Definitely. Schenn's N-S speed is OK... it's his footwork, acceleration and slow change of direction that make him look like a sloth out there. And he always seems to be one mental step behind the play.


Unrelated edit: did Umberger and Pedobear get their # assignments yet?
- Tomahawk

slow foot Luke

As promised yesterday, the top 10 best and worst skaters in Flyers history!!

First the best!

1. Mark Howe
Effortless, just frankin effortless. Howe was just an awesome skater both backwards and forwards. Fast as heck and could turn on a dime, he was one of the best skaters I ever saw.

2. Paul Coffey
Wasn't here long, and had probably lost a step from his prime, but even so, he was still a fantastic skater. Coffey, in his prime, was one the top 10 skaters in NHL history and he still could fly when he got to Philly. Now if he only hadn't gotten run over by Lindros....

3. Eric Lindros
Speaking of Lindros, was there ever a more impressive combo of speed and strength on skates in Flyers history? NO! Lindros was a fantastic skater who could blow through or around opposing dmen with ease.

4. Rick Macleish
Next to Orr and Yvon Cournoyer, he was IMO the best skater of his era. Fast and smooth, he was as graceful as they come.

5. Jake Voracek
Big Jake can fly and he is extremely powerful on his skates. When his game is on, he skates as well as anyone in the league.

6. Ken Linseman
The Rat could fly! Good thing he was fast, cause with all the cheap shots he threw, he needed to be fast just to stay alive. Of course, having Paul Holmgren on his wing helped tremendously as well when it came to his health.

7. Pelle Eklund
The little Swede was a very fast and very smooth skater and he could skate just as fast with the puck as he could without it.

8. Behn Wilson
People remember big Behn for his fights, but they sometimes forget his superb skating and skills. Wilson had all the tools, but just lacked the mental discipline to put it all together. His skating though, was a thing of beauty.

9. Braydon Coburn
Yeah, I know a lot of you can't stand him, but facts are facts and Coburn is one of the best skating big men in the NHL.

10. Matt Read
The man can fly! Read has great speed and quickness and knows how to use his fine skating both offensively and defensively.

Just missed the cut:
Tom Gorence
Jeff Carter
Brad Jones (yeah he sucked, but he could fly)

Now onto the worst, hard to really rank them so here are just 10 of the crappiest skaters in Flyers history

Rick Foley
The often overweight and out of shape Foley used to drive Fred Shero nuts. He was one of the slowest skaters in his era and that is saying a lot!

Frank Bathe
The Bather was all heart, which was a good thing cause he couldn't skate to save his life!

Brad Marsh
You could time him with a sundial, no really, he was that slow.

Dan Kordic
Another in a long line of tough guys that couldn't skate worth a damn.

Al Secord
Wasn't here long, thankfully, Al was as speedy as a legless turtle.

Kjell Samuelsson
Graceful was a word that was never used to describe the big Swede. His huge wingspan and the fact that refs rarely called holding and interference in his era saved him!

Derian Hatcher
Actually was an ok skater in his prime, but his knees were just shot once he got to Philly.

Jason Smith
The Gator was all heart and hard work, however his skating was just ugly.

Mike Rathje
Yet another big huge dman that couldn't skate, Clarke just loved those guys.

Nick Grossmann
The big guy is fearless and tough as boiled leather, but he will never be confused with Bobby Orr.

Whew, I'm beat!
- BiggE

Lol. Good list. Appreciate you taking the time to do this and start debates during the lifeless months of hockey.

I think you should have stated that each player will have played a season or more with the team. Guys like Kubina and Foster couldn't even move but hardly played.

To be honest, Pronger was pretty slow by the end. He just had perfect positioning, intelligence and skill. He could play in sneakers and still be better than out current defense

I'm sad Kapanen had a poor enough season to drop all they down to them.
- Feanor

Anyone but a team in the Metro would have been fine with me.

If skating is the only criteria, I think Daigle should be included. Kevin Haller could fly. So could Shawn Antoski. On the slowest list, Van Impe and Dupont were prety slow. Dave Babych was done (and playing on a bad foot). Kurtis Foster was slower than several on list. So was what was left of Pavel Kubina. Pavel Brendl was out of shape and slow
- bmeltzer

I would have loved to know some of the colorful metaphors that Ken Hitchcock shouted at Pavel Brendl.

Lol. Good list. Appreciate you taking the time to do this and start debates during the lifeless months of hockey.

I think you should have stated that each player will have played a season or more with the team. Guys like Kubina and Foster couldn't even move but hardly played.

To be honest, Pronger was pretty slow by the end. He just had perfect positioning, intelligence and skill. He could play in sneakers and still be better than out current defense
- PhillySportsGuy

Speaking of Pronger: Does anyone recall Chris Pronger getting into a fight by the time he was with the Flyers?

Or were people just so scared of him that they didn't bother?

Speaking of Pronger: Does anyone recall Chris Pronger getting into a fight by the time he was with the Flyers?

