Maybe he was having a rough day and didn't want a complete stranger bothering him at all. Or maybe he was tired and just didn't want to deal with anything.
- jmatchett383

Guess so. It was multiple occasions though. No big deal, he's still one of my all-time favorite Flyers.

It's great to finally see the team playing good 5 on 5 hockey.

The current system is better suited for this team and it's players and also the overall team defence has improved dramatically.

Downie does bring the things you mention, bill. However I seriously question his durability, whether or not he won't wear down in a prolonged season and the discipline issues are likely to rear their ugly head at the most inopportune of times. Who knows maybe he can learn to be more disciplined we'll see but as of now I don't think what we lost in Talbot was good for the longterm.
- JoeRussomanno

Keep hope alive?

Not sure why Downie should be a big concern when numerous others (of his age group) have had similar outages in the past and not become chronic injury cases. Downie hasn't (yet) shown to be lack of discipline here so I'm not sure that's an issue...I mean, no doubt he can be a hot head if provoked but he's a far cry from the loose cannon he was years ago.

Since Berube has talked about players being in their role, Couturier has been a beast. He may not be the fastest skater, but he is always around the puck and controls the wall well.
- PhiFaninEdm

Last night's game was the best I've ever seen Couturier skate...and his board work was fantastic.

Downie does bring the things you mention, bill. However I seriously question his durability, whether or not he won't wear down in a prolonged season and the discipline issues are likely to rear their ugly head at the most inopportune of times. Who knows maybe he can learn to be more disciplined we'll see but as of now I don't think what we lost in Talbot was good for the longterm.
- JoeRussomanno

What we lost in Talbot was a third line anchor that was preventing Couturier and Read from being more that just a shutdown line.

Except that win/losses don't matter as much as points (ROW as a platoff tiebreaker), and they will be at the .500 level in points available.
- jmatchett383

I have an old school mentality when it comes to talking about winning percentage.

If you didn't win, you lost.

Keep hope alive?

Not sure why Downie should be a big concern when numerous others (of his age group) have had similar outages in the past and not become chronic injury cases. Downie hasn't (yet) shown to be lack of discipline here so I'm not sure that's an issue...I mean, no doubt he can be a hot head if provoked but he's a far cry from the loose cannon he was years ago.
- exlund

I'm not getting the "nervous Nelly" level of concern about Downie, either. Rinaldo's discipline was a worry that he put off for two seasons before becoming unglued at times this year. As for injuries, he's not made of glass.

I have an old school mentality when it comes to talking about winning percentage.

If you didn't win, you lost.
- Scoob

Points percentage would be truer (Points gained divided by Games Played x2), but I agree. They're 9-12, but with two losses that count more than the other ten.

I have an old school mentality when it comes to talking about winning percentage.

If you didn't win, you lost.
- Scoob

Agreed. He's right that points are all that matters when it comes to standings and playoffs position, but when it comes to judging the team I see only see wins and losses.

Agreed. He's right that points are all that matters when it comes to standings and playoffs position, but when it comes to judging the team I see only see wins and losses.
- BulliesPhan87

Those Shootout losses will kill them when they come in the playoffs.

/Carchidi'd

get Down ie on it

So when do we play a good team? These puff ball teams are getting on my nerves. We've even hit the decent ones (Pens) while they're mired in slumps. Still 3 games under .500

I have an old school mentality when it comes to talking about winning percentage.

If you didn't win, you lost.
- Scoob

Couldn't agree more. There are no ties in this league any more just wins and losses.

So when do we play a good team? These puff ball teams are getting on my nerves. We've even hit the decent ones (Pens) while they're mired in slumps. Still 3 games under .500


- mayorofangrytown

Western Conference road trip coming up. We'll get smacked like a backtalking 9 year old.

As the worst shootout team in the NHL, we would benefit a lot from the league moving to 3 on 3 OT. I hope they bring it in for next season.

I really hope we start to see Giroux's last gear that really puts him in the top of the elite class in the near future.

We haven't seen the same Giroux since the 2011-2012 season in my opinion (93pts).

He isn't shooting the puck enough and forcing low percentage plays too often. His shooting percentage this season is way down at 3.6% (2013-2014) vs 11.4%(career)

With consecutive off-season surgeries, last summer (finger, tendons) and one in the previous (both wrists) we have to assume it's normal for a playmaker of that level to see a drop in his stats and performance.

But it also seems he's lost a bit of explosiveness and speed. In the last few years Giroux's had the same off-season workout routine. He comes to Ottawa and has a customized training program with fitness trainer Tony Greco.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfMc3xfc8lM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMA3JnwolJs

I'm starting to wonder if his off-season workout routine weren't possible these last two summers due to the surgeries and rehabbing.

Those Shootout losses will kill them when they come in the playoffs.

/Carchidi'd
- Flyskippy

Western Conference road trip coming up. We'll get smacked like a backtalking 9 year old, before they could call child protective services from thier cell phones .
- Flyskippy

FTFY

As the worst shootout team in the NHL, we would benefit a lot from the league moving to 3 on 3 OT. I hope they bring it in for next season.
- Feanor

I like the idea of 3 on 3. What is the discussion, 3 on 3 for an additional 5 then SO or 3 on 3 until there is a score.

I like the idea of 3 on 3 until there is a score. It cant take too long, and if you get rid of the SO then you can get rid of the Over Time Point. Win is a win, Loss is a Loss.

I like the idea of 3 on 3. What is the discussion, 3 on 3 for an additional 5 then SO or 3 on 3 until there is a score.

I like the idea of 3 on 3 until there is a score. It cant take too long, and if you get rid of the SO then you can get rid of the Over Time Point. Win is a win, Loss is a Loss.
- youarewrong

I'm fine with it, as long as there is an outcome.

Ties are stupid.

tempted to go back and read the homer hating posts on the downie trade day blog

tempted to go back and read the homer hating posts on the downie trade day blog
- Crimsoninja

Please do, I wasnt one. Please list all of them.

I also really like the 3 on 3 idea. 5 minutes of 4 on 4 then 5 of 3 on 3 then MAYBE a shootout? wondering if that would take too long.
One thing I never understood is why the shootout is only 3 skaters. It's not enough in my opinion. The first skater makes it and the first skater on the other team misses and the shootout is just about over. I think the AHL does 5 skaters in the shootout which I prefer
Either way, I think the shootout is stupid and shouldn't exist in a team game

tempted to go back and read the homer hating posts on the downie trade day blog
- Crimsoninja

why would you?

tempted to go back and read the homer hating posts on the downie trade day blog
- Crimsoninja

if you do can you do a cliff-notes style montage highlighting all the vitriol in 1 convenient place?....