Bill Meltzer: Quick: Top 25 in 25, Nolet and More

Hmm, top 25 of the last 25. Gonna need to think a bit on that one.

ttt

Roman Cechmanek
- bmeltzer

Nice!

Looking at your lists I'm trying to find a way to bump Jones up to the top 25 - maybe by swapping him for Hartnell. Also, I think it's too early to have Gostisbehere and Provorov on the list.

when I looked at your list of top 25 and then the considerations I really didn't see any I would automatically switch....Maybe ghost....Maybe Provy.....great list though.

Not sure hextall belongs on that list as a player. Put Coburn ahead of him. Maybe Handzeus.

So, FWIW, here are my top 25 Flyers of the last 25 years:

25. Kim Johnsson D
24. Jaromir Jagr RW
was only here 1 season but he was a huge positive influence on many players
23. Mike Knuble RW
22. Sean Couturier C
21. Chris Therien
doesn't always get the respect he deserves, was a top pair guy here for many years
20. Peter Forsberg C
would be much higher if he had just played here a little longer
19. Michael Renberg RW
injuries knocked him down the list.
18. Jake Voracek RW
17. Mike Richards C
16. Wayne Simmonds RW
scores around 30 goals every year and intangibles matter
15. Jeff Carter C
14. Ron Hextall G
while not as good as his first stint with the team, he played very well for them in the mid 90s and reacquiring him in 94 was a big reason why they returned to the playoffs in 95.
13. Scott Hartnell LW
great guy, both on and off the ice
12. Chris Pronger D
sadly, a couple more healthy seasons would have put him in the top 5
11. Keith Primeau C
there are things about Primeau many don't like, but he was the perfect 2 way center for Ken Hitchcock and his play in the 04 playoffs was amazing
10. Jeremy Roenick C
As a commentator, he needs to shut the (frank) up, as a player, he left it all on the ice.
9. Danny Briere C
Mr. Playoffs.
8. Simon Gagne LW
One of the great Flyer left wings of all time
7. Mark Recchi RW
an offensive machine in each of his stints with the team
6. Kimmo Timonen D
the Finnish warrior was one of the best all around Dmen in Flyers history
5. Rod Brind'amour C
An ironman and a complete player in every facet of the game, should have never been traded,
4. Eric Desjardins D
ranks #2 on my list of all time Flyers Dmen after only the incomparable Mark Howe
3. Claude Giroux C
G has carried this team for a while now, glad to see that they are finally getting him some help.
2. John Leclair LW
it's a toss up between him and Bill Barber for best LW in team history. Leclair was a goal scoring machine.
1. Eric Lindros C
No question who is at #1. When healthy in his prime, he was simply unstoppable.

11. Wayne Primeau
- BiggE

huh

huh
- Scoob

LOL, fixed. Needed to finish my coffee!

Bill Meltzer: Quick: Top 25 in 25, Nolet and More
- bmeltzer

Choosing the top 25 I need the last 25 years is too easy. I'll get in on this later.

I think I would move Simon Gagne up to before Chris Pronger.

I'd remove Mike Richards and Jeff Carter and definitely add Garry Gally and Podein

Not sure hextall belongs on that list as a player. Put Coburn ahead of him. Maybe Handzeus.
- rinaldo

Reacquiring Hextall was an important part of the Flyers' resurgence in the mid-1990s. Was the starter on a team that came within two wins of reaching the Cup Finals in 1995, had arguably the second best season of his NHL career in 1995-96 and was part of a tandem in 1996-97 that reached the Cup Finals.

To me, that's good enough to merit a Top 25 spot in the time period.

Since work is slow today, here are my top 25 Flyers players from the first 25 years, 67-92:

