Here is a legit question. Who is the Flyers best defensive defenseman heading into this season? The most solid in the D zone.
- PLindbergh31

Defensive defenseman over the whole ice is probably Schultz.
Most solid in the d-zone is probably Schenn.

I think that both Streit and MDZ are better than he is. Schultz was the default "best defenseman" because he wasn't as atrocious as everyone else last season. He's a solid, unspectacular defenseman who generally will have little impact on the game either way. With Streit and MDZ, they'll have an impact, the only difference is which team will benefit from it.
- jmatchett383

I think Streit is awful at times in his own end. I mean bad. If he can get the puck on his stick, he's okay. Away from the puck....yikes!

- Giroux_Is_God

no disrespect to schultz, but it is not a good day when he is your best defenseman
- funmaster18

Agreed

I think Streit is awful at times in his own end. I mean bad. If he can get the puck on his stick, he's okay. Away from the puck....yikes!
- SuperSchennBros

That's what I mean. He'll definitely be impactful. The question is: Who benefits from his impact?

Here is a legit question. Who is the Flyers best defensive defenseman heading into this season? The most solid in the D zone.
- PLindbergh31

Schultz for now, perhaps Medvedev if he can adjust well.

Schultz for now, perhaps Medvedev if he can adjust well.
- BiggE

Yikes!!! When Schultz is the best at anything.... Whoa...

I'm interested to see how Medvedev plays. He's going to need some time to transition to North America you would think.

no disrespect to schultz, but it is not a good day when he is your best defenseman
- funmaster18

Flyers are going to have be a defense by committee. We know they don't have a top pairing. They'll need all 6 or more to play well.

He was actually fine as a third pairing Dman last year

Edit: Amac that is. Damn the broken quote button
- PhillySportsGuy

He averaged 20 minutes a game last season.

Yikes!!! When Schultz is the best at anything.... Whoa...

I'm interested to see how Medvedev plays. He's going to need some time to transition to North America you would think.
- PLindbergh31

I don't know what you're trying to prove.

We all know the defense corps is poop.

Yikes!!! When Schultz is the best at anything.... Whoa...

I'm interested to see how Medvedev plays. He's going to need some time to transition to North America you would think.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, having Nick Schultz as your best defensive dman is not optimal in any way shape or form. I would probably rank Del Zotto as their best all around Dman and Streit as the best pure offensive dman. However none of the current veterans have any business playing on the top pair of an NHL team.

Injuries can decimate any team, see Columbus 2014-15 for an example, and for that reason they are a bubble team. However, you simply cannot be a team that can WIN in the playoffs without any legit top pair dmen, it's just not possible.

Yeah, having Nick Schultz as your best defensive dman is not optimal in any way shape or form. I would probably rank Del Zotto as their best all around Dman and Streit as the best pure offensive dman. However none of the current veterans have any business playing on the top pair of an NHL team.

Injuries can decimate any team, see Columbus 2014-15 for an example, and for that reason they are a bubble team. However, you simply cannot be a team that can WIN in the playoffs without any legit top pair dmen, it's just not possible.
- BiggE

In my opinion, Streit is a better all around player than Del Zotto is. Best defensive defenseman are Schultz and MacDonald.

Love hakstol's theory in regards to consistent goal scoring--going to the dirty areas. Getting those rebound goals, being less flashy. Hopefully all players buy in 100%

Yeah, having Nick Schultz as your best defensive dman is not optimal in any way shape or form. I would probably rank Del Zotto as their best all around Dman and Streit as the best pure offensive dman. However none of the current veterans have any business playing on the top pair of an NHL team.

Injuries can decimate any team, see Columbus 2014-15 for an example, and for that reason they are a bubble team. However, you simply cannot be a team that can WIN in the playoffs without any legit top pair dmen, it's just not possible.
- BiggE

Yep. Agreed. If injuries decimate the Flyers d core, we will get to see some of the kids play. Would be ok by me.

I'm shocked you were able to sell them. I didn't even consider selling mine, just figured I'd give them away to anyone who was crazy enough to want to venture down there before the chaos ensues.
- five4fighting10

My drunk uncle wouldn't even take them. And he's not a far cry from the stadium snd loves the Flyers. Probably the reason for at least 10% of his drinking.

Probably the price (20$ a ticket) and seats. I have good seats. Lol.

Is it bad I've already sold all pre season and 5 regular season games and haven't made it past October reviewing my schedule?

Not the best roster in the league, not the worst. Hoping/believing that a coach who is used to teaching can get a little more out of some of the more inconsistent players and maybe one or two break out

Come on, Brayden Schenn! Make me eat every freaking word I've ever said about you! Come on, man!

Not the best roster in the league, not the worst. Hoping/believing that a coach who is used to teaching can get a little more out of some of the more inconsistent players and maybe one or two break out

Come on, Brayden Schenn! Make me eat every freaking word I've ever said about you! Come on, man!
- AllInForFlyers

My worries about Hakstol are, if things start to go south, does he have the credibility to right the ship? A guy with zero NHL experience is going to have to gain the respect of the players. A way outside the box hire, that could go either way. I would prefer a known quantity with an NHL pedigree.

