That little girl is far cuter than Erin Andrews.
- Jsaquella

TMI

Some of you might find this interesting, take it for what it's worth.

Flames super prospect, John Gadreau, is a native of South Jersey and supposedly a big time Flyers fan. General consensus at this point is he's going to have to be traded, having still not signed a contract with the Flames and completely dominating NCAA D1 hockey despite his diminutive stature.

Again, supposedly, each training camp/subsequent visit to Calgary he's been very "shelled", quiet. Working hard, yes. But it's evident he doesn't seem very comfortable. The Flames are aware of it, they went through a similar process not all that long ago with Tim Erixon.

Now, I'm not saying Gadreau is going to become a free agent and automatically sign in Philly; the consensus is he would just like to be a little closer to home. But again, he is a huge Flyers fan.

I grew up playing at Hollydell, the rink is father Guy owns. I've met Johnny, he's not very "shelled", at least he doesn't seem so. The idea is that he only returned to college for a third season was because he was snubbed last year for the Hobey Baker. He could be in the AHL right now. He wasn't eligible for the WJC again.

He's also using this extra time to put on as much weight as possible, something his dad Guy stresses having attached a state of the art gym to the Hollydell Ice Rink that he owns and operates within the last 5 years.

I for one would be ECSTATIC if this kid became a Flyer. I truthfully believe he's the next St. Louis. His size has not stopped him at ANY LEVEL. He just had a 5 assist game the other night. I also truthfully believe he does not want to sign in Calgary.

For those not familiar with Gadreau.....
http://www.hockeydb.com/i...s/pdisplay.php?pid=130893

-USHL Rookie of the Year
-USHL Championship
-NCAA National Championship
-WJHC Gold Medal
-Leading candidate for 13-14 Hobey Baker (21-26--47 in 23 GAMES**)

Since we are talking Flyers defencemen, here is my top 10 Flyers Dmen of all time.

1. Mark Howe
No one else is even in the conversation when it comes to the #1 ranking. Howe was one of the all time greats and a pleasure to watch. His skating was effortless and his positioning and decision making were flawless

2. Eric Desjardins
Ideally Eric would have been the prototypical #2 Dman on a championship team. However he served admirably as the Flyers #1 guy for many years and he is one of the classiest players to ever wear the orange and black.

3. Kimmo Timonen
Look up warrior in the dictionary and chances are you'll see a picture of this tough little Finn. You almost have to kill Timonen to get him out of the lineup. He excels in all facets of the game and even now as he's closing in on his 39th birthday, he is still arguably the best defenseman on the team.

4. Jimmy Watson
Smooth and surehanded, Jimmy Watson was the Flyers best all around dman from about 1975-1980. A bad back sadly cut his career short.

5. Ed Van Impe
Mr. Elbows, Van Impe was notorious for using em to drop opposing forwards all over the ice. However he was also one of the finest defensive defensemen of his era and the first guy Shero put on the ice to kill a penalty or protect a lead late in a period or game.

6. Chris Pronger
If Pronger had spent his entire career here, he would be neck and neck with Howe for the top spot. Heck, if he had just had 4 or 5 healthy seasons with the Flyers, he'd probably come in at #2. Pronger was the total package of skill, smarts and snarl and the Flyers are still trying to get over his loss to injury.

7. Barry Ashbee
His picture would be right next to Timonens in the warrior department. He played through crippling injuries and he helped set the tone of hard work for the young Broad Street Bullies. His best year was 72-73, he was able to stay relatively healthy and was named a 2nd team all star by the NHL.

8. Brad McCrimmon
The Beast was solid in all 3 zones and was the perfect partner for Mark Howe. He brought leadership to a very young club and was a great mix of skill and tenacity. The pairing of him and Mark Howe in the mid 80s was one of the finest in league history.

9. Kim Johnsson
Johnsson was a smooth skating, mobile dman with good offensive skills. He was also just as solid in his own zone. Basically, he is exactly the kind of guy the Flyers could use right now.

10. Bob Dailey
While Dailey could make the occasional bonehead play in his own zone, at 6'5 220, he was monster in his era and he possessed a cannon from the point. Sadly, he's yet another Flyer who's career was cut short due to a crippling injury.

