Phillip Seymour Hoffman died. Damnit. He was fantastic. RIP, Brandt.
- Jsaquella

If brant wants to watch, he has to pay $100

I agree with that -- Boudreau was definitely the scapegoat there.

It's funny. Oates has never really settled on a goalie, even though Holtby was good in the playoffs that one year, beat Thomas and nearly Lundqvist.

There's just something...that one smells like players not buying in to what management is selling.
- AllInForFlyers

Also, Mike Green is not a $6 million/yr d-man in my opinion. If you're paying that much, you better be getting a better two-way game. I just don't see, IMO.

I agree with that -- Boudreau was definitely the scapegoat there.

It's funny. Oates has never really settled on a goalie, even though Holtby was good in the playoffs that one year, beat Thomas and nearly Lundqvist.

There's just something...that one smells like players not buying in to what management is selling.
- AllInForFlyers

Thing with Boudreau if I remember was that he had them playing too aggressive, or more so than they never learned to play defense. Looking at the line-up, they are a pretty mediocre crew.

Need some more star power, I think Backstrom is overrated as hell, specifically his D zone coverage. Those famous stats may tell you different, but Im not a believer.

Also, Mike Green is not a $6 million/yr d-man in my opinion. If you're paying that much, you better be getting a better two-way game. I just don't see, IMO.
- ravishingone

I think the injuries have taken a toll over the years. I remember seeing him come into the league, and he was a constant threat. Dynamic.

I think the injuries have taken a toll over the years. I remember seeing him come into the league, and he was a constant threat. Dynamic.
- flyer_nutter

Absolutely -- he was doing the same things that Erik Karlsson did, but for whatever reason, Karlsson gets a pass for things that Green doesn't.

As Brandt is my witness, I'll miss him a hell of a lot. Goddamn it.

edit: forgot to quote, obviously I'm referring to Philip Seymour Hoffman though.

I think the injuries have taken a toll over the years. I remember seeing him come into the league, and he was a constant threat. Dynamic.
- flyer_nutter

Agreed, McPhee still signed him to his latest extension with him already showing signs of wear and tear. In general, I just think McPhee is way overrated on evaluating talent.

He did, one report says he was found with a needle and substances. It's sucks and it's a waste. He was such a brilliant actor. He could play any role well.
- Jsaquella

from Scotty in boogie nights to his role in The Master...talk about range


so good

That's what's bizarre...Erat's been on the fourth line some, been a healthy scratch some. The production just isn't there.

We all know what McPhee paid to get him there. He can't be seriously expecting to get that kind of return back, right?
- AllInForFlyers

Perhaps that's part of the problem or maybe it's whatever Washington is asking for him

Absolutely -- he was doing the same things that Erik Karlsson did, but for whatever reason, Karlsson gets a pass for things that Green doesn't.
- AllInForFlyers

It was also a knock on Subban, and other guys. The game has changed. Players like that really help you in today's game, even if they do have defensive issues. They are rare, and there is a reason why the are worth/cost so much.

I like Green, just not as a top minute eater. Consider something. Streit is being paid 5.25 million, and Green is at 6. Who would you rather have?

The conclusions that the author draws there are really poor. In my opinion, that's a poorly written article.
- MJL

I seem to have missed the part where you explain why Grossmann having the lowest percentage of successful clears on the defense doesn't mean that he's bad at moving the puck out of the zone. The Flyers biggest issue is getting stuck in their own zone.

from Scotty in boogie nights to his role in The Master...talk about range


so good
- Crimsoninja

My wife still doesn't believe me when I tell her that was him in Twister. He was good in everything.

Agreed, McPhee still signed him to his latest extension with him already showing signs of wear and tear. In general, I just think McPhee is way overrated on evaluating talent.
- ravishingone

I really thought they were trying to go for a "Team Russia" for a while there.

Battle of the big boys in Montreal. Murray going to toe with Buff.

My wife still doesn't believe me when I tell her that was him in Twister. He was good in everything.
- Jsaquella

Even the second 'Hunger Games'. Damn that J Lawrence.

My wife still doesn't believe me when I tell her that was him in Twister. He was good in everything.
- Jsaquella

lol

I really thought they were trying to go for a "Team Russia" for a while there.

Battle of the big boys in Montreal. Murray going to toe with Buff.
- flyer_nutter

What are they going to do in the Peg? Keep the core in tact and continue to hope for success. Not trying to be sarcastic, but isn't the fan base getting a little antsy.

It was also a knock on Subban, and other guys. The game has changed. Players like that really help you in today's game, even if they do have defensive issues. They are rare, and there is a reason why the are worth/cost so much.

I like Green, just not as a top minute eater. Consider something. Streit is being paid 5.25 million, and Green is at 6. Who would you rather have?
- flyer_nutter

That...is a tough one. I haven't seen enough of Green to know how he skates, anymore -- he used to be able to really move, but I don't how his groin/skating have held up with all the injuries.

I think Streit's been fine, so I'm not one of those who feels he has to go. But I do believe what you just said: Guys like Mike Green are weapons. He has a skillset, and an approach to the game, that I think is of significant value, if his body is holding up.

That...is a tough one. I haven't seen enough of Green to know how he skates, anymore -- he used to be able to really move, but I don't how his groin/skating have held up with all the injuries.

