Bill Meltzer: Flyers Top 25 in 25: Hatcher; Quick Hits on Rubtsov, Lycksell, Fantasy Camp

pretty sure Crosby won that game in overtime or shootout

Bill - didn't the US World Cup victory come in 1996?

Great blog. I always felt Hatcher was unfairly labeled as slow and ineffective during his years as a Flyer. In the 2008 playoffs, he did yeoman's work through all 3 series. Like many good/great players through the years, the Flyers acquired him a bit too late in his career. He would have greatly helped during the 2000 and 2004 playoff runs.

Hatcher definitely was not the problem. He was still quite effective, he was just being used too heavily for his present ability at the time. Similar stories played out with Luke Richardson, Jason Smith, and the last days of Eric Desjardins to name a few.

Bill - didn't the US World Cup victory come in 1996?

Great blog. I always felt Hatcher was unfairly labeled as slow and ineffective during his years as a Flyer. In the 2008 playoffs, he did yeoman's work through all 3 series. Like many good/great players through the years, the Flyers acquired him a bit too late in his career. He would have greatly helped during the 2000 and 2004 playoff runs.
- BOSS_TWEED

Fixed the typo. Agree 100 pct on Hatcher. He was much more effective as a Flyer than people gave him credit for being. His knees were shot to hell by that point of his career but he was still effective most of the time. He adapted to the rule changes fairly well because he was a good defender.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Top 25 in 25: Hatcher; Quick Hits on Rubtsov, Lycksell, Fantasy Camp
- bmeltzer

Greetings on this beautiful Sunday morning.

Three best moves in Flyers' history...

Bernie from Toronto for Favell and a first (Bob Neely)
Howe from Hartford for who Bill mentioned
Lindros from Quebec for a slew of player and cash.

Though there were many others to choose from:
Macleish and Schock for Mike "Shakey" Walton
Daley for Goodenough and McIhargey
Flett, Lonsberry, Joyal, Potvin for Bernier, Johnson, Lesuk

pretty sure Crosby won that game in overtime or shootout
- HOWSMYDICTATE

He did. OT breakaway goal.

Greetings on this beautiful Sunday morning.

Three best moves in Flyers' history...

Bernie from Toronto for Favell and a first (Bob Neely)
Howe from Hartford for who Bill mentioned
Lindros from Quebec for a slew of player and cash.

Though there were many others to choose from:
Macleish and Schock for Mike "Shakey" Walton
Daley for Goodenough and McIhargey
Flett, Lonsberry, Joyal, Potvin for Bernier, Johnson, Lesuk
- 77rams

The MacLeish deal was part of the three-way between the Flyers , Maple Leafs and Bruins that sent Bernie Parent to Toronto. Thus, it wasn't a popular move at the time but ultimately worked out wonderfully for the Flyers after Bernie came back.

Would add the LeClair and Desjardins (plus Gilbert Dionne) additions from the Mark Recchi blockbuster to the best trade list.

Thanks as always Bill! If you had to assign Rubs somewhere this year, obviously his training camp should be a factor, where would it be?

Thanks as always Bill! If you had to assign Rubs somewhere this year, obviously his training camp should be a factor, where would it be?
- coffee junkie

I think a full year in the Q wouldn't hurt. He'd play on the top line. For the Phantoms right now, he'd have to battle hard to even get top 9 time.

Greetings on this beautiful Sunday morning.

Three best moves in Flyers' history...

Bernie from Toronto for Favell and a first (Bob Neely)
Howe from Hartford for who Bill mentioned
Lindros from Quebec for a slew of player and cash.

Though there were many others to choose from:
Macleish and Schock for Mike "Shakey" Walton
Daley for Goodenough and McIhargey
Flett, Lonsberry, Joyal, Potvin for Bernier, Johnson, Lesuk
- 77rams

QUebec trade was unique in that it was a Blockbuster with many pieces that helped both teams. Nobody 'Won' the trade ( stupidest arguement in hockey), both teams benefited.

I would love to see a list of how many 1st round picks the Flyers traded in their history (regardless of how many they 'got back') and how that compares to the rest of the NHL.

Especially now, with how Ron is stockpiling picks, it feels as if in the past, we traded ours WAY more than other teams.

I don't know if it was being impatient, or the thought that we knew a better way, but the draft seemed to be an afterthought unless it was a top 10 pick. Other teams that were good always seemed 'deeper' than us. (Except for the mid '80s teams, but even then, 90% of our defensive core were trades)

Terrific article for a Sunday read:

https://theathletic.com/8...-who-falls-short-and-why/

Hatcher was great here at first and played his way onto the Olympic team when not too many folks were expecting that. His 2nd year he struggled badly at first. The pairing with Fred Meyer did not work but after Meyer was traded for Zhitnik, his game came back and he was solid thereafter. I liked Hatcher.

Hatcher was great here at first and played his way onto the Olympic team when not too many folks were expecting that. His 2nd year he struggled badly at first. The pairing with Fred Meyer did not work but after Meyer was traded for Zhitnik, his game came back and he was solid thereafter. I liked Hatcher.
- fls13

Well he was very EXPOSED when the red line was thrown out

Well he was very EXPOSED when the red line was thrown out
- Bonerfide69

He played pretty well, sometimes really well, here except for the tail end of 05-06 and then the first half or so of the following season. The offside pass was gone the whole time he was here.

I want him in the Q and hopefully they'll actually play him on the Phantoms once the season ends

The MacLeish deal was part of the three-way between the Flyers , Maple Leafs and Bruins that sent Bernie Parent to Toronto. Thus, it wasn't a popular move at the time but ultimately worked out wonderfully for the Flyers after Bernie came back.

Would add the LeClair and Desjardins (plus Gilbert Dionne) additions from the Mark Recchi blockbuster to the best trade list.
- bmeltzer

Without a doubt. In addition -
Leach for Wright, McAdam, and a first (Chipperfield)

Some terrific "B" moves...
McCrimmon for Peeters (helped both)
Marsh for Bridgman
(Speaking of) Bridgman for Clement, McLean & 1st (Forsythe)
Craven for Sittler (not a popular move either)
Brind'Amour & Quinn for Ron Sutter & Baron
Coburn for Zhitnik

Re: Rubstov

Anywhere but wherever he's been playing 2 shifts a game.

I loved Hatcher when he was here. Outside of Pronger, he's the meanest dude the club has had post lockout. His mobility was hampered by bum knees, as Bill wrote, but he was way smarter than was given credit for, which is why he hung on and was actually effective during his time as a Flyer.

I will say however that even when watching it live, I didn't feel that Crosby embellished the first high stick Hatch gave him during that game. He was looking for calls the rest of the game, but if I remember correctly, he lost a few teeth on that play. It was the start of a beautiful rivalry though, for sure.

I think a full year in the Q is best for GR.
He bounced around more then a bunch of crackheads playing beach-ball last year.
Stability, for a year in North America will really benefit the kid.

I think a full year in the Q wouldn't hurt. He'd play on the top line. For the Phantoms right now, he'd have to battle hard to even get top 9 time.
- bmeltzer

Anything outside the Q for him shouldn't enter the teams mind.

I think a full year in the Q is best for GR.
He bounced around more then a bunch of crackheads playing beach-ball last year.
Stability, for a year in North America will really benefit the kid.
- Konalover

Q AKA Joel Quenneville's dog house