Every team has players they gave up on too early and others they acquired at the perfect time.

Flyers were able to get guys like Coburn and Carle at the right times. Swing and missed on Eminger.

Even the perfect red wings gave away Leino.
- PhillySportsGuy

And the Flyers hit the perfect time to let him slip away.

I don't either. I also don't think you would need to include Morin or Sanheim. I think Coburn, Simmonds or SChenn, Hagg and 1st rounder would do it.

I like Read I just don't see him as this must have piece. At 28 this isn't some young player that is going to get much better then he is. I would rather upgrade on skill but for me Read is a nice player to have but I also think he could be replaced. I think you have a younger version in Taylor Leirer who could probably be ready next season.
- J35Bacher

I think they'd have to include on of Sanheim or Morin to get Hall.

Read is a far more valuable player then you give him credit for. He's the type of playr that is more valuable to keep, then he is as a trade asset. Because of how contributes to the mix and roles on a team. 28 isn't exactly old, and if he continues to find his game, it will show how valuable he is to this team. I have serious doubts that Leirer will be able to come in next year as rookie, with the same ability to check top lines, in a lot of d zone starts, and put up the same numbers at ES that Read has shown he is capable of.

your joking right? if not your a joke.

getting a hall for those parts would be insane lol. wow. just when you think you have seen it all.
- rinaldo

Got it, your opinion is the right one. Thanks for letting me know. You must be a GM. That's pretty cool. Thanks for setting me straight.

First, Edmonton doesn't do the deal without Coburn, but even if they did, our offense isn't the problem. And I'd prefer to see how good Laughton is going to be before we move him. And I'd prefer we didn't move our defensive prospects for anything other than a true #1 defender. And because Hall isn't going to put us over the top and make us surefire cup contenders with our D being what it is.

Added this anecdote to today's blog:


My favorite personal story with Forsberg during his stint with the Flyers happened in Nov. 2006. He had just been chosen as Sweden's greatest player of all-time by the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation and a friend of mine, Konstantin Foussianis, was selected to write an accompanying magazine article.

Konstantin asked if I would be the photographer for the article. Even though I generally take lousy pictures, I agreed. Some of the photos actually turned out really nice and I got my first -- and only -- published photography credit from it.

Most of the interview took place over lunch after practice in Voorhees. We went to a nearby Italian restaurant. The staff strategically seated us so that Peter could not be seen by passers-by i the window or as they just walked into the restaurant. Although a few patrons stared over at the famed hockey star, no one came over to bother him.

Peter answered all of Konstantin's questions. Afterwards, the three of us just chatted for about 25 minutes, both about hockey and a variety of other topics. I told him I would soon be going to his hometown of Örnsköldvik to visit an old friend (Martin Sedin) and take in a Modo-Färjestad during an off-day in the World Junior Championships in Leksand and Mora.

That discussion dovetailed into talking about his involvement in a golf course/ country club in Övik and a hotel project in his hometown. Peter then talked about the city of Philadelphia and his off-the-ice interest in real estate development. He knew where all the trendy investment areas were in Philly and elsewhere and said he had some ideas on where the next hot spots might be.

In the meantime, Peter's cell phone went off about a half dozen times. He apologized for the interruptions and silenced his phone. I found that to be a very gracious gesture for such a busy person with so many irons in the fire.

During the latter part of the discussion, the talk turned back to the Flyers and then to the differences in officiating between the NHL and Swedish league. I said to Peter that I think he'd greatly improved his relationship with officials over the years, and I didn't think anything such as the infamous 1994 playoff incident with referee Börje Johansson -- in which an enraged Forsberg told a post-game interviewer on live television that he wished he could punch Johansson -- would happen with Foppa anymore. He had matured and calmed down a lot over the years.

Forsberg agreed.

The very next night, Nov. 2, 2006, the Flyers had a home game against Tampa. The Bolts won, 5-2. With the Flyers on the way to their worst season in franchise history and Foppa frustrated with his ongoing foot problems, he erupted at a couple of questionable calls.

By the time the night was done, Foppa earned himself a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and eventually got dumped from the game on a 10-minute misconduct in the waning minutes of the third period.

Peter left the building without making himself available to the media. The next day at practice, however, his eye caught mine as the local media filed into the locker room. He knew what I was thinking: "About that conversation on referees the other day..."

"Shhh!" he said, putting his index finger to his mouth. "Don't say a word."

He shook his head and grinned slightly. Then he went about his usual round of interviews.

