The Flyers could always go after an elite winger this off-season, and then focus on a top-pair d-man next year when Kimmo's deal is up.

IMO, the defenseman, should Carle be re-signed, is strong enough to contend for a Cup as is. Team defense is the bigger issue.
- LeachHextall27

Good points.

Really?? I love Hartsy but how many goals would he have scored last year if he played for CBJ?
- FlyersFirst

No clue... but I will say this.. Scott Hartnell is the ONLY player that has been consistently on the top producing line (offensively) for the Flyers over the last 5 seasons.

So the guy who scored 48 points in Minny? The same one who battled through injuries and what not, made his way back to a scoring line by posting near 40 points back to back seasons.. and got his break due to numerous injuries... and didnt even crack 60 points?
- jak521

I was unaware of his 48 pts in Minnesota, so I guess that's not the best of examples.

Neal is a better one.

The Flyers could always go after an elite winger this off-season, and then focus on a top-pair d-man next year when Kimmo's deal is up.

IMO, the defenseman, should Carle be re-signed, is strong enough to contend for a Cup as is. Team defense is the bigger issue.
- LeachHextall27

Need more experienced forwards. Thats another issue that has to be addressed also. The Flyers could be patient and allow these kids to get better but when they see a new toy available, they cant resist it.

Need more experienced forwards. Thats another issue that has to be addressed also. The Flyers could be patient and allow these kids to get better but when they see a new toy available, they cant resist it.
- stveshdy

Defensive forwards should be the priority come July 1st. I want more grit and defensive awareness added to our group.

What about Pascal Dupuis then?

He was a 4th liner in Atlanta.
- LeachHextall27

he's scored 30some points pretty much every year in his career until this year when he had his insanely flukish point streak in march and april. not sure i understand your point?

There's a great example.

Bingo.
- LeachHextall27

James Neal was a budding star forward already in Dallas, following a natural progression as a big forward.

Each year his numbers increased.. and this year he broke out. Did he benefit from playing with the best player in the game.. yup.. but he would have put up good numbers regardless.

I was unaware of his 48 pts in Minnesota, so I guess that's not the best of examples.

Neal is a better one.
- LeachHextall27

Thats a terrible example as well..

James Neal was a budding star forward already in Dallas, following a natural progression as a big forward.

Each year his numbers increased.. and this year he broke out. Did he benefit from playing with the best player in the game.. yup.. but he would have put up good numbers regardless.
- jak521

Correct. Nash is going to put up good numbers regardless too, as we've seen, but he should put up GREAT numbers with a guy like Giroux.

he also wouldn't get the same minutes.

like i said, my point is just that i don't see a magical 10+goal bump in his production.
- OrangeBlack27

I don't think it'd be magical, just logical.

Since the lockout, there's been two seasons where the Blue Jackets had more than one player besides Nash top 50 points. 2005-06, David Vyborny and Nik Zherdev topped 50 points, along with Nash, and 2009-10, when a handful of guys did it. For the most part, Nash has been scoring 60+ points, one teammate has managed to get to 55 or so, and the rest have been under 50.

Nash has consistently been a 30-30 guy for years, without playing on a team with a consistently good playmaking center or even a consistent secondary scoring threat. With those pieces in place, especially on a team with an uptempo system like the Flyers, I think Nash's numbers would definitely improve.

Thats a terrible example as well..
- jak521

Lol not at all.

And Nash is a FAR better pure talent too.

The Flyers could always go after an elite winger this off-season, and then focus on a top-pair d-man next year when Kimmo's deal is up.

IMO, the defenseman, should Carle be re-signed, is strong enough to contend for a Cup as is. Team defense is the bigger issue.
- LeachHextall27

We seem to be on the same page

Why not? James Neal just had an outstanding year playing with a legit center.
- stveshdy

Before that he played with Brad Richards as his center and Loui Eriksson as his other winger -- not too bad.

The Flyers could always go after an elite winger this off-season, and then focus on a top-pair d-man next year when Kimmo's deal is up.

IMO, the defenseman, should Carle be re-signed, is strong enough to contend for a Cup as is. Team defense is the bigger issue.
- LeachHextall27

As long as they stay healthy. 1 long-term injury could make this unit look bad... 2 would well.....

Why not? James Neal just had an outstanding year playing with a legit center.
- stveshdy

i'd like to see JVR play a whole year with a legit center

Thats a terrible example as well..
- jak521

Please explain

Thats a terrible example as well..
- jak521

Michael Ryder?

i'd like to see JVR play a whole year with a legit center
- Crimsoninja

I'd like to see JVR play a whole year period.

James Neal was a budding star forward already in Dallas, following a natural progression as a big forward.

Each year his numbers increased.. and this year he broke out. Did he benefit from playing with the best player in the game.. yup.. but he would have put up good numbers regardless.
- jak521

Neal had 27 and 21 goals prior to this year.

He scored 40 this year playing with a legit center. Never cracked more than 55 points until this year. He had 81. Hes not putting up those numbers if he stayed in Dallas.

i'd like to see JVR play a whole year with a legit center
- Crimsoninja

Oh my guade

Before that he played with Brad Richards as his center and Loui Eriksson as his other winger -- not too bad.
- bmeltzer

Not to bad...but those players arent as good as Crosby, Malkin or Giroux IMO.

Neal had 27 and 21 goals prior to this year.

He scored 40 this year playing with a legit center. Never cracked more than 55 points until this year. He had 81. Hes not putting up those numbers if he stayed in Dallas.
- stveshdy

As Bill pointed out, he played with Brad Richards in Dallas. That's a pretty legit center

Please explain
- bigmookalookie

Natural progression as a power forward.. you could see him becoming better and better. Do I think his stats are a bit better? Sure.. but I just dont see how it relates to Nash being a 45+ goal, 90+ point player just because he would be playing with G.

I'd like to see JVR play a whole year period.
- rockychocbill

just not here apparently


edit: 75 and 78 games before last year

i'd like to see JVR play a whole year with a legit center
- Crimsoninja

I'm not against that either, in fact it makes the most sense. However, the Flyers have seem to go sour on JvR (just my opinion).