I went with G, Primeau, and JR. The 2003-04 time is my second favorite flyers team ever, and i can't overlook Primeau's contributions to that squad.
- hammarby31

Congrats on winning gold Hammar! Amazing accomplishment.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Quick Hits, Team of the 2000s Reader Poll
- bmeltzer

great blob, bill. it's a bit shocking to me to realize that barber was only 32 when he retired. he seemed so much older to me than that as a kid.

as i've shared here before, my introduction to hockey came at 7 with the '80 Olympic squad. almost one month to the day after the gold against finland, on March 24, 1980, i saw my first NHL game, a Flyers-Islanders game at the Spectrum which I remember like it was yesterday. I became a Flyers fan for life that night, despite them losing the game 5-2, which as I discovered a few years ago, was only 1 of 2 losses on home ice during the regular season that year. that team went 36-2-2 at the Spectrum...which is just insane, and even more infuriating that they didn't win the Cup.

that whole night was just sensory overload for me as a 7 year old - from the oversized red and blue goal lights behind the glass, the snapping sound of a puck being caught on a stick blade from a pass, to the smoke on the concourse and the shiny orange and black nylon baseball style jackets donned by many fans. the in game experience is so different than what it is now. it was all about the crowd, a little organ music, the game, and nothing else. i hate to sound like a grumpy old man, but it's how i wish it still was.

man, i love hockey.

Congrats on winning gold Hammar! Amazing accomplishment.
- PLindbergh31

thanks, buddy!

"melon! get your suit on! we need 'ya!" melon!!!!"

I went with Giroux, Richards, and Briere.
- MJL

I vorted - G, Richie, & Briere. Joe Russomanno can gnash his teeth next to PriMOAT.
- Flyskippy

samsies

I'm surprised at how many votes Primeau is getting. It's amazing what one playoff series can do for you. Briere was a playoff stud his entire time here. And Primeau is getting more votes.

Giroux, Richards, Briere. Say what you will about Richie, but I still think this team lacks a strong element he brings that you wont find on a stats sheet. And how can you overlook Briere who holds a Flyers' record for most points in a post season (30)

I'm surprised at how many votes Primeau is getting. It's amazing what one playoff series can do for you. Briere was a playoff stud his entire time here. And Primeau is getting more votes.
- MJL

The length of tenure is what gave Briere the nod on my ballot.

thanks, buddy!

"melon! get your suit on! we need 'ya!" melon!!!!"
- hammarby31

Melon, buddy....

I'm surprised at how many votes Primeau is getting. It's amazing what one playoff series can do for you. Briere was a playoff stud his entire time here. And Primeau is getting more votes.
- MJL

The fact Primeau was a solid defender and faceoff guy is why he's getting more votes. When Briere wasn't scoring what exactly was he doing?

The length of tenure is what gave Briere the nod on my ballot.
- BulliesPhan87

That and Briere was the better player in his Flyers career then Primeau was. By far.

Melon, buddy....


- PLindbergh31

i was expecting rodney, not chaz. brilliant.

The fact Primeau was a solid defender and faceoff guy is why he's getting more votes. When Briere wasn't scoring what exactly was he doing?
- PLindbergh31

very likely. much of it is purely an emotional connection. the 2004-05 lockout absolutely killed some of the emotional connection i have for any player or team. not briere's fault. perhaps i remember primeau as more useful, versatile player than he really was. sue me.

i was expecting rodney, not chaz. brilliant.
- hammarby31

What a classic. The only movies I have ever seen William Zabka in are Karate Kid, and Back to School. He was an uber douche in both.

The fact Primeau was a solid defender and faceoff guy is why he's getting more votes. When Briere wasn't scoring what exactly was he doing?
- PLindbergh31

After Primeau's first Season here, his offensive game fell off a cliff. In fact he downright stunk for a number of Seasons here. And he used the excuse of becoming a defensive player, as to reason why he was no longer scoring. Primeau had a great playoff series against TB, no doubt. And he deserves credit for that. So Primeau became a one dimensional defensive player.
Briere was not known as a defensive player, and wasn't brought here to be a defensive player. So Briere was a one dimensional offensive player. And he was among the tops in the League in his career here, as an offensive player in the playoffs.
So what's the difference? Both had injury issues, so that's a wash. When it comes down to it, it's not even close. Briere was easily the better player.

But when it comes right down to it, this is just an opinion. And everyone get's a vote.

I am surprised Danny B is getting so little love.

I went with Giroux, Richards, and Briere.
- MJL

Same here. I thought it would be a no brainer until I saw the poll results.

