That's...actually how I see him. I think he was taken first overall in a draft class which was weak with "superstar" players yet strong in good players. Were he taken in the 2013 draft, he would have had a hard time cracking the top 5, let alone top 3.
- jmatchett383

I'd hesitate to draw parallels between Zherdev and Yak...

Zhedev was an unlikable poop, who was completely uninvested in his teams and teammates both on and off the ice, professionally and personally.

Yak is like OV... just nowhere near as good. He's got a sunny disposition, his teammates love him... he's just been so used to doing his thing and doing well. If he's going to fail, it's because he won't be able to be effective any other way -- not because he's a cancerous piece of detritus.

BSchenn is still only 22.

He's too young to write off.

After the Flyers cast off Patrick Sharp, I'm pretty sure he didn't really explode until he was 26 or so.

I'm cool with waiting on BSchenn; I just want more consistency from him. Sometimes, you see him and you see the player he can be. Other times, he looks lost.
- johndewar

I havr no patience left for the Flyers. When they traded Richards I lost all patience.

I could be dead by the time schenn breaks out.

Just my opinion. Schenn to me is an average at best player. Doesnt have the skills or speed to be a briere or Giroux. . Doesnt have the talent and composure to be a richards.. I think he'll wind up being a 3rd liner who occasionaly gets to play on other lines with injuries etc.

I was fired up when we got him. He has been nothing close to what I expected, so I'm bitter and biased now.
- Flyersgod

I think you have to be patient. Look at Couturier...we really didn't see the offense like we're seeing right now until he developed more at the NHL level and got into the right situations. Also, if you look at players like Carter, Richards, Giroux, Voracek...Schenn has pretty similar production compared to when they had played a similar amount of games. I see flashes in Schenn of being able to do significantly more and I think he's capable of doing that in time.

oh, just go to youtube
- aightwebang17

Meh.. youtube on my "smartphone" drives me crazy. Things should be easier with all this tech.

You guys think Columbus might use a CBO on Bob since he's not really been playing as well as last year (pre-groin injury) and he's owed $6.25M next year?

Meh.. youtube on my "smartphone" drives me crazy. Things should be easier with all this tech.
- Flyersgod

F YouTube... soon, you can have Amazon PrimeAir deliver VHS tapes straight to your door in under 30-minutes. WIN!

I think you have to be patient. Look at Couturier...we really didn't see the offense like we're seeing right now until he developed more at the NHL level and got into the right situations. Also, if you look at players like Carter, Richards, Giroux, Voracek...Schenn has pretty similar production compared to when they had played a similar amount of games. I see flashes in Schenn of being able to do significantly more and I think he's capable of doing that in time.
- exlund

When Schenn's on his game (see: 11/12 playoffs), he is like Mike Richards with a little more natural offensive talent and less defensive instincts. He can hit like a truck for a guy his size, he will/can't fight (Richards was not all that good, really), they are similar skaters, and have good junior records. I just think Schenn needs to be dialed in more often.

You guys think Columbus might use a CBO on Bob since he's not really been playing as well as last year (pre-groin injury) and he's owed $6.25M next year?
- jmatchett383

Unpossible.

From everything I've read, Bob is the Russian Ken Dryden.

I'd hesitate to draw parallels between Zherdev and Yak...

Zhedev was an unlikable poop, who was completely uninvested in his teams and teammates both on and off the ice, professionally and personally.

Yak is like OV... just nowhere near as good. He's got a sunny disposition, his teammates love him... he's just been so used to doing his thing and doing well. If he's going to fail, it's because he won't be able to be effective any other way -- not because he's a cancerous piece of detritus.
- Tomahawk

I'm not talking about his personality or off ice activities. I was just saying they appear to be the same mold: fancy goal scorers who are disinterested about learning to play without the puck. That's all.

I think you have to be patient. Look at Couturier...we really didn't see the offense like we're seeing right now until he developed more at the NHL level and got into the right situations. Also, if you look at players like Carter, Richards, Giroux, Voracek...Schenn has pretty similar production compared to when they had played a similar amount of games. I see flashes in Schenn of being able to do significantly more and I think he's capable of doing that in time.
- exlund

The guy just turned 22 just a few months ago and he's been shuffled around a bit (center to wing).

I also recognize the fact that the team traded Mike Richards to get him (and other assets obviously) probably works against him, from a fan perception stand point.

Unpossible.

From everything I've read, Bob is the Russian Ken Dryden.
- johndewar

Ben Drydovsky?

I havr no patience left for the Flyers. When they traded Richards I lost all patience.

