One of the problems was that the didn't have high picks. The didn't have a 1st or second in 2009 or 2010. Same would be true for 2011 but they traded Carter for the #8 pick. You can blame them for not holding onto high picks, but when you're not drafting until the 3rd round, kinda hard to get those stud defensemen.
- jmatchett383

Completely agree.

I totally agree with MJL on this part... that is all hindsight. Imagine if we had selected Subban and Marshall ended up a stud. That happens in every draft. Look at the Red Wings stars.

As for Goulbourne.. Homer did hit his head.
- jak521

Looked into this. I was under the impression that Subban was ranked higher than Marshall in the final rankings but he was not. I think Bill even wrote something to that extent. I'm not upset anymore

Looked into this. I was under the impression that Subban was ranked higher than Marshall in the final rankings but he was not. I think Bill even wrote something to that extent. I'm not upset anymore
- NickTheKid87

Drafting defensemen is not as difficult as drafting goalies, but it's hit and miss, even in the top 10 sometimes. You're drafting 18-year-old kids who haven't even started to grow into their bodies and are going through literal growing pains. They're totally different players by the time they're ready to turn pro.

I was actually going to make that point, and lump the Holmgren/Clark eras into one going back to 1999. This would have added Pitkanen and Woywitka, and Alexander Picard in 3rd round.

But then I didn't want to do the math to add up the picks and calculate percentages.

Whether it is lack of picks, lack of using picks on defensemen high enough in the draft, lack of picking GOOD prospects when they did pick them, or lack of developing those they picked, the long and short of it is that they've done a pretty poor job between 1999 and 2012.

I have much more hope for the 2013 draft under Homer and 2014 draft under Hexy, along with only leftover from 1999-2011 (Ghost). I have even more hope that Hextall will retain and develop these guys.
- TheGreat28

I think it's a combination of all those things. The flyers didn't draft many defensemen early & when they traded away a lot of high picks and they expected first-round picks especially to contribute within a year or two. It's a lot easier for a forward to jump right in than a D-man, generally.

The thing with Hexy & the draft, Holmgren did very well in the 1st round, where as Hextall & Lombardi had a couple first round missed-Hickey & Tuebert but did great in the mid rounds where Homer missed

One of the problems was that the didn't have high picks. The didn't have a 1st or second in 2009 or 2010. Same would be true for 2011 but they traded Carter for the #8 pick. You can blame them for not holding onto high picks, but when you're not drafting until the 3rd round, kinda hard to get those stud defensemen.
- jmatchett383

This is both a blessing and a curse. Some of the best teams right now have had periods in the passed like the Blackhawks, Bruins, Penguins and Kings. Others have had bad periods and still are like the Oilers, Maple Leafs and Panthers. Other teams have been steadily good like the Red Wings and Flyers. Because of all this, it's hard to pin point if high picks correlates to future success but it definitely doesn't hurt to have some. Then sometimes you getting lucky like with Giroux.

The NHL isn't like the NBA where if you get stuck in the middle of the pack year in and year out, you're more or less screwed.

anyone no any good sites to get fan clothing. i feel there is not much to get my little girl from the Flyers team site. I have also checked fansedge and fanatics.com. Everyone

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...au-in-book-140853669.html

Whoa

I think it's a combination of all those things. The flyers didn't draft many defensemen early & when they traded away a lot of high picks and they expected first-round picks especially to contribute within a year or two. It's a lot easier for a forward to jump right in than a D-man, generally.

The thing with Hexy & the draft, Holmgren did very well in the 1st round, where as Hextall & Lombardi had a couple first round missed-Hickey & Tuebert but did great in the mid rounds where Homer missed
- Jsaquella

Agreed. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what some idiot (me) on a discussion board thinks. It's clear from the organization's words and actions that they view not drafting and developing defensemen as a mistake, starting with the Morin draft. Holmgren and Snider both expressly stated this, along with a recognition of the consequences of trading picks.

Hextall is continuing that trend and making more of an emphasis on not rushing players and actually developing them.

Not drafting and developing defenseman well.
- MJL

Sort of Disagree. Homer was maybe slow to the Drafting D party but he was the guy who got Sanheim, Morin, Haag and Gostisbehere

I think it's a combination of all those things. The flyers didn't draft many defensemen early & when they traded away a lot of high picks and they expected first-round picks especially to contribute within a year or two. It's a lot easier for a forward to jump right in than a D-man, generally.

The thing with Hexy & the draft, Holmgren did very well in the 1st round, where as Hextall & Lombardi had a couple first round missed-Hickey & Tuebert but did great in the mid rounds where Homer missed
- Jsaquella

That is exactly where we hurt.

Imagine how different of a conversation we would be having if Homer had drafted Jason Demers instead of Zac Rinaldo in 2008.

Hell sticking to 2008... what if we had taken any of Jared Spurgeon, Philip Larsen, T.J. Brodie or (to a lesser) Matt Bartkowski.. All guys after the 3rd round. Sometimes you just get lucky.

