- PhillySportsGuy

I'll never forget waking of that Sunday morning and hearing the news of Pelle. It was heartbreaking. I met him on several occasions and he was always so nice. always took the time to chat with the fans, as did most of the guys from those 80's teams. its crazy to think how long of a drought its been developing top goalies and thinking back how they had Pelle and Hexy drafted and developed within a few years of each other.

Hopefully the current crew ends up with a few diamonds

Bill, speaking of, what do you think Tomek should do at this point? his development is hitting a wall because the kid can't get on the ice. Hate to see a 3rd round pick become a waste of a pick for that reason

- YuenglingJagr

Lol. I love how the Cavs find any excuse to dress up.

Todd Cordell ‏@ToddCordell 13m13 minutes ago
Not writing Zacha off or anything, but imagine how much better NJ would be right now if they drafted Werenski instead.

Todd Cordell ‏@ToddCordell 8m8 minutes ago
Provorov has been fantastic for Philadelphia as well. Probably tough for NJ to watch given how their defense is playing.





Edit: I still think the funniest part is that this was so predictable. It's why you should almost always go BPA.

Laine is a pure goal scorer...he simply does not care which goal it is
- YuenglingJagr

I swear he shot that in the net on purpose....as in he lost where he was on the ice. I don't believe for a second he meant to put that in the corner. gotta feel for the kid

Todd Cordell ‏@ToddCordell 13m13 minutes ago
Not writing Zacha off or anything, but imagine how much better NJ would be right now if they drafted Werenski instead.

Todd Cordell ‏@ToddCordell 8m8 minutes ago
Provorov has been fantastic for Philadelphia as well. Probably tough for NJ to watch given how their defense is playing.





Edit: I still think the funniest part is that this was so predictable. It's why you should almost always go BPA.
- PhillySportsGuy

Can't thank them enough. I held onto my butt waiting to see if they would grab provy. I kind of think we would've taken Zacha too if the Devils didn't.

lol at the bias of werenski over provorov too...because OMG POINTS. I have watched several of their games and although he is a special player, I wouldn't take him over Provorov ever

Provorov and konecny have been a treat this year!! I'' glad hextall wasn't too hell bent on sticking them in the minors. It appears i was wrong about him being too pig headed to let the younger players play. I also feel that in another year this team might become a real contender. They seem to be a more rounded team this year. Having a 19 year old come in and be for intents and purposes your number one defenseman and do it well says a lot. And how bout that Stolarz! What a kick in the nuts it will be if a devil's fan grows up to be our franchise goalie! Granted it's a big if but i feel a lot better boyt this clubs future now than i did a year or 6 months ago that's for sure.
- JoeRussomanno

I don't think he is pig headed about that at all. I just think he wants to be sure players are ready to contribute. I seriously rather see them be conservative more than not. I always felt that kids like Sbisa and even Zubrus were not ready. I wonder if Coots would have been better off going back to juniors. either way I am enjoying seeing you home grown players like Provorov and Konecny and even Cousins, Manning and Leier on a lesser level of course. Thrilled to see Stolarz get games in. I hope he is ready to be the backup next year. Really hoping Morin gets time in and starts with the Flyers next year. Getting Lindblom signed and here next season needs to get done too.

Obviously winning makes them fun to watch but seeing kids injected into the lineup makes them even more fun.

Todd Cordell ‏@ToddCordell 13m13 minutes ago
Not writing Zacha off or anything, but imagine how much better NJ would be right now if they drafted Werenski instead.

Todd Cordell ‏@ToddCordell 8m8 minutes ago
Provorov has been fantastic for Philadelphia as well. Probably tough for NJ to watch given how their defense is playing.





Edit: I still think the funniest part is that this was so predictable. It's why you should almost always go BPA.
- PhillySportsGuy

I wanted the Flyers to go forward unless Provorov was on the board. I was so sure the devils were taking Provorov.

And how bout that Stolarz! What a kick in the nuts it will be if a devil's fan grows up to be our franchise goalie!

I hear what you're saying, but I doubt Rangers fans minded too much that their last Cup-winning goalie was a Flyers fan growing up!

Todd Cordell ‏@ToddCordell 13m13 minutes ago
Not writing Zacha off or anything, but imagine how much better NJ would be right now if they drafted Werenski instead.

Todd Cordell ‏@ToddCordell 8m8 minutes ago
Provorov has been fantastic for Philadelphia as well. Probably tough for NJ to watch given how their defense is playing.





Edit: I still think the funniest part is that this was so predictable. It's why you should almost always go BPA.
- PhillySportsGuy

I won't ever forget holding my breath when Shero went up to announce their pick, then celebrating it was Zacha, and then yelling at my TV for Hextall to do the right thing.

https://www.youtube.com/w...tch?v=H9UUPBjeT8Y&t=1h05m

I swear he shot that in the net on purpose....as in he lost where he was on the ice. I don't believe for a second he meant to put that in the corner. gotta feel for the kid
- nastyflyergirl

I agree. The celebratory stick in the air is a good clue that he (unfortunately) meant to do it.

I wanted the Flyers to go forward unless Provorov was on the board. I was so sure the devils were taking Provorov.
- nastyflyergirl

Pretty much exactly how I was on that draft day.
I almost couldnt believe it when Hexy was announcing Provorov.

