Sarah Baicker ‏@sbaickerCSN · 4m
Lindros & LeClair will be inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame 11/20 (vs. Minn); Desjardins is 2/19 (vs. Buffalo).
- PhillySportsGuy

They should have done LeClair and Desjardins on 10/11 vs. Montreal.

I am not just saying this because I am a Flyers fan, but its really hard for me to say that Giroux is not one of the top 5 players in this league. His numbers and intangibles and his ability to carry a team cannot be overlooked. There are a lot of Giroux haters out there and I think that comes with being a Flyer. But how can you ignore what he does or has done? Numbers never lie.

They should have done LeClair and Desjardins on 10/11 vs. Montreal.
- Feanor

There most be some strategic planning to how the days were selected. They could have had prior obligations for all we know.

I think most people would agree that Ovechkin could exert more effort, and more consistently, in the defensive zone, and that the Capitals would benefit if he did.

But at the same time, I'm not one who's going to lose sleep over his -35, within the context of things like this. The Caps were horrific at even strength as a team, not just with Ovechkin's line, and they tried to win games with their PP.

It didn't always work, and ultimately, it didn't work enough. But the fact that they were even close, given their ES woes, is a testament to just how much of a weapon that guy is, offensively.
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, it's odd that his singular level of production keeps getting chronically underrated because he doesn't remind anyone of Jonathan Toews. There's only one other guy out there (Stamkos) who can do what he does... and that guy isn't exactly a Selke candidate, either.

I am not just saying this because I am a Flyers fan, but its really hard for me to say that Giroux is not one of the top 5 players in this league. His numbers and intangibles and his ability to carry a team cannot be overlooked. There are a lot of Giroux haters out there and I think that comes with being a Flyer. But how can you ignore what he does or has done? Numbers never lie.
- GOA88

I wonder what his numbers would look like if he traded places with Toews

There most be some strategic planning to how the days were selected. They could have had prior obligations for all we know.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm sure, but it would have been nice to remind Montreal about making that trade.

I wonder what his numbers would look like if he traded places with Toews
- PhillySportsGuy

He would have 2 cups and more points playing with those wingers.....

I am not just saying this because I am a Flyers fan, but its really hard for me to say that Giroux is not one of the top 5 players in this league. His numbers and intangibles and his ability to carry a team cannot be overlooked. There are a lot of Giroux haters out there and I think that comes with being a Flyer. But how can you ignore what he does or has done? Numbers never lie.
- GOA88

You're here enough to know that numbers always lie. C'mon, why mess with us? Just yesterday I learned that a top ten list can include 12-17 items.

I am not just saying this because I am a Flyers fan, but its really hard for me to say that Giroux is not one of the top 5 players in this league. His numbers and intangibles and his ability to carry a team cannot be overlooked. There are a lot of Giroux haters out there and I think that comes with being a Flyer. But how can you ignore what he does or has done? Numbers never lie.
- GOA88

I tend to favour the pass first types over the shoot first types, players who have really good hands like Giroux. I know I sound like a Homer but I'd actually take Giroux over Stamkos. Giroux works hard at being an all around player all season long. It's clear Giroux's development has come slower if you compare him to Stankos because Giroux wasn't drafted first overall within his class. At the moment I rank Stamkos higher but I'd take Giroux first.

Yeah, it's odd that his singular level of production keeps getting chronically underrated because he doesn't remind anyone of Jonathan Toews. There's only one other guy out there (Stamkos) who can do what he does... and that guy isn't exactly a Selke candidate, either.
- Tomahawk

There's no doubt that Ovechkin is a generational offensive player, who is definitely a standout player in terms of goal scoring. There is also no doubt that if he became a more complete player, and paid more attention to the off the puck detail, he would be a better player, and the team would be a better team.

You're here enough to know that numbers always lie. C'mon, why mess with us? Just yesterday I learned that a top ten list can include 12-17 items.

- mayorofangrytown

Very true, people are just stubborn in their beliefs is all

I tend to favour the pass first types over the shoot first types, players who have really good hands like Giroux. I know I sound like a Homer but I'd actually take Giroux over Stamkos. Giroux works hard at being an all around player all season long. It's clear Giroux's development has come slower if you compare him to Stankos because Giroux wasn't drafted first overall within his class. At the moment I rank Stamkos higher but I'd take Giroux first.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree. Giroux is a better all-around player than Stamkos. Lets see what Stamkos does without St.Louis.....

Yeah, it's odd that his singular level of production keeps getting chronically underrated because he doesn't remind anyone of Jonathan Toews. There's only one other guy out there (Stamkos) who can do what he does... and that guy isn't exactly a Selke candidate, either.
- Tomahawk

I think his point totals are a little misleading. He doesn't drive play or make things happen anymore. He's the guy who finishes the play. He scores goals. That's pretty much all he does.

