Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Top 10 Offensive Defensemen in Flyers History

Nice blog. Really loved Howe when he was here.

Bob Dailey: I know some folks will disagree with this one because Dailey's career was ended by injury at age 28 and he was rarely healthy for full seasons even before then, but I would rank the Count's point shot as the very best in franchise history.

Not me.

I remember the Count. What a career he could have had if he could have stayed healthy.

I know this guy who wrote a pretty good article about Dailey:

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=435864

Great blog, Bill.

Its a shame that Galley played for the Flyers during the "Lost in the Wilderness" years, because he was a good player and a good guy.

Desjardins is probably my favorite Flyer defenseman of all time simply because I got to see far more of his games than I did of Mark Howe. Having spent the bulk of my youth in California, the Flyers were only occasionally available on TV during the regular season, so most of what I saw happened during the playoffs... and to this day J.J. Daigneault ranks as one of my favorite Flyers. I'm sure you know why.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Top 10 Offensive Defensemen in Flyers History
- bmeltzer

Great blog Bill. I miss Desjardins. I started watching when the Flyers got Lindros, so I never got to see Howe.

Question about Coffey, though. What made you put him ahead of Ray Bourque? Coffey was the speedier, end-to-end rush guy, but Bourque was more of a get the puck to a forward, join the rush, and blast one home guy. Coffey always seemed (offensively) like Bobby Orr-lite, but Bourque was more like a very rich man's Desjardins. I guess I just am drawn more to those types of players.

During the Desjardin years, whenever he was hurt and out of the line up, I had the same doom and gloom feeling I get nowadays when Kimmo is hurt.
"Oh no they can't possibly win without Rico/Kimmo playing."
Each guy was such a vital part of the team.
Fortunately Kimmo never missed too many games from injury as you point out.
Stellar work as usual Bill.
Thanks for keeping it up as we head into the dog days.

Great blog Bill. I miss Desjardins. I started watching when the Flyers got Lindros, so I never got to see Howe.

Question about Coffey, though. What made you put him ahead of Ray Bourque? Coffey was the speedier, end-to-end rush guy, but Bourque was more of a get the puck to a forward, join the rush, and blast one home guy. Coffey always seemed (offensively) like Bobby Orr-lite, but Bourque was more like a very rich man's Desjardins. I guess I just am drawn more to those types of players.
- jmatchett383

I loved watching Ray Borque...Was only 10 when the Bruins traded him to the Avs, but remember him in a Bruins uniform for say 3 years. It was awesome to be able to see him play

I wish I could find video of the Kings-Flyers game from Feb. 1991. Or more specifically, of the play that led up to Normand Lacombe's penalty shot. I remember watching the game on Prime Ticket in Santa Barbara. If memory serves (and it probably doesnt), Lacombe had a semi-breakaway, and Steve Duchesne (on the Kings at the time) moved to cut Lacombe off, while Steve Kasper raced back to get into the play. Both Kings were looking at Lacombe and not at one another, resulting in a terrific collision between them. Memory says the ice looked like a yard sale, sticks, gloves, hats were all over, and everything else was half off. In the process, somebody's stick shot out between Lacombe's skates and down he went.

I do remember being very annoyed when the penalty shot was called. My attitude was.. "seriously? Lacombe? a penalty shot? No chance." Of course, Lacombe scored, and I believed that was the first time in my life that it occurred to me that games are decided on the ice and not on paper. The Flyers went on to lose that game, but I will always remember Normand Lacombe.. who was not one of my favorite Flyers ever, but did provide serious entertainment and a little education.

I would love to see that game again, or at least the replay of the play that led up to the penalty shot.

Great blog Bill. I miss Desjardins. I started watching when the Flyers got Lindros, so I never got to see Howe.

Question about Coffey, though. What made you put him ahead of Ray Bourque? Coffey was the speedier, end-to-end rush guy, but Bourque was more of a get the puck to a forward, join the rush, and blast one home guy. Coffey always seemed (offensively) like Bobby Orr-lite, but Bourque was more like a very rich man's Desjardins. I guess I just am drawn more to those types of players.
- jmatchett383

I'd take Bourque over Coffey by a country mile as an all-round great player (in fact, I'd take Howe, too). But strictly in terms of being an offensive force, I'd rate Coffey slightly ahead of Bourque.

You know - that surprises me. I've been a fan of the Flyers for many many years, specially from the late 70's thru to the late 80's! I would have though the Flyers would've had an 800+ point man on defense with all their success and Cup final appearances.

