this is a (frank)ing violation.



nyc transit

Re: Forsberg, he did the same thing in the 2006 playoffs for the Flyers that he did for Sweden in the Olympics a few months earlier -- gritted his way through an injury (groin strains related to his foot issues) that probably should have kept him out, and he went out and singlehandedly won two games in that Buffalo series.

Keep making a big deal about the Team Canada absence and we can only hope it fuels Giroux to kick butt right from Game 1 to prove them all wrong.

All the news reports up here try to make the story about the big ice and the failures in 1998 and 2006. And, the goaltending with no clear # 1.

Bill, you are a daily read on here for me. Keep up the great work. I love the prospect research you do to keep us informed.
- PhiFaninEdm

+1. Bill, I know your daily duties will be discussing the Flyers once the season starts, but I would love to hear updates every few weeks about the Flyers prospects.

Although I was happy for him in general, the Flyers' fan in me was very angry when Forsberg played for Sweden in 2006. He was having serious injury issues to the point where he could barely skate for a team paying him $6M/year, but he went and played for a different team. I know he was basically a God over there (and I have the Swedish stamp of him), but to me, your #1 priority should be to the team paying your salary.

So, where I'm going with all of this is that I'm really glad Giroux didn't go, and I honestly wish no Flyers would play in the Olympics at all. Imagine if he's playing against the Slovakians and he goes into a corner with Chara and Chara puts him out for the season (or longer). That puts the Flyers into a horrible corner due to a hockey game that has nothing to do with the Flyers. I know injuries can happen anywhere (hello Mr. Meszaros) and that you can't bubble wrap them, but I'd be cool if no Flyers played in the Olympics.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, me too.

Pros in the Olympics is just stupid, sorry.

Re: Forsberg, he did the same thing in the 2006 playoffs for the Flyers that he did for Sweden in the Olympics a few months earlier -- gritted his way through an injury (groin strains related to his foot issues) that probably should have kept him out, and he went out and singlehandedly won two games in that Buffalo series.
- bmeltzer

He did. But my point was that he was getting paid either $5.5M or $6M per year to do that for the Flyers, and not for Sweden. Like I said, he's deified in Sweden, but if the Olympics had any impact on his ability or lack thereof to play for the Flyers, I was against it. Still love the dude though.

Canada can suck it. Boo whoo, Giroux missed a freakin' ball hockey game. You know none of those players are going to remember tactics from a ball hockey game come February.

USA! USA! USA!

"Nyet, nyet my friend. His name is 'Kilya Ovalchuk.' And this is his teammate, 'Olexander Avechkin.' We give you ten bottle vodka, straight from heart of Siberia, you no look at paperwork."
- jmatchett383

I have Russian clients and they're very nice. Well, nice to me at least. Their problem is they think they can bribe or intimidate anyone into doing anything. They say bribery is such a common occurrence in Russia that it's just a standard part of many negotiations.

Canada can suck it. Boo whoo, Giroux missed a freakin' ball hockey game. You know none of those players are going to remember tactics from a ball hockey game come February.

USA! USA! USA!
- KGBflyers10

The important question is whether the ball was a liquid filled one, or one of those cheap older Franklin/Mylec ones that you couldn't get any zip on. They should have used a roll-a-puck.

I have Russian clients and they're very nice. Well, nice to me at least. Their problem is they think they can bribe or intimidate anyone into doing anything. They say bribery is such a common occurrence in Russia that it's just a standard part of many negotiations.
- PhillySportsGuy

I've heard that. I worked with a (smoking hot) lady from the Ukraine. She said that if you ever get pulled over, you are basically expected to give them $50.

Re: Forsberg, he did the same thing in the 2006 playoffs for the Flyers that he did for Sweden in the Olympics a few months earlier -- gritted his way through an injury (groin strains related to his foot issues) that probably should have kept him out, and he went out and singlehandedly won two games in that Buffalo series.
- bmeltzer

one of the greatest shifts i've ever seen. game 4:

Bill, the thing I really don't understand about big newspaper organizations is that they don't seem to realize that the one thing they do well that people can't get elsewhere is local coverage. And cutting local things, like sports, are cutting off their noses to spite their faces. If all they become is another outlet for AP, they are ultimately as replaceable as consumers are finding them.
- bodiva88

True, but if the local content isn't that good to begin with...

one of the greatest shifts i've ever seen. game 4:


- hammarby31

I'd be 100% fine if they just pushed him out to center ice and just let him feed people the puck. Short of Gretzky, he was the best passer I've ever seen.