Added this anecdote to today's blog:


My favorite personal story with Forsberg during his stint with the Flyers happened in Nov. 2006. He had just been chosen as Sweden's greatest player of all-time by the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation and a friend of mine, Konstantin Foussianis, was selected to write an accompanying magazine article.

Konstantin asked if I would be the photographer for the article. Even though I generally take lousy pictures, I agreed. Some of the photos actually turned out really nice and I got my first -- and only -- published photography credit from it.

Most of the interview took place over lunch after practice in Voorhees. We went to a nearby Italian restaurant. The staff strategically seated us so that Peter could not be seen by passers-by i the window or as they just walked into the restaurant. Although a few patrons stared over at the famed hockey star, no one came over to bother him.

Peter answered all of Konstantin's questions. Afterwards, the three of us just chatted for about 25 minutes, both about hockey and a variety of other topics. I told him I would soon be going to his hometown of Örnsköldvik to visit an old friend (Martin Sedin) and take in a Modo-Färjestad during an off-day in the World Junior Championships in Leksand and Mora.

That discussion dovetailed into talking about his involvement in a golf course/ country club in Övik and a hotel project in his hometown. Peter then talked about the city of Philadelphia and his off-the-ice interest in real estate development. He knew where all the trendy investment areas were in Philly and elsewhere and said he had some ideas on where the next hot spots might be.

In the meantime, Peter's cell phone went off about a half dozen times. He apologized for the interruptions and silenced his phone. I found that to be a very gracious gesture for such a busy person with so many irons in the fire.

During the latter part of the discussion, the talk turned back to the Flyers and then to the differences in officiating between the NHL and Swedish league. I said to Peter that I think he'd greatly improved his relationship with officials over the years, and I didn't think anything such as the infamous 1994 playoff incident with referee Börje Johansson -- in which an enraged Forsberg told a post-game interviewer on live television that he wished he could punch Johansson -- would happen with Foppa anymore. He had matured and calmed down a lot over the years.

Forsberg agreed.

The very next night, Nov. 2, 2006, the Flyers had a home game against Tampa. The Bolts won, 5-2. With the Flyers on the way to their worst season in franchise history and Foppa frustrated with his ongoing foot problems, he erupted at a couple of questionable calls.

By the time the night was done, Foppa earned himself a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and eventually got dumped from the game on a 10-minute misconduct in the waning minutes of the third period.

Peter left the building without making himself available to the media. The next day at practice, however, his eye caught mine as the local media filed into the locker room. He knew what I was thinking: "About that conversation on referees the other day..."

"Shhh!" he said, putting his index finger to his mouth. "Don't say a word."

He shook his head and grinned slightly. Then he went about his usual round of interviews.
- bmeltzer

Great stuff as always, thanks Bill!!

My co-worker is a season ticket holder with some sweet seats behind the net so I usually go to 2 or 3 a year. Plus my wife is a Flyers fan. I still love her in spite of her flaws.
- all-pgh

At least one of you in the household is of sound mind. And i'm sure that she says the same thing about you. In fact, count yourself lucky that she doesn't mind the Crosby fathead poster above your bed.

Added this anecdote to today's blog:
- bmeltzer

What a life.......

He's ok, the doc was able to get the splinters out of his ass without surgery.
- BiggE

Public service announcement: jokes about benches and splinters should be reserved for benched players only. Healthy scratches should be addressed with jokes about popcorn and the Cote Suite.

Thanks,
MGMT

Public service announcement: jokes about benches and splinters should be reserved for benched players only. Healthy scratches should be addressed with jokes about popcorn and the Cote Suite.

Thanks,
MGMT
- BulliesPhan87

Great stuff as always, thanks Bill!!

- BiggE

Foppa.

just great, not only do I have to sit in a sea of orange at tonights game, now I have to sit thru a Forsberg tribute.
- all-pgh

And- being a hockey fan- you should enjoy it and give Foppa the respect an all time great deserves.

And the Flyers hit the perfect time to let him slip away.
- WarriorHockey21

Leino, Weber O.S., Cleary, CBO Bryz, CBO Briere

At least one of you in the household is of sound mind. And i'm sure that she says the same thing about you. In fact, count yourself lucky that she doesn't mind the Crosby fathead poster above your bed.
- Fast_Eddie_1

fathead? Is that some kind of mumps joke?







(yes I know about Fathead wall decals)

Added this anecdote to today's blog:



- bmeltzer

Loved it, Bill!

fathead? Is that some kind of mumps joke?







