Indeed, Pavel... that was Greene 2, Giroux and Konecny 1.

So your point is what, exactly? The Islanders outplayed the Flyers? Everyone knows that. You don't have pull a random stat with no context to show it.

Since only goal totals matter in this post, let's reverse yours with something more deceptive but factually true. Phil Myers +Tyler Pitlick + Matt Niskanen + JVR had more combined goals scored in the series (five) than Mat Barzal + Jordan Eberle + Josh Bailey+Anthony Beauvillier (four).

That's an even bigger "so what?" You want to say Barzal skated circles around the Flyers and created scoring chances galore? Want to say the Flyers struggled to deal with Anders Lee and Brock Nelson and that Bailey carved to D several times? I will agree with all of that. Impossible to dispute, in fact.

But Andy Greene's Game 1 1st period shot through a maze of traffic, and Voracek blowing a weak side coverage and Greene having a wide open lane to the dot and hitting a half-empty net
to make it 2-0 in Game 7 was far from the story of the series.
- bmeltzer

maybe you can text him.

I don't think any of us will present a trade that will happen but maybe you can. Why would Arizona not want assets for their expiring contracts, especially when they have no picks? They have a decent farm system but they have a lot of holes. I do think JVR has value but would I move him to fill a D hole and add speed on the wing? Would it be worth JVR and a pick or something else to move JVR, maybe again. It depends if the Flyers have a plan to replace JVR's production. I am not saying this is a deal but would it fill some holes with the Flyers and it does have value to the Yotes, could be.
- wcorvette

First, AZ doesn't want that type of asset. They are going to be a horrible team for years to come. IMO the owner should shed as much salary as possible in exchange for picks to minimize costs until they can replenish their roster. Second, they don't have a decent farm system. In fact it's quite devoid of high end talent and the lack of draft picks ensures this will continue for some time. What decent players do they have in the system outside of Hayton and Soderstrom? Lastly, I don't see PHI acquiring a $5M 3LD as "filling a hole" that can't be filled internally at a much lower cost and with more reliable availability (Hjalmarsson avg 52g/yr over last 3 seasons). Yes, Grabner is fast. But he has a total of 27 points in 87 games over the past 2 years. PHI doesn't want or need this type of asset. Especially if they have to give up a pick in addition to JVR. Picks have higher value now with flat cap, even the later round ones.

Honestly I don't see AZ being able to do much at all over the next few years that doesn't involve trading high-end players for picks and/or prospects, mostly at the trade deadline.

Another year without a Championship, and more excuses. Wash/Rinse/Repeat.
45 years and counting.

The teams best players were invisible again. When they bring back basically the same team next year, and go nowhere all the same cast of characters will be there to spin it.
- PLindbergh31

Thoughts about what they can do ? I agree there needs to be change To improve, but it’s going to be tough in this environment. It not like the Flyers can rid them selves of some underperforming vets without taking on someone else’s underperforming vets. Some of the best improvement may come from in house.

- MBFlyerfan

Imagine being owned by this guy?

Another year without a Championship, and more excuses. Wash/Rinse/Repeat.
45 years and counting.

They will always have 1995 and 2000 dismantling Lamoriello.

The teams best players were invisible again. When they bring back basically the same team next year, and go nowhere all the same cast of characters will be there to spin it.
- PLindbergh31

this will be the part that is tough to swallow. Though I have an open mind until the season starts.

Imagine being owned by this guy?


- PLindbergh31

I just enjoy watching you get owned by Bill on an ongoing basis.

You have a very misguided notion of how educated folk talk.

Perhaps you mean well-mannered or politically correct.

The terms idiot, imbecile, moron and retarded/retard are all clinical terms referring to specific IQ deficiencies. That is the origin of those pejoratives.

Idiot by the way is by far the worst, and yet it has strangely become the least politically incorrect.
- PT21

Where does douche bag rank?