What a classic. The only movies I have ever seen William Zabka in are Karate Kid, and Back to School. He was an uber douche in both.
- PLindbergh31

He also played the uber douche Greg Tolan in Just One of the Guys (1985), one of my favorite 80s movies. very underrated. he played a quasi-douche, Jack, Audrey's boyfriend in European Vacation also in 1985. Bit role.

great sense of humor in this:

After Primeau's first Season here, his offensive game fell off a cliff. In fact he downright stunk for a number of Seasons here. And he used the excuse of becoming a defensive player, as to reason why he was no longer scoring. Primeau had a great playoff series against TB, no doubt. And he deserves credit for that. So Primeau became a one dimensional defensive player.
Briere was not known as a defensive player, and wasn't brought here to be a defensive player. So Briere was a one dimensional offensive player. And he was among the tops in the League in his career here, as an offensive player in the playoffs.
So what's the difference? Both had injury issues, so that's a wash. When it comes down to it, it's not even close. Briere was easily the better player.

But when it comes right down to it, this is just an opinion. And everyone get's a vote.
- MJL

I wouldn't say putting up close to 50 points in a season while being a solid defensive player qualifies as falling of a cliff. There are a fair amount of people who think Couturier's ceiling is to be a defensive stalwart, while averaging 50 points per season. If that's what he ends up being I guess he stinks.

Briere no question was money in the playoffs, but like I said when he wasn't scoring he brought very little to the table on the ice. A small guy, who was completely useless in his own end.

But when it comes right down to it, this is just an opinion. And everyone get's a vote.
- MJL

yep. i appreciate briere's contributions. he has some big moments as a flyer. i just connect to primeau more. simple as that.

First live game 1970 Oakland Seals. I remember the Vadnais chant.. CAROL... CAROL. I couldn't tell you who won the game.

I am surprised Danny B is getting so little love.
- MBFlyerfan

Same, he's definitely one of my favorites. Few things are quite as exciting as the Briere fist pump.

Huh. Believe it or not, I actually wound up selecting Briere, Carter and Richards. I maybe should've put Roenick instead of Briere, though.

Claude Giroux will likely be better than them all, but if we are truly talking the 2000s specifically, you really can't leave off Carter and Richards.

I wouldn't say putting up close to 50 points in a season while being a solid defensive player qualifies as falling of a cliff. There are a fair amount of people who think Couturier's ceiling is to be a defensive stalwart, while averaging 50 points per season. If that's what he ends up being I guess he stinks.

Briere no question was money in the playoffs, but like I said when he wasn't scoring he brought very little to the table on the ice. A small guy, who was completely useless in his own end.
- PLindbergh31

Lack of context. There's a big difference between a player who goes from 34 goal 73 pt scorer, and declines to the point where in the 03/04 regular Season, he flat out stunk. He scored 7 goals in 54 games. Versus a young player who is developing and becomes what he is going to be.

There were two reasons why Briere had trouble scoring. The biggest reasons were the injuries he had. And last Season, he's just getting older and isn't the player he used to be.

And if I was going to vote based on who was a better defensive player. I'd vote for Handzus. Because Primeau isn't even the best defensive Center on the list.

But again, there should be no argument here. It's an opinion vote. I'm just shocked that Primeau is so far ahead in the voting over Briere. Not that anyone is wrong for voting for who they did. That's my only point here.

Great blog, Bill!

My earliest memories were of the Flyers hoisting ther first cup. I was almost 6 years old May 1974 and there began my lifelong obsession with the team. After the cup, I begged my parents to buy me a goalie stick as I loved Bernie! I was oddly obsessed with how he swept his stick from pipe to pipe before face-offs. The first game I attended was in 1977. Unfortunately I did not keep the ticket (as I do with every game now) and so I can't remember the opponent. I just remember sitting 3rd level and noticing lots of funny smelling cigarettes (after all, it was the 70s). My first playoff game was during the run of 1980. In that game, Bobby Clarke scored in overtime over the Oilers leading to a 3-0 series sweep. It was also Wayne Gretzky's first NHL playoff game. Again, I was not yet in the habit of keeping tickstubs unfortunately. My best memory was game 6 of the 1987 Cup Finals! I will never forget the noise and energy both inside and outside of the Spectrum. Everyone was certain the Flyers were winning the cup even if they have to knock-off the greatest NHL team of all time on the road. Alas, it wasn't to be.

This team is in my blood and I could never imagine routing for another team!

My 00s center picks were Primeau, Roenick, & Richards. Forsberg wasn't here long enough and Giroux didnt really get going until the 09 playoffs into the following season.

Forsberg has more votes than Roenick?

I chose Primeau, Roenick, Richards