Honorable mentions:

Joe Watson-small body, huge heart. A key guy on a back to back championship club

Andre Dupont- The Moose was a character who stood out in a league full of characters. He was also very skilled and scored and assisted on some of the biggest goals in Flyers history.

Brad Marsh-The epitome of hard work and dedication. Brad was a fearless shot blocker and team leader. A class act with a capital C

Kjell Samuelsson-Opponents described trying to get through the huge Swede being like trying to skate through an octopus. Kjell partnered with Mark Howe on the Flyers top pair in the late 80's through the early 90's and he also returned and was a top penalty killer on the Flyers mid 90's teams.
- BiggE

Where's Matt Carle? I thought he was as good as Ryan Suter?

All honesty--I agree with most of the list. I'd move Brad Marsh up a bit though. And probably take Pronger off the list just because he really didn't play here all too long.

Where's Matt Carle? I thought he was as good as Ryan Suter?

All honesty--I agree with most of the list. I'd move Brad Marsh up a bit though. And probably take Pronger off the list just because he really didn't play here all too long. Maybe less games than Paul Coffey did.
- Moose_15

I thought Pronger deserved to be on the list because without him the 09-10 team gets nowhere near the Stanley Cup finals while Coffey didn't really do much in a Flyers uniform. Though its hard to blame Coffey as he was never the same after running into Lindros in one of his first games as a Flyer!

How does everyone feel about Mark Giordano? Signed for 3 years at a smidge over 4 mill, a bargain IMO for how good a dman he really is.

I think he's a more than suitable replacement for Timonen next year, who is all but done. Guy will eat huge minutes and can play PP and PK. Good stop gap guy to fill a top pairing role while we continue to draft and groom our own dmen.

For the record, I am in the group that doesn't find trading for a "young, top pairing, two way dman" very plausible. I think those guy's have to come from within. Hopefully two of Gostisbhere, Morin, and Haag are top 4 NHL dmen.

I, personally, really like Ghostbear

How does everyone feel about Mark Giordano? Signed for 3 years at a smidge over 4 mill, a bargain IMO for how good a dman he really is.

I think he's a more than suitable replacement for Timonen next year, who is all but done. Guy will eat huge minutes and can play PP and PK. Good stop gap guy to fill a top pairing role while we continue to draft and groom our own dmen.

For the record, I am in the group that doesn't find trading for a "young, top pairing, two way dman" very plausible. I think those guy's have to come from within. Hopefully two of Gostisbhere, Morin, and Haag are top 4 NHL dmen.

I, personally, really like Ghostbear
- mochoson

I believe the Flames named Giordano captain at the start of the season, so I doubt they are looking to trade him and if they are, he certainly won't come cheap. That being said, I like him as a player and he could certainly help the Flyers.

Flames super prospect, John Gadreau, is a native of South Jersey and supposedly a big time Flyers fan. General consensus at this point is he's going to have to be traded, having still not signed a contract with the Flames and completely dominating NCAA D1 hockey despite his diminutive stature.
- mochoson

Johnny Gaudreau can't sign w/ the Flames yet... NCAA rules, he'd be ineligible to finish BC's season.

Edit: The graveyard of undersized, former Hobey Baker winners/finalists is pretty scary... Jason Krog anyone?

How does everyone feel about Mark Giordano? Signed for 3 years at a smidge over 4 mill, a bargain IMO for how good a dman he really is.

I think he's a more than suitable replacement for Timonen next year, who is all but done. Guy will eat huge minutes and can play PP and PK. Good stop gap guy to fill a top pairing role while we continue to draft and groom our own dmen.

For the record, I am in the group that doesn't find trading for a "young, top pairing, two way dman" very plausible. I think those guy's have to come from within. Hopefully two of Gostisbhere, Morin, and Haag are top 4 NHL dmen.

I, personally, really like Ghostbear
- mochoson

rather get girardi

I thought Pronger deserved to be on the list because without him the 09-10 team gets nowhere near the Stanley Cup finals while Coffey didn't really do much in a Flyers uniform. Though its hard to blame Coffey as he was never the same after running into Lindros in one of his first games as a Flyer!
- BiggE

Sorry--took the Coffey comment out after looking it up. Coffey played 1 1/2 seasons, 94 games. Pronger had 2 1/2 seasons, 145 games.

