://www.nhl.com/gamece.../icetracker?id=2013020039
- Feanor

huberdeau would have scored there if that was bryz in net