With forwards, I'd rather have speed than size
- PhillySportsGuy

It's interesting how the interference really crept back in the game almost to the level of the dead puck era yet speed still ruled at the end of the day.

The pylon dmen have no place in the league anymore. Speed in the d is more critical than speed up front anymore. It's all about puck retrievals

I see all these reports on how badly St louis wants to rid themselves of berglund. VLC for berglund ? At the very least he has 1 less year and slightly lower cap hit.

Once I get inside position, forget about it.

Seriously though I kind of get irritated when you ask about what they like in a player, and they respond with "well he has size".

Size is an attribute not a skill. Think Datsyuk would have been a 6th rounder if would have been 6'3?

It does have its advantages, but team make far too big of an issue over it.
- MatveiDmitrii

I think a lot more of it had to do with him being Russian than his size.

It's interesting how the interference really crept back in the game almost to the level of the dead puck era yet speed still ruled at the end of the day.

The pylon dmen have no place in the league anymore. Speed in the d is more critical than speed up front anymore. It's all about puck retrievals
- Just5

Why did Phoenix have interest in Grossmann?

Could just re-sign Rosehill to a 2 way deal.
- BiggE

One thing that no one brings up with a so called enforcer....when he plays for 2 minutes a night it forces others to play more....I like the idea of the Giroux's and Voreceks playing an extra few minutes a game.....the game is about skill and the more you have it on the ice the better.

Why did Phoenix have interest in Grossmann?
- MJL

There's room for that type of guy in the top 6 for sure.....just not three of them....

One thing that no one brings up with a so called enforcer....when he plays for 2 minutes a night it forces others to play more....I like the idea of the Giroux's and Voreceks playing an extra few minutes a game.....the game is about skill and the more you have it on the ice the better.
- landros 2

I agree with that. One factor that was always brought up was that if you had an enforcer in the lineup, and the other team didn't, they had an advantage because you were playing a man short. That's complete bull, because it's really easy to double shift one or more players. The argument that nobody can really refute, is looking at last season, was there a point in any game where the Flyers needed an enforcer?

There's room for that type of guy in the top 6 for sure.....just not three of them....
- landros 2

Exactly.

I agree with that. One factor that was always brought up was that if you had an enforcer in the lineup, and the other team didn't, they had an advantage because you were playing a man short. That's complete bull, because it's really easy to double shift one or more players. The argument that nobody can really refute, is looking at last season, was there a point in any game where the Flyers needed an enforcer?
- MJL

I can think of a few.....I like having one....I don't think it's bull....but the guy can't be a liability on skates....a guy like Rosehill is perfect....the game in Winnipeg when Buff ran our top two all night ...no buff wouldn't fight him, but there's more to being an enforcer then fighting...

I think a lot more of it had to do with him being Russian than his size.
- jmatchett383

His wikipedia page (take with a grain of salt) more or less says that the Red Wings scout might have been the only scout to see Datsyuk play.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Datsyuk

I believe that because I don't think teams put as much money into scouting in the late 90's as they do now. The Internet existed, but nothing like it does now.

I think the Red Wings were just better at scouting guys (especially Euros) than everyone else back then.

It's interesting how the interference really crept back in the game almost to the level of the dead puck era yet speed still ruled at the end of the day.

The pylon dmen have no place in the league anymore. Speed in the d is more critical than speed up front anymore. It's all about puck retrievals
- Just5

I wouldn't say they have NO place, but I think their use is becoming more limited. Every team has that one big dman. But I feel like their main usage is on the PK, and against opposition's tougher lines (getzlaf/ perry, backes, ladd/wheeler, etc.)


And on a side note: I'm watching blake wheeler's goals from this past season, he's a guy I'd LOVE to have on the roster. A BIG guy, skates like a little man, he's fast, plays both sides of the puck, very underrated playmaker, and he can definitely finish. He's got a pretty big cap hit, and it'd take too much to get him though I doubt Winnipeg would be willing to give him up at all though too.

I agree with that. One factor that was always brought up was that if you had an enforcer in the lineup, and the other team didn't, they had an advantage because you were playing a man short. That's complete bull, because it's really easy to double shift one or more players. The argument that nobody can really refute, is looking at last season, was there a point in any game where the Flyers needed an enforcer?
- MJL

Also I think a lot more of your kids coming in play with more of an edge. Lot more lightweight/middle weight fighters who can play the game. Lucic/Simmonds/Beleksy/Maroon can all play the game and yet handle themselves well if needed.