(yes I know about Fathead wall decals)
- BulliesPhan87

ZINGER!

your joking right? if not your a joke.

getting a hall for those parts would be insane lol. wow. just when you think you have seen it all.
- rinaldo

0 for 2

0 for 2
- Giroux_Is_God

just great, not only do I have to sit in a sea of orange at tonights game, now I have to sit thru a Forsberg tribute.
- all-pgh

Who knows? Maybe you'll get lucky and get the mumps so you don't have to go.

So jealous that Bill was able to share an inside joke with Foppa

21-12

At the time Foppa was a Flyer, I was about 10 years old, and at that time was kind of getting to the point with hockey where I could "make my own decisions" in that I actually knew what was going on about hockey equipment. Basically what I'm trying to say is I was old enough to actually understand what stick curves were and which ones corresponded to what style of play, and what stick lies were, and how the different types of skate cuts impacted your skating style....etc etc

Well, at that time, when I would watch Flyers games, I would just watch Forsberg when he was on the ice. My eyes would shadow him. I loved him. At one point, he made some Forsbergian pass- I don't remember, but it was probably a deke to his backhand, then making a pass all in one one motion- but I asked Dad how he did it. Dad's answer actually had a huge impact on me.

"See how short his stick is? That's why."

So I asked him why a short stick made the difference...he told me when you use a short stick, you have much more control over the puck, and you can protect the puck easier because you carry it closer to your body.

My sticks, even today, are cut to the bottom my neck. Thanks Foppa

0 for 2
- Giroux_Is_God

We'll, it is Rinaldo.

Added this anecdote to today's blog:


My favorite personal story with Forsberg during his stint with the Flyers happened in Nov. 2006. He had just been chosen as Sweden's greatest player of all-time by the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation and a friend of mine, Konstantin Foussianis, was selected to write an accompanying magazine article.

Konstantin asked if I would be the photographer for the article. Even though I generally take lousy pictures, I agreed. Some of the photos actually turned out really nice and I got my first -- and only -- published photography credit from it.

Most of the interview took place over lunch after practice in Voorhees. We went to a nearby Italian restaurant. The staff strategically seated us so that Peter could not be seen by passers-by i the window or as they just walked into the restaurant. Although a few patrons stared over at the famed hockey star, no one came over to bother him.

Peter answered all of Konstantin's questions. Afterwards, the three of us just chatted for about 25 minutes, both about hockey and a variety of other topics. I told him I would soon be going to his hometown of Örnsköldvik to visit an old friend (Martin Sedin) and take in a Modo-Färjestad during an off-day in the World Junior Championships in Leksand and Mora.

That discussion dovetailed into talking about his involvement in a golf course/ country club in Övik and a hotel project in his hometown. Peter then talked about the city of Philadelphia and his off-the-ice interest in real estate development. He knew where all the trendy investment areas were in Philly and elsewhere and said he had some ideas on where the next hot spots might be.

In the meantime, Peter's cell phone went off about a half dozen times. He apologized for the interruptions and silenced his phone. I found that to be a very gracious gesture for such a busy person with so many irons in the fire.

During the latter part of the discussion, the talk turned back to the Flyers and then to the differences in officiating between the NHL and Swedish league. I said to Peter that I think he'd greatly improved his relationship with officials over the years, and I didn't think anything such as the infamous 1994 playoff incident with referee Börje Johansson -- in which an enraged Forsberg told a post-game interviewer on live television that he wished he could punch Johansson -- would happen with Foppa anymore. He had matured and calmed down a lot over the years.

Forsberg agreed.

The very next night, Nov. 2, 2006, the Flyers had a home game against Tampa. The Bolts won, 5-2. With the Flyers on the way to their worst season in franchise history and Foppa frustrated with his ongoing foot problems, he erupted at a couple of questionable calls.

By the time the night was done, Foppa earned himself a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and eventually got dumped from the game on a 10-minute misconduct in the waning minutes of the third period.

Peter left the building without making himself available to the media. The next day at practice, however, his eye caught mine as the local media filed into the locker room. He knew what I was thinking: "About that conversation on referees the other day..."

"Shhh!" he said, putting his index finger to his mouth. "Don't say a word."

He shook his head and grinned slightly. Then he went about his usual round of interviews.
- bmeltzer

So Lucky you guys get to meet all of these players...Let me guess did you goto country club diner? A lot of flyers used to go there after practice...My friends father owned that place and they would sit guys in the back for privacy

We'll, it is Rinaldo.
- funmaster18

Flyers should trade Giroux and Voracek and get forward prospects in line with the defensive prospects. Go full rebuild tank for Mcdavid

- Giroux_Is_God

*walks to the corner with head down