25. Ron Sutter C
24. Ken Linseman C
Sometimes you loved him, sometimes you hated him, but the Rat could play.
23. Joe Watson D
22. Murray Craven LW
always underrated, he was very good top 6 forward during the Keenan era
21. Ross Lonsberry LW
one of the best 2-way players on the Bullies
20. Brad Marsh D
Mr. Heart and Soul
19. Brad McCrimmon D
another guy who should have never been traded
18. Gary Dornhoefer RW
one of the gutsiest players to ever wear the orange and black
17. Bob Dailey D
16. Paul Holmgren RW
could make an opponent wilt just with his glare, he was also a heck of a player.
15. Barry Ashbee D
The heart of the Broad Street Bullies and a true hockey warrior
14. Jim Watson D
Until now, the best home grown Dman in team history, but some kid named Provorov may soon have something to say about that
13. Dave Poulin C
the consummate captain and one of the classiest players in team history
12. Ed Van Impe D
The leader of the Bullies D and a guy who'd do anything to win
11. Reggie Leach RW
10. Pelle Lindbergh G
if not for tragedy, he's probably in the top 5
9. Rick Tocchet RW
one of the great power forwards in team history and one of the best fighters too
8. Ron Hextall G
another guy who'd do anything to win. He was spectacular from 86-89, then dealt with injuries until he was traded in 92. Still the Flyers don't get anywhere near the finals in 1987 without Hexy.
7. Brian Propp LW
IMO, the 3rd best LW in team history
6. Rick Macleish C
before there was Danny Briere, there was Macleish. He was the Bullies money player and one of the best wrist shots I've ever seen
5. Tim Kerr RW
Injuries robbed the big guy of some prime years, but when he was healthy, he was absolutely unstoppable on the pp. 4 straight 50+ goal years is impressive in any era.
4. Bill Barber LW
The complete package. He could do it all and he could do it all very, very well.
3. Mark Howe D
By far, the best Dman in team history and arguably the best all around Dman in the NHL between 1983-1988.
2. Bernie Parent G
His back to back seasons in 73-74 and 74-75 are as good as any goalie in NHL history. Younger fans may not realize just how good he was before injuries started breaking him down in 75-76. For those 2 years, he was as good as any goalie who ever played in any league.
1. Bobby Clarke
Mr. Flyer. 3 Hart trophies, 2 Cup rings, and the best Captain in team history, he is simply the greatest Flyer ever.

Reacquiring Hextall was an important part of the Flyers' resurgence in the mid-1990s. Was the starter on a team that came within two wins of reaching the Cup Finals in 1995, had arguably the second best season of his NHL career in 1995-96 and was part of a tandem in 1996-97 that reached the Cup Finals.

To me, that's good enough to merit a Top 25 spot in the time period.
- bmeltzer

Agreed!

For me, Kim Johnsson was better than Therien and Hatcher

Mason was better than Boucher, to me

Wish there was a way to get Handzus on there, but it's tight

Just my opinions

Reacquiring Hextall was an important part of the Flyers' resurgence in the mid-1990s. Was the starter on a team that came within two wins of reaching the Cup Finals in 1995, had arguably the second best season of his NHL career in 1995-96 and was part of a tandem in 1996-97 that reached the Cup Finals.

To me, that's good enough to merit a Top 25 spot in the time period.
- bmeltzer

That's fine just disagree is all. disagree with his placement not what he did.

Since work is slow today, here are my top 25 Flyers players from the first 25 years, 67-92:

25. Ron Sutter C
24. Ken Linseman C
Sometimes you loved him, sometimes you hated him, but the Rat could play.
23. Joe Watson D
22. Murray Craven LW
always underrated, he was very good top 6 forward during the Keenan era
21. Ross Lonsberry LW
one of the best 2-way players on the Bullies
20. Brad Marsh D
Mr. Heart and Soul
19. Brad McCrimmon D
another guy who should have never been traded
18. Gary Dornhoefer RW
one of the gutsiest players to ever wear the orange and black
17. Bob Dailey D
16. Paul Holmgren RW
could make an opponent wilt just with his glare, he was also a heck of a player.
15. Barry Ashbee D
The heart of the Broad Street Bullies and a true hockey warrior
14. Jim Watson D
Until now, the best home grown Dman in team history, but some kid named Provorov may soon have something to say about that
13. Dave Poulin C
the consummate captain and one of the classiest players in team history
12. Ed Van Impe D
The leader of the Bullies D and a guy who'd do anything to win
11. Reggie Leach RW
10. Pelle Lindbergh G
if not for tragedy, he's probably in the top 5
9. Rick Tocchet RW
one of the great power forwards in team history and one of the best fighters too
8. Ron Hextall G
another guy who'd do anything to win. He was spectacular from 86-89, then dealt with injuries until he was traded in 92. Still the Flyers don't get anywhere near the finals in 1987 without Hexy.
7. Brian Propp LW
IMO, the 3rd best LW in team history
6. Rick Macleish C
before there was Danny Briere, there was Macleish. He was the Bullies money player and one of the best wrist shots I've ever seen
5. Tim Kerr RW
Injuries robbed the big guy of some prime years, but when he was healthy, he was absolutely unstoppable on the pp. 4 straight 50+ goal years is impressive in any era.
4. Bill Barber LW
The complete package. He could do it all and he could do it all very, very well.
3. Mark Howe D
By far, the best Dman in team history and arguably the best all around Dman in the NHL between 1983-1988.
2. Bernie Parent G
His back to back seasons in 73-74 and 74-75 are as good as any goalie in NHL history. Younger fans may not realize just how good he was before injuries started breaking him down in 75-76. For those 2 years, he was as good as any goalie who ever played in any league.
1. Bobby Clarke
Mr. Flyer. 3 Hart trophies, 2 Cup rings, and the best Captain in team history, he is simply the greatest Flyer ever.
- BiggE

