Braydon Coburn, even when physically healthy has not had his mind right since he took that puck to the face, 5 -6 years ago. Really he has not been the same and has been less effective and made more errors. Yeah Schultz has worn down and Streit just came back from visiting a presumably ailing grandparent in Europe, so I cut him break for the physical issues of time change and mental changes being about to lose someone in his family.
We all know there is going to be some infusion of youth and a new mix on the back end.
Patience, or we will end up being patients
- Steelmanpa

Would still call Coburn the best all around defenseman that the team would have, if that was the top 7.

home run derby at CBP. Good (frank)ing lord are they awful.
Is there a McDavid in the baseball draft?

We must not thinking of the same Don Cherry
- BulliesPhan87

Eh, he is at least sentimental, patriotic and knows his role, we know his role and hes not on national US TV spouting his act.....plus he is old.

Milbury is on national US TV and catering to the Walmart crowd tuning into a hockey game when Honeybooboo isnt on or whatever that garbage is.

It's a LOT more scary. A healthy Braydon Coburn is still better than any of those six. At this stage of his career, it's hard to feel very confident that Grossmann is still a top 4 defenseman. Nick Schultz's play has dipped noticeably as the season has wound down. Even Streit has had his struggles.
- Jsaquella

As the season progressed: A story of flyers fan's feelings towards Nick Schultz in the 2014-2015 season

This season: preseason- Nick Schultz is awful, they should never let him see the light of day on the ice, he'll never be more than a 7th defensemen. Quarter way through the season Oh wait... Nick Schultz isn't playing half bad... he's actually doing... do I dare say it? Well? Few weeks later: PRAISE THE LORD WE RESIGNED NICK SCHULTZ. HE'LL BE JUST WHAT WE NEED UNTIL OUR D PROSPECTS ARE READY. WHAT A STEAL. Halfway through the season: Nick Shultz has been our best defenseman. Now Nick Schultz' play has dipped toward the end of this brutal season. (just like every other single player on this team with a deflated morale).

You can't over analyze these last few weeks regarding players' level of play. Like I said, a lot of these guys are probably a little disappointed with how the season progressed so you can't blame them for playing a little sub par. I'd have trouble giving it my absolute all with that dunce of a coach trying to pump me up and motivate me to play my hardest on games that mostly don't matter. Also another factor is, for all we know, the flyers brass might be telling them take it easy in the rest of the games so that we can get better draft position. Idk. I'm clearly no expert. Just a flyers fan. I don't think the defense that was listed would be as awful as this years. They all seem to be competent nhl defenders, minus grossman and gudas, they can all move pretty well. Idk we'll just have to wait and see.

home run derby at CBP. Good (frank)ing lord are they awful.
Is there a McDavid in the baseball draft?
- PLindbergh31

Not sure, but I might take a run down to Packer Ave to grab a souvenir, because the way Boston's hitting them, that's where the next one is going to stop rolling

Trying to figure out how you actually feel about MacDonald as a player. In the beginning of the post, you label him useless, then later call him our most balanced two way defenseman.
- MJL

It's as simple as labeling a player as what they are. Mark Streit and Michael Del Zotto are offensive defensemen. Luke Schenn and Nicolas Grossmann are strictly defensive defenseman. I know what I said about Andrew MacDonald, I wrote the post. I never said he was good but he's expected to be an all situations guy but his contract makes him even worse then Randy Jones was easily.

I'm more then willing to argue about Andrew MacDonald. I'm totally gamed.

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=761667

"Chris Kunitz shot the puck after a touch-up on a delayed penalty, drawing an angry Flyer posse headed by Jake Voracek"



And Bill with the Milbury takedown

As the season progressed: A story of flyers fan's feelings towards Nick Schultz in the 2014-2015 season

This season: preseason- Nick Schultz is awful, they should never let him see the light of day on the ice, he'll never be more than a 7th defensemen. Quarter way through the season Oh wait... Nick Schultz isn't playing half bad... he's actually doing... do I dare say it? Well? Few weeks later: PRAISE THE LORD WE RESIGNED NICK SCHULTZ. HE'LL BE JUST WHAT WE NEED UNTIL OUR D PROSPECTS ARE READY. WHAT A STEAL. Halfway through the season: Nick Shultz has been our best defenseman. Now Nick Schultz' play has dipped toward the end of this brutal season. (just like every other single player on this team with a deflated morale).

