I feel Lecavalier's early season success can be attributed to shooting a very high percentage that was unsustainable. I, also, didn't think Lecavalier was as good of a player as his regular stats indicated. I felt he had seriously regressed quite a bit since his top seasons. That's why I didn't like the signing.


- PhillySportsGuy

Again, Lecavalier is a player that has scored 20 or more goals, in 13 of 14 seasons, and has scored over 400 goals in his career. And the opinion is offered that he wasn't capable of going on a hot streak during parts of a season, which all goal scorers do, as if it was a fluke or something that Lecavalier was putting the puck in the net. He has had 3 seasons in his career with that shooting percentage, and isn't that much higher then his career average.
Who believed that the Flyers were getting Lecavalier circa mid 2000's when he was one of the top players in the League? So not sure how that makes sense. The only thing Lecavalier did well last year, was shoot the puck. But there's a lot of factors that led to his poor overall play. Any accurate analysis of his play, has to include all the factors. Including the possibility that he may not get back to the level he needs to play at.

One more year of Timonen or not doesn't matter much to me. I'm interested in moving on and seeing exactly what we have without him. I think there are some options in free agency, but I don't blame the flyers if the don't want to go multi years on those options and decide to bring him back.

I feel he will be worse seeing less minutes. I think we saw a bit of that this year. They were conscious of his minutes, even rested him at the end of the season, but how did that work out in the playoffs? The old guys still need to play the big minutes to keep loose

MacDonald was awful as a top pairing guy with the Islanders. He's not a guy who can handle the burden of consistently taking on top lines.

Your second point is solid. I've always wanted Berube to go with Grossmann-Coburn, Timonen-Schenn and Streit-Mac.
- PhillySportsGuy

Outside of John Tavares, I think the islanders such as a whole.

Pardon me son, how old are you?
- SuperSchennBros

wtf

Broken hands from getting slashed or hit with the puck, happen to players of all age, and is not an age related injury.

The back injury is certainly a concern going forward. That could become chronic, and could be from wear and tear.
- MJL

Were one of the hand/arm injuries VL missed time from a brutal Matt Cooke slash I saw a few years back near the end of the season ???? If there is a player that embodies pure evil and must have compromising pictures of NHL execs its Matt Cooke, the destroyer of quality players.

wtf
- Giroux_Is_God

Dude, go with dirt, old as dirt.

Few Thoughts:

-All opinions are biased. They are formed through one's view of the topic. Dismissing poor play because of an injury is a bias the same way ignoring the impact of an injury of a player's level of play is a bias.

-The main issue about Lecavalier is not whether or not he can be a productive player. He scored 20 goals, it's pretty (frank)ing obvious he can still produce. The issue is, does Lecavalier fit into the style of play that the Flyers seem to be trying to embrace, with more emphasis on skating and possession? Personally, I don't think he does fit very well.

-The other issue with Lecavalier is team need. The Flyers had seven guys score 20 or more goals last season. If they had two or three, Lecavalier's production and sheer goal scoring ability would be a bigger positive factor. With seven, it becomes more about fitting into the roster and the system.

-Timonen was still the Flyers most reliable defenseman last season. He and the Flyers have made it pretty clear if he returns it's a one and done situation. He might not be a top pair guy any longer, but he'd be really solid as a 2nd or 3rd pair guy carrying a lesser load. The free agent pickings are not exactly flush with top pair guys. I don't think Niskanen is a top pair guy, but he's going to get paid like one.

One more year of Timonen or not doesn't matter much to me. I'm interested in moving on and seeing exactly what we have without him. I think there are some options in free agency, but I don't blame the flyers if the don't want to go multi years on those options and decide to bring him back.

I feel he will be worse seeing less minutes. I think we saw a bit of that this year. They were conscious of his minutes, even rested him at the end of the season, but how did that work out in the playoffs? The old guys still need to play the big minutes to keep loose
- Just5

I don't think the lack of minutes played, had anything to do with it. He averaged 20:01 of icetime in the playoffs. That is more then enough icetime for an old guy to keep loose.

Few Thoughts:

-All opinions are biased. They are formed through one's view of the topic. Dismissing poor play because of an injury is a bias the same way ignoring the impact of an injury of a player's level of play is a bias.

-The main issue about Lecavalier is not whether or not he can be a productive player. He scored 20 goals, it's pretty (frank)ing obvious he can still produce. The issue is, does Lecavalier fit into the style of play that the Flyers seem to be trying to embrace, with more emphasis on skating and possession? Personally, I don't think he does fit very well.

-The other issue with Lecavalier is team need. The Flyers had seven guys score 20 or more goals last season. If they had two or three, Lecavalier's production and sheer goal scoring ability would be a bigger positive factor. With seven, it becomes more about fitting into the roster and the system.

-Timonen was still the Flyers most reliable defenseman last season. He and the Flyers have made it pretty clear if he returns it's a one and done situation. He might not be a top pair guy any longer, but he'd be really solid as a 2nd or 3rd pair guy carrying a lesser load. The free agent pickings are not exactly flush with top pair guys. I don't think Niskanen is a top pair guy, but he's going to get paid like one.
- Jsaquella

Rather enjoyed that, thanks.

