when are we going to wake up to the news that the Flyers brought Sbisa back?

The lowest scoring Western team is Nashville with 37 goals in 15 games.

Flyers have 22 in 14. I thought last year's team was hard to watch with the bad goaltending and constant defensive breakdowns, but this is even worse.
- Feanor

So they could score 14 goals tonight and still be the worst?

That better be a 8' tall defenseman that can shoot 200 mph and move better than Datsyuk.


- Streit2ThePoint

Yea, not sure what you think Number 1 puck moving defenseman go for, but a young 2nd line winger, 2nd pairing defenseman, prospect, and pick is pretty much ballpark for the all-star level guy that we need here.

So they could score 14 goals tonight and still be the worst?
- Scoob

how many do the Devils have?

edit: 26

how many do the Devils have?

edit: 26
- wilsonecho91

Flyers GF/G 1.57
Devils 1.71

Bourne's take on what Giroux's going through:

http://blogs.thescore.com...denial-and-claude-giroux/
- Tomahawk

a reply to Bourne:

“Claude Giroux is in a slump like I’ve never seen from someone with that much talent.”
Yeah, I dunno. Claude Giroux is handsy and smart as a whip, but he’s also undersized, not the world’s greatest skater and prone to trying defenders in areas that send an odd-man the other way if he fails. And since he’s being singled out for pressure in those areas, he’s failing a lot.
I doubt he scores between 0 and 3 goals this season, but my feeling was always that once teams started paying enough attention to him that they keyed on him in video sessions and attacked his weaknesses, he would dry up big-time at even strength.
Thing about a guy like Eric Staal (to just pick a guy), he’s shown that he can produce at a certain level after everybody already knows everything he’s all about (which for him, was his second year). Everybody he plays knows what Staal is good at. Everybody he plays knows what Staal isn’t good at. Plan for him all you want, put him with any player in the league; he’s still good for north of 30 goals and 70 points.
Giroux was something of an unknown quantity when he was (imo wrongly) being put in a class with the likes of Stamkos and the Sedins or even Staal. Teams didn’t really know what to do with him and defenders were tentative out of fear he’d make them look bad, which is the worst way to play him.
That’s the biggest change I’ve seen in this guy’s game. Not nerves, not gripping the stick too tight, not struggling with the weight of the Captaincy–teams just started pitching him nothing but low sliders to the outside, so to speak. I don’t know if he’s got long enough arms to hit that pitch often enough to be an all-star going forward.
Honestly, I half expect to wake up one day soon and hear he’s been traded for Subban.

when are we going to wake up to the news that the Flyers brought Sbisa back?
- wilsonecho91

What?

a reply to Bourne:

“Claude Giroux is in a slump like I’ve never seen from someone with that much talent.”
Yeah, I dunno. Claude Giroux is handsy and smart as a whip, but he’s also undersized, not the world’s greatest skater and prone to trying defenders in areas that send an odd-man the other way if he fails. And since he’s being singled out for pressure in those areas, he’s failing a lot.
I doubt he scores between 0 and 3 goals this season, but my feeling was always that once teams started paying enough attention to him that they keyed on him in video sessions and attacked his weaknesses, he would dry up big-time at even strength.
Thing about a guy like Eric Staal (to just pick a guy), he’s shown that he can produce at a certain level after everybody already knows everything he’s all about (which for him, was his second year). Everybody he plays knows what Staal is good at. Everybody he plays knows what Staal isn’t good at. Plan for him all you want, put him with any player in the league; he’s still good for north of 30 goals and 70 points.
Giroux was something of an unknown quantity when he was (imo wrongly) being put in a class with the likes of Stamkos and the Sedins or even Staal. Teams didn’t really know what to do with him and defenders were tentative out of fear he’d make them look bad, which is the worst way to play him.
That’s the biggest change I’ve seen in this guy’s game. Not nerves, not gripping the stick too tight, not struggling with the weight of the Captaincy–teams just started pitching him nothing but low sliders to the outside, so to speak. I don’t know if he’s got long enough arms to hit that pitch often enough to be an all-star going forward.
Honestly, I half expect to wake up one day soon and hear he’s been traded for Subban.



- Marc D

While I half agree with what you are saying, there is 1 simple cure. Get him a linemate that draws the other teams coverage instead of Giroux....coughJAGRcough. And I think Yakupov is that guy.

a reply to Bourne:
“but my feeling was always that once teams started paying enough attention to him

- Marc D

Did you feel that way when he averaged a point a season over the past 3 seasons prior to this start? 217 points over 207 games , + 19 over that time. You can't just throw out what a player does on special teams because it is a key factor.

What about when he scored 55 points in 50 playoff games. Surely teams were not paying attention to him then.

