Can't wait! No matter what your prospective is, the Great One, MJL will surely have a rebuttal! God forbid someone on a message board expresses his/her opinion other than that of the Great One. You will be labeled as a fool, idiot, petulant child, or embarrassing yourself. Hexy rules, Frosty is king, Torts is archaic, ND is a neanderthal....did I miss anything?
- Don Nachbaur

Somehow you believe that I have the power to stop someone from expressing his/her opinion. Somehow you lack understanding that rebutting an opinion, is having an opinion.

Yes, every rebuttal is never well thought out, and he can't make it. For a guy who is have never got past street hockey, its comical.
- jd250

You have the opportunity every day to show how I don't know what I'm talking about. You keep talking about people as if you know them and know what their experience base is. You say it's comical yet in the recent Buffalo game. You couldn't even accurately tell who Frost's linemates were!

Why does that matter? I have played, coached and officiated hockey over the last 30 years. Does that make my opinion more valid?
- mickel25

When you are talking about sytems, structure and positioning, it absolutely does. To me no opinion is absurd or invalid, like I said the more absurd a sports take is, the better it is because it generates conversation, which is the fun part of it all.

You have the opportunity every day to show how I don't know what I'm talking about. You keep talking about people as if you know them and know what their experience base is. You say it's comical yet in the recent Buffalo game. You couldn't even accurately tell who Frost's linemates were!
- MJL

Its irrelavent. My point is not who Frost played with the most in that game, it was the fact that lately no matter who Frost has been playing with, he has consistently been a threat to score because he is driving the net assertively and shooting more. My point was to aknowledge the improvements in Frost's game and highlight that he was doing what I and many other people were saying he needed to do more consistently. It was never about who Frost was playing with, it was about the player himself. Bill and others for example have lamented that if Tippet could just hit the net more Frost might have 10 more assists this year. Ok, so again its not about Tippet, its about Frost driving offense. Again it does not matter who his linemates are, it only matters how he is playing the game.

This example is exactly why you seem to be in arguments with many different people every single day. Like you say, my "absurd" takes are as consistent as the rising sun and maybe you are right. But you know what else is that consistent? MJL having a long winded argument with someone on this forum, every single day, and sometimes multiple arguments with different posters simultaneously. And the reason is all the same. You get so caught up in the minutia of what someone posts because in your small mind highlighting any little imperfection in someone else makes you feel superior to them and feeds your ego!

The bottom line, you need to lighten up and stop with the superiority complex. Frost is playing better regardless of how many minutes he is playing with this guy or that guy. Michkov might drop in the draft because of what is going on with Russia, it might be 1 spot, and might be the entire round. That is my opinion, take it for what its worth.

Somehow you believe that I have the power to stop someone from expressing his/her opinion. Somehow you lack understanding that rebutting an opinion, is having an opinion.
- MJL

Opps .. there it is .... Opps .. there it is ... the dreaded superiority complex.

When you are talking about sytems, structure and positioning, it absolutely does. To me no opinion is absurd or invalid, like I said the more absurd a sports take is, the better it is because it generates conversation, which is the fun part of it all.
- jd250

You've proven that you have absolutely zero understanding or knowledge of any of those areas of the game.

When you say that Ristolainen is the best defenseman in the league. That is absurd
When you say that Tortorella is the Jack Adams award winner hands down. That is absurd.
When you say that McAvoy is not one of the best defenseman in the league. That is absurd.
When you say that Michkov will fall out of the first round of the draft. That is absurd.

Its irrelavent. My point is not who Frost played with the most in that game, it was the fact that lately no matter who Frost has been playing with, he has consistently been a threat to score because he is driving the net assertively and shooting more. My point was to aknowledge the improvements in Frost's game and highlight that he was doing what I and many other people were saying he needed to do more consistently. It was never about who Frost was playing with, it was about the player himself. Bill and others for example have lamented that if Tippet could just hit the net more Frost might have 10 more assists this year. Ok, so again its not about Tippet, its about Frost driving offense. Again it does not matter who his linemates are, it only matters how he is playing the game.


