It's good to hear about Medvedev as he is a bit of a question mark coming into this year. Not about his play, but about how it might translate to the North American rink. He sounds like a bit of a throwback to the old Soviet players with conditioning. Likewise with Neurvirth and Gudas bonding. That will be important down the road.

Honestly if Hakstol can get someone to take the reigns on that second scoring line, I think we could have a good year.
- flyler

2nd line offensive production will be the lynchpin of this team. The Goalie is good enough. The D will slowly start to shape up. The PP is electric. The PK needs work but they have the personal.

Line 2 needs to pose much more of a threat. They need a guy that can create matchup problems. That will only help improve line 1's 5 on 5 play. Maybe that is Konecny two years from now? I'd hope that they address it sooner as I don't see anyone else breaking out offesively, in major fashion, at this point.

2nd line offensive production will be the lynchpin of this team. The Goalie is good enough. The D will slowly start to shape up. The PP is electric. The PK needs work but they have the personal.

Line 2 needs to pose much more of a threat. They need a guy that can create matchup problems. That will only help improve line 1's 5 on 5 play. Maybe that is Konecny two years from now? I'd hope that they address it sooner as I don't see anyone else breaking out offesively, in major fashion, at this point.
- hereticpride

Maybe Schenn with Couts will continue to develop into that 2nd line threat.

They showed some positive signs at the end of last season.

If Medvedev can be a solid, all situations top 4 guy, they have a shot to at least be a bubble team. If he can't, I really don't think they have a chance. Outside of him, MDZ is the only veteran dman on the roster with above average mobility and the ability to play effectively in all situations. Unless they have at least 2 guys like that, I don't see the playoffs as being a realistic possibility.
- BiggE

Is it foolhardy to hope to see Amac get better and fulfill this role?

He is mobile and a plus skater, makes a good first pass, is decent enough in his own zone. I guess he will need to get better in the offensive zone and on the PP to call him effective in all situations.

Is MDZ reliable enough in the D zone? I guess he did it pretty well last year, but I'm not sure many fans view him as effective in all situations type guy yet.

Is it foolhardy to hope to see Amac get better and fulfill this role?

He is mobile and a plus skater, makes a good first pass, is decent enough in his own zone. I guess he will need to get better in the offensive zone and on the PP to call him effective in all situations.

Is MDZ reliable enough in the D zone? I guess he did it pretty well last year, but I'm not sure many fans view him as effective in all situations type guy yet.
- Marc D

I'll take MDZ over AMac, mainly cause Del Zotto at least generates some offense. While neither will ever be a top pair guy on a contender, I can see MDZ as at least a 2nd pair guy on a good team. AMac, IMO, is a #5 guy on a playoff team.

I'll take MDZ over AMac, mainly cause Del Zotto at least generates some offense. While neither will ever be a top pair guy on a contender, I can see MDZ as at least a 2nd pair guy on a good team. AMac, IMO, is a #5 guy on a playoff team.
- BiggE

he is, however, an NHL player.

These are the facts of the case and cannot be disputed

terrific playoff list. i didn't see any of the 70s series live - i didn't find hockey until '80.

the entire 84-85 run also great. the last round was difficult to watch, especially game 5 with froese in net. ugh.

for me, hands down i have to include the entire 03-04 run, finally beating the devils in round 1 (markov on brodeur from near the blueline shortside off the post), knocking out toronto in OT in round 2 on their ice (JR/kapanen), and even though they lost to tampa in 7 in the conference finals it was a tremendous series - game 6 is the greatest live playoff game i've attended - and i've seen some terrific games in the last 10 years.

beating washington in 7 in '08 in OT and wiping the floor with montreal in 2010 are also favorites.

cripes, i miss playoff hockey.

I'll take MDZ over AMac, mainly cause Del Zotto at least generates some offense. While neither will ever be a top pair guy on a contender, I can see MDZ as at least a 2nd pair guy on a good team. AMac, IMO, is a #5 guy on a playoff team.
- BiggE

Both players have their plus and minuses. MacDonald needs to play more aggressively offensively and make more of an impact offensively. Del Zotto needs to improve defensively. He gives up a lot of high quality chances against in his own end. If both players can improve in those areas, that will be a big help to the Flyers.

cripes, i miss playoff hockey.
- hammarby31

me too

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Neuvirth and Gudas, Medvedev, Prospects, Alumni & More
- bmeltzer

I think we'll be a better team this coming season. We should have some stability at back up G. If players remain healthy and elevate their games, we should be a bubble team. I'll even go as far as saying that one of Luke Schenn, Vinny Lecavalier or RJ Umberger will play well enough to justify being in the line up for most of the season.

Thank the gods for youth hockey. Protecting my August sanity for one last year.

