Was there a potential deal being discussed back in 88 for Selanne?
- MJL

Reportedly (and seconded by Bill's account, if I remember correctly) the Flyers tried to move up back in 1988 to get either Teemu or Brind'Amour but were unsuccessful.

They "settled" for Claude Boivin.

Hey Bill,

This is pertaining to Ek's last blog regarding the Dallas looking for a veteran defender and talking to the Flyers. I was wondering your opinion on John Klingberg, the righted handed Swedish defenseman prospect from Dallas. Is he top 4 material, close to being ready, and somebody the Flyers should pursue if a trade can be reached?

I know you don't get into rumors, but you are very knowledgable when it comes to Swedish prospects in general as well as the Stars.
- psuhockey

Bill had a blog about this topic a while back but I can't find it and am not sure if Klingberg was mentioned. Perhaps someone has a link to this past blog where he mentions Dallas D prospects worth looking into for Philly? Link anyone?

C'mon, you're missing the narrative that Larry Robinson singlehandedly kicked the Broad Street Bullies' ass and restored order to the NHL Galaxy.

Don't let details like "key injuries on the Flyers" get in the way.
- johndewar

That team, (Montreal), was scary, 3 #1 D men, & a 4th line that could keep pace with your 1st line.

I don't remember Paslawski at all, but he sounds like a pretty decent player when healthy.
- jmatchett383

At his best he was a solid 2nd/3rd line winger. Was kind of on the downside of his career when we got him.

Nope. Duck season
- PhillySportsGuy

wabbit season!

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/390/a_european_history_of_the_philadelphia_flyers_part4_of7/

Perhaps more intriguing than any of the European prospects that Clarke and his staff chose during his first tenure were a couple of near-miss flirtations with European players who went on to become NHL superstars. Before the 1988 draft, the Flyers attempted to trade up into the top 10 of the draft, offering to sacrifice their 14th overall selection and modest additional compensation, if they could get in position to select either of two players they had targeted. The team was interested in either a young Finnish winger from the Jokerit club named Teemu Selänne or a college-bound center by the name of Rod Brind’Amour. The Flyers were not able to swing any deals and Brind’Amour went 9th overall to St. Louis, followed by Selänne going next to the Winnipeg Jets. The Flyers ended up with forgettable early 1990s bust Claude Boivin. Brind’Amour, of course, was later destined to become a Flyer through one of the best trades made during the Russ Farwell era, while Selänne became one of the NHL’s premier snipers, first with Winnipeg and then with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

Some dude named Bill Meltzer wrote this, I think he's also some kind of wrestling blogger or something
- Jsaquella

Bill Meltzer?

He's related to Big Al Meltzer, right?

Reportedly (and seconded by Bill's account, if I remember correctly) the Flyers tried to move up back in 1988 to get either Teemu or Brind'Amour but were unsuccessful.

They lit themselves on fire and selected Claude Boivin.
- 77rams

ftfy

Saturday night after a late shift at work, the NHL network had game 4 of the 1976 Stanley cup finals on. I got a beer and tuned in to watch.

Even though the Flyers lost to complete the 4 game sweep by the Habs, it was well worth watching, even just to see Moose DuPont do his dance after he scored the Flyers third goal to tie the game. I really loved Moose.

They were swept by a pretty stacked Montreal squad. I wonder if having a healthy Rick MacLeish available would have turned the tide for the Flyers. MacLeish when healthy that year was terrific and a game changer. if you have the chance watch their game against the Soviet Red Army team. MacLeish was the best skater on the ice that game. All the games vs the Habs were very close, and the Flyers really missed having another scoring line besides The LCB line. Barber was fantastic in game 4 in a losing cause.


The refs let a ton of crap go without calling penalties.
A different era and game for sure.
- Marc D

Macleish would have helped a lot. Bowman said that not having Macleish in the lineup allowed him to always match up either Jarvis or Risebrough against Clarke. However, not having a healthy Bernie Parent was an even bigger loss, IMO.

Even with Parent and Macleish, winning that series would have been tough. It seems like half of that Montreal club ended up in the Hall of Fame!

ftfy
- johndewar

Boivin's career really fell apart after he got hurt. That Meltzer guy is biased

big NAK attack

Boivin's career really fell apart after he got hurt. That Meltzer guy is biased
- Jsaquella

Boivin, Bowen, Sittler, man, did the early 90s suck or what?

Hey Bill,

This is pertaining to Ek's last blog regarding the Dallas looking for a veteran defender and talking to the Flyers. I was wondering your opinion on John Klingberg, the righted handed Swedish defenseman prospect from Dallas. Is he top 4 material, close to being ready, and somebody the Flyers should pursue if a trade can be reached?

I know you don't get into rumors, but you are very knowledgable when it comes to Swedish prospects in general as well as the Stars.
- psuhockey

Brent burns wants out of San Jose...he has 3 teams on his list...stars,Panthers, and carolina. It may not happen but I have first hand info from burnsy that there are a or of pissed off players on the sharks right now.

Brent burns wants out of San Jose...he has 3 teams on his list...stars,Panthers, and carolina. It may not happen but I have first hand info from burnsy that there are a or of pissed off players on the sharks right now.
- iskatefast

Source?

Source?
- BiggE

burnsy

Five players who need to have big seasons this year for the Flyers to succeed, other than Giroux and Mason which are just obvious.

1. Braydon Coburn
The man with nose is going to have to be at his best for the Flyers to succeed this year. Coburn will assuredly lead the Flyers D corps in ice time and will see the hard minutes against top lines and on the PK. He needs to be consistent for this team to go anywhere.

