Serious write-up. Thanks, Bill.

It's tough not to like that type of player. I haven't seen all that much of Benn, so it will be good to get to watch him tomorrow. The fact he's in a bit of a drought right now is a little scary.

That can't be right, I thought only Raffl missed the net high and wide?
- wolfhounds

Im not a fan of Raffl, he doesnt create any pressure. He also takes too long to rip off a shot and when he does..... he misses.

F that I have a visceral hatred for Neal. Letang I hate also.....too bad batpig left
- Just5

Neal's a Richard. I'm kind of meh about Letang, even with his dreamy hair. Orpik, however, I'd take on the Flyers in a heartbeat.

The only time to worry about Letang is on the PP. I find him terribly overrated otherwise.
- johndewar

You could paint Erik Karlsson w/ that brush, too. He's an utter mess in his own zone.

Timonen and Streit are 40-50 pt scorers on any other team right now.
- GOA88

I think Timonen, Streit and Coburn is sufficient. Its more of a system issue to me. Timonen and Streit are 40-50 pt scorers on any other team right now. Flyers dont push the pace. They are really playing a NJ Devils brand of hockey right now.
- GOA88

I agree 100% with this. But I think it is more based on the lack of pure scoring ability on the team...Chief has them playing the type of hockey that suites the players he has (muckers and grinders mostly) and not doing what Lavi was doing and trying to make the players fit his system...NJ won 3 Cups with this approach we don't have one in almost 40 years ...maybe chief is on to something...solid D and solid goal tending win cups...scoring 8 goals a game won't...and Pitt proves that every year outside of 2009 when Flower actually stopped the puck...

I think Timonen, Streit and Coburn is sufficient. Its more of a system issue to me. Timonen and Streit are 40-50 pt scorers on any other team right now. Flyers dont push the pace. They are really playing a NJ Devils brand of hockey right now.
- GOA88

Timonen Steit and Coburn are not sufficient. Kimmo and Streit and slowing down, and Coburn has never been adequite at puck movement. And you cant call it a system issue when they weren't able to execute passes in Lavi's system. Besides Timonen is done. That only really leaves Streit as the only decent puck mover since Gus hasnt stepped up at all.

F that I have a visceral hatred for Neal. Letang I hate also.....too bad batpig left
- Just5

I hate Neal and certain Penguin players. I hate the entire Rangers and Devils organizations.

- Tomahawk

It wasnt a joke, you think over the summer those two just lost their scoring ability? Both have the resume to prove my point

Timonen Steit and Coburn are not sufficient. Kimmo and Streit and slowing down, and Coburn has never been adequite at puck movement. And you cant call it a system issue when they weren't able to execute passes in Lavi's system. Besides Timonen is done. That only really leaves Streit as the only decent puck mover since Gus hasnt stepped up at all.
- youarewrong

Concur...But I don't think Gus' puck movement is the issue, it is his Defensive mistakes that have him in the pressbox...he moves the puck fine for the most part, just poor D play and turnovers..which this team can't afford becasue they are not going to score 4 goals every night.

I agree 100% with this. But I think it is more based on the lack of pure scoring ability on the team...Chief has them playing the type of hockey that suites the players he has (muckers and grinders mostly) and not doing what Lavi was doing and trying to make the players fit his system...NJ won 3 Cups with this approach we don't have one in almost 40 years ...maybe chief is on to something...solid D and solid goal tending win cups...scoring 8 goals a game won't...and Pitt provess that every year outside of 2009 when Flower actually stopped the puck...
- JW98FlyerFan

I never said I didnt like it. I think his style is definitely a recipe for success.

Timonen Steit and Coburn are not sufficient. Kimmo and Streit and slowing down, and Coburn has never been adequite at puck movement. And you cant call it a system issue when they weren't able to execute passes in Lavi's system. Besides Timonen is done. That only really leaves Streit as the only decent puck mover since Gus hasnt stepped up at all.
- youarewrong

A a top-notch offensive defenseman (i.e. Karlsson), no. As a mid-range 3/4 defenseman, he's more than adequate.

A a top-notch offensive defenseman (i.e. Karlsson), no. As a mid-range 3/4 defenseman, he's more than adequate.
- jmatchett383

Finally some sense

F that I have a visceral hatred for Neal. Letang I hate also.....too bad batpig left
- Just5

i don't like them either. you can add fleury to that list as well...but sid and malkin are the guys i hate.

It wasnt a joke, you think over the summer those two just lost their scoring ability? Both have the resume to prove my point
- GOA88

Kimmo's going to turn 39 this season, and his odometer is running out of numbers.

Streit hasn't been a threat... since... his first year(s) w/ the Isles? Since then, he's been busy sponging PP points and secondary assists off Tavares and Moulson... before really falling off a cliff last season.