- jd250

It's not irrelevant at all. It's indicative of one's ability to watch and perceive what is happening on the ice. It goes to the credibility of an opinion offered on a player when the person making the opinion, can't even accurately observe who a players linemates are.
Here is the reality. You didn't actually observe anything about Frost. You're just following the pattern of how your opinions change when faced with the overwhelming evidence that you were wrong. You labeled Frost an AHL player earlier in the year. Yet you have the audacity to make comments about others and their experience in the game. Soon you will enter the next phase where you will be championing Frost as a player and will chastise anyone who says anything negative about the player.

It absolutely does matter who Frost plays with. When he played with low skilled players and 4th line grinders, he didn't produce. When he got an improved opportunity to play in better situations with better players. He has produced. That's a very easy observation that escaped you. Others and I told you this was the case. You argued vociferously against that. You've been proven wrong again. Just a daily occurrence

Am I mistaken or did I see that fantilli was also on the 4th line of the WJC at one point?
I thought that with all of his hype that he had coming that it had to be a mistake for him to be on the 4th line.
Is that concerning to anyone? On the 4th line and still didn't put up the points that you'd expect a top 2 draft pick to do?
Am I mistaken?
- Bob Habib

Yes he was. But that needs to be put in perspective as it is a rare occurrence for an 18 year old to even be on the team that is mostly made up of 19 and 20 year olds. There are very few players that are pre draft that even play in the tourny unless you are on the level of Bedard or Fantilli, Carlsson etc.

You've proven that you have absolutely zero understanding or knowledge of any of those areas of the game.

When you say that Ristolainen is the best defenseman in the league. That is absurd
When you say that Tortorella is the Jack Adams award winner hands down. That is absurd.
When you say that McAvoy is not one of the best defenseman in the league. That is absurd.
When you say that Michkov will fall out of the first round of the draft. That is absurd.
- MJL

So what's your point?

Yes he was. But that needs to be put in perspective as it is a rare occurrence for an 18 year old to even be on the team that is mostly made up of 19 and 20 year olds. There are very few players that are pre draft that even play in the tourny unless you are on the level of Bedard or Fantilli, Carlsson etc.
- MBFlyerfan

Very true …it is a 19 years old tourney. Guys like Bedard and McDavid are outliers. You can see the skill.

It's not irrelevant at all. It's indicative of one's ability to watch and perceive what is happening on the ice. It goes to the credibility of an opinion offered on a player when the person making the opinion, can't even accurately observe who a players linemates are.
Here is the reality. You didn't actually observe anything about Frost. You're just following the pattern of how your opinions change when faced with the overwhelming evidence that you were wrong. You labeled Frost an AHL player earlier in the year. Yet you have the audacity to make comments about others and their experience in the game. Soon you will enter the next phase where you will be championing Frost as a player and will chastise anyone who says anything negative about the player.

It absolutely does matter who Frost plays with. When he played with low skilled players and 4th line grinders, he didn't produce. When he got an improved opportunity to play in better situations with better players. He has produced. That's a very easy observation that escaped you. Others and I told you this was the case. You argued vociferously against that. You've been proven wrong again. Just a daily occurrence
- MJL

When Risto came to the Flyers, I ignored the cirmunstances of how he got here and I gave him a chance. As the season wore on it was clear Risto's game had a lot of issues and I thought the Flyers should try to get back some assets for him at the deadline. When Fletcher extended him I criticized Fletcher for what I thought was a foolish move. But since Risto was now here for the long haul I hoped that Risto getting real coaching from Torts and his staff would help his game, and it has in a big way. I feel sad for you if you cannot even aknowledge this.

At the start of the season, Frost was not playing well. This is what I observed, and more importantly this is what Torts observed. I stated that if this was all Frost had to offer he would be nothing more than a top end AHL player. He was tentative and inconsistent. Currently Frost's play its night and day from the start of the season, or even compared to January of this season, and I have been happy to aknowledge this.

