Simple question

Can Claude Giroux "lead" Wheels to a goal?

Can Claude Giroux "lead" Luke Schenn to think faster and recognize plays better?

Can Claude Giroux "lead" RJ Umberger back to 2008?

No. Because there's no such thing as "leadership." There's only the crutch that people lean on when the team isn't good enough, so they can excuse the worst players for not being able to get the job done because the best player didn't carry 7 guys across the finish line
- AllInForFlyers

I'm not asking for Claude Giroux to lead Lecavalier or Luke Schenn to a goal, or to make Umberger a better player. I'm asking Claude Giroux to score a goal himself.
I disagree that there is no such thing as leadership. Ron Hextall made a statement that the leadership of the team has to be evaluated. Someone should tell him it doesn't exist.

I have always wondered which organization member would go bat-poop insane first on somebody in the media: Flyers or Leafs

Been awhile since Clarke called Panaccio an a-hole, while Ron Wilson was in rare form plenty of times up in the Big Smoke and I kinda thought the Leafs would lose it over the Phaneuf/Lupul tweet
- AllInForFlyers

That Holmgren/Barkann video is my favorite. Without saying a word or getting angry - or any expression at all for that matter - Homer destroys him.

Here's a thing on our new signing Cole Bardreau and his neck fracture, via reddit: https://www.youtube.com/w...re=youtu.be&v=slLUUSAxDbs

Why did G and Jake get split up?
- wolfhounds

They were arguing over Raffl.

It's been going on a while, actually. You see, Giroux and Raffl used to be very close. But after a while, Raffl took a liking to Jake and left Giroux. This led to the famous, "(frank) you, Raff!" line from last year.

It came to a boiling point shortly after the ASG when Giroux told Jake he was growing tired of his mom's home cooking, and that he grabbed some cop ass because Jake could no longer satisfy him.

I'm sure Frank got it from someone in Reese camp.

The Flyers should come out and give an answer about why he left. This poop wouldn't happen if they were a little more forthcoming. Franks article adds up too. They've been pressed for cap space all season and Mason admitted to not being game ready. I would understand if Reese was pissed about Mason being put in without an injury to the other goalie
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't know. What I do know is this:

1) Jeff did not want to talk about it. He responded graciously to well-wishing texts but has declined interview requests apart from the statement issued through the team.

2) The denials of Frank's report have come from a variety of sources, as high up as Hextall saying on-the-record that the report was inaccurate and Berube calling the DN report "made up."

I do not know what did or didn't happen, but the timing was certainly odd.

domestic issues
- vejim

So much for team secrets.

Gotta give Giroux more opportunities to lead
- AllInForFlyers

He tees off first on the golf course.

Great leader.

I'm not asking for Claude Giroux to lead Lecavalier or Luke Schenn to a goal, or to make Umberger a better player. I'm asking Claude Giroux to score a goal himself.
I disagree that there is no such thing as leadership. Ron Hextall made a statement that the leadership of the team has to be evaluated. Someone should tell him it doesn't exist.
- MJL

And yet, Wayne Simmonds, who is actually playing the games, called the report "BS"

Maybe if Hextall had injected more help into the roster or made a trade this season, he'd see more leadership

Maybe Hextall needs to take ownership of the roster he assembled which wasn't good enough

another useless point yay!

To try and balance out the lines, and because they went into a slump and weren't producing at the same level as they were previously.
- MJL

Agreed. And by trying to balance out the lines, trying to split the focus of the opposing team's top defenders. In my opinion, that's what the Flyers are missing - a problem top teams don't have - which is what makes it easier for other teams to shut them down

And yet, Wayne Simmonds, who is actually playing the games, called the report "BS"

Maybe if Hextall had injected more help into the roster or made a trade this season, he'd see more leadership

Maybe Hextall needs to take ownership of the roster he assembled which wasn't good enough
- AllInForFlyers

Hextall is well aware of the roster issues with this team. When Hextall is talking about leadership, he's not talking about the holes in the roster.Wayne Simmonds can call the report BS, but he has also talked about the issues of the team frequently, that point to leadership issues. To be clear, I don't think that leadership issues are the only problem with this team, but I think it is an issue.

He tees off first on the golf course.

Great leader.
- jmatchett383

With the way Wheels is going, he won't even find the door to leave the clubhouse

They were arguing over Raffl.

