I, personally, have never felt a big rivalry with them. When we played you in 2006 and you beat us 8/8 times, I didn't care. You're just another team with 3 players (now that Neal's gone) that I don't like.
- jmatchett383

I thought the pens were your second favorite team? The rivalry is one of the biggest in hockey...

I'm not trying to downplay it, I just don't have high hopes for tonight. The Flyers aren't just bad, they're soft and often uninspired.

I mean, I hope it's a bloodbath that gets me screaming at the screen, but you know what they say: hope in one hand and poop in the other, see which hand fills up first
- BulliesPhan87

That depends on when you last ate, what you ate, and what your metabolism is like.

I'm not trying to downplay it, I just don't have high hopes for tonight. The Flyers aren't just bad, they're soft and often uninspired.

I mean, I hope it's a bloodbath that gets me screaming at the screen, but you know what they say: hope in one hand and poop in the other, see which hand fills up first
- BulliesPhan87

Thank you

It's a shame most of you don't appreciate having a quality blogger for your team. What's funny is you think the blogs make him look ridiculous, not your posts. Comical.
- bri29smith

I'm with you man, I think RW does a great job, advanced stats and all. They are not the end all, be all of analysis, but they do help.

I thought the pens were your second favorite team? The rivalry is one of the biggest in hockey...
- znagle

Maybe that's part of it, that I actually like them. I just can not hate them with the zest I feel for every player, regardless of who they are, who don a Rangers and/or Devils jersey. Yes, I hate Jagr right now, until he's traded.

I, personally, have never felt a big rivalry with them. When we played you in 2006 and you beat us 8/8 times, I didn't care. You're just another team with 3 players (now that Neal's gone) that I don't like.
- jmatchett383

I'd agree that historically Flyers have bigger rivalries (Rangers, Devils), but there is an increasing rivalry with the Penguins. I think a big part is the fact they are both PA teams.

Somewhere out there there is a happy medium between the hate that everyone on the board has for Marcel Goc and the love that RW has for him. Right now to me Goc is an excellent 4th line center and Sutter is an average 3rd line center. We'll see how this assessment changes when the lineup is finally healthy and the two have their permanent wingers.

I don't think you can knock a guy like Goc who plays a defensive game while he's playing with two wingers that contribute nothing. That being said, he hasn't proven to me, either now or through his entire career, that he's anything special as a 3C and he's hit the age where he should be slowing down. Still leagues better than Vitale and worth the money, he just needs guys on his line.

- nbartley9

I am completely unaware of the batteries/nickels thing. I think you're confusing Eagles/Phillies fans with Flyers fans.

Also, you just called ESPN the #1 sports channel. Are you a fan of Tom Brady and highlights of slam dunks?

If you are looking for an eye test of Marcel Goc's skill, I think it would be wise to check out the improved play of the fourth line.

The fact that the fourth line is able to posses the puck with Adams and Sill on the ice proves the value of Goc.

I am completely unaware of the batteries/nickels thing. I think you're confusing Eagles/Phillies fans with Flyers fans.

Also, you just called ESPN the #1 sports channel. Are you a fan of Tom Brady and highlights of slam dunks?
- jmatchett383

Haven't watched ESPN in years, so im not sure.


I first hand watched a Flyers fan hold a nickel over a lighter and throw it onto the ice, he held it with a napkin. It was like watching someone boil crack rocks on a spoon, very uncomfortable.

Maybe that's part of it, that I actually like them. I just can not hate them with the zest I feel for every player, regardless of who they are, who don a Rangers and/or Devils jersey. Yes, I hate Jagr right now, until he's traded.
- jmatchett383

I have great respect for this

I'd agree that historically Flyers have bigger rivalries (Rangers, Devils), but there is an increasing rivalry with the Penguins. I think a big part is the fact they are both PA teams.
- Streit2ThePoint

Its a default rivalry due to location... if the Eagles would ever get swapped around and face the Steelers on a regular basis, it would instantly be a "rivalry" night in the NFL due to the same state.

Haven't watched ESPN in years, so im not sure.


I first hand watched a Flyers fan hold a nickel over a lighter and throw it onto the ice, he held it with a napkin. It was like watching someone boil crack rocks on a spoon, very uncomfortable.
- nbartley9

So one dude did something once, which constitutes an entire fanbase' actions? In that case, all Penguins fans look like Hulk Hogan.

