Where did you see this ? There was no morning skate and I've seen nothing reported.
- Tfaehner

Going by the lines in the blog.

Oh please there was no wind up. Comments like these are from someone who has either never played a contact sport or wants to eliminate hitting all together. It was stupid. But absolutely no reason for a suspension. The fine was just right.
- Tfaehner

LOL. HE literally jumped and threw a punch.

Regardless, the NHL has proven time and time again they do not care about this kind of stuff so I expect it to keep happening until something is done about it.

Dahlin wasn't hurt but I also expect buffalo to respond and If/When they do. You can be mad/surprised.

LOL. HE literally jumped and threw a punch.

Regardless, the NHL has proven time and time again they do not care about this kind of stuff so I expect it to keep happening until something is done about it.

Dahlin wasn't hurt but I also expect buffalo to respond and If/When they do. You can be mad/surprised.
- ImThatGuy

It was dumb he got a double minor penalty and a fine. I think that is appropriate no need for any more from the league. If the Sabers feel they need to respond they can that is part of the game.

It was dumb he got a double minor penalty and a fine. I think that is appropriate no need for any more from the league. If the Sabers feel they need to respond they can that is part of the game.
- flyav

Spot on

LOL. HE literally jumped and threw a punch.

Regardless, the NHL has proven time and time again they do not care about this kind of stuff so I expect it to keep happening until something is done about it.

Dahlin wasn't hurt but I also expect buffalo to respond and If/When they do. You can be mad/surprised.
- ImThatGuy

I won't be mad or surprised, but I then expect the Flyers to respond as well. You can be mad/surprised too but shouldn't be. It's hockey, and teams now jump players after they deliver legal hits, so it's not news.

LOL, that is like saying, he isn't tall, as in he isn't Yao Ming tall. Or, he isn't strong, as in he isn't Larry Allen strong...
- MBFlyerfan

fair enough, I'm just saying as he gets older his lack of foot-speed will get worse and worse, which to me, is and always has been his biggest issue. He's never been a fast guy, he isn't slow, but he's not fast either.

Which is why he wasn't drafted higher than #22 despite putting up 103 points in 69 games as a 16/17 year old in the QMJHL and why he's never been an elite player despite a couple peak NHL seasons. His intelligence and skills are world class, but his skating has never been.

For a 33 year old guy his best days are probably behind him, my point is, he's certainly not the sole reason the team looks bad on certain nights so pointing the finger at him alone in my opinion is unjustified.

fair enough, I'm just saying as he gets older his lack of foot-speed will get worse and worse, which to me, is and always has been his biggest issue. He's never been a fast guy, he isn't slow, but he's not fast either.

Which is why he wasn't drafted higher than #22 despite putting up 103 points in 69 games as a 16/17 year old in the QMJHL and why he's never been an elite player despite a couple peak NHL seasons. His intelligence and skills are world class, but his skating has never been.

For a 33 year old guy his best days are probably behind him, my point is, he's certainly not the sole reason the team looks bad on certain nights so pointing the finger at him alone in my opinion is unjustified.
- DraftandDestroy

The whole team looked abysmal last night. They have not played close to a complete, 60 minute effort yet. Luckily the Pens D and Jarry were awful in the first two games, or else it might be 0-3 to start the season. Interested to see how they respond tonight...

Wait he wears the " C " right? Maybe be more of that than a 3rd line player. I dislike G and the incontinence play. I understand not everyone will share my thoughts on this. I have said it before and will say it again. Flyers will not a CUP with G as Cap of the team
- Flyers_1488

What does wearing the "C" have to do with anything? Only the best offensive players get to wear the "C" now? He's been the teams best player for years and was first or second in team scoring 9 of the past 10 years, he's kept up his end of the bargain. He's not responsible for putting the team together, the GM is.

He's getting older, his play will decline, get over it. It's time for the younger guys to take over and be what he's been for the past decade.

fair enough, I'm just saying as he gets older his lack of foot-speed will get worse and worse, which to me, is and always has been his biggest issue. He's never been a fast guy, he isn't slow, but he's not fast either.

Which is why he wasn't drafted higher than #22 despite putting up 103 points in 69 games as a 16/17 year old in the QMJHL and why he's never been an elite player despite a couple peak NHL seasons. His intelligence and skills are world class, but his skating has never been.

