Slap shots

With help from a 25-member panel, including this reporter, ESPN.com ranked the top 100 forwards, 50 defensemen, 30 coaches and 25 goalies as part of their #NHLrank. Claude Giroux finished 14th, Wayne Simmonds ranked 44th and Jake Voracek was 60th. Not surprising, no Flyers defenseman made the list, and goaltender Steve Mason also did not make the cut . . . Craig Berube came in as the 24th ranked coach among 30 teams, ahead of Willie Desjardins, Ted Nolan, Randy Carlyle, Bill Peters, Gerard Gallant and Dallas Eakins . . . Unemployed coaches, such as Dan Bylsma, were not included.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/phi....html#hSTdhM8WCdZXOT6K.99

Jake 60th? meh.
- nastyflyergirl

Voracek is having his first true breakout year. Simmer has been known to be a stud for a while.

Slap shots

With help from a 25-member panel, including this reporter, ESPN.com ranked the top 100 forwards, 50 defensemen, 30 coaches and 25 goalies as part of their #NHLrank. Claude Giroux finished 14th, Wayne Simmonds ranked 44th and Jake Voracek was 60th. Not surprising, no Flyers defenseman made the list, and goaltender Steve Mason also did not make the cut . . . Craig Berube came in as the 24th ranked coach among 30 teams, ahead of Willie Desjardins, Ted Nolan, Randy Carlyle, Bill Peters, Gerard Gallant and Dallas Eakins . . . Unemployed coaches, such as Dan Bylsma, were not included.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/phi....html#hSTdhM8WCdZXOT6K.99

Jake 60th? meh.
- nastyflyergirl

I would have to know when this survey took place. Was it recently, or was it before the season?

Slap shots

With help from a 25-member panel, including this reporter, ESPN.com ranked the top 100 forwards, 50 defensemen, 30 coaches and 25 goalies as part of their #NHLrank. Claude Giroux finished 14th, Wayne Simmonds ranked 44th and Jake Voracek was 60th. Not surprising, no Flyers defenseman made the list, and goaltender Steve Mason also did not make the cut . . . Craig Berube came in as the 24th ranked coach among 30 teams, ahead of Willie Desjardins, Ted Nolan, Randy Carlyle, Bill Peters, Gerard Gallant and Dallas Eakins . . . Unemployed coaches, such as Dan Bylsma, were not included.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/phi....html#hSTdhM8WCdZXOT6K.99

Jake 60th? meh.
- nastyflyergirl

I saw Buccigross tweeting out some of the rankings. He caught a lot of crap over the Giroux ranking.

I would have to know when this survey took place. Was it recently, or was it before the season?
- MJL

Even so, doesn't Giroux have the most points over the last 4 years of any forward?

I would think that would count for more than 14th place among forwards, but the entire list is likely done on a highly subjective basis, so it really doesn't matter.

Even so, doesn't Giroux have the most points over the last 4 years of any forward?

I would think that would count for more than 14th place among forwards, but the entire list is likely done on a highly subjective basis, so it really doesn't matter.
- johndewar

I would agree. I'd like to see the 13 forwards ranked ahead of him.

Even so, doesn't Giroux have the most points over the last 4 years of any forward?

I would think that would count for more than 14th place among forwards, but the entire list is likely done on a highly subjective basis, so it really doesn't matter.
- johndewar

People blame the teams issues on Giroux. It's like they think if Toews traded places with Giroux, the Flyers would be a cup contender and the Blackhawks would fall apart

and yes I thought the same thing about Simmonds before Voracek. and these reporters wonder why most fans roll their eyes at them
- nastyflyergirl

Im a huge Voracek fan but the facts are that prior to this season Simmonds has performed at a higher level then he has so I guess it depends on when that list was created.

This season it is not even close but clearly you could make a case the other way prior to this year.

Slap shots

With help from a 25-member panel, including this reporter, ESPN.com ranked the top 100 forwards, 50 defensemen, 30 coaches and 25 goalies as part of their #NHLrank. Claude Giroux finished 14th, Wayne Simmonds ranked 44th and Jake Voracek was 60th. Not surprising, no Flyers defenseman made the list, and goaltender Steve Mason also did not make the cut . . . Craig Berube came in as the 24th ranked coach among 30 teams, ahead of Willie Desjardins, Ted Nolan, Randy Carlyle, Bill Peters, Gerard Gallant and Dallas Eakins . . . Unemployed coaches, such as Dan Bylsma, were not included.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/phi....html#hSTdhM8WCdZXOT6K.99

Jake 60th? meh.
- nastyflyergirl

I'd be more interested in reading the ingredients on the back of a bottle of Calamine lotion than waste time with ESPN hockey opinions such as this.

I would agree. I'd like to see the 13 forwards ranked ahead of him.
- MJL

I haven't seen the full list, either. And I agree. 13 guys? Really?

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 11/22/14 vs. CBJ
- bmeltzer

First I wanna point out that we have a really good line up heading into tonight's game. At the risk ofssounding heartless but I'm so happy Vandevelde isn't healthy enough to play. I agree Akeson has been less than impressive so far this season but our fourth line has only looked trusting when it's had Rinaldo, Bellemare and Akeson on it.

With the Blue Jackets continuing their game later then expected then taking the road to Philadelphia over night, I don't see a scenario that sees us lose tonight. We have all the advantage in the world heading into tonight's match up.