It's been going on a while, actually. You see, Giroux and Raffl used to be very close. But after a while, Raffl took a liking to Jake and left Giroux. This led to the famous, "(frank) you, Raff!" line from last year.

It came to a boiling point shortly after the ASG when Giroux told Jake he was growing tired of his mom's home cooking, and that he grabbed some cop ass because Jake could no longer satisfy him.
- jmatchett383

This explains a lot. And who can really blame G or Jake? Can anybody here seriously resist tasty Austrian Strudel? I think not.

Agreed. And by trying to balance out the lines, trying to split the focus of the opposing team's top defenders. In my opinion, that's what the Flyers are missing - a problem top teams don't have - which is what makes it easier for other teams to shut them down
- wolfhounds

It's easier to shut them down as a team. It doesn't matter if Giroux plays on a good team or a bad team. Whether he's on the same line with Voracek or not. He's still going to be the focus of the opposition, and will have to play against the oppositions top checkers and defenseman. If the team becomes stronger, that will undoubtedly place less weight on Giroux, but he will still need to be the teams top player, if they're going to have success.

I wonder if Homer still likes this team?

I don't know. What I do know is this:

1) Jeff did not want to talk about it. He responded graciously to well-wishing texts but has declined interview requests apart from the statement issued through the team.

2) The denials of Frank's report have come from a variety of sources, as high up as Hextall saying on-the-record that the report was inaccurate and Berube calling the DN report "made up."

I do not know what did or didn't happen, but the timing was certainly odd.
- bmeltzer

I'd think after the Flyers' and or NHL season is over, more of this story will come out. This could have turned into a very big issue/distraction (more than it currently is) had Reese actually decided to tell his side of the story, cause there's no way he can be happy about the way things turned out.

I wonder if Homer still likes this team?
- vejim

Nah, he's a Wild fan.

Nah, he's a Wild fan.
- JAKEw1234

I am very surprised that Eddie has been so patient.....he must be on his yacht traveling

I may be in the minority, but I'm not worried about Giroux. I don't see him as part of the problem. I think this team is just very mediocre. They need more overall skill throughout the entire roster in my opinion. Like Bill said, Hexy is trying to bring his players in, but he's been hampered by the cap issues.

I just hope we either a.) Win the draft lottery or b.) nab the kid who develops into the best Dman in the draft.

Oh and hire Babcock as the head coach.

I don't think those hopes are too lofty.

raffl played less than rinaldo and vinny...


lol
- -davies-

I think that hit he took might have rattled him a bit.

It's easier to shut them down as a team. It doesn't matter if Giroux plays on a good team or a bad team. Whether he's on the same line with Voracek or not. He's still going to be the focus of the opposition, and will have to play against the oppositions top checkers and defenseman. If the team becomes stronger, that will undoubtedly place less weight on Giroux, but he will still need to be the teams top player, if they're going to have success.
- MJL

Of course it matters.

If G is on a good team, or if the Flyers had two lines that were legit scoring threats, things get a bit easier for him, especially when he's in a slump as he currently is in.

Let's just say G and the 1st line is in a slump but the 2nd line is hot, where are the top defenders of opposing teams going to be focused?

1. Make general point.
2. Argue that no one understands your point.
3. Belitte others in a non-direct yet condescending way.
4. Pat self on back.
5. Repeat step 2.
- jmatchett383

I think that hit he took might have rattled him a bit.
- tangent_man

Raffl takes some shots. But I think it's more that Vinny and Rino have 7 goals between them and they deserve the extra ice time.

Of course it matters.

If G is on a good team, or if the Flyers had two lines that were legit scoring threats, things get a bit easier for him, especially when he's in a slump as he currently is in.

Let's just say G and the 1st line is in a slump but the 2nd line is hot, where are the top defenders of opposing teams going to be focused?
- wolfhounds

It doesn't matter in the context of the opposition players he is going to face individually, game in and game out, which is what I'm saying. He's still going to have to play against top defenseman, and will be the focus of the opposition every game. I clearly said that if the rest of the team gets better, there will be less weight on Giroux in a previous post.

Raffl takes some shots. But I think it's more that Vinny and Rino have 7 goals between them and they deserve the extra ice time.
- wolfhounds

Also could just be a showcase issue. Raffl ain't going anywhere.