For a 33 year old guy his best days are probably behind him, my point is, he's certainly not the sole reason the team looks bad on certain nights so pointing the finger at him alone in my opinion is unjustified.
- DraftandDestroy

I don't think Giroux has been the same impact player since he moved to wing. Plus he is getting older. I think he is what he is at this stage in his career, and certainly not a player that can be counted on to take over a game as he once could.

The whole team looked abysmal last night. They have not played close to a complete, 60 minute effort yet. Luckily the Pens D and Jarry were awful in the first two games, or else it might be 0-3 to start the season. Interested to see how they respond tonight...
- aantny88

I've watched a bunch of games so far, none of the teams are without stretches of terrible play. Without a preseason or proper camp all of the teams are inconsistent at this point. Give it some time, but yes, that was an awful effort last night, they should be embarrassed.

What does wearing the "C" have to do with anything? Only the best offensive players get to wear the "C" now? He's been the teams best player for years and was first or second in team scoring 9 of the past 10 years, he's kept up his end of the bargain. He's not responsible for putting the team together, the GM is.

He's getting older, his play will decline, get over it. It's time for the younger guys to take over and be what he's been for the past decade.
- DraftandDestroy

Applying reason and logic does not go well around here

I don't think Giroux has been the same impact player since he moved to wing. Plus he is getting older. I think he is what he is at this stage in his career, and certainly not a player that can be counted on to take over a game as he once could.
- jd250

You mean the guy who scored 102 points and was robbed of the Hart trophy the first year he was moved? The guy who scored 85 points the second year? The guy who only scored one less goal in 13 less games last season?

The guy whose advanced stats improved dramatically after he was moved to wing? That guy?

Comon man.

Some random Claude Giroux stats, because I have time to look at it

2010/11 - *Points-76 *ES-50 *PP-19 *SH-7 (25% production on the PP)
2011/12 - *Points-93 *ES-53 *PP38 *SH-2 (40% production on the PP)
2012/13 - *Points-48 *ES-26 *PP-21 *SH-1 (43% production on the PP)
2013/14 - *Points-86 *ES-49 *PP-37 *SH-0 (43% production on the PP)
2014/15 - *Points-73 *ES-36 *PP-37 *SH-0 (50% production on the PP)
2015/16 - *Points-67 *ES-38 *PP-27 *SH-2 (40% production on the PP)
2016/17 - *Points-58 *ES-26 *PP-31 *SH-1 (53% production on the PP)
Shift to wing...
2017/18 - *Points-102 *ES-66 *PP-36 *SH-0 (35% production on the PP)
2018/19 - *Points-85 *ES-61 *PP-23 *SH-1 (27% production on the PP)
2019/20 - *Points-53 *ES-31 *PP-20 *SH-2 (37% production on the PP)

His shift to the wing in 17/18 really had a significant impact on his even strength points for whatever reason? Couturier?

fair enough, I'm just saying as he gets older his lack of foot-speed will get worse and worse, which to me, is and always has been his biggest issue. He's never been a fast guy, he isn't slow, but he's not fast either.

Which is why he wasn't drafted higher than #22 despite putting up 103 points in 69 games as a 16/17 year old in the QMJHL and why he's never been an elite player despite a couple peak NHL seasons. His intelligence and skills are world class, but his skating has never been.

For a 33 year old guy his best days are probably behind him, my point is, he's certainly not the sole reason the team looks bad on certain nights so pointing the finger at him alone in my opinion is unjustified.
- DraftandDestroy

How can a player who has been a Hart trophy finalist multiple times have never been an elite player? His skating is not getting worse. Scouting is obviously not an exact science but you're acting like it is. Brayden Point and Kucherov were both 2nd round picks. What were the reasons? Does it matter? Now or in the future?

https://twitter.com/avapp...5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

You mean the guy who scored 102 points and was robbed of the Hart trophy the first year he was moved? The guy who scored 85 points the second year? The guy who only scored one less goal in 13 less games last season?

The guy whose advanced stats improved dramatically after he was moved to wing? That guy?

Comon man.
- MBFlyerfan

Go look at Haggs advanced stats. Tell me what you see.

How can a player who has been a Hart trophy finalist have never been an elite player? His skating is not getting worse. Scouting is obviously not an exact science but you're acting like it is. Brayden Point and Kucherov were both 2nd round picks. What were the reasons? Does it matter? Now or in the future?
- MJL

I know you like to pick things apart if they're not worded exactly perfect, I'm too old to sit here and nit pick over my definitions vs yours. But I'll give you this. He did have an elite type season in 2017/18 with his 102 points, but in general, as I said, he's not been an elite player year after year in the league, just a really damn good one. Skating IMO being the major reason.