I've heard that. I worked with a (smoking hot) lady from the Ukraine. She said that if you ever get pulled over, you are basically expected to give them $50.
- jmatchett383

My client was working with a tax attorney to appeal his property taxes and the attorney told him that there nothing he could do. So my Russian client emailed him a copy of his gun registration.

He later apologized and said it was a "mistake."

agree completely on both points. i hate professionals playing in the olympics, especially with respect to hockey because it interrupts the NHL season and subjects players on MY team to injury. leave it to the best kids/prospects in juniors and college.
- hammarby31

I would be fine with this if it applied to ALL countries participating.

My client was working with a tax attorney to appeal his property taxes and the attorney told him that there nothing he could do. So my Russian client emailed him a copy of his gun registration.

He later apologized and said it was a "mistake."
- PhillySportsGuy

I think that's also SOP in Texas, as well.

True, but if the local content isn't that good to begin with...
- Jsaquella

for me that's the issue.

If the injury occurred a month ago, I think it would be fine to go, but at this point he is scheduled to get back RIGHT before the start of the season. The Flyers cannot afford a slow start and cannot afford to have anything happen that can delay his recovery.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yes but do you understand from a Hockey Canada standpoint, they know he has an injury but nothing they are doing at the orientation camp would make that any worse. As for PT, Hockey Canada has doctors, trainers, therapist all on staff. Hockey Canada wants Giroux healthy as well.

I think that's also SOP in Texas, as well.
- jmatchett383

TBH, most people I've met from Texas are extremely friendly. Way friendlier than northeast cities.

The only thing that bothers me about them is that they are somewhat condescending to your different lifestyle. Like they know you're doing things wrong and are probably going to hell, but it's ok.

Yes but do you understand from a Hockey Canada standpoint, they know he has an injury but nothing they are doing at the orientation camp would make that any worse. As for PT, Hockey Canada has doctors, trainers, therapist all on staff. Hockey Canada wants Giroux healthy as well.
- RobFlyers#1

It has nothing to do with making the injury worse. And he needs to remain under the treatment of who has been handling his PT to this point. To make sure he is as ready as he can get for the NHL Season.

Yes but do you understand from a Hockey Canada standpoint, they know he has an injury but nothing they are doing at the orientation camp would make that any worse. As for PT, Hockey Canada has doctors, trainers, therapist all on staff. Hockey Canada wants Giroux healthy as well.
- RobFlyers#1

Understood. But if it's just playing grabass and ball hockey, how big a deal is his not being there?

Seems like an attempt to make a molehill into Mt Everest.

Yes but do you understand from a Hockey Canada standpoint, they know he has an injury but nothing they are doing at the orientation camp would make that any worse. As for PT, Hockey Canada has doctors, trainers, therapist all on staff. Hockey Canada wants Giroux healthy as well.
- RobFlyers#1

Didn't they play ball hockey or something? I saw a picture on TSN with all of the players wearing gloves and holding sticks. Giroux likely can't do either of those 2 things right now.

Yes but do you understand from a Hockey Canada standpoint, they know he has an injury but nothing they are doing at the orientation camp would make that any worse. As for PT, Hockey Canada has doctors, trainers, therapist all on staff. Hockey Canada wants Giroux healthy as well.
- RobFlyers#1

tbh, I don't think either side (Flyers or hockey Canada) should be too concerned either way! It's really much ado about nothing.

Understood. But if it's just playing grabass and ball hockey, how big a deal is his not being there?

Seems like an attempt to make a molehill into Mt Everest.
- Jsaquella

Well, they did mention "team bonding."

Understood. But if it's just playing grabass and ball hockey, how big a deal is his not being there?

Seems like an attempt to make a molehill into Mt Everest.
- Jsaquella

When I read this, I envisioned several players smacking towels at each other in the shower saying "I can't believe Claude is missing this!?!?!"

Didn't they play ball hockey or something? I saw a picture on TSN with all of the players wearing gloves and holding sticks. Giroux likely can't do either of those 2 things right now.
- jmatchett383

But...but ZOMG!!11!! HE TOTES WAZNT TEHRE! #FML #ITSOURSPORT