Or were people just so scared of him that they didn't bother?
- johndewar

I don't remember any fights. Definitely didn't have a problem mixing it up though

Whoa, hired by his favorite team... that has to be exciting for him... and painful for Mr Simmons:

Bob McKenzieVerified account
‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
Summer (Year?) Of Hockey Analytics (#fancystats) continues: Tyler Dellow (aka @mc79hockey) leaving blogging world to work for an NHL club.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...s-complete-153753176.html

Whoa, hired by his favorite team... that has to be exciting for him... and painful for Mr Simmons:

Bob McKenzieVerified account
‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
Summer (Year?) Of Hockey Analytics (#fancystats) continues: Tyler Dellow (aka @mc79hockey) leaving blogging world to work for an NHL club.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...s-complete-153753176.html
- Tomahawk

I'd love to be a fly on the wall in some of the meetings with his new employer, whom he routinely made fun of on his site and twitter.

That said, it's a good hire, if a bit awkward.

What no Vamit today ?

Lol. Good list. Appreciate you taking the time to do this and start debates during the lifeless months of hockey.

I think you should have stated that each player will have played a season or more with the team. Guys like Kubina and Foster couldn't even move but hardly played.

To be honest, Pronger was pretty slow by the end. He just had perfect positioning, intelligence and skill. He could play in sneakers and still be better than out current defense
- PhillySportsGuy

This is far more entertaining than the recent Corgi/Fenway poopshows, or the endless arguments about 3rd and 4th liners.

I have to say though, the Rat was one of my least favorite Flyers ever. I just can't stand agitators who run when their antics lead to fisticuffs. Even as a youngster, I found his schtick to be weaselly (or weasally... spell that however you like).

What no Vamit today ?
- Steelmanpa

Jfc it was from Spinal Tap people if you've never seen that movie you need to reevaluate your life choices.

Jfc it was from Spinal Tap people if you've never seen that movie you need to reevaluate your life choices.
- Giroux_Is_God

Settle down, Siskel.

Edit: I mean, Simma Down!

Definitely. Schenn's N-S speed is OK... it's his footwork, acceleration and slow change of direction that make him look like a sloth out there. And he always seems to be one mental step behind the play.


Unrelated edit: did Umberger and Pedobear get their # assignments yet?
- Tomahawk

Haven't heard anything but Bellamare (I assume thats who you're talking about) was #41 in his swedish league so I assume thats what he'll be since Meszaros is longer around.

Edit: What # was Umberger when he was here? I can't remember.

Haven't heard anything but Bellamare (I assume thats who you're talking about) was #41 in his swedish league so I assume thats what he'll be since Meszaros is longer around.

Edit: What # was Umberger when he was here? I can't remember.
- JonnyHammerstix

RJ was #20 here.

RJ was #20 here.
- johndewar

Interesting. I wonder if he could claim that # again since Pronger is still technically on the roster.

Interesting. I wonder if he could claim that # again since Pronger is still technically on the roster.
- JonnyHammerstix

I don't think he can since as you said he is technically still on the roster. Maybe he can have one number less and go with #19

Speaking of Pronger: Does anyone recall Chris Pronger getting into a fight by the time he was with the Flyers?

Or were people just so scared of him that they didn't bother?
- johndewar

I think he did have one. And there was a skirmish at the end of the Islanders game where he grabbed (I believe) DiPietro and just smiled at him shaking his head.

I don't think he can since as you said he is technically still on the roster. Maybe he can have one number less and go with #19
- Streit2ThePoint

Pronger could voluntarily give it up. It's happened before. I think Daigle gave up #19 when Renberg came back.

I think he did have one. And there was a skirmish at the end of the Islanders game where he grabbed (I believe) DiPietro and just smiled at him shaking his head.
- jmatchett383

Scared him so bad he was never the same player after that. Even Pronger's stare could injure people.

I don't think he can since as you said he is technically still on the roster. Maybe he can have one number less and go with #19
- Streit2ThePoint

It could happen... ANA took Souray's #44 away from him and gave it to Nate Thompson, even though Souray's technically still on the roster for another year. Odd thing is, Souray maintains he'll be healthy enough to play this year, but ANA says he won't be... will be interesting to see how that all gets worked out.

Kimmo has blood clots in right leg and both lungs.

Yikes.

Isn't that just a euphemism for 'night of drinking + hot dogs'?
- Pixote Andolini

he does that anyway....point being it means he's on the way out.

Pronger had a small bout with Willie Mitchell in 2009 against the Canusks as a Flyer. Thats all I see.

Kimmo has blood clots in right leg and both lungs.

Yikes.
- KGBflyers10

Sure this isn't from May 2008?

Pronger had a small bout with Willie Mitchell in 2009 against the Canusks as a Flyer. Thats all I see.
- GOA88

Yep, that was the one. He was never really a fighter, as he was far too valuable on the ice.