Dude, go with dirt, old as dirt.
- mayorofangrytown

I'm young enough to be your infant

I am not sure I'd even want Tuch or Milano........whenever I get to cutting my list down I may leave both off of it.
- ob18

Add Larkin to that list as well. Honka is the guy I like.

Few Thoughts:

-All opinions are biased. They are formed through one's view of the topic. Dismissing poor play because of an injury is a bias the same way ignoring the impact of an injury of a player's level of play is a bias.

-The main issue about Lecavalier is not whether or not he can be a productive player. He scored 20 goals, it's pretty (frank)ing obvious he can still produce. The issue is, does Lecavalier fit into the style of play that the Flyers seem to be trying to embrace, with more emphasis on skating and possession? Personally, I don't think he does fit very well.

-The other issue with Lecavalier is team need. The Flyers had seven guys score 20 or more goals last season. If they had two or three, Lecavalier's production and sheer goal scoring ability would be a bigger positive factor. With seven, it becomes more about fitting into the roster and the system.

-Timonen was still the Flyers most reliable defenseman last season. He and the Flyers have made it pretty clear if he returns it's a one and done situation. He might not be a top pair guy any longer, but he'd be really solid as a 2nd or 3rd pair guy carrying a lesser load. The free agent pickings are not exactly flush with top pair guys. I don't think Niskanen is a top pair guy, but he's going to get paid like one.
- Jsaquella

Lecavalier's poor play hasn't been dismissed by anyone. Using an injury as well as a position change as possible reasons for subpar play is not a bias. It's the opposite. It's looking at all factors.

As far as the rest, I agree with it.

Phillies 0-7. Why do I watch.

Phillies 0-7. Why do I watch.
- jstross

Are you a masochist?

Phillies 0-7. Why do I watch.
- jstross

I was just going to post a sarcastic remark about them. Stick a fork in them. Start the unloading. It will be a bunch of young guys, with Ryan Howard at first!

Again, Lecavalier is a player that has scored 20 or more goals, in 13 of 14 seasons, and has scored over 400 goals in his career. And the opinion is offered that he wasn't capable of going on a hot streak during parts of a season, which all goal scorers do, as if it was a fluke or something that Lecavalier was putting the puck in the net. He has had 3 seasons in his career with that shooting percentage, and isn't that much higher then his career average.
Who believed that the Flyers were getting Lecavalier circa mid 2000's when he was one of the top players in the League? So not sure how that makes sense. The only thing Lecavalier did well last year, was shoot the puck. But there's a lot of factors that led to his poor overall play. Any accurate analysis of his play, has to include all the factors. Including the possibility that he may not get back to the level he needs to play at.
- MJL

Look, we just disagree on the guy. We each have our reasons. I want you to know that I do factor everything into the scenario. This is just the way I feel. I don't have an axe to grind or a vandetta against VL.

We both watch most of the games and interpret what we see differently. It doesn't make either of us stupid or necessarily wrong.

Phillies 0-7. Why do I watch.
- jstross

Just unwatchable right now. I'm so apathetic about this team.

Look, we just disagree on the guy. We each have our reasons. I want you to know that I do factor everything into the scenario. This is just the way I feel. I don't have an axe to grind or a vandetta against VL.

We both watch most of the games and interpret what we see differently. It doesn't make either of us stupid or necessarily wrong.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think you have an axe to grind or a vendetta. I just think some factors are omitted, and the injury and the position change are ignored as factors. That's an incomplete analysis in my opinion.

84. I'm very advanced for my age.
- PhillySportsGuy

you look good for 84

I don't think you have an axe to grind or a vendetta. I just think some factors are omitted, and the injury and the position change are ignored as factors. That's an incomplete analysis in my opinion.
- MJL

I believe the position change had to do with poor play. He didn't deserve to be a 2nd line center.

The product is a total disgrace. They better hope Lee gets healthy to assist in the rebuild. Other than Papplebon(if he keeps going), not much else to trade.

you look good for 84
- vejim

If I need to scratch my balls, I walk over a carpet.

Lecavalier's poor play hasn't been dismissed by anyone. Using an injury as well as a position change as possible reasons for subpar play is not a bias. It's the opposite. It's looking at all factors.

As far as the rest, I agree with it.
- MJL

Lecavalier has a better corsi % after returning from his injury...

Dates Corsi-For Corsi-Against Corsi-For Percentage
October 2, 2013 - November 30, 2013 236 309 43.3%
December 21, 2013 - February 8, 2014 244 295 45.3%

Michael Carter Williams, Thadeus Young, Pick #10 and next year 1st for Kyrie Irving. Probably not near enough, but watching the Phils the mind wanders.

I love Timonen, and he has been my favourite Flyer for a while.

I am at a crossroads. While I do believe having him on the team, for his leadership, and to mentor young-dmen has value I do not want it to come at the cost of playing time for said young d-men.

Guss was not allowed to play last season as there was no more room, and the Flyers need to at the very least give Alt/Lauridsen a chance.

I don't think the Flyers can move Streit, nor should they move Coburn. If however they can move one of Grossmann, Luke Schenn or MacDonald then I am in favour of bringing back Kimmo.

More than anything though, there needs to be playing time available for the kids. Consistent time, not jumping from press-box to ice every other game. If the Flyers are worse overall because of that so be it. Don't need to follow the fools hope that they can win every year.