yeah, the one clip they kept showing it looks like matt duchene is just putting up with listening to him and then another player skates over and he smiles and he high fives the guy. maybe nothing but he might be a guy who is hard to be around
- hogweed

Wow, and after Matt Duchene said losing him last year was the reason they played so poorly just over a month ago.

Still waiting to hear how he ISNT a top 9 player, when in fact the last two teams he played for.. he was pretty much a mainstay on the top lines..
- jak521

Ok you got me he's a art Ross finalist...

I really need some of what you guys are smoking
- JoeRussomanno

Homer is a God in these parts

Just curious... does any team have more former members of Team Canada U20 on the roster than the Flyers?

- Mason,
- Coburn,
- Pronger,
- L. Schenn,
- Couturier,
- Downie,
- Giroux,
- Lecavalier,
- B. Schenn,
- Simmonds.


Talbot was an alum too.
- Tomahawk

Flyers also have the most former best players not yet playing in the NHL. So there's that.

There is no doubt he has the skill set of a top 9 forward. Even a top 6 forward on a weaker team.

It still doesn't diminish the fact he needs a slash across the teeth and a cross check to the back of the neck. Preferably at the same time.

He's just one of those polarizing players. I just wish he was on the South Pole.
- rockychocbill

The Downie Defense Team is large and powerful, RCB. Let it go.

There is no doubt he has the skill set of a top 9 forward. Even a top 6 forward on a weaker team.

It still doesn't diminish the fact he needs a slash across the teeth and a cross check to the back of the neck. Preferably at the same time.

He's just one of those polarizing players. I just wish he was on the South Pole.
- rockychocbill

Thats a more fair assessment. People tend to let their personal bias cloud their actual judgement.

Downie is easily a top 9 player.. and realistically, a top 6 player on most teams...

Is he a headcase at times? Absolutely.

What team has the best record in the NHL?

Now tell me, until yesterday morning what three players were skating on their top line?

If I remember correctly, the Flyers ARE the team with the second worst record in the league.

Hell, Downie might be too good to play on this team.
- mayorofangrytown

I think Downie is a legit 2nd or 3rd line winger. He's not ideal to play on a team's top line imo. He's certainly an upgrade to Raffl.

Flyers were desperate for offense, so making this trade helps in that area. The question is, will Downie's lack of discipline offset the offense he brings.

Flyers are shorthanded a ton to begin with, and now that is going to increase. Talbot was one of the top PK performers on the team. That is the part of the trade people are missing.

Homer is a God in these parts
- vejim

You have climbed my like ability chart astronomically in the last 6 months, sir... Just saying.

Ok you got me he's a art Ross finalist...
- JoeRussomanno

Lol I love that defense.

Because... ya know, by me asking WHY he isnt a top 9 forward to you.. is the same as saying he is an Art Ross Finalist.

I really need some of what you guys are smoking
- JoeRussomanno

Why isn't Downie a top 9 forward Joe?

The Downie Defense Team is large and powerful, RCB. Let it go.
- Scoob

I know. This is 2009 (??) Deja Vu all over again.

will we ever see any skilled wingers in the Flyers organization?

There is no doubt he has the skill set of a top 9 forward. Even a top 6 forward on a weaker team.

It still doesn't diminish the fact he needs a slash across the teeth and a cross check to the back of the neck. Preferably at the same time.

He's just one of those polarizing players. I just wish he was on the South Pole.
- rockychocbill

C'mon. You have the Canucks and Torts right there in your back yard and you're going to be a 'Yotes fan? Shane Doan isn't that pretty... really.

Ok you got me he's a art Ross finalist...
- JoeRussomanno

Come on joe. Admitting he's a top 9 forward doesn mean you have to like the guy. It's just the way it is he is a top 9 guy. Doesn't mean you have to like him or the trade

Lol I love that defense.

Because... ya know, by me asking WHY he isnt a top 9 forward to you.. is the same as saying he is an Art Ross Finalist.
- jak521

You can sit here and tell me how great a player is, but if he don't deliver then he's only as good as the numbers and sow or has been playing quite a while now ... He's way overrated and he's injury prone and he takes dumb penalties... Ned I go on? But if you wanna sit there and believe a guy who barely pots a dozen goals is a top line forward then be my guest...

