I would have been elated with either but I will say we needed Patrick's size IMHO
- nastyflyergirl

To add, with Frost having his monstrous year, I am even happier with Nolan. Seems Frost can be that player type Nico is. Not talent / skill wise but smaller center with speed and high IQ

I would have been elated with either but I will say we needed Patrick's size IMHO
- nastyflyergirl

Patrick's skating is night and day from the beginning of the season...

Patrick's skating is night and day from the beginning of the season...
- wcorvette

Core surgery will do that to you.

Core surgery will do that to you.
- dragonoffrost

for sure...

Patrick's skating is night and day from the beginning of the season...
- wcorvette

QFE.

It's seriously like watching a different player.

QFE.

It's seriously like watching a different player.
- opeth_pa

Flashbacks to last year G and Ghost.

Patrick's skating is night and day from the beginning of the season...
- wcorvette

Just like Claude and Ghost last year. They refused to blame their slow starts last year on coming back from injury, but we all know the truth. They played and skated like different players in the second half of last season. Much like Patrick this year.

Edit: Late on this take.

Just like Claude and Ghost last year. They refused to blame their slow starts last year on coming back from injury, but we all know the truth. They played and skated like different players in the second half of last season. Much like Patrick this year.

Edit: Late on this take.
- five4fighting10

not all know, man a few on this board and CSN and Philly had no clue

Why does the draft lotto not take place until the 28th?

This week is really the perfect time to do it.
- hereticpride

And rush the guy who makes the ping pong balls? No way could we use the same cards as last year!

Why you should never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever be OK with tanking and sustained losing. It's poison. Absolute poison:

http://buffalonews.com/20...-lacked-mental-toughness/

Why you should never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever be OK with tanking and sustained losing. It's poison. Absolute poison:

http://buffalonews.com/20...-lacked-mental-toughness/
- AllInForFlyers

Agreed. This is why hextall has said he's building for sustainable long term winning but always said he expects winning hockey right away. You don't want to get into a spot where you can't shake the losing culture.

Agreed. This is why hextall has said he's building for sustainable long term winning but always said he expects winning hockey right away. You don't want to get into a spot where you can't shake the losing culture.
- Hextall271

With all the high picks they have had you would think they would be better. While the Flyers have had their share of bad deals and picks they have seemed to make the most of their choices and still put a competitive team on the ice.

not all know, man a few on this board and CSN and Philly had no clue
- wcorvette

Good point. I had that argument quite a few times over the past couple years with some friends who argued Claude was washed up and didn't deserve the C. Felt like I was on WIP when talking to them.

By "we" I guess I mean, we the logical fans.

Good point. I had that argument quite a few times over the past couple years with some friends who argued Claude was washed up and didn't deserve the C. Felt like I was on WIP when talking to them.

By "we" I guess I mean, we the logical fans.
- five4fighting10

so true

Good point. I had that argument quite a few times over the past couple years with some friends who argued Claude was washed up and didn't deserve the C. Felt like I was on WIP when talking to them.

By "we" I guess I mean, we the logical fans.
- five4fighting10

I'll admit I didn't know what Giroux we would have this year. I think it has to be taken into account that being on the wing has been beneficial. I think Couturier takes a lot of defensive pressure of Giroux and allows him a little more freedom.

I am glad i was wrong.

https://www.theplayerstri...ne-simmonds-the-astronaut

Awesome article from Simmer. I highly suggest you check it out if you get a chance.

Agreed. This is why hextall has said he's building for sustainable long term winning but always said he expects winning hockey right away. You don't want to get into a spot where you can't shake the losing culture.
- Hextall271

It's awful, to be like that. Just awful.

None of us are dense. We've all seen one draft, one generational player, change the fortunes of a franchise.

But just as often, maybe even more frequently, you see teams that try to lose or don't care about winning enough not be able to flip that switch

I'll admit I didn't know what Giroux we would have this year. I think it has to be taken into account that being on the wing has been beneficial. I think Couturier takes a lot of defensive pressure of Giroux and allows him a little more freedom.

I am glad i was wrong.
- J35Bacher

I think its a mutual thing..
I dont think Couturier has the season he does without a player of Giroux's level on his wing.

I think its a mutual thing..
I dont think Couturier has the season he does without a player of Giroux's level on his wing.
- opeth_pa

Agree.

Good point. I had that argument quite a few times over the past couple years with some friends who argued Claude was washed up and didn't deserve the C. Felt like I was on WIP when talking to them.

By "we" I guess I mean, we the logical fans.
- five4fighting10

I say it a lot, but these guys aren't robots. They're just not.

As much as we want them to be great every year, sometimes you just don't get it going and you can't shake the rut.

My thing is always this: Track record matters. What has the guy done in his career? Has he done it for you? Is the team helping him as he inevitably gets older?

Claude Giroux wasn't washed up, even last year when he was less productive. He's getting older and needed more help.

Some people are so quick to turn on players who are difference-makers

With all the high picks they have had you would think they would be better. While the Flyers have had their share of bad deals and picks they have seemed to make the most of their choices and still put a competitive team on the ice.
- J35Bacher

They've made moves to get better faster and those moves haven't worked out at all. Now they're moving the pieces they acquired for prospects and picks.

That's how you stay bad.

Patrick's skating is night and day from the beginning of the season...
- wcorvette

It is. Previously he had no power in his stride. Now he shows explosiveness and quickness and the ability to shield people off of the puck while also having vision around the ice and the hands to make plays.

I say it a lot, but these guys aren't robots. They're just not.

As much as we want them to be great every year, sometimes you just don't get it going and you can't shake the rut.

My thing is always this: Track record matters. What has the guy done in his career? Has he done it for you? Is the team helping him as he inevitably gets older?

Claude Giroux wasn't washed up, even last year when he was less productive. He's getting older and needed more help.

Some people are so quick to turn on players who are difference-makers
- AllInForFlyers

I was really worried about Claude last year, and thought the regresssion might be permanent. I did believe he was having trouble recovering from the surgery as I thought ghost was. You just never know if they'll recover though. Can't believe how good they both responded this year. Lesson for me is that if you've got one of those abdominal hip etc injuries needing suregery. Could be a year or more before you come back.

Further to this, I was really worried about Patrick's speed, but again said it's prob that core surgery. Said maybe next year we'll see his true speed. Lo and behold, he's been fantastic of late with much improved speed and great hands. Still so ecstatic we got him.

I do not recognize this place today.

I was really worried about Claude last year, and thought the regresssion might be permanent. I did believe he was having trouble recovering from the surgery as I thought ghost was. You just never know if they'll recover though. Can't believe how good they both responded this year. Lesson for me is that if you've got one of those abdominal hip etc injuries needing suregery. Could be a year or more before you come back.

Further to this, I was really worried about Patrick's speed, but again said it's prob that core surgery. Said maybe next year we'll see his true speed. Lo and behold, he's been fantastic of late with much improved speed and great hands. Still so ecstatic we got him.
- Hextall271

I was never worried about Patrick's skating. I honestly wondered if they had the right kinds of wingers to play with him -- he's a give-and-go guy, quick passes, anticipate and get to spots. He sees things really quickly, and you have to be a guy who thinks the game like he does to get the most out of him

Lindblom thinks like he does, and Voracek can drive possession and enter the zone with speed, allowing Patrick and Lindblom to dart to spots

Mark it down: Barring injury, that line is absolutely lethal next year. Mark it down