Bill Meltzer: Musings: Giroux Bounceback Keys, Flyers Top 25 in 25: Gagne, Quick Hits

GAGS!

will never forget this girl in 8th grade pronouncing Gagne's name as

Sigh-mon Gag-knee.

Literally every single boy in the class, including myself, could be seen cringing.

A bounce back year from Giroux (and Jake) would have a tremendous ripple effect on the rest of the players, especially Patrick. The year when Jake had his "breakout season" and was top of the league in points majority of the season, it seemed that top line could get it done when it mattered and was a threat everytime they hit the ice. We need that top line threat and the much needed added depth for this season should then follow with its/their part.

ttt

There really wasn't much of anything that went right for Giroux last year. I am expecting a bounce back. Last year was the first year in his career he shot under 9% and was also the first in 5 years that he took under 400 shots. He and Jake both need to get more shots on net (yes, easier said than done).

There is no question the lack of forward depth has made his life more difficult. In his prime he was able to overcome that, but now he will need some help. To what extent is really the question. He is still a great player and one of the best PP guys in the league. Oh and he is super cute.

Loved Gagne - probably my #6 favorite Flyers player

Loved Gagne - probably my #6 favorite Flyers player
- Scoob

don't start

World Cup obligations

choice - he made the choice to play

don't start
- YuenglingJagr

lol but it's true

choice - he made the choice to play
- Scoob

Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country
- Canadian JFKeh

choice - he made the choice to play
- Scoob

It was required to have all hands on deck. You know Canada's long-standing rivalry and deep hatred of Team Europe.

Old, so maybe posted before, but Riley Cote enjoys the use of cannabis.

http://www.phillyvoice.co...yers-enforcer-riley-cote/

Old, so maybe posted before, but Riley Cote enjoys the use of cannabis.

http://www.phillyvoice.co...yers-enforcer-riley-cote/
- jmatchett383

Next month, it will be hosting the fifth annual Hemp Heals Music Festival (July 22, Festival Pier at Penn's Landing), featuring performances by 311 and Matisyahu.

I love this

Old, so maybe posted before, but Riley Cote enjoys the use of cannabis.

http://www.phillyvoice.co...yers-enforcer-riley-cote/
- jmatchett383

He is still a frequent guest instructor for Phantoms youth hockey development program in the Lehigh Valley. He seems like a good dude

Giroux definitely had a poor year at 5 on 5, but so did Simmonds and yet his season is talked about in glowing terms by most of the media.

He is still a frequent guest instructor for Phantoms youth hockey development program in the Lehigh Valley. He seems like a good dude
- YuenglingJagr

Definitely does seem like a good dude but, man of man, he was pretty bad hockey player. Give it his all, but just wasn't there.

Also, my wife's uncle is mostly into blues, and he was at some festival where 311 was playing. He told me he felt uneasy where "all those wild guys were jumping into each other." This was like 2 years ago, not 1998.

Giroux definitely had a poor year at 5 on 5, but so did Simmonds and yet his season is talked about in glowing terms by most of the media.
- Feanor

It's probably because he can impact a game on many different levels (including goal scoring) while Giroux's game revolves around scoring. Also, I don't want to get into a long discussion, but if the guy is below average at 5v5 but money on the PP, not to mention a damn good PKer, then I'll be okay with it.

Also gotta factor in the salary and the fact that Giroux wears the C.

Giroux doesn't PK now (which I think is smart coaching), but as a center more of his role at ES is spent being responsible defensively than any winger on the team. He's also one of the best faceoff guys in the league. I don't think he is just a scorer.

Giroux doesn't PK now (which I think is smart coaching), but as a center more of his role at ES is spent being responsible defensively than any winger on the team. He's also one of the best faceoff guys in the league. I don't think he is just a scorer.
- Feanor

Not, he's not just a scorer, and yes he's supposed to be defensively responsible at ES (which I don't think he was last year, compared to prior 2 years). But his main role on the team, along with Voracek, is to score. If you want a guy to win faceoffs and be responsible defensively, we can revisit Boyd Gordon. At $8M per year and captain of the team, he needs to be leading the scoring charge.

Hopefully this year our two highest paid players will be our leading scorers.

Definitely does seem like a good dude but, man of man, he was pretty bad hockey player. Give it his all, but just wasn't there.

Also, my wife's uncle is mostly into blues, and he was at some festival where 311 was playing. He told me he felt uneasy where "all those wild guys were jumping into each other." This was like 2 years ago, not 1998.
- jmatchett383

Yeah...once someone is off the team I really don't hold that against anyone anymore

Not, he's not just a scorer, and yes he's supposed to be defensively responsible at ES (which I don't think he was last year, compared to prior 2 years). But his main role on the team, along with Voracek, is to score. If you want a guy to win faceoffs and be responsible defensively, we can revisit Boyd Gordon. At $8M per year and captain of the team, he needs to be leading the scoring charge.
- jmatchett383

That is really all it is. Everyone wants guys to outproduce what they get paid, but that isn't very realistic

Yeah...once someone is off the team I really don't hold that against anyone anymore
- YuenglingJagr

I don't hold it against him, just stating that, while he gave everything he could, he just wasn't very good as an NHL player., although he made it. Not belittling the guy, because he was able to work his way to the NHL, which is actually pretty damn commendable.

Another quiz: What was the last season where Giroux and Voracek weren't the top two Flyers in Points per game?