Iginla, Chara and Alfresson. I'd like to think Timmonen has a shot but that's just me (he's outscored Chara in about 100 fewer games). I think Joe Thornton is border line.
- mayorofangrytown

Think Sid and OV are basically already locks... they could both retire tomorrow and still make it... maybe not as first-ballot guys, but eventually.

Pronger's first-ballot.

Chara, Thornton, Alfie and Datsyuk are probably in, too.

Iginla, Chara and Alfresson. I'd like to think Timmonen has a shot but that's just me (he's outscored Chara in about 100 fewer games). I think Joe Thornton is border line.
- mayorofangrytown

How about Datsyuk? Maybe Lundqvist or Lecavalier (if he gets 450/550/1000?). Has Crosby already gotten a spot?

That may be, and I'm no big Habs fan, but I'd think Guy Carbonneau is more deserving. Possibly the best defensive forward (who could give you substantial offense as well) of all time. Dude basically owned the Selke award in his day (even though Gainey won more).
- jmatchett383

Lapointe is actually in the Hockey Hall of Fame. I had no idea, actually.

http://www.hhof.com/htmlS...pot_oneononep199301.shtml

I think a better questions for the Habs organEYEzation is "what took them so long?"

He's better than MacDonald by a good margin.
- PLindbergh31

I totally disagree with this, and I'm not a big MacDonald fan by any stretch of the imagination. I think Niksanen has been over-hyped and underproductive.

It wouldnt be a surprise to me if he turned out to be just another professional athlete who outperforms during contract years and underperforms the rest of the time.

He's better than MacDonald by a good margin.
- PLindbergh31

Maybe. Still gonna get stupid overpaid.

He's better than MacDonald by a good margin.
- PLindbergh31

Reminder: Before this season, Niskanen was history's greatest villain in Pittsburgh, and many if not most wanted him gone immediately.

Kind of a weird source, but a really interesting look at how the last 7 Cups were won:
http://proicehockey.about...s-win-the-Stanley-Cup.htm

Being big, spending to the limit, having a great PP, and blocking a lot of shots don't seem to matter very much.
- Tomahawk

Offers up the suggestion that blocking shots doesn't seem to matter, and then doesn't substantiate it. Watching the LA Kings play, size does matter. And while there is no question that 5 on 5 play is key, scoring a big PP goal, or preventing one can provide a lot of momentum to a team, or win a game that can swing a series.

Not if this past season was just an anomaly. 7mil is a lot for a player who had 1 good season.
- Roytastic

His first season was solid. How many good seasons has MacDonald had? Has he ever topped 30 points in a season?

Reminder: Before this season, Niskanen was history's greatest villain in Pittsburgh, and many if not most wanted him gone immediately.
- BulliesPhan87

He was really good this year. 46 points +33 and 6 GWG. MacDonald couldn't reach those totals in his wildest dreams. He never will come close to those numbers in his career.

I totally disagree with this, and I'm not a big MacDonald fan by any stretch of the imagination. I think Niksanen has been over-hyped and underproductive.

It wouldnt be a surprise to me if he turned out to be just another professional athlete who outperforms during contract years and underperforms the rest of the time.
- Doc_Sarcasm

What if Niskanen continues to duplicate or come close to this past year? He will be worth his salary. Flyers are paying a pretty big premium for MacDonald who's only above average metric is shot blocking.

He was really good this year. 46 points +33 and 6 GWG. MacDonald couldn't reach those totals in his wildest dreams. He never will come close to those numbers in his career.
- PLindbergh31

Neither will Niskanen, in my opinion, again. He played great when he was thrust to the forefront of a high-scoring team's defense due to injuries in a contract year.

Kind of a weird source, but a really interesting look at how the last 7 Cups were won:
http://proicehockey.about...s-win-the-Stanley-Cup.htm

Being big, spending to the limit, having a great PP, and blocking a lot of shots don't seem to matter very much.
- Tomahawk

From looking at that chart, everything and nothing seems to matter. The stats are all over the place except for GF, and even then the Penguins skewered that stat.
In fact every stat is skewered by at least one team.

Bottom line, best 5 on 5 teams seems to win. I hope the Flyers are listening.