2. Jake Voracek
He's not a kid anymore, so it's time to step up and become the star player that we all know he can be. I'd like to see 30 goals and 70 points, and I think he has the talent to do it.

3. Andrew MacDonald
AMac will need to step up and play some tougher minutes with Timonen out of the lineup. If he falters, they will be in trouble as neither Streit or MDZ is going to help much on the PK or in defending top lines.

4. Brayden Schenn
Another guy who needs to take the next step in his development. Anything short of 25 goals and 50 points would be a disappointment. For his sake, they need to pick a position for him right from the start of camp and leave him there. It does him no favors to be constantly moved back and forth from center to wing.

5. Luke Schenn
Luke needs to come into camp in the best shape of his life and ready to play some hard minutes. In order for this club to succeed, he will need to be a mainstay on the PK.

burnsy
- aightwebang17

duh

burnsy
- aightwebang17

Well, I was having a beer the other day with Kate Upton, Dave Poile and Sidney Crosby. Upton asked me to divorce my wife so that we can finally be together, Poile complained that he offered Weber to Hextall for Rinaldo and a 4th, but Hexy is insisting he take Rosehill as well or no deal and Crosby has offered to retire if that will get Pierre Maguire to jump off a tall bridge.


Then I woke up (sigh)

burnsy
- aightwebang17

Boivin's career really fell apart after he got hurt. That Meltzer guy is biased
- Jsaquella

The 1988 draft wasn't especially dazzling after Teemu was selected. The next decent pick wasn't until the fourth round when the likes of Recchi, Amote, Blake, and Carney were chosen.

Molgilny was taken in the fifth.

Some dude named Keith Jones fell to the 7th round.

Five players who need to have big seasons this year for the Flyers to succeed, other than Giroux and Mason which are just obvious.

1. Braydon Coburn
The man with nose is going to have to be at his best for the Flyers to succeed this year. Coburn will assuredly lead the Flyers D corps in ice time and will see the hard minutes against top lines and on the PK. He needs to be consistent for this team to go anywhere.

2. Jake Voracek
He's not a kid anymore, so it's time to step up and become the star player that we all know he can be. I'd like to see 30 goals and 70 points, and I think he has the talent to do it.

3. Andrew MacDonald
AMac will need to step up and play some tougher minutes with Timonen out of the lineup. If he falters, they will be in trouble as neither Streit or MDZ is going to help much on the PK or in defending top lines.

4. Brayden Schenn
Another guy who needs to take the next step in his development. Anything short of 25 goals and 50 points would be a disappointment. For his sake, they need to pick a position for him right from the start of camp and leave him there. It does him no favors to be constantly moved back and forth from center to wing.

5. Luke Schenn
Luke needs to come into camp in the best shape of his life and ready to play some hard minutes. In order for this club to succeed, he will need to be a mainstay on the PK.
- BiggE

# 3, and # 5 are a given Sir.

given: noun

a known or established fact or situation.
synonyms: reality, certainty

The 1988 draft wasn't especially dazzling after Teemu was selected. The next decent pick wasn't until the fourth round when the likes of Recchi, Amote, Blake, and Carney were chosen.

Molgilny was taken in the fifth.

Some dude named Keith Jones fell to the 7th round.
- 77rams

Mogilny was no sure thing to even be available to play. Communism was still a huge issue for Russians, as well as Czechs. The very first Russian players were freed to go to the NHL and they were all older guys

# 3, and # 5 are a given Sir.

given: noun

a known or established fact or situation.
synonyms: reality, certainty
- PLindbergh31

wiseass: adjective

someone who says obvious things in a most sarcastic manner, generally annoying as well.

Mogilny was no sure thing to even be available to play. Communism was still a huge issue for Russians, as well as Czechs. The very first Russian players were freed to go to the NHL and they were all older guys
- Jsaquella

Yup the Soviets allowed older players to come over in return for large cash payments. They were desperate for hard currency at that time.

Brent burns wants out of San Jose...he has 3 teams on his list...stars,Panthers, and carolina. It may not happen but I have first hand info from burnsy that there are a or of pissed off players on the sharks right now.
- iskatefast

the sun, beaches, beautiful winters and no media pressure make the Panthers a fun destination

Five players who need to have big seasons this year for the Flyers to succeed, other than Giroux and Mason which are just obvious.

1. Braydon Coburn
The man with nose is going to have to be at his best for the Flyers to succeed this year. Coburn will assuredly lead the Flyers D corps in ice time and will see the hard minutes against top lines and on the PK. He needs to be consistent for this team to go anywhere.

2. Jake Voracek
He's not a kid anymore, so it's time to step up and become the star player that we all know he can be. I'd like to see 30 goals and 70 points, and I think he has the talent to do it.

3. Andrew MacDonald
AMac will need to step up and play some tougher minutes with Timonen out of the lineup. If he falters, they will be in trouble as neither Streit or MDZ is going to help much on the PK or in defending top lines.

4. Brayden Schenn
Another guy who needs to take the next step in his development. Anything short of 25 goals and 50 points would be a disappointment. For his sake, they need to pick a position for him right from the start of camp and leave him there. It does him no favors to be constantly moved back and forth from center to wing.

5. Luke Schenn
Luke needs to come into camp in the best shape of his life and ready to play some hard minutes. In order for this club to succeed, he will need to be a mainstay on the PK.
- BiggE

agree with all those choices

would add that Streit as their defacto #1 offensive defenseman and Couturier will both need to have very good seasons for the team to succeed.