You can't over analyze these last few weeks regarding players' level of play. Like I said, a lot of these guys are probably a little disappointed with how the season progressed so you can't blame them for playing a little sub par. I'd have trouble giving it my absolute all with that dunce of a coach trying to pump me up and motivate me to play my hardest on games that mostly don't matter. Also another factor is, for all we know, the flyers brass might be telling them take it easy in the rest of the games so that we can get better draft position. Idk. I'm clearly no expert. Just a flyers fan. I don't think the defense that was listed would be as awful as this years. They all seem to be competent nhl defenders, minus grossman and gudas, they can all move pretty well. Idk we'll just have to wait and see.
- benjichronic

I'm not over analyzing anything. Schultz came in and played solidly, and gave the team another solid 4-5 depth guy option. His play in the previous season, combined with his age, was a reason for concern, but the play stayed solid.

Now, he's seen his level of play dip, noticeably. Whatever the other factors are, listing him as a first pair guy is being a bit generous. Even at his best this season, he was solid, rather than outstanding.

I think a defense of Streit, Schultz, Grossmann, MDZ, Manning and Gudas is worse than one with Coburn over Gudas

Not sure, but I might take a run down to Packer Ave to grab a souvenir, because the way Boston's hitting them, that's where the next one is going to stop rolling
- Jsaquella

If you are heading there, pick me up a roast pork sandwich from John's. Those things are so good they should be illegal.

Grossmann and LSchenn don't block many shots, (only MDZ and Schultz block much more than one shot per game) and Gudas is more physical than either of them. The good teams have defenses who move the puck accurately and skate well.

Games - Blocks
Schultz 77-113
Del Zotto 61-91
Streit 78-83
LSchenn 58-69
Grossmann 65-64
MacDonald 58-62
Coalaicovo 32-32
- Feanor

Are you speaking from this season alone because I wouldn't go by this season. I'd go by the past number of seasons. Grossmann and Schenn are two very physical defenseman and spend less time in the box then Gudas does.

It's as simple as labeling a player as what they are. Mark Streit and Michael Del Zotto are offensive defensemen. Luke Schenn and Nicolas Grossmann are strictly defensive defenseman. I know what I said about Andrew MacDonald, I wrote the post. I never said he was good but he's expected to be an all situations guy but his contract makes him even worse then Randy Jones was easily.

I'm more then willing to argue about Andrew MacDonald. I'm totally gamed.
- SuperSchennBros

A players contract doesn't determine how good of a player he actually is. MacDonald is a pretty solid top 4 puck moving defenseman. I'm personally glad he's a Flyer.

Phillies are knocking the cover off of the ball. 1 hit through 5 innings. I look at that lineup, and it's going to be a long season.

If you are heading there, pick me up a roast pork sandwich from John's. Those things are so good they should be illegal.
- PLindbergh31

It's like crack on a roll. If I have to be in Philly, and they are open, I'm eating lunch there. No question

Cole Hamels gives up 4 homers in 5 innings. Kyle Kendrick? Six scoreless innings with 6 K and 5 hits.

Grossmann and LSchenn don't block many shots, (only MDZ and Schultz block much more than one shot per game) and Gudas is more physical than either of them. The good teams have defenses who move the puck accurately and skate well.

Games - Blocks
Schultz 77-113
Del Zotto 61-91
Streit 78-83
LSchenn 58-69
Grossmann 65-64
MacDonald 58-62
Coalaicovo 32-32
- Feanor

Dave Isaac and I talked about blocked shots to Mason at pretty good length some weeks ago one day after practice.

MacDonald, Grossmann and L. Schenn all blocked a ton of shots last season. Part of drop-off this season is that Mason has said all season to teammates that he either wants to make sure a shot gets entirely blocked or else to let in get through (making sure he isn't screened) and just focus on boxing out. What he doesn't want is partially blocked shots (since you never know where or to whom it might bounce) or worse, deflected ones.

It has actually worked well for the most part.

It's like crack on a roll. If I have to be in Philly, and they are open, I'm eating lunch there. No question
- Jsaquella

I'm with you man! They are incredible! One of the best sandwiches I've ever had.