Thoughts about what they can do ? I agree there needs to be change To improve, but it’s going to be tough in this environment. It not like the Flyers can rid them selves of some underperforming vets without taking on someone else’s underperforming vets. Some of the best improvement may come from in house.
- landros 2

I've watched almost every playoff series, I didn't see any team turn the puck over in their own zone like the Flyers did against the Islanders. Unforced, rushed, panic turnovers. Plenty of time and space to make a responsible high percentage, safe play. Sorry, I'm not just willing to say, well they are young players without much playoff experience. Hell, if I was a coach of a squirt team and saw kids doing that I'd jump off the roof.

I just enjoy watching you get owned by Bill on an ongoing basis.
- MBFlyerfan

All those Cups own me!

First, AZ doesn't want that type of asset. They are going to be a horrible team for years to come. IMO the owner should shed as much salary as possible in exchange for picks to minimize costs until they can replenish their roster. Second, they don't have a decent farm system. In fact it's quite devoid of high end talent and the lack of draft picks ensures this will continue for some time. What decent players do they have in the system outside of Hayton and Soderstrom? Lastly, I don't see PHI acquiring a $5M 3LD as "filling a hole" that can't be filled internally at a much lower cost and with more reliable availability (Hjalmarsson avg 52g/yr over last 3 seasons). Yes, Grabner is fast. But he has a total of 27 points in 87 games over the past 2 years. PHI doesn't want or need this type of asset. Especially if they have to give up a pick in addition to JVR. Picks have higher value now with flat cap, even the later round ones.

Honestly I don't see AZ being able to do much at all over the next few years that doesn't involve trading high-end players for picks and/or prospects, mostly at the trade deadline.
- Levit8

well their high end talent is young but in the NHL, ranked 11th by the Athletic. I think we agree they will continue to be a poop show. Again I was just spi
t balling, why I ask about the D, I don't know how he is playing. I do feel like Braun is gone, so is Hjalmarsson an upgrade on Braun? Can Grabner add the speed for the next season? Keep in mind Grant and Thompson were playing PK. Just thinking how do you upgrade and fill holes for next season and move someone like JVR which most know believe if you can move him you should. Would it be worth JVR and a 2nd to get out from under JVR and the next 3 years? Looking at who will be leaving the Yotes in the near future I don't think JVR cap hit will be an issue, he will score some goals. I don't sit back and research this just on a conversation board spit balling. Maybe you could suggest something? I prefer Patrick comes back and is that #2 pick, that Allison can fill a hole left by JVR and that Frost adds the skill this group so badly needs. That the guys from this season all take a step forward and just are a little better, then hell you can keep JVR.

I've watched almost every playoff series, I didn't see any team turn the puck over in their own zone like the Flyers did against the Islanders. Unforced, rushed, panic turnovers. Plenty of time and space to make a responsible high percentage, safe play. Sorry, I'm not just willing to say, well they are young players without much playoff experience. Hell, if I was a coach of a squirt team and saw kids doing that I'd jump off the roof.
- PLindbergh31

Another thing I noticed with all these other teams. They hustle their asses off on the back check. I do not see that from the flyers at all. Isles those guys bust it all the time.

I've watched almost every playoff series, I didn't see any team turn the puck over in their own zone like the Flyers did against the Islanders. Unforced, rushed, panic turnovers. Plenty of time and space to make a responsible high percentage, safe play. Sorry, I'm not just willing to say, well they are young players without much playoff experience. Hell, if I was a coach of a squirt team and saw kids doing that I'd jump off the roof.
- PLindbergh31

Not saying I disagree...I hope the Flyers are aggressive in the off season...I just think it’s going to be tough. Both Sanheim and Myers struggled against the islanders when pressured but I think they will learn from it and show improvement. I also think a healthy Patrick and or Lindblom would also go a long way to improving the team. There are also some other youngsters that will be coming....with all that said I’m hoping Fletcher can do something on the trade front. That we can agree on.

Another thing I noticed with all these other teams. They hustle their asses off on the back check. I do not see that from the flyers at all. Isles those guys bust it all the time.
- login

That commitment was the difference in that series. I thought there were times where the isle out worked the Flyers...you don’t win when that happens.