He was really good this year. 46 points +33 and 6 GWG. MacDonald couldn't reach those totals in his wildest dreams. He never will come close to those numbers in his career.
- PLindbergh31

I personally right now would say that Niskanen is a better player. His offensive numbers give him a big edge. But really, is that all there is to a defenseman's game?

In terms of the Flyers, the question would be is Niskanen that much better then MacDonald to warrant a long term 7+M deal?

His first season was solid. How many good seasons has MacDonald had? Has he ever topped 30 points in a season?
- PLindbergh31

He's come close twice playing on terrible NYI teams. Niskanen put up 30 points twice, once on a decent Stars team and another on an offensive minded pens team.

I'm not saying Amac is better than Niskanen. But I am saying I'd rather have him at 5mil instead of Niskanen at 7mil.

He's come close twice playing on terrible NYI teams. Niskanen put up 30 points twice, once on a decent Stars team and another on an offensive minded pens team.

I'm not saying Amac is better than Niskanen. But I am saying I'd rather have him at 5mil instead of Niskanen at 7mil.
- Roytastic

Won't matter when we trade half our team and our entire prospect pool for Shea Weber.

Neither will Niskanen, in my opinion, again. He played great when he was thrust to the forefront of a high-scoring team's defense due to injuries in a contract year.
- jmatchett383

Fair enough. If the difference in cap hits between Niskanen and MacDonald is less than 2 million then I would rather have Niskanen.

Fair enough. If the difference in cap hits between Niskanen and MacDonald is less than 2 million then I would rather have Niskanen.
- PLindbergh31

That's fine, you're entitled to it. I've always liked him, but I think he and MacDonald are close enough as overall players that I'd rather have MacD at 5 for 6 years than Niskanen at 7 for 7 years.

He's come close twice playing on terrible NYI teams. Niskanen put up 30 points twice, once on a decent Stars team and another on an offensive minded pens team.

I'm not saying Amac is better than Niskanen. But I am saying I'd rather have him at 5mil instead of Niskanen at 7mil.
- Roytastic

I disagree. I think there is at least a 2 million dollar gap between the two players. Didn't Amac get a lot of power play time on the Island playing with Tavares?

Won't matter when we trade half our team and our entire prospect pool for Shea Weber.
- jmatchett383

You're right. But don't worry, next year we will sign Bobby Ryan as a FA and Weber and him will lead us to the glory land by themselves!

Paddock let go
- aightwebang17

Ok, so was Paddock the D coach last year or was he the eye in the sky or what.
Some fundamental differences in approach ???
Or were they at maximum cap for guys behind the bench as assistants.
Or was he thinking he would be the next GM , got po'd and said something that got him ax'd. Remember he was front office before correct ????

From looking at that chart, everything and nothing seems to matter. The stats are all over the place except for GF, and even then the Penguins skewered that stat.
In fact every stat is skewered by at least one team.

Bottom line, best 5 on 5 teams seems to win. I hope the Flyers are listening.
- MBFlyerfan

It lists each team and how they rank during the regular season, and comes to the flawed conclusion that based on that, blocked shots don't matter. And then it's echoed by others. Where they rank in total blocked shots doesn't matter. One key blocked shot can save a goal. It's the same in every metric. Timely goals, saves, hits, blocked shots. One key PP goal, or one key PK kill. It's about so much more then just looking at the total numbers. It's when things happen in the games. There's an entire stats community that needs to close the spreadsheets, and watch the game

And although it is skewed because they played the most playoff games. But the Rangers and Kings are 1-2 in blocked shots in the playoffs. Blocked shots matter.

I personally right now would say that Niskanen is a better player. His offensive numbers give him a big edge. But really, is that all there is to a defenseman's game?

In terms of the Flyers, the question would be is Niskanen that much better then MacDonald to warrant a long term 7+M deal?
- MJL

What does MacDonald do better than Niskanen besides blocking shots?

You're right. But don't worry, next year we will sign Bobby Ryan as a FA and Weber and him will lead us to the glory land by themselves!
- Roytastic

I hear Shea Weber's main area of focus this offseason in affixing laser beams to his eyes so that he can single-handedly annihilate any enemy within sight.

What does MacDonald do better than Niskanen besides blocking shots?
- PLindbergh31

Honestly? Pass. He makes better transition passes than Niskanen.

What does MacDonald do better than Niskanen besides blocking shots?
- PLindbergh31

Grow a beard?