Both went on cup-runs with Flyers--Coffey in 96-97 (The Chokers Cup).

Really liked Pronger, but I also still look at that 09-10 cup run team as being a skills competition away from hitting the links six weeks early.

Some of you might find this interesting, take it for what it's worth.

Flames super prospect, John Gadreau, is a native of South Jersey and supposedly a big time Flyers fan. General consensus at this point is he's going to have to be traded, having still not signed a contract with the Flames and completely dominating NCAA D1 hockey despite his diminutive stature.


- mochoson

Al Morganti has also written some nice things about Gaudreau on twitter.....

I don't know much about the kid, so I'd be interested to hear what some of the folks here that routinely follow college and junior hockey say.....

Johnny Gaudreau can't sign w/ the Flames yet... NCAA rules, he'd be ineligible to finish BC's season.
- Tomahawk

Apologies, let me clarify. What I was trying to get at was he was good enough to leave college this past summer + sign with the Flames. The Flames were not thrilled with his decision if I remember correctly.

However, he supposedly isn't very interested in playing in Calgary. This comes from Calgary people, this isn't something I'm just making up. He has yet to make some sort of official statement himself hinting at such, which Is why I started off with "take this for what it's worth".

The feeling is that one more year of school to let him grow as much as possible couldn't hurt, on top of feeling "snubbed" for the Hobey Baker. Averaging 2 points a game presently, he's certainly the favorite this year.

A lot of this is very speculative, I know. But it's a situation worth watching, I believe.

rather get girardi
- 2Real

I disagree wholeheartedly. Girardi is a little more 1 dimensional and is probably gonna make 5+ cause of the market over long term. No thanks.

Al Morganti has also written some nice things about Gaudreau on twitter.....

I don't know much about the kid, so I'd be interested to hear what some of the folks here that routinely follow college and junior hockey say.....
- johndewar

Hope he isn't making his decision not to sign based upon the weather. Looks like Calgary out here today.

Al Morganti has also written some nice things about Gaudreau on twitter.....

I don't know much about the kid, so I'd be interested to hear what some of the folks here that routinely follow college and junior hockey say.....
- johndewar

I played against him twice in high-school in tournaments. I was playing AA and he wasn't even IN high school yet. I think he was still in 8th grade.

He literally looked like a 10 year old, but was skating around everyone like it was his job. He didn't even look like he was trying most of the time.

Both times I played against him, he actually played defense. Lost both times. Bad. Couldn't touch the kid, at all.

I disagree wholeheartedly. Girardi is a little more 1 dimensional and is probably gonna make 5+ cause of the market over long term. No thanks.
- mochoson

people said that about carle and look at how he's done in tampa

If anyone wants a pair of tix to the game tonight, PM me or email [email][email protected][/email]

people said that about carle and look at how he's done in tampa
- 2Real

Matt Carle isn't one dimensional. I dont know who "people" are, either? Pretty lame argument, no offense.

Some of you might find this interesting, take it for what it's worth.

Flames super prospect, John Gadreau, is a native of South Jersey and supposedly a big time Flyers fan. General consensus at this point is he's going to have to be traded, having still not signed a contract with the Flames and completely dominating NCAA D1 hockey despite his diminutive stature.

Again, supposedly, each training camp/subsequent visit to Calgary he's been very "shelled", quiet. Working hard, yes. But it's evident he doesn't seem very comfortable. The Flames are aware of it, they went through a similar process not all that long ago with Tim Erixon.

Now, I'm not saying Gadreau is going to become a free agent and automatically sign in Philly; the consensus is he would just like to be a little closer to home. But again, he is a huge Flyers fan.

I grew up playing at Hollydell, the rink is father Guy owns. I've met Johnny, he's not very "shelled", at least he doesn't seem so. The idea is that he only returned to college for a third season was because he was snubbed last year for the Hobey Baker. He could be in the AHL right now. He wasn't eligible for the WJC again.

He's also using this extra time to put on as much weight as possible, something his dad Guy stresses having attached a state of the art gym to the Hollydell Ice Rink that he owns and operates within the last 5 years.