I won't ever forget holding my breath when Shero went up to announce their pick, then celebrating it was Zacha, and then yelling at my TV for Hextall to do the right thing.

https://www.youtube.com/w...tch?v=H9UUPBjeT8Y&t=1h05m
- Feanor

I liked Zacha a lot, but I think NJ made a big mistake in keeping him in the NHL right now. The kid was pretty raw even in the OHL, at times letting his temper get the best of him or making a poor read. He didn't produce as consistently, either. I figured he was a 2-3 year project.

Pretty much exactly how I was on that draft day.
I almost couldnt believe it when Hexy was announcing Provorov.
- opeth_pa

I hardly had enough juice left for when Konecny got announced

Damn Bill, I just got choked up.

Awesome column Bill. Thanks for the wonderful walk down memory lane.

I don't think he is pig headed about that at all. I just think he wants to be sure players are ready to contribute. I seriously rather see them be conservative more than not. I always felt that kids like Sbisa and even Zubrus were not ready. I wonder if Coots would have been better off going back to juniors. either way I am enjoying seeing the home grown players like Provorov and Konecny and even Cousins, Manning and Leier on a lesser level of course. Thrilled to see Stolarz get games in. I hope he is ready to be the backup next year. Really hoping Morin gets time in and starts with the Flyers next year. Getting Lindblom signed and here next season needs to get done too.

Obviously winning makes them fun to watch but seeing kids injected into the lineup makes them even more fun.
- nastyflyergirl

This! All of this!!! Every single word of this!!!

I liked Zacha a lot, but I think NJ made a big mistake in keeping him in the NHL right now. The kid was pretty raw even in the OHL, at times letting his temper get the best of him or making a poor read. He didn't produce as consistently, either. I figured he was a 2-3 year project.
- Jsaquella

I wanted Timo Meier if Provorov or Werenski weren't there.

Can't thank them enough. I held onto my butt waiting to see if they would grab provy. I kind of think we would've taken Zacha too if the Devils didn't.

lol at the bias of werenski over provorov too...because OMG POINTS. I have watched several of their games and although he is a special player, I wouldn't take him over Provorov ever
- YuenglingJagr

I too was clenching the ol' dirt star pretty tightly during the Devils' pick

I liked Zacha a lot, but I think NJ made a big mistake in keeping him in the NHL right now. The kid was pretty raw even in the OHL, at times letting his temper get the best of him or making a poor read. He didn't produce as consistently, either. I figured he was a 2-3 year project.
- Jsaquella

Notice how Hextall didnt do the obligatory "Thanks South Fla. for being a great host."
He was so excited Provorov was still there, he couldn't say his name quick enough

I won't ever forget holding my breath when Shero went up to announce their pick, then celebrating it was Zacha, and then yelling at my TV for Hextall to do the right thing.

https://www.youtube.com/w...tch?v=H9UUPBjeT8Y&t=1h05m
- Feanor

Exactly what I did

Then Hexy ran out there and just word vomited the name out. Classic. Didn't even thank the panthers or anything.

"TheFlyersAreProudToSelectIvanProvorov"

Can't thank them enough. I held onto my butt waiting to see if they would grab provy. I kind of think we would've taken Zacha too if the Devils didn't.

lol at the bias of werenski over provorov too...because OMG POINTS. I have watched several of their games and although he is a special player, I wouldn't take him over Provorov ever
- YuenglingJagr

They've both been great. I think I'd still take Provorov because of his defensive upside.

I wanted the Flyers to go forward unless Provorov was on the board. I was so sure the devils were taking Provorov.
- nastyflyergirl

The roooooooomers were that the Devils were never going to take a Dman because they needed scoring up front and they felt good about their young defense.



Even if the Flyers are stacked on defense prospects, I still have no problem taking them in the draft. Every team is looking for young, top 4 defensemen. You just can't be afraid to move one later.

I won't ever forget holding my breath when Shero went up to announce their pick, then celebrating it was Zacha, and then yelling at my TV for Hextall to do the right thing.

https://www.youtube.com/w...tch?v=H9UUPBjeT8Y&t=1h05m
- Feanor

Pierre just jumping on the Tampa hype train at the time. "He's a mini Victor Hedman." He's is much more like Doughty stylistically.

I swear he shot that in the net on purpose....as in he lost where he was on the ice. I don't believe for a second he meant to put that in the corner. gotta feel for the kid
- nastyflyergirl

That's what it looked like to me too.

Hate that we have to wait until Wednesday for the next game. This streak and recent string of games have been an absolute blast to watch. We also get a favorable match up against a struggling Avalanche team; not that they should be overlooked regardless. It really makes me wonder how the lines are going to look once Couts and Read are back, as well as how much more can we improve with their insertions. I really thought our team was doomed when Couts went down with how bad we played last season without him, but total opposite. Everyone seems to be contributing and theres a different hero each game. Between the 19 year olds, the streak, Mason and Stolie both playing great, I still think my favorite part of this season is Jake bouncing back. My biggest pet peeve last season were the fans demanding his head after signing is contract and labeling him as a bust. Boy have they crawled back under their rocks.