Bill Meltzer: Junior Prospect Updates, Forsberg Sigining 10 Years Ago Today, and More

He wasn't quite AS dominant here as he was in his Colorado days, but Forsberg is still up there with Lindros and Giroux as the best offensive players I've ever seen of the Flyers. Probably the best puck possession player and passer I've had the pleasure of watching.

He wasn't quite AS dominant here as he was in his Colorado days, but Forsberg is still up there with Lindros and Giroux as the best offensive players I've ever seen of the Flyers. Probably the best puck possession player and passer I've had the pleasure of watching.
- jmatchett383

He was still pretty dominant, though. Led Art Ross Trophy race for first seven weeks of the 2005-06 season (before his first of many foot-issue-related groin pulls) and then singlehandedly kept the Flyers in their playoff series with Buffalo. Helped Gagne go from a good player to a star.

He was still pretty dominant, though. Led Art Ross Trophy race for first seven weeks of the 2005-06 season (before his first of many foot-issue-related groin pulls) and then singlehandedly kept the Flyers in their playoff series with Buffalo. Helped Gagne go from a good player to a star.
- bmeltzer

Oh, absolutely, he was still a top-5 player not counting his injuries that first year. And as you said, he was pretty much the sole reason they took Buffalo to 6 games and he helped take Gagne's game to new heights. But he rarely was able to play at peak level and his brilliance came in infrequent flashes. Not taking anything away from him at all, just that his play dropped a level during his later days (which is a testament to how good he was in Colorado).

Forsberg and Clarke were the 2 best playmakers I ever saw in a Flyers uniform

Forsberg and Clarke were the 2 best playmakers I ever saw in a Flyers uniform
- BiggE

88 being the best player. at least imo.

Forsberg and Clarke were the 2 best playmakers I ever saw in a Flyers uniform
- BiggE

I never has the pleasure of watching Clarke play, aside from the alumni game, in person. Not all of us were there when Columbus found the new world.

Bobby Clarke will always be the best Flyers player unless the Flyers get a Gretzky/Lemieux/Orr type of player. He just will be. I wish I could have watched him play live, as I don't think videos do him justice.

88 being the best player. at least imo.
- rinaldo

When healthy, yes he was.

I never has the pleasure of watching Clarke play, aside from the alumni game, in person. Not all of us were there when Columbus found the new world.

Bobby Clarke will always be the best Flyers player unless the Flyers get a Gretzky/Lemieux/Orr type of player. He just will be. I wish I could have watched him play live, as I don't think videos do him justice.
- jmatchett383

He was amazing. He was one of those few players who could just will a team to victory.

When healthy, yes he was.
- BiggE

Agreed. If he had been able to stay healthier, and had it not ended the same way, he would have gone down as the best one ever.

He was amazing. He was one of those few players who could just will a team to victory.
- BiggE

If you had to pick one player to be your captain for Game 7, would you take Clarke, Messier, or Steve Yzerman?

Agreed. If he had been able to stay healthier, and had it not ended the same way, he would have gone down as the best one ever.
- jmatchett383

Yup. In his prime he was virtually unstoppable

If you had to pick one player to be your captain for Game 7, would you take Clarke, Messier, or Steve Yzerman?
- jmatchett383

1) Clarke
2) Messier
3) Yzerman

Yup. In his prime he was virtually unstoppable
- BiggE

Lindros is my all-time favorite Flyer and the reason I got into hockey. But, if he played today, do you think he'd be less effective? With the way the game is played today and with the average size players being larger than they were 20+ years ago, would he be maybe just a top-20 player nowadays? His skills would still be top-notch, but some of the physicality he displayed would have to be tempered.

Forsberg was an absolute pleasure to watch. And another Flyer brought down too early by circumstances beyond his control.

Lindros is my all-time favorite Flyer and the reason I got into hockey. But, if he played today, do you think he'd be less effective? With the way the game is played today and with the average size players being larger than they were 20+ years ago, would he be maybe just a top-20 player nowadays? His skills would still be top-notch, but some of the physicality he displayed would have to be tempered.
- jmatchett383

he would be an absolute beast in every aspect of the game. he would be a top player if not the best imo.

I've always thought that Lindros would have dominated today's game even more than in the 90's. Yes players are a little bigger on average than before, but without the clutch and grab style, I don't think that it would be possible to stop him at all.

Could use a Podein on the roster

Bill Meltzer: Junior Prospect Updates, Forsberg Sigining 10 Years Ago Today, and More
- bmeltzer

During the "Roenick era", the west games I normally looked forward to were against the teams that surpassed us at depth and were always a clear measuring stick. These teams were the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche. With us having players such as Jeremy Roenick, Keith Primeau, Adam Oates and Michal Handzus in the middle, it was always interesting watching these guys compare to Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Chris Drury for the Aves for example. It was never a secret as to what Forsberg was capable. That guy once sat out an entire season and went on to lead all players that same season in points during the playoffs. Remarkable.

I've always thought that Lindros would have dominated today's game even more than in the 90's. Yes players are a little bigger on average than before, but without the clutch and grab style, I don't think that it would be possible to stop him at all.
- mmcclatchy

I think that players eventually realized that they had to attack his stick after realizing that he couldn't be handled physically, so I'm not sure how much that would be altered. My point was more that Lindros' physical game/mean streak would have to be kept in check more. He flew all over the ice like a maniac at times and was, in a good way, a very vicious and dirty player. That would probably end up with a lot more time spent in the penalty box nowadays.

I've always thought that Lindros would have dominated today's game even more than in the 90's. Yes players are a little bigger on average than before, but without the clutch and grab style, I don't think that it would be possible to stop him at all.
- mmcclatchy

Eric Lindros had a certain skill set, mixed with pride and desire to be the best player on the ice most nights. He was bigger, stronger then most opponents, if not all opponents. The only flaw to Lindros was the same I felt about Forsberg. You weren't always sure if they were going to play nightly.

Eric Lindros had a certain skill set, mixed with pride and desire to be the best player on the ice most nights. He was bigger, stronger then most opponents, if not all opponents. The only flaw to Lindros was the same I felt about Forsberg. You weren't always sure if they were going to play nightly.
- SuperSchennBros

88 at 50% I still take over most in todays game.

though if he played there would still be certain rules for him only. he still wouldn't get the protection those 2 ugly bastards in Pittsburgh get.

though could you imagine him plastering both of them into the boards.

Bernier signs 2 yr $4.15 AAV with Leafs

Bernier signs 2 yr $4.15 AAV with Leafs
- Streit2ThePoint

Man evolves from ape, e3

Man evolves from ape, e3
- jmatchett383

Am I leight again?