Filppula was an important pickup in that he took tough minutes off other players and he had a combined 41 points in 101 games as a Flyer plus he stepped up big in Game 5 against Pittsburgh. He was no star and clearly on the downside but he served his purpose here.
- bmeltzer

At the same time, no one else was realistically given a chance to succeed in that role (other than a limited Patrick early in the season). His point totals, and more specifically his point totals last year, were a product of being given the best linemates and ample ice time. He wasn't incapable of making good plays or scoring a big goal, but the negative outweighed the positive in my eyes. It is also disregarding what might've happened if someone else was tried there. A guy given his ice time quite simply needs to produce more on the ice.

At the same time, no one else was realistically given a chance to succeed in that role (other than a limited Patrick early in the season). His point totals, and more specifically his point totals last year, were a product of being given the best linemates and ample ice time. He wasn't incapable of making good plays or scoring a big goal, but the negative outweighed the positive in my eyes. It is also disregarding what might've happened if someone else was tried there. A guy given his ice time quite simply needs to produce more on the ice.
- YuenglingJagr

I’m not putting Filppula on the Kyle Calder, Chris Vandevalde, Brandon Manning, Andreas Nodl, Oskar Bartulis, Randy Jones, Freddy Myer list of most useless players but I’m happy we can move on.

Stop the presses!!!!

The Wednesday Night Rivalry format will be replaced by Wednesday Night Hockey

woop!!!!!

https://nhl.nbcsports.com...9-nhl-on-nbc-tv-schedule/
- Scoob

Wait???? Giroux is a star????

I’m not putting Filppula on the Kyle Calder, Chris Vandevalde, Brandon Manning, Andreas Nodl, Oskar Bartulis, Randy Jones, Freddy Myer list of most useless players but I’m happy we can move on.
- SuperSchennBros

The Hakstol dream lineup.

True, and the word "sucked" that I used was probably a bit harsh, but to me it's clear he is not a 3C, and wasn't last year, either. I think he would have looked better on the wing, and still feel he can play 4LW now.

To me, there was no clear in house option to play 3C over him, but I do think that Laughton should have been given a chance to play there for more of an extended period of time. He proved that he was deserving of a chance to play. Both the eye test, as well as certain fancies proved that imo.
- VladDrag

What I think was clear by the end is that the Flyers need to upgrade the position and move on but Filppula did what he was brought here to do. Same as previous veteran stop gaps such as Schultz and Vandevelde.

Wait???? Giroux is a star????
- dragonoffrost

On a league-wide basis, I'm convinced that Giroux will never get his due until he retires or the Flyers win a Cup.

Fun Fact: Claude Giroux is currently the longest tenured professional athlete in Philadelphia right now .

At the same time, no one else was realistically given a chance to succeed in that role (other than a limited Patrick early in the season). His point totals, and more specifically his point totals last year, were a product of being given the best linemates and ample ice time. He wasn't incapable of making good plays or scoring a big goal, but the negative outweighed the positive in my eyes. It is also disregarding what might've happened if someone else was tried there. A guy given his ice time quite simply needs to produce more on the ice.
- YuenglingJagr

When looking at the importance of an acquisition we should look at what did actually happen and it's impact on other teammates and how it allowed them to be used differently rather than some mythical might have been. That not being disregarded, it's just completely unknown.

On a league-wide basis, I'm convinced that Giroux will never get his due until he retires or the Flyers win a Cup.

Fun Fact: Claude Giroux is currently the longest tenured professional athlete in Philadelphia right now .
- johndewar

Wow did not know. I thought it was Frank Gore

When looking at the importance of an acquisition we should look at what did actually happen and it's impact on other teammates and how it allowed them to be used differently rather than some mythical might have been. That not being disregarded, it's just completely unknown.
- MJL

The getting the number 2 pick changed a lot of things. The Flyers couldn't prepare that they would get a possible franchise center in that draft. The Flyers were going into that season with Giroux, Couturier and Filppula down the middle. getting Patrick allowed Couturier to slide up and Giroux to wing. Filppula was serviceable until Patrick got back on track and you see he is gone now because they are moving forward.

The getting the number 2 pick changed a lot of things. The Flyers couldn't prepare that they would get a possible franchise center in that draft. The Flyers were going into that season with Giroux, Couturier and Filppula down the middle. getting Patrick allowed Couturier to slide up and Giroux to wing. Filppula was serviceable until Patrick got back on track and you see he is gone now because they are moving forward.
- J35Bacher

yep, lucking in to Patrick cant be understated when it comes to the direction of the franchise and Hexy's vision/timeline.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...c-299726154?tid=290583266

you guys see this? Ghost at 17.

Wow did not know. I thought it was Frank Gore
- YuenglingJagr

It was either him or Dan Hamhuis.

yep, lucking in to Patrick cant be understated when it comes to the direction of the franchise and Hexy's vision/timeline.
- MBFlyerfan

There was no luck. The Flyers knew they were getting him back when they traded for Filppula.

https://www.nhl.com/news/top-20-defensemen-nhl-top-players-2018-19/c-299726154?tid=290583266

you guys see this? Ghost at 17.
- Ftown19125

Those guys are goofs... Their rankings are just filler.

Those guys are goofs... Their rankings are just filler.
- mayorofangrytown

Both of them had Ghost ranked. Daneyko had Ghost at #18, and Provorov in his top 25. To be honest I really couldn't disagree with any of who were included.

Both of them had Ghost ranked. Daneyko had Ghost at #18, and Provorov in his top 25. To be honest I really couldn't disagree with any of who were included.
- MBFlyerfan

A lo of those players in the bottom 10 are really interchangeable with each other.

I feel we haven’t found our scapegoats for next season.

Will it be the often favoured Andrew Macdonald? A possible new candidate in Robert Hagg? Gudas? Laughton if he struggles at 3C?

I feel we haven’t found our scapegoats for next season.

Will it be the often favoured Andrew Macdonald? A possible new candidate in Robert Hagg? Gudas? Laughton if he struggles at 3C?
- flyer_nutter

we have the goalies, the gift that keeps on giving

we have the goalies, the gift that keeps on giving
- wcorvette

I have full confidence in Elliott to be the goalie he was brought here to be.

we have the goalies, the gift that keeps on giving
- wcorvette

It was kind of weird to see stories about how Neuvirth was planning some sort of alternate summe regime to train, to try and basically get and stay healthy. Think in Alberta somewhere?

Then we hear he never followed through.

It was kind of weird to see stories about how Neuvirth was planning some sort of alternate summe regime to train, to try and basically get and stay healthy. Think I’m Alberta somewhere?

Then we hear he never followed through.
- flyer_nutter

Nuevy is going to surprise this season...

I feel we haven’t found our scapegoats for next season.

Will it be the often favoured Andrew Macdonald? A possible new candidate in Robert Hagg? Gudas? Laughton if he struggles at 3C?
- flyer_nutter

I think MacDaddys time as scapegoat is over. I'm a firm believer in Hagg as the next #goat

Nuevy is going to surprise this season...
- wcorvette

By surprise, I’m assuming you mean he’ll stay off IR until Halloween?

As the old gods have prophesied.
- johndewar

As R'Hollor has decreed, he is Azor Ahai reborn

I think MacDaddys time as scapegoat is over. I'm a firm believer in Hagg as the next #goat
- bulet13

Meh he is just the poster boy for Vanilla. Team plays with way too much of it.