Pronger's face after that goal was priceless.
- aightwebang17

I miss Pronger

Would you rather be a Rangers fan... won in 94 and was aweful for many years, but havent sniffed a conference finals...

Or a FLyers fan... Making the finals twice in that span, and making the conference finals like other times...
- RooNosHockey

The Flyers have the second best winning percentage and second most conference titles, only the Montreal Canadiens have more, since the 1967 expansion, yet we only have two Stanley Cups to show for the franchise's consistent success.

At the same time, we can proudly say that our franchise broke barriers by becoming the first expansion to ever win the Stanley Cup, and we've always had a classy and first-rate front office/owner.

By the same token, I never saw those cup-winning teams, so I'd trade almost anything to see my Flyers win Lord Stanley.

Bryzgalov first star of the week for the second consecutive time!

Where are those haters now?
- LordStanley88

2leight

2leight
- RooNosHockey

Yes, sorry for the leight news. Just was happy to see it when I went on to NHL.com

The only reason that the trade was made was because Primeau and Roenick got hurt the night before, in a road game against Tampa Bay. They couldn't get them back to Philly in time to be sure they would make it back for the playoffs. Had they not had JR or Primeau, they faced going into the postseason with Jiri Dopita, Marty Murray and Peter White as their top 3 centers.
- Jsaquella

I still feel it was a good move at the time, we just gave up too much for Oates and then didn't even try to re-sign him. If I remember right, Dopita lacked interest in playing for the Flyers and wasn't entirely healthy that season. If you give Oates an entire season with the Flyers, he makes everyone around him better. Trading for Oates at the deadline with JR and Primeau going down is no different from when we traded for Zhamnov when both players also went down.

I miss Pronger
- nastyflyergirl

x2

Trading for Oates wasn't that big of a deal because Oullet, the heralded next Bernie Parent, never amounted to anything.

The Flyers have the second best winning percentage and second most conference titles, only the Montreal Canadiens have more, since the 1967 expansion, yet we only have two Stanley Cups to show for the franchise's consistent success.

At the same time, we can proudly say that our franchise broke barriers by becoming the first expansion to ever win the Stanley Cup, and we've always had a classy and first-rate front office/owner.

By the same token, I never saw those cup-winning teams, so I'd trade almost anything to see my Flyers win Lord Stanley.
- LordStanley88

Even if it meant becoming a team like the Rangers were, or the Islanders are now?

Even if it meant becoming a team like the Rangers were, or the Islanders are now?
- RooNosHockey

It's definitely debatable. How long of a stretch of poor seasons are we talking though?

x2
- aightwebang17

+1

thats because you had your head buried in your lap nervous Nelly
- jak521

Nope, I thought they were short a guy and then saw Hartnell rushing up and I was all gaspy thinking OHMYGOD and afraid to look at the clock because I'd miss something and I would have and I'm SO glad Coby didn't intercept that pass!

I still feel it was a good move at the time, we just gave up too much for Oates and then didn't even try to re-sign him. If I remember right, Dopita lacked interest in playing for the Flyers and wasn't entirely healthy that season. If you give Oates an entire season with the Flyers, he makes everyone around him better. Trading for Oates at the deadline with JR and Primeau going down is no different from when we traded for Zhamnov when both players also went down.
- roenick97

The problem wasn't trading for Oates, it was the premium they traded for him. Hell, Oates was leading the NHL in assists when they acquired him. As far as re-signing him, that summer they added Michal Handzus, who filled a huge role for them, with Primeau and JR remaining as the first and second line centers

I miss Pronger
- nastyflyergirl

x3+2

The problem wasn't trading for Oates, it was the premium they traded for him. Hell, Oates was leading the NHL in assists when they acquired him. As far as re-signing him, that summer they added Michal Handzus, who filled a huge role for them, with Primeau and JR remaining as the first and second line centers
- Jsaquella

Yes, getting Handzus for Boucher was a solid deal. I think we thought too highly of Robert Esche though.

It's definitely debatable. How long of a stretch of poor seasons are we talking though?
- LordStanley88

well... missed the playoffs for 8 seasons and only have 1 conference final and 4 semi finals the other 8 seasons.

Even if it meant becoming a team like the Rangers were, or the Islanders are now?
- RooNosHockey

The problem is, the Rangers were the team they were because of inept ownership and management. The Isles were killed by a combination of bad ownership, bad building and awful management.

Who knows, if a couple defensemen stay healthy in 2004 or if Leighton hadn't faltered in 2010, maybe the Flyers win Stanley Cups in those years, too. You can't just guarantee a one off championship season.

Teams that tank, like the Pens did, didn't tank on purpose. Their financial situation prevented them from being able to compete and retain star players. Stuff like would you rather is kind of pointless. I want a team that competes every year and a Stanley Cup.

x3+2
- BulliesPhan87

^∞

Yes, getting Handzus for Boucher was a solid deal. I think we thought too highly of Robert Esche though.
- roenick97

Esche did a fine job during his time as a Flyer. He was solid, I doubt when he was acquired they had visions of him becoming a stud.

Scott Hartnell is the number 1 trending thing on yahoo currently!

Trading for Oates wasn't that big of a deal because Oullet, the heralded next Bernie Parent, never amounted to anything.
- LordStanley88

People shred the deal because the season before, Ouellet was supposedly the deal breaker in a Ray Bourque to Philly trade. The problem was, according to what was said/reported later, that Ouellet believed his own hype and had a work ethic like Alexandre Daigle.

The Flyers saw that and were more open to dealing him. It worked out, because not only did Ouellet never develop, but the Caps pissed away the picks

Esche did a fine job during his time as a Flyer. He was solid, I doubt when he was acquired they had visions of him becoming a stud.
- Jsaquella

I was never a huge fan of Esche while he played here. I didn't like that Sean Burke never got a real chance at the starting job that deadline (Which wasn't Esche's fault) I didn't like how he called out his coach through the media, when it looked like Hitch was leaning towards Niittymaki the season after the lockout (Which was his fault).

Scott Hartnell is the number 1 trending thing on yahoo currently!
- Jack-Meoff

This is the year of Scott Hartnell.

People shred the deal because the season before, Ouellet was supposedly the deal breaker in a Ray Bourque to Philly trade. The problem was, according to what was said/reported later, that Ouellet believed his own hype and had a work ethic like Alexandre Daigle.

The Flyers saw that and were more open to dealing him. It worked out, because not only did Ouellet never develop, but the Caps pissed away the picks
- Jsaquella

The value in the deal is not what the Caps failed to do with the picks, but what the Flyers might have done with them.

This is the year of Scott Hartnell.
- roenick97

nell

I was never a huge fan of Esche while he played here. I didn't like that Sean Burke never got a real chance at the starting job that deadline (Which wasn't Esche's fault) I didn't like how he called out his coach through the media, when it looked like Hitch was leaning towards Niittymaki the season after the lockout (Which was his fault).
- roenick97

Esche was the starter. Burke was brought in to be the back-up, not to compete for the starting job. I also never thought Niittymaki would be more than a back-up, although Esche's behavior could have been better.

Esche had some definite attitude issues at times, but he played very solid for the Flyers. I have no problem with him.