I could be dead by the time schenn breaks out.
- Flyersgod

so this is moreso a personal issue than a schenn issue really

so this is moreso a personal issue than a schenn issue really
- Crimsoninja

clearly

I'm not talking about his personality or off ice activities. I was just saying they appear to be the same mold: fancy goal scorers who are disinterested about learning to play without the puck. That's all.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, they're both young, skilled Russian/Ukrainian wingers coming into the league, but the similarities really stop there.

I could see Yak settling into more of a Slava Kozlov mold once his spirit is broken a bit... he plays hard and plays for his teammates, so eventually I think he'll stop trying to drive that round peg into the square hole.

Zherdev, on the other hand, was going to fail no matter what because he just didn't give a flying Falloon... about anything or anybody... even himself. He can't even stick with a team in the KHL...

I would say Read is the better offensive player, no?
- aightwebang17

probably, I like them both a lot

BSchenn is still only 22.

He's too young to write off.

After the Flyers cast off Patrick Sharp, I'm pretty sure he didn't really explode until he was 26 or so.

I'm cool with waiting on BSchenn; I just want more consistency from him. Sometimes, you see him and you see the player he can be. Other times, he looks lost.
- johndewar

look at that guy Steen in St Louis, hitting his stride at age 29

I bet a lot of folks never thought he would be this good

Yeah, they're both young, skilled Russian/Ukrainian wingers coming into the league, but the similarities really stop there.

I could see Yak settling into more of a Slava Kozlov mold once his spirit is broken a bit... he plays hard and plays for his teammates, so eventually I think he'll stop trying to drive that round peg into the square hole.

Zherdev, on the other hand, was going to fail no matter what because he just didn't give a flying Falloon... about anything or anybody... even himself. He can't even stick with a team in the KHL...
- Tomahawk

I think you are undervaluing him, for the play off shootouts at least

I think you have to be patient. Look at Couturier...we really didn't see the offense like we're seeing right now until he developed more at the NHL level and got into the right situations. Also, if you look at players like Carter, Richards, Giroux, Voracek...Schenn has pretty similar production compared to when they had played a similar amount of games. I see flashes in Schenn of being able to do significantly more and I think he's capable of doing that in time.
- exlund

Talking about any player south of age 25 as a bust or similar hyperbolic terms is the height of idiocy.

Yeah, they're both young, skilled Russian/Ukrainian wingers coming into the league, but the similarities really stop there.

I could see Yak settling into more of a Slava Kozlov mold once his spirit is broken a bit... he plays hard and plays for his teammates, so eventually I think he'll stop trying to drive that round peg into the square hole.

Zherdev, on the other hand, was going to fail no matter what because he just didn't give a flying Falloon... about anything or anybody... even himself. He can't even stick with a team in the KHL...
- Tomahawk

I question whether Zherdev evwn likes playing

When Schenn's on his game (see: 11/12 playoffs), he is like Mike Richards with a little more natural offensive talent and less defensive instincts. He can hit like a truck for a guy his size, he will/can't fight (Richards was not all that good, really), they are similar skaters, and have good junior records. I just think Schenn needs to be dialed in more often.
- jmatchett383

B Schenn...just sign him now to a 3 year deal at 5.25. 1.75 just like Cooter and we have him for 3 years. Its not the end of the world if he doesnt develop into a top 6 guy, its the end of the world if you pay him to.

B Schenn...just sign him now to a 3 year deal at 5.25. 1.75 just like Cooter and we have him for 3 years. Its not the end of the world if he doesnt develop into a top 6 guy, its the end of the world if you pay him to.
- Just5

That's exactly what I see happening.

I think you have to be patient. Look at Couturier...we really didn't see the offense like we're seeing right now until he developed more at the NHL level and got into the right situations. Also, if you look at players like Carter, Richards, Giroux, Voracek...Schenn has pretty similar production compared to when they had played a similar amount of games. I see flashes in Schenn of being able to do significantly more and I think he's capable of doing that in time.
- exlund

B Schenn may become a more consistent scorer but I don't think he will ever be as good an all around player as Couturier. I wouldn't move either Schenn just to move them but if moving them lands a quality, mobile dman under 30 then I'd most likely be ok with that deal.

I might be the only person that is "Meh" on Gary Thorne. After hearing him butcher Flyers' players names -- or call them the wrong name ...... Meh.

- Flyskippy

I'm with you, sir. I think he butchered Niinimaa's name, too. That always bugged me. You're a professional broadcaster, do your homework and learn how to pronounce the names for crying out loud.

I'm with you, sir. I think he butchered Niinimaa's name, too. That always bugged me. You're a professional broadcaster, do your homework and learn how to pronounce the names for crying out loud.
- Scoob

Made me appreciate how good Gene Hart was.

- Tomahawk

I love Bryz.