Well that's a low bar. Agreed on Barratt (although I've admittedly seen much less of him on the ice). Barratt's style reminds me a bit of Bolland. He's pretty responsible defensively, agitates but doesn't go out of his way for a hit, and can both set up and score. If he delivers on his promise, I think he may be quite a steal.
- Chunk

It is a low bar but those 2 were being mentioned with Strome so I wanted to highlight the difference between them and Strome.

Barratt's skating would be markedly improved with a couple of summer's work, easily. I also think he had some sort of hip injury at the WJC his sophomore season that takes time to fully recover. So, while he could play, he just wasn't 100%. The reason I have that feeling is because prior to him missing time at the WJC and half of his sophomore year, I thought his skating was pretty good.

Well, yeah. Who is saying otherwise?

I hope things turn out better for the Flyers?
- Chunk

Thanks.

You need to take trolling lessons, or something. It’s painful how bad you are at this.
- Ogilthorpe2

Sorry...i modified my probability model...

You now have 0.0000000000093% of beating edmonton.

Good luck!

The knock on Subban is he's been good when playing an extended stretch, not so much when playing once every couple of weeks.

It took Darling a year to figure out how to be a backup, after years being a #1 and playing every night at the lower levels.

I'd go with Subban. Might find out he was a valuable throw in.
- scottak

I think the knock on him is that he completely sucks. That’s the scuttlebutt anyway.

looks like the Hawks tank for their 12 1/2% to draft Laff!!

I think the knock on him is that he completely sucks. That’s the scuttlebutt anyway.
- bruceflyers

Not a lot going on in the Flyers blog, huh?

Sorry...i modified my probability model...

You now have 0.0000000000093% of beating edmonton.

Good luck!
- bruceflyers

*yawn

Dude, get a life, go pick on some team that hasn’t won in 45 years, oh wait....

It is a low bar but those 2 were being mentioned with Strome so I wanted to highlight the difference between them and Strome.

Barratt's skating would be markedly improved with a couple of summer's work, easily. I also think he had some sort of hip injury at the WJC his sophomore season that takes time to fully recover. So, while he could play, he just wasn't 100%. The reason I have that feeling is because prior to him missing time at the WJC and half of his sophomore year, I thought his skating was pretty good.
- Elbows15

So glad that there is a difference in skating between Strome and those two..As you know the league each season trends to better fast skating. There is still.a place for valuable players whom do not skate but average. Tavarez an example plus some dmen can get by even without strong skating.

To break it down farther, when your team is poor in face offs it just compounds the opportunity to compete when our poor skaters are late to the puck, cannot stay with their check, and other situations where slow skating means you loose the one -on -one battles.

Sorry...i modified my probability model...

You now have 0.0000000000093% of beating edmonton.

Good luck!
- bruceflyers

The only thing I picked up after watching him a couple times was that if he ever gets stuck down, he tends to stay there for a while before trying to pop back up. I am by no means a goalie coach. This is just something I noticed that I stood out to me.
- Chunk

Yeah, that is one of Delia's weaknesses. If he's in a position to be mobile so he can see the puck and react, he's golden. There are times when he stays down too long as you pointed out, though, and that gets him into trouble.

*yawn
- Ogilthorpe2

Definitely paint chips.

- I Am The Breadman

He's not even annoying. He is just devoid of any ..well..everything.

He's not even annoying. He is just devoid of any ..well..everything.
- Elbows15

More of an emphasis on fake. He makes Vopats seem like Einstein.

More of an emphasis on fake. He makes Vopats seem like Einstein.
- I Am The Breadman

I actually enjoy a really good troll, someone who’s truly mastered the craft. This guy is just a disgrace and embarrassment to the entire art form.

I actually enjoy a really good troll, someone who’s truly mastered the craft. This guy is just a disgrace and embarrassment to the entire art form.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed, but what do you expect from a fan of a team who considers Gritty to be a troll? Not even worth the flowchart.

Not a lot going on in the Flyers blog, huh?
- Chunk

Got some free time...not one of the lame ass teams going through the loser best of fives.

Holy F man...carter hart does look unstoppable though.

Enjoy the 3 cups for the rest of your life.
Love how your owner is on the cheap once again. Those 70’s and 80’s chicago teams were truly horrendous. Get ready!!!

- I Am The Breadman

I wanna goatee!!!

Got some free time...not one of the lame ass teams going through the loser best of fives.

Holy F man...carter hart does look unstoppable though.

Enjoy the 3 cups for the rest of your life.
Love how your owner is on the cheap once again. Those 70’s and 80’s chicago teams were truly horrendous. Get ready!!!
- bruceflyers

It's not like the Hawks asked to be in this position. The league set up the system and the cards fell like this. Most of us here were ready for the long offseason, and no one was doing any bragging. We are well aware of the many faults on this team, but being frugal isn't one of them. There's a cap. The Hawks and Flyers have virtually identical cap space left right now, so if we are cheap, I guess you are too.

I actually like the Flyers for the most part. Hart looks like he is the real deal, and Giroux is one of my favorite players to watch. Good luck against Boston.

Great article tyler. Could crawford unfit for play status be something deeper like a new contract extension and salary ? I'm just guessing here but I cant imagine chicago hasn't had some form of conversation with crawfords agent?

Great article tyler. Could crawford unfit for play status be something deeper like a new contract extension and salary ? I'm just guessing here but I cant imagine chicago hasn't had some form of conversation with crawfords agent?
- Taylorst1

This is an excellent segue into my next blog.

I have some theories cooking over here and will share on Friday.

I rank them....
1. Scott Foster
2. Delia
3. Subban

.....seriously though....Hawks toast without "Crow". C'mon 1st overall pick!!!

Got some free time...not one of the lame ass teams going through the loser best of fives.

Holy F man...carter hart does look unstoppable though.

Enjoy the 3 cups for the rest of your life.
Love how your owner is on the cheap once again. Those 70’s and 80’s chicago teams were truly horrendous. Get ready!!!
- bruceflyers

You either wren't alive for either decade or not much of a hockey fan. They did go to the Cup Finals twice in the 70's and probably would have gone a time or two in the 80's if not for that pesky Oilers team.

I rank them....
1. Scott Foster
2. Delia
3. Subban

.....seriously though....Hawks toast without "Crow". C'mon 1st overall pick!!!
- hawk35

I'm looking forward to Delia pulling a Vincent Riendeau or Jon Casey. Delia has the mettle. He has made his way this far on it.

You either wren't alive for either decade or not much of a hockey fan. They did go to the Cup Finals twice in the 70's and probably would have gone a time or two in the 80's if not for that pesky Oilers team.
- HawkintheD

Should have won at least one cup in the 70's and would have been better had Bobby Hull not gone to Winnipeg.