I was very much in favor of Cleary, but having seen him play...he's lost about 5 steps, not just 1 or 2.

However adding Downie filled that need.
- Jsaquella

downie has been very good since coming back. I'd like to see them resign him.

No it's a stupid comparison, 2 different players with different mileage on their bodies, different teams, different positions & different team roles.
- puckhead17

No, the comparison isn't a stupid comparison, not even a little bit.

Both players are forwards. It's not like comparing a forward to a defenseman or a forward to a goalie. Both players were signed last summer. Lecavalier signed for less than what he could have made on the open market, while Clarkson signed for more than he's worth. Lecavalier is living up to his end of the deal and Clarkson isn't even coming close. Lecavalier is older with an impressive Resume and Clarkson younger, while the Leafs bought into a hype the Clarkson camp has build that was never there.

There is nothing wrong with this comparison at all, especially from a business standpoint.

No, the comparison isn't a stupid comparison, not even a little bit.

Both players are forwards. It's not like comparing a forward to a defenseman or a forward to a goalie. Both players were signed last summer. Lecavalier signed for less than what he could have made on the open market, while Clarkson signed for more than he's worth. Lecavalier is living up to his end of the deal and Clarkson isn't even coming close. Lecavalier is older with an impressive Resume and Clarkson younger, while the Leafs bought into a hype the Clarkson camp has build that was never there.

There is nothing wrong with this comparison at all, especially from a business standpoint.
- Schenn2shine

agreed

Of course. I'd be beating the bushes to get a good, mobile puck moving defenseman.

They have assets, but it's about finding a partner. Perhaps Cheveldayoff feels heat in Winnipeg or Tallon in Florida
- Jsaquella

I'd be happy to talk to Florida about Campbell but only if Tallon is willing to eat at least 25% of the contract/cap hit in the deal.

Yes I like the downie trade too, not trumping Hartnell, but I'm done debating this,
Next year if kimmo retires, you have 3 scoring lines, 34 year old "broke back Vinny"
And a D that badly needs an upgrade.
But maybe we give Iginla 4 years $24 million
- puckhead17

You're really reaching here and your point doesn't make sense. We traded an older fourth line player for a young winger and the trade has been paying off ever since this deal was made. Would you call Downie old?

Though we are not quite there yet, I'll be in Key West and most likely extremely inebriated at the mid season point, so here is my Flyers mid season report card for any who may be interested.
- BiggE

G Steve Mason: A (agreed; what we've seen of late with some of the leakier goals is the regression that was inevitable; if we somehow land an impactful defenseman, I could see him stabilizing a bit higher than he's been over the last two weeks. But I'm still not worried, at all.)

G- Ray Emery: B- (agreed; didn't love the Holtby deal, but something had to give)

D- Kimmo Timonen: B- (agreed)

D-Braydon Coburn: A- (agreed; best defenseman we have and playing like it)

D-Mark Streit: C- (I think that's slightly low...I go C+, because he hasn't been as good as he could've been. But I don't think he's been worse than average more than a handful of times)

D-Nik Grossmann: B (agreed)

D-Luke Schenn: C- (agreed -- and maybe we're being a little kind)

D-Erik Gustafsson: C (agreed)

D-Hal Gill: Incomplete (agreed)

G Steve Mason: A (agreed; what we've seen of late with some of the leakier goals is the regression that was inevitable; if we somehow land an impactful defenseman, I could see him stabilizing a bit higher than he's been over the last two weeks. But I'm still not worried, at all.)

G- Ray Emery: B- (agreed; didn't love the Holtby deal, but something had to give)

D- Kimmo Timonen: B- (agreed)

D-Braydon Coburn: A- (agreed; best defenseman we have and playing like it)

D-Mark Streit: C- (I think that's slightly low...I go C+, because he hasn't been as good as he could've been. But I don't think he's been worse than average more than a handful of times)

D-Nik Grossmann: B (agreed)

D-Luke Schenn: C- (agreed -- and maybe we're being a little kind)

D-Erik Gustafsson: C (agreed)

D-Hal Gill: Incomplete (agreed)
- AllInForFlyers

G Steve Mason: A (agreed; what we've seen of late with some of the leakier goals is the regression that was inevitable; if we somehow land an impactful defenseman, I could see him stabilizing a bit higher than he's been over the last two weeks. But I'm still not worried, at all.)

G- Ray Emery: B- (agreed; didn't love the Holtby deal, but something had to give)

D- Kimmo Timonen: B- (agreed)

D-Braydon Coburn: A- (agreed; best defenseman we have and playing like it)

D-Mark Streit: C- (I think that's slightly low...I go C+, because he hasn't been as good as he could've been. But I don't think he's been worse than average more than a handful of times)

D-Nik Grossmann: B (agreed)

D-Luke Schenn: C- (agreed -- and maybe we're being a little kind)

D-Erik Gustafsson: C (agreed)

D-Hal Gill: Incomplete (agreed)
- AllInForFlyers

My frustration with Streit is at 5.25 million for 4 years, I need more. He has been invisible offensively in too many games for me to be happy.

- BiggE

Best of all, you spared me from having to find some way to be kind about Andrej Meszaros!

I agree. I dont think that B. Schenn is ready for the Second Line Center role. He can play wing for now. For 4.5m Vinny is a great second liner. He has the best shot on the team. Basically it comes down to: are we a better team with him in the line up and can he sustain this level of play for roughly 3/4 years? I say he probably can.

Also before coming to play for the Flyers he had a reasonable injury history. No one could expect him to franking break his back or whatever.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

Vincent Lecavalier didn't have an history of back issues prior to this recent injury. I have faith he'll remain the same player he's always been when he returns.

Best of all, you spared me from having to find some way to be kind about Andrej Meszaros!