If we added Demers, Brodie or Spurgeon, I dont think many would be complaining, but none of their teams really knew what they were getting with them.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...au-in-book-140853669.html

Whoa
- Tomahawk

If he had any other coach, he'd still be playing? Seems like an excuse from Teemu. He stunk last season. Only time in his career that he didn't score double digit goals (9). He even scored 12 in the lockout shortened season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...au-in-book-140853669.html

Whoa
- Tomahawk

Yeah, he shredded Boudreau...says if the Ducks had any other coach he'd still be playing

Sort of Disagree. Homer was maybe slow to the Drafting D party but he was the guy who got Sanheim, Morin, Haag and Gostisbehere
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Sanheim was a Hextall pick, but yes, he drafted the other 3, as well as Sbisa and MAB.

Agreed. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what some idiot (me) on a discussion board thinks. It's clear from the organization's words and actions that they view not drafting and developing defensemen as a mistake, starting with the Morin draft. Holmgren and Snider both expressly stated this, along with a recognition of the consequences of trading picks.

Hextall is continuing that trend and making more of an emphasis on not rushing players and actually developing them.
- TheGreat28

Yep, the development part is what I dig most about Hexy. If a kid isn't ready he won't rush him or likely won't trade him if the development curve is not linear

Yeah, he shredded Boudreau...says if the Ducks had any other coach he'd still be playing
- Jsaquella

Boudreau does come across as a bit of a doofus.

I'll say this for the Bryz deal: it was a deal Homer signed, but he had Snider looming over him to do it (or something similar) no matter the cost.
- jmatchett383

mr snider even said it again in that very recent interview

Lucked out and got a ticket to the Lindros Leclair game for 85 bucks. 50 dollars cheaper than anything else on Stubhub.

That is exactly where we hurt.

Imagine how different of a conversation we would be having if Homer had drafted Jason Demers instead of Zac Rinaldo in 2008.

Hell sticking to 2008... what if we had taken any of Jared Spurgeon, Philip Larsen, T.J. Brodie or (to a lesser) Matt Bartkowski.. All guys after the 3rd round. Sometimes you just get lucky.

If we added Demers, Brodie or Spurgeon, I dont think many would be complaining, but none of their teams really knew what they were getting with them.
- jak521

I wonder how many of the latter round defensive picks we have mentioned previously would still be the same players they are today if they had been developed by the Flyers. Like, if the Flyers had picked Subban, how likely is it that he would be as good as he is right now? I'm just curious as to how much the team's development process comes into play.

mr snider even said it again in that very recent interview
- -davies-

It's what we all basically knew after his "Never again!" statement after the Boston series in 2011. He just basically confirmed it. Still, a good GM has to have the balls to say, "Let me make the best decisions for the team."

That is exactly where we hurt.

Imagine how different of a conversation we would be having if Homer had drafted Jason Demers instead of Zac Rinaldo in 2008.

Hell sticking to 2008... what if we had taken any of Jared Spurgeon, Philip Larsen, T.J. Brodie or (to a lesser) Matt Bartkowski.. All guys after the 3rd round. Sometimes you just get lucky.

If we added Demers, Brodie or Spurgeon, I dont think many would be complaining, but none of their teams really knew what they were getting with them.
- jak521

I'm hoping that the newfound-under Hextall-desire to use the Phantoms as a developmental platform and instill a winning attitude at the AHL level pays dividends.

It's hard to drop a kid in a losing situation, in sub par facilities and expect him to develop well.

I'm hoping that the newfound-under Hextall-desire to use the Phantoms as a developmental platform and instill a winning attitude at the AHL level pays dividends.

It's hard to drop a kid in a losing situation, in sub par facilities and expect him to develop well.
- Jsaquella

That, to me at least, has been the best contribution from Homer so far. The commitment to developing a winning atmosphere. From bottom to top.

I wonder how many of the latter round defensive picks we have mentioned previously would still be the same players they are today if they had been developed by the Flyers. Like, if the Flyers had picked Subban, how likely is it that he would be as good as he is right now? I'm just curious as to how much the team's development process comes into play.
- mcefalu

That is a really good (and valid) question.. I still think its more about the player then the development. At least to a degree.

Yep, the development part is what I dig most about Hexy. If a kid isn't ready he won't rush him or likely won't trade him if the development curve is not linear
- Jsaquella

Plus he got Snider to actually say the "P" word.

Patience.

Plus he got Snider to actually say the "P" word.

Patience.
- TheGreat28

An old wooden Vic Goalie stick is a great persuader

That, to me at least, has been the best contribution from Homer so far. The commitment to developing a winning atmosphere. From bottom to top.
- jak521

Yeah, it's a logic first step. I'm
Also a huge fan of the 2014 draft class. All have skill/skating ability. You can find character guys in FA more cheaply