downie back on the flyers oh this will be great
hartnell gone?
- 2Real

or Simmonds?

He's an upgrade to Talbot offensively, not questioning that. Calling a guy with one 40+ point season a bonafide top 9 player is somewhat of a stretch.
- PLindbergh31

not a stretch at all..

Look league wide at the breakdown of top 9 players in point production..

Over his past 77 games (as you stated) he has 14 goals and 28 assists... 42 points.

He is 100% a bonafide top 9 forward.

Have to get used to that mindset. For most fans it's all about offense and goals. It's how players are looked at. It's how prospective line combos are put together. And if players are worth their salaries. All based on goals and offense, for forwards. The other side of the game doesn't exist for some.
- MJL

which is it? for most? or for some?

I wouldn't be surprised either. An aspect of the trade that hasn't been mentioned is it could give them the ability to trade a forward for a defenseman. Also adds to tagging space. Although that's not a big issue right now.
- MJL

I mentioned it

Hypothetically speaking, say Downie doesn't play particularly well and he's not re-signed, Flyers miss the playoffs. Basically they just gave a cost controlled solid role player away for nothing. Right?
- PLindbergh31

they're not making 4th line penalty killers anymore?

or Simmonds?
- Dkos

Wouldnt surprise me.. Simmonds a deal for the right d-man would be okay in my book... although I would prefer Hartnell

He's an upgrade to Talbot offensively, not questioning that. Calling a guy with one 40+ point season a bonafide top 9 player is somewhat of a stretch.
- PLindbergh31

That's the thing. It's been stated that Talbot hasn't been at the top of his game. Well neither has Downie. He's coming off of a major injury. Does that contribute to Colorado being willing to trade him?

He's an upgrade to Talbot offensively, not questioning that. Calling a guy with one 40+ point season a bonafide top 9 player is somewhat of a stretch.
- PLindbergh31

He has been injury prone but he averaged a point per every other game in those shortened seasons which would put him over 40+.

That's the thing. It's been stated that Talbot hasn't been at the top of his game. Well neither has Downie. He's coming off of a major injury. Does that contribute to Colorado being willing to trade him?
- MJL

You don't trade a top line winger for talbot unless you have some questions

That's the thing. It's been stated that Talbot hasn't been at the top of his game. Well neither has Downie. He's coming off of a major injury. Does that contribute to Colorado being willing to trade him?
- MJL

Colorado wasn't going to resign him. Other than that, not sure why they made this trade.

Talbot hasnt really imo been the same player for a while, but why the hell trade for Downie when you have Rinaldo?

Downie is a more skilled version of Carcillo, and while this team needs an infusion of character/attitude, it does not need an infusion of penalties.

Stupid move imo, especially when you could have gotten more for Talbot at the deadline or ran at Downie when his deal was up. Frankly, typical Holmgren

Have to get used to that mindset. For most fans it's all about offense and goals. It's how players are looked at. It's how prospective line combos are put together. And if players are worth their salaries. All based on goals and offense, for forwards. The other side of the game doesn't exist for some.
- MJL

There is truth to that, but the fact is that it's cheaper and easier to find guys to fill out the penalty kill than it is to find guys who can consistently create offense.

As we have already mentioned, there's no guarantee Downie will provide that missing offense, but he has a much better chance to do it than Talbot, who is past his prime at this point. I loved Talbot as a Flyer, but I think this could help offensively quite a bit, while we have other players who are able to kill penalties (Read, Hall, Couturier, maybe even Raffl)

You don't trade a top line winger for talbot unless you have some questions
- funmaster18

could be simply a personality clash between Roy and Downie.

didn't the Avs just demote Downie to the 3rd line for the last game?

That's the thing. It's been stated that Talbot hasn't been at the top of his game. Well neither has Downie. He's coming off of a major injury. Does that contribute to Colorado being willing to trade him?
- MJL

Then why would they trad ehim for a guy coming off of a broken leg?

It's all about the contract. They have a bunch of contracts to negotiate. Now they have one less but they gave up value for it.

Hypothetically speaking, say Downie doesn't play particularly well and he's not re-signed, Flyers miss the playoffs. Basically they just gave a cost controlled solid role player away for nothing. Right?
- PLindbergh31

Possible! But I think they can get a comparable player for the same amount of money going forward. What Downie are we gonna get, and how does it change the mix of the team. And who is going to pick up the PK time are the questions I have.

For a break:

Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov will be allowed out of jail and be able to travel with the team while prosecutors consider charging him in a domestic violence case. Varlamov, who appeared in court Thursday, is accused of assaulting his girlfriend, kicking her in the chest and dragging her by the hair.
- jmatchett383

IMO this might have had something to do with the timing of the move. Gives the fans something else to talk about.

Talbot hasnt really imo been the same player for a while, but why the hell trade for Downie when you have Rinaldo?

Downie is a more skilled version of Carcillo, and while this team needs an infusion of character/attitude, it does not need an infusion of penalties.

Stupid move imo, especially when you could have gotten more for Talbot at the deadline or ran at Downie when his deal was up. Frankly, typical Holmgren
- flyer_nutter

it would not surprise me if Rinaldo is moved.

IMO this might have had something to do with the timing of the move. Gives the fans something else to talk about.
- youarewrong

All for a distraction from that!

Talbot hasnt really imo been the same player for a while, but why the hell trade for Downie when you have Rinaldo?

Downie is a more skilled version of Carcillo, and while this team needs an infusion of character/attitude, it does not need an infusion of penalties.

Stupid move imo, especially when you could have gotten more for Talbot at the deadline or ran at Downie when his deal was up. Frankly, typical Holmgren
- flyer_nutter

Downie definitely brings more offensively than Rinaldo. On that tangent, Carcillo also brings more offense than Rinaldo.

they're not making 4th line penalty killers anymore?
- FlyerGuy

He did have a 19 goal season. He has scored a Stanley Cup winning goal. He's a solid leader in the room. Not easy finding those guys for around a 1.5 cap hit.

it would not surprise me if Rinaldo is moved.
- FlyerGuy

For what? The purity of Hartnell's ex wife?

it would not surprise me if Rinaldo is moved.
- FlyerGuy

Right now, it would not surprise me if Giroux was moved. Really, it wouldn't.

Wouldnt surprise me.. Simmonds a deal for the right d-man would be okay in my book... although I would prefer Hartnell
- jak521

I wouldnt. Simmonds puck skills makes hartnell look like Gretzky reincarnate.

Possible! But I think they can get a comparable player for the same amount of money going forward. What Downie are we gonna get, and how does it change the mix of the team. And who is going to pick up the PK time are the questions I have.
- MJL

With Downie on board the PK time is going to decrease.

Then why would they trad ehim for a guy coming off of a broken leg?

It's all about the contract. They have a bunch of contracts to negotiate. Now they have one less but they gave up value for it.
- mayorofangrytown

I think there's more to it then that. Talbot is a player who plays the type of game where a broken leg isn't going to affect him long term. If a player like Downie doesn't recover his skating and agility from the keen injury, it could seriously hamper him. And I don't know that's the case with Downie. I'm just thinking out loud.