I love the phils,but sorry. the Jays need a ring.
- Hextall271

They can keep their two from 92 and 93. LA has a longer drought.

Cleveland is the team that really "needs" a ring, but it's Cleveland, so I can't root for them.

I agree the load on him has to be lightened. I just wish we had a player doing that in the mold of Bergeron light, someone who can lighten that load while also contributing secondary offense along the lines of Mike Fisher or even Jussi Jokinen. I know that finding those players is harder than finding a Boyd Gordon, but that's what I want. I'm done with "specialists" like Hall and White.
- jmatchett383

I agree with that, and I think the Flyers would prefer that also, which is why Gordon was only signed to a one year deal. In the mean time, it was a necessary signing for all the reasons noted previously.

I love the phils,but sorry. the Jays need a ring.
- Hextall271

I still remember 93, (frank) the Jays and (frank) you, Joe Carter

I still remember 93, (frank) the Jays and (frank) you, Joe Carter
- BiggE

Some of the best early members of my life.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 10/14/16 @ LA
- bmeltzer

Looking at the line up for both teams, I like our chances. Even with Vandevelde and Manning in the line up, I like the balance in the line up. I'm still hoping within the return of Schenn and Gudas, I'm hoping both can be forced out for good.

I agree with that, and I think the Flyers would prefer that also, which is why Gordon was only signed to a one year deal. In the mean time, it was a necessary signing for all the reasons noted previously.
- MJL

From what I've read, it seems like Cole Bardreau (if healthy) could possibly do the exact same job, but there was no way they weren't going to give Gordon the job, regardless of what happened in camp. Granted, giving a rookie hard minutes may not be ideal, but I'm just not a Boyd Gordon fan, and the only person who will change that will be him.

I agree the load on him has to be lightened. I just wish we had a player doing that in the mold of Bergeron light, someone who can lighten that load while also contributing secondary offense along the lines of Mike Fisher or even Jussi Jokinen. I know that finding those players is harder than finding a Boyd Gordon, but that's what I want. I'm done with "specialists" like Hall and White.
- jmatchett383

Honestly, I think someone will develop into that sooner rather than later. It is the main reason why I wagered a bet that Gordon wouldn't finish the season as the 4th line center. I think the problem is a bit on management and coaching than it is on a specific lack of such player. Several teams seem to value a guy past his prime because he's a vet with experience, even though he (frank)s up just as much as a young guy. Trusting the young players is important, and without it I am afraid we will just see more of the "vets" we hate.

Obviously with Konecny and Provorov making the team we see there is hope, but we will see how they are used throughout the season

From what I've read, it seems like Cole Bardreau (if healthy) could possibly do the exact same job, but there was no way they weren't going to give Gordon the job, regardless of what happened in camp. Granted, giving a rookie hard minutes may not be ideal, but I'm just not a Boyd Gordon fan, and the only person who will change that will be him.
- jmatchett383

I have doubts that Cole Bardeau could come in, and post a 58% success rate on defensive zone draws, nor does he have the experience that Gordon has on the PK.

I have doubts that Cole Bardeau could come in, and post a 58% success rate on defensive zone draws, nor does he have the experience that Gordon has on the PK.
- MJL

Is Gordon going to be a regular part of the PK when not taking faceoffs? Preseason numbers says yes, but Bill has reported that's not the case.

And I don't know his d-zone %, but his PK win % was 54, I believe.

It's about time...

Let's Go Flyers!

Is Gordon going to be a regular part of the PK when not taking faceoffs? Preseason numbers says yes, but Bill has reported that's not the case.

And I don't know his d-zone %, but his PK win % was 54, I believe.
- jmatchett383

Here is what I think is going to happen. And I emphasize think. The Flyers want to limit Giroux's PK icetime, and the amount of faceoffs he has to take. So as a RH shot, when a faceoff is on that side, Gordon will take a lot of those draws on the PK, in their own end. If there is an immediate clear, Gordon will likely jump off and be replaced, so he can be available again, if there is another D zone draw on that side. Based on stats, that won't happen about 40 -45% of the time, so Gordon will be stuck out there.
It seems as though you're putting more value on Bill's comment on that, then the fact that Gordon led all forwards in PK ice time during the pre season.
In my opinion, if the Flyers don't use Gordon to take a large amount of draws on the PK, and play him a lot on the PK, then why sign him? That's Hakstol's call.

