I agree 100% I looked forward to the Alumni game more than the Winter Classic and Phantoms game.

It was just so cool to see those guys out there again, all grudges forgotten, doing it for the fans, having a great time. I know a lot of people complained about having to purchase all 3 games from the Flyers, but idk ANYONE who didn't enjoy the Alumni game, it was just THAT good.

Bernie and Net....first goal, LeClair from Lindros and Recchi (would have been better if it was Renberg)...Howe's wrist shot goal....Podein falling all over himself and laughing....even how amazing Trees looked in net....wish I still had it on my DVR to watch again.
- Pyzik

I have to admit...had Lindros thrown a huge hit on Kasparitis, I would not have been upset.

Sadly, my biggest memory of Coffey was Lindros accidentally colliding with him and knocking him out. I remember all the trainers came and were huddled around him, and Eric was next to him in tears. I think he had 3 assists in his first game in Philly, but the collision with Lindros is what stands out.
- jmatchett383

I remember that hit. Coffey was out on his feet.


http://articles.philly.co...locker-coach-terry-murray

``Why can't I ever run into Pat Falloon?'' Coffey asked.

Timo epitomizes everything you'd want from a defenseman. I'm not old enough to have watched anything from the 70s or 80s and when I watched Desjardins I was too young to appreciate the nuances. With Timonen, I have enjoyed watching him so much. Seeing him outsmart a much bigger player along the boards or breakup a 2 on 1 very casually. He is the most responsible for the Flyers turn around after the season which will not be named.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agreed. He is possibly the best oddman-rush breakup man I've ever seen. And like you say, it's just so casual how he goes about doing it.

During the Desjardin years, whenever he was hurt and out of the line up, I had the same doom and gloom feeling I get nowadays when Kimmo is hurt.
"Oh no they can't possibly win without Rico/Kimmo playing."
Each guy was such a vital part of the team.
Fortunately Kimmo never missed too many games from injury as you point out.
Stellar work as usual Bill.
Thanks for keeping it up as we head into the dog days.
- Marc D

Doom and gloom is right. The entire playoff run before the lockout that saw the NHL sit for one season, we had the fight tooth and nail to get to the Eastern conference final without Desjardins suiting up for a single game. He wasn't a number one defenseman but he was still important to this team the same way Kimmo Timonen is now. Heck, if we had Rico, who knows what would have happened?

Short of a VERY FEW select playoff games (3 from 2010 - Rangers, Montreal Game 5, SCF Game 3), that was probably the most fun I've ever had at a hockey game. So much better than the Winter Classic. In fact, even scores aside, the Flyers-Rangers game was probably the least fun of the 3.
- jmatchett383

The entire Winter Classic experience was awesome, despite the fact it cost an arm and a leg. The Alumni game was pretty great for lots of reasons. Can't wait to do that again.

But the Winter Classic game was still just a regular season game.

I was at the 2010 SCF Game 3, when G scored and that was probably my most memorable game.

I was also at the 2008 playoff game that Knuble ended in 2OT as well as the Peter Forsberg game against Buffalo. A Game 7 win over the Leafs in 2003 was lots of fun too, because they blew the Leafs out of the building.

I remember that hit. Coffey was out on his feet.


http://articles.philly.co...locker-coach-terry-murray
- MBFlyerfan

"Why can't I ever run into Pat Falloon?'' Coffey asked.

"Why can't I ever run into Pat Falloon?'' Coffey asked.
- jmatchett383

Agreed. He is possibly the best oddman-rush breakup man I've ever seen. And like you say, it's just so casual how he goes about doing it.
- jmatchett383

He has such a good stick too. I can't count the amount of times he's broken up a rush by deflecting a shot into the netting.

He also helps the PP so much. His ability to keep pucks in at the point is astounding. Guys think they have room to clear, but his anticipation is second to none.

GREG HAWGOOD
- jak521

In the same Flyers grouping as Yves Racine, Brian Benning, Andy Delmore, Rick Foley...

Shea Weber???

Oh wait, I forgot, Nashville matched...

In the same Flyers grouping as Yves Racine, Brian Benning, Andy Delmore, Rick Foley...
- bmeltzer

I was being facetious William. But on a serious note.. What do you think it would take for Giroux to be one of the all-time faces of the Flyers... Consensus says he can NEVER over take Clarke... What about over taking Lindros?

I was being facetious William. But on a serious note.. What do you think it would take for Giroux to be one of the all-time faces of the Flyers... Consensus says he can NEVER over take Clarke... What about over taking Lindros?
- jak521

Bring the Silver back to Philly.....

In the same Flyers grouping as Yves Racine, Brian Benning, Any Elmore, Rick Foley...
- bmeltzer

Still can't believe Elmore scored a playoff hat trick.

