The Flyers really don't have a true top pairing all situation defenseman right now. Players are going to be slotted into roles, and used is certain matchups and situations. It is a clear mixed bag.
- MJL

Yep. No question.

Agreed. That little back and forth one timer from the slot he does with Giroux is probably the first video in 29 other teams' "Flyers" folder (DONTALLOWTHIS.mpg).

He'll probably learn to evade pressure better, as he deals with more of it.
- BulliesPhan87

And people have a book on Ovi's power play and he still gets it done. You can have the book. Doesn't mean it works all the time.

I won't be surprised if he struggles with this, but I'm not worried about it. It's all part of the game, he seems to have the brain and the fire needed to get past it.
- BulliesPhan87

We saw Gostisbehere struggled down the stretch and in the playoffs. He's a young defenseman, so just like any other young defenseman, there is going to be struggles. He's a real good player now, who is going to get better. I think we all would agree on that.

Does anyone remember the game where Simmonds was in the other team's crease, after the whisle, after a scoring scoring chance. A player grabbed Simmonds from behind and Simmonds just started throwing bombs.

Anyone remember what game this was?
- roenick97

http://www.nbc.com/saturd...ey-show-mccartney/2868143

There's a whole heck of a lot of room between Generational Defenseman and Third Pairing Defenseman. Nothing Ghost did last year -- and well beyond point totals -- indicated to me he didn't have, at least, top pairing ability and potential in the years to come.
- Mononoke

In years to come? Sure. This coming season? I expect he'll move up and down.

And people have a book on Ovi's power play and he still gets it done. You can have the book. Doesn't mean it works all the time.
- dragonoffrost

I'm pretty sure Ov might turnout to be one of the greatest goal scorers of all time. Is this a safe bet?

If Ghost is a third pairing d man then we will have the greatest defense in NHL history and the team will be the next 70s Canadiens.

Personally, I think a Provy-Ghost top pair would be amazing and they could compliment each other well with their phenomenal hockey IQs.
- Mononoke

I don't view Gostisbehere as ever becoming a true top pairing defenseman. I see him more as a 2nd pair offensive puck mover and PP QB.

And people have a book on Ovi's power play and he still gets it done. You can have the book. Doesn't mean it works all the time.
- dragonoffrost

Ovechkin, Karlsson, anybody else want to drop some generational players on Ghost while we're at it?

I'm pretty sure Ov might turnout to be one of the greatest goal scorers of all time. Is this a safe bet?
- roenick97

Wit aside, I get where he's coming from, and long term I agree. In the short term, I think Ghost will have more acclimating to do this season. He has learned much, but he is not a Jedi yet.

If Ghost is a third pairing d man then we will have the greatest defense in NHL history and the team will be the next 70s Canadiens.

Personally, I think a Provy-Ghost top pair would be amazing and they could compliment each other well with their phenomenal hockey IQs.
- Mononoke

And people have a book on Ovi's power play and he still gets it done. You can have the book. Doesn't mean it works all the time.
- dragonoffrost

Exactly. I love it when people trot out the "uh oh, they've got "the book" on [insert player name here] now!" nonsense.

Exactly. I love it when people trot out the "uh oh, they've got "the book" on
- Scoob[insert player name here] now!" nonsense.

I think what it means is that teams learn a player tendencies, and what he likes to do in certain situations, and game plan to take that away, forcing a player to adapt and adjust his game.

Ovechkin, Karlsson, anybody else want to drop some generational players on Ghost while we're at it?
- BulliesPhan87

Maybe they'll trade him. Even Gretzky got traded, you know.

I'm pretty sure Ov might turnout to be one of the greatest goal scorers of all time. Is this a safe bet?
- roenick97

Yes I went a little overboard but you understood my point a book is only good if it actually does as planned. The Flyers can also make an adjustment to free Ghost up. It's not all about Ovi's shot that gets it as open as he is. Heck I think Schultz blocked 6 or so Ovi one-timers during a playoff game.

Tough Guy Vote:
Cochrane
Brown
Wilson

Yes I went a little overboard but you understood my point a book is only good if it actually does as planned. The Flyers can also make an adjustment to free Ghost up. It's not all about Ovi's shot that gets it as open as he is. Heck I think Schultz blocked 6 or so Ovi one-timers during a playoff game.
- dragonoffrost

The Flyers can make adjustments to free up the entire team but teams aren't gonna exactly stand still for Giroux, Voracek and Ghost. These guys are gonna have to get by on their own.

#vote4berube
- YuenglingJagr

Meh

I think what it means is that teams learn a player tendencies, and what he likes to do in certain situations, and game plan to take that away, forcing a player to adapt and adjust his game.
- MJL

Oh wow, and people say you don't get it.....

I don't view Gostisbehere as ever becoming a true top pairing defenseman. I see him more as a 2nd pair offensive puck mover and PP QB.
- MJL

Like AMac

I don't view Gostisbehere as ever becoming a true top pairing defenseman. I see him more as a 2nd pair offensive puck mover and PP QB.
- MJL

I think what some people classify as a top pairing number 1 or number 2 defenseman is the guy on the back end who collects a lot of points. I don't think Mark Streit for example was a true top pair defenseman. At least not from a top package, balanced game standard.

It's the same misconception that G is this fantastic 2 way player. He's not lost in the defensive zone like Danny Briere and used purely for offense but Giroux is nowhere close to Sean Couturier or Mike Richards. G isn't even close to Jeremy Roenick who was a legit top line center but could be used everywhere. G's bread and Butter is offense and faceoffs and can fill in on defensive situations. He's OK but not ideal.

Tough Guy Vote:
Cochrane
Brown
Wilson
- Jsaquella

Has anyone voted for Brasheer yet? Gotta have Lappy. Not sure who else to vote for. Pronger? Maybe Tocchet (sp?)? Jason Smith? Is a tough guy different from guys who were tough?

I think what some people classify as a top pairing number 1 or number 2 defenseman is the guy on the back end who collects a lot of points. I don't think Mark Streit for example was a true top pair defenseman. At least not from a top package, balanced game standard.

It's the same misconception that G is this fantastic 2 way player. He's not lost in the defensive zone like Danny Briere and used purely for offense but Giroux is nowhere close to Sean Couturier or Mike Richards. G isn't even close to Jeremy Roenick who was a legit top line center but could be used everywhere. G's bread and Butter is offense and faceoffs and can fill in on defensive situations. He's OK but not ideal.
- roenick97

I know it's just your opinion and how you feel. You aren't saying you are right or wrong but my goodness

Has anyone voted for Brasheer yet? Gotta have Lappy. Not sure who else to vote for. Pronger? Maybe Tocchet (sp?)? Jason Smith? Is a tough guy different from guys who were tough?
- Dkos

Didn't Smith turn out to be a wife beater?

Streit was a damned good d man. He was more the definition of second pair ES, top PP, sheltered point scorer. It's a valuable role and he was valuable in it. I just don't see Streit as ever having the skating or instinctual brilliance of Ghost. By no means was Streit not an intelligent player, but Ghost does 10 moves ahead Garry Kasparov like poop that just amazes. He is dynamic in all zones. And this was his first year of pro hockey coming off a major knee injury. That he is getting slighted and shortchanged -- by Flyers fans no less -- is

Like AMac
- Mononoke

No, I think he's already a player that makes more of an impact on the game than MacDonald does. Nice rhetoric though.