You know - that surprises me. I've been a fan of the Flyers for many many years, specially from the late 70's thru to the late 80's! I would have though the Flyers would've had an 800+ point man on defense with all their success and Cup final appearances.
- LeftCoaster

Howe would have hit those totals if he hadn't missed so many games after 1986-87 due to injuries.

No Pitkanen?

I'd take Bourque over Coffey by a country mile as an all-round great player (in fact, I'd take Howe, too). But strictly in terms of being an offensive force, I'd rate Coffey slightly ahead of Bourque.
- bmeltzer

Fair enough, they're both fantastic offensively, just in different ways.
I have a question for you, and anyone else who was able to watch Bobby Orr play. He's, without a doubt the most dynamic offensive defenseman as well as a great defensive one. But, is there another defenseman out there (maybe Bourque or Potvin) whose defensive games were better than Orr's to the point that they were better "complete" players? I'm almost positive the answer is no, but just curious as to exactly HOW good Orr was defensively compared to the other greats.

Tom Bladon?

Howe still looked so smooth on his skates during the Alumni Game in Philly. I remember reading an article where he said he had aches and pains for a week after that game, but you sure couldn't tell he had any problems when he was out there.

No Pitkanen?
- fry

Nope... only his 2005-06 season was of high enough caliber. All of the players on the list had MUCH more hockey sense, with the exception of Wilson.

A MUCH bigger omission from the list - so much so that I'm considering an amended list - is Tom Bladon.

Howe still looked so smooth on his skates during the Alumni Game in Philly. I remember reading an article where he said he had aches and pains for a week after that game, but you sure couldn't tell he had any problems when he was out there.
- Pyzik

Short of a VERY FEW select playoff games (3 from 2010 - Rangers, Montreal Game 5, SCF Game 3), that was probably the most fun I've ever had at a hockey game. So much better than the Winter Classic. In fact, even scores aside, the Flyers-Rangers game was probably the least fun of the 3.

Tom Bladon?
- nastyflyergirl

He belongs.... an oversight on my part. I'd slot him one spot ahead of Pronger (for Flyers longevity) and slide the rest down one spot... so Coffey would fall to honorable mention

GREG HAWGOOD

During the Desjardin years, whenever he was hurt and out of the line up, I had the same doom and gloom feeling I get nowadays when Kimmo is hurt.
"Oh no they can't possibly win without Rico/Kimmo playing."
Each guy was such a vital part of the team.
Fortunately Kimmo never missed too many games from injury as you point out.
Stellar work as usual Bill.
Thanks for keeping it up as we head into the dog days.
- Marc D

I can remember being more worried when the Flyers were without Desjardins than when they were without Lindros.

Sadly, my biggest memory of Coffey was Lindros accidentally colliding with him and knocking him out. I remember all the trainers came and were huddled around him, and Eric was next to him in tears. I think he had 3 assists in his first game in Philly, but the collision with Lindros is what stands out.

Short of a VERY FEW select playoff games (3 from 2010 - Rangers, Montreal Game 5, SCF Game 3), that was probably the most fun I've ever had at a hockey game. So much better than the Winter Classic. In fact, even scores aside, the Flyers-Rangers game was probably the least fun of the 3.
- jmatchett383

I agree 100% I looked forward to the Alumni game more than the Winter Classic and Phantoms game.

It was just so cool to see those guys out there again, all grudges forgotten, doing it for the fans, having a great time. I know a lot of people complained about having to purchase all 3 games from the Flyers, but idk ANYONE who didn't enjoy the Alumni game, it was just THAT good.

Bernie and Net....first goal, LeClair from Lindros and Recchi (would have been better if it was Renberg)...Howe's wrist shot goal....Podein falling all over himself and laughing....even how amazing Trees looked in net....wish I still had it on my DVR to watch again.

Amended the blog.

I loved watching Ray Borque...Was only 10 when the Bruins traded him to the Avs, but remember him in a Bruins uniform for say 3 years. It was awesome to be able to see him play
- RickJames77

Ray Bourque > Paul Coffey

Timo epitomizes everything you'd want from a defenseman. I'm not old enough to have watched anything from the 70s or 80s and when I watched Desjardins I was too young to appreciate the nuances. With Timonen, I have enjoyed watching him so much. Seeing him outsmart a much bigger player along the boards or breakup a 2 on 1 very casually. He is the most responsible for the Flyers turn around after the season which will not be named.