Oh yeah, I fixed his name: No D.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Top 10 Offensive Defensemen in Flyers History
- bmeltzer

Good list Bill
Iwould have rated Bladon a bit higher and Wilson a bit lower and I would have sueezed McCrimmon in aheadof Duchesne,but those are minor quibbles.

on another topic; after seeing some of the contracts signed over the last few weeks, Lacavalier's deal is looking better and better!

Nope... only his 2005-06 season was of high enough caliber. All of the players on the list had MUCH more hockey sense, with the exception of Wilson.

A MUCH bigger omission from the list - so much so that I'm considering an amended list - is Tom Bladon.
- bmeltzer

Joni was an absolute point-producing menace that year... I don't think I've seen a Flyers dman since then that could skate the puck so effortlessly through the neutral zone and wreak so much havoc pinching down into the circles.

I kind of lump him in with Janne Niinimaa though... so much raw potential held back by vacuum between the ears... both traded quickly by the Flyers, too.

Speaking of the Niinimaa trade, I was surprised to look back and see that Dan McGillis had put up 45 and 49-point seasons as a Flyer in the height of the clutch & grab era... kind of amazing considering he was mostly replacement-level outside of that.

Howe would have hit those totals if he hadn't missed so many games after 1986-87 due to injuries.
- bmeltzer

The 80's, wow those were some great times weren't they! 1980 finals appearance, 1985 finals appearance, 1987 finals appearance, so many great players. Loved those teams.

The 80's, wow those were some great times weren't they! 1980 finals appearance, 1985 finals appearance, 1987 finals appearance, so many great players. Loved those teams.
- LeftCoaster

+1 Members Only jacket

I was being facetious William. But on a serious note.. What do you think it would take for Giroux to be one of the all-time faces of the Flyers... Consensus says he can NEVER over take Clarke... What about over taking Lindros?
- jak521

Again, there was a period in the mid-90s when Lindros, when healthy, was THE DOMINANT player in the game. Personally, he'll have to either lead them to a Cup or win a few Harts.

Joni was an absolute point-producing menace that year... I don't think I've seen a Flyers dman since then that could skate the puck so effortlessly through the neutral zone and wreak so much havoc pinching down into the circles.

I kind of lump him in with Janne Niinimaa though... so much raw potential held back by vacuum between the ears... both traded quickly by the Flyers, too.

Speaking of the Niinimaa trade, I was surprised to look back and see that Dan McGillis had put up 45 and 49-point seasons as a Flyer in the height of the clutch & grab era... kind of amazing considering he was mostly replacement-level outside of that.
- Tomahawk

McGillis was "replacement level" statistically, for sure, but he brought a physical element to the game that Niinimaa didn't have.

I'm not saying that was a good trade or anything (people killed it at the time and I don't love it), but that trade gets a little more maligned than I feel should.

McGillis was "replacement level" statistically, for sure, but he brought a physical element to the game that Niinimaa didn't have.

I'm not saying that was a good trade or anything (people killed it at the time and I don't love it), but that trade gets a little more maligned than I feel should.
- johndewar

Yeah, I'd tend to agree as well. Two different players who each brought their own element to the game. Dan even put up a great offensive season while here as well.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Top 10 Offensive Defensemen in Flyers History
- bmeltzer

has anyone heard anything about timonen, is he feeling healthy?

Again, there was a period in the mid-90s when Lindros, when healthy, was THE DOMINANT player in the game. Personally, he'll have to either lead them to a Cup or win a few Harts.
- jmatchett383

Yuuuup. As good as Claude is, Eric in his prime with the Flyers is truly on another level. In all honesty, it's entirely possible Claude puts up numbers comparable or better than Eric over his career with the Flyers, however, I just feel Eric brought so much the game that Claude just physically can't.

Yuuuup. As good as Claude is, Eric in his prime with the Flyers is truly on another level. In all honesty, it's entirely possible Claude puts up numbers comparable or better than Eric over his career with the Flyers, however, I just feel Eric brought so much the game that Claude just physically can't.
- Flyers_V88

Eric Lindros in his prime was right up there with the best who EVER played the game from a domination standpoint. Ive never, EVER, seen a player who could dominate in so many ways at once.

Yuuuup. As good as Claude is, Eric in his prime with the Flyers is truly on another level. In all honesty, it's entirely possible Claude puts up numbers comparable or better than Eric over his career with the Flyers, however, I just feel Eric brought so much the game that Claude just physically can't.
- Flyers_V88

Where Claude could definitely beat Eric is in team accomplishments.

If Claude wins a Cup......sorry Big E.....

Where Claude could definitely beat Eric is in team accomplishments.

If Claude wins a Cup......sorry Big E.....
- johndewar

Exactly. The next guy to captain this team to a Cup is basically an automatic #2 behind Clarke.

Edit: Unless it's Matt Carle.