If you read the scouting reports from his draft year you'll see that skating was a concern. When he went to the wing a couple years ago it helped in that he isn't required to skate as much as a winger as oppose to a center, probably wasn't a decision they made 'just because'.

I know you like to pick things apart if they're not worded exactly perfect, I'm too old to sit here and nit pick over my definitions vs yours. But I'll give you this. He did have an elite type season in 2017/18 with his 102 points, but in general, as I said, he's not been an elite player year after year in the league, just a really damn good one.

If you read the scouting reports from his draft year you'll see that skating was a concern. When he went to the wing a couple years ago it helped in that he isn't required to skate as much as a winger as oppose to a center, probably wasn't a decision they made 'just because'.
- DraftandDestroy

You made a statement that he's never been an elite player. That doesn't need to be picked apart. It's simply incorrect. I don't care how old you are.

I'll make my point again as clear as I can. After a player is drafted and he's actually in the NHL, all that matters is how good of a player he is. His pre draft scouting report at that point in time is worthless.
Moving to wing was about less of a physical load on him because he was wearing down. More due to his smaller size than his skating. I'll repeat, although he needs to play better, his skating is not an issue. His skating is absolutely fine and he's skating as well as he ever has. His skating and quickness has actually stood out in my opinion.

You made a statement that he's never been an elite player. That doesn't need to be picked apart. It's simply incorrect. I don't care how old you are.

I'll make my point again as clear as I can. After a player is drafted and he's actually in the NHL, all that matters is how good of a player he is. His pre draft scouting report at that point in time is not worthless.
Moving to wing was about less of a physical load on him because he was wearing down. More due to his smaller size than his skating. I'll repeat, although he needs to play better, his skating is not an issue. His skating is absolutely fine and he's skating as well as he ever has. His skating and quickness has actually stood out in my opinion.
- MJL

You're correct, he did have one elite season, but for the record he's only received first place votes for the Hart Trophy twice, once in 2018 (10 votes) and in 2014 (2 votes). I tend to generalize when I type so I don't have to write a book, you'll get no exceptions in that department

Secondly, you're completely wrong, playing the wing tends to be a much more physically demanding position than center. I'm sorry you don't agree, and that you're wrong, however, skating is an issue for him and why he was moved to the wing.

You're correct, he did have one elite season, but for the record he's only received first place votes for the Hart Trophy twice, once in 2018 (10 votes) and in 2014 (2 votes). I tend to generalize when I type so I don't have to write a book, you'll get no exceptions in that department


- DraftandDestroy

You're still incorrect. He has had more than one elite season. You keep trying to move the bar to suit your poorly thought out premise.

Secondly, you're completely wrong, playing the wing tends to be a much more physically demanding position than center. I'm sorry you don't agree, and that you're wrong, however, skating is an issue for him and why he was moved to the wing.
- DraftandDestroy

No it's not. Playing center is more wear and tear on the body. Sub par skating had nothing to do with him moving to the wing. You're just seeing what you want to see and are ignoring how strong Giroux is skating.

Hi

I know you like to pick things apart if they're not worded exactly perfect, I'm too old to sit here and nit pick over my definitions vs yours. But I'll give you this. He did have an elite type season in 2017/18 with his 102 points, but in general, as I said, he's not been an elite player year after year in the league, just a really damn good one. Skating IMO being the major reason.

If you read the scouting reports from his draft year you'll see that skating was a concern. When he went to the wing a couple years ago it helped in that he isn't required to skate as much as a winger as oppose to a center, probably wasn't a decision they made 'just because'.
- DraftandDestroy

No disrespect but your nitpicking.

They've played badly for three straight games -- no more excuses, time to tamp down and put in the work before this thing snowballs.

If the Pens were even half-competent, the Flyers would be 0-3.

Two thoughts
1. The Sabres 4th line is a lot better than their 3rd
2. Gus is not good with the puck. He’s a turnover machine. Can’t remember the last D man to turn the puck over that frequently... maybe Ghost in one of his lull’s

They've played badly for three straight games -- no more excuses, time to tamp down and put in the work before this thing snowballs.

If the Pens were even half-competent, the Flyers would be 0-3.
- Tomahawk

Yea they really need to get the train on the tracks here. After a game like that I’m expecting a good effort tonight, have a little respect for yourselves.