That's some brave words for this board.
- jmatchett383

Holmgren made some very nice moves in his first few years as GM:
Sending Forsberg to Nashville and eventually turning that into Hartnell and Timonen
Signing Briere as a free agent
Acquiring Marty Biron to finally give the Flyers some stability in net
Swapping Zhitnik for Coburn
And, though some disagree, the Pronger deal

His downfall was his reaction to Pronger's injury, signing Bryz and his tendency to overpay in free agency and give out NTC/NMC's like they were boxes of candy.

Always felt that extra boost of confidence entering a playoff series with him.
- arichardson22

True!
The only other player in Flyers history that always seemed to reach that extra gear in the playoffs was Rick Macleish. Those guys are priceless when you have a team that is a legit contender.

Holmgren made some very nice moves in his first few years as GM:
Sending Forsberg to Nashville and eventually turning that into Hartnell and Timonen
Signing Briere as a free agent
Acquiring Marty Biron to finally give the Flyers some stability in net
Swapping Zhitnik for Coburn
And, though some disagree, the Pronger deal

His downfall was his reaction to Pronger's injury, signing Bryz and his tendency to overpay in free agency and give out NTC/NMC's like they were boxes of candy.
- BiggE

Your logic and thinking displease the Gods of Hockeybuzz. All must sling reasonless mud on everything Holmgren has ever done or face the wrath of the Gods...or at least the wrath of 2Real et. al.

Bill Meltzer: Briere Retires: A Flyers Legacy Much Richer than Mere Stats
- bmeltzer

In my opinion the teams that featured Briere, Richards, Hartnell and Giroux breathed new life into rivalries against the Penguins and Devils. They were intense, fun to watch and something to circle on the calendar. We were also lucky to face these teams multiple times in the playoffs under Briere. Win or lose, we stood a chance with Briere thriving in the big moments.

True!
The only other player in Flyers history that always seemed to reach that extra gear in the playoffs was Rick Macleish. Those guys are priceless when you have a team that is a legit contender.
- BiggE

Ken Linesman did, too. Team didn't have much playoff success (apart from 1979-80) but he put up the points.

True!
The only other player in Flyers history that always seemed to reach that extra gear in the playoffs was Rick Macleish. Those guys are priceless when you have a team that is a legit contender.
- BiggE

Ken Linesman did, too. Team didn't have much playoff success (apart from 1979-80) but he put up the points.

Holmgren made some very nice moves in his first few years as GM:
Sending Forsberg to Nashville and eventually turning that into Hartnell and Timonen
Signing Briere as a free agent
Acquiring Marty Biron to finally give the Flyers some stability in net
Swapping Zhitnik for Coburn
And, though some disagree, the Pronger deal

His downfall was his reaction to Pronger's injury, signing Bryz and his tendency to overpay in free agency and give out NTC/NMC's like they were boxes of candy.
- BiggE

When people speak bad of the Pronger trade, it's always after the fact he got hurt, which I hate. It was a great deal and worth the risk.

When people speak bad of the Pronger trade, it's always after the fact he got hurt, which I hate. It was a great deal and worth the risk.
- SuperSchennBros

This

Your logic and thinking displease the Gods of Hockeybuzz. All must sling reasonless mud on everything Holmgren has ever done or face the wrath of the Gods...or at least the wrath of 2Real et. al.
- jmatchett383

Well, I'm a lapsed atheist so I have nothing to fear.

Ken Linesman did, too. Team didn't have much playoff success (apart from 1979-80) but he put up the points.
- bmeltzer

True. Sadly my memories of the Flyers playoff runs from 81-84 are so bad that I've tried to block them from my mind.

When people speak bad of the Pronger trade, it's always after the fact he got hurt, which I hate. It was a great deal and worth the risk.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree 100%
He was dominant #1 dman until his injury and worth every penny.

congratulations on a great career, Danny! Also a great human being taking time to do work with Checking for Charity!

Ken Linesman did, too. Team didn't have much playoff success (apart from 1979-80) but he put up the points.
- bmeltzer

Linesman's skill set was tailor made for playoff time.

True. Sadly my memories of the Flyers playoff runs from 81-84 are so bad that I've tried to block them from my mind.

