agreed, except for Chara they aren't all that "stocked",
imagine Boston playing run & gun style with the guys they have, they are suited for the system
- puckhead17

Boston has quality players throughout the lineup. They have players that elevate their game in the playoffs, and are money players. And they have arguably the best group of role players in the NHL. Combine that with a quality Coach and a sound system, you get a top team. I don't know if anyone saw the pregame talks of the Coaches in the locker room. But Julien stressed let's take care of the defensive end. I wish the Flyers Coach would take heed in that.

Streit's definitely a move to fit the system. He's a really capable puck carrier.
- Jsaquella

it still blows my mind the money he will get though. and its not even the whole oh the flyers will overpay argument, because if they dont, someone else would give it to him. hell even what he turned down from the isles is a ton, as well as what sarge got from the stars. just mind blowing.

I'ts like having an older Matt Carle back kind of

he skates better then I thought, it's a good move, depending on the contract term
- puckhead17

We're not going to like the contract. But he is going to make the Flyers a better team. He adds a big shot, puck movement, and scoring from the backend.

He'd make sure he'd introduce himself to the Flyers goalies once a week, because they never saw him during games
- Jsaquella

Wow, I just looked up the roster of the '92 team, I forgot about Stephane Beauregard got into 16 games. Fans want to complain about Bryz. That was an awful roster outside ironically some top end forward talent (Lindros, Brind'amour and Recchi)

With both Meszaros and Grossmann having injury concerns. I don't think it's a very good idea to trade a defenseman to add a forward. As I said previously, if they want to trade Meszaros and bring in a solid 3rd pair defenseman with a lesser Cap hit to create more cap flexibility. I'm fine with that. You have to go all the way back to last Season to see what happens when defenseman get injured. And it's the same concern as when you wanted to trade Coburn for a draft pick.
- MJL

The depth of the forward corp is an issue too. If I were them I'd lose Mez. Lauridsen, gervais, and I would resign Huskins on the cheap for depth

Boston has quality players throughout the lineup. They have players that elevate their game in the playoffs, and are money players. And they have arguably the best group of role players in the NHL. Combine that with a quality Coach and a sound system, you get a top team. I don't know if anyone saw the pregame talks of the Coaches in the locker room. But Julien stressed let's take care of the defensive end. I wish the Flyers Coach would take heed in that.
- MJL

exactly. i know a lot of its based on jealously (and a healthy hatred of lucic and marchand) but damn i resent them. however, that resentment is matched by just as much respect for the reasons listed here. just such a great mix of talent, effort, heart, and system.

The depth of the forward corp is an issue too. If I were them I'd lose Mez. Lauridsen, gervais, and I would resign Huskins on the cheap for depth
- Just5

The Flyers have players such as McGinn who are ready. Need to give players like that a shot. I'd be fine with Huskins as a 7th over Gervais.

My God. Why would you post this? You nearly made a grown man cry.
- AllInForFlyers

because I still wake up shaking from nightmares that its 1990 again.

Boston has quality players throughout the lineup. They have players that elevate their game in the playoffs, and are money players. And they have arguably the best group of role players in the NHL. Combine that with a quality Coach and a sound system, you get a top team. I don't know if anyone saw the pregame talks of the Coaches in the locker room. But Julien stressed let's take care of the defensive end. I wish the Flyers Coach would take heed in that.
- MJL

yup, I need to rephrase

their defensive players are not head and shoulders above ours as a whole, with the exception of Chara.

yup, I need to rephrase

their defensive players are not head and shoulders above ours as a whole, with the exception of Chara.
- puckhead17

the defensive pairs look a hell of a lot better when they are where they are supposed to be, not to mention having bergeron out there will make any defensive measures look better.

We're not going to like the contract. But he is going to make the Flyers a better team. He adds a big shot, puck movement, and scoring from the backend.
- MJL

It comes down to what they didn't want to give Carle, he will get, I just don't want a 4 year deal for a 36 year old player

It comes down to what they didn't want to give Carle, he will get, I just don't want a 4 year deal for a 36 year old player
- puckhead17

I can live with it if the 36 year old player makes smart passes out of the zone and isnt a turnover machine just inside either blueline.

The Flyers have players such as McGinn who are ready. Need to give players like that a shot.
- MJL

Other possible candidates Straka, Raffi, Cousins, Akeson. I think we can all agree the pipeline of potential top 9 candidates for forwards is in good shape.

the defensive pairs look a hell of a lot better when they are where they are supposed to be, not to mention having bergeron out there will make any defensive measures look better.
- stayinthefnnet

Imagine playing run & gun go go go system with Bostons defense

edit that's the point of players & systems

Wow, I just looked up the roster of the '92 team, I forgot about Stephane Beauregard got into 16 games. Fans want to complain about Bryz. That was an awful roster outside ironically some top end forward talent (Lindros, Brind'amour and Recchi)
- ravishingone

Soderstrom could never figure out why the red light always went on after he made a stick save.

yup, I need to rephrase

their defensive players are not head and shoulders above ours as a whole, with the exception of Chara.
- puckhead17

That's a good point. I would also add Seidenberg to that. He flies under the radar. But the rest of them aren't. But it's amazing how decent defenseman such as McQuaid, Boychck, and Ference look. When there is a support and a team element in place. I think the Flyers let up more grade A chances in one game then the Bruins do in an entire playoff series. Both Goalies in the Finals are excellent. But they have to make a lot less game saving saves then a Flyers goalie has to on a regular basis.

