We don't know if Ghost will ever be that guy. Top pair, all situations Dmen do not grow on trees. Ghost has a chance to be a really good player but I really feel like one of Provorov or Sanheim of a chance to surpass Gostisbehere by being that all situations stable for the back end, including First unit PP.
- roenick97

I agree, and there's no guarantee that Ghost can repeat what he did last season, and he'll likely never be an "all situations" type of player.

That said, the dynamic that he displayed last year is something that I don't think I've ever seen. The way he aggressively plays defense and can anticipate a play and turning it into offense is something that I have never seen from a Flyers' defenseman.

Granted, I never got to see The Beast play in his prime, and it's true that one of the other big 3 (big 4) could go on to be better, which I hope is that case. But right now, for me, Shayne Gostisbehere makes the list because of the dynamic that he brought and the impact it had on his team is something I haven't seen since Eric Lindros in 92/93.

How many times does it need to be explained to you

Edit...thanks MOAT
- KINGKENZO

I agree, and there's no guarantee that Ghost can repeat what he did last season, and he'll likely never be an "all situations" type of player.

That said, the dynamic that he displayed last year is something that I don't think I've ever seen. The way he aggressively plays defense and can anticipate a play and turning it into offense is something that I have never seen from a Flyers' defenseman.

Granted, I never got to see The Beast play in his prime, and it's true that one of the other big 3 (big 4) could go on to be better, which I hope is that case. But right now, for me, Shayne Gostisbehere makes the list because of the dynamic that he brought and the impact it had on his team is something I haven't seen since Eric Lindros in 92/93.
- jmatchett383

Well said.

Really look at the 2010 Black Hawks. First, let me point out that my money was on Brent Seabrook on becoming their number one defenseman 10 years ago and along came Duncan Keith. I never heard of him. With this said, they're both building block players. My money is on Provorov being number one and Sanheim being number 2. Ghost could end up here forever or be a causality of the cap like Big Buff. We don't know. Ghost could get traded for more offense up front as soon as the youngsters are ready.

No. He earned my distaste.

I wanted the Flyers to take him in the draft so I followed him. IMO he's one of the biggest "All about me" guys I've ever seen in the league.

Same could be said for Lindros. I could sit here and trash him all day too but there's a healing process going on now from both sides so I'm currently of the mind to just let it go. I used to feel the same way about him too.
- mayorofangrytown

IMO all about me guys aren't named Captain of two different NHL team's and relied on as heavily for leadership, and bridge between the coaching staff, as heavily as Ken Hitchcock did. Primeau also changed his game, and gave up individual accomplishments to take on a role to make the team better.

So, Tampa signs Wisniewski to a PTO. Pretty good stealth move. If he can stay even moderately healthy this year (good-sized if), he can be a solid possession driving and scoring RHD on the 3rd pair. What's the harm in a PTO? It's no risk. I had hoped the Flyers might give him a sniff, but hard to beat a PTO from Tampa. He might still not be signed by Tampa of course.

If healthy, no reason he can't be this year's Lee Stempniak. Trade him for a 2nd+ even, like NJ did.

IMO all about me guys aren't named Captain of two different NHL team's and relied on as heavily for leadership, and bridge between the coaching staff, as heavily as Ken Hitchcock did. Primeau also changed his game, and gave up individual accomplishments to take on a role to make the team better.
- MJL

There were a lot of guys I liked more than Primeau during his time here. Roenick, LeClair, Recchi, Gagne, Amonte, Desjardins, Johnsson and Forsberg but with this said, he did exactly what you explained.

IMO all about me guys aren't named Captain of two different NHL team's and relied on as heavily for leadership, and bridge between the coaching staff, as heavily as Ken Hitchcock did. Primeau also changed his game, and gave up individual accomplishments to take on a role to make the team better.
- MJL

Carolina named him captain to put pressure on him to resign. The owner invested a lot in him and wanted to build the team around him. You can look at the mess that turned into without too much effort including offering him everything he initially asked for and him telling them he was never playing for the Hurricanes again.

Hitch wasn't a dumb guy. Take the guy who led the insurrection and make him the captain. With his history with the past two franchises firmly in everyone's mind and him now being labeled a coach killer that off season he was lucky he was still in Philadelphia. He needed a change in both his game and his attitude and hitch game him an opportunity many wouldn't have. You can find all of that onlne too.

So being a captain doesn't always mean you're the best guy for the job.

- mayorofangrytown

being a captain doesn't always mean you're the best guy for the job
- mayorofangrytown

- Mononoke

inciteful...

and yes I meant it the way I spelt it.

inciteful...

and yes I meant it the way I spelt it.

- mayorofangrytown

Doesn't matter if you meant it or not, teacher gonna dock you points

Carolina named him captain to put pressure on him to resign. The owner invested a lot in him and wanted to build the team around him. You can look at the mess that turned into without too much effort including offering him everything he initially asked for and him telling them he was never playing for the Hurricanes again.

Hitch wasn't a dumb guy. Take the guy who led the insurrection and make him the captain. With his history with the past two franchises firmly in everyone's mind and him now being labeled a coach killer that off season he was lucky he was still in Philadelphia. He needed a change in both his game and his attitude and hitch game him an opportunity many wouldn't have. You can find all of that onlne too.