So one dude did something once, which constitutes an entire fanbase' actions? In that case, all Penguins fans look like Hulk Hogan.
- jmatchett383

I cant argue that, Brother.

I cant argue that, Brother.
- nbartley9

haha. That dude was awesome. Hartnell mocking him was more awesomer.

ob•jec•tive
adjective: objective

(of a person or their judgment) not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts.


Do you mean not unlike how you consistently bash Craig Adams?

Posted this late last night...any thoughts?

What if we traded Dumoulin + for Sekera and then traded Martin (or scuds) to clear major cap space. Lots of moving parts, but then we have endless options.

Personally if that were the case, I would consider Bortuzzo, Spaling, Scuderi, whatever we got for Martin, or even Sutter would be guys we could deal at that point.

Somewhere out there there is a happy medium between the hate that everyone on the board has for Marcel Goc and the love that RW has for him. Right now to me Goc is an excellent 4th line center and Sutter is an average 3rd line center. We'll see how this assessment changes when the lineup is finally healthy and the two have their permanent wingers.

I don't think you can knock a guy like Goc who plays a defensive game while he's playing with two wingers that contribute nothing. That being said, he hasn't proven to me, either now or through his entire career, that he's anything special as a 3C and he's hit the age where he should be slowing down. Still leagues better than Vitale and worth the money, he just needs guys on his line.
- Victoro311

I agree with everything here. What a lot of people don't understand is that yes, Sutter is an average 3c and we need that for depth. If we had a 25-30 goal scoring 3c then he would price himself out of our team and his 3c role his next team.

haha. That dude was awesome. Hartnell mocking him was more awesomer.
- jmatchett383

I agree, now that Hartnell is gone; I can freely admit I loved that guy. He is 100% fantastic, makes hockey very fun.

More on point... I don't see a feasible way to put Goc's 3rd line skills vs Sutters to the test... no night is the same, can't get the same offensive starts and such, and linemates definitely aren't the same every night here in Pittsburgh lately ~_~.

I think the main thing the advanced stats are showing, is that possession wise and quality wise, Goc is a better 4th line center than Sutter is a 3rd line center. Which makes this debate, a debate.

Posted this late last night...any thoughts?

What if we traded Dumoulin + for Sekera and then traded Martin (or scuds) to clear major cap space. Lots of moving parts, but then we have endless options.

Personally if that were the case, I would consider Bortuzzo, Spaling, Scuderi, whatever we got for Martin, or even Sutter would be guys we could deal at that point.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I don't think Sekera can replace what Martin brings. Yes, Martin is 97% walking at season's end, but he gives you the best chance to win a Cup right now. Also, you'd be dealing 2 defensemen for 1 defensemen, and defensive depth is key in the playoffs. Dealing Martin would diminish your ability to win a Stanley Cup this year which, in my opinion, has the best roster construction since 08/09.

It's a shame most of you don't appreciate having a quality blogger for your team. What's funny is you think the blogs make him look ridiculous, not your posts. Comical.
- bri29smith

Amen.

I feel that many of the complainers don't even read the blog.

As to the actual blog, we all complained about Sutter while he was stuck with awful players. Now we all complain about Goc who is stuck with awful players. Look at how much better Crosby has looked since the addition of Perron. Player usage is definitely important and I don't know how anyone could argue otherwise.

I don't think Sekera can replace what Martin brings. Yes, Martin is 97% walking at season's end, but he gives you the best chance to win a Cup right now. Also, you'd be dealing 2 defensemen for 1 defensemen, and defensive depth is key in the playoffs. Dealing Martin would diminish your ability to win a Stanley Cup this year which, in my opinion, has the best roster construction since 08/09.
- jmatchett383

Agreed. This is a fantastic roster all throughout... when healthy

With the Penguins recent play against the division and the Flyers getting their asses kicked last night, this game worries me.

I can see the Flyers coming out like crazed viking warriors and the Penguins will wilt.

OK OK im jumping in the Sutter bash fest now I cant contain myself any longer.

Sutter sucks, he played brilliant inspired hockey at the beginning of the year; with flashes of great offensive talent, then he just gave up again; but he has got to do more. He cant have a flashy break away goal, then be a turn-over turd machine for the next 5 games until he scores again.

He is the exact style of player that I hate, entitled euro trash no skills soft dangler with no guts, tonight though I love him.


F The Flyers