Don't get me wrong..he sucks right now but what player on this team doesn't other than Mason? If he finishes the season with 40-50 points then it was a horrible year. I think when it ends he will be right where he usually is.

when are we going to wake up to the news that the Flyers brought Sbisa back?
- wilsonecho91

what?

when are we going to wake up to the news that the Flyers brought Sbisa back?
- wilsonecho91

What would that accomplish other than taking resources for a player that has proved nothing and obtained almost legendary status among some here.

when are we going to wake up to the news that the Flyers brought Sbisa back?
- wilsonecho91

2 more years

What would that accomplish other than taking resources for a player that has proved nothing and obtained almost legendary status among some here.
- opeth_pa

If they'd take Grossmann for him, it's a year less in term and $1.4mm less in cap hit

If they'd take Grossmann for him, it's a year less in term and $1.4mm less in cap hit
- Jsaquella

Damn you and your logic!

Damn you and your logic!
- opeth_pa

...I'm a generally positive person

Did you feel that way when he averaged a point a season over the past 3 seasons prior to this start? 217 points over 207 games , + 19 over that time. You can't just throw out what a player does on special teams because it is a key factor.

What about when he scored 55 points in 50 playoff games. Surely teams were not paying attention to him then.

Don't get me wrong..he sucks right now but what player on this team doesn't other than Mason? If he finishes the season with 40-50 points then it was a horrible year. I think when it ends he will be right where he usually is.
- opeth_pa

I'm sorry, I was quoting someone else's reply to Bourne. I love G and feel certain he will pull out of this slump soon. Check my avatar.

My feeling is similar to what youarewrong posted, they need two lines to be serious scoring threats to be successful.

I think G and Jake are the two most talented forwards, with VL close.
But both G and Jake are better playmakers.

One or two natural finishers to play with those guys would be perfect.
Easier said then done.

While I half agree with what you are saying, there is 1 simple cure. Get him a linemate that draws the other teams coverage instead of Giroux....coughJAGRcough. And I think Yakupov is that guy.
- youarewrong

I agree with you, Jake and G are best at setting up other players.

I was hoping Vinnie would be the sniper that G needed, but it looks like he is going back to the 2nd line center spot.

I admire your consistency in pushing for Yak.
I don't think the Flyers have the assets to make the trade happen though.
Would be sweet to get him without gutting the team, but not sure it's realistic.

I agree with you, Jake and G are best at setting up other players.

I was hoping Vinnie would be the sniper that G needed, but it looks like he is going back to the 2nd line center spot.

I admire your consistency in pushing for Yak.
I don't think the Flyers have the assets to make the trade happen though.
Would be sweet to get him without gutting the team, but not sure it's realistic.
- Marc D

Then they need to make a play for Gaborik. I cant think of any other pure goal scorer the might become available.

what?

I'm prognosticating that the front office will bring back a family member.

My fear is the combo of good scotch plus Flyers/Devils hockey will have me passed out by the first commercial break!

All kidding aside, a guy like Giroux will eventually score some goals and put up some points. However while I like Voracek, he's not the type of pure sniper that Gioux needs to play with. Heck Bobby Clarke doesnt put up back to back seasons of 89 assists if he doesnt skate on a line with Bill Barber and Reggie Leach. If Jake and G are going to play together, the LW needs to be a sniper.

A speedy puck moving dman or 2 with good offensive skills wouldn't hurt either!

All this Yakupov & Gaborik stuff is lovely...but the biggest need is a good, young, mobile defenseman with good puck skills. Without adding that, Yakupov or Gaborik is putting a new transmission into a 1985 Yugo

I'm sorry, I was quoting someone else's reply to Bourne. I love G and feel certain he will pull out of this slump soon. Check my avatar.

- Marc D

Stupid interwebs..sorry about that..
I just see these people calling for trading him after 14 games and ignoring the last 3 seasons and I dont get it..
It's not like he is an over 30 player and maybe on the decline..he is just starting to enter into his prime.

All this Yakupov & Gaborik stuff is lovely...but the biggest need is a good, young, mobile defenseman with good puck skills. Without adding that, Yakupov or Gaborik is putting a new transmission into a 1985 Yugo
- Jsaquella

I completely agree, but I would still like to see Giroux play on a line with a pure sniper. Too bad we just don't have one.

All this Yakupov & Gaborik stuff is lovely...but the biggest need is a good, young, mobile defenseman with good puck skills. Without adding that, Yakupov or Gaborik is putting a new transmission into a 1985 Yugo
- Jsaquella

What else would you put in a 1985 Yugo if it needs a transmission and if it doesn't, why bother?

I completely agree, but I would still like to see Giroux play on a line with a pure sniper. Too bad we just don't have one.
- BiggE

Absolutely. It's second on my list...but they need good wheels on the blue line