I can think of a few.....I like having one....I don't think it's bull....but the guy can't be a liability on skates....a guy like Rosehill is perfect....the game in Winnipeg when Buff ran our top two all night ...no buff wouldn't fight him, but there's more to being an enforcer then fighting...
- landros 2

Having Rosehill in the lineup wouldn't have stopped that from happening. Checks are part of the game. Can't have a player like Rinaldo in the lineup running after people, and then take offense when one of your players get run at.

I can think of a few.....I like having one....I don't think it's bull....but the guy can't be a liability on skates....a guy like Rosehill is perfect....the game in Winnipeg when Buff ran our top two all night ...no buff wouldn't fight him, but there's more to being an enforcer then fighting...
- landros 2

Should have had one of Simmonds Schenn start running Trouba and Scheifele.

Mutually agreed destruction. You run our guys, we'll run yours.

Should have had one of Simmonds Schenn start running Trouba and Scheifele.

Mutually agreed destruction. You run our guys, we'll run yours.
- jmatchett383

Ryan White can cause some chaos if needed.

In todays NHL you still need guys who can throw. But they also HAVE to have skills. Even Montreal picked up Kassian because they needed some size and physicality. But guys need to be able to play.

Should have had one of Simmonds Schenn start running Trouba and Scheifele.

Mutually agreed destruction. You run our guys, we'll run yours.
- jmatchett383

Berube made our team ball less

Bill who were some guys drafted say over the last 20 years who you thought would be nhl players and just didn't pan out? Some guys you liked.

for me a few guys:
shane Kenny
Petr Hubacek
Jason Beckett
Ryan Potulny
Stefan Ruzicka
- rinaldo

Nodl. Really thought highly of him when he was with St. Cloud State.

Why did Phoenix have interest in Grossmann?
- MJL

Theyre also a team that had interest in Pronger.

I wouldn't say they have NO place, but I think their use is becoming more limited. Every team has that one big dman. But I feel like their main usage is on the PK, and against opposition's tougher lines (getzlaf/ perry, backes, ladd/wheeler, etc.)


And on a side note: I'm watching blake wheeler's goals from this past season, he's a guy I'd LOVE to have on the roster. A BIG guy, skates like a little man, he's fast, plays both sides of the puck, very underrated playmaker, and he can definitely finish. He's got a pretty big cap hit, and it'd take too much to get him though I doubt Winnipeg would be willing to give him up at all though too.
- benjichronic

I don't know. Who was the Hawks big one dimensional dman?

The Lightning had sustjr. Who is really big but he can skate some and move the puck, and was still the weak link in that series

Theyre also a team that had interest in Pronger.
- Just5

Doesn't answer the question.

I don't know. Who was the Hawks big one dimensional dman?

The Lightning had sustjr. Who is really big but he can skate some and move the puck, and was still the weak link in that series
- Just5

We've had this discussion before. If you have top defenseman, who can handle all situations, including the more physical parts of the game, such as the PK, then you don't need a defensive, physical stay at home player in the lineup as much. The problem is that there is a shortage of those kinds of players in the NHL. So teams look to add players who fit a certain role, to play in certain situations. There is still room, and there still is a need for players like Grossmann in today's NHL.

Nice blog, and it's an issue I have been concerned about for some time

No, I don't believe the Flyers should opt for size over skill when they are roughly equal

But at the same time, you do run the risk of being too small overall, and it's not something that can be dismissed when tight checking and board play become the order of the day in the playoffs

We've had this discussion before. If you have top defenseman, who can handle all situations, including the more physical parts of the game, such as the PK, then you don't need a defensive, physical stay at home player in the lineup as much. The problem is that there is a shortage of those kinds of players in the NHL. So teams look to add players who fit a certain role, to play in certain situations. There is still room, and there still is a need for players like Grossmann in today's NHL.
- MJL

Phoenix got that player in Pronger
And still felt the need to go after grossman too
Guess that explains why their a dumpster fire

Phoenix got that player in Pronger
And still felt the need to go after grossman too
Guess that explains why their a dumpster fire
- Just5

This doesn't make any sense to me.

Phoenix got that player in Pronger
And still felt the need to go after grossman too
Guess that explains why their a dumpster fire
- Just5

Why do you feel the need to troll when we are having a pretty good discussion?