I would be fine with that if there wasn't a better upgrade for the top pair to add. I really think that is the one move that is needed to get this team to where it needs to be. And in order to do that if it becomes available, I see a defenseman being moved. I think they're going to need a low cap hit players such as Gustafsson for the 3rd pair.
- MJL

As much as I love timo I think the flyers need to learn how to pay without him. Get some of these young guys some playing time and hope they develop.

I would like to see Kimmo back next year. He seems to have gotten better as the year goes on.

Streit would be better off paired with MacDonald since Mac is quite mobile, and Grossmann is... not.

LSchenn would be better off paired with Gus for the same reason.
- Feanor

Streit likes to press the attack, and is not the fastest guy getting back to cover if there is a turnover. Grossmann is set up to fail when that happens and he is stuck covering the odd man rush. Sometimes it is the forwards's fault, but sometimes the turnover happens with Streit at the blue line with the forwards in deep. You don't want to take away the potential offense that Streit could contribute, but the pairing doesn't help either guy it seems.

So I must be missing something after reading these last 5 pages.

When did Steve Downie become the Bobby Clarke trophy winner, obviously destined to win the Hart trophy?

Get a grip people.

So I must be missing something after reading these last 5 pages.

When did Steve Downie become the Bobby Clarke trophy winner, obviously destined to win the Hart trophy?

Get a grip people.
- MBFlyerfan

who said that?

I think a valid point being made is the forth line suffers without Raffl.

Streit likes to press the attack, and is not the fastest guy getting back to cover if there is a turnover. Grossmann is set up to fail when that happens and he is stuck covering the odd man rush. Sometimes it is the forwards's fault, but sometimes the turnover happens with Streit at the blue line with the forwards in deep. You don't want to take away the potential offense that Streit could contribute, but the pairing doesn't help either guy it seems.
- Marc D

And that has been one of the top points of my argument in support of Grossmann. The situations he's been put in. Like last night, where he is left all alone at the net on a 2 on 1, and he's get's criticism for not breaking the play up.

So I must be missing something after reading these last 5 pages.

When did Steve Downie become the Bobby Clarke trophy winner, obviously destined to win the Hart trophy?

Get a grip people.
- MBFlyerfan

No just posted an interesting idea and the morons on this site made me go into extremes to get my point across.

The inconsistency is still a major hurdle that this team needs to get over.
- MJL

Really this is all that needs to be said about this team.

So I must be missing something after reading these last 5 pages.

When did Steve Downie become the Bobby Clarke trophy winner, obviously destined to win the Hart trophy?

Get a grip people.
- MBFlyerfan

No one said that, or implied that.

Most of the posts simply pointed out that the Flyers look like a better team with Downie on the 3rd and Raffl on the 4th, rather than Raffl on the 3rd and Rosehill on the 4th.

Seeing Heeter on the bench last night, what are the thoughts on Mason's back up next year?

Thanks Bill. Love it when the forwards actually play some D. Hate it when they don't...lol. The puzzle of when these forwards want to play D is still a mystery. However, they are consistent when taking at least one of the periods of play off. Hats off to Rosehill for the turn around; he is actually earning his keep.
Congrats to Timmo for the two goals. Other than that...sigh. We let another one slip through our fingers.

who said that?

I think a valid point being made is the forth line suffers without Raffl.
- Marc D

exactamundo.

Seeing Heeter on the bench last night, what are the thoughts on Mason's back up next year?
- PhiFaninEdm

He'll get a chance, but wouldn't be shocked to bring in a cheap vet either.

It was just a hypothetical... Jesus people.
- FlyersSteve118

lol

No one said that, or implied that.

Most of the posts simply pointed out that the Flyers look like a better team with Downie on the 3rd and Raffl on the 4th, rather than Raffl on the 3rd and Rosehill on the 4th.
- FlyerGuy

And I think that Raffl will make the third line better. We can have Downie or Newbury or the guy who takes tickets at gate c on the 4th line. (sarcasm)

Am I also to understand that Downie really wasn't sick but was scratched in a giant coverup so Rosehill could play against their goon? Even though Downie has been a healthy scratch before during this season?

That idea can only be summed up by this.....



Is Raffl a better 4th line option than Rosehill? He sure as hell is. Is Raffl a better 3rd line option than Downie? He sure as hell is. Is Downie a better 4th line option than Rosehill? He sure as hell is.

How about that. Problem solved.

Is the third line really that much better with downie on it? Maybe a couple months ago, but I didn't see a huge drop off from tht line because downie wasn't in.
- funmaster18

i thought lines 2 and 3 were better for the couple shifts where they switched raffl and simmonds, i liked simmonds in there a lot. if they don't keep downie i'd use those three together in the future.

