Well, the Flyers were 2 wins from the Cup in '10, so no, they weren't closer in '04.

However, there are a few of us here who believe strongly that if the Flyers hadn't run out of defensemen in the '04 playoffs, they'd have beaten TB and CGY.

Just think, we could be fans of a team that has 4 Cups and winners of two straight appearances, instead of fans of a franchise that has lost its last 6 SCF appearances.
- Doc_Sarcasm

this is what infuriates me so much. and having to listen to all the (frank)ing haters who throw 1975 in our faces. i can't (frank)ing stand it. hell, they could have 8 cups alone if they won them all...not to mention 1989, 1995, 2000, 2004, and 2008. gddamnit, i just went down the road i so vehemently loathe. i lack self discipline.

oh I agree

Gagne playing in the minors... well he doesn't need to do that

I really wonder what happened last summer, thought for sure he would have been offered a deal

he could still play very good two way hockey

I would have liked to see him with Couts and Read

then there would have been no need for the Downie deal, and maybe Talbot would have stayed a Flyer

whatever, water under the bridge now
- Marc D

I don't feel Simon Gagne's situation with the Flyers is all that different from the recent Scott Hartnell trade. Two players who felt they were safe and well respected from within the organization got a reality check. I think it's false to assume Hartnell refused to get with the program by not playing more discipline. While I'll admit Hartnell can be careless at times and a terrible skater, I think all of this is due to a lack of talent, not because he simply refuses to be a better hockey player. Either way, Hextall didn't like what he was seeing and talked him into moving on. I believe Hartnell should have told Hextall to pound sult. The Flyers also talked Lecavalier into coming to Philly a year ago but now are currently talking him into leaving. I don't think the Flyers are creating the best of reputations by treating players this way. I'm sure players around the league talk. Joffery Lupul, Jeff Carter and James van Riemsdyk all signed contracts committing to the Flyers just to be shipped out the upcoming Summer. Mike Richards committed his career as Captain to the Flyers and was dealt. I love this team but you've gotta ask yourself what Gagne, Richards, Carter, Lupul, Hartnell, JvR and Lecavalier are feeling towards this team right now.

Even the very idea the Flyers would consider Dan Cleary over Simon Gagne is jaw dropping to me.

I don't feel Simon Gagne's situation with the Flyers is all that different from the recent Scott Hartnell trade. Two players who felt they were safe and well respected from within the organization got a reality check. I think it's false to assume Hartnell refused to get with the program by not playing more discipline. While I'll admit Hartnell can be careless at times and a terrible skater, I think all of this is due to a lack of talent, not because he simply refuses to be a better hockey player. Either way, Hextall didn't like what he was seeing and talked him into moving on. I believe Hartnell should have told Hextall to pound sult. The Flyers also talked Lecavalier into coming to Philly a year ago but now are currently talking him into leaving. I don't think the Flyers are creating the best of reputations by treating players this way. I'm sure players around the league talk. Joffery Lupul, Jeff Carter and James van Riemsdyk all signed contracts committing to the Flyers just to be shipped out the upcoming Summer. Mike Richards committed his career as Captain to the Flyers and was dealt. I love this team but you've gotta ask yourself what Gagne, Richards, Carter, Lupul, Hartnell, JvR and Lecavalier are feeling towards this team right now.
- SuperSchennBros

they all say the same thing in the media "its a business"

privately who knows?

carter and richards with their 2 rings, I'm sure they don't give a hoot

one thing I hope to see is that they really stop with the contracts greater then 3-4 years in length

I guess with the exception for longer deals for identified franchise players, meaning the #1 center, #1 D types

they all say the same thing in the media "its a business"

privately who knows?

carter and richards with their 2 rings, I'm sure they don't give a hoot

one thing I hope to see is that they really stop with the contracts greater then 3-4 years in length

I guess with the exception for longer deals for identified franchise players, meaning the #1 center, #1 D types
- Marc D

In hindsight I'm sure Richards and Carter are fine but these are only two players. For me it's about how the organization goes about these deals though. You make a promise today and go back on it tomorrow. These players re-sign the moment they're eligible for an extension and are traded away within the year. I totally buy into Gagne feeling he was promised a contract or at least made to feel he was safe until it was too late. That to me is bad business.