So being a captain doesn't always mean you're the best guy for the job.
- mayorofangrytown

I think this is all nice spin, but a player is not named Captain for two different NHL teams if he is an all about me guy. It's that simple. Same for how he took on and accepted the checking line role that Hitchcock wanted him to play, while sacrificing personal accomplishment. That is also not something that an all about me guy does. I agree, Hitchcock isn't a dumb guy, which is why he heavily relied on Primeau and other veterans to be the bridge between the coaches and the players, and it was successful. I can maybe agree with anyone who thinks that Primeau and company shouldn't have aired their grievances in public, but based on what was spoken about, they were right to mutiny against Barber, and the things they had an issue with. It wasn't just Primeau, it was numerous players saying the same thing.
When a player is in negotiation for a new contract, it is a business, and it's when pretty much every player focuses on himself. It's in the room, and on the ice, where a player should be judged on what kind of person and player he is.

I think this is all nice spin, but a player is not named Captain for two different NHL teams if he is an all about me guy. It's that simple. Same for how he took on and accepted the checking line role that Hitchcock wanted him to play, while sacrificing personal accomplishment. That is also not something that an all about me guy does. I agree, Hitchcock isn't a dumb guy, which is why he heavily relied on Primeau and other veterans to be the bridge between the coaches and the players, and it was successful. I can maybe agree with anyone who thinks that Primeau and company shouldn't have aired their grievances in public, but based on what was spoken about, they were right to mutiny against Barber, and the things they had an issue with. It wasn't just Primeau, it was numerous players saying the same thing.
When a player is in negotiation for a new contract, it is a business, and it's when pretty much every player focuses on himself. It's in the room, and on the ice, where a player should be judged on what kind of person and player he is.
- MJL

Not spin at all. Reported on thoroughly.

Doesn't matter if you meant it or not, teacher gonna dock you points
- Mononoke

What's this teacher look like? Does she need to see me after school?

Not spin at all. Reported on thoroughly.
- mayorofangrytown

The part about Primeau being lucky to still be in Philly, and needing a change, is absolutely spin, and points to the bias that is present. Primeau was never an all me guy IMO

The part about Primeau being lucky to still be in Philly, and needing a change, is absolutely spin, and points to the bias that is present. Primeau was never an all me guy IMO
- MJL

Whatever. I've seen nothing to back your point but your opinion.

This discussion goes back to the long standing hatred towards Mark Recchi over the firing of Bill Barber. Honestly guys, who cares. Let's get back into the Eric Desjardins stuff.

Whatever. I've seen nothing to back your point but your opinion.
- mayorofangrytown

I'm certainly giving my opinion, but I'm basing my opinion on the facts that Primeau has been the Captain of two NHL teams, and also basing it on the direct comments from Ken Hitchcock and how he viewed Primeau and relied on him for his leadership, and as a bridge between the coaches and the players, to get the team all on the same page. I'm unaware of any of Primeau's ex teammates characterizing him as an "all about me" guy. If you have that information, I'd be glad to take a look at it.

I'm certainly giving my opinion, but I'm basing my opinion on the facts that Primeau has been the Captain of two NHL teams, and also basing it on the direct comments from Ken Hitchcock and how he viewed Primeau and relied on him for his leadership, and as a bridge between the coaches and the players, to get the team all on the same page. I'm unaware of any of Primeau's ex teammates characterizing him as an "all about me" guy. If you have that information, I'd be glad to take a look at it.
- MJL

Why would I need to show you info on something you just brought up dear? No one said any of his team mates said that. I said that.

So, Tampa signs Wisniewski to a PTO. Pretty good stealth move. If he can stay even moderately healthy this year (good-sized if), he can be a solid possession driving and scoring RHD on the 3rd pair. What's the harm in a PTO? It's no risk. I had hoped the Flyers might give him a sniff, but hard to beat a PTO from Tampa. He might still not be signed by Tampa of course.

If healthy, no reason he can't be this year's Lee Stempniak. Trade him for a 2nd+ even, like NJ did.
- Mononoke

Yeah Wisniewski has his warts, but if he's healthy he's a capable NHL defenseman who shoots righty. He can bring some offense, too. I was kind of surprised nobody really seemed to kick the tires.

This discussion goes back to the long standing hatred towards Mark Recchi over the firing of Bill Barber. Honestly guys, who cares. Let's get back into the Eric Desjardins stuff.
- roenick97

I loved the way Desja would take the puck from a face off win from the right circle in the Ozone and skate backward, parallel to the blue line, wait for a seam to open and unleash a shot

Happy

Why would I need to show you info on something you just brought up dear? No one said any of his team mates said that. I said that.
- mayorofangrytown

You don't need to do anything. There has to be some evidence that makes you feel that Primeau is a me only kind of guy. I would think the opinion of players who actually played with him, and actually know him, is relevant when attacking the personal character of a player.

You don't need to do anything. There has to be some evidence that makes you feel that Primeau is a me only kind of guy. I would think the opinion of players who actually played with him, and actually know him, is relevant when attacking the personal character of a player.
- MJL

I have history on my side and a three blog post explaining my point and and giving references to national and local articles to support it. A bibliography if you will. Mostly because I get tired of having this same sad argument with people who just love the guy for one playoff run and really haven't paid that much attention to his career as a whole.

What's this teacher look like? Does she need to see me after school?
- mayorofangrytown

She's a tough grader though

I loved the way Desja would take the puck from a face off win from the right circle in the Ozone and skate backward, parallel to the blue line, wait for a seam to open and unleash a shot

Happy
- KINGKENZO

I know exactly what you mean. We had to of seen this 100 times.