Yeah, having Nick Schultz as your best defensive dman is not optimal in any way shape or form. I would probably rank Del Zotto as their best all around Dman and Streit as the best pure offensive dman. However none of the current veterans have any business playing on the top pair of an NHL team.

Injuries can decimate any team, see Columbus 2014-15 for an example, and for that reason they are a bubble team. However, you simply cannot be a team that can WIN in the playoffs without any legit top pair dmen, it's just not possible.
- BiggE

To be that guy, Calgary was able to win 1 playoff round (and 5 games total) without a top pair dman. Then again, they were playing Vancouver.

Love hakstol's theory in regards to consistent goal scoring--going to the dirty areas. Getting those rebound goals, being less flashy. Hopefully all players buy in 100%
- benjichronic

Was this team flashy to begin with?

My worries about Hakstol are, if things start to go south, does he have the credibility to right the ship? A guy with zero NHL experience is going to have to gain the respect of the players. A way outside the box hire, that could go either way. I would prefer a known quantity with an NHL pedigree.
- PLindbergh31

Here's the thing about that: If players don't buy in, then that's when the GM has to act and move guys along

This team has some players I truly enjoy watching. But, and this is a huge but, there are only two -- Giroux and Voracek -- who have any business even thinking about having an opinion about anything other than minding their own business, getting better and getting this franchise back into the playoffs

Every other player on this team, in varying degrees of value, is a complementary piece with flaws. That doesn't mean they don't have value. But none of them have won enough of ANYTHING, ANYTHING at all, to not buy in

That is something that has always been the Flyers' worst instinct: As soon as it gets sour, dump the coach

If that happens again, it's well past time to start looking at players -- because we're not exactly talking about the 70s Montreal Canadiens, here

I think that MDZ could end up with a huge year, the guy had double digit goals last year without playing 82 games or much PP1 time. I liked his compete level in the D-zone as well, I realize he is not a shutdown defender but I didn't think he was a liability in our end. If he can pick his spots on when to join the rush I could see him cracking 50 points and really contributing to this team, maybe even dethroing Streit from PP1 at some point.

Here's the thing about that: If players don't buy in, then that's when the GM has to act and move guys along

This team has some players I truly enjoy watching. But, and this is a huge but, there are only two -- Giroux and Voracek -- who have any business even thinking about having an opinion about anything other than minding their own business, getting better and getting this franchise back into the playoffs

Every other player on this team, in varying degrees of value, is a complementary piece with flaws. That doesn't mean they don't have value. But none of them have won enough of ANYTHING, ANYTHING at all, to not buy in

That is something that has always been the Flyers' worst instinct: As soon as it gets sour, dump the coach

If that happens again, it's well past time to start looking at players -- because we're not exactly talking about the 70s Montreal Canadiens, here
- AllInForFlyers

Agreed on all counts.

I think that MDZ could end up with a huge year, the guy had double digit goals last year without playing 82 games or much PP1 time. I liked his compete level in the D-zone as well, I realize he is not a shutdown defender but I didn't think he was a liability in our end. If he can pick his spots on when to join the rush I could see him cracking 50 points and really contributing to this team, maybe even dethroing Streit from PP1 at some point.
- ClaudeFather

I see big years for MDZ and Streit. If we're out of it at the deadline look for Hextall to cash in big on these guys.

Here's the thing about that: If players don't buy in, then that's when the GM has to act and move guys along

This team has some players I truly enjoy watching. But, and this is a huge but, there are only two -- Giroux and Voracek -- who have any business even thinking about having an opinion about anything other than minding their own business, getting better and getting this franchise back into the playoffs

Every other player on this team, in varying degrees of value, is a complementary piece with flaws. That doesn't mean they don't have value. But none of them have won enough of ANYTHING, ANYTHING at all, to not buy in

That is something that has always been the Flyers' worst instinct: As soon as it gets sour, dump the coach

If that happens again, it's well past time to start looking at players -- because we're not exactly talking about the 70s Montreal Canadiens, here
- AllInForFlyers

Agreed. For a lot of these guys, they're now on their third Flyers coach. Without questioning the coaching decisions or dumping blame on any players in particular, the buck has to stop here.

As team leaders, Giroux and Voracek will have to be the glue between the team and the coach, should they become out of sync.

Here's the thing about that: If players don't buy in, then that's when the GM has to act and move guys along

This team has some players I truly enjoy watching. But, and this is a huge but, there are only two -- Giroux and Voracek -- who have any business even thinking about having an opinion about anything other than minding their own business, getting better and getting this franchise back into the playoffs

Every other player on this team, in varying degrees of value, is a complementary piece with flaws. That doesn't mean they don't have value. But none of them have won enough of ANYTHING, ANYTHING at all, to not buy in

That is something that has always been the Flyers' worst instinct: As soon as it gets sour, dump the coach

If that happens again, it's well past time to start looking at players -- because we're not exactly talking about the 70s Montreal Canadiens, here
- AllInForFlyers

I agree. I think this year will be entirely on the players and those that don't perform, play hard, or except the new coach's authority and philosophies will be out the door.