He scored about 1/3 of his career points last season...
- Tomahawk

He averaged a bit over 22 points/season up until last year. I'm thinking the Niskanen effect was in full force.

Okay but seriously you're D looks nearly as bad as ours... probably worse.
- BINGO!

See, this stuff baffles me.

It's not that people can't feel this way. But it baffles me how definitive people are about it.

I acknowledge that the Flyers defense has some flaws and weaknesses, and that Kimmo Timonen being out is a blow.

But how are people so damn certain that the Flyers defense -- which, last time I checked, actually helped get the team to 94 points and a playoff berth -- is worse than non-playoff teams?

How does that work? I've watched hockey for damn near four decades, and I'm baffled by this.

Depending on who's talking, the Flyers don't have a defense, don't have a goalie, Claude Giroux is overrated...DAMN! What do the Flyers have that keeps them making the playoffs -- again, only missed twice since 1995!

The Flyers defense has some weaknesses. But can we at least not pretend that a non-playoff team that fronts Andrej Sekera on a top pair is something anybody, anybody at all, should think is better?

See, this stuff baffles me.

It's not that people can't feel this way. But it baffles me how definitive people are about it.

I acknowledge that the Flyers defense has some flaws and weaknesses, and that Kimmo Timonen being out is a blow.

But how are people so damn certain that the Flyers defense -- which, last time I checked, actually helped get the team to 94 points and a playoff berth -- is worse than non-playoff teams?

How does that work? I've watched hockey for damn near four decades, and I'm baffled by this.

Depending on who's talking, the Flyers don't have a defense, don't have a goalie, Claude Giroux is overrated...DAMN! What do the Flyers have that keeps them making the playoffs -- again, only missed twice since 1995!

The Flyers defense has some weaknesses. But can we at least not pretend that a non-playoff team that fronts Andrej Sekera on a top pair is something anybody, anybody at all, should think is better?
- AllInForFlyers

People, even NHL GMs, are delusional about defenses. The Brooks Orpik contract is proof of this.

People, even NHL GMs, are delusional about defenses. The Brooks Orpik contract is proof of this.
- jmatchett383

What about the Andy MacDonald contract?

What about the Andy MacDonald contract?
- Schenn-Sational!

What about the Andy MacDonald contract?
- Schenn-Sational!

It's not a great value signing by any means. The term's long, but the $$ is probably around what he'd command on the open market. It's not as great as the Jeff Finger signing, but it's not the worst signing either.

What about the Andy MacDonald contract?
- Schenn-Sational!

Low blow.

What about the Andy MacDonald contract?
- Schenn-Sational!

Well, it remains to be seen if MacDonald lives up that contract, and people can certainly question it until he does or doesn't.

But does a team that drops a 7x7 contract on Dion Phaneuf have any room to talk? I mean, what, exactly, did that get you?

What about the Andy MacDonald contract?
- Schenn-Sational!

What about it?

Well, it remains to be seen if MacDonald lives up that contract, and people can certainly question it until he does or doesn't.

But does a team that drops a 7x7 contract on Dion Phaneuf have any room to talk? I mean, what, exactly, did that get you?
- AllInForFlyers

Six games and 58+ minutes of glory.

What about the Andy MacDonald contract?
- Schenn-Sational!

Looks like a steal compared to the Phaneuf deal.

It's not a great value signing by any means. The term's long, but the $$ is probably around what he'd command on the open market. It's not as great as the Jeff Finger signing, but it's not the worst signing either.
- jmatchett383

So signing a top-4 d-man to a 5.5M/5 year contract is delusional, but a bottom pairing one to a 5.0M/6 year contract is on par with signing a bottom pairing d-man to 3.5M/4 year contract?

Looks like a steal compared to the Pronger deal.
- Doc_Sarcasm

agreed

What about the Andy MacDonald contract?
- Schenn-Sational!

Ut oh... The Andrew MacDonald signal has been sent out. Batman to the rescue!

So signing a top-4 d-man to a 5.5M/5 year contract is delusional, but a bottom pairing one to a 5.0M/6 year contract is on par with signing a bottom pairing d-man to 3.5M/4 year contract?
- Schenn-Sational!

You need to use names, because I think you just called Brooks Orpik a top-4 defenseman (this isn't 2009) and MacDonald a bottom pair (he's a top-4) and jeff Finger was a borderline AHLer.

What about it?
- MJL

It's bad.

You need to use names, because I think you just called Brooks Orpik a top-4 defenseman (this isn't 2009) and MacDonald a bottom pair (he's a top-4) and jeff Finger was a borderline AHLer.
- jmatchett383

what makes MacDonald a top-4 d-man?

agreed
- Schenn-Sational!

Don't worry, once the NHL contracts back to six teams again, you'll have a shot. At least Kerry Fraser's retired, so that's one plus for you guys, seeing as he's the sole reason you didn't win a Cup in 93.

What about it?
- MJL

I like the Flyers, but that guy is overpaid. His possession numbers are brutal.

hwga

what makes MacDonald a top-4 d-man?
- Schenn-Sational!

The fact that he was top-2 in TOI/GP for both teams he played for last year. I'm making him top-4 instead of top-2 based on the relative weaknesses of both blue lines.

So signing a top-4 d-man to a 5.5M/5 year contract is delusional, but a bottom pairing one to a 5.0M/6 year contract is on par with signing a bottom pairing d-man to 3.5M/4 year contract?
- Schenn-Sational!

Bottom pairing dmen don't play 22 minutes a night.

I think last tasting any kind of playoff success when games were in 4:3 has been pretty tough on you, so you're here lashing out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9J9BSZYXd0

Don't worry, once the NHL contracts back to six teams again, you'll have a shot. At least Kerry Fraser's retired, so that's one plus for you guys, seeing as he's the sole reason you didn't win a Cup in 93.
- jmatchett383

You're forgetting Bettman's vendetta against all Canadian teams.

It's bad.
- Schenn-Sational!

Man, you've got Dion Phaneuf locked into a 7x7 with a no-trade. That's bad.

Man, you've got Dion Phaneuf locked into a 7x7 with a no-trade. That's bad.
- AllInForFlyers

Leafs fans are delusional by nature. Its been almost 50 years since they've won a Cup, they've made the playoffs once in the last 10, and yet they consider themselves a top contender year in and year out.