Tallon definitely did a hell of a job of constructing that team. Bowman has done a hell of a job of managing to keep those core players in tact. Their scouting department deserves a lot of props as well, as they've drafted very well over that same period of time, which has allowed them to plug the holes created when the role players get too expensive.
- HonkFortheGoose

remember how bad they were for a long, long, time?

...

We all know Edmonton is going to be good, but to lose their last two games by a combined score of 13-2 is embarrassing, especially with the messiah on skates back in the lineup.

The 8-1 Islanders blowout was pathetic.

I'd be just as upset as an Oilers fan only scoring two goals in two games with that lineup.
- kingcong39

that lineup still has a weak defense and questionable goaltending

quote=Der Kaiser]Stash dug this up earlier in this very thread. They're playing on par with a team that missed the playoffs by 3 points.

They're on par with the 11/12 Sabres right now (who had 126 goals after 52 games - a whole 5 more than the current Sabres). Not saying that was a powerhouse Sabres team, but that team missed the playoffs by 3 points.

Plus scoring has been going down in recent years in the league (so I've heard as complaints about the NHL product as a whole)

So if we don't want to compare this team to the crap the last 2 seasons, there's some data from the last full season prior to the tank

I'm not saying they're excellent, but if they're close to the production of a near-miss playoff team, who is skewed?

And new blog, btw.
We rank 28th out of 30 teams in scoring. I'm not sure what 2011-12 has to do with that.

Yes, scoring is down, as it is for everyone. We still are really bad at it relative to the other teams.....this season

Michael Pachla: Rookie scoring race recap--Panarin still tops, Gostisbehere cracks top-5
- Michael Pachla

CAM NEWTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


oh wait

OMAHA
OMAHA

Ghost, Eichel and Larkin all are on teams in the bottom 10 for GF.
Says a lot to show they're producing the offense more than just contributing to it.

remember how bad they were for a long, long, time?
- Michael Pachla

I do. Good for them for digging their way out and being what will probably be the closest thing we see to a dynasty in the Cap era.

We all know Edmonton is going to be good, but to lose their last two games by a combined score of 13-2 is embarrassing, especially with the messiah on skates back in the lineup.

The 8-1 Islanders blowout was pathetic.

I'd be just as upset as an Oilers fan only scoring two goals in two games with that lineup.
- kingcong39

They also just beat two teams 5-1 and 7-2 right before those games. What's the difference between that, and continuously losing 1 and 2 goal games all year?

that lineup still has a weak defense and questionable goaltending
- Michael Pachla

Bottom 6 depth is also an issue. It's a shame bc Taylor Hall is a superstar imo and plays a lot of time in his own end

I appreciate the write up on Ghost, but I think you need to make a bigger deal about the fact that he's played in almost 20 games less than any other rookie in the race. Other than McDavid with his injury. Not only that, Ghost has solely lifted the Flyers play/team/transition game/power play and has even brought us into playoff possibilities with a wild card spot.

Ghost, Eichel and Larkin all are on teams in the bottom 10 for GF.
Says a lot to show they're producing the offense more than just contributing to it.
- yen6d1

Exactly. I wonder how well Eichel and Larkin would be doing if they had Patty Kane having a career year next to them

I appreciate the write up on Ghost, but I think you need to make a bigger deal about the fact that he's played in almost 20 games less than any other rookie in the race. Other than McDavid with his injury. Not only that, Ghost has solely lifted the Flyers play/team/transition game/power play and has even brought us into playoff possibilities with a wild card spot.
- arichardson22

that would be something for Meltzer to take on...which i'm sure he has on numerous occasions...

this was more of a general overview which invites other fans to join in the conversation...that said, your post adds to the conversation...and it's appreciated

I like Ghost a lot but Panera Bread should get the Calder. Ghost has put up a good # of points for a Dman but he is a 3rd pair Dman on top PP unit. He hasn't been exceptional. He has great offensive skill but he isn't doing anything exceptional outside of the PP.

I like Ghost a lot but Panera Bread should get the Calder. Ghost has put up a good # of points for a Dman but he is a 3rd pair Dman on top PP unit. He hasn't been exceptional. He has great offensive skill but he isn't doing anything exceptional outside of the PP.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Panera is a shoe-in with the year Chipotle is having.

We rank 28th out of 30 teams in scoring. I'm not sure what 2011-12 has to do with that.

Yes, scoring is down, as it is for everyone. We still are really bad at it relative to the other teams.....this season
- sbroads24

I guess its just a question of whether a person prefers to look at the glass as half full, or half empty.

McCoy


*facepalm

that lineup still has a weak defense and questionable goaltending
- Michael Pachla

Talbot plays pretty well considering how horrible the blueline is most games. Pretty bad when a couple of sophomores like Davidson and the injured Klefbom are our best dmen. You cant imagine the pain of watching Schultz and Fayne essentially gift wrap prime chances nightly.

Bottom 6 depth is also an issue. It's a shame bc Taylor Hall is a superstar imo and plays a lot of time in his own end
- yen6d1

Bottom 6 has been fine. More consistent than the top 6 for what they do.

Talbot plays pretty well considering how horrible the blueline is most games. Pretty bad when a couple of sophomores like Davidson and the injured Klefbom are our best dmen. You cant imagine the pain of watching Schultz and Fayne essentially gift wrap prime chances nightly.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

klefbom is a good one...methinks Chiarelli will add to the defense again this off season as well...nuge or eberle might be on the move in that case

I was at the game saturday in boston, after the game a fan came up to us and said, " imagine if Lindy was the coach for that call in OT, he would've been screaming from the rafters ".

I like Ghost a lot but Panera Bread should get the Calder. Ghost has put up a good # of points for a Dman but he is a 3rd pair Dman on top PP unit. He hasn't been exceptional. He has great offensive skill but he isn't doing anything exceptional outside of the PP.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I didn't mean my comment to say Ghost should def get it but a lot can depend on his play moving forward in regard to winning the Calder. As Milbury noted yesterday (can't believe I'm agreein on something he said) if Ghost can get to that ppg pace, which he is pretty damn close to, and if the flyers do make playoffs (a very big If) he should get very serious consideration. Regardless if he loses, I won't be upset. This rookie class has been truly stellar. And who can be unhappy when you have a young player such as Ghost on your team for many seasons to come (hopefully)

klefbom is a good one...methinks Chiarelli will add to the defense again this off season as well...nuge or eberle might be on the move in that case
- Michael Pachla

He has to. Even before the last couple of blowout losses it was pretty clear that their roster isnt going to cut it. Anybody not named Hall or Mcdavid and a couple others is fair game.

I didn't mean my comment to say Ghost should def get it but a lot can depend on his play moving forward in regard to winning the Calder. As Milbury noted yesterday (can't believe I'm agreein on something he said) if Ghost can get to that ppg pace, which he is pretty damn close to, and if the flyers do make playoffs (a very big If) he should get very serious consideration. Regardless if he loses, I won't be upset. This rookie class has been truly stellar. And who can be unhappy when you have a young player such as Ghost on your team for many seasons to come (hopefully)
- arichardson22

My comment was not directed at your comment. It was just my opinion about Ghost and the Calder because I have heard his name a lot in conversations.

He has to. Even before the last couple of blowout losses it was pretty clear that their roster isnt going to cut it. Anybody not named Hall or Mcdavid and a couple others is fair game.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

ain't gonna be easy to lure a free agent and although the group is good, it isn't super strong

I got to watch Ghost play in person in college and the kid is fire. I was hoping he would sign somewhere else after college, like Buffalo