Ive watched every game this season, and have been to 3 games. I pay quite a bit of attention to the NHL and Im saying we lose a step in speed with this trade. Downie adds nothing more than grit. He is the same player we traded all those years ago for the most part. So why dont you get a clue
- GOA88

In Colorado?

You're nuts. Talbot may be the slowest forward on the team other than Rosehill and I'm not so sure about that.

To be frank, Giroux isn't nearly as good as Crosby or Malkin. Both of those guys can play with 3rd or 4th line grinders and produce points.

Most teams need to find the right mix in order to develop into a bonafide top line. The Downie move may help the Flyers develop a legitimate top line. If not, they let Downie walk and go out and sign a Talbot type player in the offseason
- PhillySportsGuy

As the Pens have found out, getting the right mix of bottom 6 guys is almost as difficult as mixing in the top line correctly. IMHO, they have really missed guys like Talbot and Rupp. I'm not gonna lie, I'm happy the Flyers traded him, if for no other reason than I don't have to watch him in a Flyers sweater anymore.

You do realize that with all of those things, we're 3-8?

Before anybody freaks out, no, I'm not saying that's all Maxime Talbot's fault.

But we're 3-8. We can't keep everybody on the roster who's been here for the train wreck that's been the last year-plus.
- AllInForFlyers

I guess Talbot is the only 30 or older (almost 30) player without a NTC/NMC they could move I guess.

direct quote from the press conference: "the fans are gonna' love him."
- hammarby31

I'm sure a lot of fans did...That's the sad part.

Can't wait for the first game Talbot scores a goal in Colorado while Downie's sitting here goalless on the 3rd line.

I think you're undervaluing Talbot. He's been a mainstay on the Flyers PK since he arrived. It's been a very good PK.

He's also quite versatile.
- PhillySportsGuy

I haven't seen that Talbot this season.

Very versatile, yes. Solid on the PK, yes. But they have other options and they immediately upgraded their top 9 forwards.

I said he was a step below him. I'm comparing them, not saying they're exactly the same. You all will rue this (frank)ing day.
- jmatchett383

Points for using 'rue' in a sentence on a hockey board!

It's done. Now I'm curious to see Downie playing again in the O&B Friday night. And I'm even more curious to see if other trades are coming.

As the Pens have found out, getting the right mix of bottom 6 guys is almost as difficult as mixing in the top line correctly. IMHO, they have really missed guys like Talbot and Rupp. I'm not gonna lie, I'm happy the Flyers traded him, if for no other reason than I don't have to watch him in a Flyers sweater anymore.
- Emperor Filonius

No, you're wrong. Don't you know that all bottom-6 PK players are interchangable? Who cares about team chemistry and leadership?

As the Pens have found out, getting the right mix of bottom 6 guys is almost as difficult as mixing in the top line correctly. IMHO, they have really missed guys like Talbot and Rupp. I'm not gonna lie, I'm happy the Flyers traded him, if for no other reason than I don't have to watch him in a Flyers sweater anymore.
- Emperor Filonius

Don't come to us with your Bottom Line Problems! We got Top Line Problems, bro.

In Colorado?

You're nuts. Talbot may be the slowest forward on the team other than Rosehill and I'm not so sure about that.
- mayorofangrytown

Downie played his best hockey in Tampa, thats a fact. I used to live in Tampa for awhile, when Downie played for them. I know all I need to know about Downie......

I haven't seen that Talbot this season.

Very versatile, yes. Solid on the PK, yes. But they have other options and they immediately upgraded their top 9 forwards.
- bradleyc4

He's more than 'solid' on the PK. He's been great on the PK. It's not an easy thing to do.

Any option the Flyers use will be worse than Talbot on the PK. That's what you're sacrificing in this deal.

That's sure as hell more likely than Max Talbot getting one, which also increases the likelihood that we score three goals in a game, which also increases the likelihood that we either get a point or, gasp...win a game.

I know. Crazy talk.
- AllInForFlyers

You should hear the crying from Colorado...they know they just got fleeced...