He's had one season... 4 years ago almost where he broke 20 goals... Is injury prone and takes dumb penalties ... Yup just what we need...
- JoeRussomanno

he has had injury issues for sure but the above statements doesn't remotely equate to not a top 9 guy. based on his games played over a full season, he has averaged (rounding up) 17 goals and 28 assists.

Talbot has averaged 12-12 for 24 points.

Ok you got me he's a art Ross finalist...
- JoeRussomanno

HYPERBOLE RULES

Come on joe. Admitting he's a top 9 forward doesn mean you have to like the guy. It's just the way it is he is a top 9 guy. Doesn't mean you have to like him or the trade
- funmaster18

I'm not saying I don't like Donnie but my expectations are realistic.

There is no doubt he has the skill set of a top 9 forward. Even a top 6 forward on a weaker team.

It still doesn't diminish the fact he needs a slash across the teeth and a cross check to the back of the neck. Preferably at the same time.

He's just one of those polarizing players. I just wish he was on the South Pole.
- rockychocbill

Do you beleive Bill that a player can mature and grow? And learn to be more disciplined. It was how many years ago that he was here? Things change. And Downie deserves to be given a chance as far as I'm concerned. Maybe from an emotional standpoint, you don't like the deal. But from a hockyey standpoint, it's a good deal.

I think Downie is a legit 2nd or 3rd line winger. He's not ideal to play on a team's top line imo. He's certainly an upgrade to Raffl.

Flyers were desperate for offense, so making this trade helps in that area. The question is, will Downie's lack of discipline offset the offense he brings.

Flyers are shorthanded a ton to begin with, and now that is going to increase. Talbot was one of the top PK performers on the team. That is the part of the trade people are missing.
- PLindbergh31

Yet he keeps finding himself on the top line in Colorado and Tampa. It's not just throwing the three best players on the ice, you need to find a mix that works and often times a top line need someone to get their nose dirty.

he has had injury issues for sure but the above statements doesn't remotely equate to not a top 9 guy. based on his games played over a full season, he has averaged (rounding up) 17 goals and 28 assists.

Talbot has averaged 12-12 for 24 points.
- nastyflyergirl

Talbot was in no way shape or form a top 9 in terms of scoring... But he was an excellent pk specialist and checking forward let alone being quite durable... If they wanted downie they should have moved something like Rinaldo or got better for talbot.

You can sit here and tell me how great a player is, but if he don't deliver then he's only as good as the numbers and sow or has been playing quite a while now ... He's way overrated and he's injury prone and he takes dumb penalties... Ned I go on? But if you wanna sit there and believe a guy who barely pots a dozen goals is a top line forward then be my guest...
- JoeRussomanno

Joe.. never did I say he was a great player. I think he is a solid player.. yes, but not a great player..

Statistically over his last 77 games (thanks Plind for doing the homework yesterday)... He potted 14 goals and added 28 assists. 42 points in the NHL is likely nearly above average for a 2nd line player... But, believe what you wanna believe...

I think Downie is a legit 2nd or 3rd line winger. He's not ideal to play on a team's top line imo. He's certainly an upgrade to Raffl.

Flyers were desperate for offense, so making this trade helps in that area. The question is, will Downie's lack of discipline offset the offense he brings.

Flyers are shorthanded a ton to begin with, and now that is going to increase. Talbot was one of the top PK performers on the team. That is the part of the trade people are missing.
- PLindbergh31

Nobody is missing anything. Those aspects of the trade have been well discussed. Have to see what happens. Talbot is not the only player in the League who can kill penalties.

C'mon. You have the Canucks and Torts right there in your back yard and you're going to be a 'Yotes fan? Shane Doan isn't that pretty... really.
- mayorofangrytown

After they screwed with the best player they ever had (Bure) and then brought in Messier I totally lost interest in that team forever.

The Downie Defense Team is large and powerful, RCB. Let it go.
- Scoob

Simply stating that Downie is better than the worst 3 forwards in a team's starting lineup isn't that outlandish of a defense