- BiggE

Clarkie in Cooperalls should refresh your memory:

When people speak bad of the Pronger trade, it's always after the fact he got hurt, which I hate. It was a great deal and worth the risk.
- SuperSchennBros

Not everyone. I'm on record as having hated it from Day 1. The team gave up as much for a 34 yo Pronger as the teams did in the previous two trades for a much younger and even more dominant Pronger.

Given his age and playing style, it was very unlikely he'd play out the deal. The eye injury was freaky, but remember he missed a lot of games the year before with knee issues. Between the knees and back, there was a good chance he'd miss a lot more time.

Having given up all of those assets they had no choice but to sign him to that deal.

If they win the cup in 2010 then I would have been very happy with egg on my face

I remember when Gomez, Drury and Briere were the 3 big name UFA centers available. I was hoping like hell we would get Briere. I underestimated the impact he would have on this team and how big a fan of his I would become.

I couldn't say enough nice things about the guy if I tried. I really hope he's back in the organization in some way some day.

Congratulations Danny on a brilliant career. You are the epitome of class! The team has missed you both on and off the ice.

Not everyone. I'm on record as having hated it from Day 1. The team gave up as much for a 34 yo Pronger as the teams did in the previous two trades for a much younger and even more dominant Pronger.

Given his age and playing style, it was very unlikely he'd play out the deal. The eye injury was freaky, but remember he missed a lot of games the year before with knee issues. Between the knees and back, there was a good chance he'd miss a lot more time.

Having given up all of those assets they had no choice but to sign him to that deal.

If they win the cup in 2010 then I would have been very happy with egg on my face


- TheGreat28

The rumor I heard was that the trade being discussed was more modest than what eventually happened. St Louis stepped into the mix and forced homer to outbid them, which he did. Not sure the accuracy of this but it's what I heard.

Your logic and thinking displease the Gods of Hockeybuzz. All must sling reasonless mud on everything Holmgren has ever done or face the wrath of the Gods...or at least the wrath of 2Real et. al.
- jmatchett383

Most people who rip Holmgren recognize he did a lot of good, too. That gets glossed over by the hyperbole and nonsense, but it's true.

Although I'm only 24, I can't think of another player that was consistently as clutch as DannyB when it counted. 696pts in 973 regular season games and 116 points in 124 playoff games. That's insanely impressive for a diminutive 1st round pick back in 96'.

Lindros, Desjardins ,Kapanen, Gagne, Briere. Easily one my top 5 favorite flyers ever.

Bonne chance, monsieur Briere!

True!
The only other player in Flyers history that always seemed to reach that extra gear in the playoffs was Rick Macleish. Those guys are priceless when you have a team that is a legit contender.
- BiggE

that's it just those two guys? clarke, lindros, poulan, kerr, brind'amour, howe? no?

Clarkie in Cooperalls should refresh your memory:


- johndewar

Congratulations Danny on a brilliant career. You are the epitome of class! The team has missed you both on and off the ice.
- TheGreat28

Absolutely. I've met some players here and there in my life, but DannyB has to be up there with the classiest I've ever met. Such a soft spoken and humble human being. Can't say enough nice things about the guy.

Not everyone. I'm on record as having hated it from Day 1. The team gave up as much for a 34 yo Pronger as the teams did in the previous two trades for a much younger and even more dominant Pronger.

Given his age and playing style, it was very unlikely he'd play out the deal. The eye injury was freaky, but remember he missed a lot of games the year before with knee issues. Between the knees and back, there was a good chance he'd miss a lot more time.

Having given up all of those assets they had no choice but to sign him to that deal.

If they win the cup in 2010 then I would have been very happy with egg on my face


- TheGreat28

That's what I don't like about the trade evaluation. You can't say, "Well, I don't like such-and-such trade, but if this happens, then I'll like it." It's like the Eminger trade. You can't like it or dislike it based on Washington taking Carlson and how his career has turned out. You can only judge it at the time.

Most people who rip Holmgren recognize he did a lot of good, too. That gets glossed over by the hyperbole and nonsense, but it's true.
- Jsaquella

i look at holmgren like i look at the titanic's maiden voyage, had tons of potential to be really great but in the end the inability to steer clear of the iceberg (big rfa signings for players that stunk, several ppl said would stink), sunk the ship.