I think you're right about Hall, but I think Raffl will get first chance on the PK. This is assuming the other 3 are G, Read and Couts.
- PhillySportsGuy

Interesting guess. I could see him on there. The only reason I think they will maybe use Rinaldo is because of Lappy saying he liked what he saw and would potentially experiment. I also think that Hall's demotion is nothing against his skills, but just that he doesn't have the foot-speed to keep up effectively. He looks awkward skating out there sometimes lol.

Can there be such thing as too much leadership?? This locker room has had 3+ NHL captains in it for years... hows that working out for them?

I guess Talbot is the only 30 or older (almost 30) player without a NTC/NMC they could move I guess.
- nastyflyergirl

Yeah -- I thought they'd wait, because the better time to make moves was that six-day break, but maybe not.

There's some surgery to be done on the roster, if they have the stomach for it, in-season. I just thought they'd kinda thrown in the towel on this year, were gonna ride the roster as it was.

He's more than 'solid' on the PK. He's been great on the PK. It's not an easy thing to do.

Any option the Flyers use will be worse than Talbot on the PK. That's what you're sacrificing in this deal.
- PhillySportsGuy

I suppose some of these people dont see the value that Talbot brings or the value of a PK.............

I was happy when we got rid of downie years ago.

He's more than 'solid' on the PK. He's been great on the PK. It's not an easy thing to do.

Any option the Flyers use will be worse than Talbot on the PK. That's what you're sacrificing in this deal.
- PhillySportsGuy

I know it's not a direct on-ice thing, but he's also (in my opinion) got more heart and leadership than anyone else on his now-former team.

Interesting guess. I could see him on there. The only reason I think they will maybe use Rinaldo is because of Lappy saying he liked what he saw and would potentially experiment. I also think that Hall's demotion is nothing against his skills, but just that he doesn't have the foot-speed to keep up effectively. He looks awkward skating out there sometimes lol.
- Flyers_V88

You may be right. Lappy will have much more say than he did before with Lavi.

Downie played his best hockey in Tampa, thats a fact. I used to live in Tampa for awhile, when Downie played for them. I know all I need to know about Downie......
- GOA88

Was Downie on Lecavalier's line at all? Is this something anyone thought of. Maybe trying to put some chemistry together?

While this is your opinion, I do not agree.

Talbot has been a shell of his former self. He has not brought much to the team this season. Not sure if the broken leg has hampered him, if overall, injuries have caught up to him; or if this is a temporary issue or not. But the fact remains, that he has been poor this season.

The Flyers have just as good of PK option sitting in the pressbox in Adam Hall. He's a better suited to play the 4C spot and center a PK line.

Downie is a much more gifted offensive player than Talbot. Yes, he often crosses the line with hits and reactions. But he'll be a great fit if he's playing with Giroux and Vinny on the top line. He has played top line and tough minutes everywhere he's gone - and has done well with it.

On top of that, the Flyers get an up-close, 6 month job interview with Downie to see if they want to sign him to an extension.

Great trade for the Flyers.
- bradleyc4

I agreed with most of what you said until the end. I think calling it a great trade is overselling it. It has good points and bad points.

I was happy when we got rid of downie years ago.
- Flyersgod

I liked it because it meant Eminger was gone.

PK takes a hit, leadership takes a hit (but frankly, with the record they had the past year or so, its a bit of a moot point...).

Aside from that I like the trade, even if Downie is a bit of a psycho he is obviously more skilled than Max.

Gotta wonder if theres a winger (maybe packed with Meszaros, who we keep showcasing when Gus is obviously a better option...) on the way out, because Raffl is actually looking pretty good...

Can there be such thing as too much leadership?? This locker room has had 3+ NHL captains in it for years... hows that working out for them?
- wevy

As far as I'm concerned, there's no good leader on the Flyers, and by that I mean a guy who takes control of the team when he wants it and leads by example when he needs to.

That guy was injured years ago and has yet to be replaced.

I suppose some of these people dont see the value that Talbot brings or the value of a PK.............
- GOA88

It's like having a good offensive line. No one notices them until they (frank) up.

No one notices the PK when they're playing well. Only when they (frank) up.