Yeah the injuries to the Flyers dmen in 2004 coupled with the unbelievable youth and skill of VL wasted a legitimate shot at the cup that year. The more devastating Flyers loss has to be the 1997 Cup loss via a sweep to the Redwings, completely unprepared for how Detroit would play them speaks volumes to the lack of scouting report and coaching prowess from the Flyers.
- Pixote Andolini

They had no shot in 97. That team was on a mission and they bent the Flyers over a barrel. Raw dogged in game 3.

They had no shot in 97. That team was on a mission and they bent the Flyers over a barrel. Raw dogged in game 3.
- Pelle31Forever

The team that dictates play and controls the puck, generally wins. Really a coaching gem by the Red Wings staff.

Still the most exciting 2 minutes in my sports watching life. Jim Jackson's commentary adds so much. Go back and listen to it with the CBC announcers, it just doesn't have the same feel.

I still get chills.
- MBFlyerfan

Yeah that few minute stretch was the best hockey I have ever watched. Odd man rushes, huge saves, gigantic hits and top shelf snipes. JJ's call is one of the best ever. I also loved Dornhoeffer's response.

I hated that Leafs team. They basically played tackle football on ice.

Scouting in 97? They lost to a far better team. That was not a scouting issue. Flyers were good, Detroit was a dynasty.

The 04 is a much bigger loss as we were probably the best team if healthy. Hitch has said that was the best team he ever coached. They could have won that year.
- Joe Nardone

Scouting report - meaning looking at the redwings teams not scouting for prospects and draft picks

Scouting in 97? They lost to a far better team. That was not a scouting issue. Flyers were good, Detroit was a dynasty.

The 04 is a much bigger loss as we were probably the best team if healthy. Hitch has said that was the best team he ever coached. They could have won that year.
- Joe Nardone

We lost Coffey in 97, right?

I remember everyone not named Roenick, Primeau and Gagne being gassed by the end of that series. I’m not sure Desjardins would have made a difference. Trading away young legs such as Justin Williams for Markov doesn’t help.

The team that dictates play and controls the puck, generally wins. Really a coaching gem by the Red Wings staff.
- MJL

The Wings top 4 Dmen at the time were Lidstrom, Murphy, Konstantinov, and Fetisov. Arguably 4 HOFs on the blueline if Konstantinov's career was not cut short because of the car accident. There was a major talent and coaching gap. No shame in being out coached by Scotty Bowman. I'm not sure any game plan was going to over come that talent gap. I was in the stands at those 2 home games in the SCF, it sucked, and still does.

In hindsight the Wings were the way better team.

At the time tho... it was considered a competitive matchup but the Flyers just looked like beasts heading into that series. The way the team and the fanbase were immediately humbled... wow.
- Tomahawk

That roster and team make up was fantastic. Coaches dream.

The Wings top 4 Dmen at the time were Lidstrom, Murphy, Konstantinov, and Fetisov. Arguably 4 HOFs on the blueline if Konstantinov's career was not cut short because of the car accident. There was a major talent and coaching gap. No shame in being out coached by Scotty Bowman. I'm not sure any game plan was going to over come that talent gap. I was in the stands at those 2 home games in the SCF, it sucked, and still does.
- Trox88

Konstantinov was a monster.

And I feel you, I was in the upper ring where management and broadcasting is when I watched Kane win the Stanley cup.

The building was basically silent except for Kane’s “woooo wooo”

So bizarre

The Wings top 4 Dmen at the time were Lidstrom, Murphy, Konstantinov, and Fetisov. Arguably 4 HOFs on the blueline if Konstantinov's career was not cut short because of the car accident. There was a major talent and coaching gap. No shame in being out coached by Scotty Bowman. I'm not sure any game plan was going to over come that talent gap. I was in the stands at those 2 home games in the SCF, it sucked, and still does.
- Trox88

The Flyers had a dominant 1st line. Brind'Amour for the second line a dominant checking line. Bowman and company formed the game plan that negated the Flyers strengths and emphasize theirs. Instead of trying to get into physical battles with LOD down low, they simply schemed to keep the puck away from them. Fronted them down low instead of battling for position.

I remember everyone not named Roenick, Primeau and Gagne being gassed by the end of that series. I’m not sure Desjardins would have made a difference. Trading away young legs such as Justin Williams for Markov doesn’t help.
- SuperSchennBros

The defense was gassed for sure. Desjardins playing completely changes that series. Kapanen played defense a good amount in that series.