Thank the gods for youth hockey. Protecting my August sanity for one last year.
- mayorofangrytown

You have no sanity left

- Giroux_Is_God

Saved for future use.....

It's good to hear about Medvedev as he is a bit of a question mark coming into this year. Not about his play, but about how it might translate to the North American rink. He sounds like a bit of a throwback to the old Soviet players with conditioning. Likewise with Neurvirth and Gudas bonding. That will be important down the road.

Honestly if Hakstol can get someone to take the reigns on that second scoring line, I think we could have a good year.
- flyler

I'm actually super excited about this year, because of unknowns.

No one has any idea how Hakstol wants guys to play or how he'll roll lines. Or even conduct camp.

Getting more Russian players comfortable with our organization and this area has been something I've wanted to see for a long time. Even with Bryz.....I was rooting for him to be the guy that blazed a trail for other Russian players to want to play in Philly.

You have no sanity left
- ob18

Why do you continue to deny me your love?

I think we'll be a better team this coming season. We should have some stability at back up G. If players remain healthy and elevate their games, we should be a bubble team. I'll even go as far as saying that one of Luke Schenn, Vinny Lecavalier or RJ Umberger will play well enough to justify being in the line up for most of the season.
- SuperSchennBros

I'm putting my money on Luke.

I'm putting my money on Luke.
- Marc D

I've come around on Luke. He'll get work forever because he's righthanded and he'll fight and lead. I think his hype exceeded his talent level, but I think he's got enough to probably stick around as a bottom pairing, "good in the room" type as long as he wants to do that role.

But, I think RJ is the one with more to give. He'll come back from the surgery and, at least, justify a 3rd line role.

I think Vinny is just done, but I'd be happy to be wrong on that.

I've come around on Luke. He'll get work forever because he's righthanded and he'll fight and lead. I think his hype exceeded his talent level, but I think he's got enough to probably stick around as a bottom pairing, "good in the room" type as long as he wants to do that role.

But, I think RJ is the one with more to give. He'll come back from the surgery and, at least, justify a 3rd line role.

I think Vinny is just done, but I'd be happy to be wrong on that.
- johndewar

I agree with your view of Luke. This could be his last season as a Flyer but he has along career ahead of him.

This isn't a knock on anyone who disagrees but I would put Vinny on the top unit of the PP and make it work. Giroux, Simmonds, Voracek, Streit and Lecavalier. The reason is, I think good things could come from Sean Couturier, Matt Read and Brayden Schenn on the second unit along with Del Zotto and possibly MacDonald.

Is it foolhardy to hope to see Amac get better and fulfill this role?

He is mobile and a plus skater, makes a good first pass, is decent enough in his own zone. I guess he will need to get better in the offensive zone and on the PP to call him effective in all situations.

Is MDZ reliable enough in the D zone? I guess he did it pretty well last year, but I'm not sure many fans view him as effective in all situations type guy yet.
- Marc D

Foolhardy? No. I think MacD has all of the things he needs to be a good 2-3 D man. He just has lazy hockey sense. He makes great plays with the puck a lot of the time but sometimes it's like he goes into autopilot and makes some bad plays that end up as turnovers. The reason Streit & Schultz were our best D last year was because they were our most Consistant D. You knew you'd get great scoring out of one and solid D out of the other. MDZ became consistant later but AMac needs to learn play his best hockey without the mental lapses. I'm sure the injuries did not help.
I think Our D will be fine. But I think one of our loose players has to grab that second line Center spot and make it work. Gagner, Lecavilier, Schenn, Coots, Laughton, Cousins, White, Belamare, Umberger. None of these guys has been able to nail down that Second line Center spot. We have 9 Centers playing off wing because nobody can play Center well enough to score 20 goals with Simmonds.
If Vinnie can just grab some of his old 100 point mojo to just put up 50 points, we will make the playoffs. If you check his numbers, he had 32 points in 39 games just 3 years ago. He had 20 goals 2 years ago. He's not that far removed from being an effective player.

I agree with your view of Luke. This could be his last season as a Flyer but he has along career ahead of him.

This isn't a knock on anyone who disagrees but I would put Vinny on the top unit of the PP and make it work. Giroux, Simmonds, Voracek, Streit and Lecavalier. The reason is, I think good things could come from Sean Couturier, Matt Read and Brayden Schenn on the second unit along with Del Zotto and possibly MacDonald.
- SuperSchennBros

The first thing that has to happen is Lecavalier has to earn a spot in the lineup, before he gets top unit PP time. I think he's going to have difficulty doing that.
Secondly, if the Flyers keep the same umbrella formation, Lecavalier won't be able to setup in his favored location on the ice.