click it, i don't embed
- aightwebang17

There's no other way to take it. He makes legitimate points about the difficulty that the Flyers would have had as far as the Cap is concerned, and adding Bryzgalov. As that was one of the main reasons why the trades were made. But in my opinion you can't make a blanket statement that they wouldn't have done better if they had kept them and gone in a different direction as far as other moves. The actual data if they had kept Richards and Carter is non existant.
- MJL

Bill gave us readers a prediction by deductive reasoning (flyers would have done worse with keeping richards and carter). He invoked statistics and probabilities using said players (Couturier and co.). All of the criteria that makes it far from a 'blanket statement', as you claim.

I don't think it's overblown at all. That's what it takes. And it is true, especially on the defensive side and with goaltending, that the Kings did a lot of things right that our team didn't. But that can change.
- MJL

IMO, it is overblown. Last year at this time we talked about how great Boston was and now this year its LA. Well thats going to change every single year. I never seen a team win the Stanley Cup that doesn't play well in both ends.

Spot on. Everything has to fall into place.
- NickTheKid87

Thats most of the battle. Comparing what other teams do is pointless. Every year it will be something different.

Bill gave us readers a prediction by deductive reasoning (flyers would have done worse with keeping richards and carter). He invoked statistics and probabilities using said players (Couturier and co.). All of the criteria that makes it far from a 'blanket statement', as you claim.
- omaplata

In my opinion there is no way to know whether the Flyers would have done better or worse, if they had kept Richards and Carter. It's all opinion and speculation. There is far too many factors involved in something like that.

Your on the money today!

It's like a snowball rolling downhill. It just get's bigger and bigger.

And that's exactly what you saw in the Kings play. That cohesiveness and support and team play. For out Star Trek fans, they're like the Borg. They played as a collective.
- MJL

Oh, right, that must be my Q

IMO, it is overblown. Last year at this time we talked about how great Boston was and now this year its LA. Well thats going to change every single year. I never seen a team win the Stanley Cup that doesn't play well in both ends.
- stveshdy

Exactly, so how is that the Flyers didn't play well in their own end, overblown? And not to mention that LA all Season was a team that played well in their own end. That's what Terry Murray instilled in the team. But they were a struggling team offensively. When they added a more agressive forecheck and a better offensive attack under Sutter, along with that defense and goaltending , that they became a Championship team.

Thats most of the battle. Comparing what other teams do is pointless. Every year it will be something different.
- stveshdy

Not really. What will be constant from year to year is a team playing and executing to a high level. But there's many different ways to get there.

Exactly, so how is that the Flyers didn't play well in their own end, overblown? And not to mention that LA all Season was a team that played well in their own end. That's what Terry Murray instilled in the team. But they were a struggling team offensively. When they added a more agressive forecheck and a better offensive attack under Sutter, along with that defense and goaltending , that they became a Championship team.
- MJL

Whats being overblown is trying to compare the current Flyers team to other winning cup teams each year. One year its this style, the next another style. The Flyers built their team in a completely different way then the other teams and play differently. Bottom line is it comes down to who executes better, stays healthy, and outworks the other team. Systems and so forth are overrated imo. Play in both ends of the ice and the rest will take care of itself. Its pretty simple game to play and sometimes its overblown on what needs to be done. These guys have been playing hockey for years they know the difference on what they should be doing and not doing imo.

In my opinion there is no way to know whether the Flyers would have done better or worse, if they had kept Richards and Carter. It's all opinion and speculation. There is far too many factors involved in something like that.
- MJL

If you have no interest in opinion and speculation, you've stumbled into the wrong bar.

If you have no interest in opinion and speculation, you've stumbled into the wrong bar.
- bodiva88

If you have no interest in opinion and speculation, you've stumbled into the wrong bar.
- bodiva88

I'm assuming my slighlty more sarcastic comment to the same effect was deleted? I didn't even use any of the bad words. Sorry

I can respect this, but don't tell that Flyers fans everywhere didn't cringe a little to see Carter and Richards hoisting the cup together and thinking a little of what could have been...
- As_I_See_It

not in the least. Richards outwardly strutted around like the BMOC and didn't show up ready to ply enuf (not just my opinion...also one shared by many including Rick tocchet). both plyrs had long contracts and a bloated sense of entitlement that could have ended badly here. homer made the right moves and seeing traded plyrs thrive elsewhere is so common in sports for so many reasons. I just dont think it was going to work here and neither did the flyers top brass.

