don't call him that. don't ever call him that. he's the king of nothing.
- hammarby31

Gotta win a cup before you're crowned the "King"

Spilled milk or whatever, but Gagne would have looked good with those two.
- flyer_nutter

I'm as big of a Gagne fan as anybody, but let's be real... he would have more likely joined VL on the 4th-line O' Decline than been a productive top-six guy.

Those players have all been a much bigger factor in the series then the Flyers top players have been to this point. I think the Rangers have played pretty much as well as they can play, backed up by Lundqvist. I don't think the Flyers have played at the highest level that they can, as players. Hard for me to blame the Coach there. Although there are some things I don't agree with, that he's done.
- MJL

Let's be honest. Lundqvist hasn't been great in this series. Granted the Flyers have made his life a picnic.

Lundqvist could have won game 1 in a Tuxedo using his guitar for a goalie stick.

I'm as big of a Gagne fan as anybody, but let's be real... he would have more likely joined VL on the 4th-line O' Decline than been a productive top-six guy.
- Tomahawk

Raffl is Nodl, Nodl is Raffl.... Finkle is Einhorn....
- PLindbergh31

Haha loved that movie.

Raffl to me has more skill than Pyorala, but maybe a little less heart than Thor.

As for Nodl, that sack of poop is in a league of his own.

I like that Raffl can carry the puck up the ice, and the speed is really a necessary thing on the current squad. Cant put the puck in the net to save his life, but he's alright as a fourth liner that can be bumped up to other lines.

I'm as big of a Gagne fan as anybody, but let's be real... he would have more likely joined VL on the 4th-line O' Decline than been a productive top-six guy.
- Tomahawk

True, again its no big deal I doubt he would have made a big impact.

Probably could have signed him to a 1 year deal though.

Haha loved that movie.

Raffl to me has more skill than Pyorala, but maybe a little less heart than Thor.

As for Nodl, that sack of poop is in a league of his own.

I like that Raffl can carry the puck up the ice, and the speed is really a necessary thing on the current squad. Cant put the puck in the net to save his life, but he's alright as a fourth liner that can be bumped up to other lines.
- flyer_nutter

I was just joking. I think Raffl is going to be a solid NHL contributor. I think the lights are a little bit too bright for him now.

I'm as big of a Gagne fan as anybody, but let's be real... he would have more likely joined VL on the 4th-line O' Decline than been a productive top-six guy.
- Tomahawk

When talking about the blueline, can we use third pair of despair?

So you're saying that the Rangers are playing at their absolute best, but the Flyers have yet another level they could reach? I can agree with that.
- GOA88

I think the Rangers are clicking as a team, and in my opinion, I don't think they could be much better as a team then they are now. With the exception that they always have Lundqvist, who can flat out steal games. And I certainly do think the Flyers have another level that they can play at, and they haven't as of yet. Especially when it comes to their top players.

who is your choice?
- hammarby31

Oh now you're expecting me to remember who was available last summer. I just remember thinking it was time. And that I wanted a coach to have time to prepare the team in camp for a new plan. And they didn't do it and I was disappointed. And I wanted it not to be Paddock or someone part of the Bully groupthink. I don't know that I had a specific person, but someone who was a former Philadelphia Flyer enforcer.

I know a number of people who thought Berube was a fabulous choice and he's a great hockey mind. I just didn't get it. Now, I realize this team is not without some rather major flaws in makeup, in speed and mobility and hockey sense in a number of places. But I still don't really get it. Of course, rookie coach. But he doesn't inspire ME. Not that I'm important.

Those players have all been a much bigger factor in the series then the Flyers top players have been to this point. I think the Rangers have played pretty much as well as they can play, backed up by Lundqvist. I don't think the Flyers have played at the highest level that they can, as players. Hard for me to blame the Coach there. Although there are some things I don't agree with, that he's done.
- MJL

the flyers haven't come close to playing their A game. and csp has done very little to earn his 2 wins. if he bailed them out and was the difference maker we'd all know it.

I was just joking. I think Raffl is going to be a solid NHL contributor. I think the lights are a little bit too bright for him now.
- PLindbergh31

He's eaten a few monster hits over the past few weeks... looks a little tentative.