I for one would be ECSTATIC if this kid became a Flyer. I truthfully believe he's the next St. Louis. His size has not stopped him at ANY LEVEL. He just had a 5 assist game the other night. I also truthfully believe he does not want to sign in Calgary.

For those not familiar with Gadreau.....
http://www.hockeydb.com/i...s/pdisplay.php?pid=130893

-USHL Rookie of the Year
-USHL Championship
-NCAA National Championship
-WJHC Gold Medal
-Leading candidate for 13-14 Hobey Baker (21-26--47 in 23 GAMES**)
- mochoson

He's a great prospect. He was on fire at the WJC last year. Also, saw a game last year when he played Union. He and Ghost played at one level, and everyone else was in slow motion. If they trade him via Erixon or he walks via Schultz, I'd love to get our hands on him.

If anyone wants a pair of tix to the game tonight, PM me or email
- jmatchett383[email][email protected][/email]

God, I wish I could take you up on that. Really interested in watching Justin Faulk play. But alas, I have a long, long day on Wednesday--and I do not trust the Regional Rail to continue service into the evening (cause I sure as frank ain't driving.)

He's a great prospect. He was on fire at the WJC last year. Also, saw a game last year when he played Union. He and Ghost played at one level, and everyone else was in slow motion. If they trade him via Erixon or he walks via Schultz, I'd love to get our hands on him.
- jmatchett383

He has to be of immediate interest. Like I said, he is a huge Flyers fan, but apparently he just wants to be a little closer to the East coast. So no guarantee, but we have to be at least a favorite.

Apologies, let me clarify. What I was trying to get at was he was good enough to leave college this past summer + sign with the Flames. The Flames were not thrilled with his decision if I remember correctly.

However, he supposedly isn't very interested in playing in Calgary. This comes from Calgary people, this isn't something I'm just making up. He has yet to make some sort of official statement himself hinting at such, which Is why I started off with "take this for what it's worth".

The feeling is that one more year of school to let him grow as much as possible couldn't hurt, on top of feeling "snubbed" for the Hobey Baker. Averaging 2 points a game presently, he's certainly the favorite this year.

A lot of this is very speculative, I know. But it's a situation worth watching, I believe.
- mochoson

He's on record stating that he isn't looking to pull a Justin Schultz:

“I’m strictly going back to school to improve my game, not to wait out the years to try and sign with someone else.”

As for Justin Schultz, looking at where Anaheim is now, and where Edmonton is... I'm betting he wouldn't be pulling a Justin Schultz himself if he had the choice again, lol.

He's on record stating that he isn't looking to pull a Justin Schultz:





As for Justin Schultz, looking at where Anaheim is now, and where Edmonton is... I'm betting he wouldn't be pulling a Justin Schultz himself if he had the choice again, lol.
- Tomahawk

While that is interesting, and I did not know that, I wouldn't expect him to say anything else. His game was done growing last year in college. He's embarrassing D1 hockey right now.

Like I've been saying, it's all speculative. None of us have any clue. Gadreau and his family are the only ones with any clue right now. Just an interesting situation to watch here on out.

I agree on Justin Schultz right now as well

In case it hasnt already been mentioned...

The Flyers have challenged the Canes to a snowball fight in the parking lot via twitter.

In case it hasnt already been mentioned...

The Flyers have challenged the Canes to a snowball fight in the parking lot via twitter.
- jak521

Don't let Giroux play, he might hurt another finger.

While that is interesting, and I did not know that, I wouldn't expect him to say anything else. His game was done growing last year in college. He's embarrassing D1 hockey right now.

Like I've been saying, it's all speculative. None of us have any clue. Gadreau and his family are the only ones with any clue right now. Just an interesting situation to watch here on out.

I agree on Justin Schultz right now as well
- mochoson

He was like 140lbs or something this past summer... I don't care how many points he puts up in college, he wasn't physically ready to play in the NHL. He also made it clear that one of the reasons he wanted to go back was so he could play with his brother, since the main reason he chose BC was b/c the school was willing to recruit them together.

I think Flames fans are understandably nervous, seeing how the Schultz thing went down, seeing how bad their team is, and knowing the general reluctance of players to play in Alberta, but right now, JG is just like any other drafted prospect playing in college... he'll sign when he's ready... probably this summer.