I think Streit's been fine, so I'm not one of those who feels he has to go. But I do believe what you just said: Guys like Mike Green are weapons. He has a skillset, and an approach to the game, that I think is of significant value, if his body is holding up.
- AllInForFlyers

He's not as dynamic, but he's still a very capable offensive defenseman. I wouldn't be against the Flyers looking at him, despite his weakness as a defensive player.

What are they going to do in the Peg? Keep the core in tact and continue to hope for success. Not trying to be sarcastic, but isn't the fan base getting a little antsy.
- ravishingone

Think they are something like 7-2 since Maurice took over. Playing a more defensive and composed style. They have some good younger pieces in Kane, Bogosian, Trouba and Morrissey. Scheifele as well has seemed to find his NHL game. 32 points this season.

Wheeler, Ladd and Frolik are decent players as well.

I think you see a move this summer. As patience was really running thin before the coaching change. I do think there is some magic going on but once that wears off Maurice will face the same issues. Jets lack talent, I really do think Buff is moved. Guy is playing full time wing right now.

I still don't like them though. Mixed between enjoying to watch them lose, but I don't want the team to move. Gives me a chance to see the Flyers once a year usually.

I seem to have missed the part where you explain why Grossmann having the lowest percentage of successful clears on the defense doesn't mean that he's bad at moving the puck out of the zone. The Flyers biggest issue is getting stuck in their own zone.
- Feanor

He's very bad at moving the puck out of the zone. He's not very good with the puck on his stick in any situation, doesn't matter which zone it is.

That's not to say he's incapable of having the puck on his stick and making a smart play, but you don't have to tell even Grossman himself it's not his strong suit.

When he's tracking well in his zone, winning puck battles, and making smart decisions with the puck, there's not an argument out there for Grossman not being in the line-up.

He is what he is: a solid bottom pairing dman who can kill penalties, block a ton of shots, and hit anyone wearing the wrong jersey shift in and shift out. This team's issues defensively go way past just over-analyzing one player, especially a guy whose in the 4-6 range in the pecking order.

He's not as dynamic, but he's still a very capable offensive defenseman. I wouldn't be against the Flyers looking at him, despite his weakness as a defensive player.
- Jsaquella

I do, if only because we have a similar player already signed long term in Streit.

He's right, though -- there's nothing more to be said.

Either Grossmann will play better, or he won't. Some of us feel he's been awful, others defend his play. At the end of the day, what matters is that the Flyers keep playing him, and they'll either make the playoffs or they won't.

Everything else is just opinion.
- AllInForFlyers

It's like what Gus Lobel (Clint Eastwood) said to head scout Pete Klein (John Goodman) in Trouble With The Curve...

Pete: You know, they got a special program now that can calculate a player's stats...and based on the competition he's seen...tell you whether or not he's ready for the next level. You believe that?

Gus: Yeah, what else does it tell you? When to scratch your a$$?

Pete: I don't like them either, but they're part of the business now.

Gus: Pete, scouts, good scouts, are the heart of this game. They decide who's gonna play, if they're lucky they decide how it's gonna be played. But a computer, that can't tell if a kid's got instincts or not...or if he can hit a cut-off man, or hit behind the runner. Or look into a kid's face that's just gone oh-for-four...and know if he's gonna be able to come back like nothing's happened. No, a computer can't tell you all that crap, I'll tell you. No.

I seem to have missed the part where you explain why Grossmann having the lowest percentage of successful clears on the defense doesn't mean that he's bad at moving the puck out of the zone. The Flyers biggest issue is getting stuck in their own zone.
- Feanor

That would be the part where the defenseman is not the only one involved in clearing the zone on any play or shift in a game. Unless you believe that Grossmann is the only reason why the Flyers struggle getting out of their zone. On any zone clear the defenseman can make the play, move the puck correctly and efficiently to the forwards, and the forward can turn the puck over and make an errant pass. So it then becomes a failed clear as the puck didn't reach the red line. So the defenseman gets penalized for the failed clear. The article and the data doesn't take any of that into account. The author just draws poor conclusions to back up his agenda. Lot's of holes there.
The Flyers issue of not getting the puck out of the zone is a team issue, and not just a defenseman issue, or anyone player issue. It's a team issue. And certainly the lack of puck skills of the defenseman, and the mix of defenseman is definitely part of it.

After 1

Mississauga - 0
Oshawa - 0

Think they are something like 7-2 since Maurice took over. Playing a more defensive and composed style. They have some good younger pieces in Kane, Bogosian, Trouba and Morrissey. Scheifele as well has seemed to find his NHL game. 32 points this season.

Wheeler, Ladd and Frolik are decent players as well.

I think you see a move this summer. As patience was really running thing before the coaching change. I do think there is some magic going on but once that wears off Maurice will face the same issues. Jets lack talent, I really do think Buff is moved. Guy is playing full time wing right now.
- flyer_nutter

Yeah, I agree Big Buff is probably on his way out. He's always been much more comfortable on defense. That being said, I don't know that I want him on the Flyers for what it will likely cost to get him.

Now, adding a guy like Setoguchi? That's something I can get on board with depending upon the price.

I think were essentially stuck with the defense we have until the off-season. Not saying a guy can't or shouldn't be added for additional depth and to give Berube more options.

The real issues with the defense are probably better addressed at the draft/free agency.