Here is what I think is going to happen. And I emphasize think. The Flyers want to limit Giroux's PK icetime, and the amount of faceoffs he has to take. So as a RH shot, when a faceoff is on that side, Gordon will take a lot of those draws on the PK, in their own end. If there is an immediate clear, Gordon will likely jump off and be replaced, so he can be available again, if there is another D zone draw on that side. Based on stats, that won't happen about 40 -45% of the time, so Gordon will be stuck out there.
It seems as though you're putting more value on Bill's comment on that, then the fact that Gordon led all forwards in PK ice time during the pre season.
In my opinion, if the Flyers don't use Gordon to take a large amount of draws on the PK, and play him a lot on the PK, then why sign him? That's Hakstol's call.
- MJL

I agree, I think this is exactly what will happen. I also think that in the last minute of the period when there is a D zone draw calling for a RH shot, it will be Gordon, not Giroux taking that draw. It's really not about how much Gordon produces on the ice, as long as he's winning faceoffs and playing solid D he's good to go, it's more about keeping Giroux fresh as the season goes on and not having to rely on him to take a ridiculous amount of faceoffs, especially in the D zone.

Opening night predictions:

1. Flyers get goals from Ghost (PP), Voracek, Simmonds, and Weise. Giroux has 2 assists, Konecny gets his first point as a Flyer on the Voracek goal.

2. The Flyers go 4-for-5 on the PK.

3. Mason turns aside 25+ shots, allowing 2 goals.

4. Provorov leads all Flyers in TOI.

5. I fall asleep after the second period.
- jmatchett383

Konecny pots 5 in his debut.

I agree, I think this is exactly what will happen. I also think that in the last minute of the period when there is a D zone draw calling for a RH shot, it will be Gordon, not Giroux taking that draw. It's really not about how much Gordon produces on the ice, as long as he's winning faceoffs and playing solid D he's good to go, it's more about keeping Giroux fresh as the season goes on and not having to rely on him to take a ridiculous amount of faceoffs, especially in the D zone.
- BiggE

The thing is, I am not sure there is anyone that is anti-gordon that doesnt recognize that as a positive and necessity. The disconnect is believing who is the best player for that job.

The thing is, I am not sure there is anyone that is anti-gordon that doesnt recognize that as a positive and necessity. The disconnect is believing who is the best player for that job.
- YuenglingJagr

Who is the best player for that job?

From what I've read, it seems like Cole Bardreau (if healthy) could possibly do the exact same job, but there was no way they weren't going to give Gordon the job, regardless of what happened in camp. Granted, giving a rookie hard minutes may not be ideal, but I'm just not a Boyd Gordon fan, and the only person who will change that will be him.
- jmatchett383

I think they want Bardreau to be healthy for an extended period of time.

They need to keep him away from Mark Alt, who seems to be perpetually injured.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/flyers-crowned-stanley-cup-champions-in-nhl-17-simulation
- jmatchett383

Did anyone get arrested at the simulated parade?

Asking for a friend.

Who is the best player for that job?
- MJL

Jason Akeson

Is Gordon going to be a regular part of the PK when not taking faceoffs? Preseason numbers says yes, but Bill has reported that's not the case.
- jmatchett383

There is clearly going to be a lot of SH ice time available with White gone, Laughton injured, the management publicly expressing a desire to limit Giroux's time on the PK, and Read and VdV not being locks for a top 12 spot with Lyubimov and Cousins as competition.

15-16 SH TOI/GP
Bellemare 2:35
VdV 2:17
Couturier 1:50
Read 1:40
Giroux 1:28
White 0:57
Laughton 0:42

“If you look at Gordon, he’s a specialty player. He’s a faceoff guy, penalty killer, shot blocker. He’s a guy you want out in the last minute of a game.”

“Part of the thought process there is –- I told you at the time [of his signing] -– take a little bit of the load off of [Giroux] on the PK. G took a lot of faceoffs there in the right dot ... We want to take a little bit of that, the minutes, the effort, and that side of the game… what does that do? Hopefully give G a couple minutes of 5-on-5 more, which hopefully should lead to more production.”

Jason Akeson
- YuenglingJagr

You state there is a disconnect then are either unwilling, or unable to further elaborate and answer a reasonable question.

There is clearly going to be a lot of SH ice time available with White gone, Laughton injured, the management publicly expressing a desire to limit Giroux's time on the PK, and Read and VdV not being locks for a top 12 spot with Lyubimov and Cousins as competition.

16-15 SH TOI/GP
Bellemare 2:35
VdV 2:17
Couturier 1:50
Read 1:40
Giroux 1:28
White 0:57
Laughton 0:42
- Feanor

Gordon was in the 2 minute range in Arizona as well, I believe

Big game tonight. Need these 2 pts

You state there is a disconnect then are either unwilling, or unable to further elaborate and answer a reasonable question.
- MJL

I have answered the question multiple times throughout the summer...I just don't care to get into a circular argument with you over each player, so I chose to answer sarcastically

Big game tonight. Need these 2 pts
- Streit2ThePoint

Streit2The2Points.

Raffl went from a regular PKer under Berube to not doing it at all under Hakstol. Seems like something worthy of a story if Hak would actually talk about it.