not in the least. Richards outwardly strutted around like the BMOC and didn't show up ready to ply enuf (not just my opinion...also one shared by many including Rick tocchet). both plyrs had long contracts and a bloated sense of entitlement that could have ended badly here. homer made the right moves and seeing traded plyrs thrive elsewhere is so common in sports for so many reasons. I just dont think it was going to work here and neither did the flyers top brass.
- isaiah520

If I'm the Flyers I still make those trades today.

If you have no interest in opinion and speculation, you've stumbled into the wrong bar.
- bodiva88

I guess the facts machine is broken

If I'm the Flyers I still make those trades today.
- stveshdy

agreed. I never missed them this past season.

agreed. I never missed them this past season.
- isaiah520

I just find it funny that the Kings changed their game in mid-season with a more aggressive forecheck but still playing solid defense but if the Flyers try to do this it changes the system (like adjustments cant be made).

If you have no interest in opinion and speculation, you've stumbled into the wrong bar.
- bodiva88

You're right, I have no business being in The Blue Oyster!

*calmly inches towards door and runs away*

Whats being overblown is trying to compare the current Flyers team to other winning cup teams each year. One year its this style, the next another style. The Flyers built their team in a completely different way then the other teams and play differently. Bottom line is it comes down to who executes better, stays healthy, and outworks the other team. Systems and so forth are overrated imo. Play in both ends of the ice and the rest will take care of itself. Its pretty simple game to play and sometimes its overblown on what needs to be done. These guys have been playing hockey for years they know the difference on what they should be doing and not doing imo.
- stveshdy

Put that way, I totally agree. Especially with systems being overrated. Here's an analogy I like to use. The system is the car, the players the gas. Without gas, the car goes no where.

I just find it funny that the Kings changed their game in mid-season with a more aggressive forecheck but still playing solid defense but if the Flyers try to do this it changes the system (like adjustments cant be made).
- stveshdy

they did have a coaching change like the flyers did when they went to the finals, so there's some common ground there. the one outstanding aspect of the kings game that I took away from these playoffs was their breakout- that is an essential area for improvement next season.

The flyers don't have the luxury to be as patient as the kings. The pressures from fans, media, and ownership are far greater here than out there.

If you have no interest in opinion and speculation, you've stumbled into the wrong bar.
- bodiva88

I didn't say anywhere that I have no interest in opinion and speculation. All I'm saying is that it is opinion and speculation.

they did have a coaching change like the flyers did when they went to the finals, so there's some common ground there. the one outstanding aspect of the kings game that I took away from these playoffs was their breakout- that is an essential area for improvement next season.
- isaiah520

Even with the coaching change, they still played very good defense after making an adjustment. Its not the end of the world to ask your players to change something. We act as if the sky is falling if we ask them to be more aggressive in their backcheck and help with more support.

not in the least. Richards outwardly strutted around like the BMOC and didn't show up ready to ply enuf (not just my opinion...also one shared by many including Rick tocchet). both plyrs had long contracts and a bloated sense of entitlement that could have ended badly here. homer made the right moves and seeing traded plyrs thrive elsewhere is so common in sports for so many reasons. I just dont think it was going to work here and neither did the flyers top brass.
- isaiah520

not trying to be difficult but those 2 players were on the team in 2010 Finals weren't they?.. Was it just the partying thing? Could that have been rectified? Maybe sign Vokoun at less money rather than Bryz?

not in the least. Richards outwardly strutted around like the BMOC and didn't show up ready to ply enuf (not just my opinion...also one shared by many including Rick tocchet). both plyrs had long contracts and a bloated sense of entitlement that could have ended badly here. homer made the right moves and seeing traded plyrs thrive elsewhere is so common in sports for so many reasons. I just dont think it was going to work here and neither did the flyers top brass.
- isaiah520

Carter and Richards both have proven that all of these rumors and speculation that was said, some of which you bring up again here, was unfounded. Both, Richards especially, have shown that they are winners and top players. Richards has been the exact opposite of how you label him his entire career. Including this year in LA.