In hindsight I'm sure Richards and Carter are fine but these are only two players. For me it's about how the organization goes about these deals though. You make a promise today and go back on it tomorrow. These players re-sign the moment they're eligible for an extension and are traded away within the year. I totally buy into Gagne feeling he was promised a contract or at least made to feel he was safe until it was too late. That to me is bad business.
- SuperSchennBros

It was a pretty bad move by the Flyers, no doubt. If he wasn't out right promised to be signed, he was at least led to believe so. The whole Cleary thing was just a mess.

in a few years Hexy will have so much talent in Allentown that the organization should not have to worry about 5yr/5mill free agent contracts anymore and signing 34 plus old players

It was a pretty bad move by the Flyers, no doubt. If he wasn't out right promised to be signed, he was at least led to believe so. The whole Cleary thing was just a mess.
- jmatchett383

Dan Cleary resigned with the Wings this summer and the Guy was nonexistent last season. In fact, the guy has to be what? At least 3 years older than Gagne, maybe even 4 years older?

Thats really sad. If he is healthy and put on a 2nd line at least I can see him putting up at least 25 goals. I dont understand the hesitation. He is better than Lecavalier is right now. I think we can all agree on that!!!!
- GOA88

I don't know that I can agree on that. Gagne hasn't scored 25 goals in a season since the 08/09 season. That's 4 seasons ago. I don't know if Gagne can even play in the NHL at any rate, let alone score 25 goals. I think if the League thought he could do that, there would be a lot of teams calling his agent.

Update on Gagne's status
http://network.yardbarker...auto_module_head_16869169
- Trainfellow

I'm just happy that the big picture is a little more clear. We all assumed Gagne had no offers. Obviously not the case, which makes sense. It's obvious he's not worth another 3.5 deal but AHL player? C'mon! Teams were just cheaping out. I'm surprised Briere managed 4 million for two years.

I don't know that I can agree on that. Gagne hasn't scored 25 goals in a season since the 08/09 season. That's 4 seasons ago. I don't know if Gagne can even play in the NHL at any rate, let alone score 25 goals. I think if the League thought he could do that, there would be a lot of teams calling his agent.
- MJL

If my only choice is between Vinny and Gagne, I would rather have Vinny at this point. Gagne's decline looks even grimmer to me than Vinny's.

Speaking of bank robbers, there's a big difference between the professional criminal and the drug addict derelict note passer. Funny story, back in the day, before a lot of security measures were put in place, one of the ways bank robbers would attack night depositories, was to attach a chain to the door, and then to a vehicle with a sturdy bumper. Rip the night drop head out of the wall, and then just reach down into the safe and take out the deposits. Well this one group of rocket scientists tried to do it with just a regular car and bumper. When they attached the chain on both ends, and tried to reip the head out, it simply ripped the bumper off of the car. Well they panicked and took off and just left the chain and bumper there. Well guess what was still attached to the bumper?

Dan Cleary resigned with the Wings this summer and the Guy was nonexistent last season. In fact, the guy has to be what? At least 3 years older than Gagne, maybe even 4 years older?
- SuperSchennBros

Part of that deal was that the Red Wings promised they'd resign him again this season, if he accepted a one year deal last season, foregoing any other offers he had.

Speaking of bank robbers, there's a big difference between the professional criminal and the drug addict derelict note passer. Funny story, back in the day, before a lot of security measures were put in place, one of the ways bank robbers would attack night depositories, was to attach a chain to the door, and then to a vehicle with a sturdy bumper. Rip the night drop head out of the wall, and then just reach down into the safe and take out the deposits. Well this one group of rocket scientists tried to do it with just a regular car and bumper. When they attached the chain on both ends, and tried to reip the head out, it simply ripped the bumper off of the car. Well they panicked and took off and just left the chain and bumper there. Well guess what was still attached to the bumper?
- MJL

the license plate

Speaking of bank robbers, there's a big difference between the professional criminal and the drug addict derelict note passer. Funny story, back in the day, before a lot of security measures were put in place, one of the ways bank robbers would attack night depositories, was to attach a chain to the door, and then to a vehicle with a sturdy bumper. Rip the night drop head out of the wall, and then just reach down into the safe and take out the deposits. Well this one group of rocket scientists tried to do it with just a regular car and bumper. When they attached the chain on both ends, and tried to reip the head out, it simply ripped the bumper off of the car. Well they panicked and took off and just left the chain and bumper there. Well guess what was still attached to the bumper?
- MJL

43 dead hookers and 5 kilos of coke?

Part of that deal was that the Red Wings promised they'd resign him again this season, if he accepted a one year deal last season, foregoing any other offers he had.
- MJL

Which was mentioned on the radio here in Detroit. The guys on the radio also followed up after point this out with the Red Wings organization pride themselves on loyalty because it's a good way to attract free agents. To a degree they believe the Wings might be too loyal at times, a promise is still a promise.

Which was mentioned on the radio here in Detroit. The guys on the radio also followed up after point this out with the Red Wings organization pride themselves on loyalty because it's a good way to attract free agents.
- SuperSchennBros

Loyalty and $1.79 will buy you a Giant Slim Jim.