At the start of the first the Flyers were attacking right away and had some nice cycles. The forwards got in deep and led to those 2 early goals by the Leafs. TO is a pretty fast skating team and it led to some good chances. I don't think the ref blew it on the disallowed goal. Had that been called a goal against them with mason covering the puck I would have been furious.

Loved Kimmo's smile after that second goal he scored.
I would like to see him come back next year, realize it is a long shot.
- Marc D

thinking of starting a letter campaign where we all just beg until he gives in.

I prefer this to shoot outs.

Ohio high schools Sylvania Northview and Cleveland St. Ignatius have been named ice hockey co-state champions after they played to a 1-1 draw after seven overtimes Saturday. The shared title was agreed upon mutually by the head coaches, school administrators and Ohio High School Athletic Association administrators, the OHSAA said in a statement Saturday. In high school hockey there is no shootout procedure. As a result, fatigued players led to the decision to call the game a tie.

http://espn.go.com/espn/s...ockey-state-title-7-overs

who said that?

I think a valid point being made is the forth line suffers without Raffl.
- Marc D

no one said it that's what makes hyperbole so gosh darned fun!

And I think that Raffl will make the third line better. We can have Downie or Newbury or the guy who takes tickets at gate c on the 4th line. (sarcasm)

Am I also to understand that Downie really wasn't sick but was scratched in a giant coverup so Rosehill could play against their goon? Even though Downie has been a healthy scratch before during this season?

That idea can only be summed up by this.....



Is Raffl a better 4th line option than Rosehill? He sure as hell is. Is Raffl a better 3rd line option than Downie? He sure as hell is. Is Downie a better 4th line option than Rosehill? He sure as hell is.

How about that. Problem solved.
- MBFlyerfan

I don't disagree with Downie on the 4th necessarily ... though I like Cooter's play with Downie more than when he plays with Raffl.

who said that?

I think a valid point being made is the forth line suffers without Raffl.
- Marc D

Downie has played very poorly, no question. Where is the competition pushing him to improve to stay in the lineup? Flyers have one extra forward on the roster, and he's usless as tits on a canary.

Holmgren should have added a depth/versatile type forward at the trade deadline. He missed the boat there.

no one said it that's what makes hyperbole so gosh darned fun!
- -davies-

Downie has played very poorly, no question. Where is the competition pushing him to improve to stay in the lineup? Flyers have one extra forward on the roster, and he's usless as tits on a canary.

Holmgren should have added a depth/versatile type forward at the trade deadline. He missed the boat there.
- PLindbergh31

What specific versatile depth forward that was traded at the deadline should the Flyers have acquired? And calling Rosehill useless is simply an opinion. I don't think the Flyers should be carrying more then one extra forward.

Not many teams have an extra forward that is going to push a top 9 forward for icetime.

Downie has played very poorly, no question. Where is the competition pushing him to improve to stay in the lineup? Flyers have one extra forward on the roster, and he's usless as tits on a canary.

Holmgren should have added a depth/versatile type forward at the trade deadline. He missed the boat there.
- PLindbergh31

So the flyers need to acquire some sort of body clearing 3rd line winger that will not take "2 minutes for wearing orange penalties" to replace Downie. I think this kind benefits from a space clearer.

Raffl moved up to second line and something needs to be done about lecavalier. And we need another fourth liner. And obviously some defense.

I still would love to see Matt moulson in Orange this off season. Just move Hartnell or Simmonds down.

So the flyers need to acquire some sort of body clearing 3rd line winger that will not take "2 minutes for wearing orange penalties" to replace Downie. I think this kind benefits from a space clearer.

Raffl moved up to second line and something needs to be done about lecavalier. And we need another fourth liner. And obviously some defense.

I still would love to see Matt moulson in Orange this off season. Just move Hartnell or Simmonds down.
- FlyersSteve118

Adding Matt Moulson next year would make it very difficult for the Flyers to improve the real need on the team. Which is upgrading the defense.
I think Raffl is a sure bet to play on the 3rd line next Season.

And that has been one of the top points of my argument in support of Grossmann. The situations he's been put in. Like last night, where he is left all alone at the net on a 2 on 1, and he's get's criticism for not breaking the play up.
- MJL

I absolutely agree. Grossman is not a good enough defenseman to have Streit as his counterpart because we all know that Streit is nothing more than a 4th forward on the ice. That leaves Grossman to be the only real defenseman out there and many times he gets hung out to dry. Grossman doesn't deserve ALL the criticism he gets.