So I observe what is happening at the time and comment on it. If a player is playing well I compliment that player. If a player is playing poorly I likewise criticize that player. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. If a player turns it around I give them credit instead of sticking my head in cement like you do and refuse to change your mind about a player. This being said, if Frost dips again next season, assuming he is still here, I'll be the first to point that out and say he is playing like an AHL player.

So what's your point?
- jd250

I saw that someone mentioned that you could temper your hot takes a bit…for instance, Michkov may fall in the draft instead of he could fall out of the first round.

Here are my thoughts…
I agree with you that hot takes like yours generate more discussion and expanded opinion; however, if one knowingly deploys a hot take, they have to expect feedback like, “that’s absurd!” It would come with the territory. One can’t deploy an extreme hot take and gain sympathy for the type of feedback it brings.

I do appreciate your opinions and openness to discuss. I just don’t buy that the feedback is surprising to you. If you think differently, see first paragraph. If you agree, carry on.

Out of all the people who follow the draftees and create the mock drafts, who do you think is the most accurate judgement of talent?
Pronman, etc....?
- Bob Habib

Pronman is prone to some very weird takes. The one I always remember is that he preferred Grimaldi to Landeskog. So you think oh maybe he just loves small, skilled players. But then he was very negative about Ghost as a prospect, even compared to JAGs like Hagg.

https://forums.hfboards.c...l-draft-prospects.917454/

On a differnet topic, I was watching highlights for the top 10 picks of this draft and I was really impressed with Oliver Moore, he reminds me of a young Brad Marchand. I can see him builking up and really being tough to play against, hopefully without the licking.

These aren’t tough guys.
- Shrike

Who are these guys you’re talking about?

As the game has evolved, so have workout routines and human beings as a whole. The rules in the 70’s allowed you to be tough. I think an Ian Laperriere and the grinders who came behind him can still be pretty tough.

I saw that someone mentioned that you could temper your hot takes a bit…for instance, Michkov may fall in the draft instead of he could fall out of the first round.

Here are my thoughts…
I agree with you that hot takes like yours generate more discussion and expanded opinion; however, if one knowingly deploys a hot take, they have to expect feedback like, “that’s absurd!” It would come with the territory. One can’t deploy an extreme hot take and gain sympathy for the type of feedback it brings.

I do appreciate your opinions and openness to discuss. I just don’t buy that the feedback is surprising to you. If you think differently, see first paragraph. If you agree, carry on.

- NC Flyers Fan

thanks and I agree, its quite entertaining to see all the noise I cause. I like the advice Hannibal offered Clarice, people need to have more fun in life.

No, but now that you say it, I should get paid for classing this place up as much as I do. No sports take is a bad take, especially if its one that causes so much discussion. Everyone on here is so sensative to Michkov for some reason, like he's a relative or something. "NO ..NO ... HE IS AS GOOD AS BEDARD, HE WILL NOT DROP IN THE DRAFT .. YOU'RE CRAZY!!" People, get a life for yourselves! I happen to believe that the current status with Russia and the US will impact the drafting the Russian players. Some of you disagree .. FINE .. We'll see what happens at the draft.
- jd250

while I enjoy watching the back and fourth and have no issue with all or anyone's opinion, and I don't keep score, you seem to be more wrong than right, you seem to waffle more than most.

When Risto came to the Flyers, I ignored the cirmunstances of how he got here and I gave him a chance. As the season wore on it was clear Risto's game had a lot of issues and I thought the Flyers should try to get back some assets for him at the deadline. When Fletcher extended him I criticized Fletcher for what I thought was a foolish move. But since Risto was now here for the long haul I hoped that Risto getting real coaching from Torts and his staff would help his game, and it has in a big way. I feel sad for you if you cannot even aknowledge this.


- jd250

What is the evidence of this helping in a big way?

At the start of the season, Frost was not playing well. This is what I observed, and more importantly this is what Torts observed. I stated that if this was all Frost had to offer he would be nothing more than a top end AHL player. He was tentative and inconsistent. Currently Frost's play its night and day from the start of the season, or even compared to January of this season, and I have been happy to aknowledge this.