That commitment was the difference in that series. I thought there were times where the isle out worked the Flyers...you don’t win when that happens.
- landros 2

Times!!!! Majority of the series. I always seen an islander getting back on the defensive end. Not so much a flyer. Didnt see any urgency or the will to want to win.

Times!!!! Majority of the series. I always seen an islander getting back on the defensive end. Not so much a flyer. Didnt see any urgency or the will to want to win.
- login

Trying to stay respectful.

Aw Scoobie Do. I’m so flattered that your thinking of me ! Thanks little buddy.

If we can afford him, would you take a shot on Koivu since MIN won’t resign him? With the uncertainty of Nolan Patrick, could Koivu be a 3C for us? I only bring this up with Fletcher’s past connection to him when he was MIN’s GM.

Couldn't resist.

High draft pick, head issues, reference to family representation...
- PT21

We thought you weren’t ever going to post here ever again. Sigh

Where does douche bag rank?
- Dkos

Lol

Just a thought. Bc we have fletch now. If a vet center is needed the other day we all discussed why Thompson would be retained. Anyone think there is an outside chance fletch brings koivu in?

That is due to separate issues. Konecny isnt elite, he is going through growing pains of a young player.

Giroux is all speculation. He had a bad playoff and it is probably safe to say our coach knows why and is going to work with him to fix it. Most our top 6 was MIA olin the playoffs

Giroux will bounce back. It isnt like he wasnt getting chances. Varlamov robbed Giroux on many occasions.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

The speculation part is correct, and there is little doubt Giroux is/was a very good player, but I suggest there is at least one alternative explanation to playoff woes than what you mention.

Giroux's most dramatic years in the playoffs (with a couple of explanations mentioned below) were when he played behind Richards and Briere. Since Richards/Carter left, he had that series against Pens in 2012, where virtually every game was a shootout and the Pens allowed our physical play to get to them. I consider that series to be a completely meaningless aberration.

After that, here are Giroux stats

2012 NJD: 4 games 3 points (1 G)

2014 Rangers: 7 games 6 points (2 G). However, 3 of those points came in game 2, when Simmer put on a tremendous performance (and I remember a special bank pass Giroux made where he hit Simmer in stride just in time to prevent an offsides). Other than that, he was not really a factor.

2016 Caps: 6 games, 1 point (0 goals)

2018: 6 games, 3 points (1G)

2020: 16 games, 8 points (1 G)

Even counting that game against the Rangers, he has 39 games, 5 goals, 21 points since the Pens series in 11-12.

I suggest this: Giroux is a very good player. But he is not a game breaker/dominant-player in playoff type situations, and we have expected him to be so because of falsely raised expectations.

Like other also very good forwards we have drafted this century (Wiiliams, Carter, Richards) he would do very well where he plays a second fiddle/supplementary role. Currently Couturier (4 goals in 37 games leaving out 2 hat-tricks against Pens) is not that player either - we don't have that kinda guy.

As such, I am sure that Giroux will have a fine regular season, but his playoff woes, in my opinion, are terminal, especially given the cast we have now, and their projected development, I do not think you will see the early Giroux in orange and black in the playoffs ever again. He will be at best respectable.

We thought you weren’t ever going to post here ever again. Sigh
- Angus4444

The desire to trigger spectacular Trump loving retards like you was irresistible. Sorry.

Where does douche bag rank?
- Dkos

Thats easy. At the bottom, next to bumhole.

If we can afford him, would you take a shot on Koivu since MIN won’t resign him? With the uncertainty of Nolan Patrick, could Koivu be a 3C for us? I only bring this up with Fletcher’s past connection to him when he was MIN’s GM.
- arichardson22

I'd have interest, but like you said it's about if the $ is right.

I'd have interest, but like you said it's about if the $ is right.
- Pelle31Forever

I think the fit could be there. He’s 37 and Id like to assume/think winning a Cup at this point in his career could outweigh financial demands. I’m sure there will be contenders who try to sign him cheap like BOS, TAM, STL though.