The Flyers definitely lost a lot from not retaining Carle in the puck movement, passing, playmaking side of things. But in Schenn they gained in the physical department. So if Schenn can learn his angles better and anticipate and read the play, which comes with experience, he'll be much better defending against the rush. The Flyers have a ex defenseman in their organization that was also challenged in the skating department, that can help teach those things to Schenn, in Derian Hatcher. - MJL
Spot on, I think he can learn a lot from Derian. He was good in Philly, but he was unbelievable in Dallas. I think he was playing basically on one knee the last 2-3 years of his playing career, remarkable.
Location: OMAR COMIN'..Head or Gut?.....Watching regular white people Joined: 01.10.2008
Jul 9 @ 3:08 PM ET
Flip the coin and similiar questions are about Luke Schenn. Gets beat to the outside, defensive awareness, offensive game needs to develop. I find them very similiar. In my opinion, JVR would have been added with another asset to acquire an Enstrom on defense, or Nash and Ryan if the Flyers traded him for a forward. - ravishingone
I agree with you on all these points but the above is what concerns me about LS. He can move puck, doesnt handle it like it the ebola virus but does get exposed down the wing. Many Leaf fans have said he spent too much time bulking up and didnt address speed and agility training last off season, which led to him being slower....who knows. Footspeed, or lack thereof, can be counterbalanced with positioning and awareness. Hopefully, with proper coaching, LS will continue to improve in these areas; if he does, than even if JVR consistently puts up 30 Gs, LS will be a very valuable player for the Flyers. He's only 22, still has a ton of time to develop.
I think re-signing Hartnell should be a top priority this upcoming season. 5.25 over 4 or 5 years would be fine by me.
Since 07, ONLY HARTNELL has been a mainstay on the top point producing line on the team, while all other players have changed.. he was a constant. You know what you are getting from him.. He is ugly. His skating isnt great. He scores 25+, adds 25 assists, and racks up PIM. He plays on the PP (top unit), and led the league in PP goals last season. He is really our only true power forward. He hits fights (when needed) and is willing to go anywhere on the ice, and do anything thats asked of him.
He oozes character. He loves the city and the city loves him. On top of it, he is a guy that makes it easier during the rough patches. We gotta a realllll good glimpse of scotty during 24/7 (and actually some even cooler spots thanks to NHLPA youtube). The players all love the guy. They were pushing for him to get that spot on the allstar team.
He is a guy you want.. and so does every other team. - jak521
I love Hartnell ... he is definitely my second favourite player on the Flyers ... he alone made the All-Star game worth watching ... Flyers need him and the fans want him here!
Location: me bitter? F-no i think it's hilarious Joined: 12.14.2011
Jul 9 @ 3:09 PM ET
over 200? on defense lol - Philly1980
NO but part of Schenn's problem is he's worrying too much about the hit, and not making the smart play as evidenced by that gross over-abundance of hits. Futhermore few teams have guys with that many hits, it's not that necessary. I love the physical stuff too but I like winning games more. The Flyers had three defensemen Mezaros, Grossmann and Coburn all with over 130 hits, which is pretty high. Technically they had 4 if you count Kubina but I doubt he had more than 30 while he was Flyer.
Spot on, I think he can learn a lot from Derian. He was good in Philly, but he was unbelievable in Dallas. I think he was playing basically on one knee the last 2-3 years of his playing career, remarkable. - ravishingone
Hatcher was banged up and those injuries coupled with his style of play left him high and dry when the game opened up post-lockout. I did, however, have Rick Tocchet tell me directly via tweet that Hatcher would have been a top 20 defensemen in the league today when he was in his prime. If we can get Schenn even close to that level than we're in store for some fun.
Location: me bitter? F-no i think it's hilarious Joined: 12.14.2011
Jul 9 @ 3:16 PM ET
Hatcher was banged up and those injuries coupled with his style of play left him high and dry when the game opened up post-lockout. I did, however, have Rick Tocchet tell me directly via tweet that Hatcher would have been a top 20 defensemen in the league today when he was in his prime. If we can get Schenn even close to that level than we're in store for some fun. - NickTheKid87
I heard Hatcher say on the radio during the Winterclassic pre-game stuff he felt better now than when he was playing. I know he wasn't the same player when he came to the Flyers from Dallas.
Location: Mookie you are a wing nut, In , LS Joined: 02.27.2011
Jul 9 @ 3:16 PM ET
Hatcher was banged up and those injuries coupled with his style of play left him high and dry when the game opened up post-lockout. I did, however, have Rick Tocchet tell me directly via tweet that Hatcher would have been a top 20 defensemen in the league today when he was in his prime. If we can get Schenn even close to that level than we're in store for some fun. - NickTheKid87
Hatcher was a monster. If he learns from Hatcher, like you said, we will be in for a treat as for Crosby and Malkin, not so much
I heard Hatcher say on the radio during the Winterclassic pre-game stuff he felt better now than when he was playing. I know he wasn't the same player when he came to the Flyers from Dallas. - JoeRussomanno
Yeah not even close. I didn't expect much from him though given his age and injury history at the time.
Hatcher was banged up and those injuries coupled with his style of play left him high and dry when the game opened up post-lockout. I did, however, have Rick Tocchet tell me directly via tweet that Hatcher would have been a top 20 defensemen in the league today when he was in his prime. If we can get Schenn even close to that level than we're in store for some fun. - NickTheKid87
Agreed, what made Hatcher and Pronger great was their ability to analyze and anticipate a play coupled with their physical gifts. What is a franchise d-man? Those two guys when they were around 27 years old, total wrecking balls.
NO but part of Schenn's problem is he's worrying too much about the hit, and not making the smart play as evidenced by that gross over-abundance of hits. Futhermore few teams have guys with that many hits, it's not that necessary. I love the physical stuff too but I like winning games more. The Flyers had three defensemen Mezaros, Grossmann and Coburn all with over 130 hits, which is pretty high. Technically they had 4 if you count Kubina but I doubt he had more than 30 while he was Flyer. - JoeRussomanno
But 270 is higher...Nearl double. I want a guy thats going to stir it up a little.
As did I. I would be completely okay if they signed him for between $5-5.5 million. That way they'd get there scoring winger (and a better one than Bob Ryan) without having to move assets. - NickTheKid87
In what world is Semin a better player than B. Ryan?
Location: me bitter? F-no i think it's hilarious Joined: 12.14.2011
Jul 9 @ 3:21 PM ET
I love Hartnell ... he is definitely my second favourite player on the Flyers ... he alone made the All-Star game worth watching ... Flyers need him and the fans want him here! - Cable2k
oh yea that's right this is Hartsy day Anyway yes, resign that ginger bastach, he's worth it for the entertainment aspect alone, he'll even score some goals along the way. Hell anyone who sticks it to the Pens fans like this deserves to be a flyer for life