- jd250

It was a bad observation. Frost has been steadily improving since he came off of his injury. You also inaccurately state what you said. You posted that he was an AHL player period.




So I observe what is happening at the time and comment on it. If a player is playing well I compliment that player. If a player is playing poorly I likewise criticize that player. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. If a player turns it around I give them credit instead of sticking my head in cement like you do and refuse to change your mind about a player. This being said, if Frost dips again next season, assuming he is still here, I'll be the first to point that out and say he is playing like an AHL player.


Again, you didn't state that he was playing like an AHL player. You stated that he is an AHL player. It's a question of accuracy. You don't give credit. What you do is continually argue your same points again and again over a significant period of time. To the point when he circumstances no longer allow the argument to continue. Then you act like you knew it all along. An example is how you still comment about Frost needing to be more assertive and move his feet when these are issues in his game that have been corrected over a year ago. Yet you still reference it as issues in his game. All of this is evidence of not being able to accurately assess a player and instead relying on past comments from a coach or a press conference. Rather than your own observation. Yet you have the nerve to comment on other's comments as not well thought out and question the experience level of others. That is what is truly sad.

Who are these guys you’re talking about?

As the game has evolved, so have workout routines and human beings as a whole. The rules in the 70’s allowed you to be tough. I think an Ian Laperriere and the grinders who came behind him can still be pretty tough.
- SuperSchennBros

yeah a lot of context when comparing one age to another, is Connor better than Wayne, Connor is obviously a superior athlete but if Wayne had the internet and modern training would he be even better? Yes, the BEST have a certain DNA to be the best, the rest is what is available to them, to be the BEST

I saw that someone mentioned that you could temper your hot takes a bit…for instance, Michkov may fall in the draft instead of he could fall out of the first round.

Here are my thoughts…
I agree with you that hot takes like yours generate more discussion and expanded opinion; however, if one knowingly deploys a hot take, they have to expect feedback like, “that’s absurd!” It would come with the territory. One can’t deploy an extreme hot take and gain sympathy for the type of feedback it brings.

I do appreciate your opinions and openness to discuss. I just don’t buy that the feedback is surprising to you. If you think differently, see first paragraph. If you agree, carry on.

- NC Flyers Fan

I'll chime in that yes I can agree with him that Michkov may fall a few spots because of the three year wait and the uncertainty in that part of the world. But when he states that Michkov will fall out of the first round. That is where it gets preposterous. There is no way 32 teams pass on this guy.

Of course people are going to jump on that very unequivocal statement.

thanks and I agree, its quite entertaining to see all the noise I cause. I like the advice Hannibal offered Clarice, people need to have more fun in life.
- jd250

Along the lines of what NC FLyers fan posted. You can't say that people need to lighten up and have more fun in life while simultaneously posting that other posts are not well thought out and question their experience level.

Haha, it’ll come to ya
- ClaudeFather

I was thinking JR Avon but the Flyers signed him. Damn it

Yes he was. But that needs to be put in perspective as it is a rare occurrence for an 18 year old to even be on the team that is mostly made up of 19 and 20 year olds. There are very few players that are pre draft that even play in the tourny unless you are on the level of Bedard or Fantilli, Carlsson etc.
- MBFlyerfan

That is a solid point
I didn't realize how young he was. But I'd still expect better of him given all of the hype about him. If not for bedard he could be the first overall pick
Was he that overpowered by kids a year older than him?
How old was bedard at the WJCs?
It was just odd to see the projected #2 overall pick playing on the 4th line.
Even with playijg on the 4th line, his stock has held up pretty well since then

yeah a lot of context when comparing one age to another, is Connor better than Wayne, Connor is obviously a superior athlete but if Wayne had the internet and modern training would he be even better? Yes, the BEST have a certain DNA to be the best, the rest is what is available to them, to be the BEST
- wcorvette

Wayne Simmonds is as tough as any player I’ve ever seen.

Wayne Simmonds is as tough as any player I’ve ever seen.
- SuperSchennBros

pound for pound I would not argue it