- AllInForFlyers

LOL I knew I'd forget someone.

I'd have to give him either a D or an incomplete if I'm feeling generous. He just doesn't seem to have it anymore.

I'd be happy to talk to Florida about Campbell but only if Tallon is willing to eat at least 25% of the contract/cap hit in the deal.
- BiggE

I'd be in heaven if they could trade Hartnell & Grossmann for Campbell

My frustration with Streit is at 5.25 million for 4 years, I need more. He has been invisible offensively in too many games for me to be happy.
- BiggE

Believe me, I get it -- that's not a small cap number, and no, the production wasn't where anyone would want it to be. And yes, when he's playing poorly, he can make even me cringe. I mean, physically cringe.

But for me, from what I've seen, he's competed defensively for all but a handful of games -- that road trip, where he was brutal. He's been as diligent as his ability allows him to be, for the most part, defensively.

For the last few games...with defensemen, I've never put too much stock into shooting percentages, because it's hard to gauge how many shots are going to get through. But I did think his point totals were low, for how many shots he was taking...I wasn't confident enough to say it, so I'm not pretending that I KNEW it was coming...but I thought he was going to get some points if he stabilized his play.

I'd be in heaven if they could trade Hartnell & Grossmann for Campbell
- Jsaquella

Amen!
If Tallon's willing to take those 2 contracts, I'll happily take Campbells

I'm off to the gym, see you all at game time!

I'd be in heaven if they could trade Hartnell & Grossmann for Campbell
- Jsaquella

Gosh, that would be amazing...Hartnell just won't waive for that, though. He's just not going for that.

Damn it.

Though we are not quite there yet, I'll be in Key West and most likely extremely inebriated at the mid season point, so here is my Flyers mid season report card for any who may be interested.

First the dmen and goalies

G Steve Mason: A
You were expecting a lower grade?? While his play has slipped a bit in December, he completely carried the club the first 2 months of the season. Without Mase, this team would be battling the Islanders for last in the Metro.

G- Ray Emery: B-
His play has ranged from mediocre to very good in a small sampling, however he gets extra credit for his pounding of Holtby. Yes, I know many folks hated his actions that evening, but the team has played much better since the incident and that's all that matters to me.

D- Kimmo Timonen: B-
If you had asked me at the end of October, this would have been a D. Timonen had a very rough start to the season to say the least. However he has played very well over the last few weeks and I also take into consideration the leadership and character he brings to the team behind the scenes.

D-Braydon Coburn: A-
Lots of people don't like the Nose. Beats me why. Night in, night out, he's the Flyers best dman and he is always on the ice to protect a lead in the last minute of the period or game. Perhaps it's because people look at his size and skating and expect him to be a prototypical #1 guy, but for what he is, he does it very well. Plus he has been very consistent this year as well.

D-Mark Streit: C-
Yes, he's played 2 very good games in a row, but that doesn't excuse the fact that he had been average or worse nearly every other game. However if he keeps playing the way he did the last 2 games, this grade will quickly improve.

D-Nik Grossmann: B
Nik is what he is: a big, tough, strong as an ox, shot blocking machine of a defensive defenseman. He can occasionally make some god awful plays with the puck, but when it comes to pure D, he's pretty damn good.

D-Luke Schenn: C-
Terrible start to the year, been better of late. Luke has potential, we all saw it at the end of last season. He looked pretty good the last 2 games much like Streit. Hopefully he can keep up the good work.

D-Erik Gustafsson: C
Its still a relatively small sample size, but Gus has really been hot or cold. He can look very good at times, he can also make some really bad decisions at times. He is still gaining experience though, and I'm glad he's finally getting a chance to play on a regular basis

D-Hal Gill: Incomplete
Hard to grade a guy on 2 or 3 games. He is basically an even slower, slightly bigger version of Grossmann. However vets like Gill have a way of contributing in the playoffs and from all reports he sets an excellent example to the younger players on how to be a pro.

Coming in a few, the forwards
- BiggE

I wish I had you as a teacher. I would have ended up at Harvard.

I wish I had you as a teacher. I would have ended up at Harvard.

- PLindbergh31

He must be grading on a curve, each guy compared to other Flyers.


Luke D
Kimmo D trending to C+/B-
Mez D
Streit D trending to C/C+
Coburn B+
Gus C
G-NN B

Emery C+/B-
Mase A

Actually my grades are pretty similar to what BiggE posted, so there you go.

I'd be in heaven if they could trade Hartnell & Grossmann for Campbell
- Jsaquella

I would do this in a heartbeat and have suggested something similar multiple times

I'd be in heaven if they could trade Hartnell & Grossmann for Campbell
- Jsaquella

florida is laughing their ass off at this

although Grossmann would be a good pick up for a lot of teams, I'm sure the only way they take Hartnell is if they could trade him off for assets at the TDL.

Rob Parent
@ReluctantSE
Possible Flyers may be without Downie against Blue Jackets tonight, He's last guy on practice ice. Will look into it later

Rob Parent
@ReluctantSE
Possible Flyers may be without Downie against Blue Jackets tonight, He's last guy on practice ice. Will look into it later
- opeth_pa

This makes no sense.

A healthy scratch would be the last guy on the ice, an injured player would not be last off.

Why would he be a healthy scratch?

Sam Carchidi
@BroadStBull
Downie was examined by docs after last game but did practice Fri.

Ray has some new gear

He must be grading on a curve, each guy compared to other Flyers.


Luke D
Kimmo D trending to C+/B-
Mez D
Streit D trending to C/C+
Coburn B+
Gus C
G-NN B

Emery C+/B-
Mase A

Actually my grades are pretty similar to what BiggE posted, so there you go.
- Marc D

Coburn gets an F if timonen gets a D