It's probably going to take a Flyers goalie winning the Vezina to finally end the National perception that the Flyers have poor goaltending. And I'm not really even convinced it'll end even then.
- JonnyHammerstix

Total fluke, Leighton v2.0

You forget to mention the entire team is full of goons ..... so says hockey fans outside Philly
- PhiFaninEdm

This perception however will never end sadly

I have a question for you (and anyone else who is able to chime in and goes back far enough). Based purely on offensive hockey skills, is Claude Giroux the most skilled Flyer player of all time? I'm not including Forsberg since he only played here for 2 season at the end of his career. But, aside from him, has anyone ever rivaled or surpassed him if terms of just offensive skill? Just curious what your take is.
- jmatchett383

McDavid

Had Forsberg been a Flyer during his prime years, he'd hold the title, and that isn't a slight to any other Flyer. And agree about Kane. But I was just thinking that we may (MAY) be seeing, right now, the most purely offensively skilled player in team history. Kinda like the 07-11 Phillies, we may complain from time to time, but we should appreciate watching him (and Voracek) while we can.
- jmatchett383

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/03/report-flyers-talking-new-deal-with-schultz-expected-to-qualify-del-zotto/
- Trainfellow

If you get a good offer for him, trade Schultz at the deadline and tell him you have interest in bringing him back if he makes it to FA. Get something decent for him now, plant the seed for him to possibly return later since it sounds like he and his family like the area.

I'd be down to sign MDZ to an extension today.

I have a question for you (and anyone else who is able to chime in and goes back far enough). Based purely on offensive hockey skills, is Claude Giroux the most skilled Flyer player of all time? I'm not including Forsberg since he only played here for 2 season at the end of his career. But, aside from him, has anyone ever rivaled or surpassed him if terms of just offensive skill? Just curious what your take is.
- jmatchett383

I'd have to say no way.

When you say offensive skill there's is really a couple ways to take that. There's puck handling and passing and then there's the ability to score goals. There have been plenty of players on this team who could put the puck in the net better than Giroux. There's probably only a handful who were as talented as he is at handling the puck and dishing it off.

He's right up there but he isn't the best to ever play for this team.

Linesman was also highly skilled.
- MJL

He's on my list of Flyers I didn't like.

If you get a good offer for him, trade Schultz at the deadline and tell him you have interest in bringing him back if he makes it to FA. Get something decent for him now, plant the seed for him to possibly return later since it sounds like he and his family like the area.

I'd be down to sign MDZ to an extension today.
- five4fighting10

Agree on both. Would like to hear something about moving Dmen before the deadline, but both players have earned their keep for a contract for next season. Preferably one year deals on both

I'd be down to sign MDZ to an extension today.
- five4fighting10

Mmm, I'd rather not.

Just QO him and get it done later in the summer... suspecting likely smaller growth in the cap will have a negative impact on new contract values... wait for that to be established first, then start trading numbers w/ the agent.

I thought the guy who gave us that was suspended.
- jmatchett383

That guy also provided a pretty potent dose of stupidity.

I have a question for you (and anyone else who is able to chime in and goes back far enough). Based purely on offensive hockey skills, is Claude Giroux the most skilled Flyer player of all time? I'm not including Forsberg since he only played here for 2 season at the end of his career. But, aside from him, has anyone ever rivaled or surpassed him if terms of just offensive skill? Just curious what your take is.
- jmatchett383

Lindros wasnt too bad in his prime.

Mmm, I'd rather not.

Just QO him and get it done later in the summer... suspecting likely smaller growth in the cap will have a negative impact on new contract values... wait for that to be established first, then start trading numbers w/ the agent.
- Tomahawk

For me it all depends on what he and his agent are looking for but I like having the QO as an option in the back pocket.

i have to include forsberg, who for me, was similar to lindros, but didn't have the same size and overall power. giroux is up there. honestly, so is voracek in my opinion. i'm not going to name G the most skilled of all time. not sure i can name that payer. had patrick kane been a flyer, it might be him. that guy is just filthy.
- hammarby31

Kane might be most skilled that "should have been a Flyer"...

For me it all depends on what he and his agent are looking for but I like having the QO as an option in the back pocket.
- five4fighting10

If I were him, I'd be asking for the Mason deal right now.

Official word on Raffl is that he has pneumonia. He was really struggling to get through skates on Saturday and Sunday.

Kane might be most skilled that "should have been a Flyer"...
- BOSS_TWEED

More skilled than Jagr and Forsberg

Mmm, I'd rather not.

Just QO him and get it done later in the summer... suspecting likely smaller growth in the cap will have a negative impact on new contract values... wait for that to be established first, then start trading numbers w/ the agent.
- Tomahawk

Hextall's being smart waiting to let things shake out before tying up future cap space.

More skilled than Jagr and Forsberg
- mayorofangrytown

they were both flyers

they were both flyers
- aightwebang17

Kane might be too.

If I were him, I'd be asking for the Mason deal right now.
- Tomahawk

Then I'd pass for now and play the QO card.

More skilled than Jagr and Forsberg
- mayorofangrytown

They could have had Jagr, but passed as Czechs werent a given to come over in 1990. I heard from someone close to the team that The Flyers liked JVR but were taking Kane if he was available. You never know how accurate that was.

You're right in that Forsberg should have been a Flyer - I'll always wonder what would have been.

Hextall's being smart waiting to let things shake out before tying up future cap space.
- Feanor

Agreed. Part of me thinks that we haven't gotten a Timonen update because they're trying to figure out their defensive situation (i.e. possible trades) first. They want to keep some leverage in negotiations. Purely speculation though

Kane might be too.
- mayorofangrytown

Not in the next 8 years. Actually, who knows, anything is possible.

Hextall's being smart waiting to let things shake out before tying up future cap space.
- Feanor

I sure hope he learned something from watching Homer fall into all those obvious pot holes.

Then I'd pass for now and play the QO card.
- five4fighting10

Same.

They could have had Jagr, but passed as Czechs werent a given to come over in 1990. I heard from someone close to the team that The Flyers liked JVR but were taking Kane if he was available. You never know how accurate that was.

You're right in that Forsberg should have been a Flyer - I'll always wonder what would have been.
- BOSS_TWEED

I've said this a couple times on here over the years but in the 1990 draft preview the just fired Bob Clarke said the best player in the draft to him was Jagr. had he not been fired the Flyers very well may have taken Jagr over Ricci.