I agree that Del Zotto's play had dipped, but sitting him for 9 games was a bad choice. Nobody on this defense has played well enough to justify keeping MDZ out that long.

I also think, for the most part, Del Zotto's play has been good.

Best number 12 is Kerr. 4 time 50 goal guy, single season record for PPGs, a mountain of a man that was a bedrock player for some great Flyer teams.

Also, he should be in the HHOF, IMO
- Jsaquella

It amazes me that both Dorny and Kerr can walk, what with all the chops they took to their legs while in a Flyers uniform.

It amazes me that both Dorny and Kerr can walk, what with all the chops they took to their legs while in a Flyers uniform.
- Flyskippy

True. Both players injury history read like a medical journal. Neither guy had an easy time of things in the NHL.

On Del Zotto: Pay that man his money

*At a reasonable price and term, of course. Two years, $2.75M per
- AllInForFlyers

With a NMC?

Agreed -- he's on a $1.3 million one-year now; doubling your salary for next season is gracious in a cap league when there have been questions about your fit in a few places

I see a player who has become better than I've ever seen him. But at the same time, you gotta do it more than once, especially when you're on a one-year deal where you had to the job done, because you were THISCLOSE to being out of the league at the start of the season
- AllInForFlyers

Also agreed. As well as he has been playing recently, he's still a player who played his way off of two teams in the recent past, as well as playing himself out of the lineup here. I've often said when Del Zotto plays the right way, he's a pretty good player. His play has dipped in the past, so that is a concern that should be considered in contract negotiations.

I associate numbet 12 with Gagne because he has had the more recent impact with the Flyers. I would take a young Tim Kerr before Gagne if i was building a team. I grew up watching those teams so there is some nostalgia helping the cause.

B schenn,mdz, flyers 1st....for OEL..
May need to add Amac...

B schenn,mdz, flyers 1st....for OEL..
- iskatefast

NO, stop the madness

B schenn,mdz, flyers 1st....for OEL..
May need to add Amac...
- iskatefast

I'd say that buys you maybe 2 seconds on the phone.

One reason he failed in Nashville is that he was very immature and lazy. He seemed to care more about off-ice fun than being a responsible on ice player.

One reason he failed in Nashville is that he was very immature and lazy. He seemed to care more about off-ice fun than being a responsible on ice player.
- wrister

If only he'd been here between 2008 and 2011...

I understand that -- because it's true -- but at the same time, the Flyers could just qualify him and he gets nothing close to the $2.75 next season

I think he's done well in his time in Philly, and I want him to stay. But the Flyers need to start dropping the hammer on these contracts, too -- don't have to be as nasty as Slats, but at the same time, MDZ's got zero leverage for next season
- AllInForFlyers

If they try to lowball him, he could just hold out or chase the money overseas. I imagine MDZ wants to stick around, but not at the cost of continuing to provide his services at an unfair rate.

With how badly the Flyers need quality D, MDZ does have some leverage there. I agree they need to stem the Paul Holmgren blank check method of negotiation... just wouldn't be surprised if MDZ's initial demands run north of $4M per.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Del Zotto, Flyers Greatest Number 12
- bmeltzer

I'm on the fence with Del Zotto. I don't like his game on the rush for or against us. When the play is stable in the offensive and defensive zone, he seems fine. If he can be had for under three million for a couple of seasons, that's amazing! At the same time he could also be a nice piece that gets us some sort of upgrade in other areas. Young players who can play at the NHL level to me are as important as gathering as many draft picks as possible. Giroux, Voracek, Mason, Simmonds, Luke Schenn, Brayden Schenn, Couturier, Read, Laughton and Del Zotto in my mind fit specific roles right now. Most of the guys are far from perfect but to me they undoubtedly fill a need.

As for number 12, it's still hard watching Michael Raffl wear good old Colin Forbes number 12.

I kid. I grew up watching most of Gagne's career but I'm aware of what Tim Kerr has done. It's gotta be Kerr. Asking this question is like choosing between John LeClair, Brayden Schenn and Kris Verteeg.

If they try to lowball him, he could just hold out or chase the money overseas. I imagine MDZ wants to stick around, but not at the cost of continuing to provide his services at an unfair rate.

With how badly the Flyers need quality D, MDZ does have some leverage there. I agree they need to stem the Paul Holmgren blank check method of negotiation... just wouldn't be surprised if MDZ's initial demands run north of $4M per.
- Tomahawk

If he wants $4M and refuses to negotiate, I'd retain his rights and wish him well in Europe.