Man you produce some good list. Keep up the good work

Longevity matters, so this isn't a true list of my 25 in 25. These are just the guys who had what I think are the five-best seasons I've seen in the last 25 years

5. Peter Forsberg 2005-06
4. Claude Giroux 2011-12
3. John LeClair 1995-96
2. Chris Pronger 2009-10
1. Eric Lindros 1995-96

I was hoping to give some extra insight on the top 25 but your list is pretty solid. I like the idea of Provorov in the "extra" group. I'd consider replacing Hatcher with Provorov you think he'll end up being a future stud #1. You'd look pretty smart in retrospect. Hatcher ran up against the post-lockout NHL where his nastiness and size were heavily negated.

So, FWIW, here are my top 25 Flyers of the last 25 years:

25. Kim Johnsson D
24. Jaromir Jagr RW
was only here 1 season but he was a huge positive influence on many players
23. Mike Knuble RW
22. Sean Couturier C
21. Chris Therien
doesn't always get the respect he deserves, was a top pair guy here for many years
20. Peter Forsberg C
would be much higher if he had just played here a little longer
19. Michael Renberg RW
injuries knocked him down the list.
18. Jake Voracek RW
17. Mike Richards C
16. Wayne Simmonds RW
scores around 30 goals every year and intangibles matter
15. Jeff Carter C
14. Ron Hextall G
while not as good as his first stint with the team, he played very well for them in the mid 90s and reacquiring him in 94 was a big reason why they returned to the playoffs in 95.
13. Scott Hartnell LW
great guy, both on and off the ice
12. Chris Pronger D
sadly, a couple more healthy seasons would have put him in the top 5
11. Keith Primeau C
there are things about Primeau many don't like, but he was the perfect 2 way center for Ken Hitchcock and his play in the 04 playoffs was amazing
10. Jeremy Roenick C
As a commentator, he needs to shut the (frank) up, as a player, he left it all on the ice.
9. Danny Briere C
Mr. Playoffs.
8. Simon Gagne LW
One of the great Flyer left wings of all time
7. Mark Recchi RW
an offensive machine in each of his stints with the team
6. Kimmo Timonen D
the Finnish warrior was one of the best all around Dmen in Flyers history
5. Rod Brind'amour C
An ironman and a complete player in every facet of the game, should have never been traded,
4. Eric Desjardins D
ranks #2 on my list of all time Flyers Dmen after only the incomparable Mark Howe
3. Claude Giroux C
G has carried this team for a while now, glad to see that they are finally getting him some help.
2. John Leclair LW
it's a toss up between him and Bill Barber for best LW in team history. Leclair was a goal scoring machine.
1. Eric Lindros C
No question who is at #1. When healthy in his prime, he was simply unstoppable.
- BiggE

I wouldn't put Hexy v2.0 that high and I don't think Therien would make my list. I'd put Svoboda above Therien, and Hexy would probably be ~20 for me. An important piece, yes, but not as influential his second time around.

24. Ken Linseman C

- BiggE

He makes one list for me: Flyers I didn't like

My top five Flyers for the last 25 years, factoring in things like longevity and intangibles but not discounting overall greatness:

5. Simon Gagne
4. Eric Desjardins
3. Claude Giroux
2. John LeClair
1. Eric Lindros

Longevity matters, so this isn't a true list of my 25 in 25. These are just the guys who had what I think are the five-best seasons I've seen in the last 25 years

5. Peter Forsberg 2005-06
4. Claude Giroux 2011-12
3. John LeClair 1995-96
2. Chris Pronger 2009-10
1. Eric Lindros 1995-96
- AllInForFlyers

Picking best seasons over the last 25 is pretty tough. I'd probably go:
1. Lindros 95-96
2. Lindros 94-95
3. Leclair 95-96
4. Renberg 94-95
5. Forsberg 05-06
6. Leclair 94-95
7. Giroux 11-12
8. Gagne 05-06
9. Recchi 92-93
10. Voracek 14-15

Pronger in 09-10, Lindros in 96-97, Leclair in 96-97, Lindros in 98-99 would all be in the running too.

Picking best seasons over the last 25 is pretty tough. I'd probably go:
1. Lindros 95-96
2. Lindros 94-95
3. Leclair 95-96
4. Renberg 94-95
5. Forsberg 05-06
6. Leclair 94-95
7. Giroux 11-12
8. Gagne 05-06
9. Recchi 92-93
10. Voracek 14-15

Pronger in 09-10, Lindros in 96-97, Leclair in 96-97, Lindros in 98-99 would all be in the running too.
- BiggE

That Recchi 92-93 season almost got Forsberg out of there on my list -- that really was an amazing season he put up