No way Primeau or his line were gassed. They just didn't get it done in Game 7. 1987, 2004 and 2010 were the best chances to win in my lifetime.

Konstantinov was a monster.

And I feel you, I was in the upper ring where management and broadcasting is when I watched Kane win the Stanley cup.

The building was basically silent except for Kane’s “woooo wooo”

So bizarre
- black_francis

Unfortunately, these memories do not diminish over time.

The defense was gassed for sure. Desjardins playing completely changes that series. Kapanen played defense a good amount in that series.

No way Primeau or his line were gassed. They just didn't get it done in Game 7. 1987, 2004 and 2010 were the best chances to win in my lifetime.
- mickel25

I feel like Desjardins was playing second fiddle to Kim Johnsson by this point if we had a healthy roster.

The Wings top 4 Dmen at the time were Lidstrom, Murphy, Konstantinov, and Fetisov. Arguably 4 HOFs on the blueline if Konstantinov's career was not cut short because of the car accident. There was a major talent and coaching gap. No shame in being out coached by Scotty Bowman. I'm not sure any game plan was going to over come that talent gap. I was in the stands at those 2 home games in the SCF, it sucked, and still does.
- Trox88

Not to mention their offense as well. Like the 95 cowboys. Pass or run. Didn’t matter. Too talented to stop.

I feel like Desjardins was playing second fiddle to Kim Johnsson by this point if we had a healthy roster.
- SuperSchennBros

Either way, Eric Desjardins was a top pair defender at that point in his career. He 100% would have significantly changed the outcome of that series.

Either way, Eric Desjardins was a top pair defender at that point in his career. He 100% would have significantly changed the outcome of that series.
- mickel25

You might be right but Desjardins up against a young Brad Richards, Martin St Louis and Vinny LeCavalier is a tall task.

The Flyers had a dominant 1st line. Brind'Amour for the second line a dominant checking line. Bowman and company formed the game plan that negated the Flyers strengths and emphasize theirs. Instead of trying to get into physical battles with LOD down low, they simply schemed to keep the puck away from them. Fronted them down low instead of battling for position.
- MJL

Bowman put Murphy/Lidstrom against the Lindros line. The plan was certainly effective, my point is there was tremendous talent to execute the plan. Even the Rangers did not have that kind of blueline depth the series prior. It was a perfect storm of coaching and roster construction. The addition of Murphy at the trade deadlne was a brilliant move.

We lost Coffey in 97, right?

I remember everyone not named Roenick, Primeau and Gagne being gassed by the end of that series. I’m not sure Desjardins would have made a difference. Trading away young legs such as Justin Williams for Markov doesn’t help.
- SuperSchennBros

No Markov = No ECF

Bowman put Murphy/Lidstrom against the Lindros line. The plan was certainly effective, my point is there was tremendous talent to execute the plan. Even the Rangers did not have that kind of blueline depth the series prior. It was a perfect storm of coaching and roster construction. The addition of Murphy at the trade deadlne was a brilliant move.
- Trox88

That red wings team has gone down as one of the best in history. What like 6-7 hall of gamers. The depth and team makeup was almost perfect.

You might be right but Desjardins up against a young Brad Richards, Martin St Louis and Vinny LeCavalier is a tall task.
- SuperSchennBros

Perhaps. I am positive he would have performed better (other than Jonsson maybe) than any of the other D-men the Flyers put out there.

It's in the past and a missed opportunity. That Game 6 was epic.

Bowman put Murphy/Lidstrom against the Lindros line. The plan was certainly effective, my point is there was tremendous talent to execute the plan. Even the Rangers did not have that kind of blueline depth the series prior. It was a perfect storm of coaching and roster construction. The addition of Murphy at the trade deadlne was a brilliant move.
- Trox88

Agreed. It took high hockey IQ and savvy to execute the plan and they executed it to perfection.

No Markov = No ECF
- corduroy

Shame that year. Without the injuries we probably had a great shot at it all.

Perhaps. I am positive he would have performed better (other than Jonsson maybe) than any of the other D-men the Flyers put out there.

It's in the past and a missed opportunity. That Game 6 was epic.
- mickel25

Desjardins was still a top 10 NHL defenseman at the time.

Desjardins was still a top 10 NHL defenseman at the time.
- MJL

I agree.

No Markov = No ECF
- corduroy

markov might be one of the most underrated players i can think of

lol some of us care more than others.
- MBFlyerfan

I don’t think that has anything to do with care level.