I would like it if my team's leader and highest paid player did a little more on the ice than just sit by the top of the circle and let it rip every time.

I think people get critical because he often gets characterized as one of the best players in hockey. He simply isn't even close to the top 10 imo. In fact, I would say Backstrom is a better player and would likely take him over OV right now.

The same thing was said when Chicago had to make moves after beating the Flyers for the Cup.
- MJL

I seem to recall them not doing well those two years after the firesale... Especially in the playoffs. Until last season Toews had 6 goals in his last 36 playoff games since winning the cup. It'll be interesting when he has to score goals himself because he doesn't have the core player support he once had. Not saying he can't or won't succeed but I wonder if he will still top lists like the one bill wrote about.

I'm sure, but it would have been nice to remind Montreal about making that trade.
- Feanor

Retire Lindros when the Rangers come to town

I seem to recall them not doing well those two years after the firesale... Especially in the playoffs. Until last season Toews had 6 goals in his last 36 playoff games since winning the cup. It'll be interesting when he has to score goals himself because he doesn't have the core player support he once had. Not saying he can't or won't succeed but I wonder if he will still top lists like the one bill wrote about.
- moylander

They have been a top team the entire time. They've won 2 Cups in the last 4 years, and have been a contender every year. Not sure why you think he won't have the core player support anymore.

I think his point totals are a little misleading. He doesn't drive play or make things happen anymore. He's the guy who finishes the play. He scores goals. That's pretty much all he does.

I would like it if my team's leader and highest paid player did a little more on the ice than just sit by the top of the circle and let it rip every time.

I think people get critical because he often gets characterized as one of the best players in hockey. He simply isn't even close to the top 10 imo. In fact, I would say Backstrom is a better player and would likely take him over OV right now.
- PhillySportsGuy

agree agree agree

I seem to recall them not doing well those two years after the firesale... Especially in the playoffs. Until last season Toews had 6 goals in his last 36 playoff games since winning the cup. It'll be interesting when he has to score goals himself because he doesn't have the core player support he once had. Not saying he can't or won't succeed but I wonder if he will still top lists like the one bill wrote about.
- moylander

I think Toews is the better player now, but I think Kane will age more gracefully. I think it will be similar to a Carter/Richards situation, but the decline for Toews won't be as extreme as Richards.

I think Toews is the better player now, but I think Kane will age more gracefully. I think it will be similar to a Carter/Richards situation, but the decline for Toews won't be as extreme as Richards.
- PhillySportsGuy

Richards was more heart than talent. His body broke down pretty fast....

I think his point totals are a little misleading. He doesn't drive play or make things happen anymore. He's the guy who finishes the play. He scores goals. That's pretty much all he does.

I would like it if my team's leader and highest paid player did a little more on the ice than just sit by the top of the circle and let it rip every time.

I think people get critical because he often gets characterized as one of the best players in hockey. He simply isn't even close to the top 10 imo. In fact, I would say Backstrom is a better player and would likely take him over OV right now.
- PhillySportsGuy

Ovechkin aside, I'm not certain how Backstrom doesn't take a little more heat for the overall defensive play of that line -- he's a seven-year veteran and the center on that line. While that doesn't mean Ovechkin isn't culpable for his own play, Backstrom shouldn't be completely absolved of any ownership of what went down in Washington last year -- he dropped a -20 on them, as well.

Richards was more heart than talent. His body broke down pretty fast....
- GOA88

I think the demise of Mike Richards is great exagerrated.

Ovechkin aside, I'm not certain how Backstrom doesn't take a little more heat for the overall defensive play of that line -- he's a seven-year veteran and the center on that line. While that doesn't mean Ovechkin isn't culpable for his own play, Backstrom shouldn't be completely absolved of any ownership of what went down in Washington last year -- he dropped a -20 on them, as well.
- AllInForFlyers

Absolutely.

obviously this poll makes me realize Giroux is a product of Voracek. We should trade Giroux for Weber if the Preds feel crazy.

There's no doubt that Ovechkin is a generational offensive player, who is definitely a standout player in terms of goal scoring. There is also no doubt that if he became a more complete player, and paid more attention to the off the puck detail, he would be a better player, and the team would be a better team.
- MJL

Alot of the blame has to fall on the club and the coaching. When you have a sniper like that you need to structure the players around him to cover for what he's not bringing to the table. They've chosen to facilitate his scoring by consistently surrounding him with play makers who also ignore the defensive game. They've brought in coaches in the last few seasons to try to change his game and all it did was hamper his offense. You aren't going to alter a guy who's been told all his life his value is putting the puck in the net and he's done it and made millions of dollars off of it.

Can he put in some effort? Yeah, he really needs to and doesn't and that falls at his feet. He can be embarrassing at times.

obviously this poll makes me realize Giroux is a product of Voracek. We should trade Giroux for Weber if the Preds feel crazy.
- Winning

WOW