I was just joking. I think Raffl is going to be a solid NHL contributor. I think the lights are a little bit too bright for him now.
- PLindbergh31

I think for him to stick long term he has to do one of two things. Either find more of a touch for the net, or be a really strong PK specialist.

Not a fan of players who are just warm bodies, and he needs to excel somewhere. I kind of view him as a Sjostrom/Betts hybrid.

Let's be honest. Lundqvist hasn't been great in this series. Granted the Flyers have made his life a picnic.

Lundqvist could have won game 1 in a Tuxedo using his guitar for a goalie stick.
- PLindbergh31

Exactly my point. The Flyers haven't exactly made his life difficult to this point. Not much traffic at the net, and not enough scoring chances from dangerous areas. He didn't need to shower before hitting the town after game 1.

Its more than just that. Like you said.... The team will play more confident and open to taking chances up ice, also he can get post to post when needed. He can actually steal a game. Which every team needs at some point. Its a team wide effect.
- GOA88

they play better in front of him, and generally speaking, score a lot more for him. ray usually gets 1-2 goals a game. not much to work with.

I think the Rangers are clicking as a team, and in my opinion, I don't think they could be much better as a team then they are now. With the exception that they always have Lundqvist, who can flat out steal games. And I certainly do think the Flyers have another level that they can play at, and they haven't as of yet. Especially when it comes to their top players.
- MJL

Then that is good news, because I believe the Flyers will rise to the occassion. Could they have played better last night? Absolutely. But I also feel like they had some bad luck and Emery not making any saves to keep them in the game just made it "One of those games" It happens. Win game 4, get back on track and bring everything you got the rest of the way and see what happens. I think they can do it...

When talking about the blueline, can we use third pair of despair?
- PLindbergh31

Third pair was actually decent. So-called top-4? Not so much.

Streit-Grossmann matched up against Nash-Stepan-MSL? Yikes.

Kimmo and Coburn haven't been very good either.

He's eaten a few monster hits over the past few weeks... looks a little tentative.
- Tomahawk

Yeah.... True. Bright lights wouldn't be good for cobwebs in the dome.

I think for him to stick long term he has to do one of two things. Either find more of a touch for the net, or be a really strong PK specialist.

Not a fan of players who are just warm bodies, and he needs to excel somewhere. I kind of view him as a Sjostrom/Betts hybrid.
- flyer_nutter

I think Raffl has a bright future in this League. He has a clear nose for the puck, and is very tenacious on the puck. I think he's going to be a solid top 9 forward moving forward. Good find for the Flyers.

Third pair was actually decent. So-called top-4? Not so much.

Streit-Grossmann matched up against Nash-Stepan-MSL? Yikes.

Kimmo and Coburn haven't been very good either.
- Tomahawk

I know. I think L. Schenn has been the Flyers best dman in this series.

Raffl is Nodl, Nodl is Raffl.... Finkle is Einhorn....
- PLindbergh31

disagree.

Oh now you're expecting me to remember who was available last summer. I just remember thinking it was time. And that I wanted a coach to have time to prepare the team in camp for a new plan. And they didn't do it and I was disappointed. And I wanted it not to be Paddock or someone part of the Bully groupthink. I don't know that I had a specific person, but someone who was a former Philadelphia Flyer enforcer.

I know a number of people who thought Berube was a fabulous choice and he's a great hockey mind. I just didn't get it. Now, I realize this team is not without some rather major flaws in makeup, in speed and mobility and hockey sense in a number of places. But I still don't really get it. Of course, rookie coach. But he doesn't inspire ME. Not that I'm important.
- bodiva88

i figured you had someone you wanted in particular. if not, not big deal...just wondering who it might have been.

i was perplexed yet not surprised by the berube selection, although the timing was bad, as is often the case with the flyers. however, i think he's done a nice job and i'm sure is still learning. i don't have a rolodex on candidates, certainly not in the minors/junior that others here seem to have, so i didn't have anyone in mind in particular either.

disagree.
- wilsonecho91

Finkle isn't Einhorn?

disagree.
- wilsonecho91

i agree with your disagreement.

I know. I think L. Schenn has been the Flyers best dman in this series.
- PLindbergh31

Most definitely, but that's a pretty low bar to clear.