Todd Cordell: On Timonen, Del Zotto and The Metro Division

Legitimately thought when I read the first line that the terrible news the Flyers released Tuesday was the signing of MDZ.

It's a bit unfair to compare the two, as MDZ will not (hopefully) be taking Timonen's spot. Instead, he probably slides into the 4/5/6 spots and everyone else will slide up accordingly.

Legitimately thought when I read the first line that the terrible news the Flyers released Tuesday was the signing of MDZ.
- eichiefs9

Well, they can't all be Matt Carkner's.

It's a bit unfair to compare the two, as MDZ will not (hopefully) be taking Timonen's spot. Instead, he probably slides into the 4/5/6 spots and everyone else will slide up accordingly.
- jmatchett383

The good news is there are still a lot of pieces to like I would love to see cooter take that next step offensively and and b schenn has lots of potential left add in a healthy g all year and you guys will hang around if not make it but only time will tell! I like it when rivals get worse but not at the expense of a players health best of luck to timmo and hopefully this isn't how he goes out ! Cheers boys !

Obviously just a random bad string of bad luck (no curse involved), but the Flyers sure have had a lot of defencemen over the past few years have to retire due to injuries.

Well, they can't all be Matt Carkner's.
- jmatchett383

Elite offensive defensemen?

Obviously just a random bad string of bad luck (no curse involved), but the Flyers sure have had a lot of defencemen over the past few years have to retire due to injuries.
- Atomic Wedgie

2? Actually, zero so far.

2? Actually, zero so far.
- jmatchett383

way to be a Richard about it

2? Actually, zero so far.
- jmatchett383

I face-palm every time I play the Flyers in NHL14 and Pronger is still there as an 85 overall d-man...

I face-palm every time I play the Flyers in NHL14 and Pronger is still there as an 85 overall d-man...
- MannySilvers

Yea he needs to go lol

2? Actually, zero so far.
- jmatchett383

Conversely, one much younger but former Flyers D-man (Pitkanen) has had his career ended due to injury. (Also not officially, but he hasn't been able to put his foot in a skate for two years now.

Del Zotto is known for his puck moving ability and looked at as a point producer, but really he's only had one real good offensive season, and it was in large part because he rode high shooting percentages, which he hasn't been able to sustain.

Uh, he's had 2 out 4 good season that you listed and is only 24 years old. 21 points in 46 games isn't bad at all.

you still believe losing hartnell is a downward move absolutely hilarious

way to be a Richard about it
- flyershockey

???

Zero Flyers defensemen have retired due to injury the last few years. The last two were Hatcher and Rathje.

Well, they can't all be Matt Carkner's.
- jmatchett383

We'll trade him to Philly where he'll sign a multi year extension.

you still believe losing hartnell is a downward move absolutely hilarious
- 2Real

Umberger isn't exactly an upgrade.

Todd, one minor quibble with your point about Del Zotto only having one good offensive season. In his rookie year 2009-2010, Del Zotto had 9 goals, 28 Assists, 37 points in 80 games. Those numbers are omitted from the chart.

We'll trade him to Philly where he'll sign a multi year extension.
- Isles_since_6

No, that's Calvin De Haan...after you all tell us how horrible he is and then goes on to be 15th in scoring amongst defensemen.

Umberger isn't exactly an upgrade.
- Isles_since_6

he doesn't bring the stupid that hartnell brings

No, that's Calvin De Haan...after you all tell us how horrible he is and then goes on to be 15th in scoring amongst defensemen.
- jmatchett383

Todd Cordell: On Timonen, Del Zotto and The Metro Division
- Todd-Cordell

Del Zotto and Nick Schultz will basically have to replace Timonen, who was looking at a Seelane-esque type year of being scratched at times for rest anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I'll take Kimmo over both those guys 7 days a week. But Kimmo is ungodly slow anymore, and we were only expecting about 30 points out of him anyway at best.

To think DelZotto will play on the top PP unit is likely silly. I hope the entire Metro division shares the same sentiment that the Flyers have gotten worst this off-season. They most certainly have not.

Del Zotto and Nick Schultz will basically have to replace Timonen, who was looking at a Seelane-esque type year of being scratched at times for rest anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I'll take Kimmo over both those guys 7 days a week. But Kimmo is ungodly slow anymore, and we were only expecting about 30 points out of him anyway at best.

To think DelZotto will play on the top PP unit is likely silly. I hope the entire Metro division shares the same sentiment that the Flyers have gotten worst this off-season. They most certainly have not.
- mochoson

No, they definitely have.

They started getting worse near the end of last season, then they started trading 3rd liners for 4th liners.

Timonen is not a huge loss, he is definitely better than MDZ but at this point in his career he is not that top pair Dman anymore. It was expected that his role would have been reduced on the team this season. He hasn't been a top offensive producer in years and he is often hurt, he still plays but he plays hurt and it hurts his game. Streit takes over the top PP unit and AMac and MDZ likely take unit 2. I would like to see them try Schenn on the PP, I have seen the guy shoot and he has a good slapshot, gets some work on the accuracy and he could be a PP producer. D should be:

Streit-Coburn
AMAc-Schenn
Grossman-MDZ
Shultz

Timonen is not a huge loss, he is definitely better than MDZ but at this point in his career he is not that top pair Dman anymore. It was expected that his role would have been reduced on the team this season. He hasn't been a top offensive producer in years and he is often hurt, he still plays but he plays hurt and it hurts his game. Streit takes over the top PP unit and AMac and MDZ likely take unit 2. I would like to see them try Schenn on the PP, I have seen the guy shoot and he has a good slapshot, gets some work on the accuracy and he could be a PP producer. D should be:

Streit-Coburn
AMAc-Schenn
Grossman-MDZ
Shultz
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

That's.... ugly. Bigger names than ours, but I don't think it's actually much better. If better at all.