Im a huge Voracek fan but the facts are that prior to this season Simmonds has performed at a higher level then he has so I guess it depends on when that list was created.

This season it is not even close but clearly you could make a case the other way prior to this year.
- opeth_pa

I think Vorcaek has been better than Simmonds since they both became Flyers. I love Simmonds, but he's average at ES. People just prefer him because of his playing style. Jake drives possession and is easily one of the top 25 forwards in hockey.

rekt
- rangerdanger94

[X] REKT
[_] NOT REKT
[X] SHREKT

I'd be more interested in reading the ingredients on the back of a bottle of Calamine lotion than waste time with ESPN hockey opinions such as this.
- 77rams

I made calamine lotion 2 weeks ago in pharmaceutics lab so I can tell you what's in it/how to make it if you're interested

Im a huge Voracek fan but the facts are that prior to this season Simmonds has performed at a higher level then he has so I guess it depends on when that list was created.

This season it is not even close but clearly you could make a case the other way prior to this year.
- opeth_pa

Voracek is a flashy player. For the homers, sometimes it's difficult to look past the flash and account for production. Voracek has never played at this level before. You couldn't call him elite prior to this season.

Voracek is a flashy player. For the homers, sometimes it's difficult to look past the flash and account for production. Voracek has never played at this level before. You couldn't call him elite prior to this season.
- SuperSchennBros

I don't have a giant issue with Voracek's rankings. Folks at the national level are waiting for Voracek to regress back to his "mean" and that's fine if you are watching the player in a vacuum for the first time this year.

To Flyers fans, this was the "next step" we had been wanting Voracek to make. I can definitely see him clipping 85+ points as long as he and G stay healthy.

I haven't seen the full list, either. And I agree. 13 guys? Really?
- johndewar

The bit about Forsberg and having his heel bone sawed off was, to say the least, disturbing.

Off topic: Does anyone, other than Bruin fans, feel bad for Milan Lucic this morning?

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...-were-engaged-in-a-fight/

I don't have a giant issue with Voracek's rankings. Folks at the national level are waiting for Voracek to regress back to his "mean" and that's fine if you are watching the player in a vacuum for the first time this year.

To Flyers fans, this was the "next step" we had been wanting Voracek to make. I can definitely see him clipping 85+ points as long as he and G stay healthy.
- johndewar

If you watch him on a consistent basis like we do, you can see he creates a ton of chances each game. If Giroux shot the puck better this year, he'd have even more points

The bit about Forsberg and having his heel bone sawed off was, to say the least, disturbing.
- 77rams

That's up there with Ronnie Lott getting his toe removed so that he could play.

I think Vorcaek has been better than Simmonds since they both became Flyers. I love Simmonds, but he's average at ES. People just prefer him because of his playing style. Jake drives possession and is easily one of the top 25 forwards in hockey.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think that really depends on what metrics you want to look at. And the situations involved with each player. Some feel that a player that drives possession in better then one that doesn't. I think that's only one factor. Some players are puck carriers and puck distributors. Some are players that crash the net, work the boards, and create room and time and space for those puck carriers to operate. It's a symbiotic relationship, with one not being better then the other. And each dependent on each other. In the last 3 seasons, Voracek has scored 106 ES points to Simmonds 85 ES points. Lets keep in mind that Voracek plays with Giroux, while Simmonds doesn't for the most part. Simmonds is much better then average at ES. What would he produce if he played with a good playmaking center?

Off topic: Does anyone, other than Bruin fans, feel bad for Milan Lucic this morning?

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...-were-engaged-in-a-fight/
- johndewar

This was a thing of beauty

Off topic: Does anyone, other than Bruin fans, feel bad for Milan Lucic this morning?

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...-were-engaged-in-a-fight/
- johndewar

No, hey Lucic, drop your gloves and defend yourself. If you didn't know you were in a fight there, then you deserve what you got.

Slap shots

With help from a 25-member panel, including this reporter, ESPN.com ranked the top 100 forwards, 50 defensemen, 30 coaches and 25 goalies as part of their #NHLrank. Claude Giroux finished 14th, Wayne Simmonds ranked 44th and Jake Voracek was 60th. Not surprising, no Flyers defenseman made the list, and goaltender Steve Mason also did not make the cut . . . Craig Berube came in as the 24th ranked coach among 30 teams, ahead of Willie Desjardins, Ted Nolan, Randy Carlyle, Bill Peters, Gerard Gallant and Dallas Eakins . . . Unemployed coaches, such as Dan Bylsma, were not included.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/phi....html#hSTdhM8WCdZXOT6K.99

Jake 60th? meh.
- nastyflyergirl

Mason isn't in the Top 25?

I don't have a giant issue with Voracek's rankings. Folks at the national level are waiting for Voracek to regress back to his "mean" and that's fine if you are watching the player in a vacuum for the first time this year.

To Flyers fans, this was the "next step" we had been wanting Voracek to make. I can definitely see him clipping 85+ points as long as he and G stay healthy.
- johndewar

I've always felt he had the tools comparable to Marian Hossa.

I would agree. I'd like to see the 13 forwards ranked ahead of him.
- MJL

1. Crosby
2. Stamkos
3. Toews
4. Tavares
5. Getzlaf
6. Kane
7. Perry
8. Kopitar
9. Ovechkin
10. Malkin
11. Seguin
12. Benn
13. Bergeron
14. Giroux
15. Kessel
16. Parise
17. MacKinnon
18. Backstrom
19. Datsyuk
20. Pacioretty