Other possible candidates Straka, Raffi, Cousins, Akeson. I think we can all agree the pipeline of potential top 9 candidates for forwards is in good shape.
- ravishingone

Don't know much about Straka and Raffi. Cousins has a shot. Have doubts about Akeson, but you never know.

But I'd rather go into camp giving some of the young players a chance, such as one of the new undrafted free agents, along with McGinn, then to get into another Free Agent signing on a long term deal.

Chicago has players like Shaw and Saad in the lineup. Have to play them to see what they got.

Imagine playing run & gun go go go system with Bostons defense
- puckhead17

i dont think they would fair much better than the pens and flyers. dont get me wrong, i think that team could put up almost as many goals as any team in the league if they were so inclined. for all their defensive acumen, there is talent on the forward ranks. bergy, seguin, lucic, and krecji can all light the lamp. however, unlike the pens and flyers, they realize that you still get a W in the column if you win by a score of 3 to 2 as opposed to 5 to 2.

although i wouldnt mind seeing chara repeatedly getting a striding start and blasting them from the point. the carnage that would wreak on the shins of everyone... lord

Other possible candidates Straka, Raffi, Cousins, Akeson. I think we can all agree the pipeline of potential top 9 candidates for forwards is in good shape.
- ravishingone

I don't agree. I question If McGinn will ever be a valuable member of a top 9 unit. Akeson in pretty sure won't. Raffl I heard projects to a 4 line. Straka an overager. Need more

It comes down to what they didn't want to give Carle, he will get, I just don't want a 4 year deal for a 36 year old player
- puckhead17

With what I think it's going to cost them, I'd rather they had kept Carle. But that ship has sailed.

That's a good point. I would also add Seidenberg to that. He flies under the radar. But the rest of them aren't. But it's amazing how decent defenseman such as McQuaid, Boychck, and Ference look. When there is a support and a team element in place. I think the Flyers let up more grade A chances in one game then the Bruins do in an entire playoff series. Both Goalies in the Finals are excellent. But they have to make a lot less game saving saves then a Flyers goalie has to on a regular basis.
- MJL

this to a T. before his implosion (which has now gone onto inexcusable lengths) this is what no one understood when it came to fleury and his numbers. if you have the discipline and commitment, competency is really the only talent level needed to compete. letang's mindblowing skill matters very little when he repeatedly pulls houdini acts in his own zone. he reminds me of an outfielder who routinely makes what appear to be highlight catches, but the fact is they only required a diving effort because of such a poor read or positioning in the first place

That's a good point. I would also add Seidenberg to that. He flies under the radar. But the rest of them aren't. But it's amazing how decent defenseman such as McQuaid, Boychck, and Ference look. When there is a support and a team element in place. I think the Flyers let up more grade A chances in one game then the Bruins do in an entire playoff series. Both Goalies in the Finals are excellent. But they have to make a lot less game saving saves then a Flyers goalie has to on a regular basis.
- MJL

Yes totally agree, it's on a whole, as well as the forwards, easier to play D with Bergeron back checking as oppose to Briere
Seidenberg, yes, I'd put him in there as well, but even Seidenberg could look silly in an offensive system without support or structure

I don't agree. I question If McGinn will ever be a valuable member of a top 9 unit. Akeson in pretty sure won't. Raffl I heard projects to a 4 line. Straka an overager. Need more
- Just5

McGinn is not a lock, but he has a hard nosed game and an edge to his game. Need to give him a legitimate chance.

i dont think they would fair much better than the pens and flyers. dont get me wrong, i think that team could put up almost as many goals as any team in the league if they were so inclined. for all their defensive acumen, there is talent on the forward ranks. bergy, seguin, lucic, and krecji can all light the lamp. however, unlike the pens and flyers, they realize that you still get a W in the column if you win by a score of 3 to 2 as opposed to 5 to 2.

although i wouldnt mind seeing chara repeatedly getting a striding start and blasting them from the point. the carnage that would wreak on the shins of everyone... lord
- stayinthefnnet

Yes, they are structured to possibly play in a number of different ways, but, it was mentioned last night that they do not want to "run" up & down with Chicago

Yes totally agree, it's on a whole, as well as the forwards, easier to play D with Bergeron back checking as oppose to Briere
Seidenberg, yes, I'd put him in there as well, but even Seidenberg could look silly in an offensive system without support or structure
- puckhead17

In that game last night, Bergeron made countless defensive plays to eliminate a dangerous scoring chance for the Hawks. What a player. What he gives the Bruins is why I'm adamant about not trading Couturier for anything less then a grade A top pair defenseman.