Here we go!
- Tomahawk

Don't stop the party!

Suddenly the Flyers are flush with high-upside, sub-24 defensemen:

Del Zotto
Schenn
Alt
Gostisbehere
Hagg
Morin
Sanheim
Friedman



- Tomahawk

Just need one of them to make it big, two others to just make it. They won't all make it. But everything about this franchise looks so much better if one of them makes it big and two others just solidify positions on the blueline in the next three years or so.

Don't stop the party!
- jmatchett383

This is gonna be a fun season

Don't stop the party!
- jmatchett383

Let the games begin! Im interested.. what is your opinion on MacDonald?

Let the games begin! Im interested.. what is your opinion on MacDonald?
- GOA88

He's a reliable two-way defender when his minutes are managed. When he's counted on top play 17+ minutes a night, he can get exposed. He'd not strong enough to knock players off the puck on a cycle, but can headman the puck and has a very quick stick in 3 zones.

But I'm sure he's the worst player ever, next to Coburn.

This is gonna be a fun season
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeeaa ee yeaaa ee yea.

Who did Grossmann pair with? Streit. Timonen helps other d-men look more steady. Any Flyer fan knows that kid
- GOA88

Streit carried Grossmann. We've been over this a dozen times.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2013-14&sit=5v5

Streit without Grosmann - GF% 60, CF% 50.8

Grossmann without Streit - GF% 37.8, CF% 43.6

Who did Grossmann pair with? Streit. Timonen helps other d-men look more steady. Any Flyer fan knows that kid
- GOA88

I recall Coburn doing rather well with guys like Grossmann and Carle, too. The guy isn't perfect, but he's the closest thing we have to an actual shutdown force.

Go back and watch those shifts where Grossmann/Schenn were on the ice together if you want a taste of true futility/comedy in the dzone. 30/70 possession times, wee!

I recall Coburn doing rather well with guys like Grossmann and Carle, too. The guy isn't perfect, but he's the closest thing we have to an actual shutdown force.

Go back and watch those shifts where Grossmann/Schenn were on the ice together if you want a taste of true futility/comedy in the dzone. 30/70 possession times, wee!
- Tomahawk

Who would you rather have? Grossmann/Schenn or Smith/Modry? I think that the Smith/Modry pairing was on the ice for the first 8 ES GA of the 2008 playoffs. No, I'm not exxagerating.

I recall Coburn doing rather well with guys like Grossmann and Carle, too. The guy isn't perfect, but he's the closest thing we have to an actual shutdown force.

Go back and watch those shifts where Grossmann/Schenn were on the ice together if you want a taste of true futility/comedy in the dzone. 30/70 possession times, wee!
- Tomahawk

Coburn's fine. Some limitations, but far more strengths. Again: We only think we know horror. True horror is when Coburn is gone without a replacement who does what he does, at the level he does it.

Coburn's fine. Some limitations, but far more strengths. Again: We only think we know horror. True horror is when Coburn is gone without a replacement who does what he does, at the level he does it.
- AllInForFlyers

True horror is Edmonton's defense.

Who would you rather have? Grossmann/Schenn or Smith/Modry? I think that the Smith/Modry pairing was on the ice for the first 8 ES GA of the 2008 playoffs. No, I'm not exxagerating.
- jmatchett383

Can't I pick Parent/Krajicek instead?

True horror is Edmonton's defense.
- jmatchett383

Ha! Agreed -- though I will say that they do have an NHL defense this year. Last year's group was an embarrassment to NHL defense corps.

True horror is Edmonton's defense.
- jmatchett383

Fayne-Schultz
Nikitin-Ference
Petry-???

Coburn-Streit
Amac-Schenn
Grossmann-MDZ

He's a reliable two-way defender when his minutes are managed. When he's counted on top play 17+ minutes a night, he can get exposed. He'd not strong enough to knock players off the puck on a cycle, but can headman the puck and has a very quick stick in 3 zones.

But I'm sure he's the worst player ever, next to Coburn.
- jmatchett383

No, I actually like MacDonald. He can kill penalties, skate, pass, he is smart with the puck and he obvioulsy can block shots. I never said Coburn is awful either. I just see him as a 2nd pair defenseman.

No, I actually like MacDonald. He can kill penalties, skate, pass, he is smart with the puck and he obvioulsy can block shots. I never said Coburn is awful either. I just see him as a 2nd pair defenseman.
- GOA88

On most (well, some) teams, yes he is. But on this team, even with some of his limitations, I feel he is the best, whether it be tallest midget syndrome or not. That is all.

Fayne-Schultz
Nikitin-Ference
Petry-???

Coburn-Streit
Amac-Schenn
Grossmann-MDZ
- PhillySportsGuy

I think that Nikitin will actually end up being their best defender.

Ha! Agreed -- though I will say that they do have an NHL defense this year. Last year's group was an embarrassment to NHL defense corps.
- AllInForFlyers

I think they have an NHL-level defense, much like the Phantoms had an AHL-level forward group the last few years.

On most (well, some) teams, yes he is. But on this team, even with some of his limitations, I feel he is the best, whether it be tallest midget syndrome or not. That is all.
- jmatchett383

His inconsistancy is what worries me most. Some games he is a beast. Some... not so much

I think that Nikitin will actually end up being their best defender.
- jmatchett383

He'd better -- he's taking home the biggest paycheck.

I think that Nikitin will actually end up being their best defender.
- jmatchett383

Without Timonen, it's really not that different between the two teams

Fayne-Schultz
Nikitin-Ference
Petry-???

Coburn-Streit
Amac-Schenn
Grossmann-MDZ
- PhillySportsGuy

Thats really our best shot... I am truly hoping Morin shows he deserves a shot.

His inconsistancy is what worries me most. Some games he is a beast. Some... not so much
- GOA88

Much like Carle, his gaffes get magnified because of the positions he's in. He's far from a legit top-pairing defender, but he's still the best from our current pool, with injuries taken into account (NHL14 is glorious, though).

Important question: at what point does Kimmo need to retire for his 2M to come off the cap? This is important because there is a good chance the Flyers wait and see with his condition. Timing is also key if they plan on making a trade or signing another UFA with regard to available cap.

Thats really our best shot... I am truly hoping Morin shows he deserves a shot.
- GOA88

Unless Morin plays at some crazy as-of-yet-unseen level, he won't last past 9 games.