Which was mentioned on the radio here in Detroit. The guys on the radio also followed up after point this out with the Red Wings organization pride themselves on loyalty because it's a good way to attract free agents. To a degree they believe the Wings might be too loyal at times, a promise is still a promise.
- SuperSchennBros

but the wings fans bemoan that the club couldn't get any ufa defenseman this season

but the wings fans bemoan that the club couldn't get any ufa defenseman this season
- Marc D

They attempted to blame that on Babcock's tough demeanor as a Coach.

And this the gold standard Detroit team that the Flyers are often compared to, in terms of player moves. And that the Flyers should emulate them because they never make any mistakes or bad signings. I mean they should have replaced Lidstrom by now! I mean what's taking them so long!

but the wings fans bemoan that the club couldn't get any ufa defenseman this season
- Marc D

Yes, it's a concern. It's brought up all the time on the radio. At the same time, not the best place to live. Michigan is a toilet. On the other hand the Red Wings have been nothing but loyal to Dan Cleary, Todd Bertuzzi and Mikael Samuelsson. I think the idea is for players around the league to take notice. They do have the longest playoff streak in sports going with 23 playoff appearances in a row, with 4 Cups to show for it. They might have the best Coach in the business today (Although it's rumoured that the turn off towards the Wings is Babcock is a hard ass).

They attempted to blame that on Babcock's tough demeanor as a Coach.

And this the gold standard Detroit team that the Flyers are often compared to, in terms of player moves. And that the Flyers should emulate them because they never make any mistakes or bad signings. I mean they should have replaced Lidstrom by now! I mean what's taking them so long!
- MJL

Jakub Kindl >>> Nick Lidstrom

Yes, it's a concern. It's brought up all the time on the radio. At the same time, not the best place to live. Michigan is a toilet. On the other hand the Red Wings have been nothing but loyal to Dan Cleary, Todd Bertuzzi and Mikael Samuelsson. I think the idea is for players around the league to take notice. They do have the longest playoff streak in sports going with 23 playoff appearances in a row, with 4 Cups to show for it. They might have the best Coach in the business today (Although it's rumoured that the turn off towards the Wings is Babcock is a hard ass).
- SuperSchennBros

Michigan is not a toilet. The Upper Peninsula is beautiful. The area around Lake St. Clair is a tremendous place to live. The inner city of Detroit may very well be a toilet. But Michigan is a beautiful state.

this is what infuriates me so much. and having to listen to all the (frank)ing haters who throw 1975 in our faces. i can't (frank)ing stand it. hell, they could have 8 cups alone if they won them all...not to mention 1989, 1995, 2000, 2004, and 2008. gddamnit, i just went down the road i so vehemently loathe. i lack self discipline.
- hammarby31

It's sunstroke.

the license plate
- SuperSchennBros

Wait is this the answer? I thought it was hookers and coke...

I don't feel Simon Gagne's situation with the Flyers is all that different from the recent Scott Hartnell trade. Two players who felt they were safe and well respected from within the organization got a reality check. I think it's false to assume Hartnell refused to get with the program by not playing more discipline. While I'll admit Hartnell can be careless at times and a terrible skater, I think all of this is due to a lack of talent, not because he simply refuses to be a better hockey player. Either way, Hextall didn't like what he was seeing and talked him into moving on. I believe Hartnell should have told Hextall to pound sult. The Flyers also talked Lecavalier into coming to Philly a year ago but now are currently talking him into leaving. I don't think the Flyers are creating the best of reputations by treating players this way. I'm sure players around the league talk. Joffery Lupul, Jeff Carter and James van Riemsdyk all signed contracts committing to the Flyers just to be shipped out the upcoming Summer. Mike Richards committed his career as Captain to the Flyers and was dealt. I love this team but you've gotta ask yourself what Gagne, Richards, Carter, Lupul, Hartnell, JvR and Lecavalier are feeling towards this team right now.

Even the very idea the Flyers would consider Dan Cleary over Simon Gagne is jaw dropping to me.
- SuperSchennBros

No no no no. The Flyers were stunned when Vinny contacted them about signing here. He wasn't even on their radar. That's why the signing seemed so odd to me to begin with. If you weren't interested, why did you let him talk you into signing him? If he wasn't in your plans, you should have said, "Flattered Vinny, but not what we were thinking." It was so odd.

Wait is this the answer? I thought it was hookers and coke...
- Giroux_Is_God

Yeah, he never verified. I went with the obvious answer, but I suppose it could be the license plate. Maybe it was 73 gallon cans of lead-based red paint and 2 members of The Beach Boys.