It's criminal all the tourists go to Pat's and Geno's. Those are the worst cheesesteaks in town. The best are Jim's imo.

Cole Hamels gives up 4 homers in 5 innings. Kyle Kendrick? Six scoreless innings with 6 K and 5 hits.
- Jsaquella

Cannot make it up.

I'd be quicker to move schenn than grossman. When luke is playing his game, he's a great defensive defenseman. The problem is he's so (frank)ing inconsistent. At least with grossman you know what you're getting night in and night out. Grossman brings physicality, shot blocking, crease clearing, and a guy who can knock pretty much anyone off the puck with ease. He does lack a lot of speed, but he just makes smart plays in the d zone, and this year he's made some really timely offensive plays. Mase was quoted earlier this year (not gonna remember when or where) saying that of all the flyer d men, grossman makes his job the easiest. I'd love to get rid of schenn and macdonald this offseason.

Streit Schultz
MDZ Grossman
Manning Gudas

That d unit is not nearly as terrifying (for flyers fans...) as this years was.
- benjichronic

When I look at pairs like Grossmann-Streit and Del Zotto-Schenn, I feel like one is likely to hang the other out to dry. I will say I trust Grossmann or Schenn more against top lines if they are paired with an Andrew MacDonald but the problem is I don't trust MacDonald with what he's supposed to be.

I'm with you man! They are incredible! One of the best sandwiches I've ever had.

It's criminal all the tourists go to Pat's and Geno's. Those are the worst cheesesteaks in town. The best are Jim's imo.
- PLindbergh31

I prefer John's. Their steaks are almost as good as the roast pork, but Jim's is a good one. We found a place down the street from Jim's that was really good too, called steaks on south. It's down near 8th or 10th street or so.

I'm not over analyzing anything. Schultz came in and played solidly, and gave the team another solid 4-5 depth guy option. His play in the previous season, combined with his age, was a reason for concern, but the play stayed solid.

Now, he's seen his level of play dip, noticeably. Whatever the other factors are, listing him as a first pair guy is being a bit generous. Even at his best this season, he was solid, rather than outstanding.

I think a defense of Streit, Schultz, Grossmann, MDZ, Manning and Gudas is worse than one with Coburn over Gudas
- Jsaquella

ehhh idk. I get a headache every time I try to analyze anything flyers defense related. Same arguments/ discussions that seem to go nowhere. The bottom line is, until our prospects come up (and assuming they all develop to what we hope), our defense will probably be in shambles.

Cannot make it up.
- PLindbergh31

At least Utley hasn't had to put much wear and tear on the knees

Dave Isaac and I talked about blocked shots to Mason at pretty good length some weeks ago one day after practice.

MacDonald, Grossmann and L. Schenn all blocked a ton of shots last season. Part of drop-off this season is that Mason has said all season to teammates that he either wants to make sure a shot gets entirely blocked or else to let in get through (making sure he isn't screened) and just focus on boxing out. What he doesn't want is partially blocked shots (since you never know where or to whom it might bounce) or worse, deflected ones.

It has actually worked well for the most part.
- bmeltzer

It's a good idea, especially since blocking a lot of shots is very likely to lead to injuries.

A players contract doesn't determine how good of a player he actually is. MacDonald is a pretty solid top 4 puck moving defenseman. I'm personally glad he's a Flyer.
- MJL

I'm not happy he's a Flyer at all. I watched this season like anyone else, he wasn't good. His best season was last season.

I prefer John's. Their steaks are almost as good as the roast pork, but Jim's is a good one. We found a place down the street from Jim's that was really good too, called steaks on south. It's down near 8th or 10th street or so.
- Jsaquella

The roast pork at John's is so good, I've never tried anything else. I will get one to go next time, and also try Steaks on South. Thanks for the recommendation.

ehhh idk. I get a headache every time I try to analyze anything flyers defense related. Same arguments/ discussions that seem to go nowhere. The bottom line is, until our prospects come up (and assuming they all develop to what we hope), our defense will probably be in shambles.

- benjichronic

To an extent, yeah

I just think that it's going to be similar, unless they add a piece. There's several solid depth guys who would be in the top 6 of most, if not all teams. But they are asked to do too much.