If they try to lowball him, he could just hold out or chase the money overseas. I imagine MDZ wants to stick around, but not at the cost of continuing to provide his services at an unfair rate.

With how badly the Flyers need quality D, MDZ does have some leverage there. I agree they need to stem the Paul Holmgren blank check method of negotiation... just wouldn't be surprised if MDZ's initial demands run north of $4M per.
- Tomahawk

Nothing over $2.75 per

Oh, and by the way Braydon Schenn is a yellow-bellied bastard. You see a dude straight up board your leading scorer, who is now crumpled on the ice, and your response is to skate over to the guy and lightly nudge him??? I thought you were a physical competitor who can be a leader. I don't care if you win or lose, but at least show up.

I agree that Del Zotto's play had dipped, but sitting him for 9 games was a bad choice. Nobody on this defense has played well enough to justify keeping MDZ out that long.

I also think, for the most part, Del Zotto's play has been good.

Best number 12 is Kerr. 4 time 50 goal guy, single season record for PPGs, a mountain of a man that was a bedrock player for some great Flyer teams.

Also, he should be in the HHOF, IMO
- Jsaquella

Agree with everything.

With a NMC?
- ob18

HA!

For me, I hope the Flyers never give another NMC ever again, or take a player who has one.

I don't mind modified NTCs -- some of that's the price of doing business in a competitive market. I'm fine with a player being able to block, say, 5-10 teams in a trade.

But no way in hell would anybody get a full NTC if it were up to me, and double that "hell no" on an NMC

Loved Dorny.
Loved Kerr.
Loved Gagne.

Close contest, but I'd go with Kerr as the best ever #12.

Have they filed charges? Stalking is a pretty serious crime, and if he's actually doing that, I imagine there'd be charges filed or pending. What I've read is, that a few porn actresses found him to be a pain in the ass and a pest, but no charges have been filed.

As long as he plays well on the ice, and he's not doing stuff off the ice that impacts that, then I'm not overly concerned.
- Jsaquella

I agree and this is why I thought it was pretty silly that a lot of people made a big stink out of the Giroux cop thing. As long as your not a total scum bag off the ice (Tibbets) I don't really care what you do as long as you bring your A game to the ice.

Oh, and by the way Braydon Schenn is a yellow-bellied bastard. You see a dude straight up board your leading scorer, who is now crumpled on the ice, and your response is to skate over to the guy and lightly nudge him??? I thought you were a physical competitor who can be a leader. I don't care if you win or lose, but at least show up.
- jmatchett383

The same BSchenn who took a run at Buff the game before, you say is a coward?

Short memory jmatch

Oh, and by the way Braydon Schenn is a yellow-bellied bastard. You see a dude straight up board your leading scorer, who is now crumpled on the ice, and your response is to skate over to the guy and lightly nudge him??? I thought you were a physical competitor who can be a leader. I don't care if you win or lose, but at least show up.
- jmatchett383

I really don't wanna get pulled into a long debate about this but Simmonds was two steps away from Niskanen when he blew through Laughton and did nothing. Like Saturday, the Capitals' game was a one goal game. I can't remember who hit Voracek but he took a penalty and you have to be careful not to negate it. If Schenn did so, then we're complaining that Schenn costs us a Power Play. I've been accused of liking the goon stuff by someone who will remain nameless but even I know you've gotta keep a cool head in a 1 goal game. There is plenty of time for payback.

The same BSchenn who took a run at Buff the game before, you say is a coward?

Short memory jmatch
- Marc D

Bingo! Same kid mixing it up with Arron Asham?

I'm not old enough to have seen Kerr or Dorny play so I can't speak of them. But Gange was so much fun to watch growing up. He was definitely my favorite player for a long time. The guy just defined the word clutch. I still think him scoring that goal in his first game back 2 years ago was the greatest thing I've ever seen. And it made it even more sweet that it was at home. I will forever miss seeing him in Orange.

I really don't wanna get pulled into a long debate about this but Simmonds was two steps away from Niskanen when he blew through Laughton and did nothing. Like Saturday, the Capitals' game was a one goal game. I can't remember who hit Voracek but he took a penalty and you have to be careful not to negate it. If Schenn did so, then we're complaining that Schenn costs us a Power Play. I've been accused of liking the goon stuff by someone who will remain nameless but even I know you've gotta keep a cool head in a 1 goal game. There is plenty of time for payback.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree with this. Plus I think the hit looked a lot worse than it was.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Del Zotto, Flyers Greatest Number 12
- bmeltzer

what'd i say we should get del zotto in the off season everyone made fun of me for that

looks like i'm right yet again