I agree 100% with this. But I think it is more based on the lack of pure scoring ability on the team...Chief has them playing the type of hockey that suites the players he has (muckers and grinders mostly) and not doing what Lavi was doing and trying to make the players fit his system...NJ won 3 Cups with this approach we don't have one in almost 40 years ...maybe chief is on to something...solid D and solid goal tending win cups...scoring 8 goals a game won't...and Pitt provess that every year outside of 2009 when Flower actually stopped the puck...
- JW98FlyerFan

I think this team does have scoring ability. This is almost the same team that lead the league in scoring 3 years ago. We are only missing Jagr, Briere, and JVR really. Jagr is obvious. 73 games, 20 goals.... but he really sparked Giroux and Hartnell. Briere only played 70 games but he only had 16 goals, 33 assists... and JVR only played 43 games for 11 goals. My point being other then Jagr, its the same offensive players.

But I do think they need a sniper. They also need a defense that can move the puck out. I am totally ok with playing Defensive hockey with good goaltending, but you have to have guys that can move the puck out on a counter-strike and guys that can put the puck in the net on the limited oppertunities they have.

I hate Neal and certain Penguin players. I hate the entire Rangers and Devils organizations.
- jmatchett383

the same...but my hatred really extends to their fan bases, and truthfully i think i hate them more than the teams/organizations themselves.

the same...but my hatred really extends to their fan bases, and truthfully i think i hate them more than the teams/organizations themselves.
- hammarby31

For me, that's how I feel with the TML. I don't necessarily LIKE the team, but it's the pretentious fans I can't stand. Listening to them, you'd think the Maple Leafs have gone 82-0 every year since the merger, and that the TML have never committed a true penalty ever, and the refs try to screw them every game.

A a top-notch offensive defenseman (i.e. Karlsson), no. As a mid-range 3/4 defenseman, he's more than adequate.
- jmatchett383

He isn't what the team needs to improve it's puck movement on defense. When asked to do it last season he was a complete disaster. Point being, Streit, Timonen, and Coburn are not getting the job done moving the puck. So the best move if to bring in someone that can move the puck.

I hate Neal and certain Penguin players. I hate the entire Rangers and Devils organizations.
- jmatchett383

I became a Flyers fan in 1968 and our early day rivals were the Rangers, Blackhawks, Blues, Boston, Toronto, Islanders...Pitts was never a rival until recent years

Kimmo's going to turn 39 this season, and his odometer is running out of numbers.

Streit hasn't been a threat... since... his first year(s) w/ the Isles? Since then, he's been busy sponging PP points and secondary assists off Tavares and Moulson... before really falling off a cliff last season.
- Tomahawk

Timonen: 29 pts in 45 games
Streit: 27 Pts in 48 games and 5 pts in 6 games in the playoffs. He was on pace for over 10 goals and 40 pts in a full season.

If thats falling off then I need to slam a brick over my head a wake up FAST

He isn't what the team needs to improve it's puck movement on defense. When asked to do it last season he was a complete disaster. Point being, Streit, Timonen, and Coburn are not getting the job done moving the puck. So the best move if to bring in someone that can move the puck.
- youarewrong

Do you/did you expect him to be a premier puck-moving defenseman? I never ever did. He's a decent puck mover for the role he plays. If you expect him to be an offensive juggernaut, then you'll be let down. I expect him to be a good 3/4 defenseman who can skate well, play physical, and get the puck out of harm's way and to a forward. For the most part, he does those things admirably.

Do you/did you expect him to be a premier puck-moving defenseman? I never ever did. He's a decent puck mover for the role he plays. If you expect him to be an offensive juggernaut, then you'll be let down. I expect him to be a good 3/4 defenseman who can skate well, play physical, and get the puck out of harm's way and to a forward. For the most part, he does those things admirably.
- jmatchett383

For me, that's how I feel with the TML. I don't necessarily LIKE the team, but it's the pretentious fans I can't stand. Listening to them, you'd think the Maple Leafs have gone 82-0 every year since the merger, and that the TML have never committed a true penalty ever, and the refs try to screw them every game.
- jmatchett383

I absolutely despised those Leafs teams with Domi, Home Tough Guy Darcy, Billion Dollar Eddie, and the rest.

I never respected Domi after the Adam Burt incident, and Darcy Tucker only played tough with a home sweater on. My hatred for the The Penguins pales in comparison to those Leafs teams.

I absolutely despised those Leafs teams with Domi, Home Tough Guy Darcy, Billion Dollar Eddie, and the rest.

I never respected Domi after the Adam Burt incident, and Darcy Tucker only played tough with a home sweater on. My hatred for the The Penguins pales in comparison to those Leafs teams.
- MBFlyerfan

Agree on Domi. I used to like him for his battles with Probert and his sucker punch of Ulfie. All of that went out the window after he refused to fighr McCarthy or Berube, beat up Burt as he was held down, then literally hid behind Tomas Kaberle from Luke Richardson.

Actually...he might be my most hated "tough guy" of all time.

Don't personally know anyone affected -- it closed in 2008, two years before I moved from living full-time in Philly to splitting time between the two places -- but a lot of people lost jobs. Currently, there's still nothing on the site but an investment group bought the land a year ago and there's a development project.
- bmeltzer

Yeah I work at the buffalo plant. We were on strike in 06. Don't know why we gave up Tyler. From what I heard, good workers , smaller community Just a shame if you ask me. I voted no on that contract. Anyways thanks for the info.